HOTD: Official Podcast: S2 Ep. 4: Eve Best on Rhaenys' Epic Dragon Battle 

Never a battle as beautiful as this one. RIP Meleys. You were a good girl.

This episode was masterful television. I’m in awe of how this franchise is able to captivate time and time again. Getting veteran Thrones director Alan Taylor for what was the most important episode of HOTD yet made perfect sense. (That Dragon battle?!! INSANE!!)

35:00 Eve Best joins 🖤 Rhaenys

When Rhaenys tightened the reins and led Meleys for more battle. Damn.

The moments when Rhaenys leans on Meleys before going for the battle and when she accepts her fate when plummeting down with Meleys, oh, why you had to make it so heartwrenching! God, I love Rhaenys and Eve Best, what a character and an actor. Rhaenys, truly an awesome character with wisdom, grace, loyalty, courage & honour and Eve Best brought her to life. Truly the one who actually deserved to be the Queen. Will miss both Rhaenys and Eve 💔

Lord Corly's reaction to his wife's demise is gonna be devastating to see. Super excited to see the aftermath of Rook's Rest in episode 5. This show is cooking!

It was amazing how Eve can act with her eyes. I cried for every Dragon who got hurt (pet owners might understand) but how Rhaenys and Meleys looked at each other, right in the feels! 💔 And they could've gone away twice! I think that was extra for the book readers. It worked 😢❤️🐉

Episode 4 was an emotional rollercoaster. While I enjoyed the battle scene, I was deeply saddened by the deaths of these two major characters, Rhaenys and Meleys. What a blow for Team Black.

RIP Rhaenys Targaryen (The Queen Who Never Was) and Meleys (The Red Queen) we shall never see their likes again.

Otto plotted for Aegon to be king in name, not in practice, he wanted a puppet

No matter who wins, its heartbreaking seeing the dragons maim and kill each other like this, knowing how rare and unique each one is

You want fire and blood until you have to watch beautiful dragons die. I’m depressed after that episode.

I bawled my eyes out crying watching Meleys turning to Rhaenys like saying byeeeeee 😭💔😭💔😭💔😭💔😭💔😭💔

Hopefully the slow attention span people will stop complaining bout there being no big battles/dragon battles. R.I.P. to the Queen that should’ve been 💯

Thank you Alan for giving Aegon such depth. I'm sure you and TGC had to fight for it, but you managed to communicate so much humanity and complexity with the few scenes you were allowed. Heartbreaking stuff.

I think Rhaenys backed Rhaenyra because she loved her cousin, Viserys, like he was her brother. I think the Blacks backing their queen is rooted in their continued respect and love for Viserys.

My favorite character just died. 😢

RIP RHAENYS AND MELEYS

The Queen that Should Have Been, Princess Rhaenys volunteered to go to Rook's Rest, and went out like a boss. We will miss her and the beautiful Red Queen Dragon, Meleys. The other moment that made me nostalgic when Aemond looks up and sees King Aegon on Sunfyre and says "idiot", reminiscent of when Jamie was charging to take out Danaerys in GoT, and Tyrion looking from afar calls him an idiot, too.

This has to be considered a moment in television history. That was absolutely amazing!!

Long live the memory of Rhaenys the queen that should have been.

I was most proud of how Rhaenys spoke for Alyn. Talk about grace. Catelyn could never.

Excellent television at its best. Thank you. Rest In Peace. I have a soft space in my heart for Eve Best. The only actress in the cast I knew , from playing Edie Falco’s best friend and confidant on SHO Nurse Jackie

Eve best is one of the best (No pun intended) British actresses, and I don’t say this lightly. She has the simplicity and honesty that’s needed to move the audience to literal tears. Wether she’s doing Shakespeare or comedy (like Nurse Jackie) or house of the dragon, she always brings her A game. If you ever have the opportunity to see her in theatre please do; it’s an acting masterclass

I was so emotional this episode. Heartbreaking! Thrilling episode!!!

They went out in the battle together like true warriors-queens they both were. Rhaenys Targaryen, The Queen Who Never Was (but definitely should have been) and Meleys, The Red Queen 👑 🐉🐲

Heartbreaking! I cried for the Dragons!!!

“We go to battle again old girl” When she said that my heart sunk. When shows do that it’s never a good omen 😂 Fantastic episode. Send all your dragons next time tho cmon. 😂

If one thinks about it, some Gregor vs. Oberyn vibes here. First, one would think there is a clear favorite, this huge thing. Then, one sees how a smaller but faster fighter actually has an edge and is winning. Finally, we get a reminder that against a huge thing one miscalculation means death. Kudos to Aemond for being able to bugger off and hide his Boeing 747 behind a castle on such a short notice.

Rhaenys had two chances to end the war. The coronation day and when Daemon was urging her for them to attack Vhagar together. With Vhagar gone- war's over with minimal casualty.

That episode was exactly what I've been waiting and hoping for.

Whoever though tabout having an official podcast about these HBO shows give'em a raise.

Vhaegar was also Rhaenys' daughter's dragon. Just a reminder.

Queen Who Should Have Been 😢❤❤

I will really miss Eve Best

She is the Queen of Hearts, the Red Queen who should have been, and earned her place through fire and blood. Long live the Red Queen and the Red Dragon Rheanys and Meleys! 🐉 👑 🔥 🩸❤️‍🔥🥀

The strange thing is that I'm a still a student of history and read about The Anarchy, and we all know the outcome...but,Eve Best did such an amazing portrayal of Rhaenys and Meleys...I'm still crying Well done crew and staff!!

Even tho i Read the book and knew Rhaenys fate so I figured I'd be able to deal with it........nope but she did do a lot of damage.

I had read the events of this conflict a long time ago and had purposely not refreshed up on the history. It really got to me to lose both Rhaenys and Meleys 😢

I have never cried this much for a GOT/HOTD character, Rhaenys and Meleys broke my heart, they are badass queens!! Eve Best is the....well, the BEST!!

Eve Best! What an actor, awesome!

Alicent and Otto have been planning to make Aegon king his whole life but have taught him nothing and blame him for not knowing.

Ryan C also said "devastating for both sides"

I'm gonna miss Eve so much 😢 ❤️

I knew Rhanys had to die this episode but it does make me sad.

Gwayne MIGHT be my favorite Hightower in the show despite how he came off in his “re” opening last week

The 2 Queens!!!!! :(

i haven’t cried like this in a GOT ep since Hodor 😢

Don’t forget Daemon lost a cousin

Anyone who has to say “ I am the king is no true king” Tywin Lannister. I am reminded of this just about every time Aegon says I am the king

We finally got a proper introduction to Sunfyre the Golden! Can’t wait to see him and Aegon never give up on one another for the rest of the Dance.

Did anybody else notice how strong melyse scales was and was struggling breaking through melyse scales and sunfyre scale was smooth like a dunner scale on a beared dragon sunfyre scale was easily cutted through could the dragons have different scale type

PLEASE get Jason to stop calling Criston Christopher. He kept saying it last episode and again on this one. It’s really irritating using the wrong name. It’s not like it’s a shortening of his name like Jace/ Jacaerys or Luce/ Lucerys. It’s Criston!

That's not nearly enough time with Eve. 😢Her character has been so pivotal. She has carried so many heavy moments. She really should have been nominated for supporting actress for season 1 and 2.

Excerpts from Fire and Blood: “Princess Rhaenys made no attempt to flee. With a glad cry and a crack of her whip, she turned Meleys toward the foe……” “Beloved daughter of Lady Jocelyn Baratheon and Prince Aemond Targaryen, faithful wife to Lord Corlys Velaryon, mother and grandmother, the Queen Who Never Was lived fearlessly, and died amidst blood and fire. She was fifty-five years old.” GRRM

Great and well made video episode!!!! Everyone involved with the show should be proud!!!!

I love how the episode wasn’t just on the battle alone the story line for all the characters still moved forward with the audience! One thing that used to to drive me crazy about GOT was that the audience had to wait 1 or 2 episodes for their favorite storylines to be aired. RIP the queen that never was, I will miss her strength in putting the boys in their place 😂

I actually felt bad for Aegon in these last few eps. He grew up thinking his half sister was legal heir & his father's favorite, he was never really educated about Targ history or how to rule, he was forced to marry his own sister & only ever got verbal & physical abuse from his mother. He had no guidance, no ambition, no purpose & no discipline THEN he is literally installed as a puppet king dragged to the throne kicking & screaming. He wasn't respected or prepared & he knew it. Had his child not been murdered, If he had appointed Aemond as his Hand (if Larys hadn't poisoned him with paranoia)..he could have possibly turned things around & matured into the role & been less impulsive.....maaaaaaybe? He was just SO unequipped/unprepared for the position that he inherited as first born male child. Bad news for everybody, especially himself.

RIP Red Queen & The Queen of our Hearts

Meleys, Rhaenys and Sunfyre getting smoked was horrible to see 😭 😭 amazing episode

Aemond vs Daemon 1 on 1 for the crown, who y’all got ?

The people behind the camera are such craftspeople and I love all the insight 🥰🥰

Pour one out for Eve Best. She was phenomenal this whole show.

The dragon riding sequences in this ep were amazing. So thrilling & so sad 😮

Sooo good ❤

BEST SHOW OF THE YEAR‼️🔥🩸⚔️

not even min 2 and im already in tears

Rhaenyra is the true and rightful Heir

You guys recorded this quick! Lol

This episode hit me hard emotionally to the point of contemplating organizing a memorial for Rhaenys and Meleys.

Couple of thoughts on Rhaenyra going to KL: I have a feeling that it would have been safer to go in disguise as a Septa overland rather than by sea (probably harder to sneak through the port of KL than the main gates), so THAT would have taken time; but also it's possible that scenes went out of linear sequence too, so that R's meeting with Alicent could provide a good ending to ep3 and not have to be squeezed into ep4, what with everything else going on.

Eve Best gave an incredible portrayal of Rhaenys. I cried at this loss. Meleys and Rhaenys were queens in their own right and the show just won't be the same without Eve. Still, we stan. Long rest, the queen that should've been and her legendary dragon The Red Queen Meleys ❤😢 Its funny that I even knew the battle was coming but still cried. It sucks how we lose these incredible characters all because of a misunderstanding. Imagine what would have been had Alicent actually known what Visirys was talking about lol. What if the dragon lords had actually told their small folk of ASOIAF. What would things have been like had the public known of it? I honestly felt a certain level of heartbreak for Sunfyre and Aegon. These were both children that had no idea what they were flying into. They had no clue. Sunfyre wasn't that battle hardy yet. Just such a fatal mistake made for one's hubris. Even more heartbreaking was seeing the love between Aegon and Sunfyre for one moment before they get completely wrecked by Meleys and Vhaegar. Such an epic episode with a lot of unfortunate and unnecessary losses 😢.

I like that we’re describing Aegon’s decision-making process as “much drinking and deep thinking” when we all know it’s mostly just the former

I don’t like seeing the dragons fight. Its a reminder that the only house that can defeat them is themselves. Sad really.

Rhaenys surely was fit to be a queen - a wise head, a diplomat first and next a fierce warrior. If the Lords didn't accept her, Rhaenyra didn't stand much of a chance.

Jason, your voice sounds like the caracter known as "glasses" on Grey's Anatomy. Im loving it!

Remember when Rhaenys told Rhaenyra that so many things have happened already that who know when the war really began? After seeing Daemon’s experience last episode and this one, I’m pretty prepared to say that the Dance of Dragons really started back at Harrenhal during the Great Counsel. Harrenhal is obviously haunted and has the ability to mess with people’s minds. Plus, the area used to belong to the Children of the Forest, once humanity’s foes. Okay, so, who’s to say that the weirwoods or spirits or what have you in Harrenhal weren’t messing with everyone who voted for Viserys as the next king the whole time? Maybe not on the obvious level on which they’re now messing with Daemon but subtle nudging here and there. Of the two cousins, it was clear that the realm would fall into chaos under Viserys within one generation and that’s precisely what happened. Even if Viserys had never married again, we probably still would have gotten a war over the throne - only this time with Daemon in Aegon’s place. With Rhaenys, there is a greater chance for a lasting peace beyond her death. So, the forces of Harrenhal put Viserys on the throne. If the Targaryens start to rip each other apart, the dragons die and soon there are no more dragons. It’s like disarming a country of its nukes. I think whatever controls Harrenhal was playing the long game - the really long game - against the Targaryens.

Rhaenyra and Mysara I like it .she will be a very valuable Allie . And Asset to Rhaenyra

also i am blaming this loss on daemon and his side quest i harrenhal. caraxes and meleys would have BODIED vhagar

We have a misconception that Targaryens are immune to fire but they are still slightly vulnerable to it as depicted by G.R.R.M but I couldn’t understand that how Sunfyre got burnt in that scene off of fireball from Vhagar in that trio fight? Do you get it? Or is it only injury that caused Sunfyre fall.

The horror and devastation of dragons in battle is highlighted by losing Rhaenys and Maelys, so emotional!

The attention to detail with the boiling blood falling on the soldiers

EVE REALLY IS THE BEST 😭✨👑❤️

It's always that loud silence with the 'Sour Patch Kid' and his dragon that makes me scared because death is always near. I can't wait to see the awaited battle between the 'second borns' because this is what it's all about in my opinion.

An awesome episode! Wonder if the King survived but it didn't look like it! Sibling rivalry??????

love the episode dragons wow!

My favourite character and probably my favorite dragon 😢 I'll miss both. RIP Rhaenys and Meleys 🖤🖤🖤

I think Aemond could argue that he has no choice since Rhaenys is there when he Dracarys the sh*t out of Aegon to the ground. He can say that his aim is to Rhaenys. RIP to the queens: Rhaenys and Meleys.

I read some comments saying that Visenya probably used ambush tactics in Dorne, and Vhagar still remembers them

Great show

I wish we had asked her about why Rhaenys decided to stay and fight rather then leave

The bigger story (white walkers) means absolutely nothing in the end as it's a Stark that defeats him. The only Targeryon contribution was giving them a Dragon to destroy the ice wall.

Eve Best starts at 34:50

Meyeles should have know Aemons Dragon was his by building, where else could it be? So wouldn’t you blast Flames as your coming around or the smarter thing is go high and give your self space.

Gon miss u eve u did a helluva job 🙂‍↕️🙂‍↕️

Rhaenys may be the queen that never was but she is the BIGGEST BOSS in the show!

Oh this lady was very well cast!

The weird thing is that the damage effectively takes out the king the logical thing to do to bug out.

Aegon did not want to be King and no one taught him how to be King. It surprising they are disappointed in him

I was sad to think that Reinis died not knowing her son is well and alive somewhere