House of the Dragon Season 3 premiered on June 21 on HBO. With only two episodes released so far, the new season has already made the fans emotional as Rhaenyra Targaryen reclaims the Iron Throne and sits on it with teary eyes.
Created by Ryan J. Condal and George R.R. Martin, the American fantasy drama stars Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen, Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole, Steve Toussaint as Lord Corlys Velaryon, and Emma D’Arcy as Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen/Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen.
However, it wasn’t easy for Rhaenyra to take the throne, as she lost her son Jacaerys before her attack on King’s Landing. In Episode 2, she doesn’t look happy after reclaiming the throne as tears roll down her face, a moment that rewrites Rhaenyra as a reluctant queen.
Disclaimer: This article contains the writer’s opinion. Reader’s discretion is advised.
Why does Rhaenyra look like a reluctant queen in House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 2?
After losing her son Jacaerys in House of the Dragon Season 3 and acting on opportunity, Otto Hightower is brought before Rhaenyra, who tells her that he believes everyone else is dead. Rhaenyra is told by Daemon that Aegon has fled, and if she wants to reclaim the throne, she can’t show hesitance or lose confidence. She appears hesitant as she tells Daemon she doesn’t know if she can do it.
Otto Hightower tells her to let Daemon do it and mentions her father, saying he would never have expected things to turn out this way. Rhaenyra asks him not to speak further. She takes Dark Sister from Daemon, and just then, she beheads him in two strikes at King’s Landing.
She walks through the pool of blood and sits on the throne, reclaiming it as hers as Daemon nods at her. Alicent and Helaena walk in and see Otto’s body with his head cut off, as Rhaenyra is faced with the dark reality of leadership that comes with bloodshed and pain.
At that very moment, Rhaenyra is seen as a reluctant queen. While it was a big thing to take over the throne, she doesn’t celebrate it or enjoy the power that came with it. Instead, she was grieving her son and the bloodshed it required to reclaim the throne, unsure of what furthering this ruling would ask from her.
In the book version, Fire & Blood, Rhaenyra is very different, as she is strong and harsh. However, the series shows her character as more sensitive and emotional.
From her expressions after taking the throne, viewers see her as more overwhelmed and shaken. She wasn’t feeling powerful or proud, showing that she is more reluctant than triumphant. Moreover, she doesn’t appear to be driven by anger or payback but rather is dealing with pain and the responsibility she holds now after reclaiming the Iron Throne, more like carrying the guilt of people she lost.
Viewers see her vulnerable side in House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 2 as she realizes the price that thrones and power come with. While Rhaenyra has reclaimed the Iron Throne, it’s worth noting that she might face fights from the members of the Green side who are still there. As a new ruler, she has to face all the burden alone, knowing that the fight isn’t over yet and there will be more bloodshed.
House of the Dragon is streaming on HBO Max.
Also Read: House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 3 trailer hints at one of Rhaenyra’s toughest decisions
Edited by Vatsala Chauhan