House of the Dragon Episode 15: Regent

The episode opens in King's Landing, where Ser Criston Cole parades the severed head of Meleys through the streets amid the hanging bodies of ratcatchers, but the smallfolk react with silent fear and whispers of bad omens rather than cheers, as food shortages worsen and prices soar.

King Aegon II, severely burned and broken from his crash during the Battle at Rook's Rest, lies comatose in his chambers as Grand Maester Orwyle and other maesters desperately treat him; Sunfyre clings to life but is not expected to survive.

The Green Council convenes to address the leadership void, with Alicent Hightower nominating herself as regent due to her experience, but the council—led by figures like Cole—elects Aemond Targaryen as Prince Regent instead, citing his sex and the need to project strength, as a dragonrider should lead a dragon war.

Aemond swiftly takes the council's lead chair, orders the city gates sealed to prevent anyone from entering or leaving, and mandates the ratcatchers' bodies be removed; this traps starving smallfolk inside, including blacksmith Hugh and his ill daughter, who had been attempting to flee.

Helaena confronts Aemond before the Iron Throne, questioning if his actions were worth the price; later, Alicent angrily berates Cole for supporting Aemond over her, but he defends the choice by describing the battle's horrors and insisting a dragonrider must command.

Alicent sits vigil at Aegon's bedside but departs just before he weakly awakens and calls for her.

Aemond and Cole discuss plans to march through Westeros, securing lords through fear while sidelining Aegon.

At Dragonstone, Rhaenyra Targaryen mourns Rhaenys Targaryen's death alongside Lord Corlys Velaryon, who is devastated; Corlys had tried naming Baela Targaryen his heir, but she declares herself of "fire and blood," not the sea.

The Black Council debates losses at Rook's Rest, Duskendale, and the deaths of Rhaenys and Meleys; Ser Alfred Broome highlights the turmoil, while Rhaenyra acknowledges her lack of warfare training—mirroring her all-male council's inexperience under peaceful kings Jaehaerys I and Viserys I—and proposes flying into battle herself, but is dissuaded as Vhagar remains their greatest exhausted threat.

Jacaerys Velaryon, short a dragon and rider, convinces Rhaenyra for a rogue mission and negotiates with House Frey, securing their men for the Blacks by promising them Harrenhal if they win the war.

Jace and Rhaenyra discuss seeking Targaryen "dragonseeds" or half-breeds across the realm to claim wild dragons, as even diluted blood of the dragon might suffice.

Mysaria dispatches an agent to King's Landing for undisclosed reasons.

Rhaena Targaryen's visit to the Vale proceeds without major developments.

At Harrenhal, Daemon Targaryen acts kingly, brutally enforces loyalty—including war crimes against House Bracken—chops wood to repair the castle, loses Riverlords' support due to their indifference to his royalty and dragon, and confides to Alys Rivers his intent to seize the Iron Throne for himself, with Rhaenyra free to join as queen beside him.