‘House of the Dragon’s Death Scenes Are Ruining the Show’

Warning: Spoilers ahead for this season of House of the Dragon.

With the death of Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best) in “The Red Dragon and the Gold,” the Black faction in House of the Dragon has taken its first major blow. Despite this significant loss, the characters react with a curious lack of emotion, staring passively into the distance at the news of her death, as if pondering over her existence rather than grieving her loss.

Rhaenys was not only a significant player but also a wife, former mother-in-law, and grandmother to key characters on Team Black. Throughout Season 2, she was one of the staunchest supporters of Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy). Her husband Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) had a strained yet endearing relationship with Rhaenys. Although they officially swore allegiance to Rhaenyra instead of her brother Aegon Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney), their bond remained noteworthy in the series.

One would expect Rhaenyra and Corlys’ reactions to Rhaenys’ death to be profoundly emotional. However, their muted response is puzzling. They each silently gaze into the distance in separate scenes, appearing more concerned about the weather than mourning their greatest ally’s brutal demise. Later, they interact briefly with Rhaenys’ granddaughter, Baela Targaryen (Bethany Antonia), in tender but short-lived scenes. Interestingly, Baela and Rhaenys have barely interacted in the series, making these moments feel hollow.

Unlike its predecessor, Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon struggles to deliver impactful emotional beats. Thrones allowed time to develop relationships, making character deaths deeply felt. While Baela’s discussions with Corlys and Rhaenyra are highlights, the absence of more screen time sharing makes these emotional moments less effective.

The writers of House of the Dragon seem resistant to portraying grief, which was a significant element in George R.R. Martin’s novel Fire & Blood. Death and grief weigh heavily on the characters left behind, adding to the story’s tragic tone. However, the fast-paced adaptation of the series diminishes these emotional undertones.

Rhaenys’ death isn’t the first to feel weightless. Lucerys Velaryon’s (Elliot Grihault) murder is recalled in Season 2’s first episode, but his name barely resurfaces in subsequent episodes. In Martin’s Fire & Blood, Luke’s death ignites the war, whereas, on the show, characters continue idly sitting around. Martin wrote, “And with his death, the war of ravens and envoys and marriage pacts came to an end, and the war of fire and blood began in earnest.” Yet, with more than half of the short 8-episode season already aired, much of the war’s intensity is still anticipated.

The reluctance to show characters mourning might stem from a fear of making them appear weak, but it’s a miscalculation. Mourning can make characters more relatable and human, as seen with Game of Thrones‘ Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey). Her grief for her children made her a more complex and empathic character. Without allowing characters to express grief, they risk becoming shallow caricatures both of their book originals and of generic TV characters.

It’s disappointing because Season 1 of House of the Dragon effectively delivered tense and emotional moments. Scenes like the monologue between Rhaenyra and Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) in “Driftmark” were high points, showcasing the talents of Cooke and D’Arcy. Rhaenyra’s final look into the camera in the Season 1 finale promised a range of emotions, including grief. However, Season 2 has yet to replicate these resonant moments.

The stakes in House of the Dragon are dwindling due to the show’s reluctance to show characters displaying high emotions. One of the strongest aspects of Game of Thrones, even up to its controversial final episode, was its emotional depth. Character deaths were deeply felt, not only by the audience but also by those on screen.

When pivotal characters like Ned Stark (Sean Bean) or supporting ones like Oberyn Martell (Pedro Pascal) died, Thrones lingered on these losses, showing their impact on the series and its characters. In contrast, House of the Dragon allows characters to swiftly move past significant deaths, stunting their development and diminishing fans’ emotional connections. If this approach continues, House of the Dragon may struggle to surpass the legacy of the show it aims to differentiate itself from.

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Source: The Daily Beast