This past Sunday’s stellar episode of House of the Dragon scored the highest viewership of Season 2 with 8.1 million viewers across HBO and the Max streaming service in the U.S.
The fourth episode, “The Red Dragon and the Gold,” manage to surpass the viewership of the Season 2 premier which brought in 7.8 million viewers.
To date, House of the Dragon Season 2 is approaching 25 million viewers, according to info provided by Warner Bros. Discovery.
In addition, the highly anticipated episode saw an uptick in overall viewings. House of the Dragon Season 2 had its strongest week yet on Max between July 1-7 as fans tuned in during the Fourth of July weekend in anticipation of the episode that adapted George R.R. Martins “Dance of Dragons.”
Spoilers:
The episode features a massive battle between dragons and the injury and death of major characters.
As Ser Criston Cole attacks Rook’s Rest, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen sets out on her dragon, Meleys, to defend the keep.
However, a trap has been set. Prince Aemond Targaryen along with his dragon, Vhagar, the biggest in the land, is hiding, waiting to attack.
Meanwhile, King Aegon set out on his own dragon, Sunfyre, in an attempt to show his people he is a strong king and join his Hand in battle.
Aemond did see his brother arriving but decides to hold off. As Aegon battles Rhaenys, Aemond decides to spring his trap but with his brother Aegon in his sites, Aemond decides to unleash Vhagar’s feiry breath on both Aemond and Rhaenys.
Aemond takes the majority of the damage and crashes to the ground with Sunfyre.
Rhaenys and Meleys managed to avoid most of the fire, but are no match for Aemond and his giant dragon, Vhagar. Rhaenys’s dragon is killed, along with its rider.
Cole, who was battled in the attack, wakens and realizes the king has fallen. He goes to the fiery crash site and comes upon Aemond, who sheaths his sword. The king is shown badly injured, seemingly burnt to a crisp.
Earlier in the episode also saw Queen Rhaenyra return from King’s Landing where she realizes she has no choice but to go to war in order to gain the crown.
Great episode. It gets a 9/10 — only because I thought they should have showed more of the battle, and there has been too much drama and not enough action.
