House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4, is mind-blowing, and it’s finally begun the storyline everyone has been waiting for since the series began in 2022. House of the Dragon’s timeline starts roughly 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, and the prequel series promised a fresh outlook on George R.R. Martin’s fantasy universe, examining the Targaryen dynasty at its pinnacle of power. Thus far, the prequel has provided a more centralized, family-driven narrative, as opposed to the widely spanning fantasy epic of Game of Thrones, but there’s more to it.

The House of the Dragon season 1 ending saw war become inevitable in Westeros with the Blacks and Greens split following King Viserys Targaryen’s death. After Aemond Targaryen killed Rhaenyra’s son, Lucerys Velaryon, a violent cycle began, with the Blacks returning the favor by having baby Jaehaerys killed. Negotiation attempts have entirely failed, and episode 4 saw the results of these events, with war finally unleashing.

The Dance Of The Dragons Has Finally Started In House Of The Dragon

HOTD Finally Delivers A Massive Battle Setpiece With Dragon Vs. Dragon Action

House of the Dragon promised more than just gripping family drama. One of the series’ main points of excitement was an increased volume of dragons and the chance to see Targaryen dragonriders facing off in civil war. With the Battle of Rook’s Rest in season 2, episode 4, the Dance of the Dragons has truly begun. The Greens launched an infantry attack on the castle, hoping to cut off Dragonstone from the mainland by occupying the coast. Criston Cole baited the Blacks into sending a dragonrider to defend Rook’s Rest, where he could trap them with Vhagar.

Out of the dragons in House of the Dragon, Vhagar is the oldest, most experienced, and undoubtedly the biggest, making Aemond Targaryen an immense threat for the Greens. Rhaenys and Meleys are well-trained and well-bonded and manage to put up a good fight against the massive beast, though they’re ultimately caught on their way out. Aegon II and Sunfyre also arrive on the scene, making a poor attempt to fight off Rhaenys before Aemond arrives and betrays him.

The Dance Of The Dragons Is Already Epic

HOTD Episode 4 Is As Epic As Anything In GoT

House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4, rivals any of the dragon spectacle in Game of Thrones, as it’s the first time the two series have properly shown Targaryen dragonriders facing off in combat. It’s just one of the many epic battles likely to come in the Dance, and the added flavor of Aemond betraying Aegon demonstrates the consistent nuance that will be at play throughout the war. House of the Dragon may have been split into two sides, but there will always be more individual motivations factored in.