House of the Dragon’s fourth episode from season 2 was excellent.

House of the Dragon has quickly but surely established itself as a force to be reckoned with. While there were skeptics when the show was initially announced, coming off the massive success of Game of Thrones and the disappointments that came with its finale, they were quickly silenced when the first season began to air.
Milly Alcock and Matt Smith in a still from House of the Dragon season 2 | Max
With the release of the second season, there is no denying that the show is only getting better with each episode it puts out, and nothing showcases this better than the series’ latest release. The fourth episode of the new season, The Red Dragon and the Gold, has just crossed a very impressive milestone that only adds to its acclaim in the eyes of the fans.

House of the Dragon’s Highest Rated Episode

The fourth episode of the latest season of House of the Dragon was certainly a very thrilling and emotional episode. Showcasing a battle between the dragons and casualties like never before in the spin-off series. The epic battle in the finale moments of the episode ended with so many questions, and the events that led up to it only added to the tension.
Princess Rhaenys falls to her death in the fourth episode of House of the Dragon season 2 episode 4 | Max
With all of this, fans finally got a taste of the violence they loved so much in Game of Thrones. The fate of King Aegon Targaryen was left unconfirmed, and the fan-favorite character, Eve Best’s Rhaenys Targaryen, was killed off in the most tragic of ways. With the cinematography, action, acting, and direction, it is safe to say that the episode was one of the best to come out of the franchise as a whole.
Meleys in a still from the fourth episode of House of the Dragon I Max
While there isn’t much room to disagree on this, a recent milestone only seems to be adding to this belief. IMDb rated the new episode a 9.7 out of 10, making it one of the most highly rated episodes from the entire Game of Thrones franchise.

The figure has made the new episode the most highly rated episode from the spin-off series and the fifth highest-rated episode from the entire franchise.

Fans Could Not Be Happier

After the news was announced online, fans were quick to take to X and announce their feelings on the matter. They could not agree more with the rating, calling the entire battle between the dragons a masterpiece in every way possible. There were multiple shots throughout the episode that looked to be straight out of an art museum, which was striking to behold.
Eva Best as Rhaenys Targaryen in a still from House of the Dragon | Max
One fan pointed out that the fight at its end was something fans were hungry for. Indeed, audiences have been asking for an epic battle sequence ever since the second season began to air, noticing an evident lack of violence compared to its parent series.

This scene pic.twitter.com/ih7KIWFUNS

— Boomin 🌋 (@Boom_iin) July 8, 2024

The dragon fighting scenes were art. Watching Cole, a seasoned warrior, petrified by it all was great. Aegon and Aemond’s characterization were amazing as well.

If you still have issues with HOTD, you’re just one of those people who like being edgy. Amazing work.

— 🜲 (@Magma0pus) July 8, 2024

Definitely because of the dragon fight scene, fans been hungry for it

— watala 🦇🦇 (@laur3l_w) July 8, 2024

Couldnt live like a queen but died like one pic.twitter.com/UiTqfuropr

— AI’dan Al Haberi (@AiHaberler) July 8, 2024

This was the best House of the Dragon episode yet and the closest we’ve come to the old Game of Thrones. There’s nothing better on a hot summer Sunday night than watching a great episode of Game of Thrones.

— urban myths, legends (@urbanmyths) July 8, 2024

We’re so back pic.twitter.com/GF6wnewGnj

— DontFadeBob (@FadingBob) July 8, 2024

Others talked about Rhaenys’s sacrifice, adding that even though she spent her life as the Queen Who Never Was, she died a glorious death of a ruler, fighting for her kingdom and her cause till her very last breaths. One fan even mentioned that the episode made them nostalgic for what it was like to watch Game of Thrones, being the closest thing to it.

House of the Dragon is available for streaming on Max.