House of the Dragon S3E2, 'Queen’s Landing', Rhaenyra claims the throne

tvJun 29, 2026672,171

Episode 2, "Queen's Landing," ends with Rhaenyra Targaryen physically claiming the Iron Throne in Queen's Landing after a bloody push led by Daemon Targaryen. The episode opens with Baela returning Jace's body to Dragonstone and Rhaenyra reeling from that loss, then follows Daemon as he murders opponents to clear a path for her. The sequence closes on a striking final image of Rhaenyra reflected in a pool of blood as she takes the seat. Viewers singled out Emma D'Arcy's performance as visceral and commanding, and several posts praised the episode's score. Some viewers objected to an unnecessary sexual assault scene in the episode. Multiple commentators described the episode as marking a new chapter in the war between the factions.

Mueller, She Wrote

@muellershewrote.com

ME: Why do the Targaryens all have the same name? Aemond. Daemon. Aegon. Rhaenyra. Rhaenys. BFF: I long for a Josh Targaryen. @tenth-muse.com

111145d ago

DWKing23

It’s difficult enough trying to remember which brother is also his own cousin and uncle

deeknees1.bsky.social13

Larry, Darryl and Darryl. (Clearly dating myself)

Agnes of Caerbanogg 🐇🐹🦜🐈‍⬛11

And their seedier cousin, Chad Targaryen

The Grumpy Old Troll11

Remember that time the mad king sent Jared Targaryen to the Free Cities to negotiate a peace deal after the same time he was working to build the Braavos Targaryn Tower?

✨hcl✨8

The Last Kingdom is much worse — Athelred, Athelstan, Athelweard, Athelfled, and on and on.

Malebranche8

I was just talking with my girlfriend about this and she adds that all the incest makes it even more difficult to tell them apart

Quoting this

Anathema 🏳️‍🌈🏴‍☠️3

I mean there was a Jon…

Mina Kimes

@minakimes.bsky.social

Not the best swing at the first pitch for ol Rhaenyra Targaryen but she’s gonna get that batting average up in no time

40145d ago

Meatwad Bod11

I don’t know - .500 is pretty good.

BRAK AND BLUE11

Fouled the first one off, but hacking the Chief Designer of the Soviet space program is a big one to start on

SoonerMedic7

Even setup on a tee! Probably should have practiced a head of time!!

Scott Jordan5

She swung for the fences on that second one though!

ampers andi4

i'm gonna blame daemon for this one. the rogue prince was off on an ayahuasca vacation instead of training his wife in basic royal duties

jpszczepanski.bsky.social4

I think her WAR is going to be a more important stat to track

Quoting this

Jennifer Kirton2

Is it bad that while watching it I heard Ron Weasley’s voice in my head saying “bloody hell”

Jason K Pargin, author

@jasonkpargin.bsky.social

It's ridiculous how fans complain that House of the Dragon takes so long between seasons. Uh, guys, you do realize that before they can shoot a new season the actors have to take time to grow out their hair, right?

11245d ago

Brian Grubb

@briancgrubb.bsky.social

my House of the Dragon Scorecard for S3E2 is up at @vulture.com i am already giving out scores like -100 I’m as mad with power as anyone on the show www.vulture.com/article/hous...

3045d ago

Asher Elbein

@asherelbein.bsky.social

Yeah, I think House of The Dragon is a much, much smarter show in construction and theme than I've seen a lot of people giving it credit for

2445d ago

The Smol Bear 🐻

@thebearheir.bsky.social

All hail Queen Rhaenyra of House Targaryen, the First of Her Name. Queen of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men #HouseoftheDragon #HOTD

2345d ago

Quoting this

HamletIsDead3

Shits about to get real yo.

Glen Weldon

@ghweldon.bsky.social

Some sad goodbyes, a coup that isn’t entirely bloodless, and a locker-room scene, because the HBO butt-quota is a ravenous beast which much be fed cake on the regular. A recap of HOUSE OF THE DRAGON S3, E2. www.npr.org/2026/06/28/n...

2345d ago

Quoting this

Matt Mitovich3

“[As wild-eyed Rhaena] she's giving Scrat from Ice Age, and I can't get enough.” 👏👏 #HOTD

sophiehovis.bsky.social

@sophiehovis.bsky.social

emma d'arcy in 3x02???!!???! the performance was so visceral from start to finish. give them literally every acting award under the sun. i'm blown away #HOTD #HouseoftheDragon

1445d ago

Shiro ♡

@feywildes.bsky.social

(wip) up way past my bedtime bc i wanted to draw rhaenyra real bad

1945d ago

Kazuma Hashimoto

@kazuma.bsky.social

house of the dragon continues to remain a series about continued miscommunication and you cannot carry an entire show on that kind of writing for multiple seasons.

1945d ago

Azilyn2

Miscommunication is such a tired way to stretch tension. I still feel relief every time a show resolves character tensions within the same episode they're introduced.

Velodus✨

@velodus.bsky.social

I enjoy when people post about House of the Dragon because I felt so incredibly burned by the main series that I can't bring myself to ever trust the franchise again, so seeing people post about HOTD genuinely is the closest I'll come to ever experiencing GOT again.

1645d ago

Lacy Baugher Milas

@lacymb.bsky.social

Daemon Targaryen casually murdering dudes to clear a path to the throne for his wife is genuinely some peak Targaryen romance. #HouseoftheDragon

1545d ago

Antoine Brown

@bldrteal.bsky.social

Calling all Black Fantasy fan This episode was peak for us. #HouseofTheDragon

1345d ago

Mekka Okereke

@mekka.mekka-tech.com

OK, House of the Dragon Season 3 is a much better show than the original series. The writing is A+, it handles SA better and doesn't use it as cheap entertainment, and Emma D'Arcy is turning in an amazing performance. Industry awards are irrelevant: you know what you're seeing when they're onscreen.

1545d ago

TinaBoBina

@itsmetinaaaa.bsky.social

Thank gd Rhaenyra has daemon because my good sis think she can rule with peace and love and girl now you have end bloodlines! #HouseOfTheDragon #HOTD #DemDragons

945d ago

3 sources

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House of the Dragon S3E2, 'Queen’s Landing', Rhaenyra claims the throne

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