“Is she death and destruction embodied?”: Steve Toussaint explains why Corlys becomes Rhaenyra’s Hand despite hesitating at first

As the second season of House of The Dragon nears its end, the rift between the two prominent characters Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and Lord Corlys Targaryen seems to be closing up for now. The character of Lord Corlys is put into the spotlight by Rhaenyra titling him “The Hand”. His perception of Rhaenyra was always mediocre and he once regarded her as the human form of death and destruction.

Ups and downs in Corlys – Rhaenyra’s relationship

Corlys was always seen as a very ambitious personality right from the start of season 1. During his seat in the small council, he never favored Rhaenyra becoming heir to the throne. He always focused on Rhaenys’ claim to the throne, so that his descendants could be in the line of succession to the Iron Throne. His relentless ambition for power has been contemplated by Rhaenys many times as his pursuit has cost his family terribly. He has somewhat made Rhaenyra his go-to scapegoat in his mind. In an interview with Esquire, Steve Toussaint mentioned,

“It stems from his complicated relationship with Rhaenyra. A very interesting thing that I’ve noticed over season 1 and parts of season 2 is that whenever he’s not around her, he doesn’t have a lot of positive things to say. It’s like, “Is she death and destruction embodied?” But whenever he’s around her, there is something very paternal that he feels for her”.

Rhaenyra making Corlys Hand of the Queen

Rhaenyra is seen taking moral responsibility for Rhaenys’ death in episode 5 of House of The Dragon. The Black Queen finds herself lost as Rhaenys was her best female advisor and she has also lost the biggest dragons of her side. She had to be quick with her decision or she would be seen as a weak target to The Greens because of her power vacuum.

At this peak time, all she could think about is having one of the most powerful men in Westeros Lord Corlys, The Sea Snake, as her Hand. Although she doesn’t want to exploit Rhaenys’ death, but she knows that Corlys is in need of a path to follow. Thus requesting her stepdaughter Baela to do so. Even he remembered his wife saying that she saw Rhaenyra as the symbol of good rule and authority.

“When Baela tells him that Rhaenyra wants him to be her Hand, the first thing he says is something along the lines of “Hasn’t she had enough from us already?” This is the woman who was married to his son—and his son is dead. She married the man who was there when his daughter was killed.

He says to Rhaenys, “We’re done. Let’s take our money, grandkids, and just enjoy ourselves.” And she says, “No. We have to stay here and protect and support her claim.” That speech from Baela—she says that this is what his wife would want him to do. He feels like, I owe it to her”.

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