Compared to our attachment to the Starks, it’s no Red Wedding.
What Makess ‘House of the Dragon’s Battle of Rook’s Rest Good?
The tragedy’s central characters simply aren’t given enough development forthe weight of Jaehaerys’ loss to register.
Custom image via Zanda Rice
Appropriately,the build-up to Rook’s Rest breeds dread.
Until now, no longstanding character has entered a legitimate life-or-death situation.
Nonetheless,Rhaenyra’s reluctance to weaponize their dragons sets the stakes.
The reign of House Targaryen begins with this prequel to the popular HBO seriesGame of Thrones.Based on George R.R. Martin’sFire & Blood,House of the Dragonis set nearly 200 years beforeGame of Thrones, telling the story of the Targaryen civil war with King Viserys.
The existing, almostpreternatural apprehension builds with each new element the episode introduces.
But, in another twist, Aemond pauses elevating the sequence’s lurking suspense.When and how will Vhagar appear?
Ryan Condal clarifies that huge ‘Game of Thrones’ Easter (or should we say Dragon?)
egg from last week’s episode.
None of Cole’s martial victories leading up to Rook’s Rest involved dragons.
When Vhagar does join the fight, her size overwhelms the minuscule soldiers.
Cole isn’t prepared for this level of warfare, let aloneAemond targeting Aegon over Rhaenys.
Once Rhaenys and Aemond engage, the soldiers crane their necks from the ground and stare in growing horror.
And when Meleys successfully spirals Vhagar to the ground, the massive dragon impacts like a detonated bomb.
Image via HBO
The result is senseless carnage; no man can match a dragon.
Despite losing the crown,the Queen Who Never Wasalways carries herself with nobility.
Her words hold the weight of experienced wisdom.
Rhaenys knows thatRook’s Rest is a sacrifice playand doesn’t hesitate.
As such, Rhaenys’s dignity prevails repeatedly during Rook’s Rest.
Instead, Cole wakes to a blistered black ground littered with charred corpses and piles of ash.
Image via HBO
New episodes ofHouse of the DragonSeason 2 premiere Sundays on HBO and Max.
