Viewers want to know whether twins Erryk and Arryk Cargyll die in House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 2. In the aftermath of the death of the Greens’ Crown Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen, his grief-stricken and vengeful family tries to figure out what their response will be. Eventually, a murder is planned, as a full-fledged war between the Blacks and Greens looms on the horizon. Ser Arryk of the Aegon II’s Kingsguard sets out on a clandestine task, which ultimately jeopardizes the fates of both him and his twin brother.
Here is the House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 2 ending explained featuring spoilers.
What happens at the end of House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 2?
In Episode 2, titled Rhaenyra the Cruel, the Greens and King’s Landing reel with grief following Jaehaerys’ murder. One of the killers, the Gold Cloak member (known in the book as Blood) is captured and tortured. He reveals Daemon hired him alongside a Ratcatcher (Cheese) from the Red Keep. This prompts Aegon to execute all the ratcatchers serving in the castle. Although Cheese is among the dead, Otto Hightower fears that Aegon’s action might have caused them the sympathy that Jaehaerys’ death garnered.
Meanwhile, Ser Criston Cole, unable to come to terms with his own failures, blames Arryk for what happened and sends him to kill Rhaenyra by pretending to be his twin brother, Erryk. When Otto hears about this, he is livid. Aegon eventually removes his grandfather as the Hand of the King and installs Cole in the position. Despite everything that happened, Cole and Alicent resume their sexual tryst by the end of the episode. At Dragonstone, Daemon leaves to conquer Harrenhal.
Why did Ser Erryk kill himself in House of the Dragon Season 2?
Ser Erryk likely killed himself in House of the Dragon Season 2 for his honor and the grief he had been feeling for killing his twin.
After Arryk lands on Dragonstone, Mysaria spots him. Having seen Erryk earlier, she realizes that this might be the man’s twin brother currently serving under Aegon. It is implied that she immediately informs Erryk. Meanwhile, Arryk finds his way to Rhaenyra’s chamber and is about to kill her when Erryk arrives. The ensuing fight between the twins is brutal and short. Eventually, one kills the other, and it isn’t certain which one died until the knight refers to Rhaenyra as “Your Grace,” revealing that he is Erryk. He asks for Rhaenyra’s forgiveness, before plunging his sword into himself and dying.
Arryk and Erryk were twins, and as is often the case in George R. R. Martin’s writing, their destinies were tied in more ways than one. Having killed Arryk, Erryk likely didn’t want to continue living. Further, he also probably concluded after what happened, the only honorable course forward for him was dying by suicide.
How to tell Ser Erryk and Arryk apart?
It’s almost impossible to tell Ser Erryk and Arryk apart, especially because they are portrayed by real-life identical twins Elliott Tittensor and Luke Tittensor.
Series co-creator Ryan Condal reportedly clarified to Decider that It was Erryk who died by suicide after killing his brother. He also noted that Elliott had tattoos, which helped to distinguish him from his twin when they were not in costume. Things used to become much more confusing when they put on their armor.
