House of the Dragon Episode 20: Queen's Landing

Baela returns to Dragonstone with Jacaerys’s body after the Battle of the Gullet, and Rhaenyra is devastated by her son’s death. The episode then follows the fallout across the realm as Daemon returns from the Riverlands, Corlys survives the battle, and the struggle for King’s Landing finally comes to a head.

Rhaenyra’s grief dominates the opening. When Baela brings Jacaerys home, Rhaenyra first seems unable to accept what she is seeing, then breaks down in anger and mourning over her son’s body. Her pain is sharpened by the wider losses of the war, and Daemon arrives soon after learning of Jacaerys’s death. Before leaving Harrenhal, Daemon dismisses Alys Rivers’s request for Harrenhal as payment for her help, but that choice leaves the relationship unsettled. Aemond later reaches Harrenhal on Vhagar, kills Simon Strong, is wounded in the attack, and ends the episode being cared for by Alys.

Elsewhere, the war’s survivors and opportunists make their own moves. Corlys survives the Gullet and, amid the wreckage of High Tide and the Velaryon fleet, formally offers Alyn and Addam the Velaryon name. Rhaena returns to the Vale with Sheepstealer and tries to bargain with Jeyne Arryn, presenting the dragon as both protection and leverage. Aegon and Larys escape after surviving an attack on their caravan, and Aegon insists on going to Rook’s Rest, apparently convinced Sunfyre may still be alive there.

In King’s Landing, Alicent tries to keep her bargain with Rhaenyra alive by urging Luthor Largent and the City Watch to stand down when the Blacks arrive. Jasper Wylde discovers her plan, attacks her, and is then arrested by Orwyle. With Vhagar gone from the city, Rhaenyra, Daemon, Hugh, and Ulf fly into King’s Landing. The Gold Cloaks switch sides, allowing Rhaenyra’s forces into the Red Keep. Rhaenyra demands Aegon, but he has already fled.

Instead, Larys produces Otto Hightower as a captive prize. Rhaenyra has Otto executed, Daemon kills Jasper, and Rhaenyra finally takes the Iron Throne for herself.