In this week's House of the Dragon episode, tensions rise as Rhaenyra and Alicent engage in a tense conversation, revealing the true cause of the impending war - a miscommunication between an opiate-addled king and a former friend. Amidst this chaos, Daemon makes dramatic gestures at Harrenhal, Aemond continues his pitiful moping, and Criston Cole's incompetence is on full display. Meanwhile, Mysaria continues to rise in power and influence, while Rhaena Targaryen asserts herself as a truth-teller. As security fails and characters make questionable decisions, the scorecard reveals Jacaerys and Mysaria in the lead, with tensions escalating and mysteries unraveling. As new characters with intriguing names enter the scene, the future of the realm remains uncertain. Will peace ever be achieved, or is war inevitable in this intricate and complex world?