## Rhaenys’ Death: A Strategic Loss for Team Black## Rhaenys’ Death: A Strategic Loss for Team Black In the aftermath of “House of the Dragon” Season 2, Episode 4, the death of Rhaenys and her dragon Meleys has sent shockwaves through the realm. While it’s a significant blow to Team Black, Rhaenys herself believes it was the best possible outcome. Rhaenys’ Motivation Over the season, Rhaenys has consistently opposed the use of dragons in the conflict. However, she realizes that Rhaenyra is considering taking matters into her own hands. To prevent this, Rhaenys volunteers to lead the mission to Rook’s Rest. Strategic Implications Objectively, Rhaenys’ death is a major loss for Team Black. She was an experienced dragon rider and a skilled strategist. Her presence on the council was invaluable, as she provided a voice of reason and experience. Character Impact Beyond her military prowess, Rhaenys was an exceptional character. Known as “The Red Queen,” she exuded grace, style, and unwavering cool. Eve Best, who portrays Rhaenys, believes that her death will leave a huge void in Team Black. Team Green’s Advantage While Rhaenys’ loss is a significant setback for Team Black, Team Green has also suffered losses. The fates of Aegon and Sunfyre remain uncertain, but it’s clear that the battle has weakened both sides. Conclusion Rhaenys’ death is a complex event with far-reaching consequences. While it’s a strategic loss for Team Black, it also highlights the sacrifices that must be made in the pursuit of power. As the conflict escalates, the deaths of key characters will continue to shape the outcome of the Dance of the Dragons.
Season 2, Episode 4 of “House of the Dragon” ended in bloodshed, with Rhaenys (Eve Best) and Meleys being killed by Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) and Vhagar – a huge blow to Team Black.
Despite losing a great dragon and a rider with more battle experience than any other Targaryen aside from Daemon (Matt Smith), Best said it was the best outcome. Rhaenys volunteers for the Rook’s Rest mission because she senses that Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) was about to go herself.
“Rhaenys chooses to step in, when she’s been saying all season long, ‘We can’t use dragons. We can’t use anything but dragons.’ If this is going to happen, if this action is going to be taken, it’s better if she does it than anyone else,” she said on “Inside the Episode” after Sunday’s episode. “At the end of the day, she’s expendable, whereas Rhaenyra is not.”
Rhaenys and her dragon Meleys – known throughout Westeros as The Red Queen – were both killed during The Battle of Rook’s Rest after facing off against both Aemond and Vhagar, as well as Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) and Sunfyre. If it had been just one of them, it seems likely that Rhaenys would have emerged victorious. While the ultimate fates of Aegon and Sunfyre seem to be up in the air, the battle was in reality a much bigger loss for Team Black than it was for Team Green. Best went into this in depth during the official “House of the Dragon” podcast following the episode 4 reveal.
“Objectively, they simply lose their best man, their best chess piece,” Best said.
She added that Rhaenys – who was the one true voice supporting Rhaenyra in her own council – has big shoes to fill, not only because she was an experienced dragon rider, but also because of her character.
“I mean, she’s an enlightened badass,” Best said. “That’s what I love about her, is that despite the fact that she, you know, rises above everything with such incredible grace and style, she’s also just unconditionally cool as f–k.”
New episodes of “House of the Dragon” air every Sunday on HBO and stream on Max.
