This article contains spoilers for House of the Dragon.
Overview of Recent Developments
- Episode 4 of Season 2 titled “The Red Dragon and the Gold”has achieved the highest IMDb rating.
- The tragic death of Princess Rhaenys Targaryen during the Battle at Rooks Rest took both fans and crew by surprise.
- Director Alan Taylor emphasized the profound emotional response of the cast and crew during Eve Best’s final scene.
In House of the Dragon Season 2, one of the most memorable scenes unfolded during the Battle at Rooks Rest, which has profoundly resonated with viewers and significantly impacted the production team as well.
Among the eight episodes of Season 2, Episode 4, “The Red Dragon and the Gold,”has distinguished itself by securing the highest IMDb rating. It remains one of the best-rated episodes not only of this season but in the overall Game of Thrones saga. This particular episode incorporates an extensive array of VFX shots, with a large portion of the budget allocated to the stunning aerial combat sequence above Rooks Rest. Here, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen (played by Eve Best), alongside her striking red dragon Meleys, represents the Blacks in a fierce confrontation against Ser Criston Cole’s forces. The stakes were further raised by the involvement of Prince Aegon Targaryen and King Aegon II of the Greens, who were supported by their dragons: the formidable Vhagar and the golden Sunfyre. Ultimately, the carnage left Rhaenys and Meleys facing a devastating fate, while Aegon and his dragon suffered severe burns.
Rhaenys Targaryen’s Heroic Sacrifice
The Emotional Impact of Rhaenys’ Death
Marked as the “Queen Who Never Was,”Rhaenys Targaryen’s poignant demise was a hot topic among audiences after the season finale. Her choice to confront her fate heroically resonated deeply, leaving a significant emotional impact not just on viewers but on the crew as well. Alan Taylor, who directed Episode 4 and has overseen key character deaths in Game of Thrones and The Sopranos, shared insights into the intense atmosphere on set during Eve Best’s final scenes:
“It is emotional because she’d been there as a big part of Season 1, and knew that her time was coming. There’s a sadness there that the actor is not going to be around anymore, because they become such a part of the intense family. For many actors, and I think it was true of her, there’s a relief as well. She savored that she knew she was going to have a good death, and she got energized by that. But yeah, I saw a lot of crew crying, the people who’d been working very closely with her, like wardrobe and hair and the other cast members. There was lots of hugging and crying on her last day when we finally finished murdering her.”
While Rhaenys’ demise was already a heavy moment, initial concepts for her death were even darker. Leaked information from Westerosies on X suggested a deleted scene would delve into her past and legacy, while set photos hinted at the haunting aftermath of her fate. In stark contrast to the depiction in the source material, Fire and Blood, which notes:
The three dragons fell to the earth. Sunfyre landed atop King Aegon, crushing him beneath him and breaking many of his bones. Meleys and Rhaenys were found near the base of the castle. The dragon’s body was torn open, her entrails spilling across the field. Of Rhaenys, only fragments of her armor were ever recovered; her body was never found.
As an established figure in the world of Westeros, Taylor, who directed several episodes of Game of Thrones and earned an Emmy nomination for “Beyond the Wall,”will not be directing any future episodes of House of the Dragon. He was slated to guide Episode 9 of the originally planned ten episodes for Season 2, which featured the Battle of the Gullet, but was later reassigned to helm the Battle at Rooks Rest following a reduction in the episode count.
For fans still grappling with the emotional weight of Rhaenys’ death, brace yourselves: filming for Season 3 of House of the Dragon has officially commenced, promising even more heart-wrenching losses of beloved characters. The anticipated release is set for summer 2025.
Sources: Goldderby, Westerosies/X