One easily missed House of the Dragon moment makes Alys Rivers even more disturbing

House of the Dragon season 2, episode 5 dials up the weirdness on Alys Rivers – and one easily missed moment makes the witchy newcomer even stranger.

The following includes big spoilers for the new episode, so turn back now if you're not up to date!

In episode 5, Daemon remains in Harrenhal, turning his attention to renovating the old castle. He's been plagued by disturbing visions since he arrived – they get even stranger (and grosser) in this episode – and it all seems to be originating from the witch Alys Rivers.

In one moment, though, Alys walks away from Daemon and passes Ser Simon Strong. If you look closely, Alys seems to vanish entirely after Simon reaches Daemon. Check it out below.

It seems that Simon looks directly at Alys, too, but on closer inspection, you might notice that he instead seems to be looking through her, as his eyes don't follow Alys when she passes him.

We know from George RR Martin's Fire and Blood that Alys is definitely a real person – and she has a significant storyline coming up with another major character – so it doesn't seem that Daemon is hallucinating her. Instead, it looks to be another display of her strange, witchy powers.

Judging by the trailer for season 2, episode 6 , though, Daemon will soon be leaving Harrenhal behind to re-join the war effort. Rhaenyra is also seen putting the dragonseeds plot into motion after she and Jacaerys came up with the plan in episode 5. Expect lots of our scaly friends in the next episode, then.

House of the Dragon season 2 continues weekly on Sky and NOW in the UK and HBO in the US. For even more on the show, check out our deep dives below:

• House of the Dragon season 2, episodes 1-4 review
• House of the Dragon season 2 showrunner on why Blood and Cheese is nothing like Game of Thrones' Red Wedding
• House of the Dragon season 2 showrunner doesn't feel the pressure of following the controversial Game of Thrones season 8: "Our challenge comes from within"
• House of the Dragon showrunner teases season 3: "You don't want to end up in that place where you're doing the same thing again and again"
• House of the Dragon season 2 showrunner breaks down the complicated relationship between Daemon and Rhaenyra: "Conflict is the order of the day"
• House of the Dragon season 2 showrunner says Rhaenyra and Alicent's bond is still the heart of the show: "We understand that these two women are connected"
• Aemond Targaryen actor Ewan Mitchell breaks down that House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4 ending: "He very much knew what he was doing"
• House of the Dragon star Ewan Mitchell on why Aemond Targaryen lives to the same code as Robert De Niro in Heat
• House of the Dragon star Ewan Mitchell talks Aemond and Daemon's rivalry: "There's almost a romantic element to it"
• House of the Dragon star Ewan Mitchell explains how Michael Myers inspired Aemond Targaryen
• House of the Dragon season 2, episode 1 recap and Easter eggs
• House of the Dragon season 2, episode 2 recap and Easter eggs
• House of the Dragon season 2, episode 3 recap and Easter eggs
• House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4 recap and Easter eggs
• Hugh Hammer explained
• How Blood and Cheese is different from the book
• How Rook's Rest is different from the book
• Cregan Stark explained
• Addam of Hull explained
• Daeron Targaryen explained
• The House of the Dragon dragons , listed and explained
• Greens vs. Blacks , explained
• The White Worm , explained
• The Targaryen family tree
• The House of the Dragon timeline
• Who wins the Dance of the Dragons ?
• The history of Vhagar
• The Song of Ice and Fire prophecy
• House of the Dragon season 2 release schedule