House of the Dragon season 2 episode 4 review : dragons ultimately face combat

Undoubtedly setting the tone for the remainder of the season, House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 4 featured one of the show’s most intense scenes. WARNING: SPOILERS Ahead!

The last three episodes of House of the Dragon Season 2 were all about the web of deceit and power play, with characters attempting to sneak into perilous territory. Episode 4 chooses to break free and stop playing in the dark. As war is declared, men in armour take to the battlefield with heavier stakes than ever before. It ends in a beautiful fight sequence in which the dragons finally have their own dance, but at a terrible cost.

“We’re off to battle again, old girl.” #RooksRest pic.twitter.com/wh0A9wReCx
— House of the Dragon (@HouseofDragon) July 8, 2024

Daemon’s Demons

Before the mayhem erupts, Matt Smith’s Prince Daemon Targaryen appears in the dark castle at Harrenhaal, still terrified and sleepless. Still daydreaming, his nightmares take the shape of the Iron Throne, where he discovers a younger Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) leveling accusations at him. What can he do to get rid of the visions? Gather an army as quickly as he can and get started.

In any case, things have gotten really bad lately. Another crazy guy is King Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney), who realizes at a meeting that a conspiracy is being planned behind his back by Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) and Ser Criston Cole (Fabian Frankel). Alicent (Olivia Cooke) gives this arrogant man-child a serious dressing-down, telling him, “Do you think wearing the crown suddenly imbues you with wisdom?” Is she absorbing a bit of that inevitability for herself? “The war will be fought, many will die, and the victor will eventually take the kingdom. “The significance of Viserys’ intentions died with him,” she says.

War is unavoidable.

House of the Dragon season 2 episode 4 review

What then can be done at this point? Nothing at all, as Alicent reminds us quite rightly. Both sides are aware that the only option is to go to war. Emma D’Arcy’s character Rhaenyra adamantly admits to her family that she had given it her all. Jace (Harry Collett) is upset at her rash and startling choice to keep this meeting a secret from everyone. However, that has already happened, and she is aware that the best course of action for the following step must be chosen right away.

This leads up to the spectacular episode’s last thirty minutes, as the dragons engage in a face-off. Ser Criston’s incredibly self-centered actions are the ones that initially channel the mayhem and open the door for further devastation. He still withholds something from his warriors and, by implication, from us. In the meantime, Rhaenys (Eve Best) offers to ride Meleys on behalf of the Blacks.

But any room for rationality in the face of battle will be eliminated by an unexpected entrance provoked by the germ of hatred and retaliation. What remains? The terrain, the wreckage, and the usualness of warfare. This amazing and devastating sequence makes up for the episode’s lackluster quality, making it one of the best so far in the series.

What this loss and victory eventually mean

After realizing that she is the one truly to blame for the war and ending her pregnancy, which appeared to be the result of her covert relationship with Ser Cristen Cole, Alicent Hightower is now coping with a number of losses. When she sees her son, King Aegon II, dead in the upcoming episode, the reality will hit her hard. It all comes back to how her husband never intended for him to be king in the first place, and how her simple misinterpretation prevented Rhaenyra from becoming queen, which sparked the war and ultimately led to his foolish son’s death.

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‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 Episode 3 was jam-packed with action. It had the drama, the shock, and the dragons that the preceding episodes of the season had not. There isn’t much action with Daemon Targaryen, who is stranded at Harrenhal for a while. It will be interesting to watch how his anger and strategic ruthlessness are used in the war in the upcoming episodes.