Warning: Contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 3.

House of the Dragon season 2, episode 3 brings back Aegon the Conqueror’s A Song of Ice and Fire, and it changes the show’s story once again. Going right back to House of the Dragon‘s season 1 premiere, Aegon’s dream of the White Walkers was a major addition to Game of Thrones lore, changing the entire purpose of House Targaryen being in Westeros.

Season 1 continued to build on the prophecy, making it key to the Dance of the Dragons. Viserys told the dream to Alicent on his deathbed. She misinterpreted it to mean he wanted their son, Aegon, to be king, and the rest is bloody, violent history. Season 2 finally reckons with that misunderstanding, and it’s brilliantly done and makes the entire use of the prophecy even better.

Aegon’s Dream Changes Alicent & Rhaenyra’s Story A Second Time

The Prophecy Adds Yet Another Twist To The Dance Of The Dragons In Game Of Thrones History

House of the Dragon season 2 marks another shift in Alicent and Rhaenyra’s story (and with it, Game of Thrones history) thanks, once again, to Aegon’s dream. Ever since that first misunderstanding, I’ve been hoping to see a conversation like this play out between them, and I’m so glad we finally got to have it here. It’s exactly as it should be: emotional, tinged with regret, and yet with a steadfast refusal to break from this path because it’s too far gone.

It’s important that Alicent’s decision becomes more than just a misunderstanding, because the actions that are happening now carry more weight that way. These are deliberate acts of war. Alicent knowing the truth, but continuing to push Aegon’s claim, doesn’t make her more likable, but it does make her an even more nuanced character and gives her more agency. Because she’s not just doing this for her son, but for herself: she has lost a lot, and people – including at least one of her sons – doubt her. She’s lost too much to risk losing even more by admitting the truth.

For Rhaenyra, she too should only be emboldened by this. Meeting with Alicent was a last-ditch effort at preventing the Targaryen civil war from going too far, and now she knows there is no other option. Dragons will be loosed, the realm will burn, and Rhaenyra will be a part of that as much as anyone now, but with understandable reasons.

Aegon’s dream adds to that even more now. Knowing that the story was told to her alone, that Viserys 100% did not pass it on to Alicent or Aegon, solidifies in her mind not only her claim to the Iron Throne, but her position as the person destined to save Westeros, or that the Prince That Will Promised will, at the very least, come from her bloodline.

The Setup For Alicent & Rhaenyra’s Conversation Was Silly – But Worth It

Rhaenyra’s Plan Wasn’t Exactly Smart, But It Was Necessary

Look, I’m not going to lie: I think the story machinations to get Rhaenyra into King’s Landing and meet Alicent was a bit silly. It’s a monumental risk, not the strongest of disguises given her face is on show, and could have ended badly in so many ways. It’s not quite “Tyrion plans to capture a wight” level of dumb, but it’s not exactly a smart move either. However, it was absolutely a necessary one, and I’m glad they did it.

Rhaenyra and Alicent are the heart of this show. It’s their story, their relationship, that matters above all else (and I’m not talking about the book, but how the TV show has centered these two characters, their experiences, their love and their hate). The events naturally separated them, but it was important they found a way to connect them again on screen and push both of their arcs forward, so I’m relieved the show found a way to do so. It’s not a perfect solution to getting them together, but there probably wasn’t one, and it’s so worth it.

There is, perhaps, a sense of irony in Rhaenyra being disguised as a Septa. One of the big fractures in their relationship was the beginning of Rhaenyra’s sex life and how the events around that impacted Alicent, who became more pious and self-righteous. Now, Alicent is having a relationship with Criston Cole, and Rhaenyra is shown disguised as one of Westeros’ most religious, pious figures.

Aegon’s Dream Is Key To The Dance Of The Dragons

It Makes Targaryen History More Important To Its Present & Future

House of the Dragon using Aegon’s dream to start – and continue – the Targaryen civil war is a great decision, and each new layer and twist only makes it better. That it was originally a misunderstanding gives it a bittersweet element, and things spiral so hard, so fast that there’s no option to turn back from it, even when learning the truth only adds to the pathos. It makes the Dance of the Dragons a lot more emotional, and even more intimate and personal between Alicent and Rhaenyra.

What I particularly love is how it speaks to the power and fallacy of prophecy in the Game of Thrones franchise. Who the Prince That Was Promised is doesn’t matter so much as what a person believes, and how they choose to interpret it. Alicent interprets Viserys’ story as him wanting Aegon to be king, and so she makes it happen; something that wasn’t even prophesied is fulfilled.

Rhaenyra, the only person Viserys told the Song of Ice and Fire to, has her claim strengthened by it in her mind. It gives her a greater reason to fight for the Iron Throne, because to her, she is also fighting for something so much greater, and it is with her line that it must continue. And the cruel irony is that, in the belief of a prophecy to save the realm, she will contribute to its destruction.

The Dance of the Dragons is a defining moment in House Targaryen’s history. It’s a long way from the end – there’s still around 150 years to go before the Mad King is slain by Jaime Lannister – but it is, in a way, the beginning of it. Certainly, the dying out of the dragons begins with this civil war, which wipes out so many of them. For that to be motivated by the very thing that led to Aegon the Conqueror uniting the realm in the first place is very fitting to me.

Will Aegon’s Dream Have A Greater Impact On House Of The Dragon?

Rhaenyra Still Needs To Tell Jacaerys About It

The biggest part of Aegon’s dream has now been resolved, with Alicent learning the truth, but I do think it’ll continue to have an impact on the show. One thing that I think needs to happen is for Rhaenyra to tell Jacaerys about it (since he seemingly doesn’t know, yet). That could drive not only her story but his, too, and make it an even bigger part of House of the Dragon going forward by partially rooting yet another character’s decisions in the Song of Ice and Fire.

New episodes of House of the Dragon season 2 release Sundays at 9pm on HBO and Max.