In Episode 4, what we were all waiting for finally happened – a dragon battle! We tell you about this and other events of the past episode in our recap.
From words to deeds – that was the principle of the new week in the world of Westeros. In addition to the clashes moving to the actual battlefield, it also became clear that Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) and Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) are in a surprisingly similar position when it comes to their power. Many of the queen's advisors believe that her reluctance to enter the war is a sign of weakness. And Aegon feels powerless in terms of his ability to make decisions that other power holders listen to. These are important triggers that activate both the Greens and the Blacks.
Previous recaps:
Warning: spoilers for Episode 4 of Season 2 of 'House of the Dragon' below
The Greens Move First
In King's Landing, Alicent (Olivia Cooke) asks the Grand Maester to brew moon tea to terminate a pregnancy under the pretext of helping an unnamed girl. But we perfectly understand that the drink is actually intended for Alicent herself. This circumstance does not escape the notice of Ser Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) a little later when he pays her a visit.
Their meeting had another curious moment. After her conversation with Rhaenyra, Alicent was looking for books on the history of Valyria (while yelling at her son for mishandling them). She was probably looking for something that could better explain King Viserys's last words or confirm that she hadn't misheard about Aegon. In the end, she tells Larys that the meaning of Viserys's intentions died with him, which is more of an attempt to convince herself.
Meanwhile, the King's Hand Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel), accompanied by Alicent's brother Gwayne (Freddie Fox) and their rapidly growing army, forces the inhabitants of besieged castles to either swear allegiance to Aegon or be put to the sword. The raven message received after the latest capture seems somewhat confusing to Gwayne, because according to the order, Criston and company should be moving in the opposite direction from Harrenhal, which was previously captured by Daemon (Matt Smith).
Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) at the Small Council explains that the new plan involves attacking not Harrenhal, but the seat of House Staunton. This seems like an insignificant target, but as the prince notes, capturing it will completely cut off Dragonstone from the mainland.
This is a military strategy that has every chance of success, but it shocks Aegon because Aemond and Criston planned everything without his knowledge. And he is unable to come up with anything better, nor can he speak the Valyrian language. What a linguistic disgrace, not pleasant.
Alicent finishes off the king by suggesting in a private conversation that he keep quiet, do nothing, and learn from the more experienced and intelligent people on the council. This is the last straw in Aegon's overflowing cup of rage, forcing him to mount his dragon and go into battle personally to prove himself to everyone. Teenagers, what can you do.
The Blacks Suffer Losses
At Harrenhal, Daemon continues to have terrifying dreams, the first of which ends with the reappearance of young Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock), sitting on the Iron Throne, speaking to him in Valyrian, and accusing him of creating her and now wanting to destroy her. In response, Daemon cuts off her head. The last thing Rhaenyra says is: "That's what you always wanted, isn't it?"
In another dream, the prince chases a man through the dark corridors of the castle who suspiciously resembles Aemond from behind, until he turns around and turns out to be Daemon, but with an eye patch. He wakes up in a room where a dark-haired woman introduces herself as Alys Rivers. She brings him up to speed on the little-known history of Harrenhal, including the fact that the bed he is sleeping on was built from cut-down sacred trees. And she perceptively notes that Daemon is in a quarrel with the queen.
Matt Smith's character drinks the potion that Alys gives him (well, yes, why worry?). After that, he begins to lose touch with reality, suddenly finds himself at a meeting with the Blackwoods, and sees his deceased wife instead of the Strong servant. The Blackwoods promise to remain loyal to Rhaenyra in exchange for Daemon's help.
Rhaenyra returns to Dragonstone, where the council is already worried about the queen's inaction. Her son Jace (Harry Collett) receives her confession that she secretly met with Alicent with distrust, but Rhaenyra insists that she learned everything she needed and understands that there is only one path forward.
The question arises of which dragon to send to defend the Stauntons. Rhaenyra suggests going herself, but at this stage it is more important for her to survive so that her followers have someone to fight for. Jace wants to fly with Vermax, but he is still young and lacks combat experience. Then Rhaenys (Eve Best) insists that the only option is to send her, as her dragon is the largest the Blacks have.
While both sides prepare for battle, Rhaenyra reveals to Jace the truth about the Song of Ice and Fire, and that Viserys always wanted her to be his heir, which is why he entrusted her with the prophecy. She tells him that the Targaryens must keep the dragons not just for the crown; their goal is much more important – to save the entire kingdom from a common threat.
From matters of future days to our current cockroaches. Rhaenys and her dragon burst into the battle and inflict serious damage on the Green army, but she, like the viewers at this moment, does not yet suspect that a much more serious opponent awaits in the forest – Vhagar, the largest of the living dragons. However, Aemond does not immediately rush into battle, especially when he sees Aegon on Sunfyre suddenly joining the fray.
Aegon's presence is the last thing Criston and Aemond expected, but the King's Hand uses his appearance to motivate his warriors. In the sky, Meleys and Sunfyre clash, and Rhaenys clearly has the advantage in dragon size. The claws practically tear open the chest of the king's dragon. Dragon blood spills onto the battlefield, burning warriors alive.
When it seems Aegon is finished, Aemond on Vhagar enters the fray. The king finds himself literally under crossfire, after which he and his dragon fall helplessly to the ground.
Rhaenys, taking advantage of the chaos, briefly flies away from the battle. But the realization that this might be the only chance to destroy the Greens' main force makes the princess turn back and call Meleys to attack again. Moreover, she straps herself into the saddle, hinting that either she will destroy Aemond or fall with her dragon. And such desperate people do not live long in Westeros (she was lucky it was peacetime before!).
In the end, Aemond attacks Rhaenys from cover (though how can the largest creature hide?), Vhagar's powerful jaws clamp down on Meleys' neck. And this attack proves fatal. The dragon and rider exchange last glances, after which both fall to the ground. Beautiful and tragic – that was the only way Rhaenys could go, who seemed the most sensible and pleasant among all the Targaryens of the era.
As for Aegon and Sunfyre, they somehow survived. We get to see the wounded king only briefly, but judging by Criston's expression, he will probably never be the same (no kidding).
Now that the dragons have entered the war, it is unknown how destructive this dance will become before it ends with one side's victory. But that's all we want: bring on the dragon battle between Aemond and Daemon!
Teaser for Episode 5:
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