House of the Dragon’s Biggest Season 2 Twist Must Be Undone to Stay True to the Books

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The narrative has strived to recount the epic tale of the Dance of the Dragons, the infamous civil war among the Targaryens that almost wiped out their lineage and brought an end to the dragons. This significant event in Westeros’ history marked the beginning of the decline of the Targaryen Dynasty, leading to their eventual overthrow by the time depicted in Game of Thrones. The conflict was fought between two factions: the Blacks, backing Rhaenyra, the eldest child of the late king, and the Greens, who adhered to Westerosi tradition that prioritized sons over daughters, even when younger, thus supporting her brother Aegon.

To avoid revealing too much about the storyline, let me rephrase it like this: The war’s outcome may be tragic for all involved, but the Targaryens barely survived and faced significant challenges in the aftermath. Aegon managed to live longer than his sister, and he attempted to restore order in the realm. However, a major issue in the war is how history remembers Rhaenyra when considering modern Westeros. In the current timeline, she is often referred to as a traitorous princess. But in the events portrayed on screen, it’s evident that she was a queen who deserved the throne. When Rhaenyra eventually passes away, the show will need to address how Aegon alters the public opinion to view her as an unworthy claimant to the throne.

Rhaenyra Targaryen’s Claim to the Iron Throne

Considering Rhaenyra’s position as a potential queen, she displayed all the characteristics fitting for a crowned monarch. Being the firstborn of King Viserys and his initial wife, Queen Aemma, Rhaenyra had no younger siblings from the same parents, such as Aegon and others, who were more than ten years her juniors due to their mother being Alicent Hightower. Moreover, Rhaenyra already had children of her own, thus securing her lineage should she ascend to the throne. Notably, the strongest argument for her claim to the throne lies in the support of her father, King Viserys.

In the course of many attempts and setbacks, Viserys eventually understood that the solution he sought had been close at hand all along – Rhaenyra, who had long participated in his small council meetings. Notably, she was one of the youngest dragon riders ever recorded, and unlike her uncle Daemon Targaryen, she was not a threat to his rule. With no male heir, tradition mandated that Viserys’ throne would be inherited by his brother Daemon, a man known for his unpredictability and danger.

After finding the actions of the Rogue Prince unbearable, Viserys decided that Rhaenyra, who he believed was fit to carry the title of queen and prioritize the realm over her personal desires, would be his successor. Consequently, Viserys requested all lords to pledge their allegiance to Rhaenyra, acknowledging her as the future monarch of Westeros. This decision marked a significant departure from tradition, making Rhaenyra Westeros’ first queen to rule in her own right.

The traditional customs of Westeros pose the most significant challenge to Rhaenyra’s claim: they favor male heirs over females. For millennia, these primogeniture laws have been in place. Despite Viserys and Rhaenyra’s hopes that oaths of allegiance would sway people, the birth of his sons with Alicent Hightower after remarriage created a new storyline. All of a sudden, people were eager to pledge loyalty to a baby boy who had no governing experience, and as he matured, displayed little interest in ruling, let alone a personality that inspired followership.

Despite Aegon’s inexperience in ruling, people might have preferred him over Rhaenyra solely due to gender prejudice. However, it’s essential to acknowledge that personal corruption and ambition were significant factors among Rhaenyra’s adversaries.

Still, all evidence suggests that Rhaenyra is a legitimate queen. Yet, traditional biases or greed are the primary hurdles she faces in claiming the Iron Throne. Unfortunately, these very factors ultimately contributed to her downfall.

Rhaenyra’s Fall and Later Vilification

In a bid to avoid revealing crucial plot details, let me rephrase the given passage for better understanding: Rhaenyra’s temporary reign as queen of Westeros didn’t have a happy ending. The prolonged war drained the kingdom’s resources, leading her to impose severe taxes to keep the nation afloat. Unfortunately, these taxes led to widespread unrest among citizens, who ultimately killed many dragons in rebellion. Rhaenyra was compelled to seek refuge on Dragonstone, only to find it under Aegon’s control upon her return. To make matters worse, her last living child was taken captive by Aegon and his followers.

Rhaenyra’s demise was not grand, yet she is still revered till today. Surprisingly, despite having valid reasons to dislike Rhaenyra, Aegon didn’t put forth significant efforts to erase her from history or tarnish her reputation further. This might have been due to the fact that after reuniting the realm, Aegon needed the loyalty and backing of those who admired and supported Rhaenyra. He dared not publicly defame her for fear of losing their support.

Instead of being completely expunged from historical records, it was Aegon’s preference that any accounts discussing Rhaenyra would solely address her as “princess.” History often reflects the perspective of the conquerors, and Aegon aimed to be the central figure in future narratives, while portraying Rhaenyra as a pretender who selfishly seized power by betraying her own brother.

As a devoted cinephile, I found myself deeply moved by Rhaenyra’s reign as queen. However, her final decisions seemed to tarnish her image significantly among the people of King’s Landing. Once revered as “The Realm’s Delight,” she was eventually derided with a cruel nickname, “Maegor with teats,” an ominous reference to one of the cruellest Targaryen kings, Maegor I.

While we, the viewers, know Rhaenyra is far from being a base villain, the perspective shifts when watching her rule from afar as a civilian and not meeting her in person. This detachment can subtly distort our perceptions, making it difficult to fully grasp the complexities of her decisions and their impact on the people she governs.

The Modern Interpretation of Rhaenyra Targaryen

As a movie enthusiast, I find myself pondering over the shifting perceptions through time, specifically concerning the character of Rhaenyra. Even a millennium later, she is often viewed with suspicion and accused of treachery by the nobility and common folk alike. They point to instances where she supposedly betrayed Aegon in her quest for the throne, labeling her as a traitor. Regardless of what the historical records may suggest about her legitimacy as Viserys’ heir, Rhaenyra remains a controversial figure with a largely unfavorable reputation among the masses.

To clarify, the single instance where Rhaenyra received a favorable mention was from Princess Arianne Martell of Dorne. However, it’s important to note that Arianne was employing Rhaenyra as an argument to champion Myrcella’s claim to the Iron Throne over Tommen, based on Dornish law rather than the laws of Westeros. Essentially, due to the public’s perception, Rhaenyra has been seen more as a traitor instead of a queen who is rightfully contesting for the throne she was selected and strived to prove herself worthy of.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but ponder over one intriguing aspect of House of the Dragon: The challenge they might encounter when it’s time for Rhaenyra to meet her fate – how to honorably undo the impact of all her accomplishments. Throughout the series, we’ve witnessed Rhaenyra’s tenacity as she relentlessly fights to claim her birthright. From rallying armies to discovering new dragon riders, she has truly become a beacon of hope and admiration for many.

However, if Rhaenyra is to meet her end at the hands of Aegon, it’s hard not to wonder how her remarkable deeds will be remembered. Despite her flaws, she has shown an unwavering spirit that fans have come to appreciate. Yet, her death might overshadow the incredible things she has done and achieved.

The final installments of the series will probably focus on the obliteration of Rhaenyra’s accomplishments. Instead of being portrayed as the faithful daughter she truly was, she will be depicted as a vengeful and power-obsessed sister. By the conclusion of the show, viewers might find themselves grappling with the melancholic understanding that her lineage will occupy the Iron Throne in future generations, but history will only recall her as a princess rather than a queen. In essence, she will be forever known as the mother of the future rulers.

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2025-07-05 17:21