Warning! This article contains spoilers for House of the Dragon.
Summary
House of the Dragonseason 2 sets up Rhaenyra’s replacement, the main protagonist of anotherGame of Thronesspin-off. WhileHouse of the Dragon’s central castis undoubtedly large, it is safe to dub Rhaenyra as the show’s protagonist. The clever marketing of Team Green vs. Team Black for season 2 may not track with this, but Rhaenyra’s claim in theTargaryen Dance of Dragonsis the one most viewers will sympathize with, thus making her the lead character.
Rhaenyra’s sympathetic nature is akin to the Starks fromGame of Thrones. The Starks and their children were the primary heroes of the first show based on George R. R. Martin’sA Song of Ice and Firebook series. Although further back in the franchise’s timeline, Rhaenyra is arguably the same forHouse of the Dragon. Interestingly, byHouse of the Dragonseason 2 episode 5’s ending, the protagonist of yet anotherGame of Thronesspin-off is teased thanks to Rhaenyra’s inspiration.
Every Upcoming Game Of Thrones Spinoff Explained
Game of Thrones ended, but audiences returned to Westeros for House of the Dragon - and HBO has even more Game of Thrones spinoffs in development.
House Of The Dragon Establishes Visenya Targaryen & Her Connection To Rhaenyra
One Of Aegon The Conqueror’s Sister-Wives Hangs Over House Of The Dragon
The character in question is Visenya Targaryen. In Westerosi history, Visenya is one of the three characters responsible for uniting the warring kingdoms into the united Seven Kingdoms, establishing the hierarchy of power and political landscape that permeatesHouse of the DragonandGame of Thrones. InHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 5,Rhaenyra is shown perusing books about Visenya, reading up on the latter’s history. Through this scene and other elements, it is clear that Visenya Targaryen is someone who inspires Rhaenyra.
Visenya is someone whose example Rhaenyra wishes to follow.House of the Dragonseason 2 has established Rhaenyra’s discontent at having to sit in Dragonstone while others fight a war in her name.Visenya was different, as she and her sister directly fought in Aegon’s Conquestto help instill their brother/husband as the leader of the united Seven Kingdoms. This inspiration shows how Visenya links to Rhaenyra, as does the latter naming her stillborn daughter after the former.
Visenya riding Vhagar, Aemond’s dragon, and wielding Dark Sister, Daemon’s sword, provide two other connections between her and Rhaenyra.
Getting Visenya Right Will Be Crucial To Game Of Thrones' Aegon’s Conquest Show
The Upcoming Game Of Thrones Spin-Off Will Need To Perfect More than Just Aegon
By including scenes that detail Visenya’s inspiration for Rhaenyra,House of the Dragonis setting up the sister-wife of Aegon the Conqueror as one the key protagonists of aGame of Thronesshow going forward.Updates about the Aegon’s Conquest spin-offhave been few and far between, but the series has been confirmed to be in development. If this show sees the light of day, nailing the characterization of Visenya will be just as crucial as it will Aegon the Conqueror himself.
While Aegon is naturally an important character - and the fulcrum upon which the entire world ofHouse of the DragonandGame of Throneshinges - Visenya and Rhaenys should be co-leads in the story of Aegon’s Conquest. The sister-wives of the Conqueror were just as important to the conquest of Westeros as Aegon was, something that Rhaenyra is clearly aware of inHouse of the Dragon. By showcasing how much Rhaenyra values Visenya as an inspirational figure, the show is teasing her replacement via the next protagonist of aGame of Thronesshow.
What Happens To Visenya Targaryen In Game Of Thrones History
Visenya’s Story Fits Right Along With The Drama Of Game Of Thrones
Like manymembers of House Targaryen, Visneya was a rather complicated character with a contentious relationship with the king. Still, she had faithfully supported her husband and brother’s rule, mercilessly burning those who presented themselves as his enemies. Visenya was also passionate about King Aegon’s safety, establishing the Kingsguard, choosing its first seven members, and conceiving their vows (after proving that Aegon’s previous protectors were inadequate by attacking her brother before they could react). However, following Aegon’s death,Visenya’s loyalties were with her own line.
King Aenys' subsequent death and the crowning of Visenya’s son, Maegor, as king of Westeros led many to call Aegon’s sister-wife a kinslayer and kingslayer.
When Aegon died, his son with Rhaenys, Aenys, was crowned king, and Visenya openly disputed his ability to rule. Aenys I Targaryen was not well-loved by his people, and his short rule was full of conflict revolving predominantly around the Faith Militant uprising. The king and his family were ultimately forced to flee King’s Landing for Dragonstone, where he fell ill and went into the care of Visenya. King Aenys' subsequent death and the crowning of Visenya’s son, Maegor, as king of Westeros led many to call Aegon’s sister-wife a kinslayer and kingslayer. Some years later, Visenya died of a mysterious illness herself.
During Aenys' rule, there was a succession dispute similar to that ofHouse of the Dragonsince it was unclear whether Aenys' daughter would be his heir over his brother Maegor (Visenya’s son).
The crown ultimately returned to Aenys' line since his son, Jaehaerys I Targaryen, became king following Maegor’s bloody reign. This is the same Jaehaerys seen at the beginning ofHouse of the Dragon, grandfather of King Viserys and Princess Rhaenys. The blood and terror between Aegon’s death and Jaehaerys' crowning means that Visenya was primarily remembered for her cruelty and as a potential kinslayer. Of course,this would make a spinoff featuring these early years of Targaryen rule all the more interesting, especially since they are so pivotal in Rhaenyra’s (and later Daenerys') story.
How House Of The Dragon’s Rhaenyra Is Different From Visenya
Visenya Would Be A Stand-Out Protagonist Among Games Of Thrones' Targaryen Queens
It’s understandable why Rhaenyra would be so fascinated by Visenya. She may have sympathized with her ancestor’s reputation for cruelty since Rhaenyra herself had been dubbed as a kinslayer. Additionally, the fact thatVisenya was Aegon the Conquerer’s older sistermay have piqued Rhaenyra’s interest since, in another age, this might have qualified the woman as queen. However, there are many ways that these two Targaryen women were different, and these traits of Visenya might have been even more responsible for Rhaenyra’s admiration and inspiration.
Rhaenyra laments inHouse of the Dragonthat she hasn’t been trained in combat like Visenya had. Her Targaryen ancestor was a fierce warrior who could not only cause destruction from dragonback but was a cunning strategist and lethal with a sword. In this way,Visenya would take what audiences have loved about characters like Daenerys and Rhaenyra even further. She wouldn’t just be a powerful force in image and wisdom, but, as a protagonist, Visenya would remain in the thick of things, able to act where the other Targaryen Queens of the franchise were forced to sit back and wait.
Of course, Visenya’s differences from Rhaenyra may go beyond just this. There are indications that Visenya’s cruelty wasn’t just a rumor, which could meanshe would be a far less sympathetic protagonist thanHouse of the Dragon’s queen. Still, this is the nature ofGame of Thrones, and a potential spinoff series that sees Visenya replace Rhaenyra as a protagonist may offer a different perspective on the woman’s cruel actions. Only time will tell if such a series ever becomes a reality, but it certainly seems thatHouse of the Dragonhas begun to set it up perfectly.
House of the Dragon
Cast
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
