The Burning Mill

"The Burning Mill" is the third episode of the second season of the fantasy drama television series House of the Dragon, a prequel to Game of Thrones. The episode was written by David Hancock and directed by Geeta Vasant Patel. It first aired on HBO and Max on June 30, 2024. In the episode, a verbal conflict between the Riverland houses Bracken and Blackwood escalates into the deadly Battle of the Burning Mill. Daemon claims Harrenhal for Rhaenyra, securing the support of its castellan Ser Simon Strong. Rhaenyra, disguised as a septa, sneaks into King's Landing to secretly meet with Alicent. "The Burning Mill" introduced several new cast members, including Freddie Fox as Ser Gwayne Hightower, Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers, and Simon Russell Beale as Ser Simon Strong. In the United States, the episode achieved a viewership of 1.1 million during its premiere night on linear television alone. It received highly positive reviews from critics, with praise going towards the direction, character development, Alicent and Rhaenyra's reunion, Aemond and Aegon's brothel scene, Milly Alcock's return as young Rhaenyra in Daemon's vision, and the performances of the cast, particularly Emma D'Arcy and Olivia Cooke. The episode marks the final appearances of Elliott Tittensor (Erryk Cargyll) and Luke Tittensor (Arryk Cargyll).