The Dragonpit S2E4: The Queen Who Never Was

Titled “The Red Dragon and The Gold,” this episode will go down as one of the best episodes in the entire Game of Thrones universe. We start at Harrenhal where Daemon continues to struggle with both his past crimes and shifting reality. In between flirting with the woods-witch, Alys Rivers, and tripping on Weirwood paste, Daemon continues to terrorize the Riverland lords demanding fealty from both Oscar Tully and the Blackwoods. 

Back in King’s Landing, Alicent sips on her moon tea while searching for answers on the Song of Ice and Fire. Aegon and Aemond bicker about war strategy and Larys’ loyalty is questioned. On Dragonstone, Rhaenyra returns from King’s Landing to a divided council unable to proceed forward without her and struggling to defeat Criston Cole’s campaign throughout the Crownlands. Rhaenyra declares that she’s ready to send the dragons into battle as Rhaenys heads into battle on Meleys — not realizing Rook’s Rest is a trap for the Blacks and she is playing directly into the Green’s hands. 

Defending Rook’s Rest is already a lost cause when Meleys and Rhaenys arrive to aid Team Black. But before Rhaenys can even take out the Green’s army, she is attacked by King Aegon on Sunfyre — much to the surprise of Criston Cole. Meleys seems to be winning when Aemond and Vaghar enter the fray. Against two fully grown dragons, Rhaenys doesn’t stand a chance but she fights until her last breath. The episode ends with Cole and Aemond finding Aegon and his dragon badly injured, but still alive.