In a touching detail from House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 2, Rhaenyra is seen carrying her son Jacaerys’ sword following his tragic death. The moment carries deep emotional weight, serving as both a practical choice and a profound symbol of grief and resolve.
Quick read:
- Emma D’Arcy reflects upon associating Jace’s sword with the actual actor Harry Collett
- For Rhaenyra, carrying her son’s sword was an attempt to preserve her dead son’s memory
- They reckon how objects have an energy that is passed on
Rhaenyra with Jace’s sword (Credits: HBO)
A totem preserving Jace’s memory
The actor explained the significance of the prop in a small talk with IMDb:
“In episode 2, I’m carrying Jace’s sword, and that totem felt kind of preserving for Rhaenyra. There’s a conscious decision to take him with her at all points.”
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This choice allows Rhaenyra to keep her son close as she moves forward, turning the sword into a personal talisman amid the chaos of war. It reflects a mother’s refusal to let go, even as she steps into her role as queen.
The energy of passed-down objects
The familiarity with the sword adds another layer.
“The actual object itself — I’m so familiar with it. I’m so familiar seeing it on Harry Collett. There’s definitely a kind of energy to objects like that that get passed on.”
This recognition of the prop’s history previously carried by Harry Collett as Jace gives the scene an authentic emotional charge. The sword becomes more than a weapon; it embodies Jace’s legacy and the strength Rhaenyra draws from it.
The scene ties into Rhaenyra’s determination, with the line “Do not be afraid. I’ve come to make things right” from the second episode when she takes King’s Landing, showing her mindset. Armed with Jace’s sword, she channels her grief into purpose, honouring her son by continuing the fight.
