What Episode 4’s Huge Shock Means for House of the Dragon

By launching this tactical attack, Aemond and Cole manage to eliminate Rhaenyra’s (Emma D’Arcy) largest dragon, Meleys, as well as her most precious comrade, Rhaenys (Eve Best), whose death is certain.

Meanwhile, Aemond doesn’t seem to be losing any sleep, even though his brother’s precarious position is entirely his own fault.

There is no blame to be placed on Vhagar, who has lost control of his life, as he did with the death of Lucerys. This time, the prince has ordered his dragon beast of dracarys, his brother and his dragon Sunfyre, to fight tooth and nail against Rhaenys and her faithful Meleys.

To the average viewer, it would seem that Aemond’s betrayal of Aegon was simply a move to get him out of the way. After all, like Daemon (Matt Smith), Aemond had a hard time assuming his role as a would-be king and was no doubt irritated that his foolish brother had spoiled his battle plans by showing up at Rook’s Rest in the first place.

Aemond also did himself no favors when a panicked and battle-weary Cole asked him where Aegon was, and the prince, seemingly unmoved, pointed a dagger in the direction of his brother’s burned body before walking away without a second glance.

*MINOR BOOK SPOILER*

If the series continues to follow the book’s narrative Fire and BloodAemond’s actions would lead him to rule in Aegon’s place, leading some to speculate that this may have impacted his decisions in battle.

However, Aemond is much more complicated than that, and despite the humiliation his brother inflicted on him in the brothel last week, we’d say his choice to set Aegon on fire wasn’t motivated by malice. At least, according to Mitchell.

When asked about the relationship between Aegon and Aemond, Mitchell said Digital Spy that the friction between the two would reach its peak this season.

“I think that’s something that was set up in the first season, for sure, that kind of rivalry that they have. You’ll definitely see traces of that, for sure.”

While he recognized the conflict between the brothers, he also shared Aemond’s deeper feelings.

Related: The Dragon House renewed for a third season

“Aemond is the second son,” Mitchell said. Digital Spy“It’s a substitute’s duty to go out and fight, so whether Aemond likes it or not, it’s his job to fight on his brother’s behalf and be very loyal. I think that’s one of Aemond’s redeeming qualities: he’s extremely loyal.”

Aemond’s inherent loyalty means that his decision to order Vhagar to fire was likely born not of cold-bloodedness but rather of cold calculation.

He knew Rhaenys was a threat to their cause, that her dragon was the largest in Rhaenyra’s arsenal, and that getting her off the board would be a great advantage to the Greens. Aegon was just collateral damage.

He may have hoped his brother would survive, but his true goal was to see Rhaenyra weakened and finally eradicate her claim to the throne.

This does not detract from Aemond’s desire to rule, and he certainly believes he is better suited to rule than Aegon, a fact Mitchell has acknowledged:

“Aemond sees Aegon as someone who is inferior to him,” Mitchell told Digital Spy“He feels that Aegon lacks the perseverance to be king.

“While Aemond was in the courtyard of the Red Keep, training with Cristen Cole, while he was studying with the Maesters, Aegon was probably in some dark corner of Fleabottom, squandering his inheritance. So Aemond feels he could do a better job.”

However, Mitchell also promised that we’ll see Aemond’s “dark side” this season, “those grayer shades. He’s not this one-dimensional character in the black hat, there’s something more,” he teased, which sounds like what we’re seeing here.

His thirst for victory and his need to be revered as fearsome and unassailable now clash with his duties as a brother.

On top of that, Aemond still carries the weight of Lucerys’ death with him – something he admits to Madame Sylvie in episode three – and while he may feel that way about his half-nephew, his brother’s maiming will surely take a heavier toll on him.

One thing is for sure, Aemond will consider this a victory, which gives him a dangerous air of invincibility. With that, he will be a nearly unstoppable force that could see Rhaenyra out of the running.

Once again, Rhaenyra finds herself on the defensive against the Greens, just as she was finally beginning to take control of her wayward council.

“Some have mistaken my caution for weakness. Let that be their downfall,” she told them, conceding the sending of dragons.

It is a powerful course of action, only slightly weakened by the fact that she had already suggested this course of action in his absence. Nevertheless, she adheres to it fully without the slightest hesitation.

This is the Rhaenyra we’ve been waiting for: a queen finally taking decisive action. But let’s be honest, Rhaenys has been her pillar of strength so far.

It was Rhaenys who supported her against the men at her table who would have preferred to depose her.

Now, without Rhaenys as her advisor, she is severely weakened. Not only has her advice and wisdom been invaluable to Rhaenyra, the queen who was never protected, but she has also been able to claim the throne in the face of a council full of men who, at times, doubted her ability to lead.

The true heir must now face battles waged by enemies who want her dead and allies whose faith in her is lukewarm.

It is time for the queen to let death carry her. She will either fall before the obstacles that stand before her, or she will be encouraged by the losses that are piling up and turn them into victories. Let us hope that she has thus far acquired enough wisdom from Rhaenys to do so. Otherwise, she could meet the same fate as the ratcatchers.

The Dragon House Season 2 is available to stream in the US on HBO and Max, and Atlantic Sky and NOW. Season one is available to stream now on HBO, Atlantic Sky and now.

Game Of Thrones seasons 1 to 8 are also available on DVD and Blu-ray.

TV Writer, Digital Spy Janet graduated with a Masters in Magazine Journalism in 2013 and has been growing professionally within the industry ever since. For six years, she honed her analytical skills at the Good Housekeeping Institute, eventually becoming Acting Head of Food Testing. She also freelanced in film and TV journalism from 2013 to 2020, interviewing A-list stars including Samuel L Jackson, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. In 2021, she joined Digital Spy as a TV Writer, allowing her to delve deeper into what she loves, binge-watching a range of TV shows, all in the name of work. Since taking on the role, she has conducted red carpet interviews with the cast of Bridgerton, covered the BAFTAs and been interviewed by BBC Radio and London Live. In her spare time she also works as a published author, the book Gothic Angel.