Rhaenyra and Helaena‘s discussion should have been one of the most complex, emotional moments in ‘House of the Dragon’. Rather, it dangerously simplifies both its characters.
Helaena is the wise visionary who knows the meaning of life, and Rhaenyra is the wounded ruler who has lost her ability to see beauty in life. And that is very unfair to Rhaenyra.
Rhaenyra Didn’t Forget How to Live, ‘House Of The Dragon’ Forgot What She Lost
Rhaenyra isn’t just about the Iron Throne. She was fond of her children, Daemon, her parents, her dragons, and the family life she had created on Dragonstone. For years, she had lived what was by her standards a relatively peaceful life away from King’s Landing. After that, all of her was taken away.
Related: ‘House Of The Dragon’: Rhaenyra Made A Bigger Mistake Than Cutting Off Mysaria
She lost her father, her succession, and Visenya, Luke, Jace and Rhaenys. She has seen her family and kingdom fall apart, and she has been burdened with a lot of grief. When Helaena tells her that she doesn’t understand beauty or what it means to truly live, it therefore feels strangely disconnected from the woman we’ve actually watched.
The frustrating thing about the scene is that Helaena should know Rhaenyra better than anyone. Helaena has also been ensnared by the expectations of House Targaryen all her life. She was married to Aegon, who made her a mother, and stripped her of the easy life she apparently desired with her kids and nature. She has experienced life ruled by a dynasty. Which is why it was an intriguing opportunity for these two women to meet.
Helaena Understands Loss Too But She Chose To Hate Rhaenyra
Helaena, however, redirects her pent up rage towards Rhaenyra, even though Rhaenyra was not the one who put her in danger. Rhaenyra didn’t marry her to Aegon or make her bear children for him. These are choices that Helaena’s family made.
In case you missed it: ‘Game of Thrones’ Is Finally Bringing Its Biggest Targaryen War to Theaters
And Rhaenyra isn’t exactly treating Helaena like a disposable prisoner. She gives her comfortable quarters, servants and freedom to move around rather than throwing her into a dungeon. And even though Helaena refuses to speak to Rhaenyra, she keeps trying.
That doesn’t make Rhaenyra’s eventual physical actions toward Helaena right. Grabbing her and forcing her to eat are disturbing, and the show is right to make those moments uncomfortable. But context matters. Rhaenyra is a woman who is deeply traumatized, desperately trying to save another traumatized woman’s life.
The tragedy isn’t that Rhaenyra never understood beauty. She knew it well. She just lost nearly all of what was good in her life and she desperately wants to believe that all of her suffering was for a reason. That is a far more heartbreaking character tragedy than simply declaring her incapable of appreciating the world around her.
You might like to read: ‘House Of The Dragon’ Fans Are Sleeping On The Greatest Daemon In Targaryen History
