EntertainmentTVFantasy ShowsHouse of the DragonHouse of the Dragon season 2 episode 4 recap and Easter eggs: Dragon fire and big battlesWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
EntertainmentTVFantasy ShowsHouse of the DragonHouse of the Dragon season 2 episode 4 recap and Easter eggs: Dragon fire and big battlesWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: HBO/Sky)
House of the Dragon season 2episode 4 is the most dramatic hour of the fantasy series we’ve seen this year. No one is safe as the dragons descend on Westeros in a brutal episode that isn’t without its casualties. So if you’re still reeling from the latest outing, then you’re in the right place because we’ve got a spoiler-filled deep-dive for you below, breaking down all the big moments and what they mean for the coming war.
We’ve also compared some of the major moments to the books, detailing how they differ, as well as picking apart some big House of the Dragon Easter eggs. It goes without saying though, that from this point on we’re getting intoheavy spoiler territory – and this week, there’s plenty to be spoiled. So please make sure you’ve seen House of the Dragon season 2 episode 4 before reading on. Those who have, let’s get this fire burning…
If you’re looking for our verdict on the episode too, check out ourHouse of the Dragon season 2 review.
Seeing ghosts
(Image credit: HBO/Sky)
The episode begins with Daemon still in Harrenhal and still suffering from confusing visions.Milly Alcock’s Rhaenyra is backonce again, taunting her uncle-husband about his past and about her gaining the succession over him. He beheads her in a grisly moment, before waking up to news of a raven about Aegon’s conquest over Westeros is growing stronger with Harrenhal as their destination. Daemon confronts Lord Tully’s representative to pressure him to give him an army to help him – it doesn’t go well when he calls them a “fish with no head”. Ever the charmer.
Meanwhile, Rhaenys Targaryen meets Alyn of Hull (brother ofAddam of Hull) for the first time, before confronting Corlys about exactly who he is. Ah, thedragonseedsaren’t as hidden as previously thought, then. Back in Dragonstone, Baelor and Jacaerys are trying to plot their way ahead at the war council table before Rhaenyra returns from her jaunt to King’s Landing where she tried to dissuade Alicent from battle.
War is inevitable
(Image credit: HBO/Sky)
Alicent is still reeling from the revelation from Rhaenyra about Aegon, as well as seemingly dealing with an unwanted pregnancy from her relations with Criston. Larys Strong isn’t much help to her, as the dowager comes to terms with her fate and the war to come. “The significance of Viserys’ intentions died with him,” she sagely tells him, disregarding the details she found out. It seems Rhaenyra really was too late.
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Daemon’s visions haunting him in Harrenhal continue, as it’s teased who is behind them. It’s the woman first introduced in the last episodewho warned him he would die in the castle, and now we know she’s calledAlys Rivers. She reveals she’s a bastard for House Strong and has been working as a maester, as she warns him that Harrenhal is cursed. “Witch,” he calls her, before taking the potion he gives her and wakes up in a council meeting with no idea how he got there seeing his dead wife in the room. Spooky.
After being absent for most of the episode, Rhaenyra returns as she decides which dragon she can send to battle. The decision falls on Rhaenys and Meleys to meet Criston on the battlefield, as Rook’s Rest becomes the focal point. It seems all sides are trying to decide how to prove themselves too as Aegon reckons with his place in the coming fight, as do Rhaenyra and Jacerys.
Dance of the dragons
(Image credit: Sky/HBO)
The fight begins as Rhaenys and Meleys head to the field, burning soldiers in their hundreds. But wait, it seems like she’s not the only dragon lying in wait. Aemond and Vhagar are hiding in the forest, deciding on the perfect moment to strike – and Aegon and Sunfyre too? It all goes about as well as expected as the dragons take to the skies. For a while it seems like Meleys may be getting the upper hand, before Vhagar appears, firing dracarys at Sunfyre as his brother falls from the skies.
However, never one to shy from battle, Rhaenys turns back and fights to the bitter end against Vhagar and Aemond. The huge dragon is responsible for another Targaryen death, as he bites Meleys’s neck, sending the Queen Who Never Was to the ground. The bloodshed doesn’t seem to end there either so just a warning – don’t turn off your screen as soon as it turns to black, there’s another moment tucked away right at the end.
Criston wakes on the battlefield with the destruction of the dragons all around, before heading in search of the king. Aegon and Sunfyre are on the ground in the forest looking very worse for wear, but it seems Aemond has beaten them there. He’s putting away his sword (or is he getting it out?) when Criston appears, looking pretty suspicious as he backs away from his brother’s body. Just what was he planning there, and what would have happened if Criston had not appeared? Well, we may never find out. Right now, at least, it seems we should be very worried about Aegon ahead of next week’s episode.
House of the Dragon season 2 episode 4 Easter eggs
(Image credit: HBO)
House of the Dragon season 2 is airing weekly on HBO and Sky – don’t miss an episode with ourHouse of the Dragon season 2 release schedule. We’ve also got guides and stories on:
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
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Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
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Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
1
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2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2
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3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”