House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 4, “The Red Dragon and the Gold,” was a thrilling showcase of dragon drama that didn’t disappoint. The episode ramped up the tension with an epic confrontation involving dragons and their riders, culminating in a dramatic three-way battle.
Key Moments from the Episode:
- Daemon’s Trippy Journey: Daemon’s hallucinatory experiences in a haunted castle set a surreal tone, but the real action was brewing as Criston advanced on Rook’s Rest.
- Rhaenyra’s Plan: With her troops vulnerable, Rhaenyra was poised to unleash dragonfire. Instead, Rhaenys and her dragon Melys took on the mission.
- Dragon Showdown: Rhaenys faced off against a drunken King Aegon and his dragon, Sunfyre. The battle intensified when Aemond and his colossal dragon Vhagar joined the fray.
Dragon Drama Breakdown:
- Melys and Rhaenys: Melys engaged in a fierce aerial battle but was ultimately overwhelmed. Rhaenys and Melys met a grim end when Vhagar bit through Melys’ neck, sending both plummeting to their deaths.
- Sunfyre and Aegon: The fight left Sunfyre and King Aegon in a dire state. The last we saw of Sunfyre, he was badly injured and falling into the forest. Aegon’s fate was left uncertain.
What the Show Revealed:
The fate of Sunfyre was shrouded in mystery until the season finale, where it was revealed that Sunfyre had succumbed to his injuries. Aegon, lamenting his situation, confirmed that his dragon had died, closing the chapter on Sunfyre’s tale in the show.
What the Books Say:
In George R. R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, the outcome for Sunfyre is somewhat different:
- Injuries and Recovery: Sunfyre sustained severe injuries, including having one of his wings nearly torn off. The crash left King Aegon grievously wounded, and while Aegon was transported to King’s Landing for treatment, Sunfyre was left behind.
- Sunfyre’s Struggles: Sunfyre was initially cared for by Criston’s men, fed on the bodies of soldiers and then on calves and sheep. Though he managed to recover enough to fly, he did so with difficulty due to his awkwardly set bone.
- Further Battles and Death: Sunfyre faced another dragon battle, which exacerbated his injuries. Ultimately, he succumbed to his wounds.
What’s Next?
It remains to be seen whether House of the Dragon will adhere to this book narrative or offer a different resolution for Sunfyre. The show has previously shown a willingness to diverge from the books, so while these book events may inform the series, the exact fate of Sunfyre and Aegon could vary.
Overall, the episode delivered intense dragon action and set the stage for the continuing saga of political and personal conflicts in the Targaryen civil war.
