House of the Dragon Season 3 has come to an end with the Battle of Tumbleton. Meanwhile, Rhaenyra Targaryen fought a battle of her own with the High Septon in King’s Landing. Ultimately, she won by force and declared to the townsfolk that she is the “Prince That Was Promised.” Emma D’Arcy, who portrays Rhaenyra in the series, opened up about the “Targaryen demigod” era that the queen thinks she is in.
Quick read:
- Rhaenyra Targaryen has turned into an authoritarian.
- Emma D’Arcy believes Rhaenyra sees herself as a “Targaryen demigod.”
- Alicent Hightower’s words had foreshadowed this change.
Emma D’Arcy on Rhaenyra Targaryen becoming an authoritarian in House of the Dragon Season 3
In the official Game of Thrones podcast episode discussing the new episode, Emma D’Arcy addressed how Rhaenyra Targaryen became authoritarian. When she first claimed the throne, she tried to be the people’s leader. However, by the end, all she wants is to be the Queen.
Reflecting on how Rhaenyra’s transformation, D’Arcy said, “I think by the end of the series, I think she’s let the idea go entirely and she’s sort of subscribed to something much more authoritarian and something of the kind of Targaryen demigod.”
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After having Alyn kill the High Septon, Rhaenyra marched out and gave a speech. The actress explained, “There’s something kind of interesting, I think, in that speech that she delivers in episode eight and the kind of regalia that she comes out in. It’s proper kind of like fascist image-making.” That speech makes it obvious that she has forgone her morals for the crown.
Alicent Hightower had warned Rhaenyra Targaryen about how the throne would affect her
At the beginning of the season, Alicent Hightower warned Rhaenyra that the throne would change her. Back then, she did not believe the Queen Consort, thinking she would always hold on to her morals. She tried to do so for the longest time, doing her best to prove that she wanted the best for her subjects.
That, however, is not the case by the end of the season, as her only focus is to be the queen. She has not only gone against the Grand Sept but also has the High Septon killed. Whether or not she will be able to hold on to the crown remains to be seen.
Read More: The Hidden Meaning of High Valyrian Scenes in House of the Dragon Season 3
