Includes SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2’s finale and MASSIVE SPOILERS for Fire & Blood, the show’s source material.
Summary
Rhaenyra Targaryen foreshadows her fate in theHouse of the Dragonseason 2 finale, raising questions about how the TV adaptation will ultimately handle her. At the core of theHouse of the Dragoncast, actors Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke play Rhaenyra and Alicent Hightower, whose duality has defined much of the show’s thematic approach to war. In the season 2 finale, they meet at Dragonstone, whereRhaenyra suggests Alicent will be “painted as a villain” by historical accounts if she betrays the Greensand allows Rhaenyra to retake King’s Landing.
There are massive implications at play forHouse of the Dragon’soverarching narrative. The show is based onFire & Blood, an extension of George R.R. Martin’sA Song of Ice & Fireseries. Thesource material book offers an outline of the Dance of the Dragons in a “fictional historical” context, exploring how maesters and other in-universe characters interpret these events.HOTDtakes this into account with its writing, trying to tell how things mightactuallyhave happened in a hypothetical sense. For example, characters like Rhaenyra and Alicent are far more sympathetic in the show.
House Of The Dragon Season 2 Ending Explained: What Happens Next?
House of the Dragon season 2’s finale brings with it some major reveals and moments, and sets up even bigger things to come in season 3.
Rhaenyra Is Mostly Remembered As A Villain In Game Of Thrones History
Rhaenyra Isn’t Wrong, But It’s An Ironic Statement Given What We Know
Rhaenyra’s words carry some irony, as she herself is painted as a villain inGame of Throneshistory. At one point in the original HBO show, Joffrey Baratheon even recounts the moment of her death as if it were some heroic achievement for the Targaryen dynasty. Obviously, these words come from the sadistic Joffrey, but they still carry weight as to how Rhaenyra is perceived by future generations. Rhaenyra retakes King’s Landing, butshe isn’t even considered one of the Targaryen monarchs, as her reign is delegitimized by historians.
As Rhaenyra’s reign is controversial inHouse of the Dragonamongthe Blacks and the Greens, she’s also a controversial historical figure in-world.Many consider her to be a traitor who tried to steal the thronefrom her brother.House of the Dragontakes this into account, making her a far more likable figure thanFire & Bloodpaints her as. The purpose is to show how a woman in power may differ from a woman in a historical text. Rhaenyra is obviously flawed in the series, but she’s far from the dreadful villain thatFire & Bloodmakes her seem like.
Is Rhaenyra Right About Alicent Being Painted As A Villain?
Alicent’s Historical Examination Focuses On Her Worst Qualities
Much like Rhaenyra, Alicent Hightower is painted as a controversial character inGame of Throneshistory. So while Rhaenyra’s statement has some irony to it, it’s also entirely true. Alicentisperceived as a cold, manipulative, and cruel woman by historical accounts. Audiences saw this side of Alicent in season 1 during the years of her marriage to King Viserys, and this is likely where the historical perception of her was formed. She undoubtedly had animosity and cruelty within her, but the point the TV series tries to make is that those weren’t her defining qualities.
House of the Dragonanalyzes the perspective ofFire & Bloodfor both central women, demonstrating howthe worst possible facets of a character’s personality can be taken and solidified by historical accounts. The part of Alicent’s life that she’s most regretful of essentially defines her forever, while she’s actively made an effort to right her wrongs and explore her own personal freedoms in season 2.
Did Rhaenyra and Alicent have a romantic relationship in House of the Dragon?
Rhaenyra and Alicent have one of the most interesting and complex relationships in House of the Dragon, with some scenes suggesting a romantic history. Viewers have theorized their relationship was romantic since the show began, and the House of the Dragon basically confirmed this. They likely had feelings for each other as teenagers, though they could sadly never be together. Rhaenyra’s kiss with Mysaria proved her bisexuality, and it wouldn’t be surprising if Alicent was also bisexual.
Will House Of The Dragon Change How Rhaenyra Is Viewed?
Rhaenyra’s Arc Could Go In Any Direction
Right now,House of the Dragonis undoubtedly favorable to Rhaenyra, but there’s still a long way to go in the war. It seems like she’ll always be painted as a sympathetic character for TV audiences, but that doesn’t always translate to positive public perception in the world ofGame of Thrones. Theshow could also challenge the television audience’s perception by having her stray toward more cruel acts, which was established by the risks she took in “The Red Sowing” in season 2, sending innocents to their deaths in the hopes of finding new dragonriders.
Rhaenyra will capture King’s Landing inHouse of the Dragonseason 3, butshe’ll eventually be driven out due to riots from the common folk.It’s uncertain what exactly will cause these riots in the TV show, as changes to critical events imply it may be different. Right now, she’s favored by the people of King’s Landing after sending them food, butHouse of the Dragoncould see matters take a turn for the worst if her road back to the Iron Throne becomes destructive.
House of the Dragon
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
