House of the Dragon star Eve Best has explained her character Rhaenys’ decision to side with Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) in the Targaryen civil war, known in the world of the story as the Dance of the Dragons. Set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, the prequel series is an inspective look at a succession crisis within Westoros’ dragon-riding, silverhaired family, the Targaryens. House of the Dragon‘s season 1 finale is fast approaching and the battle lines have finally been drawn.
House of the Dragon season 1, episode 9 “The Green Council” revealed there was a longstanding conspiracy to install Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) as King upon Viserys (Paddy Considine)’s death. Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), Hand of the King and father to Queen Alicent (Olivia Cooke), has conspired with most members of the small council, and as a group they want to organize the killing of the former heiress, Rhaenyra. A quick but mighty power struggle between Otto and Alicent ensues, and both tap into their overlapping networks of conspirators and allies to hoard information. Alicent turns to Rhaenys, who nearly held the Iron Throne herself years ago, to try to persuade her to join the Greens, and convince Rhaenyra to accept a dignified exit from the line of succession rather than be executed or go to war.
In an interview with EW, Best explains the emotional and situational complexity of her appearance at Aegon’s coronation ceremony in the dragonpit during House of the Dragon season 1, episode 9. Her character Rhaenys unexpectedly erupts from beneath the floorboards on dragonback, and stands before the royal court, including Aegon, Alicent, and Otto. She could have commanded her dragon Meleys to torch the newly anointed King Aegon and ended the Targaryen civil war before it started, and for a moment it appears she will, but she relents. Rhaenys flies away on Meleys, presumably to go warn Rhaenyra of the family’s intentions. Read Best’s full comment below:
“It’s the pinnacle. It’s the moment when she shows herself to be the greatest possible ruler. It was the most outrageous and explosive action of the season. In a way, it’s also the most merciful and most graceful act. It’s because she’s so intelligent and in the end chooses to do the right thing, which is not to destroy. It’s a truly forgiving moment and sort of a loving moment, in a weird way. She has all the ammunition, and the desire for revenge is so great. She’s suffered so much loss, and for her own sake and on behalf of so many others, the urge to destroy is so strong. And yet the choice not to destroy becomes even stronger. That’s the mark of greatness and [a] truly inspiring moment — I think actually one that is particularly resonate in this context of what we’re going through right now in our world with everything that’s going on with Russia. The choice not to drop the bombs is the greater choice.”
Why Rhaenys Will Be A Crucial Ally In The Dance Of The Dragons
Rhaenys has suffered perhaps the most compounded heartbreak of any character on the show. Her husband, Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), sustained a debilitating, potentially fatal would while fighting in the Stepstones in an off-screen battle. Her son Laenor (John Macmillan) is dead to the world, but has actually fled King’s Landing to live a life of anonymity on the seas. Her daughter Laena (Nanna Blondell) died by dragonfire after complications during childbirth turned mortal. But, as a product of her family’s destruction, she’s effectively become the leader of Driftmark, an important satellite throne with a sea-based army, and as a Targaryen she has dragon-riding powers and a loyal, vicious dragon of her own.
On the political front, Rhaenys’ granddaughters are betrothed to Rhaenyra’s sons. Now that Rhaenys has rejected Alicent’s offer of a partnership, which included the right to rule Driftmark as she saw fit, those marriage arrangements are only valuable if Rhaenyra takes the throne. The showdown between the cohort of Aegon, Alicent and Otto versus Rhaenyra and her husband Daemon (Matt Smith) may not be a conflict that will directly benefit Rhaenys herself, but she has chosen to stand with Rhaenyra and advocate for the ascension of the first female on the Iron Throne. Rhaenys, remembered by history as “the queen who never was,” has laid out her hand for the upcoming House of the Dragon season 1 finale.
