House of the Dragonreturns for a second season and fans are fully invested in the brewing Dance Of Dragons expected to explode. Through the complex depiction of characters from the George R.R. Martin novel “Fire and Blood,“House Of The Dragonhas successfully translated a series of rumors and unreliable narration into a compelling look at a web of secrets, deception, and lies that serve as a sturdy basis for a tragic retelling of one of Westeros' darkest moments.
House of the Dragon
Taking place about 172 years before the events ofGame of Thrones,House of the Dragontells the tale of the rise of the Targaryens, the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria. The popular HBO spinoff show first starred Milly Alcock and Emily Carey as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower before they were replaced by Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke, who play the older versions of the characters. Also starring in the series is Matt Smith (Prince Daemon Targaryen) and Paddy Considine as Rhaenyra’s father, King Viserys Targaryen.
What makes shows likeHouse of the Dragonparticularly engaging is the characters themselves. When strong characterization comes into play, viewers are subjected to a bevy of characters with various motivations, insecurities, and traumas that inform their decisions, no matter how devious they may appear.
As blood, bones, and burials await the Seven Kingdoms, it wouldn’t hurt to get a greater understanding of these harbingers of war and their respective backstories. Not only do they make for great storytelling, but they also provide additional insight into the impact of interpersonal relationships as well as systemic practices on both the individuals themselves and society at large.
10Daemon Targaryen
Played by Matt Smith
Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith)is cunning, charismatic, and callous, to say the least. Introduced in the first episode as the brother of King Viserys and the newly appointed Commander of the CityWatch, it doesn’t take long to see Daemon’s alarming penchant for violence and subjugation.
Anyone with any foresight could pick up on his aspirations for the crown and, while Viserys generally gives Daemon the benefit of the doubt, the latter soon learns that the reputation he has cultivated for himself has adverse effects he did not anticipate.
Rage Fueled by Inadequacy
In a conversation with Rhaenyra, Daemon learns of Aegon’s (The Conqueror) Dream and quickly realizes that even during moments where Viserys gave Daemon grace, he could never trust him enough to tell him the prophecy that defined Targaryen ambitions.
This mistrust also extended to him never being appointed Hand of the King or an heir. Upon this revelation, he chokes Rhaenyra. The show excellently displays Daemon’s position as a toxic abuser in his interpersonal relationships while also highlighting a fairly common insecurity of always being second best or the last to know.
Related:The Most Powerful Families on House of the Dragon, Explained
9Criston Cole
Played by Fabien Frankel
Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel)has quickly risen up the ranks. After asking and earning the favor of Princess Rhaenyra, he soon maneuvers his way into the higher rungs of the court and makes a name for himself as “the Kingmaker.”
Riddled with controversy from his relationship with Princess Rhaenyra and his later alignment with Queen Alicent (Emily Carey), Cole has earned comparisons to characters like Ser Petyr Baelish (Aidan Gillen). Nevertheless, behind his shining armor lays a soul tainted by resentment and entitlement.
A Curious Class of Class and Courtesy, or Lack Thereof
Following a romantic tryst with Princess Rhaenyra, Criston essentially proposes to her, offering an escape to Essos after hearing her lament about her responsibilities as a princess. When denied, he quickly changes his tone to tout his honor before veering into uncomfortably misogynistic territory. Said shame and frustration resulted in a gruesome murder and subsequent, treacherous plots. It may seem difficult to make a case for Criston.
Nonetheless, one can muster some sympathy for someone of a lower class attempting to make sense of the world of the elite, for better or for worse. Unlike the Targaryens he serves, Cole doesn’t have an inherited legacy, and thus strives to craft one of his own.
8Aegon Targaryen
Played by Tom Glynn-Carney
Aegon Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney)is introduced as the more crass of his siblings, making for some of the show’s funniest moments so far. Growing up with a notably nonchalant attitude towards being king, he eventually takes the mantle at the tail end of Season 1, much to Rhaenyra’s dismay. In the latest season, Aegon struggles to maintain a firm grip on the throne while dealing with the aforementioned contested claims and immediate turmoil within his immediate family.
A Soul Haunted by Impostor Syndrome and Grief
In most stories of succession and power, feelings of incompetency run through plenty of characters and Aegon is no different. Whether he stands in comparison to Rhaenyra, Viserys, or his brother Aemond (Ewan Mitchell), Aegon quickly recognizes that he does not have the wit, compassion, or even the ambition to become king.
A continued questioning of his reign follows after the murder of his son Jahaerys and his subsequent decision to both punish all the ratcatchers in King’s Landing andreplace his grandfather, Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), with Ser Criston Cole, appointing the latter as the new Hand of the King. Juggling loss and self-doubt, it is clear that Aegon’s more amusing moments are a realistic distraction away from the looming pressure of the war, his reign, and its deadly costs.
7Viserys I Targaryen
Played by Paddy Considine
Viserys I Targaryen (Paddy Considine) was introduced as the jovial and affectionate king, with some arguing that his politeness was at fault. Opening with the loss of his wife and facing the ire of his daughter, Viserys attempts to retain the peace of the realm while also trying to preserve bonds with Rhaenyra, and to a lesser extent, Daemon.
His efforts would be one of many enabling factors behind the Dance of the Dragons and while his reign may have been more peaceful compared to his successors, a strain of selfishness would spell doom for his legacy.
A Hellish War Paved With Good Intentions
As king, Viserys' naturally amiable demeanor proved to be a source of contention in the courts. Hoping to keep his family united and preserve the era of peace ushered in by his grandfather Jaehaerys I (Michael Carter). Entering political discussions with an idealist approach and making strides in repairing his relationship with Rhaenyra, he inadvertently sets the stage for the upcoming civil war because of his decision to stand by Rhaenyra’s claim to the throne and subsequent recognition of her children as legitimate heirs of Driftmark.
To make matters worse, Viserys suffers from a severe, debilitating illness that eats away at his body and mind. Following years of suffering, he enjoys one last moment of peace before his death, freedom from obligation, sickness and anxiety.
Related:Why King Viserys' Last Words Are So Pivotal in House of the Dragon
6Rhaenys Targaryen
Played by Eve Best
Rhaenys Targaryen’s (Eve Best) first scene is an infamous decision to crown Viserys king of the seven realms despite her having a legitimate claim to the throne as the child of Aemon Targaryen, Jaehaerys' third-eldest son. Throughout the series, “The Queen That Never Was” spends most of her time with her husband, Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Touisant).
Her relationship with Rhaenyra begins rather cold but starts to warm up once Rhaenys recognizes Rhaenyra’s claim and a valiant and feasible effort. Much like most players in the war, Rhaenys suffers multiple casualties that further codify her support for the Blacks.
Meritocracy, Monarchy, and Misogyny Through an Engaging Lens
Misogyny remains a looming villain in real life and Westeros alike. The idea that the kingdom itself would collapse into discord following a woman inheriting the throne, regardless of the line of succession, is ludicrous to many viewers.
Nonetheless, that tragically does not translate into the material realities of even the most privileged of women in Westeros. The unfairness she is subjected to, followed by the subsequent loss of both of her children, speaks to many of the sorrowful realities of life.
5Alicent Hightower
Played by Olivia Cooke
Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke), is arguably regarded as the face of the Greens despite her son vying for the Iron Throne. Introduced as the daughter of Ser Otto Hightower and the best friend of Princess Rhaenyra, Alicent is positioned as one of the more innocent members of the court, regularly obeying her father’s orders, even to her own detriment.
Alicent soon matures into a meticulous woman in her own right, commanding the image and the actions of the court as they install her son Aegon as the king.
A Restrictive Cycle of Manipulation
While many are quick to make note of Alicent’s manipulative tendencies and her hypocritical holier-than-thou attitudes towards sex, marriage, and responsibilities, in many ways, Alicent is a victim inher own right. Her father appears to be affectionate and willing to help her navigate the treacherous waters of King’s Landing politics, but Otto plays a major factor in feeding her to the wolves, or in this case, the dragons.
Pairing a then-teenage Alicent with Viserys is just one of many ways that Otto uses his daughter as a political chess piece and, well into her adulthood, things have yet to change. Losing a friendship, a grandchild, and trapped in a loveless sphere of scheming and preservation, it doesn’t take much for fans to feel concerned for Alicent.
4Aemond Targaryen
Played by Ewan Mitchell
Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) is the second son of Alicent and Viserys. From a young age, his inclination for history, philosophy, and fighting was recognized. However, Aemond is one of many characters that are slighted by the rigid line of succession.
Despite him standing out as a better suggestion for the king, Aegon’s age ultimately renders the claim null and void. A quiet and pensive bundle of resentment, Aemond inadvertently starts the Dance of The Dragons with the fatal altercation between him and his nephew Lucerys.
An Underutilized Yet Competent Ally
Aside from his often overlooked usefulness, a young Aemond (Leo Ashton) suffers a horrifying injury resulting in the loss of an eye. Despite his role in the eventsleading up to the fightbetween him and his fellow young Targaryens, losing an eye is a dire way to conclude a fight.
Furthermore, he is also subjected to cruel harassment from his older brother, who frequently makes him feel inadequate with sly remarks. The “Kinslayer” may have committed a grave crime, but that should not negate the isolation and ridicule he experiences.
3Rhaenyra Targaryen
Played by Milly Alcock and Emma D’Arcy
Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen(played byMilly AlcockandEmma D’Arcy), deemed valiant by her supporters and an ungrateful spider by her foes, leads Team Black as she aims to reclaim the Iron Throne in her name. Throughout the episodes, Rhaenrya attempts to weave her way through meticulous plotting from the likes of Ser Otto Hightower as well as betrayals that hit close to home.
During her youth, she proved to be particularly clever, making the most of her title of heiress. However, adult Rhaenyra is more reserved and, at the moment, in disarray due to her grieving the loss of Lucerys and the escalation of the war.
A Queen Shrouded in Scandals
Much like her aunt Rhaenys, Rhaenyra’s claim to the throne had been disputed long before Aegon usurped the throne. “The Realm’s Delight” experience growing up mirrors the youth of many women and femmes whose sexuality, decision-making, and credibility has been discussed and exploited for the personal interests of other nobles, coupled with a culture of general disregard for femininity.
Many play in the conflicts ofA Song of Ice and Fire knowing that contestants either win or die and Rhaenyra is yet another character who learns this lesson with the murder of her son Lucerys at the hands of Aemond. With half of the kingdom poised against her and a court stacked with nobles far more concerned with their personal interests, Rhaenyra finds herself in a precarious situation.
2Lucerys Velaryon
Played by Elliott Grihault
Lucerys Velaryon (Elliott Grihault) is the second son of Rhaenyra Targaryen, and much like his brother, is the subject of much controversy due to conversations surrounding their fatherhood. While officially claimed as the children of Laenor Velaryon (John MacMillan), many believe Harwin Strong (Ryan Corr) to be their true father. As a result, Jace and Luke suffer from much ire from the likes of Aegon and Aemond to adults like Criston Cole.
When signs of war appear more prominently, Lucerys promises his mother to successfully persuade Lord Borross Baratheon (Roger Evans) into defending her claim to the throne. However, past tensions arise once Lucerys finds a vengeful Aemond waiting for him at Storm’s End.
A Young Prince’s Preventable Loss
Lucerys' childlike innocence and later attempts to fit the shoes of adolescence mirrors the period of puberty and maturity of its audiences. However, his heartwarming moments appear in confidential moments shared with Rhaenyra and Jace.
Experiencing similar insecurities as Aemond and Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell), Lucerys struggles with feeling inadequate in comparison to his older relatives, a sentiment that rises to the surface when he opens up to his mother and shares how he views her as “perfect”. Thus,his demiseis anything but deserved, and the fact that it could have been prevented makes his loss all the more crushing.
1Helaena Targaryen
Played by Phia Saban
Many stories have illustrated the fact that war is inescapable. Political schemes intend to cleanly take out one target but tend to spill over and traumatize fairly innocent parties, with little to no regard for their well-being. Helaena Targaryen (Phia Saban) is introduced as someone similarly pensive to her brother Aemond.
Moreover, she is revealed to be a dreamer, an oracle, who frequently leaves her family members with omens they disregard. Typically removed from the political plots of the Greens, Helaena is roped into an attempted assassination plot with devastating conflicts.
Normalized Neglect Turned Calamitous
The second season premiere concluded with the infamous Blood (Sam C. Wilson) and Cheese (Mark Stobbart) event. Aside from being forced to choose which child for the pair to murder, the isolation and shock written on her face during the moment is rather startling. As stated, her family’s lack of interest in her general well-being or warnings is nothing new, and it is that expectation that makes her loss all the more heartbreaking.
Related:House of the Dragon Star Phia Saban Discusses How She Emotionally Prepared for her “Sophie’s Choice” moment in Season 2
At the receiving end of Aegon’s reproach or Alicent’s complicated concern, Helaena attempts to bury her feelings by gliding past the events and offering her mother forgiveness. Nevertheless, the despair that lingers in her heart and soul is haunting and illustrates the viciousness that sprouts from royals playing the Game of Thrones.
