Sunday night’s episode of “House of the Dragon” delivered one of the most intense sequences of the series so far, featuring a dragon battle that rivals even the tragic finale of Season 1. In that memorable scene, young Lucerys met his end at the hands of Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) and his monstrous dragon, Vhagar. This time, the stakes were just as high, and the outcome just as devastating.
The episode was particularly rough for King Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney), who discovered during a Small Council meeting that Aemond and Ser Criston Cole (Fabian Frankel) had been coordinating the war effort without his input. Aegon, indignant, tried to halt their planned attack on Rook’s Rest, preferring to focus on Harrenhal. However, Aemond informed him that it was too late to call off the attack, as Cole was already preparing for battle.
Aemond and Aegon exchanged words in Valyrian, revealing Aemond’s fluency and Aegon’s struggle with the language. Aemond mocked his brother for his lack of preparation and strategic insight. Frustrated, Aegon sought comfort from his mother, who offered little sympathy. She questioned his wisdom and advised him to do nothing, a suggestion that only fueled his determination to prove himself.
Determined to take action, Aegon decided to join the battle at Rook’s Rest with his dragon, Sunfyre. Unbeknownst to him, Cole and Aemond had set a trap for any dragons the Blacks might send to defend the castle.
Meanwhile, Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) returned to Dragonstone to face her own council. Her son, Jace (Harry Collett), was angry about her unexplained absence and shocked to learn she had met with Alicent (Olivia Cooke) without informing anyone. Rhaenyra planned to take her dragon, Syrax, to Rook’s Rest, but faced fierce opposition. Princess Rhaenys (Eve Best) volunteered to go instead, bringing her battle-hardened dragon, Meleys.
Rhaenys and Meleys arrived at the battlefield just as Cole’s assault began. She unleashed a torrent of flame, causing chaos among the men-at-arms. This was precisely what Cole had anticipated. He ordered signal arrows to be fired, revealing Aemond and Vhagar hiding nearby.
When Sunfyre appeared, Cole was taken aback, and Ser Gwayne Hightower was outraged, accusing Cole of risking the king’s life. Cole quickly adapted, rallying his men with a speech about the king’s presence being a blessing.
Aemond, however, was less impressed by his brother’s arrival, calling him an “idiot” in Valyrian. The ensuing dragon battle was fierce. Meleys and Sunfyre clashed in the skies, with the older dragon and rider gaining the upper hand. When Vhagar joined the fray, Aegon initially felt relief, but his joy turned to horror as Aemond commanded Vhagar to unleash a devastating flame. Sunfyre and Meleys were engulfed, and Aegon and his dragon plummeted to the ground.
Rhaenys managed to escape but was driven by a sudden madness to rejoin the fight. She and Meleys engaged Vhagar once more, but Aemond seized the opportunity to ambush them. Vhagar locked his jaws around Meleys’ neck, sending both dragon and rider crashing to the earth. Aemond emerged victorious, still atop Vhagar, the oldest and most fearsome dragon.
The episode ended on a cliffhanger, leaving the fates of Aegon and Rhaenys uncertain. The show’s version of events diverged from George R.R. Martin’s book “Fire & Blood,” where Aemond did not intentionally attack Aegon. In the book, all three dragons fell to the ground together, with Aegon barely surviving and Rhaenys presumed dead.
This adaptation choice adds depth to Aemond’s character, showing his calculated decision to eliminate his brother, whom he resented for years of bullying. This act marks the beginning of the Dance of Dragons, setting the stage for more epic and costly dragon battles.
The episode also featured other notable moments. Daemon (Matt Smith) faced challenges at Harrenhal, including a cryptic encounter with the witch Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin). Rhaenyra shared the prophecy of the Song of Ice and Fire with Jace, a crucial piece of lore that could shape the future of Westeros.
Rhaenys discovered that Alyn of Hull (Abubakar Salim) might be the bastard son of her husband, Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint). She urged Corlys to acknowledge the young man, contrasting sharply with Catelyn Stark’s treatment of Jon Snow.
Alicent (Olivia Cooke) underwent an abortion, a subplot that added to the episode’s emotional weight. Ser Criston Cole demonstrated his prowess as a commander, despite his morally questionable character.
Overall, this episode was a standout in the second season of “House of the Dragon,” combining intense action with deep character development. As the Dance of Dragons unfolds, viewers can expect more thrilling and tragic moments in the battles to come.
Source: Forbes, USA Today
