House of the Dragonhas shone a light on the rampant sexism in Westeros at every turn.
But in the meantime, she has proven her worth as a ruler.
It is painfully evident to anyone who cares to look thatAegon is unfit to rule.
Image via HBO
He admitted that much himself.
And yet many of the lords of Westeros prefer the amoral and untrained man to Rhaenyra’s rule.
But even with the lords' determination to undermine her, Rhaenyra proved herself worthy of the crown.
Image via HBO
Rhaenyra, Queen of the Seven Kingdoms
Rhaenyra has not always made the best political decisions.
But her political savvy has improved by the finale episode, “The Black Queen.”
But Rhaenyra urges caution.
Image via HBO
But she doesn’t let her advisors push her to rash action.
Rhaenyra bides her time, wanting to identify her allies and her enemies before making a move.
She isn’t setting out to burn the kingdom in dragon fire.
Image via HBO
I do not wish to rule over a kingdom of ash and bone."
She is considering the consequences for more than just herself.
Or that [she] sit the Iron Throne, no matter the cost?"
Rhaenyra wants to defend Westeros and, as she says, “not cast it headlong into war.”
But that is not to be.
The conflict has begun, and now all the rightful queen can do is react.
She deliberately desires not to start a war but to wait for her enemy to initiate the violence.
As she sends hersons out to recruit allies, Rhaenyra has them promise to be messengers rather than warriors.
She’s no longer the headstrong girl introduced in the first episodes but a mature and rational queen.
Related:Who Is the Dragon that Daemon Sings to in the ‘House of the Dragon’ Finale?
He is placed on the throne through the actions of Otto and Alicent (Olivia Cooke).
Aegon has spent the night in the city drinking, whoring, and watching children forced to fight.
One of the abused children ishis own bastard.
But none of this matters to the lords conspiring to put him on the throne.
Despite all of his less-than-kingly hobbies, they prefer him to Rhaenyra.
Aegon knows he isn’t fit to be king.
He asks his brother Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) to let him run away.
But the Greens put a crown on his head anyway.
Otto accuses Alicent of trying to spare her childhood friend, but Alicent stands firm and eventually wins out.
She convinces Aegon to offer peace terms, though she knows Rhaenyra won’t take them.
Alicent has been ruling in Viserys' place for many years since he has been sick.
While the sentiment is good, she is still knowingly making her degenerate son king.
She attempts to gain power by playing inside the system, letting the men rule while she influences them.
But allowing Aegon to hold the deciding power is hardly in the best interest of the realm.
What she lacks in Targaryen blood, Alicent makes up for in political strategy.
Even on the day he dies, Viserys confirms his intention for Rhaenyra to succeed him.
But both Rhaenyra and Alicent are better rulers than Aegon.
