House of the Dragon season 2 episode 4 has raised the bar. If you haven’t watched the episode yet, be warned: major spoilers ahead.
The latest episode of the Game of Thrones spin-off features an unexpected plot twist. Rhaenys and her dragon Meleys fall victim in the intense Battle at Rook’s Rest during the Dance of the Dragons.
In a dramatic face-off, Rhaenys, known as the Queen That Never Was, engages in a fierce fight on Meleys against Aemond on Vhagar and Aegon on Sunfyre. Despite her valiant efforts, Vhagar overpowers them, delivering a fatal bite to Meleys’ neck and sending them plummeting to the ground.
Rhaenys’ death is both heartbreaking and brutal. While the show presents a gruesome end, George R.R. Martin’s book Fire & Blood details an even darker fate. In the book, the battle unfolds similarly, but with more grisly specifics. Meleys is killed by both Vhagar and Sunfyre, and Rhaenys’ charred body is found beside her dragon, unrecognizable due to severe burns.
The TV adaptation omits another horrifying detail from the book: Aegon parades Meleys’ severed head through King’s Landing, boasting of their victory over the blacks.
One notable difference in the show is the portrayal of Corlys Velaryon’s reaction. In Martin’s book, Corlys is furious that Rhaenyra sent his wife to fight alone. However, the show depicts Corlys at the council table when Rhaenys volunteers, suggesting he might not exhibit the same anger, though he will undoubtedly be devastated by her loss.
House of the Dragon continues to deliver intense drama and shocking twists, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats as the Dance of the Dragons unfolds.
