The House of the Dragon season 3 premiere quietly introduced a major character without naming them, and the show just did the same thing in episode 2.
Early in the episode, we see Daemon (Matt Smith) and his warriors are celebrating a well-earned victory with the Winter Wolves, led by Roddy the Ruin (Tommy Flanagan), over the Lannisters at the Battle by the Lakeshore, also known as the Fishfeed. As Jason Lannister’s head sits on a pike alongside his lions, Daemon’s army, which includes a force from the Riverlands, celebrates and sings a song about the Fishfeed with the Winter Wolves. The warrior with her eyes painted black is Alysanne Blackwood, also known as Black Aly, and she’s a badass.
Black Aly, played by Annie Shapero, is the daughter of Lord Blackwood of the riverlands, and she’s about to have a huge impact on the season in the battles to come.
Of course, we don’t get much of an introduction to Black Aly in this episode. Immediately after Simon Strong (Simon Russell Beale) comes from Harrenhal and delivers Daemon a message that informs him that his step-son and heir to the Iron Throne, Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collett), also known as Jace, was killed in the Battle of the Gullet. He also tells his troops, including Black Aly, to prepare to march to King’s Landing.
Based on what we know of her character, Black Aly is a ruthless, tremendous fighter and a skilled archer.
What role will Black Aly play in House of the Dragon season 3?
As with Daeron Targaryen (Benjamin Evan Ainsworth) in the season premiere, we don’t get a lot of fanfare for Black Aly. We just see her close to Daemon and in the middle of the action after the battle. It’s definitely a sign of things to come.
I don’t think the show is trying to be sneaky or anything like that by not naming Black Aly as they did with Daeron in the first episode. Instead, I think they’re just doing a short intro and then moving on to more important things. Not that Black Aly isn’t important; she’s just less important than a few of the other major characters at the moment. Honestly, we should probably be spending a lot more time with a few of those key characters, but it’s been a dreadfully slow start for some of those characters. Sorry, Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) and Gwayne Hightower (Freddie Fox).
I have to imagine, based on the introduction to Black Aly this early in the season, that we’re going to get to know her a little better as the season goes on. Will she be as impactful in season 3 as Daeron? Probably not, but everyone who knows Black Aly’s story from George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood knows just how impactful she will be in the greater story.
Looking at what’s to come, especially the battles ahead, I have a feeling that Ryan Condal and the writers are going to give Black Aly a little more time to shine. Her squad is heading for King’s Landing, and there are a few battles we know are coming soon, and we know there are. I would be very surprised if we don’t see Black Aly in the middle of the Battle of Tumbleton. I don’t have any inside information. I’m simply guessing where the story is heading, but I could be wrong, of course.
We’ll share more news and updates about Black Aly as the season goes on. She’s definitely going to be a key and exciting character to watch in House of the Dragon from here on out.
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