New images from House of the Dragon Episode 3, “Second of His Name”

HBO has just released a bevy of new images from Episode 3 of House of the Dragon, and my are they gorgeous. “The Rogue Prince” ended with King Viserys (Paddy Considine) announcing his intent to marry Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey), while the king’s brother Daemon (Matt Smith) and Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) formed an alliance to go wage war in the Stepstones.

Based on these images, we can tell that “Second of His Name” will feature a time jump. Because there’s King Viserys and Alicent Hightower with their bouncing baby boy, Aegon II, for whom this episode is named. Alicent is also pregnant with baby number two in this shot. They’ve been busy:

And here’s Alicent again. This looks like it’s probably in King’s Landing, by the stonework and that dragon sconce.

Meet the ancestors of the Lannisters

And here we have our main lady Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock). She’s chatting with a Lannister; if it’s not obvious from his clothing and blonde hair, check out that Lannister crest on his chest. This is Lord Jason Lannister, played by Jefferson Hall.

Interestingly, Hall is the only cast member so far who also appeared in Game of Thrones; he played the hapless knight Ser Hugh of the Vale, who gets killed in the joust during the fourth episode. In House of the Dragon, Jason has a twin brother, Tyland Lannister, who is also played by Hall.

And here’s Jason again, offering someone a very large spear. Otto Hightower’s giving him the side-eye in the background.

Rhaenyra gets closer with Criston Cole

And here we get a wider shot of that enormous royal tent, which is set up as part of a royal hunt. Rhaenyra rides off on her white horse. This woodland camp is really striking.

Rhaenyra and Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) walk their horses through the forest.

Rhaenyra reads a book, sitting against a tree. She’s wearing a different outfit here than she is in the woodland camp. So either a different day, a different location, or both?

It’s tough to be the king

It’s a little hard to make out, but this is King Viserys and Alicent, enjoying some quality time to themselves in front of a very, very large bonfire.

Next, we’re back in that big ol’ fancy tent. Viserys and Rhaenyra look to be having a serious conversation, while Otto Hightower does his Otto Hightower thing and observes. That’s Criston Cole stationed beside Viserys’ travel-throne. (Are travel-thrones a thing? I guess they must be, because he’s got one.) Also, check out that dragon effigy that’s perched on top of the chair. The details!

Next, Viserys parks his bum in said very nice chair while Otto gives him some advice. Who wants to bet that it’s self-serving?

War in the Stepstones!

All the images we’ve seen so far have been heavily focused on the royal family and those in their orbit, but we’ll be seeing more than just that in “Second of His Name.” Episode 2 ended with Daemon Targaryen and Corlys Velaryon forming an alliance to go fight raiders in the Stepstones, and from this picture of Corlys with a rather large axe, it seems clear that the fighting has begun.

The little details continue to impress; check out the seahorse sigil on his helmet and breastplate.

Corlys won’t be the only Velaryon waging war. Here’s his son Laenor (Theo Nate). He’s grown up a bit since the first couple of episodes, where he was a child played by Matthew Carver.

Next up, we’ve got Daemon Targaryen, flanked by Laenor and Corlys’ younger brother Ser Vaemond Velaryon (Wil Johnson). Daemon’s got some kind of note here with a wax seal.

Speaking of brothers, here they are. Corlys and Vaemond, having a spat of some kind by the looks of it.

And here we see Laenor, Vaemond, Corlys, and some of their men-at-arms discussing strategy. How will they root out the Crabfeeder?

With fire and blood and swords, by the looks of it. This final image is of Ser Vaemond mixing it up on the battlefield. Those are Triarchy soldiers dead on the ground around him. Note also the wooden stake behind him; we’ve seen the Crabfeeder nail people to stakes like that, so presumably this battle is happening on a beach.

From these new images, it looks like this week’s episode of House of the Dragon is going to be a crazy one. What are you most excited for?

House of the Dragon Episode 3 premieres this Sunday at 9:00 p.m. EST / 8:00 p.m. CST on HBO and HBO Max.

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