Warning! This article contains spoilers for House of the Dragon season 2.
Summary
House of the Dragonseason 2, episode 4 saw the Dance of Dragons begin with Vhagar claiming yet another victim, though one with a hidden tragedy behind it. For the most part, thedragons ofHouse of the Dragonhave been looming over the show’s story since it began. The reptilian companions have appeared more than they did inGame of Thrones, and have essentially been the subject of the brewing war; if dragons get involved, millions will die and destruction is inevitable.
InHouse of the Dragonseason 2 episode 4’s ending, this became clearer than ever. This episode saw the Battle at Rook’s Rest explode the Dance of Dragons into fiery life, with several members ofHouse of the Dragon’s cast of charactersinvolved. Criston Cole led the assault and planned an ambush that would result in Aemond Targaryen and his dragon Vhagar ambushing whomever Rhaenyra sent to defend the castle. The surprise involvement of King Aegon aboard Sunfyre resulted in Vhagar, Westeros' largest dragon, causing untold carnage, with one of her victims hinging around a hidden, tragic backstory.
The Biggest Dragons In Game Of Thrones & House Of The Dragon
Between Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, and the lore from George R.R. Martin’s books, these dragons stand out as the biggest to roam Westeros.
Vhagar Kills Her Former Rider’s Mother & Dragon
The Battle at Rook’s Rest inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 4 resulted in thedeaths of Rhaenys Targaryen and Meleys, her loyal dragon. Rhaenys and Meleys were sent to aid the garrison of Rook’s Rest from Cole’s attack, unaware that Vhagar, Aemond, Sunfyre, and Aegon would also be present. After a valiant effort, Vhagar ambushed Meleys and killed her, sending the dragon falling to its death with Rhaenys aboard, ending the life of the Queen Who Never Was.
Vhagar’s attack would likely have been a horrible betrayal, as it is clear dragons are more emotionally intelligent than every other creature in Westeros…
Although the deaths of Meleys and Rhaenys are tragic enough in their own right, their connections to Vhagar make them even more heartbreaking. Before Aemond, Vhagar was ridden by Laena Velaryon, Rhaenys' daughter. This means thatMeleys and Vhagar would have spent a lot of time together on Driftmarkwhere House Velaryon is situated. To Meleys, Vhagar’s attack would likely have been a horrible betrayal, as it is clear dragons are more emotionally intelligent than every other creature in Westeros.
Vhagar & Meleys Have An Even Stronger Connection In Targaryen History
The Targaryen Lineage Makes Vhagar’s Betrayal Of Meleys Even Worse
If the history between Vhagar and Meleys linked to Laena and Rhaenys was not enough, their history before that makes their battle inHouse of the Dragonseason 2 even more painful. Before being connected to Laena, Vhagar was ridden by Baelon Targaryen, the father of Viserys and Daemon. Meleys also had another rider before Rhaenys: Alyssa Targaryen, Baelon’s sister-wife.This makes the historic connection between Vhagar and Meleys even stronger, as Baelon and Alyssa reportedly had a strong marriage.
InFire and Blood, the prequel to theA Song of Ice and Firebook serieson whichHouse of the Dragonis based, Baelon is described as being incredibly faithful to his wife. Even later in life, after Alyssa’s death, Baelon rejected advances from other women. This proves how strong their relationship was, and thus, how much time their dragons likely spent around each other. With other dragons having similar connections,House of the Dragon’s future episodes may be increasingly tragic as the Targaryen Civil War grows in severity.
The Dragons' Connections Add Another Layer To House Of The Dragon’s Targaryen Tragedies
The Human Targaryens Are Not The Only Family Members Fighting To The Death
As evident by Meleys and Vhagar’s connection,House of the Dragon’s Dance of Dragons goes deeper than the human tragedies on display. The Targaryen Civil War is often considered the beginning of the end of House Targaryen, as it saw the eventual extinction of the dragons and the weakening of the House. Naturally,House of the Dragonadequately displays these tragedies; brothers, sisters, cousins, daughters, sons, aunties, uncles, nephews, and nieces are all ruthlessly killing each other in a grasp for power that will only worsen inHouse of the Dragon’s future episodes.
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This is the primary focus ofHouse of the Dragon, but the connections between the dragons add another layer to the disastrous tragedies that are befalling House Targaryen. While dragon reproduction is complicated and has been explored less than the human lineage of House Targaryen, most - if not all - of the dragons inHouse of the Dragonare related. Either they have grown together from being hatchlings or had close connections, as evident with Meleys and Vhagar. If human death was not enough,House of the Dragon’s dragon links only further prove how cataclysmic the Targaryen civil war truly was.
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.
