Emma D’Arcy has an understandable request for Rhaenyra Targaryen inHouse of the Dragonseason 3, buttheGame of Thronesprequel must be careful about how it honors it.House of the Dragonseason 2’s endingsees Rhaenyra and Alicent Hightower coming to an agreement to end the war between the Greens and the Blacks. However,House of the Dragonseason 3will fullykick off the Dance of the Dragons, as their newfound alliance is doomed to fail. That means Rhaenyra will continue to be a target, andD’Arcy is requesting that the character learnsto wield a weapon.
Rhaenyra is more than capable of riding into battle with Syrax, but she’s less adept at fighting with a blade.House of the Dragonseason 2 shows her picking one up after she’s nearly assassinated, and D’Arcy is right that a weapon makes sense for the Targaryen queen. Rhaenyra has every reason to learn self-defense, especially after being caught off-guard by Ser Arryk Cargell.House of the Dragonseason 3 should honor D’Arcy’srequest to give their character a sword or knife, butthe Targaryen prequel must avoid a common mistake in the process.
House Of The Dragon Season 3 Must Avoid 1 Big Mistake With Emma D’Arcy’s Weapon Request
The Game Of Thrones Prequel Can’t Gloss Over Rhaenyra’s Inexperience
While it makes sense for Rhaenyra to learn how to defend herself inHouse of the Dragonseason 3, the show must avoid a common fantasy trap when it comes to mastering a weapon. Far too many fantasy shows see their characters becoming impressive fighters overnight, despite never having learned such skills.Rhaenyra has made it all the way to adulthood without being taught to fight, and that should be obvious when she finally picks up a weapon. The show shouldn’t gloss over her training and inexperience just to have her wield a sword or blade.
Rhaenyra’s struggle and frustration to learn should be part of her season 3 story, assuming the show honors D’Arcy’s request.
What makesGame of ThronesandHouse of the Dragonso compelling is their grounded and realistic take on the fantasy genre. It would feel uncharacteristic for either show to have a character go from completely inexperienced in physical combat to an expert swordsman. Rhaenyra’s struggle and frustration to learn should be part of her season 3 story, assuming the show honors D’Arcy’s request. Fortunately,Game of Thronesinspires confidence that the spinoff will handle such a development believably.
Game Of Thrones Inspires Confidence In HOTD’s Approach To This Rhaenyra Story
The HBO Show Handles
WhileHouse of the Dragonseason 3 will have to handle Rhaenyra’s weapon training with care,Game of Thronesproves the fantasy franchise can handle it. The original HBO show dedicates plenty of time to Arya Stark learning to wield a sword, proving it won’t just skip the fundamentals. It also recognizes that characters who haven’t learned to fight with a weapon may not be good at it; Daenerys' clumsy combat during the Battle of Winterfell stems from her having the same experience as Rhaenyra.
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As long asHouse of the DragonfollowsGame of Thrones’example, the series should be able to pull off Rhaenyra learning self-defense with ease. It would be strange if she didn’t attempt to pick up some skills in that department, but it would be equally bizarre if she was inexplicably great at it.
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.
