House of the Dragon season 2 episode 6 recap: A dragonrider chosen?

Rhaenyra and Jace agreed they need to find dragonriders in House of the Dragon. That search starts in season 2 episode 6 but it doesn’t have immediate positive results.

We got another quieter episode as we build to a big finale in House of the Dragon season 2. It’s unlikely that we’ll have another major dragon showdown this season, but there are promises being set up with the search for dragonriders.

Meanwhile, Daemon has more visions and Alicent sees what’s happening in King’s Landing as the people threaten to riot.

Rhaenyra starts her search for dragonriders in House of the Dragon

Rhaenyra starts the episode with hope. She thinks that she’s found the perfect person to ride a dragon, and it’s closer to home than she initially thought. Ser Steffon is a dragonseed as his grandmother’s grandmother was a Targaryen. It’s a longshot, but he is willing to try.

He’s certainly scared, and who wouldn’t be when facing a dragon. However, it looks like Seasmoke is willing to accept him as his rider. That is until the very end. Seasmoke stands tall and shoots dragon fire, killing Ser Steffon and one of the singers there to lure Seasmoke out.

Seasmoke flies off, but that’s not the last we see of him in the episode. More on that soon.

Rhaenyra does spend the episode fearing that the attempt is a complete failure. Mysaria doesn’t want to give up on that completely. There are others with Targaryen blood out there. Rhaenyra needs to find people to risk it.

Why is Mysaria helping Rhaenyra so much? Well, Mysaria explains her scar on her neck. It came from her father, who raped her as a child. When she fell pregnant, her father forced an abortion that left Mysaria unable to have children ever again. She’s spent her whole life not trusting anyone, and here is Rhaenyra who has treated her like a person and given her a chance. She wants to support someone like that.

The two share an intimate kiss, but they’re interrupted by one of Rhaenyra’s Queensguard. It’s to do with Seasmoke. We’ll get to that!

Alys Rivers may have sped up a death in the Riverlands

Back at Harrenhal, Daemon continues to suffer from visions. This time it’s Viserys. Daemon revisits the time his brother sent him back to his first wife, and then there’s a moment when Viserys cries over the body of his wife, Aemma. Daemon is there to console his brother, giving us a slightly softer side to the man.

Daemon is done being at Harrenhal. He’s sure that someone there is poisoning him. Just as he’s about to leave, Alys stops him. She wants him to give it a few days. Lord Grover is currently the Lord of the Riverlands right now, but she hints that may not be the case for too long. Then Daemon will be able to deal with a new lord, who could end up convincing all the Riverland lords to raise their banners for Rhaenyra—well, Daemon.

This comes at the end of the episode. Sure enough, Lord Grover has died. Ser Simon tells Daemon that Alys went out to see if she could heal Grover, but it failed. Of course, we and Daemon know that Alys had something to do with speeding that death up. He doesn’t seem all that happy, though. In fact, he starts to cry at the end of the episode.

Aemond names a new Hand and sends Criston out on a mission

Back at King’s Landing, Aemond is getting started on his work as Regent. He sends Criston Cole out on his first mission. He’s done with Daemon gathering support in the Riverlands, and he wants Criston to take down his men and get Harrenhal. Criston objects, knowing that he doesn’t have the numbers to go up against a dragon, but Aemond doesn’t listen.

At the same time, Aemond decides that it's time for Alicent to leave the Small Council. She is no longer needed.

Aemond also isn't happy that his brother is making a recovery. He decides to pay Aegon a visit to see just how much Aegon remembers of the fight at Rook's Rest. Aegon says he doesn't remember anything, but is this out of fear or because he genuinely doesn't remember?

As he leaves, Lord Larys Strong tells Aemond that he needs a new Hand of the King. Criston was Aegon’s Hand, but he doesn’t have to be Aemond’s Hand. It’s clear that Larys is trying to get this position for himself, but Aemond has another man in mind. He wants Otto Hightower back.

The problem is nobody has heard from Otto. He’s not even paying attention to Alicent and Gwayne. The two siblings do get a sweet moment, though, as Alicent wonders how things would have been different had Gwayne come to King’s Landing instead of Alicent. That’s all in the past, though. Gwayne has clearly held onto some resentment, but he’s seen what men become in King’s Landing. In fact, he notes that Alicent’s third son, Daeron, is a kind boy, which is something his brothers are not.

Alicent sees the threats of riots in House of the Dragon

With the Gullet still with Corlys blocking trade in and out, the people of King’s Landing are struggling. Aemond points out that this is Rhaenyra’s doing and doesn’t understand why the people are blaming him. That doesn’t matter. He needs to do something as Prince Regent, and he needs to do it fast.

Rhaenyra has her people whispering. She gets people to hear that the Red Keep has plenty of food. The dragons are getting their sheep. What about the smallfolk? Rhaenyra has the answer to that.

She sends ships of food with her banner raised to make it clear that she is still thinking of the citizens of King's Landing even when she’s not there. This helps to start the growth of support for her among the smallfolk, and Alicent and Helaena witness the outcome of that in the streets.

Alicent is able to get her daughter to the church to light some candles for Aegon and other lost souls. However, it turns into a dangerous situation for them as the smallfolk attempt to attack them. It leads to one man losing his hand, and the two women clambering to safety in their cart. I bet Alicent really wishes that she didn’t misunderstand Viserys’s words now.

Alyn and Addam show different wishes from Corlys

We spend some time in Driftmark again. Corlys goes to see Alyn with a request. He wants him to be his First Mate. That’s not something Alyn wants, sharing that there are people who are better experienced for the job. Corlys isn’t going to take no for an answer. He needs an heir, and it’s pretty clear where this is going.

Baela has already turned him down, and he doesn’t think Rhaena is suitable for the title. In fact, Rhaena is proving herself to be more diplomatic and regal while in the Vale. She faces Jeyne Arryn with questions about the large dragon that is flying around. This isn’t one of Rhaenyra’s dragons, so who is it? It’s not a dragon who can be trained. Or is he? Rhaena doesn’t have long to find out as passage has been arranged to send her and her half-brothers to Pentos.

Addam is jealous. While Alyn constantly tries to hide the fact that he is Corlys’ son, Addam would love nothing more than for Corlys to acknowledge him. Alyn thinks that Addam should stop with that dream, but the end of the episode may change things.

Seasmoke appears over Driftmark, making everyone, including Addam, terrified. He rushes to cover in the trees, but it doesn’t work. Seasmoke endsup finding him, but he doesn’t breathe dragonfire on him.

Remember a member of Rhaenyra’s Queensguard interrupting Rhaenyra and Mysaria? That was to tell her that Seasmoke had been spotted with a rider. Mysaria fears that it’s one of the Greens, so Rhaenyra heads to Syrax to fly out. Who will she find riding her (not so late) husband’s dragon? We have to wait to see in episode 7.

Stay tuned to Hidden Remote for more news and coverage! Follow us on X, we'd love to hear what you think of House of the Dragon season 2.