Ewan Mitchell says Aemond is not a "mindless psychopath" after his big battle with Rhaenys in House of the Dragon season 2 episode 4

House of the Dragon season 2 episode 4 finally released several big things that were withheld for the first three episodes of the show's second season. The episode sprung to action in ways that few fans thought were possible. It gave viewers a slice of some of the best moments from Fire and Blood, and they were faithfully recreated or altered to fit the critically acclaimed TV show.

This episode featured many big things, but none as intense as the final few moments. That was when fans got the first major glimpse of the dragon battle between Princess Rhaenys (Eve Best) and Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell). The battle also saw the young King of the realm, Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn Carney) become collateral in the damage after he tried to go into the fight with his dragon in a fit of emotion.

However, the episode's standout character was perhaps Aemond, once again. He was the one who effectively began the war in the finale of House of the Dragon season 1, where he murdered his nephew, Lucerys.

In a recent interview with TV Line, Ewan Mitchell, who delivered a chilling portrayal of Aemond to its absolute best, broke down the psyche of the young Targaryen. He spoke about how his character has been cold and calculative throughout House of the Dragon so far.

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Ewan Mitchell breaks down Aemond Targaryen's character in House of the Dragon season 2

Aemond Targaryen was at the center of the events, with the young prince seemingly a much better leader than his elder brother, who was bestowed the crown. In the latest episode, Aemond, with his careful planning with Ser Criston Cole, affirmed that again before his brother came charging.

Mitchell said that Aemond was "very calculative" and in the first four episodes of the new season, he operated "from the peripheries."

"He’s not just a mindless psychopath...he is very calculative. So much of those first four episodes of Season 2, he almost operates from the peripheries. No one really knows where he is — even the viewers. You don’t know he’s going to spring up in the br*thel, and so, he does," Mitchell noted.

Mitchell continued to explain how these characteristics play into his takedown of his aunt, Rhaenys. When asked if the character had any remorse, Mitchell noted how Aemond had developed a "tough exterior" that stopped him from feeling like a "neglected boy."

"I think that the image that Aemond has cultivated between Episode 7 and 8 of the first [season], not only is he physically in a very different place, not only psychologically, but he’s very much developed this tough exterior that in part stops him from feeling like he did as that neglected boy ever again," Ewan Mitchell explained.

The intense fight at the end of House of the Dragon season 2 episode 4 plays a large part in the downfall of Aegon Targaryen. Aegon gets caught in the crossfire after he jumps into action with his dragon after feeling left out from the war efforts orchestrated by his Hand and younger brother.

It seems, in what is quite a sharp deviation from the books, Aemond intentionally and in quite a composed manner aims for Rhaneys. He seemingly knows well that his brother will also fall prey to Vhaegar's mighty fire. This seems to hint that Aemond intentionally takes the opportunity to take his brother down and take his place in the Seven Kingdoms.

The episode does not reveal whether Rhaenys or Aegon died, but in Fire and Blood, this battle was the end of Rhaenys. However, Aegon survived this crossfire in the novel, but with a lot of injuries.

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The upcoming episode of House of the Dragon season 2 will shed more light on the fates of Rhaenys and Aegon, along with the effect it has on Aemond.

House of the Dragon season 2 episode 4 is now streaming on Max. Read our full review here.