‘House of the Dragon’ season 3 might be as much about dragons, wars, and political betrayals as it is about anything else. However, the most significant news for the show could be far more personal. The next episode of Rhaenyra Targaryen‘s life will take her into new territory, as showrunner Ryan Condal said.
The viewers have followed Rhaenyra’s journey from a rebellious princess to a queen who has been battling to claim the Iron Throne for two seasons. However, season 3 looks set to test not only her leadership, but her values that have been the cornerstone of her journey so far. And if Condal’s words are any indication, then viewers can’t expect the same Rhaenyra they know.
Ryan Condal Teases A Very Different Rhaenyra In ‘House Of The Dragon’ Season 3
One of the best aspects of ‘Game of Thrones’ was that it allowed its characters to change in ways that were surprising. Heroes turned to villains, enemies to allies, and people’s beliefs were put to the test by circumstance. Condal thinks ‘House of the Dragon’ needs to be the same.
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He cited the example of Jaime Lannister, who changed so much throughout the series that he was virtually unrecognizable from the arrogant knight that the viewers first saw in the first episode of ‘Game of Thrones’.
“Jaime Lannister, when he throws Bran out the window, is different than the Jaime Lannister you see midway through the show, when he’s got one hand, and he’s running around with Brienne,” he told GamesRadar+. The goal is to create similar depth for ‘House of the Dragon’s major players.
“Just because who the character is in this single moment in time does not mean that is who that character is all the time, and that would be boring to do,” he added. Now it’s Rhaenyra who is the focus of that. She’s been patient, diplomatic, and consensus-building for much of season 2, but she’s coming up to a point where she might need more than that.
Rhaenyra Faces A Choice That Could Redefine Her Legacy
In Season 3, it’s said that Rhaenyra will be put in a position where she must sacrifice her morals for her family, her claim, and possibly her life. It’s here that the character’s story becomes particularly fascinating.
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In the series, Rhaenyra has been carrying the torch of her father, King Viserys, who tried to rule with restraint, despite all the chaos surrounding him. “Viserys made a lot of mistakes, but he did invest entirely with Rhaenyra, and I think beyond his death, she takes that really seriously and tries to rule as she learned from Viserys in season 2. She’s trying to rule by consensus,” Condal explained.
However, in Westeros, history has not been kind to those who have been prudent. The Dance of the Dragons is getting bloodier and bloodier, and Rhaenyra could find herself making sacrifices she never thought of when she sought power.
“There’s a point in season 3 where she has to make a moral compromise for her family, for herself, for her claim. And then this idea of predestination, and all these big ideas that we play with in epic fantasy,” he added. The internal conflict may become as important as any dragon battle.
The emotional changes in Rhaenyra could be the most defining aspect of season 3. If ‘House of the Dragon‘ is successful, it will not just be a queen battling for a throne. They’ll see a woman grappling with a question that has plagued rulers of Westeros for generations: how much of yourself are you willing to lose in order to win?
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