Summary
The event that manyFire & Bloodreaders feared came to pass.
The director of the episode,Alan Taylor, spoke toEntertainment Weeklyabout the significance of Rhaenys sacrifice.
Because that is what it is.
Image via HBO
Rhaenys doesnt die just by happenstance.
It is a decision she makes, knowing that she wont make it out alive.
Taylor remarks that this is a reflection of a decision made after Aegons (Tom Glynn-Carney) coronation.
The reign of House Targaryen begins with this prequel to the popular HBO seriesGame of Thrones.Based on George R.R. Martin’sFire & Blood,House of the Dragonis set nearly 200 years beforeGame of Thrones, telling the story of the Targaryen civil war with King Viserys.
She has to go back in," Taylor said.
While her intentions were honorable at the time, its hard to disagree with that at this point.
Team Black has lost so much, and on a fundamental level, Rhaenys holds herself responsible.
Every time she has the chance to flee,she turns Meleys back into the fray.
This results in her ultimate demise, but she goes out like a true dragon rider.
The actor likens her to a samurai who views this as a point of honor.
This decision is her duty to her clan.
But there are also bigger stakes in play.
Though unplanned, Vhagars presence in the fight changes everything.
Without a doubt, Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) is the biggest weapon that the Greens have.
The Blacks know that to win, they will have to take him out in some regard.
While there is a slim chance that Rhaenys could beat Vhagar in battle, she has to try.
Unfortunately, this result still may have some ramifications for Team Black.
