'House of the Dragon' fans can't stand one aspect of Rhaenyra and for all the right reasons
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 will stream on HBO on Sunday, June 16, 2024, and as we approach the date at a breakneck pace, fans are choosing their sides in the imminent war between the Greens and the Blacks.
Among the central characters of the series is Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D' Arcy), daughter of King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine).
Her ascension to the throne was challenged when her best friend Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) married her father and gave birth to Aegon Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) who now sits on the throne. This sets the stage for Rhaenyra's determined bid to challenge Aegon's succession.
Rhaenyra has been portrayed as the series' protagonist. However, in the world of Westeros, character dynamics are notoriously unpredictable. One cannot simply categorize them as purely good or bad.
The pursuit of power often entails engaging in actions that may be considered immoral, challenging the notion of a quintessential 'good' person.
Fans criticize Rhaenyra for being selfish and terrible
Rhaenyra Targaryen's claim to the throne and her life choices have stirred discontent among some online fans. They are expressing their frustration through scathing online attacks, criticizing her perceived selfishness.
In the first season, Rhaenyra emphasizes the concept of 'duty' frequently, asserting her rightful claim to the throne.
However, a Reddit user called her out on being hypocritical about duty by saying, "She kills a random dude to get out of her old marriage instead of sucking it up and doing her duty. If she did her duty more, she'd have a lot more allies. I've said this for a month. That Rhaenyra could have walked into her inheritance a lot easier if she had Alicent's personality."
Alicent Hightower is depicted as the antagonist of the series, but some fans are puzzled by this portrayal and wonder why she has garnered more respect than Rhaenyra.
A Reddit user commented "I laughed so hard when Rhaenyra talked about her duty of being heir because she didn't care about it. That was litteraly the point of episode 1-5. When Alicent asks where is duty and where is sacrifice it is a fair question. Alicent did her duty, married the king, gave him 4 kids even if he was rotting while conceiving all of them".
Another Reddit user criticized her shambolic marriage with Laenor Velaryon (John Macmillan), stating, "The point i started disliking her was when she was talking about how Laenor makes it to obvious their marriage is a scam."
In defense of Rhaenyra Targaryen
While fans raise valid criticisms, it's important to consider that Rhaenyra's actions may have justifiable defenses, and her character also exhibits positive traits.
Her unpredictability and rebellious nature might defy conventional norms, yet her unconventional approach often yields favorable outcomes.
Consider her open marriage with Laenor, for example. It allowed Laenor to experience love freely in a world that might otherwise have criticized his homosexuality.
Her marriage to Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) and the elaborate scheme to fake Laenor's death provided him with an opportunity to live away from the constraints of a conservative society.
When considering the succession and her dedication to her duty, it's crucial to remember that King Viserys entrusted Rhaenyra with the secret of "A Song of Ice and Fire." For her, it's a matter of duty to ensure that a Targaryen is on the throne when the long night descends upon Westeros.
As Cersei Lannister famously stated in 'Game of Thrones,' 'When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground."
Rhaenyra's decisions on her path to the throne may be viewed as questionable, but they are a reflection of the harsh realities of the power struggles within Westeros.
How to stream 'House of the Dragon' season 2?
'House of the Dragon' is streaming on HBO Max on Sunday, June 16, 2024. To watch the series, you will need a Max Subscription
The streaming platform typically offers three packages that you can choose from depending on your budget.
The low-cost plan that supports advertising costs at $9.99 per month or $99.99 annually.
The second package, which does not support advertising, costs $15.99 per month or $149.99.
Meanwhile, the third package, titled Ultimate Ad-Free, costs $19.99 per month or $199.99 annually.
'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Trailer
'House of the Dragon' Season 2 will stream on HBO on June 16, 2024.