Rhaena finally got her chance to shine this episode! Albeit, it seems like a punishing command from her Queen Rhaenyra right now to leave Dragonstone but in reality, Rhaena saved House Targaryen’s bloodline.

Rhaena and the Future of House Targaryen

Honestly, I kind of feel bad for Rhaena. She’s the second-born daughter of Prince Daemon and Lady Laena, but gets no respect. Her older twin sister Baela is a dragon rider, accomplished warrior, and betrothed to the (rightful) heir apparent to rhe Iron Throne. Her father Daemon is a fierce Warrior, and her mother was a true dragon rider who lived and died by that fearless creed.

Then surrounded by all of that, we just have Rhaena…quiet and meek while everyone around her is doing something fun or exciting or even dumb at times. Even her wealthy beyond imagination and powerful grandfather Lord Corlys dismisses her.

Rhaenys is the only one who believes in Rhaena, and since season one has been fighting for her granddaughter to inherit Driftmark’s salty throne.

I find it funny in an ironic way, that despite teaming up from time to time and having similar levels of ambition, both Daemon and Corlys passed over Rhaena once they found someone with more potential.

Despite saying “I don’t want it“, Corlys was fully prepared to devote the time and energy necessary to train Lucerys into a proper heir to inherit his house. And Daemon… well, we all saw Daemon give up on Rhaena as a child as soon as Baela showed more promise and hatched her dragon egg. Baela was taught the Old Valyrian histories and culture by Daemon while Rhaena sat in her room alone and sad by the fireplace,  only comforted and acknowledged by her mother.

Now Rhaena is being asked to return to the “scene of the crime” so to speak, and dwell within that space in Pentos with Rhaenyra’s babes and their dragons. While the importance of this task did dawn on her later on, I believe Rhaena can singlehandedly be credited with “saving” House Targaryen,  enabling the existence of Dany, Jon, and Dany’s 3 dragon eggs rediscovered in Pentos two centuries later in Game of Thrones.

I know the fan theory is that Elissa Farman stole 3 dragon eggs and sold them to build a ship, and those eggs (claimed to be from Dreamfyre) are later acquired by Illyrio Mopatis and given to Dany as wedding gifts…but as George RR Martin has gone on record and stated, the show is the true canonical events of the time period.

(Swarthy “black” Corlys Velaryon “valyrian” being a most ancient house and all 🙂. )

Is Laenor Velaryon Dead?

Seasmoke, Laenor’s dragon he left behind when he ran away from his riches and power to become a broke sellsword in Essos, has been freaking out.  Addam witnessed this on the beach from a distance,  and Mysaria brought this up to Rhaenyra,  who brushed it off immediately because secretly,  I think she knows something happened to Laenor.

But, Laenor is supposed to be “dead” right now, so she can’t say anything about that subject anymore – hence her uncharacteristically brisk reaction.

Harrenhal is Haunted

Harrenhal is totally haunted, but I would not be so inclined as to call it cursed thus far. While in Arya Stark’s time, Harrenhal is a large shell of a castle used to station a garrison and prisoners, in Daemon Targaryen’s time it is an elaborate maze on the touch of the otherworldly side.

(I do not say the castle is cursed because as Simon pointed out, once you see how damp the castle is, how on earth could you believe Lionel and Harwin Strong could die in a fire unless it was intentionally set?

Then there was that business with Alys Rivers prophesying Daemon’s death in the battle with Aemond over the God’s Eye while he stands in front of a weirwood tree.

Something supernatural is definitely going on with the Strong family, who like the Stark’s share the Blood of the First Men that has the magical touch from the Old Gods.

Rhaenyra Meets Alicent

Just to touch on this before finishing up, I think it was wise for Rhaenyra to meet up with Alicent one last time. Rhaenyra was able to learn that Viserys’ dying words (before “Aemma, my love”) were in reference to the last conversation they had about The Song of Ice and Fire and The Prince That Was Promised.

Also, kind of convenient Alicent “Targaryens have queer customs” Hightower forgets the convo she had with her late lord husband on Aegon’s nameday hunt about Viserys’ lone dragon dream about a Prince That Was Promised.

Anyway, I’m going to wrap this episode review up here for now, but I enjoyed all of the setup we got: Aegon bullying Aemond about his mommy issues in the brothel, Rhaenys remaining in Rhaenyra’s corner, and both Aegon and Rhaenyra’s small councils turning on them.

How do you think the next few episodes of House of the Dragon will differ from the (biased maester and “Hightower influenced”) accounts of The Dance of Dragons in Fire and Blood?

Let me know your thoughts, leave them in the comment section below! And follow us for more House of the Dragon Season 2 Reviews.

Until next time : ~

“This world is a shadow of the real one”.

❂ Stories From the New World

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