House of the Dragon: 'The Red Dragon and the Gold'

Raiders Of The Lost Podcast

Let's break down episode 4 of House of the Dragon, 'The Red Dragon and the Gold!

Daemon dreams that he decapitates young Rhaenyra, who accuses him of treason. Archmaester Orwyle prepares an abortifacient tea for Alicent. He professes ignorance when Alicent asks who Viserys named as heir. Aegon is angry that Aemond and Criston planned campaigns without him, including besieging Rook's Rest rather than Harrenhal. Criston beheads Lord Darklyn, who refuses allegiance. Alys Rivers tells Daemon that Harrenhal is haunted. She gives him a sleep potion, causing him see Laena Velaryon's ghost while in council. Rhaenyra returns to Dragonstone and agrees to war, volunteering to dragonride. Rhaenys volunteers instead. Rhaenyra tells Jacaerys about The Song of Ice and Fire. When Aegon vents frustration to Alicent on being ignored, she says to do nothing and let his experienced advisers make decisions. Instead, Aegon flies Sunfyre to Rook's Rest. Rhaenys on Meleys burns Criston's troops while Aemond and Vhagar are hidden nearby. As Aegon and Sunfyre approach, Aemond stays out of sight. Meleys mauls Sunfyre in the resulting battle. Aemond commands Vhagar to burn Meleys and Sunfyre, causing Sunfyre to plunge to the ground. Rhaenys attacks Vhagar, who also falls, but is unharmed. As Meleys circles above, Vhagar rises and grabs Meleys's neck, throttling the smaller dragon. Meleys and Rhaenys fall to their deaths. Criston, knocked unconscious during the battle, awakens. He finds Aemond, sword in hand, approaching a prone Aegon and the gravely injured Sunfyre.