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Critics singled out the Battle at Rook's Rest as the highlight of the episode.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":8" /> Alec Bojalad specifically wrote, "The resulting aerial battle above Rook's Rest in the Crownlands is as awesome and terrifying as its outcome is predictable. Two dragons perish, at least one dragonrider dies, and countless men-at-arms are either crushed under the beasts gait or vaporized by their fiery breath." James Hunt praised the sequence for blending epic scale with a strong character foundation.<ref name=":1" /> O'Hara dubbed it "epic fantasy at its most thrilling".<ref name=":2" /> Doll said that the sequence "surpasses expectations in a stomach-churning example of blockbuster television." She also considered it one of the greatest fight scenes in television history and called the episode the most beautiful work in the series so far.<ref name=":6" />
Critics singled out the Battle at Rook's Rest as the highlight of the episode.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":8" /> Alec Bojalad specifically wrote, "The resulting aerial battle above Rook's Rest in the Crownlands is as awesome and terrifying as its outcome is predictable. Two dragons perish, at least one dragonrider dies, and countless men-at-arms are either crushed under the beasts gait or vaporized by their fiery breath." James Hunt praised the sequence for blending epic scale with a strong character foundation.<ref name=":1" /> O'Hara dubbed it "epic fantasy at its most thrilling".<ref name=":2" /> Doll said that the sequence "surpasses expectations in a stomach-churning example of blockbuster television." She also considered it one of the greatest fight scenes in television history and called the episode the most beautiful work in the series so far.<ref name=":6" />


Other aspects lauded by critics included the visual effects,<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":6" /> stunts, acting,<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":6" /> with particular praise for the performances of Best,<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Weldon |first=Glen |date=2024-07-07 |title='House of the Dragon,' Season 2, Episode 4: A dragon-drop interface |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/07/04/nx-s1-5010725/house-of-the-dragon-recap-season-2-episode-4 |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[NPR]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Loftus |first=Johnny |date=2024-07-07 |title='House of the Dragon' Season 2 Episode 4 Recap: Deception And Death In Dragonland |url=https://decider.com/2024/07/07/house-of-the-dragon-season-2-episode-4-recap/ |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[Decider (website)|Decider]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Smith,<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Morgan |first=Lauren |date=2024-07-07 |title='House of the Dragon' recap: The dragons dance |url=https://ew.com/house-of-the-dragon-recap-episode-4-battle-rooks-rest-dragons-8673152 |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |language=en}}</ref> Glynn-Carney,<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Khosla |first=Proma |date=2024-07-08 |title='House of the Dragon' Episode 4 Review: Finally, the Dragons Dance |url=https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/shows/house-of-the-dragon-episode-204-review-1235023104/ |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[IndieWire]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Mitchell, and Rankin.<ref name=":10" /> There was also praise towards Dillon's cinematography, Djawadi's score,<ref name=":6" /> Condal's writing,<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":8" /> Taylor's direction,<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":6" /> with Helen O'Hara noting his skill in shifting between political machinations and outright warfare,<ref name=":2" /> as well as Daemon's scenes in Harrenhal,<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":9" /> and the increased sibling rivalry between Aemond and Aegon.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" />
Other aspects lauded by critics included the visual effects,<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":6" /> stunts, acting,<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":6" /> with particular praise for the performances of Best,<ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Weldon |first=Glen |date=2024-07-07 |title='House of the Dragon,' Season 2, Episode 4: A dragon-drop interface |url=https://www.npr.org/2024/07/04/nx-s1-5010725/house-of-the-dragon-recap-season-2-episode-4 |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[NPR]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Loftus |first=Johnny |date=2024-07-07 |title='House of the Dragon' Season 2 Episode 4 Recap: Deception And Death In Dragonland |url=https://decider.com/2024/07/07/house-of-the-dragon-season-2-episode-4-recap/ |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[Decider (website)|Decider]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Smith,<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Morgan |first=Lauren |date=2024-07-07 |title='House of the Dragon' recap: The dragons dance |url=https://ew.com/house-of-the-dragon-recap-episode-4-battle-rooks-rest-dragons-8673152 |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |language=en}}</ref> Glynn-Carney,<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Khosla |first=Proma |date=2024-07-08 |title='House of the Dragon' Episode 4 Review: Finally, the Dragons Dance |url=https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/shows/house-of-the-dragon-episode-204-review-1235023104/ |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[IndieWire]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Mitchell, and Rankin.<ref name=":10" />
As Erica Gonzales notes in ''[[Elle (magazine)|Elle]]'', Best said of Rhaenys, "She’s stepping up to sacrifice herself because I think she knows absolutely damn well that this is a kamikaze mission. In this moment, I think there’s an unspoken but very important moment of acceptance and honoring. It’s very samurai, actually. It’s an honor between the two women, which up until now has always been very complicated."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gonzales |first=Erica |date=2024-07-07 |title=Eve Best Reflects on Rhaneys’ ‘Heroic’ Act on ''House of the Dragon'' |url=https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a61499902/house-of-the-dragon-season-2-eve-best-interview-2024/ |website=[[Elle (magazine)|Elle]]}}</ref> There was also praise towards Dillon's cinematography, Djawadi's score,<ref name=":6" /> Condal's writing,<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":8" /> Taylor's direction,<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":6" /> with Helen O'Hara noting his skill in shifting between political machinations and outright warfare,<ref name=":2" /> as well as Daemon's scenes in Harrenhal,<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":9" /> and the increased sibling rivalry between Aemond and Aegon.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7" />


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 10:23, 8 July 2024

"The Red Dragon and the Gold"
House of the Dragon episode
Episode no.Season 2
Episode 4
Directed byAlan Taylor
Written byRyan Condal
Featured musicRamin Djawadi
Cinematography byP.J. Dillon
Editing byKatie Weiland
Original air dateJuly 7, 2024 (2024-07-07)
Running time55 minutes
Guest appearance
Episode chronology
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"The Red Dragon and the Gold"[1] is the fourth episode of the second season of the HBO fantasy drama television series House of the Dragon. Written by Ryan Condal and directed by Alan Taylor, it first aired on July 7, 2024.

"The Red Dragon and the Gold" received critical acclaim, with several reviewers calling it one of the series' best episodes. Critics particularly praised the episode for its direction, writing, visual effects, Daemon's scenes in Harrenhal, Aemond and Aegon's increased rivalry, acting (especially those of Eve Best, Matt Smith and Tom Glynn-Carney), and the battle sequence, which was considered the episode's highlight.

Plot

At Harrenhal

Daemon dreams of cutting off young Rhaenyra's head as she accuses him of treason. Daemon meets Alys Rivers, who calls Harrenhal haunted, due to its being built over weir trees, and gives him a sleep-drink; then he sees his second wife Laena's ghost while in council.

In King's Landing

Archmaester Orwyle makes Alicent an abortifacient tea, though she pretends it is for someone else; she asks if he knows whom Viserys wanted as heir, but he professes ignorance. After she takes the tea and feels ill, Larys arrives and sees the bottle. Alicent says she feels unwell because she ate too much lamprey pie; Larys knowingly says she has indulged herself. Aegon is frustrated in council, finding Aemond and Criston planned campaigns without him, including besieging the small castle of Rook's Rest, near Dragonstone, instead of Harrenhal. Aegon removes Alicent's history books; she tells him to do naught, instead letting his wise advisers act. Frustrated and drunk, he decides to ride on Sunfyre, who nuzzles him, and fly to Rook's Rest.

At Dragonstone

Rhaenyra returns to Dragonstone and agrees to war, volunteering to dragonride. Her son Jacaerys offers himself to fly on Vermax, but Rhaenyra disapproves. Ultimately, Rhaenys volunteers herself instead.

At Duskendale

Criston beheads Lord Darklyn, who refuses allegiance and spits at him.

At Rook's Rest

Rhaenys, black-tiared, on Meleys burns Criston's troops, but he has Aemond and Vhagar hidden. However, Aemond notices Aegon arriving, and lets him advance unsupported. Meleys mauls Sunfyre. Vhagar arrives; Aemond has Vhagar burn both Meleys and Sunfyre; Sunfyre plunges to the ground. Rhaenys, who straps herself securely to Meleys, attacks Vhagar, who also falls. However, as Meleys circles, Vhagar rises, bites Meleys' neck, and Meleys and Rhaenys fall. Criston awakens from being stunned, and walks off, finding Aemond – and also, Aegon lying prone and unmoving.

Production

"The Red Dragon and the Gold" marks Alan Taylor's second directorial credit in the series and ninth in the overall Game of Thrones franchise.

Writing and filming

"The Red Dragon and the Gold" was written by showrunner and executive producer Ryan Condal, and directed by Alan Taylor,[1] making it their second collaboration in the series after the season premiere "A Son for a Son".

The episode marks Condal's sixth writing credit for the series, following "The Heirs of the Dragon", "The Rogue Prince", "Second of His Name", "The Black Queen", and the season premiere.[2] It also marks Taylor's second time as director for the series and ninth for the overall franchise. He previously directed the Game of Thrones episodes "Baelor", "Fire and Blood", "The North Remembers", "The Night Lands", "The Prince of Winterfell", "Valar Morghulis", and "Beyond the Wall".[3][4]

The title of the episode refers to the color of Meleys and Sunfyre, Rhaenys' and Aegon's dragon, respectively.

Casting

The episode stars Matt Smith, Emma D'Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Fabien Frankel, Sonoya Mizuno, Matthew Needham, Tom Glynn-Carney, Ewan Mitchell, Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Jefferson Hall, Freddie Fox, Gayle Rankin, Kurt Egyiawan, Abubakar Salim, and Simon Russell Beale. Milly Alcock once again guest-starred to reprise her role as young Rhaenyra Targaryen, following the previous episode. Nanna Blondell also made a brief appearance, reprising her role as Daemon's second wife Laena Velaryon.

Reception

Critical response

The performances of Eve Best, Matt Smith, and Tom Glynn-Carney in the episode were praised by critics.

"The Red Dragon and the Gold" was met with critical acclaim, with some calling it one of the best episodes of the series and the best of the season so far.[5][6][7][8] On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an approval rating of 100% based on five reviews, with an average rating of 9.4/10.[9]

The episode earned a perfect 5 out of 5 stars from both Alec Bojalad of Den of Geek and Haley Whitmire White of TV Fanatic.[5][10] Bojalad remarked, "Impressively, [it] makes the already-strong episode 3 even better in context."[5] White described it as "one of the most spectacular and visually stunning displays that we've seen on television in a long time."[10] James Hunt of Screen Rant rated it with 4.5 out of 5 stars, praising it as "a brilliant installment that evokes Game of Thrones at its most spectacular".[6] The episode also received a rating of 4 out of 5 stars from Amanda Whiting of Vulture and Benji Wilson of The Telegraph.[11][12]

Helen O'Hara of IGN awarded the episode a perfect 10 out of 10 score, calling it a "masterpiece". She wrote, "[The episode] starts slowly but builds up steam, finishing with a spectacular battle that ranks up there with the most thrilling moments of Game of Thrones and blows away anything so far in House of the Dragon."[7] Katie Doll of CBR and Carly Lane of Collider both scored it 9 out of 10.[13][14] Doll noted, "[The episode] changes the course of House of the Dragon Season 2 by finally moving the plot out of its stagnant place in every single scene."[13] Kayleigh Dray of The A.V. Club graded it with an "A" and called it a "magnificent" episode.[15] Erik Kain of Forbes described it as "yet another terrific episode in what's shaping up to be a great second season."[8] Josh Rosenberg of Esquire viewed it as a return to the franchise's glory days.[16]

Critics singled out the Battle at Rook's Rest as the highlight of the episode.[10][15] Alec Bojalad specifically wrote, "The resulting aerial battle above Rook's Rest in the Crownlands is as awesome and terrifying as its outcome is predictable. Two dragons perish, at least one dragonrider dies, and countless men-at-arms are either crushed under the beasts gait or vaporized by their fiery breath." James Hunt praised the sequence for blending epic scale with a strong character foundation.[6] O'Hara dubbed it "epic fantasy at its most thrilling".[7] Doll said that the sequence "surpasses expectations in a stomach-churning example of blockbuster television." She also considered it one of the greatest fight scenes in television history and called the episode the most beautiful work in the series so far.[13]

Other aspects lauded by critics included the visual effects,[5][6][13] stunts, acting,[5][10][13] with particular praise for the performances of Best,[14][17][18] Smith,[6][12][19] Glynn-Carney,[6][20] Mitchell, and Rankin.[20] As Erica Gonzales notes in Elle, Best said of Rhaenys, "She’s stepping up to sacrifice herself because I think she knows absolutely damn well that this is a kamikaze mission. In this moment, I think there’s an unspoken but very important moment of acceptance and honoring. It’s very samurai, actually. It’s an honor between the two women, which up until now has always been very complicated."[21] There was also praise towards Dillon's cinematography, Djawadi's score,[13] Condal's writing,[13][15] Taylor's direction,[10][6][13] with Helen O'Hara noting his skill in shifting between political machinations and outright warfare,[7] as well as Daemon's scenes in Harrenhal,[5][6][13][19] and the increased sibling rivalry between Aemond and Aegon.[13][14]

References

  1. ^ a b "Episode 4: 'The Red Dragon and the Gold'". Warner Bros. Discovery. June 24, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  2. ^ "Ryan J. Condal". Writers Guild of America West. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  3. ^ Hibberd, James; Kit, Borys (August 31, 2022). "'House of the Dragon' Shake-Up: Co-Showrunner Miguel Sapochnik Leaving Hit Series (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  4. ^ Dominguez, Noah (September 1, 2022). "House of the Dragon Co-Showrunner Exiting, GoT Director Joining Season 2". CBR. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Bojalad, Alec (July 8, 2024). "House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 4 Review: Rook's Rest". Den of Geek. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Hunt, James (July 8, 2024). "House Of The Dragon Season 2, Episode 4 Review: The Show That Was Promised". Screen Rant. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d O'Hara, Helen (July 8, 2024). "House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 4 Review". IGN. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Kain, Erik (July 7, 2024). "'House Of The Dragon' Season 2, Episode 4 Recap And Review: The Red Dragon And The Gold". Forbes. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  9. ^ "House of the Dragon: Season 2, Episode 4". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c d e White, Haley Whitmire (July 7, 2024). "House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 4 Review: A Dance of Dragons". TV Fanatic. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  11. ^ Whiting, Amanda (July 7, 2024). "House of the Dragon Recap: You Win or You Die". Vulture. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Wilson, Benji (July 8, 2024). "House of the Dragon, season 2 episode 4 review: Matt Smith is great, but please tone down the CGI". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Doll, Katie (July 8, 2024). "House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 4 Review: An Instant Classic". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  14. ^ a b c Lane, Carly (July 8, 2024). "'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Episode 4 Recap: In a Dragon Dogfight, Nobody Wins". Collider. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  15. ^ a b c "House Of The Dragon drops its greatest episode to date". The A.V. Club. July 8, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  16. ^ Rosenberg, Josh (July 8, 2024). "'House of the Dragon' S2, E4 Is a Damn Masterpiece". Esquire. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  17. ^ Weldon, Glen (July 7, 2024). "'House of the Dragon,' Season 2, Episode 4: A dragon-drop interface". NPR. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  18. ^ Loftus, Johnny (July 7, 2024). "'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Episode 4 Recap: Deception And Death In Dragonland". Decider. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  19. ^ a b Morgan, Lauren (July 7, 2024). "'House of the Dragon' recap: The dragons dance". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  20. ^ a b Khosla, Proma (July 8, 2024). "'House of the Dragon' Episode 4 Review: Finally, the Dragons Dance". IndieWire. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  21. ^ Gonzales, Erica (July 7, 2024). "Eve Best Reflects on Rhaneys' 'Heroic' Act on House of the Dragon". Elle.
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