Warning: Spoilers for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4.
Summary
House of the Dragonseason 2’s latest casualty sparks devastated reactions from audiences. Since theGame of Thronesprequel series returned for its second season on June 16, the Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons has heated up in earnest and claimed the lives of several characters, including the six-year-old Prince Jaehaerys and the Cargyll twins, Ser Erryk and Ser Arryk.House of the Dragonseason 2 episode 4saw the death of Rhaenys and her dragon Meleys, killed by Vhagar, ridden by Aemond, at the Battle at Rook’s Rest.
Shortly afterHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 4 aired,audiences shared their devastated reactions to Rhaenys' death. Check out some of the reactions below:
@Scoby20says, “Me trying to save Meleys and Rhaenys,” accompanied by a GIF of a man jumping into their TV."
@westerosiesposts, “Attack, Meleys,” quoting Rhaenys, accompanied by a GIF of Vince McMahon crying.
@TheGhostwifesays, “That last look Meleys gave to Rhaenys…I just felt like it was an apology and a goodbye wrapped up in one. “I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you. I’m sorry I failed. Goodbye.”
@rhagerthasays, “SHE HAD THE CHANCE TO ESCAPE BUT SHE DIDNT SHE CHOSE TO FIGHT FOR HER QUEEN UNTIL HER LAST BREATH. RHAENYS I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU.”
@GeeksOfColorsays, “Mood right now after what just happened,” accompanied by an image.
@Targ_Nationsays, “VHAGAR YOU OLD STUPID DRAGON COUNT YOUR DAYS,” also accompanied by an image.
@elle__margaretsays, “I’ll be here waiting for Rhaenys and Meleys to pop up after Rook’s Rest,” accompanied by a TikTok of the last girl at a Taylor Swift concert.
@NaviKRStansays, “With episode 4, #HOTD has given us one of the greatest hours of television… the Battle of Rook’s Rest was heart pounding, I felt so many emotions within minutes. Meleys final look to Rhaenys reduced me to tears, this is GoT universe at it’s absolute best!”
@CeelynRynsays, “The queen who SHOULD have been. Mother will be missed,” accompanied by an image of Rhaenys actress Eve Best sitting on the Iron Throne.
Why Rhaenys' Death Is So Devastating In House Of The Dragon Season 2, Episode 4
Rhaenys Was A Major Character
Rhaenys' death is so devastating for audiences since, unlike Prince Jaehaerys and the Cargyll twins,she was a major character from the beginning of the show. While it was certainly devastating to see a six-year-old child slain byBlood or Cheeseand the Cargyll twins fighting to the death, audiences weren’t emotionally invested in those characters like they were Rhaenys. The character was a major player since the beginning of the show, going all the way back to the Great Council when she was passed over in favor of Viserys, earning her the nickname the “Queen Who Never Was.”
Additionally, Rhaenys' death wasn’t accidental, as Luke’s was during theHouse of the Dragonseason 1 ending.
Rhaenys was also involved in one of theGame of Thronesuniverse’s more functional marriages with Corlys Velaryon, the legendary sailor known as “the Sea Snake.” Rhaenys and Corlys were married for decades, though shortly before the Battle at Rook’s Rest,she meets her husband’s fully grown bastard son,Alyn of Hull, for the first time and grants Corlys permission to legitimize Alyn for saving his life. This moment provides some closure for the couple and adds emotional resonance to Rhaenys' death.
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Rhaenys' death is also devastating for audiences since she had the opportunity to turn back during the battle. However, as one viewer mentions, she chose to say and fight for Rhaenyra until her last breath, desperate to put a queen on the Iron Throne as she herself failed to do all those years ago. Rhaenys was a major character, a valuable member of Rhaenyra’s small council, and an experienced dragon rider, so her death is equally devastating for both the Blacks andHouse of the Dragonviewers alike.
House of the Dragonairs new episodes Sunday nights on HBO and Max.
Source: Various (see links above)
