House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4 features a tragic decision from Rhaenys Targaryen that parallels two shocking moments from season 1. Rhaenys, portrayed by Eve Best in House of the Dragon‘s cast, had several major moments in the most recent episode, titled “The Red Dragon and the Gold.” The episode centered around the brewing war threatening to engulf Westeros as Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) continued his conquest against Emma D’Arcy’s Rhaenyra Targaryen and her supporters.

By the time of House of the Dragon season 2 episode 4’s ending, the Dance of Dragons had truly begun. Cole besieged Rook’s Rest as Aemond and his giant dragon Vhagar lay in wait for whomever Rhaenyra sent to alleviate the assault. This turned out to be Rhaenys aboard one of House of the Dragon‘s most experienced dragons, Meleys. The battle that ensued was one of the best in Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon history and contained a tragic decision from Rhaenys that mirrored two shocking dragon moments from season 1 of the latter.

Rhaenys’ Death Repeats Laena’s Tragic Vhagar Decision In House Of The Dragon Season 1

Rhaenys’ Choice To Go Out In Battle Mirrors Her Daughter’s Death

Firstly, the decision itself is Rhaenys turning back toward the battle. At multiple points during the Battle at Rook’s Rest, Rhaenys could have flown to safety and retreated to Dragonstone. However, she chose to turn back toward the battle and attempt to take down Aemond and Vhagar – House of the Dragon‘s biggest dragon – after defeating Aegon and Sunfyre. While Rhaenys knew this choice likely would not end well, her decision was born from the desire to go out in a death worthy of a true Targaryen and a dragon rider.

To die in service of her queen made Rhaenys’ choice as epic as it was tragic, and it mirrors a similar choice concerning her daughter, Laena. In House of the Dragon season 1, Laena has complications during childbirth where it looks likely she will die. In order to die on her own terms as a Targaryen and dragon rider, she orders Vhagar – who was her dragon before Aemond’s – to incinerate her. This decision from mother and daughter to go out in a literal blaze of glory draws parallels between their deaths, giving the tragic decisions a sense of meaningful poetry.

Vhagar’s Jump-Scare Attack On Rhaenys & Meleys Mirrors Lucerys & Arrax’s Deaths

Vhagar’s First House Of The Dragon Victims Are Evoked By Rhaenys & Meleys

As evident, the Queen Who Never Was’ choice to turn back towards Rook’s Rest resulted in the deaths of Rhaenys and Meleys in House of the Dragon. The two were eventually killed by Aemond and Vhagar, who lay in wait behind the walls of the garrison as Rhaenys flew over the battlefield. The way it was depicted was like a jump scare, with the audience being lured into a fall sense of security with the possibility that the duo could escape. However, Vhagar and Aemond popped up from behind Rook’s Rest, with the former sinking his teeth into Meleys’ neck.

This moment is depicted very similarly to the deaths of Lucerys and Arrax in House of the Dragon season 1’s finale. Lucerys and his dragon were both killed by Vhagar after the latter was threatened by Arrax’s fire blast. The chase sequence between the two dragons was shown in a thick thunderstorm, with Lucerys seemingly escaping above the clouds into safety. Like with Meleys and Rhaenys, though, Vhagar appears from beneath the clouds and kills the young rider and his dragon, drawing another parallel between four of Vhagar’s many victims.

How Many More Characters Vhagar Kills In The Dance Of The Dragons

Vhagar’s Reign Of Death Does Not Stop Anytime Soon

Given that Vhagar has already killed several characters by the time of House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4, it is logical to wonder who else the giant dragon puts down as the Targaryen Civil War known as the Dance of Dragons rages on. Eventually, Aemond and Vhagar fly to Harrenhal in an attempt to take it back from Daemon Targaryen. However, Daemon tricks Aemond by flying Caraxes to King’s Landing, which is now undefended. In a bid for revenge against Daemon and Rhaenyra for claiming King’s Landing, Aemond and Vhagar begin to torch the Riverlands.

As such, Aemond’s rage and Vhagar’s might see the latter murder countless Rivermen. Concerning major characters, Vhagar and Aemond eventually come face-to-face with Caraxes and Daemon. The two riders and their dragons fight in the Battle Above the Gods Eye in a violent clash that results in all four being killed. As Caraxes and Vhagar engage one another, Daemon jumps from the former and drives his sword through Aemond’s other eye. With all four dying in the battle, Vhagar can technically be accredited as the murderer of Daemon and Caraxes in House of the Dragon‘s future.