House of the Dragon 2×04 “The Red Dragon and the Gold” is the best episode of the season so far – and the bloodiest. It could be no other way. House of the Dragon is at its best when it doesn’t have to worry as much about character development, and “The Red Dragon and the Gold” is an episode about spectacle, which is what the show delivers, and it delivers in spades. It’s also an episode about decisions, and if “The Burning Mill” established something, it was that it was way past time for dragons to go to war.
It just so happens that, just as with Lucerys, the first big blow of the war doesn’t go Team Black’s way. Though, in a bit of poetic justice, it doesn’t quite go Team Green’s way either.
THERE’S A WINNER, BUT IS THERE?
The theme of this show, and The Dance of the Dragons in general, is that there seems to be a clear winner to this battle, but in a way, it doesn’t seem so. Rhaenys Targaryen is dead, and so is Melys, which doesn’t just hurt, it also leaves Team Black in a very vulnerable position. But King Aegon II is also badly hurt, and his dragon Sunfyre too, which isn’t what anyone wanted, and it’s also bad for the morale of Team Green. So, in a way, it feels like the win was very, very costly. Can you even celebrate such a win?
House of the Dragon doesn’t force us to reckon with this sort of victory, at least not yet, but it will going forward because that’s what this entire fight, this entire show is about. There are no easy wins coming. There is no path to victory that doesn’t look like this. It will be messy. We will have to lose way too much. In the end, it might feel like victory isn’t worth the price of what we lost. And yet, for the people fighting this battle, what other choice is there but to fight it? Alicent doesn’t feel like she can back down, even if this episode makes it kinda obvious that there is a part of her that understands that this war is partly her responsibility. Rhaneyra is fighting for her birthright. There is no other choice but to steady the course.
If anything, House of the Dragons 2×04 “The Red Dragon and the Gold” is a reminder of what could have been. Rhaenyra and Jace are a reminder of the kind of rulers the realm could have had. Many, many years later, we ended up with the Mad King. Would we have gotten there if Jace had been allowed to rule? If his line and Baela’s had been the one to birth the Prince that was Promised? Somehow, it’s easy to believe the answer is no.
THE QUEEN WHO NEVER WAS
Eve Best delivers perhaps the best performance in her run on the show, and that’s saying something for Best, who was always one of the best parts of the show. Rhaenys hasn’t been saddled with writing as questionable as other characters, even if she was made to suddenly praise the same Jahaerys who chose Viserys over her as the wisest of them all just last episode. And yet this hour sees her determined and strong, if not a Queen, a General. And she makes for a great one, even if she is never given the respect she deserves.
Not by the Small Council, not by Aegon and Aemond in battle, and not even by Corlys – not really. Perhaps the only person who ever respects Rhaenys enough is Rhaenyra, who allows her to make the choice that ultimately ends her life. But Rhaenys dies making the decision to keep fighting. Dies after holding her own against two dragons for longer than anyone expected her to. And she dies making sure the battle she was called to wasn’t a victory for Team Green.
History might not remember Rhaenys Targaryen as a Queen, but hopefully, fans will remember her as one of the best characters in this universe. It’s only been a season and a half, but it’s hard to argue against that.
CARTOON SUPERVILLAINS
The problem with House of the Dragon 2×04 “The Red Dragon and the Gold” is that, as good as the episode is, it has swung the show wildly from “we gotta make all our characters morally grey” to “Aemond is a cartoon supervillain,” and all because Aegon made fun of Aemond last episode? I know childhood trauma is a thing, but murder seems like overkill. Literally. And I guess I could buy the whole Team Green is the Bad Guys narrative if it weren’t for the fact that the show literally used the morally grey thing on Aemond at the end of Season 1.
And sure, there have been some vague hints that Aemond feels jealous of Aegon and thinks he’s not worthy of the crown, that part I buy, but there’s still somewhat of a leap from that to straight-up murder. Almost as much of a leap as the whole Daenerys thing was. Remember that? If it was just “I’ll let him get roughed up,” I mean, I get it, I guess. But it went way beyond that! Nah, it was let’s roast my brother alive. And finish him off. Ah, dang it, got interrupted. Oh, well.
Then there’s the fact that Daemon was feeling bad about killing Jaehaerys last episode, but now he’s making jokes about murdering grandparents, like he’s back to the Daemon of Season 1. Pick a lane, House of the Dragon. Pick a lane. And pick it fast, please.
Things I think I think:
- The thing I did enjoy was Aegon being outmaneuvered in High Valyrian by Aemond. I think they overplayed the Aemond is not a threat hand, but whatever. I like what he did in this episode. Some consistency would have been nice, though.
- Here I am, pretending to be shocked Alicent needs moon tea now.
- Rhaenys looking at Alyn and being like I SEE YOU.
- I like Jace standing at the Small Council like he’s in charge. Own it, because one day you will. Or should. You know what I mean. And standing with Baela, too. We could have had it all.
- So annoying that they only listened to Rhaenys once Corlys came in.
- One thing I will give Alicent, whatever Viserys wanted, that’s long gone now. Bigger problems are afoot and all.
- Can Cole just die already?
- But why did you turn back, Rhaenys? Why?
- I’m sorry to say this, I truly am, but Otto Hightower would have never let this happen.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think about House of the Dragon 2×04 “The Red Dragon and the Gold”? Share with us in the comments below!
House of the Dragon airs Sundays at 9/8c on HBO.
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