House of the Dragon | "The Red Dragon and the Gold" | Recap & Review

*SPOLIERS AHEAD!

A quick check in and recap from last week, we saw Daemon started having these dreams/visions. Ser Criston Cole and a scout team was chased into the forest by a dragon and Rhaenyra had snuck into King's Landing to talk to Alicent about ending this war before it could start.

Clearly Daemon is still dreaming bcuase we see him enter the throne room. We hear a lady/girl speaking in High Valyrian, we come to notice that it is a young Rhaenyra. I foiund it interesting in this scene that, not only did Daemon chop off her head, but that waht she was saying is that Daemon is "set on destryoing her. All becuase your borther loved me more than you." We all should know by now that this show has some prophecy-riddled tones to it, so I am wondering if this has to do with one as we not only see Daemon cut her head off (as everyone on the black council think he might be sabotaging her), but also she is sitting on the Iron Throne in this vision.

We find out that Cole has left King's Landing with a moderatley sized army on the way to presumably Harrenhal. Meanwhile, Daemon is still trying to raise an army himself while staying in/at Harrenhal. We also simultaniously find out, along with Rhaenys, that apparently Lord Corlys induldged in some infidelity and that the man who saved Corlys was indeed his bastard son. Rhaenys figured this out pretty quick and tells Corlys that he should not be living in the slums but rather in a "high-born" location.

It appears that Alicent has been spiraling a bit, and still second-guessing everything after her conversation with Rhaenyra. She asks the grand maester if the late King Viserys. The description of "The Song of Ice and Fire" prophecy clearly has been eating at her, which is a little strange considering she's never heard anyone talk about this before. But she perhaps realizes as time goes on, that Aegon is probably not suited to be king, and that this prophecy could be true.

Speaking of spiraling, the black council continues to be in disarray with the continued absense of Daemond and Rhaenyra. As Baela describes what she saw with Cole and his army, you can see it click in Rhaenys' eyes that she must (and will) take action herself.

The sort of, twist if you will of the episode comes as Cole and company sack/take over another castle and perhaps more soldiers. But also Gwayne Hightower still thinks (like most of us) the plan is to head to Harrenhall. Not so fast. Cole, and obviously Aemond behind the scenes, calls and audible and takes another direction on their conquest. Also like most of us, King Aegon is confused as to why Cole and co. are sacking small little castles and lands that seem to be on the outskirts of Harrenhall instead of Harrenhall itself. Which, in hindsight, is a good plan surrounding the bigger castle with the small ones that perhaps would be needed to go through if escape is needed for Daemon, but also cuts off Dragonstone by land.

I was going to bypass the weird encounter that Daemon has with the witch(?) at Harrenhall. But, it was a fascenating and kind of funny scene. Or was this another hallucination? I mean this dude is on one.

We will, however, move to the battle of Rook's Rest. A lot of questions surrounded why Cole was trying to attack this keep, turns out it was pretty significant dragon battle. King Aegon shows up with his dragon Sunfyre, Rhaenys comes with Meleys and somehow, Aemond is laying low with the biggest dragon in the 7 kingdoms, Vhagar. Daemond sees Aegon show up and calls him an idiot, which of course he is. Rhaenys and Meleys get tangled up with Aegon and Sunfyre. Daemond sees this and makes his move with Vhagar. Daemond sees a way he can take out Rhaenys and his brother. As he tells Vhagar to light them up, somehow Rhaenys escapes and Aegon and Sunfyre go down in the heap of smoke and fire. Rhaenys also sees this as a perefect oppurtunity to try and take our Daemond as he is keeping an eye to see where his brother lands. Meleys and Vhagar start scrapping it up with eachother and again, it appears Rhaenys gets the upper hand as Daemond and Vhagar plummit to the ground. I like how some of the producers on the show call dragon falling and hitting the earth as a "nuclear explosion' of the time period. This is why Rhaenyra and others were very cautious about dragon warefare. As Rhawnys swoops back around, which was her undoing, instead of perhaps heading back to Dragonstone, Daemond and Vhagar amush them and eventually Rhaenys and Meleys fall towards the earth.

So, the "cliff hanger", if you will, that I was expecting was maybe there was a chance for Rhaenys to survive the fall, and I guess maybe there still is. But listening to an interview with the actress, Eve Best, who plays her somehat confirmed her demise. Also, is it just me, or do you also hate when animals- yes even CGI dragons- die in moves/shows? Sad. Anyway, Cole eventually finds his way to Aemond and a very hurt Sunfyre and [who knows] the status of King Aegon, yet. Also, anyone else notice the dagger that Aegon as had on his persons that Aemond is holding when Cole finds them? Hmm.. cool littl easter egg if you're into that sort of thing.

My takeaways from this episode, is not only probably being the best one of the season so far (A grade), but also some of my "predictions". Keep in mind, I have not read any of the books, yet. I know I keep saying that but if you're thinking I am drawing reference from them, I am not. It's obvious that Aemond not only wants to be kind, but him trying to take out his brother- on purpose or not- Aegon being very well injured needs someone to rule in his stead. But also my sleeper pick on who wants the throne for themselves...drum role please...Corlys Velaryon himself. Boom! Think abut it, he has a ton of battle and leadership experience, and now especially with the death(?)- yes still holding onto the question mark until possibly next week- he will want vengeance for his wife...the queen that never was.

If this is the end for Rhaenys, RIP to her and the beautiful Meleys. And to Eve Best- hell of a job!