While the first season set up the stage for Dance of the Dragons, with House of the Dragon Season 2 on the horizon, fans can finally expect to see the commencement of the horrific Targaryen Civil War. Judging by the shocking final moments of the 2022 show and the recently released teaser for the upcoming installment, several changes may be introduced to Rhaenyra Targaryen’s character arc, contrasting her book counterpart.
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While the character stands as a central figure with compelling nuances in George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, the TV show adaptation may incorporate elements into The Black Queen’s arc during the war of succession, which is likely to deviate from its literary origins. During the events’ unfolding in the 2018 book, Rhaenyra’s involvement in the conflict was deemed somewhat flat and restrained by many, with the potential for her to do so much more. House of the Dragon may correct this element, allowing the expansion of her role in the premise.
House of the Dragon S2 Will Transform Rhaenyra Targaryen’s Portrayal
Not at all disastrous by any means, but perhaps reflective of the retelling of her history, George R. R. Martin’s Fire & Blood portrays Rhaenyra in a passive role, especially after the commencement of the war. Compared to other characters, her involvement highlighted a specific deficit: a lack of significant action-taking.
In the developments soon to take place in the show, Rhaenyra’s character must be freed from such constraints and be given an active role, where her intricate involvement in the war (even under the prospect of no direct participation) causes ripples throughout the overarching narrative and actually develops her arc. Looking at the teaser trailer for the upcoming release may imply that’s precisely where the Emma D’Arcy-portrayed role is headed.
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In the book, the character mostly stays on Dragonstone and maintains her figurehead stature as the war commences. It’s only later that she claims King’s Landing. Her departure from Dragonstone may come early in the series, though. The first scene of the official teaser for the second installment features Rhaenyra looking out at Shipbreaker Bay, near Storm’s End, the location of the Season 1 altercation where Aemond Targaryen and his dragon Vhagar killed her son, Lucerys Velaryon.
We can only assume she embarks on a search for Lucerys’ body. It could, of course, also be a scene where she comes to grieve her son after a potential battle, judging from the soot on her face. A complex, emotional subplot in Rhaenyra’s character journey might emerge if the former is the case.
Will Rhaenyra Play An Active Role In The Targaryen War Of Succession?
It is reasonable to predict that the character-heavy plot of House of The Dragon will also feature a vengeful Rhaenyra potentially taking center stage in the war’s preparations, given that Lucerys’ death and other tragic developments catalyze the commencement of the Dance of Dragons. Judging by how The Black Queen’s expression shifts from sorrow to a fierce depiction of contained rage in season one’s closing moments, she appears more than willing to assume an active role.
It’s true that in the book, Rhaenyra primarily remains at Dragonstone during the war. However, the teaser depicting her riding her dragon Syrax suggests that the queen might be a decisive participant in the conflict, a stark departure from her previously passive origins. As mentioned before, the soot on her face could also allude to her taking to the battlefield.
Another aspect to consider is Emma D’Arcy’s presence (via X) in Cáceres, Spain, usually reserved for filming King’s Landing scenes. What this might indicate is murky, especially considering it might be too early for the capturing of King’s Landing to be featured in the series.
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Some fans previously wondered if this alludes to a scene (presumably a confrontation) between Alicent Hightower and Rhaenyra taking place at the location. Although, with the war underway, one can only wonder what such an encounter would amount to.
Most of these assumptions can be dismissed as unfounded speculations.
Nevertheless, it would make sense in line with the character’s TV adaptation, which has incorporated many such changes from the original iteration. Rhaenyra’s book-to-screen metamorphosis would promise a more profound retelling of the Queen’s history. Developing her beyond a symbolic figurehead would do her arc justice.
It would also strengthen the greater extent of HOTD‘s narrative, laying the groundwork for further developments that would better honor the central figure, whose essence many have come to cherish.
Fans’ curiosity about Rhaenyra’s journey will soon be satiated. The second season of House of the Dragon is expected to premiere in the summer of 2024.
You can check out the teaser below:
