WARNING: Spoilers for the fourth episode of House of the Dragon.
Dragons dance in the air, and all-out war begins.
Inner Demons
House of the Dragon makes no bones about moving the narrative forward. Daemon continues to hallucinate and face his inner turmoil, by way of a young Rhaenrya taunting him and the decisions made after being outcasted and unloved by his brother and former king, Viserys. Matt Smith’s taking this character into some profound interpersonal territory this season that positions the character Daemon Targaryen facing accountability. While at Harrenhal, Daemon struggles to focus on amassing an army to face the greens. During a meeting with the Blackwoods, Daemon sees a ghost of his late wife. While there, Daemon meets Alys Rivers who reminds him of the haunted cursed rumors of Harrenhal. Is the castle cursed, or is Rivers drugging Daemon with drinks? Given the nature of the world of Westeros, the truth could be somewhere in the middle of it all. Regardless, Daemon’s been on an interesting path this season, and the payoff is sure to be worthwhile by the end of the season.
Suspicious Council
Back in King’s Landing, Aegon receives news of Cole’s mission to acquire an army of their own in addition to finding out Daemon has usurped Harrenhal in the Riverlands. After scolding Larys Strong for not controlling the castle, Aegon demands a dragon be sent to conquer Harrenhal. Aemond shines a light on Cole’s current chart: Take Rooks Rest, and cripple any ground combat Rhaenrya can have in Dragonstone. As a result, Aegon realizes both Aemond and Criston Cole have made plans without consultation. This, in turn, leads the young King of Westeros to dive a little deeper into more of an identity crisis. Especially after Aemond mocks him in high valyrian.
Mother and Son
In the wake of ignoring the council, Aegon finds Alicent in the king’s chambers. In a vulnerable state of mind, Aegon then asks her why his council would make tactical decisions without his consultation. Alicent tells Aegon the very hard truth of his reign as king. She reminds him of the people he arrogantly removed when they could’ve been valuable for wisdom and experience. Aegon then asks what his next move should be, Alicent in short says one word: nothing. A devastated Aegon then suits up and proceeds to ride his dragon to Rook’s Rest. If anything, Aegon is out to prove he is a king of action, and that very well could be his downfall.
Conflict and Legacy
Back in Dragonstone, Rhaenrya returns to not-so-great news. With Cole’s forces marching toward Rook’s Rest, Rhaenrya takes action and sends a dragon to the fight. Initially wanting to fly in on Syrax, Rhaenys offers to go in her place. In the wake of this decision, Jacaerys pushes to go instead, but Rhaenrya tells him he’s not experienced enough in dragon warfare. However, she follows this up by confiding in Jace about The Song of Ice and Fire prophecy. This juxtaposition in how Alicent treats Aegon is paralleled in such a way that makes you feel for both mothers as they try and do their best to take care of their children, but set them up for their future.
The Dragons Dance Begins
Cole mounts his assault on Rook’s Rest, luring Rhaenys and Meleys into combat. Aegon showing up on Sunfire in a drunken stupor of rage, however, was not on the agenda. While the dragons toil above the warzone, Vhaegar and Aemond make themselves known and burn both dragons. Sunfire immediately falls, and Ser Criston is knocked unconscious in the fray. Vhaegar and Aemond battle Meleys and Rhaenys above, but not for long. The Queen Who Never Was falls in battle along with Meleys at the hands of Aemond and Vhaegar.
What Will Happen Next In House of the Dragon?
The Blacks have taken a heavy loss with the death of Rhaenys and Meleys. Aegon could be dead. Aemond deliberately scorched his brother and dragon, and Cole is bound to get a scathing response from Alicent following the battle at Rook’s Rest for not protecting Aegon, even if he charged in of his own accord. The halfway point of this season has given The Greens a favoring view of this war so far, so will the Blacks and Queen Rhaenrya recoup from this? Can Daemon conjure up the men necessary to defend Dragonstone and take the fight in their favor? Will Jacaerys get to fly eventually? House of the Dragon continues to trend every week, and this week’s episode is no different. Ewan Mitchell (Aemond Targaryen) even offers his thoughts on where his character’s head is at in this season along with some other interesting tidbits here per an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. The next four weeks are sure to leave audiences captivated as House of the Dragon continues to showcase the events of the Targaryen civil war.
New episodes of House of the Dragon air on Sundays on HBO.