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Warning: Major spoilers ahead for season two, episode four of “House of the Dragon.”
“House of the Dragon” isn’t a show that holds back, and its latest episode, “The Red Dragon and the Gold,” delivered its most devastating moment yet.
Fans of the book “Fire and Blood” might not have been surprised to see Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, the Queen Who Never Was, and her dragon Meleys fall to Aemond Targaryen and Vhagar. Rhaenys ventured to Rook’s Rest, near Rhaenyra’s base at Dragonstone, to face Ser Criston Cole’s advancing forces. Upon arrival, she encountered two dragons: Sunfyre, ridden by King Aegon II, and Vhagar, ridden by Aemond. Despite a valiant fight, Vhagar overpowered Meleys, leading to Rhaenys’ death.
Rhaenys’ death is a tragic moment for viewers. However, for “House of the Dragon” to fully depict the devastating dragon war between a rightful heir and a usurper, Rhaenys’ demise was necessary.
The show began with an important decision at the Great Council meeting to determine King Jahaerys’ successor. With Jahaerys’ sons dead, the choice was between Rhaenys, his eldest descendant, and Viserys, his eldest male descendant. The council chose the latter, sparking the conflicts that followed. Rhaenys, meanwhile, handled the slight gracefully as the wife of Corlys Velaryon, the Lord of Driftmark.
Despite her acceptance, the injustice of denying Rhaenys the throne looms over the series, especially for Rhaenyra. Rhaenys symbolizes the “old order,” where men are favored over women for rulership. Throughout the series, Rhaenys’ presence questions why Rhaenyra must fight if Rhaenys could accept her fate.
Rhaenys’ support for Rhaenyra is significant. Despite knowing the calamity it could bring, she does not bow to Alicent’s instatement of Aegon but refrains from starting the war herself. Her sacrifice marks the true beginning of the conflict.
In season one, Rhaenys convinces her husband to back Rhaenyra, praising her restraint. This restraint delay in the war becomes a central theme in season two. Rhaenys persuades Rhaenyra to seek peace with Alicent, but when that fails, Rhaenys steps up, ready to make the ultimate sacrifice to protect Rhaenyra’s claim.
The decision to send Rhaenys into battle was necessary, both for the storyline and thematically. Her fight and subsequent sacrifice represent a final break from the old tradition, making way for a potentially new order, forged through struggle.