The fourth episode of the second season takes us to a turning point in the conflict for the right to sit on the Iron Throne, this episode is titled The Red Dragon and The Gold and it is a rollercoaster of events, fighting scenes and emotions. We get to see the dragon fights that we have been longing for and the results are catastrophic
The episode begins with action, specifically fire and destruction, which is a direct result of the previous confrontations at the Targaryen civil war also known as the Dance of the Dragons is in its peak and both sides are suffering. The Red Dragon of Rhaenyra and the Gold of Aegon go head to head in a fight that will be told for centuries to come in the Game of Thrones Universe.
Aemond, Rhaenys and Aegon mount their dragons, Vhagar, Meleys, and Sunfyre respectively and as expected the fight in the sky is furious and fire and blood fall from the sky but at the same time wiping out a lot of the Green's men. The special effects are great, which give the dragons a life like look, in my ipinion without notice CGI problems like on episode 1 when Rhaenyra gets off her dragon. It is not only the visual aspect of the scene the episode what makes this episode special bu also explores the characters’ desires and the psychological impact of the war, on one side Aemond’s ambition, Rhaenys’ determination and Aegon’s desperation are all portrayed in this part which makes the plot quite good. At the end of the episode, the audience is left with more questions than answers, waiting for the next chapter of this great story.
- IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11198330/
- Platform: MAX
The Battle at Rook's Rest
The heart of this episode is the fight at Rook’s Rest, this confrontation has been in the works for a while now and it does not fail to deliver. Aemond commanding the huge beast Vhagar engages Rhaenys on Meleys and Aegon on Sunfyre. Dragons fill the sky and burn everything in their path and the situation is more critical than ever this is exactly as Rhaenys describe on previous episodes, we probably have not expirience it since on Game of Thrones it was dragons vs armies. The fight choreography of the dragon is was very satisfying and every dragon has its own special moves and features, but what I was not expected is that they were so fragile on a one on one battle, I was expecting more of a aerial fight rather than just ripping a dragons head off in the middle of the air.Aemond’s inexperience as a dragon rider is also seen as he cannot manage Vhagar well, but he is lucky that the massive beast Vhagar is still manage to come on top so who is really in command here?. Rhaenys a more expirience and agyle rider, and she manages to stand her ground against the Vhagar but having to fight two dragons at the same time was too much for her, fighting Aegon she also took some damage despite it was a very short match taking in consideration a direct attack launch by Vhagar while she was holding down Aegon.
A deadly conflict from the start for Rhaenys been outnumber specially when Aemond, tells Vhagar to burn Rhaenys and Aegon with fire, Meleys is mortally injured and Rhaenys is killed when she is thrown from her dragon but not before Aegon fall from the sky with his dragon. I really like the effect of how when dragons hit the ground is basically a bomb exploding. This episode really shows how Aemond wants to be the king as he let Aegon fight first, either waiting for him to be killed or distract Rhaenys so he can attack from behind, same goes when Aemond finds him laying next to Sunfire he takes out his sword and we don't know if he was about to finish him, more questions than answers.
The Aftermath and Political Intrigue
With Aegon out of commission, the issue of who will take over the throne will become a huge issue. On the greens, at the moment the power is on Aemond hands who will most likely go back home as a war hero but at what cost? once again only him knows the truth same situation as when he killed Lucerys on episode one.The episode also focuses on the internal conflicts of the characters to some extent. Alicent, who is suffering from the side effects of the moon tea, is left out of the Green Council’s plans more and more, while Criston Cole and Aemond are basically running the show, even Alicent tells Aegon how stupid was of him to send his hand, Otto; away leaving the power to his madman commander.
Aegon is trully starting, well was, starting to show his lack of skills to rule, even Alicent goes a bit rogue when she tells him they were all trying to make him at least half of a good king his father was. This part is totally true, as Aegon spend most of his young life drinking and whoring, Vicerys was a very educated man, most likely raise as a high class Targaryen he was but as he turn older, Rhanyra went away and he was left with the Greens in command, his children with Alicent were not raise the same way as he was or at least not Aegon.
The Tragic Fall of Rhaenys
With Rhaenys out of the picture I wonder how the blacks will hit back, they are now with less banner men as some bend the knee and the battle at Rooks Rest was lost. Rhaenys was a big political and military figure, a strong women, wife of the Lord of Ties. I expect they will do a proper Targaryen funeral and reorganize to strike back. Rahenyra did mention on this episode that now she is sure that there is no way back on this war.
Rhaenys’ death also plays a significant role in the development of many characters, for Aemond it is a moment of awakening, his actions have dire consequences and he is left to deal with the consequences of his actions and the guilt of having such power, he might not look like so right now but latter on when he is close to death most likely he will. For Rhaenyra, the death of Rhaenys is a big blow that will definitely influence her decisions in the coming events. I really thought that they were sending Rhaenys with another dragon, I though that Baela was going to be send out with her, probably would increase their chances of fighting Vhagar since if the two were there to fight Aegon first it would be an easy short kill and then bring on the big fight.
For Targaryen (Black) fans this episode was not shy to ruin their day, for a small time it did to me, Rhaenys is my favorite female character from the series but I never expected she was going do die in such short time.
Aemond's Rise to Power?
Since Aegon is not in a condition to rule, I would guess Aemond is left in charge, he has always been an ambitious man and has always wanted power, on the next episode we will find out if he is really suted for the weight of the realm and is actually a better king, same as he made Aegon look like a fool the last time they meet at the small council.If Aemond gets to the top of the power ladder, Alicent for sure will be left out of the small council, this can be dangerous ofr her. I believe Aemond does not has as much patience or respect as Aegon for her mother. The only men who can stand between Aegon and Aemond now could be Criston Cole, for multiple reasons he has an affect for Alicent and duty to his king Aegon. Criston already stop Aemond to potentially killing Aegon when he was laying on the ground burn out next to his dragon. The kingdom is in turmoil and the possibility of more bloodshed is very rea, now Aemond has to avoid the pitfalls of court politics and at the same time live with the consequences of what he has done.
The Curse of Harrenhal
The episode also focuses on the background and the legends of Harrenhal, a rather gloomy and mysterious castle. Daemons visions are still present and we see more of the curse of Harrenhal and the people that are there. The castle which is constructed on the remnants of an old forest is a place of immense strength and magic.
Alys Rivers, a rather peculiar character is introduced in this episode and she plays a rather important part, she goes on to describe more about the history of Harrenhal and the evil that is associated with the castle. Daemon’s relations with Alys are quite interesting and we see a different angles of Daemon’s personality.
The curse of Harrenhal is an interesting side plot that gives the story a certain atmosphere of dark omen, this lore is integrated into the episode rather well, ading and painting a vivid picture of the world in which the story take place, a big part that was more develop on Game of Thrones but I doubt they will take the time an get off tracks from war to explain the history behind Harrenhal.
Moving into the next episode I would expect both sides to cool down, most likely the Green Army will go back home as a lot of them were killed, collateral damage due to the fight between Vhagar and Meleys, Aemond returns a war hero, Aegon and Sun Fire cripple almost burn out, this for sure will put a hold on Criston and Aemonds war plan.
I'm assuming this things as I have not read the books, giving my opinion from the perspective of a reguar viewer. This is are hard times for anyone backing up Rahenyra but probably a great moment to launch an attack, the big question is what about Daemon and Harrenhal? Criston and Aemond seem to have everything figure out that it was never the best plan to take over Harrenhall.
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