We’ve reached the fifth episode of House of the Dragon season three, and both sides of the Dance of the Dragons are starting to realize how cruel and tedious war can be—even when there are no dragons involved. This week, we spend time with Cole’s increasingly raggedy army, as well as another beleaguered group of soldiers: Daemon’s Gold Cloaks of the City Watch in King’s Landing. The tension builds throughout and yields some awfully gruesome returns; extra praise must be given to the House of the Dragon special effects team this week for truly outdoing themselves. We first check in with young Lord Tully and his army of rivermen (plus Roddy the Ruin and the Winter Wolves), whose journey to Tumbleton by way of the Stoney Sept has been slowed by sabotage from Cole, Gwayne, and company. Tully tasks a group to go ahead and protect the river crossings, and Roddy says he’d be happy to chase down Cole’s forces and fight them outright. But Tully suggests they instead “play at his game,” an idea that becomes more urgent when Cole leads an attack on Team Black’s camp that results in slashed throats and burned tents.
Next, we’re in Harrenhal, where the Black Phillip of Westeros makes another cameo before a group of rough-looking men enter, intent on collecting Rhaenyra’s prize for killing Aemond: ownership of Harrenhal itself. Alys Rivers, who’s grown accustomed to such invaders, is there to “greet” them. She assures them Aemond is not there and then shoos them away with help from Harrenhal’s resident ghosts.
