House of the Dragon Deployed Its Strongest Weapon

As a dedicated fan of epic fantasy series and someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the intricate worlds they create, I find myself utterly captivated by the dynamic between Rhaenyra and Alicent in House of the Dragon. The depth and complexity of their relationship resonates profoundly with me, striking a chord that echoes my own experiences navigating relationships marked by duty, destiny, and the delicate balance between freedom and obligation.

In the season finale of House of the Dragon titled “The Queen Who Ever Was,” there aren’t any large-scale battle scenes as seen in the midseason episode “The Red Dragon and the Gold” with its epic, dragon-versus-dragon fight. Instead, the final hour focuses on a nearly ten-minute dialogue between Alicent and Rhaenyra, two powerful female characters who, despite being often sidelined in a patriarchal system that limits diplomacy, hold the most potential to prevent an impending war.

In this instance, the situation is reminiscent of a standoff, yet it lacks the intense, tumultuous vibe typical of a Game of Thrones confrontation. Instead, it’s calm and controlled, devoid of the usual noise and chaos. The focus is on two women, with men completely absent from the picture. The scene is simplified to its core components – profound dialogue exchanged between intricate characters skillfully portrayed by talented actors. And despite being part of a relatively dull season in this George R.R. Martin-inspired spinoff, it carries a heavier emotional impact than much of what has unfolded so far.

The most captivating moments in House of the Dragon are the heated exchanges between Rhaenyra and Alicent, whose dispute over who should succeed King Viserys on his throne sets the stage for all the series’ events. This season, there were only two such conversations: one occurred in episode three when Rhaenyra secretly met with Alicent at her church, and another took place last Sunday, when Alicent unexpectedly visited Dragonstone. In the initial encounter, Rhaenyra implores Alicent to find a way to achieve peace, but is taken aback when Alicent reaffirms her claim that, in his dying moments, Viserys named Aegon, his son with Alicent, as the rightful heir instead of Rhaenyra, despite his public promises. In the latter meeting, Alicent admits her error and proposes to Rhaenyra a plan where she would help Rhaenyra seize King’s Landing as a conqueror, effectively betraying her son and the Green faction.

The scenes depicted in the book serving as the foundation for “House of the Dragon” are absent. However, showrunner Ryan Condal and his team have recognized from the start that the bond between Rhaenyra and Alicent is the driving force behind the series. Throughout season one, they dedicated significant screen time to cultivating this relationship, first as childhood companions (initially portrayed by Milly Alcock and Emily Carey), and later as adults, Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke, who transition into being stepdaughter and stepmother. The complex web of allegiances that arise from their role transformation is meticulously explored. By investing time in their relationship, the creators aimed to captivate us, and they succeeded.

In the second season, Rhaenyra and Alicent found themselves apart, making it challenging for them to interact on screen. However, given their characters and the story’s themes, it feels authentic that they would yearn for connection. Their readiness to risk themselves for this purpose showcases their capacity to envision a broader perspective, one that many of their male counterparts might miss. This willingness also underscores the profound impact of childhood friendships. Since early childhood, these two women have built a bond based on mutual trust and comfort, which remains a crucial aspect of their identities, even if it’s been fractured. Although the trust may be fragmented, remnants of it still exist. Rhaenyra and Alicent seem to have an innate desire to heal, rather than inflict further damage (a point my colleague Nate Jones disagrees with). At this stage in the story, every dialogue between them carries a hint that perhaps, just perhaps, there’s a way out of all the turmoil and suffering, a glimmer of hope.

Geeta Vasant Patel oversees both scenes with a consistent approach, focusing on intimate close-ups of the two characters conversing and responding to one another. In the initial dialogue, they mainly face forward as if in prayer, occasionally glancing at each other, a cinematic decision that hints at their inability to fully perceive each other yet. In the subsequent exchange, they directly gaze at each other, with the camera capturing extended shots of their profiles, implying they may be approaching compromise or at least an openness towards understanding one another.

Patel zooms in closely on Alicent’s face as she struggles with granting Rhaenyra the authority to behead her son, Aegon, if Alicent aids Rhaenyra in invading King’s Landing. Having experienced the pain of losing a child herself, Rhaenyra knows the heavy burden she is placing upon Alicent when she proposes “a son for a son.” Despite this, she makes the request because she comprehends the harsh realities and sacrifices that leadership often entails, aspects that Alicent has yet to fully grasp.

For about a minute following Rhaenyra’s request, neither of them utter a word. Alicent blinks away tears and remains speechless. It seems she wasn’t ready for this moment. Rhaenyra attempts to keep her trembling jaw steady but fails slightly. Tears gather in her eyes, though she manages to prevent them from falling. There’s an unspoken tension between them, a longing to reach out and comfort each other that remains unfulfilled. The silence hangs heavy in the air, making viewers lean in closer to catch any whispers or movements. When all is quiet on House of the Dragon, it’s a sign to pay close attention because what unfolds next is crucial.

The emotional stakes could not be more clear, and you feel that in this exchange in a way that, frankly, you don’t always feel things while watching House of the Dragon. (Surely I’m not the only one zoning out during one of Daemon’s hallucinations or the many Green small council meetings.) That’s partly because D’Arcy and Cooke are so dialed in every time they act opposite one another. The way their bodies share space — inching close to each other, but not too close, searching each other’s gaze for solutions and reassurance — speaks to the deep and layered personal history their characters share.

As a dedicated admirer, I might rephrase it as follows in the first person:

After Alicent attempts to end the conversation too soon – “Let’s wrap this up,” she says wearily – she begins to walk away from Rhaenyra. The camera pulls back to show a growing distance between them as Alicent reveals her vulnerability: “I seek the mercy of a friend who once cared for me.” As Alicent talks about the freedom she imagines after the coup, she extends another invitation to Rhaenyra. “Join me,” she says, moving closer and narrowing the space between them. This unlikely offer is like a desperate plea from a sheltered child yearning for her best friend, unaware of the absurdity of suggesting that Rhaenyra seize the throne and live happily ever after in their version of paradise. Yet, it is also a sincere and heartfelt proposal.

Rhaenyra recoils instinctively before taking a few steps closer, hinting at a part of her longing to be with Alicent but recognizing the impossibility. “My role is here, whether I want it or not,” she says, momentarily averting her gaze from Alicent as visions of an unattainable future flicker through her mind. “It was decided for me a long time ago.” This statement serves both to state the facts and highlight the disparity in their circumstances that Alicen seems oblivious to. It is also a pointed reminder that being queen has always been hers, while Alicent is the only one who ever questioned it.

In the core of “House of the Dragon”, a series where characters stubbornly persist on perilous paths, the tension between destiny and personal freedom is palpable. Unlike Alicent, these characters seem oblivious to escape routes due to prophecies and age-old traditions that govern their decisions. We deeply feel the sorrow stemming from this internal conflict within the show’s central relationships. As soon as Alicent departs, Rhaenyra sheds her mask. The tension in her face dissipates, and anxiety sets in for Alicent, herself, and their uncertain plans. She is a character who wields immense power, yet lacks the essential freedom to control her own life’s course – a fundamental independence.

I can’t help but feel that the depth and intensity of “House of the Dragon” wouldn’t be fully realized without taking a pause to delve into the heartfelt exchanges between Rhaenyra and Alicent, unfolding their complex relationships in real-time. If Rhaenyra were to accept Alicent’s proposition, as hinted, it would certainly pave the way for more captivating conversations and interplay between these two characters. Frankly, I yearn to witness more of their interactions; they are the heart that beats with passion within this series, and they serve to accentuate the core themes of “House of the Dragon” in a profound manner. They’re the spark that sets the drama alight.

2024-08-06 18:54

House of the Dragon Deployed Its Strongest Weapon

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