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House Of The Dragon Season 2 Ep 4 Breaks Series Record With Incredible GoT-Level IMDb Score
Warning: SPOILERS ahead for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4!
Summary
House of the Dragondirector Alan Taylor and actor Ewan Mitchell have weighed in on Aemond’s motivations during the battle at Rook’s Rest in the newest episode of the fantasy series. Theend ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 4, sees Ser Criston Cole summon the Targaryen prince alongside Vhagar to help them win their latest battle. However, his brother Aegon also shows up, the King falling after his dragon, Sunfyre, is killed. Aemond seemingly almost kills the King himself, who is saved when Cole arrives just in time.
Speaking withEntertainment Weekly, Taylor and Mitchell, the latter of whom portrays Aemond, offered their perspectives on the young prince’s motivations inHouse of the Dragonduring the battle at Rook’s Rest. The director explained how there are many layered motivations to what he did during the fight,while the actor talked about whether he really wanted Aegon dead. Check out what Taylor and Mitchell had to say below:
Ewan Mitchell:It was no secret that he felt like Aegon was inferior to himself. He felt like Aegon lacked the perseverance to be a leader. Also, it’s no secret that Aegon was almost the ringleader to a lot of Aemond’s childhood torment and trauma.
I think that maybe Aemond would never have intended to burn Aegon, but it just so happened that Aegon was there tangled with Rhaenys and Meleys when he was on top of Sunfyre. It raises the question of whether or not he would’ve done that or if Aegon was just collateral damage. I think that’s compelling. Maybe it was when Aegon brought in the Pink Dread [as children] when Aemond was like, ‘I’m going to burn him one day for this.’ Who knows?
Alan Taylor:We wanted to sustain multiple motivations that might have happened there. It’s a battle move, but he did deliberately join the battle late, and he is being a little bit indiscriminate with how he’s blasting fire. So I think you can believe whatever you want to believe about his motivations there.
What Aemond’s Intentions Mean For The Rest Of House Of The Dragon Season 2
Will He Face Consequences For His Actions?
WhileAemond’s intentions surrounding Aegon are multi-layered, it appears the young prince really was going to take advantage of the situation and see if his brother would die during the battle. When Cole finds him with his sword drawn, it could be interpreted as him about to finish the job, only to get caught in the process. Since the Targaryen prince was fine burning his brother with Vhagar’s fire, it wouldn’t be surprising if he’s still plotting out how his brother can be taken care of for good.
However,House of the Dragonepisode 5’s trailerindicates Aegon survived, although sustaining injuries that will leave him incapacitated for some time. This could meanAemond’s actions at Rook’s Restresult in him sitting on a throne while his brother recovers. Given how skilled and ruthless a tactician he’s proven himself to be, him getting more power could turn the tide of the war in the Greens' favor. This is especially true if the Council listens to what he says, perhaps splitting the royal family’s loyalties even more.
House Of The Dragon Season 2, Episode 4 Review: The Show That Was Promised
House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4 is a superb hour of television that delivers on the show’s overarching premise and fulfils its potential.
It also helps thatAemond seemingly won them the battle at Rook’s Rest, having killed Rhaenys Targaryen and her dragon, Meleys, which in turn crushed the castle the Greens were attacking. Since this decisive victory was also planned alongside Cole, the duo could help turn the war in their favor, even with the king currently out of commission. However, since the prince had Vhagar attack Sunfyre, later episodes ofHouse of the Dragoncould include dire consequences for his actions.
House of the Dragon
Cast
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
