Warning: Contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 1, episode 10, "The Black Queen," and George R.R. Martin's book, Fire & Blood. Rhaenyra Targaryen has two major parallels with King's Landing in Game of Thrones season 8. House of the Dragon will want to avoid a similar backlash, but is still very much leaning into the parallels, especially in two specific finale moments.
The first comes when she is resistant to diving into civil war because of how damaging it would be for Westeros, stating that she does not "wish to rule over a kingdom of ash and bone." It echoes a key line from Dany in Game of Thrones season 7, episode 2, "Stormborn," where she told her small council she "did not come here to be Queen of the Ashes." The parallels go further in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 10's ending, as a final shot of a teary and furious Rhaenyra teases her revenge. Again it evokes Daenerys, specifically her own anger after Missandei's death in Game of Thrones season 8, episode 4, "The Last of the Starks."
How The Final Shot Of Rhaenyra Sets Up Her Change (Like It Did Daenerys)
The final shot of Rhaenyra in House of the Dragon's season 1 finale sets up a darker version of the character, who will be driven more by revenge and ready to cross lines she previously would not. Whereas before she and Alicent still held some memory of their friendship and a respect for one another as loving mothers, such feelings are now gone. Rhaenyra was reluctant for war, but now there can be no turning back, and the Dance of the Dragons will begin - with Rhaenyra no longer so concerned about not ruling over a kingdom of ash. Much like Daenerys after Missandei's death in Game of Thrones season 8, this is the exact point of no return.
It isn't just that the shots are so similar in meaning, but that they arrive in similar ways. Daenerys' downfall in Game of Thrones season 8 was motivated primarily by loss and isolation, losing those closest to her in quick succession: Jorah Mormont during the Long Night, Rhaegal at sea to a scorpion bolt from Euron Greyjoy, and then Missandei to the Mountain on the orders of Cersei Lannister. Rhaenyra also suffers three losses in House of the Dragon's season 1 finale: hearing of King Viserys' death; the stillbirth of her daughter; and then news of Aemond Targaryen killing her son, Lucerys Velaryon.
Like Missandei, it's the latter that completely pushes them over the line, but it's truly a build up of pain that will be returned and then some. Rhaenyra has been House of the Dragon's main protagonist so far, and largely completely sympathetic and someone the show has asked audiences to root for far more than Alicent Hightower or anyone else on the greens. That won't suddenly be removed and the change won't be as sudden as Daenerys' "Mad Queen" shift, but it should nonetheless lead to a darker Rhaenyra, one far more open to violence, bloodshed, and fiery dragon fury as she pushes her side to war.
Does Rhaenyra Become Queen Of The Ashes (Like Daenerys Did)?
While Daenerys said she did not come to Westeros to be Queen of the Ashes, that is exactly what happened. Daenerys attacked King's Landing in Game of Thrones season 8, burning the city and killing an untold number of people. She went on to take the Iron Throne in a room covered in ash, making it a very literal representation. In some respects, Rhaenyra will do better in keeping her own promise. Unlike Daenerys, she does not get on the back of her dragon, Syrax, and burn King's Landing to the ground in order to take the Iron Throne, so there may not be such an obvious and direct similarity in House of the Dragon's future.
At the same time, Rhaenyra's actions are even more destructive for Daenerys. That's not to say her decision to go to war isn't justified (it's unavoidable at this point), but it will not only tear the realm in two, but lead to countless casualties and all manner of destruction, with wars fought on land, at sea, and in the air with dragons. Even when Rhaenyra takes King's Landing, she does not get directly involved like Daenerys did (she is present in the book on Syrax, but not an active participant), it will still be a blood affair that results in a great loss of life, and ultimately her reign as Queen will lead the smallfolk to turning against her.
Rhaenyra may not become the "Mad Queen" or "Queen of the Ashes," in the exact same way, but given just how many lives will be lost, how many people will suffer, and how much destruction will be caused because of the Dance of the Dragons - and the actions of not only Rhaenyra, but all those involved on both sides - then that is small mercy for the people of Westeros. Neither Rhaenyra nor King Aegon II Targaryen are fondly ed in Westeros history, and though there will likely be some reframing of that in House of the Dragon's future, Rhaenyra's Daenerys parallels highlight it will be a very complicated path forward for her.
All 10 episodes of House of the Dragon season 1 are now streaming on HBO Max.
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