House of the Dragon Episode 16: Smallfolk

In King's Landing, Prince Aemond orders Ser Criston Cole to march on Harrenhal and dismisses Alicent from the Small Council, telling her to return to domestic pursuits; he also instructs Larys Strong to summon Otto Hightower back and receives a message from Jason Lannister demanding he join with Vhagar before their army advances. Alicent speaks with her brother Ser Gwayne Hightower, inquiring about her son Daeron, whom she sent away as a child; Gwayne describes him as now 16, smart, and good-looking. Rumors spread among the starving smallfolk that Aemond feasts nightly while they suffer, fueled by sheep brought to feed Vhagar; Rhaenyra and Mysaria send ships with food to the city, turning the crowds against the Greens as they chant Rhaenyra's name. While Alicent and Helaena pray at a sept, an angry mob attacks them, pelting Alicent with a fish and injuring a Kingsguard by severing his arm; Alicent orders her guards to sheathe their swords to avoid further provocation.

At Dragonstone, Lord Corlys Velaryon assumes the role of Hand of the Queen on the Black Council. Desperate for more dragonriders, Rhaenyra summons Ser Steffon Darklyn, a loyal knight with distant Targaryen ancestry, to attempt claiming Seasmoke, Laenor Velaryon's dragon; he agrees despite the risks, but the dragon initially seems receptive before lashing out, burning Steffon and a dragonkeeper to death. Rhaenyra confides in Mysaria that she and Daemon each possess traits the other lacks, forming a whole; Mysaria shares her traumatic past of sexual abuse and explains her loyalty to Rhaenyra, moving her deeply—they share a passionate kiss, interrupted by news that Seasmoke has a new rider. Rhaenyra, fearing a Green ally, mounts Syrax and flies off to confront them; afterward, Lord Bartimos Celtigar offers condolences on Steffon's death, notes Seasmoke has left the island, and suggests marching on Rook's Rest, prompting Rhaenyra to slap him and remind him to fear her.

At Harrenhal, Daemon dreams of a vision where King Viserys berates him harshly, banishing him to Runestone; waking in horror, he accuses Ser Simon Strong of poisoning him on behalf of Larys or Rhaenyra before heading to the godswood to mount Caraxes and leave. Alys Rivers intercepts him, urging him to stop running from his problems, warning that his anger blinds him and those who strive for the crown may not be suited to bear its burden. Ser Simon announces Lord Grover Tully's death, with Alys as his last visitor; this elevates Grover's grandson Oscar Tully as the new Lord of Riverrun and Lord Paramount of the Riverlands, though Daemon had dismissed Grover's ability to negotiate due to his frailty.

In the Vale, Rhaena notices scorched earth and charred animal carcasses while walking, indicating a nearby dragon; Lady Jeyne Arryn confirms a wild dragon roams the area and reveals Prince Reggio of Pentos has agreed to shelter Rhaena and Rhaenyra's youngest sons, Aegon and Viserys, with preparations underway for their departure. The Lannister army arrives at Castle Redfort in the Vale and bends the knee to the Greens. Seasmoke is later seen with a new rider, Addam of Hull, who bonds with the dragon after being chased.