On House of the Dragon, Rhaenyra Sucks at Everything (But That’s the Point)

Yes, Rhaenyra on House of the Dragon is a bad leader. But that’s exactly the point.

The Dance of the Dragons was never meant to be a story about picking the “right” side. It was never Team Black vs. Team Green, where one faction is the hero and the other is the villain.

The Dance was a devastating civil war where everyone lost. Hundreds of thousands of people died, the realm was destroyed, and the conflict played a major role in the downfall of House Targaryen and the extinction of the dragons.

Rhaenyra has major flaws as a ruler. She was never properly prepared for the role Viserys wanted her to have, and that failure falls partly on him. But Rhaenyra’s failures do not make Aegon, Aemond, Daemon, or the Greens the better choice. Every person involved in this war had flaws. Every side made choices that needlessly escalated the conflict.

That’s what makes the Dance such a tragedy. It’s not a story about good vs. evil — it’s a story about entitlement, ambition, revenge, and pride. The people fighting for power were willing to burn the realm down to claim it.

And there was never going to be a happy ending.

As we head into the Season 3 finale this Sunday, remember that House of the Dragon was always planned as a four-season adaptation of the Dance of the Dragons. The finale will cover the height of the conflict, including major battles, betrayals, and turning points.

Season 4 will bring the aftermath and conclusion of the war — and the consequences of a family destroying itself from within.

Knowing there are no true winners, what are you hoping to see in the Season 3 finale?

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