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House of the Dragon’s fourth episode of season two, dubbed “The Red Dragon and the Gold,” broke records this past weekend, and for good reason! The episode showcased the first real, brutal battle of the infamous Dance of the Dragons, the war between Targaryen kin.

“The Red Dragon and the Gold” sits at a rating of 9.6 out of 10 on IMDb after around 34,000 reviews, putting it on the same level as some of the most popular Game of Thrones episodes, such as “The Watchers on the Wall” (4x9) and “Baelor” (1x9). Over 8.1 million people tuned in across HBO and Max on the Sunday night premiere to watch the highly anticipated episode.

But what made it so good? Why are people still talking about it? Let’s dive in, shall we?

WARNING: Spoilers ahead!!

Building Tension

Queen Rhaenyra has been doing everything she can to stop the incoming war. Long ago, when the late Viserys first dubbed Rhaenyra his heir to the Iron Throne, he relayed the dream and prophecy of Aegon the Conqueror: “The Song of Ice and Fire.” He told her how important it was to keep the kingdom united so they could one day face their one common enemy: the Night King and his White Walkers in the far north. As Rhaenyra says in episode 2x4, “To unite the realm, I had to send the dragons to war. The horrors I have just loosed cannot be for a crown alone.” But after meeting with Alicent in Kings Landing, Rhaenyra confirmed peace was no longer an option. The Greens wouldn’t accept anything less than war, especially after Blood and Cheese murdered King Aegon II and Queen Helaena’s son, Jaeherys. Once Rhaenyra returned to Kings Landing, she finally permitted her followers to release the might of the dragons.

Before Rhaenyra finally accepted the incoming war, her council and other followers were already aching for action. In her absence, her son Jacaerys Velaryon, Baela Targaryen, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, Lord Corlys Velaryon, and the queen’s court argued about what to do. Baela had spotted the enemy’s movements but was unable to stop them. Jacaerys was anxious to support his mother’s cause and get revenge for his brother Lucerys’ murder. Rhaenys and Corlys strove to keep everyone calm and united until Rhaenyra could return and grant them direction. You could tell that everyone was on edge, dancing on a knife’s edge.

Daemon practically abandoned Rhaenyra (or Rhaenyra cast him out of Dragonstone, whatever you choose to believe). His resentment at being denied the throne still overruled any loyalty he may have had for his wife. He fled Dragonstone to stake his claim at Harrenhal, the key to the Riverlands. All he found there, however, was a crumbling keep, a lack of solid military support, divided armies, and confusing hallucinations. Guilt and resentment tore at his dreams, raising phantoms of a young Rhaenyra and a still alive Laena. He grapples with doubt, frustration, and division as he continues trying to unite the Riverlands under Harrenhal to back the Black’s cause. Can he unite the Riverlands to defeat the Greens, and will he overcome these hallucinations and the magic of the mysterious Alys Rivers?

Conversely, the tension reaches its breaking point between Aegon II and his brother Aemond. If there’s one thing we know about Aemond, it is to never laugh at him. You’ll forever regret it if you do. If you live much longer, that is (R.I.P. Lucerys Velaryon). We left episode three watching Aegon II drunkenly laugh at and tease Aemond after finding him in a brothel. You can see in Aemond’s eyes (well, eye) that he’ll never forgive the embarrassment. In episode four, we see Aemond raise himself against Aegon II multiple times:

1. At the king’s council, Aemond spoke High Valyrian to Aegon II, proving his proficiency and Aegon’s disregard for learning the language. This made Aegon II appear useless and clueless, perhaps even childish, among the other experienced councilors.
2. The king’s hand, Ser Criston Cole, and Aemond strategized behind Aegon II’s back, planning for the Battle at Rook’s Rest without care for Aegon II’s thoughts or permission. Aegon, having trusted both Criston and Aemond, felt betrayed and humiliated.
3. The penultimate moment: against Criston and Aemond’s wishes and knowledge, Aegon II flew to the Battle of Rook’s Rest to fight, taking away Aemond’s glory. For just a moment, that is. Aemond and Vhagar, his dragon, flew to join the fray, only for Aegon II to get caught in the crossfire. Was it by accident? I’m not so sure…

Alys Rivers

You may be wondering: who the heck is this creepy lady calling herself Alys Rivers? Honestly, we’re wondering the same. If you haven’t read the books, you wouldn’t know that the character is interpreted a little differently in both versions of the story (screen vs. page). In the books, her background is a little confusing and unknown. She’s allegedly a bastard of House Strong, and many accounts vary, but she’s been described as a “simple-minded woods witch,” a witch wielding magical powers, and just a healer at Harrenhal. In the show, we only see that she has acted as the maester of Harrenhal after her predecessor fled. She is mysterious, brewing potions and spouting some wonderfully vague one-liners. She made Daemon, of all people, lower his guard by knowing more about him than was possible. She gave him a potion to drink to help him sleep, but whether the potion has helped or harmed Daemon is yet to be seen.

Milly Alcock Appearances

We couldn’t forget about Milly Alcock! I, personally, absolutely adored her performance as young Rhaenyra in the first few episodes of House of the Dragon. While Emma Darcy performs spectacularly as our present Rhaenyra, I missed Alcock’s emotional performances, her representation of a moody teenager, and the strength and wisdom she brought to our first Rhaenyra.

Alcock appeared in both episodes three and four of season two, showing Daemon the Rhaenyra he knew best: the Rhaenyra he fell in love with (ick), the Rhaenyra he practically groomed (ick), and the Rhaenyra who was granted the crown instead of him.

Seeing young Rhaenyra wearing the crown felt completely right. Yet, it beautifully portrayed how Viserys had chosen an actual child over his own brother to be the ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. No wonder Daemon is so messed up.

DRAGONS

Okay, okay. You and I both know exactly why this episode was so incredible. We finally got to see more dragons! I mean, the show is called House of the Dragon, after all! We saw the mighty, rusty-colored dragon Melys, the mount of Princess Rhaenys Targaryen. We saw the mountainous, terrifying Vhagar, the ancient mount of Aemond Targaryen. And we finally, finally, saw the beautiful (and honestly, adorable; I mean, that head-butting scene??) Sunfyre, the mount of King Aegon II Targaryen. Three dragons in one episode, and not just quick scenes or shots of their heads in shadow? We thank the TV show gods on this glorious day!

But, more seriously, we finally watched the dragons fight, the one thing Rhaenyra had been trying to avoid since she became queen. And for good reason. Not only did the dragons tear each other apart, but they left utter destruction in their wake. The soldiers fighting below them were blown to ash, burned within an inch of their lives, or squashed beneath the enormous clawed feet of the winged beasts.

First came Melys and Rhaenys, halting the advance of Ser Criston’s soldiers with ease. But then came Sunfyre, ridden by the drunk and foolish Aegon II. You could see clearly in his eyes as their dragons clashed: Aegon II had made a terrible, stupid mistake. Melys quickly overcame Sunfyre, tearing at his belly and splashing boiling blood on those below.

And then came Vhagar, each thud of her wings a deafening thunderclap. Alone, Melys could have overcome Vhagar or Sunfyre, but together? Not so much. Aegon II watched in relief as Vhagar and Aemond headed their way, but he quickly realized that his brother did not seem to care if Aegon II survived the onslaught. With an enormous stream of flame, Vhagar overwhelmed both Melys and Sunfyre. Aegon II and Sunfyre spiraled out of control, down to the forest floor below, burning and broken. Melys and Rhaenys turned to defeat Vhagar, but the ancient beast caught the smaller dragon by surprise. With unfortunate ease, Vhagar caught Melys’ neck between her jaws and quickly extinguished the life from Melys. They separated, and Melys fell dead to Rook’s Rest below, landing heavily upon the battlements with Rhaenys disappearing beneath her. Vhagar and Aemond won, but at what cost?

The visual effects were stunning and enthralling, truly capturing the horror and magnificence of dragons fighting.

Heartbreaking Losses

Above all, the losses we suffered in this episode still leave me staring off into space several days later. What did we lose this episode, you ask? Oh boy, let me tell you (make sure you have some tissues nearby):

Princess Rhaenys Targaryen

*sigh* Yes, your eyes didn’t deceive you. The Queen Who Never Was has met her end, along with her loyal and formidable dragon, Melys. Rhaenys served as one of the few level-headed characters in House of the Dragon and as Rhaenyra’s closest confidante and supporter. While she appeared to know and accept that her end had come, as she fell from the skies upon Melys’ back, it’s still heartbreaking to have such a beloved character leave the screen for good. And how will Lord Corlys react? What will happen to him? Will he still support Rhaenyra? How will Rhaenyra react? She’s already lost so much…

Aegon II and Sunfyre?

The end of “The Red Dragon and The Gold” left us unsure: is Aegon II still alive? What does this mean for the rest of his rule? Will he and Sunfyre ever fly again? If Aegon II is unfit to continue, who will take his place (many people know, but let’s pretend that terrifying fact isn’t confirmed yet, okay? Please?)? While many may disagree, I pity Aegon II. Despite all the horrible things Aegon II did and the jerk he had grown to be, I felt for the horrors and grievances he had faced so far this season. His father practically ignored him up until his death, he’d lost his only son, his mother had no faith in him, his brother betrayed him, he’d likely lost his dragon, and now he is either dead or permanently disabled. This young man never really wanted the throne, yet the manipulators around him forced him into the role. Think whatever you will, but I honestly feel bad for the guy, and I was just as sad to see his broken form.

The Dance of the Dragons has officially begun

This list doesn’t just include casualties. I consider the crossing of a line that can never be uncrossed to be just as heartbreaking of a loss as the deaths. This could be seen most clearly in Ser Criston Cole during the battle. We watched Criston have to come to terms with what he’d done. It was his plan, just as much as Aemond’s, to set the dragons against each other. He hadn’t entirely realized the magnitude of the choice until it was upon him, destroying his soldiers and filling the world around him with ash and smoke. As he regained consciousness, he looked out in despair at the apocalyptic setting around him. As he looked down upon his broken king, he struggled to accept what he had helped set in motion: death, destruction, terror, and sorrow beyond comprehension. This was no longer just a war between men. This was a war between the gods.

Looking Ahead

The Battle at Rook’s Rest is just the beginning of the Dance of the Dragons. What can we expect as we look ahead to the rest of season two? We’re only halfway through this season, and we’ve already witnessed the tension breaking between Aemond and Aegon II, as well as Rhaenyra and Daemon. We’ve mourned the loss of Rhaenys and Melys, and we watch in concern over Aegon II and Sunfyre. How will Rhaenyra react to the loss of her closest advisor? Will Daemon overcome his hallucinations, self-doubt, and resentment to unite Harrenhal and the Riverlands? Will Aemond step forward as king now that Aegon II is likely out of commission?

There are so many questions. But there is one thing we know for sure: episode four, “The Red Dragon and the Gold,” was an absolutely incredible episode that met the highest of hopes and expectations. We look forward to seeing the Dance of the Dragons unfold and how our favorite characters react.

Tune in to HBO and Max on Sundays at 9 pm ET to watch new House of the Dragon episodes!