REVIEW: House of the Dragon – Season 2, Episode 4, “The Red Dragon and the Gold”

Television Reviews

***SPOILERS***

In “The Red Dragon and the Gold,” Daemon continues to see visions of his child bride. Lord Tully’s heir comes to meet him, but Daemon doesn’t have time to speak with anyone besides the Lord. Rhaenys is called to Dragonstone. Alicent questions Viserys’ wishes for his succession. Baela and Jace try to guide the Small Council in the Queen’s absence. Criston Cole executes some of Rhaenyra’s followers. King Aegon struggles to reign in his Council, with Aemond making him look dumb in front of everyone. Lord Larys visits Queen Alicent. Daemon sees Aemond and chases him but runs into Alys Rivers. She gives Daemon a drink to help him sleep, and the next thing he knows, it’s the next day, and Lord Blackwood is at Harrenhal. Ser Hightower questions Cole’s strategy. Rhaenyra returns to Dragonstone and sends Rhaenys to the Riverlands. Jace questions why he can’t serve his mother in battle, and she tells him about Aegon’s dream. Aemond and King Aegon both join the struggle, and Vhagar blasts Aegon out of the sky. Vhagar also kills Meleys, sending Rhaenys down to her death. Cole and Aemond appear to be the only survivors of the battle. 

Daemon’s visions continue to be creepy and foreboding as all get out. I’m bothered by Alys’ comment in “The Burning Mill” that Daemon will die in Harrenhal, and the unsettling dreams only add to that idea. I realize Daemon is a deeply flawed character, as are they all. I think Rhaenyra is the closest to a good person in House of the Dragon, having outgrown most of her unsavory behaviors. But I generally like Daemon, and I dread his death. If anything, I must say they’re doing a great job of building tension around that eventuality. Now, I’m even more sure he and Rhaenyra won’t see each other again, something I was already worried about in “Rhaenyra the Cruel.” Daemon interacts more with Alys in “The Red Dragon and the Gold,” chatting with and accepting a mysterious beverage from her. Given his concerns about poisoned food in “The Burning Mill,” I’m surprised Daemon willingly drinks whatever concoction Alys offers. It has some ill effects on Daemon, causing distraction and loss of sense of time. I don’t know about you, but if some scary woman told me I was going to die and somehow knew about an argument with my wife, I wouldn’t drink anything from her. Thanks, lady, but you’re creepy! I greatly enjoy this subplot, especially the atmosphere in Harrenhal and Daemon’s visions about Rhaenyra. But I feel really anxious about where it’s headed. And why hasn’t Daemon contacted Dragonstone/Rhaenyra/the Council since he left? This is the first time I’ve questioned his loyalty. Meeting with all these lords, not reporting home, and insisting on being called “Your Grace” are not good signs. 

The scene between Rhaenys and Corlys about the guy who saved him is very odd, and I’m not totally sure I get it. She calls the guy handsome and remarks that his mom must have been pretty, and I can only guess she thinks he is Corlys’ love child. Why not say as much? Anyway, I’m not sure it matters when Rhaenys dies in “The Red Dragon and the Gold,” meaning nothing will come of this little marital spat. Rhaenys’ death genuinely saddened me, although I suspected it as soon as I knew Aemond was at the battle. Vhagar is a force to be reckoned with, and as a rider, as in all things, Aemond is unscrupulous and merciless. Does anyone else get really upset when the dragons are killed? I feel worse for them than the humans in some cases. Meleys’ and Rhaenys’ destruction shows that Rhaenyra was right not to send Jace; if a seasoned rider and a mighty dragon were bested, her young son had no chance. If anything, I can see Rhaenys dying right after questioning his fidelity breaking Corlys. Or perhaps he will be more ruthless and gung-ho; maybe he’ll volunteer for some hands-on missions on the Queen’s behalf. I have no idea where this is going, but probably nowhere good, like for most of the characters. 

Larys knows about Alicent drinking the abortion tea, which can’t be good for her. I imagine he’ll offer to keep her secret in exchange for another uncomfortable foot scene like in season 1. Larys even insinuates that he knows it’s Criston Alicent is sleeping with when he asks if she’s worried about him. The Queen Mother’s indiscretions have caught up with her, or they will soon, at least. King Aegon’s death(?) is among “The Red Dragon and the Gold’s” more shocking elements; I know the brothers don’t get along, and the scenes with the Council remind us of that. Aegon antagonized Aemond in “The Burning Mill,” mocking his sexual choices in front of friends and strangers. Aemond was naked at the time, too. I guess I shouldn’t be shocked that a psycho like Aemond would kill his own brother under circumstances like these, but it took my breath away. It was almost like the baby getting beheaded in “A Son For a Son.” I assume Aemond will become King now, and I wonder if that will somehow weaken the Greens’ claim. I hate them all except for Helaena and her remaining baby, and I can’t wait for Aemond to die. Characters like Alicent and Criston Cole have some redeeming traits, but I just hate them now. I’m over it.  

“The Red Dragon and the Gold” is the most brutal, shocking episode of season 2 yet. It also contains an epic battle that stands in perfect contrast to the skipped mill battle last week. I actually like how that was done, shocking us with the bloodshed and making us piece it together. But this was badass, scary, saddening, and finally shocking. Rhaenyra telling Jace about The Song of Ice and Fire was a great moment, too. The music and her dialogue gave me chills. I love this season so far and look forward to more.