The House of the Dragon star says the heartbreaking details of his death were “my decision” – but fans think the scene was “unnecessary”

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House of the Dragon has said goodbye to one of its main stars – but fans complain that the death was “unnecessary”.

The game of Thrones The spin-off aired the fourth episode of the second season on Sunday (July 7), which culminated in a bloody battle scene as the war for the throne intensified.

A week after a hint was apparently dropped about a character’s off-screen death, another of the show’s ensemble members has been killed off – and the actor involved in the twist has revealed that a heartbreaking detail in the scene was his own decision.

But even though the scene appears in author George RR Martin’s original, fans are not happy with the outcome – especially because the moment could have been avoided.

*Spoilers follow – you have been warned*

In the episode titled “The Red Dragon and the Gold,” Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) leads an army to face Rhaenyra’s allies, leading to a thrilling battle scene involving several key players, including King Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney), his brother Aemond (Ewan Mitchell), and Rhaenys (Eve Best).

Rhaenys, flying on her dragon Meleys, takes her niece Rhaenyra’s place in the battle and engages in a dogfight with Aegon and his dragon. After emerging somewhat victorious from the battle, Rhaenys seems to be able to return to the safety of Dragonstone – until Aemond and his dragon Vhagar arrive.

After a few seconds, Rhaenys decided to go back into battle – and after she apparently escapes unharmed again, Vhagar, who had been hiding, bites a piece of Meleys’ neck high in the air.

One detail that many praise is that Rhaenys, instead of panicking, throws her hands in the air as she falls to the ground and succumbs to her fate. In an interview after the episode, Best said Deadline this detail was her idea.

“It was my decision. I think they wanted to hold on for a moment and then let go. Actually, it felt quite natural. After all that, it was a peaceful moment,” she said.

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Best continued, “She lets go, literally and mentally. It was a real surrender.”

However, fans are frustrated by the plot twist. While some aren’t sure if Rhanyes knew she would die in battle, many are celebrating Rhaenys as a hero for turning back to challenge Aemond.

It seems that Rhaenys has returned to avenge Rhaenyra’s son Lucerys, whom Aemond killed in the first season.

“That shot broke me completely. Meleys looks back at Rhaenys. Rhaenys realizes she’s not going to survive this. I think Rhaenys already accepted that she was most likely going to die when she saw Vhagar, BUT SHE STAYED AND FOUGHT,” wrote one viewer.

Another fan took a different view, writing on X/Twitter: “When Rhaenys turns, I don’t think she knows she’s going to die. Meleys is the fastest dragon, she can easily escape. I think Rhaenys saw there was a chance to kill Aemond and took it. And the thing is, she would have won even if Vhagar hadn’t been hiding,” one viewer wrote.

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Others are simply heartbroken that Rhaenys almost survived the battle and consider her decision to return “unnecessary.”

“Rhaenys had the chance to save her dragon, she was given the opportunity to escape. Melyse didn’t even have to die. #HouseOfThedragon breaks my heart,” wrote one fan, while another said, “Brother Melyse didn’t have to die, Rhaenys sacrificed both lives for nothing, LITERALLY.”

Another fan chimed in: “Rhaenys could’ve just backed away after landing the first blow. Meleys attacking again was so unnecessary, man.”