WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4!
Summary
A detail left out from George R.R. Martin’sFire & Bloodbook makes the death of Rhaenys Targaryen all the more tragic inHouse of the Dragonseason 2. Arguably the biggestdeath ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2so far,Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best) and her dragon Meleys meet their demise at the Battle at Rook’s Rest. The combat marks the first real dragon-on-dragon battle in the eponymous Dance of the Dragons, and is the most substantial blow to Team Black and House Targaryen’s dragonpower yet.
InHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 4’s ending, Rhaenys Targaryen and Meleys are killed by Vhagar and Aemond Targaryen while fighting in the skies. Rhaenys volunteered to fly on dragonback to take down Criston Cole’s forces, but was ambushed when Aegon unexpectedly appeared on his dragon Sunfyre before Aemond subsequently revealed himself on Vhagar. While Rhaenys and Meleys could have escaped death by fleeing to Dragonstone, they turned back to face Vhagar, culminating in Meleys’ neck being fatally crushed by Vhagar and Rhaenys tragically falling to her death. Coincidentally or not,the episode’s airdate adds another tragic layer to Rhaenys’ fate.
Rhaenys Died On Her Birthday In House Of The Dragon Season 2, Episode 4
Rhaenys was born on the 7th day of the 7th moon
House of the Dragonseason 2, episode 4, “The Red Dragon and the Gold,” aired on July 7, or 7/7. While this detail isn’t expressed in the TV show, George R.R. Martin’sFire & Bloodbook reveals that Rhaenys Targaryen was born on the “7th day of the 7th moon.” It’s unclear exactly how the Westerosi calendar lines up with that of the real world, but that description means theclosest estimate to Rhaenys’ birthday is July 7. Therefore,Rhaenys Targaryen tragically diedon her birthday in the real world.
Perhaps Rhaenys dying on her birthday is poetic – her final breath was spent being as badass as she had been since taking her first.
While Rhaenys died on her birthday for the calendar followed by viewers at home, it’s unlikely that it was actually the “7th day of the 7th moon” inHouse of the Dragon’s timelineduring the Battle at Rook’s Rest. If it had been Rhaenys’ nameday during the battle in the show’s continuity, then it seems likely that Baela or Corlys would have said something about her volunteering to fight during the episode. Perhaps Rhaenys dying on her birthday is poetic – her final breath was spent being as badass as she had been since taking her first.
What The Hell, Aemond?! Why He Did THAT In House Of The Dragon Season 2, Episode 4
Aemond Targaryen makes a big, surprising decision in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4, which will have a major impact on the show’s future.
Rhaenys' Death In House Of The Dragon Explained
It’s difficult to believe that Rhaenys didn’t know her death was coming when volunteering to go to Rook’s Rest. She couldn’t risk Rhaenyra or Jace’s lives, and she was already battle-hardened, strategic, andwilling to make a sacrifice to save House Targaryen and her granddaughters.Rhaenys decided to spare Aegon and the Greensat his coronation, but now she had made the decision to fight this war for Rhaenyra while also agreeing to attack House Targaryen’s sacred dragons and her own kin.
After fighting in the battle, Rhaenys sacrifices herself in the fashion of a Targaryen warrior, as she can’t live with abandoning her morals, engaging in a nuclear battle between dragons, contributing to the destruction of her own house, and ending the peace her grandfather had long maintained.
Regardless of how dangerous and vile Aemond and Aegon may be,House of the Dragonactress Eve Best explainedthat they’re still her family and she can’t live with being a kinslayer. When Rhaenys has the option to flee, she turns back around in a “kamikaze mission” to damage Team Green and help Rhaenyra as much as she can. After fighting in the battle, Rhaenys sacrifices herself in the fashion of a Targaryen warrior, asshe can’t live with abandoning her morals, engaging in a nuclear battle between dragons, contributing to the destruction of her own house, and ending the peace her grandfather had long maintained.
New episodes ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2 release Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.
House of the Dragon
Cast
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
