Plotting all around as Rhaenyra faces enemies near and far
James Cox
The walls of the Red Keep seem to be closing in on Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen in episode five of House of the Dragon, season three.
There are spoilers in this piece if you are not up to date with House of the Dragon.
Lord Oscar Tully (Archie Barnes) opens 'Unbowed and Unbent' as his attempts to get his Rivermen to Tumbleton are hampered by the guerrilla warfare of Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) and his men burning tents.
However, his attempts to reach the Stony Sept before the Rivermen prove to be in vain.
Gwayne Hightower (Freddie Fox) eventually gives up on Ser Criston, who is determined to fight to the death in a bid to secure his legacy.
Alys River (Gayle Rankin) and Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) could be the next power couple to wacth in Westeros.
Her efforts to nurse him back to health are rewarded when he kills raiders before they can harm her. The question is what comes next for Alys and Aemond at Harrenhal?
Meanwhile, Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) is still haunted by jealousy of his brother. Larys (Matthew Needham) finally grows a back bone and unleashes his rage on the exiled king in a brilliant monologue.
"You were a bad king. But worse than that... you are a terrible man," he tells Aegon.
Finally there is some good fortune for Larys and Aegon, as they subsequently stumble upon Tyland Lannister (Jefferson Hall).
In captivity in King's Landing, Helaena (Phia Saban) refuses to take the potion to end her pregnancy despite the protests of Alicent (Olivia Cooke).
In an intriguing battle of wits, Alicent convinces Lady Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) to show mercy on her and her daughter... in exchange for the favour of the Hightowers whenever she may need it.
This ends with Alicent and Helaena stuck in a tunnel as they attempt to flee King's Landing.
Addam (Clinton Liberty) and Baela (Bethany Antonia) are out searching for Vhagar, who has flown away from Aemond at Harrenhal. It may be just us, but there could be a new romance here... after all being uncle and niece is no obstacle to Targaryens, or Velaryons.
There is chaos at Rhaenyra's (Emma D'Arcy) queen's council as she faces enemies from within and outside.
Mysaria continues to advocate for the small folk, Lady Frey (Sarah Woodward) is proving a nuisance addition and Daemon (Matt Smith) is furious over the brutal murders of his Gold Cloak soldiers.
Rhaenyra turns to faith in desperation, with a tense exchange in High Valyrian with Daemon following.
In Tumbleton, Ormund Hightower (James Norton) continues to groom Daeron Targaryen (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) for power.
After a tense game of chess, and a history lesson, he tells his young ward: "Never apologise for victory."
He even reveals he has had gold coins with Daeron's likeness commissioned.
With these, we learn he has paid the men to butcher Daemon's Gold Cloaks in King's Landing.
After this information comes to the prince, via some casual torture, he is furious and brings the news to Rhaenyra.
Ormund was a mysterious foe before, but battle lines have now been fully drawn.
