A Twist in History: Rhaenyra Targaryen and The Legacy of The Iron Throne
Prepare to be surprised, folks, because Rhaenyra Targaryen is going to be "unlikeable" in history according to Game of Thrones. Sure, we’ve watched her fight and struggle with those dragons and everyone in King’s Landing but history just won't let her be a beloved Queen!
And the crazy thing is, we actually see Rhaenyra herself call out the history books while looking at Alicent. It’s pretty dramatic, but the implication is huge. Rhaenyra suggests Alicent would get the short end of the stick in history. History tends to paint strong, smart, and complicated women in a darker light.
A Deeper Dive: History As a Battlefield in House of the Dragon
The series House Of The Dragon goes super in-depth about all this history. If you look back to George R. R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire book, he made “Fire & Blood” to tell this story of the Targaryen history. And that book was all about history: how those people perceived it and wrote about it in their world. The story itself was set a super long time before Game of Thrones. Think, even longer ago! And House of the Dragon follows those guidelines, with Rhaenyra and Alicent having a whole lot more to them than in the "official" version in the book.
I know it’s not fun to be the “bad guy”, but those historical characters in Martin's books often have this gloomy way about them. You know, more brutal than what we see in the TV series.
The Price of The Iron Throne: What Will Happen To Rhaenyra Targaryen?
When it comes to those dragon-loving Targaryens, you know that nobody's safe! While there might be a big twist in season 3 that lets her claim the Iron Throne again. We still see her going down. Her reign might be brief but dramatic! That doesn't mean we won't still get some surprises. You can be sure it's gonna get exciting with those big-screen dragon fights.
We already see the people turning against Rhaenyra for some crazy moves she makes to find more dragon riders! There's always the possibility she's going to go from queen to outlaw, because as the saying goes in the world of Game of Thrones "you never win." The good news is we can watch all of it play out, hopefully getting an exciting finale! That could even involve one final showdown, perhaps one with a Dragon fight! Or will Alicent be the true mastermind of the war?
Will Alicent Become the True "Bad Guy"?
We’ve seen some brutal and calculated decisions from Alicent, which is something those historians seem to pick up on when creating historical narratives for Game of Thrones. They’ll point to those actions and, "bam", Alicent becomes the "bad guy". It’s not that she's all evil or evil. Alicent is one of the best actors in the House Of The Dragon! But when it comes to a series about royalty, the struggle for power, and big, complicated emotions… It seems those people always get labeled a villain.
It’s so funny (but kinda messed up) how the "true villain" thing is played out! But there is a side to her story! In those earlier seasons of House of the Dragon, we see Alicent fighting for control as a queen! But she is forced into marriage, as she gets pushed and manipulated by the "bad guy" power players behind the Iron Throne! In the world of Game of Thrones, it's easy for anyone, including Alicent, to go dark! So we see her changing and trying to find a sense of independence in Season 2! It’s a good look!
House of the Dragon: Who Will Win The Dance of the Dragons?
A lot of the hype behind House of the Dragon revolves around what’s gonna happen with Alicent and Rhaenyra, because you know how important those relationships are. Their characters just seem to spark our imagination.
Their paths as those two queens – both ambitious, intelligent, and fierce in different ways – set up the story perfectly! Rhaenyra and Alicent, who possibly even shared an intense romantic moment at some point, are a powerhouse team, with dragons at their command. What comes next is a story of rivalry, love, and everything we’ve learned about the world of Game of Thrones. If you liked how complex the characters were in the original show, it’s time to step back into those complex emotions and political chaos! And for those fans who enjoyed how those "grey area characters" kept viewers guessing? Buckle up, because House of the Dragon seems set to blow us all away!
