Warning: Spoilers ahead for House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 4, “The Red Dragon and the Gold.”
House of the Dragon just adapted one of the most iconic moments from George R.R. Martin‘s novels to perfection. The fourth episode in the second season of the Game of Thrones spin-off is now streaming on Max, and is indisputably one of the best episodes in franchise history.
Fans have been long awaiting the Dance of the Dragons, and the mid-season entry delivers all the fire-breathing action and then some. Mixed in with all the action are tons of important details — make sure you didn’t miss any of them with our House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 4 recap.
Daemon’s Visions Continue in ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2, Episode 4
House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 4 opens with Daemon (Matt Smith) having yet another vision of himself and young Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock), except this time he cuts her head off. He wakes up to Simon Strong (Simon Russell Beale) telling him even more about the brewing war between the Brackens and the Blackwoods. Daemon then meets Oscar Tully, the young grandson of Grover Tully, and Daemon suggests he kill his grandfather and take control of the army.
Back on Driftmark, Rhaenys (Eve Best) flirts with Lord Corlys’ (Steve Toussaint) savior Alyn (Abubakar Salim) before telling her husband that Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) has called her back to Dragonstone. In King’s Landing, Grand Maester Orwyle (Kurt Egyiawan) delivers Alicent (Olivia Cooke) some “special tea” and she asks if he thinks Viserys (Paddy Considine) wanted Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) to be King.
Back on Dragonstone, the council scrutinizes Baela (Bethany Antonia) but Jace (Harry Collett) sticks up for her. Lord Corlys then arrives to Dragonstone and sets everyone straight. Meanwhile, Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) begins either executing or swearing Brackens and Blackwoods into Aegon’s service before departing for Harrenhal with Ser Gwayne Hightower (Freddie Fox). Meanwhile, Aegon learns his small council has been making decisions without him.
Jace Wants To Fight for Rook’s Rest in the Mid-Season Finale
House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 4 continues at the small council meeting, when Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) calls out his brother in High Valyrian. Larys (Matthew Needham) then visits Alicent and fills her in on the happenings of the council. They also talk about Viserys’ true intentions but Alicent says it doesn’t matter anymore because the war is already coming. Back at Harrenhal, Daemon has a vision of his former wife Laena (Nanna Blondell) serving wine.
Aegon tells his small council they bore him and walks out of the room. He then complains to his mother, and she says he should be seeking out hers and Otto’s (Rhys Ifans) counsel, reminding him that the best action he could take was none. Meanwhile, Criston Cole and his Knights ride out to take Rook’s Rest while Rhaenyra returns to Dragonstone. The leader of the Team Black tells her council she pleaded for peace with Alicent, but it didn’t work.
They agree to send a dragon to Rook’s Rest and Rhaenyra offers to go first, but then Jace tries to convince her that he should go. Rhaenys settles the debate by telling them that her dragon, Meleys, is the only one ready for combat, so she’ll go. Still at Dragonstone, Rhaenyra finally fills her son Jace in on the Song of Ice and Fire. Back at King’s Landing, Aegon dons the Conqueror’s armor and suits up for battle.
The Dance of the Dragons Lives up to the Hype in ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2, Episode 4
Rhaenys departs Dragonstone on Meleys while Aegon flies out of King’s Landing on Sunfyre. The fighting at Rook’s Rest begins and Meleys burns the troops of Team Green alive. Meanwhile, Criston Cole sounds a horn, and it’s revealed that Aemond is nearby hiding with Vhagar. Aegon arrives to the battlefield on Sunfyre and Meleys slashes her, clearly injuring her, while Aemond slightly delays his flight on Vhagar.
Vhagar departs and breathes fire on Sunfyre and Meleys when he joins the fray, leaving Sunfyre horribly burned and crashing into the ground. Rhaenys then orders Meleys to attack Vhagar, and they get into a vicious fight before Vhagar crashes into the ground. Meleys is about to fly over Rook’s Rest when Vhagar comes underneath her and grabs her by the neck, biting down until she’s dead. The dragon crashes to the ground, dying and taking Princess Rhaenys with her in the process.
Criston Cole, who was knocked out in the chaos, awakens to see a scorched battlefield in complete and utter devastation. He wanders around in search of King Aegon but finds Aemon standing over Sunfyre with his sword drawn. The two then see Aegon, dead and lying in the middle of his curled up dragon.
‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2, Episode 4 Leaves the Realm in Chaos
House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 4 is unequivocally one of the best episodes of Game of Thrones TV ever. The Dance of the Dragons exceeds even the most ambitious expectations, while the performances are also franchise best. House of the Dragon has a long way to go to be considered on the same level as Game of Thrones, but the series is undoubtedly on the right track halfway through Season 2.
Follow the Agents of Fandom socials for all the latest entertainment news and reviews.
'House of the Dragon' Season 2, Episode 4 "The Red Dragon and the Gold" Review
'House of the Dragon' Season 2, Episode 4 "The Red Dragon and the Gold" ReviewThe Good
- The Dance of the Dragons is executed to perfection.
- All the performances are top class.
- The visual set pieces throughout the episode are stunning.
The Bad
- It ends, and it isn't longer.
