House of the Dragon’s queer twist changes how we view Rhaenyra and Alicent’s rivalry

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As a queer viewer who grew up watching Game of Thrones and eagerly anticipating House of the Dragon, I was both thrilled and disappointed by the portrayal of Rhaenyra Targaryen’s (played by Emma D’Arcy) relationship with Alicent Hightower (Sophie Turner Sotherton) in season one. The subtle hints of a queer connection between the two teenage girls left many fans, including myself, hoping for something more substantial.

House of the Dragon season 2 episode 6 spoilers follow.

In Westeros, the danger of dragon battles looms large. Yet, a different kind of flame has ignited between Rhaenyra (Emma D’arcy) and Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno), formerly close friends of the queen. However, their bond has now transformed into something more complex than friendship. Passionate kisses might be a friendlier expression of intimacy, but these women have moved beyond that point.

In the thrilling world of “House of the Dragon,” as I watched this week’s episode unfold, the connection between the pair grew deeper. They revealed their past pains to each other and found solace in a comforting hug. But just as their lips met for a heartfelt kiss, Rhaenyra was suddenly summoned to mount her dragon, leaving Mysaria behind to investigate an intriguing dragonrider sighting nearby.

As a dedicated gamer immersed in the intricacies of “Game of Thrones,” I can’t help but find it astonishingly remarkable how long Rhaenyra’s queerness went unacknowledged on-screen. And when it finally was addressed, the scene was executed with such skill and sensitivity that left me truly impressed.

In the fictional universe of “Game of Thrones,” the portrayal of queer stories was critically panned. Amidst widespread hardship, the LGBTQ+ community endured greater adversity. The writers’ focus on incestuous relationships rather than genuine queer representation is telling of their priorities.

Last season of House of the Dragon, just like the previous ones, didn’t bring significant improvement. Do you recall how Joffrey met his end in an episode that also introduced a rare moment of LGBTQ+ representation in this dark series? The unpleasant aftertaste of the “Bury Your Gays” trope was somewhat mitigated when Laenor unexpectedly escaped, but more efforts were required to make amends.

It’s noteworthy that the production now explores queer themes more deeply and sensitively, particularly with the lead character involved.

Here, the raw and bold displays of sexual power common in Westeros are eliminated, leaving only two women seeking an authentic, carnal connection.

It’s captivating to observe the couple passionately embracing each other, as if this act is the most ordinary thing imaginable. Surprisingly, however, Rhaenyra and Mysaria weren’t intended to share a kiss in the initial script of the episode.

In a recent interview with The Wrap, Mizuno explained that the scene involving them was originally scripted as, “There’s barely a breath separating them.” It was actually D’Arcy who sensed the need to embrace and console Mizuno. Consequently, their kiss felt very natural and authentic.

The term “organic” fittingly describes both D’arcy’s improvised actions and the progression of Rhaenyra’s storyline.

In the same interview, Mizuno and D’Arcy expressed their desire to prevent their kiss from appearing overtly “gay-stereotypical” or provocative, a noteworthy perspective considering the criticisms frequently directed towards the first season.

As someone who has always been captivated by intricate character dynamics and complex relationships in storytelling, I find myself particularly intrigued by the enigmatic bond between Rhaenyra and Alicent Hightower in “House of the Dragon.” Growing up, it was clear that their friendship transcended the mere label of best friends. Their connection seemed to carry an intensity and depth reminiscent of biblical tales. Having closely followed the developments in their relationship throughout the series, I can’t help but feel that there is a rich and layered history between these two women. It’s as if they have shared experiences that only they truly understand, leaving me eager to unravel the mysteries of their past and witness how it shapes their future interactions.

Two teenage girls may have a deep connection without acting overly clingy towards one another, as portrayed by Milly Alcock and Emily Carey in their roles. However, these actresses have acknowledged that their on-screen relationship held queer undertones.

Fans noticed the intentional erotic undertones between the characters, a common theme in queer representation. However, when it became apparent that the show wouldn’t fully explore these implications, the suggestive scenes morphed into queer-baiting instead.

Reflecting on it now, I realize that my initial interpretation wasn’t entirely accurate. The recent make-out session between Rhaenyra and Alicent in “House of the Dragon” has given a whole new meaning to the events in the first season. For Rhaenyra, those subtle hints of queerness were indeed genuine, implying that her feelings for Alicent went beyond friendship.

It’s unclear if Alicent shares the same feelings, but this new development enriches their complex history. Regardless of their current animosity, the depth of their connection remains palpable. Intriguingly, their adult rivalry adds an extra layer of excitement to their relationship. Couldn’t agree more?

It’s unexpected that Rhaenyra’s initial same-sex kiss was with Mysaria rather than Alicent. While some sapphic fans may have anticipated this, it remains an intriguing turn of events. This development could help quell allegations of queer-baiting since the concept originated from D’Arcy, a queer individual.

It’s unfortunate that progress in a positive direction had to originate from an actor instead of the show’s writers or producers. However, it’s heartening that this perspective prevailed in the final version, as it was essentially the only logical choice.

As a dedicated fan of the “Game of Thrones” prequel, “House of the Dragon,” I must express my elated appreciation for the recent twist in Rhaenyra Targaryen’s backstory. Having closely followed her character development throughout the series, I can confidently say that this addition has brought a new dimension to her past, making it more intriguing and nuanced. Furthermore, it has subtly yet significantly influenced my perspective on her future role in the storyline.

Throughout her life, Rhaenyra has had a pattern of shifting between romantic relationships that were either harmful or lacked significant emotional connection for her: Criston Cole (the dull and unremarkable rebound), Laenor (her openly gay partner), and Daemon (her uncle, her own flesh and blood!!!).

Instead of Harwin Strong being noteworthy (yawn), the list is significant on its own. However, Mysaria brings out a deeper side of Rhaenyra, revealing her capacity for intense emotions and affection in a way that leaves a lasting impact.

In simpler terms, Rhaenyra acts freely without hidden agendas or manipulation by men. Her desires guide her actions from now on.

In her conversation with The Wrap, Mizuno casually mentions that the upcoming two episodes won’t focus much on emotions or romantic encounters, considering the impending war. It’s understandable, we think. However, that single kiss has significantly altered the course of events regardless.

Rhaenyra challenges traditional heterosexual norms and faces difficulties in her questionable marriage to Dameon, who is her uncle. Consequently, she rebels against the kingdom’s and previous rulers’ expectations of how a queen should behave.

In Westeros’ past, the experiences of queer men and women were vastly different. Now, with Rhaenyra openly identified as a queen, it’s an opportunity for representation and power shift in favor of the LGBTQ+ community, symbolically known as “Gays of Thrones.”

As a dedicated fan of epic fantasy series, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the premiere of “House of the Dragon,” the new show based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood.” Having binge-watched all eight seasons of “Game of Thrones” multiple times, I can confidently say that I’m no stranger to the intrigue, drama, and suspense of Westeros.

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2024-07-23 15:49