This article contains mentions of violence, abuse, sexual assault, and PTSD.

The excitement for Hulu's A Court of Thorns and Roses screen adaptation has been mounting since it was announced. However, this doesn't mean that the streaming service shouldn't make some alterations to the story. While the core aspects of the plot shouldn't change, there are many opportunities for the TV series to expand existing elements of the narrative to deepen characters and their relationships. If there's any character who deserves extra time and attention, it's Rhysand, the sweeping romantic lead with a troubling backstory that emotionally moves many readers.

There are tropes in every A Court of Thorns and Roses book, and no character is immune to falling victim to them. While Feyre is the protagonist for most of the story, characters like Rhysand are a large part of why readers are so dedicated to the ACOTAR universe. While love and romance take center stage in ACOTAR​​​​​​, the series also tackles some serious topics and doesn't shy away from engaging in conversations about trauma and abuse. There are many ways that the show can go about bringing these facets of the story to life.

Rhysand's Trauma From Under The Mountain Isn't Explored Enough In The ACOTAR Books

This part of his story needs more explanation and time

The show must make some changes to Rhysand, including spending more time touching upon his experiences Under the Mountain. While Feyre goes through her intense troubles Under the Mountain, Rhysand was struggling there before. He's kept Under the Mountain by Amarantha, the primary antagonist of A Court of Thorns and Roses, and is coerced into being her consort while being her prisoner. It's a horrible period in his life, and he is put through a lot of sexual trauma, going through this to protect his people after his father kills Tamlin's father.

What happens between Rhysand and Amarantha is one of the most upsetting parts of his story, and this is a delicate, sensitive topic that deserves the necessary time and attention.

What happens between Rhysand and Amarantha is one of the most upsetting parts of his story, and this is a delicate, sensitive topic that deserves the necessary time and attention. The time he spends Under the Mountain and what Amarantha does to him impact Rhysand's actions and decisions for the rest of the books. Though this is brought up throughout ACOTAR​​​​​​, the TV series format will allow the adaptation's writers to spend more time showcasing Rhysand's perspective and helping the audience empathize with him as a character.

Hulu's Court Of Thorns & Roses Show Must Give This Rhysand Story The Weight It Deserves

This subject must be treated with empathy and sensitivity

While it's easy to see Rhysand through Feyre's eyes as a powerful and desirable figure, expanding upon his past would strengthen his character. Showcasing how this experience impacted him would help the viewer handle witnessing a subject of such gravity. Rhysand's experience Under the Mountain isn't the only example of storylines in ACOTAR that should be taken seriously. They must be adapted with care in order to give them their proper weight. Glossing over Rhysand's time being hurt by Amarantha isn't the right direction for the series to go, as it's part of his characterization.

However, centering Rhysand's perspective and allowing him to fully process his trauma and experiences would be the best way for an ACOTAR series to include this storyline with empathy and sensitivity. The audience finds out about Rhysand's time Under the Mountain in the first book in a scene between Rhysand and Feyre, but the series could go even further. Thanks to the TV format, ACOTAR could utilize flashbacks and have scenes that revolve around Rhysand's internal processing to focus on his growth and healing.

Exploring This Rhysand Story Would Improve His Character & Relationship With Feyre

Though their bond is already fantastic, Rhysand and Feyre's relationship could grow even more

Feyre and Rhysand's love story is one of the best in the entire book series and is a large part of the reason that audiences love ACOTAR. While there's already a lot that the pair relate to each other, if Rhysand has opened up to Feyre about what he went through, she could relate because of her experiences of being lied to and manipulated by Tamlin. Though Tamlin doesn't treat Feyre in the way that Amarantha abuses Rhysand, her relationship with Tamlin is built on deception, and this affects her feelings in new relationships.

There are many things A Court of Thorns of Roses, but what he goes through because of Amarantha shouldn't be one of them. Both Rhysand and Feyre might have more depth if Hulu's A Court of Thorns and Roses delves even further into its exploration of the breadth of their experiences. Feyre and Rhysand share a lot and aren't afraid to open up to each other, so it would make sense for them to be honest about how their past has affected them.