What happens in episode six, The Princess and The Sea?
WARNING: Spoilers for The Princess And The Sea ahead.
Jumping forward almost a decade since the events of episode five, Rhaenyra is now a mother to three sons.
However, none of whom bear any resemblance to their supposed father, Leanor Velaryon – something Ser Criston, who’s now devout to Alicent, can’t help goading Ser Harwin Strong about, assuming he’s their true father.
Queen Alicent, incensed with the swirling rumours, pleads with King Viserys to question his grandchildren’s legitimacy, but he dismisses her.
But with Alicent now having two male heirs, she has her eyes on the Iron Throne for her eldest boy, Aegon.
Meanwhile, Daemon has taken Laena Velaryon - now 22 years old - as a wife, and together they have two daughters and are expecting a third child.
Using her father’s ships to head to Pentos as they prepare for a new uprising by the Triarchy.
However, Laena goes into labour and it ends in tragedy, with her commanding her dragon to burn her alive knowing she wouldn’t survive it.
Rhaenyra makes efforts to subside family friction by proposing a marriage to combine the Hightower and Velaryon sides of the house.
As those faithful to Alicent make a bold move to help re-establish the Hightower’s hold on power at King’s Landing, she is left horrified by the extent at which they go.
Meet the new cast
The time jump introduces a switch-up to the casting line-up, with the characters ageing a decade.
New additions are: ● Emma D'Arcy (Truth Seekers, Wanderlust) as adult Rhaenyra Targaryen ● Olivia Cooke (Ready Player One, Vanity Fair) as Alicent Hightower ● Ty Tennant (War Of The Worlds, Tolkien) as Prince Aegon Targaryen ● Leo Ashton (Red Rose, The Bay) as Prince Aemond Targaryen ● Eva Ossei-Gerning (The Snow Spider) as Rhaena Targaryen ● Newcomer Leo Hart as Jacaerys Velaryon
At this point in time, Alicent is mother to Aegon, Heleana, Aemond and Daeron. Aegon and Aemond in particular are antagonistic in nature not just to their mother, but to Rhaenyra’s three children, whom they believe are bastards and not of real royal blood.
Rhaenyra is mother to Jacaerys, Lucerys and Joffrey, who are far more timid in nature and not as well-trained in fighting as their uncles. As a result, Aegon and Aemond often use this to their advantage to make a mockery of them.
Writer Sara Hess explained: “It is a story about family and about parents and children, and so one of the themes that we are exploring is family beefs getting passed on to our children, and things that we do for our children that we maybe shouldn't.“
Who is the true father of Princess Rhaenyra’s children?
Prince Laenor Velaryon and Princess Rhaenyra initially planned to have their own children to continue the bloodline – but it’s very clear that the three children are not of Velaryon blood.
All three children are white with brown hair, where Laenor is black with white hair, and Rhaenyra is white with blonde hair.
It’s widely assumed across the realm – particularly by Alicent and Ser Criston Cole – that the true father is Ser Harwin Strong, Rhaenyra’s lover.
Ser Harwin’s protectiveness of the boys suggests that they are right in this assumption.
D’Arcy, who plays the older Rhaenyra, explained: “She's living multiple lies at once believing She's getting away with it and ultimately No one's buying it.”
Despite this, King Viserys has remained protective of the children and Rhaenyra, even in the face of Queen Alicent, who is so determined to expose Rhaenyra she even made her come straight to her chambers to present the baby within minutes of Rhaenyra giving birth. Laenor also treats the children as his own. What are Larys Strong’s real motives? After being introduced to him in episode five, Larys Strong has become one of Queen Alicent’s most trusted confidantes.
But he too has his own political gains, which co-align somewhat with Alicent’s needs.
Matthew Needham, who plays the character, explained: “He's one of the only people who listens to her properly and I think he feels he's anyone who sees her, truly.”
Admitting she missed her father, Otto Hightower, being in King’s Landing, Larys brings him back by murdering the current Hand Of The King – his father, Lyonel.
He also kills his older brother Harwin, who causes Alicent strife as the lover of Rhaenyra.
This familicide comes as a net positive for both Alicent and himself, as it clears the lineage to allow him to become Lord of Harrenhal and head of House Strong.
It also gives him power over Queen Alicent, who is horrified by his decision and now has a secret to keep should Larys turn on her.
Sara Hess, show writer, explained: “By claiming that he did it as a favour to her, he catches Alicent in a net, so he gets a much bigger prize in that, than just becoming the Lord of Harrenhal.
Why did Laena Velaryon decide to die?
Prince Daemon had somewhat removed himself from the political world of King’s Landing, having married Laena Velaryon and having two daughters, Baela and Rhaena.
However, while in childbirth, Laena knew that she would not survive, and opted for her dragon Vhagar to burn her to death rather than die in the birthing bed.
Showrunner Ryan Condal said: “She's a dragon rider, she wants to die a dragon rider's death.”
With Laena dead, it paves the way for Daemon to return to King’s Landing.