In fact, the show itself reinforces the importance of strong characterization for the success of the show.
No one is the hero of this world.
But through the time jumps over the course of the season, we see him age over the years.
By his last episode, he is clearly close to dying.
As is the later scene, where we finally see the full extent of his condition.
And he gets his wish.
Image via HBO
We know this moment won’t last.
Likely the characters themselves know too.
But the audience can’t help but wish that for once everything might work out in the end.
Image via HBO
It was a dying man’s wish, and he got it, but it wont last.
Rhaenys (Eve Best) is another character whose characterization shines.
The root of that is perhaps the “murder” of her son Laenor (John Macmillan).
Image via HBO
In short, Rhaenys is clearly cautious in all of her decisions.
This change for the show is fantastic and adds needed nuance to the start of the tension between them.
Viserys named Rhaenyra his heir, but that was before his child with Alicent was born.
There is only one moment of possible reconciliation in this show, and that is after the family dinner.
Both women acknowledge their feelings about their past, clearly wanting to rectify that.
Unfortunately, that is as far as it ever goes.
And everything after that just ensures that this relationship can never be fixed.
This is why characterization is so important.
It also makes us care much more about the characters.
What is engaging aboutHouse of the Dragonis that no one is good.
Everyone makes bad and selfish decisions.
But sometimes they also make the right ones.
It’s a refreshing change from the traditional good vs. evil in many fantasy epics.
This means we can understand the motivations of each character.
We can feel for them, and even be happy for them in moments.
These characters feel like they could be real.
It’s because of their decisions, good or bad, that they feel the most human.
All episodes ofHouse of the Dragonare streaming on HBOMax.
