The fourth episode of the second season dropped yesterday, and fans are still trying to recover from all the intense interactions, revelations, and scenes. If you've seen it, then you know that the show has bid farewell to a beloved character from Team Black.
'The Most Wonderful Relief'
Of course, there will be spoilers ahead about the show, so if you haven't seen the latest episode, you might want to set this aside until after you've watched "The Red Dragon and the Gold."
Episode 4 was packed with so many major events that you won't even have time to let one sink in before another comes along. However, all fans can agree that one particular scene stands out above the rest, which was the death of a Team Black character.
At the Battle of Rook's Rest, we finally saw what we were all waiting for, a fight between dragons. Sunfyre, Meleys, and Vhagar, along with their riders took to the skies and we already knew that at least one dragon would fall from the battle, especially for those who had read "Fire and Blood."
Regardless, it was still a tragic scene to see Meleys succumb to her wounds after Vhagar bites down her neck. As she falls, her rider, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, falls down with her, resulting in both of their fiery deaths.
Episode Director Alan Taylor said that Rhaenys went back to fight Vhagar even after having the opportunity to leave the fight alive due to one moment in season 1, wherein she decided not to burn the Greens alive during the coronation, and it resulted in Lucerys Velaryon's death.
As per Gizmodo, Rhaenys actress Eve Best agreed that she had to go back in. "The honorable thing is that she could have escaped, and then she's like, 'No, we've got to go back.' Because there's the potential to end it," she expressed.
"I think she knows she's going back to die, but she has to try because if Vhagar can be taken down, then it's done. It's cauterized. The potential for nuclear war is cut down." Best believed the character accepting her fate made the moment "beautiful."
"I think for her to finally let go was the most wonderful relief," she said, and added that Team Black would be "really screwed without her." Many would agree, seeing as she has been the voice of reason and Rhaenyra's advocate on several occasions.
The Battle's Aftermath
The episode ended on somewhat of a cliffhanger, especially with the fate of Sunfyre and King Aegon II. Those who read the books already know that despite the extensive injuries of both, they survived the fire of Vhagar and the fall.
Due to Aemond deciding to rain fire even with his brother locked in with Meleys, Aegon suffers burns and Sunfyre is severely incapacitated. This resulted in the king suffering from his injuries for a year, and Aemond ruled in his stead as he recovered.
In a way, that could be far worse for Team Black. We already saw how skilled he is in war strategies, and add to that having the biggest dragon in the realm with combat skills to go with it. As regent, he will definitely be a more effective foe for Team Black.
