Movies News Talk
Although House of the Dragon has a big cast, Rhaenyra Targaryen clearly takes front stage as the protagonist of the program. Although the marketing for season 2 might center on the conflict between Team Green and Team Black, viewers most connect with Rhaenyra's claim to the Targaryen throne and the following Dance of the Dragons. Like the Starks in Game Of Thrones, her challenges make her a sympathetic character viewers can readily root for.
Visenya Targaryen, a key player in Westeros' history, first presents to us in House Of The Dragon season 2, episode 5, clearly influencing Rhaenyra. Together with her brother Aegon and sister Rhaenys, Visenya was instrumental in bringing the kingdoms of Westeros together into the Seven Kingdoms, so preparing the political scene seen in both Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon.
Through her reading of books on Visenya's life and deeds, Rhaenyra's respect for her is clear. Rhaenyra's ambition to be more like Visenya, who actively supported Aegon's conquest and so directly helped her brother to ascend to power, fuels this respect. Rhaenyra, who expresses her discontent with being limited to Dragonstone while others fight for her on the battlefield, models Visenya. Rhaenyra's naming of her stillborn daughter after Visenya confirms this relationship between the two women even more.
Rhaenyra and Visenya have parallels beyond their mutual thirst for authority and influence. Aemond Targaryen, Rhaenyra's nephew, rides Visenya's fabled dragon Vhagar; Daemon Targaryen, Rhaenyra's brother, holds her sword, Dark Sister. These symbolic links emphasize even more the lineage and legacy that links two strong women.
House of the Dragon is gently bringing Visenya as a central character in the forthcoming Aegon's Conquest spinoff by highlighting Rhaenyra's respect of her. Though specifics of this spinoff are rare, it is confirmed to be under development. As much as it will depend on Aegon The Conqueror personally, the success of the show will mostly rely on capturing the spirit of Visenya Targaryen.
Although Aegon's position as the unifier of Westeros is surely important, Visenya and Rhaenys Targaryen, Aegon's sister-wives, were equally instrumental in reaching this aim. Rhaenyra, descended from Visenya, is obviously aware of their contributions, which were as vital as Aegon's founding of the Targaryen dynasty.
Delving into the history of the Targaryen family, the only dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria, House of the Dragon explores 172 years prior to the events of Game of Thrones. Originally featuring the younger versions of Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower respectively, the series first concentrated on Milly Alcock and Emily Carey. Later on, Emma D'Arcy and Olivia Cooke took on the older incarnations of the characters. Along with Rhaenyra's father, Paddy Considine, King Viserys Targaryen, Matt Smith plays Prince Daemon Targaryen.
The upcoming Aegon's Conquest spinoff depends critically on Rhaenyra's respect of Visenya, so underscoring the vital part Visenya will play in the series. House of the Dragon prepares the ground for the forthcoming spinoff by highlighting the influence Visenya had on a future generation, so leaving viewers excited about the entrance of this new chapter in the Targaryen legacy.