House of the Dragon laid down the groundwork for the Targaryen civil war in Season 1, focusing on key events that led to Aegon and Rhaenyra Targaryen fighting for their separate claims to the Iron Throne. However, Season 2 has complicated these two sides of the war, which originally featured “The Greens” supporting Aegon and “The Blacks” supporting Rhaenyra. Though the fight within this noble house began with two figures vying to become the ruler of Westeros, there are more than two players in this game to win the throne.
In the most recent episodes of House of the Dragon, the prequel spin-off has embraced the biggest theme in Game of Thrones. It isn’t as simple as two people with perceived rightful claims to the throne. Instead, several royal characters believe they also have a reason to reach the ultimate position of power. Aside from their blood and name making them obvious contenders, such as Daemon and Aemond Targaryen, these motivated individuals believe they are more fit than Viserys’ oldest daughter or oldest son. This complicated dynamic, in which major players are now stepping up to fight for their own assumed superiority, has confirmed that the overall GOT franchise is focused on a toxic desire for power that overrides claims of legitimacy and honor.
Rhaenyra and Aegon Are Not the Only Contenders for the Iron Throne
Several characters within House of the Dragon have a claim to the Iron Throne, including Rhaenyra, Aegon, Daemon, Aemond, and Jacaerys.
The major plot focus in House of the Dragon is Rhaenyra being displaced by her brother as ruler of Westeros. The first season of the series built up to this inevitable conflict, highlighting how King Viserys failed his children by naming his firstborn daughter heir but not truly raising either her or his oldest son to rule following his demise. Treating Rhaenyra as just another woman and not the next ruler of the Seven Kingdoms and allowing Prince Aegon to become spoiled and lazy was the beginning of the end for the great Targaryen Dynasty. This led to so much unrest following Viserys’ demise. Rhaenyra is supported because she is the chosen heir but is still perceived to be an unfit ruler because of her gender and the way she was raised in their patriarchal system. Aegon is supported because he’s the firstborn son, but has proven to be an unfit ruler who is driven by impulse and desire instead of strategy and thoughtful planning.
Though the war is being fought to either officially place Rhaenyra or Aegon on the Iron Throne, there have been hints throughout the show that the powerful people of Westeros know there aren’t just two options for the throne. There are many great characters in House of the Dragon who are not only beloved by fans but are obvious contenders for the Iron Throne. It can be argued that Aemond is a better fit for being king than his brother due to his intelligence despite his ruthless personality. It’s also been made clear that some lords respect Daemon and don’t believe he should have ever been removed as heir, which would likely have prevented a major conflict like the one currently unfolding. This is not unlike the conflict in Game of Thrones, in which there were several contenders for the Iron Throne who all had legitimate reasons and claims to rule.
Alicent Adopted Her Father’s Desire For Power
Alicent Hightower has served on the small council in King’s Landing since before King Viserys’ demise.
Many legitimate claims to the Iron Throne are based on lineage and blood. However, there are also contenders for the ruler of Westeros that do not have a claim to the Targaryen Dynasty, such as characters in Game of Thrones that were not of the Targaryen or Baratheon lines, who claimed to be better leaders than the current rulers. As is the case of Alicent Hightower, who has no claim to the throne aside from her Targaryen children but has nonetheless proven to be a fierce adversary in the current fight to maintain power in Westeros. It cannot be ignored that within the last several years of King Viserys’ rule, Alicent sat on the small council, speaking for her sick husband and making decisions in the name of the crown.
Alicent has had several great scenes in House of the Dragon that highlight how she has used her power and position as queen to control the future of the realm. Despite being raised to believe women’s role in society is restricted to domesticity and motherhood, Otto Hightower also forced his daughter to understand the politics of men to put herself in an authoritative position. In Season 2, Episode 5, “Regent,” Alicent made it clear she has every intention of ruling in place of her son if there is a cause and justification for it. Though Alicent has no claim to the Iron Throne, just as Cersei Lannister had no technical claim in Game of Thrones, she wants to ensure that there are people ruling in King’s Landing who are capable of making decisions that don’t just focus on dominance and supremacy. There’s no denying that the war between The Greens and The Blacks is not just about Aegon and Rhaenyra but is largely about Alicent’s influence in King’s Landing.
Aemond Isn’t Above Murder to Become King
The first time the audience saw Aemond contemplating murdering his brother to become king was in Season 1, Episode 9, “The Green Council.”
Alicent Hightower’s desire to maintain the status quo had dire repercussions for her own family. By pushing for her sons to be the heirs to the Iron Throne, the queen was reiterating the idea that men are naturally more intelligent and capable of ruling. This didn’t just place Aegon on the throne. It led to hostility and distrust, including both of her sons dismissing her council and experience because of her gender, despite the fact that she was the one who ensured they would inherit the Iron Throne instead of their sister. Viewers also saw this in Game of Thrones when Cersei ensured Joffrey became king but was unable to control his harmful and violent tendencies. These mothers, believing their sons are entitled to uphold the patriarchal norms of their hierarchy, backfired on them in a major way, especially when their loved ones end up being harmed due to the insistence that these men have an unquestioning claim to power.
This is reflected in the major betrayal in House of the Dragon when Aemond takes the opportunity to attack Aegon, possibly killing his dragon, Sunfyre, and nearly murdering the king to steal his throne. There were a lot of backstabbings and betrayals that happened throughout Game of Thrones, including the controversial moment Jon Snow killed Daenerys Targaryen in the finale. This theme is strong throughout the franchise and is being embraced with vigor in the current prequel. Though Aemond is occasionally seen showing compassion and love for his older brother, these familial ties do not overpower his desire to be king. While characters like Rhaenyra consider the common good of the people and the realm, such as leaders like Robb and Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones, most of the players vying for the Iron Throne care more about being the ultimate ruler than what is best for the prosperity and well-being of Westeros.
Daemon Targaryen Never Accepted Being Disinherited
Daemon was displaced as heir to the Iron Throne in favor of Rhaenyra in Season 1, Episode 1, “The Heirs of the Dragon.”
One major difference between Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon is that the multiple players vying for the Iron Throne are Targaryens by name or blood, whereas the original series featured a few different noble houses laying claim to the realm. Daemon Targaryen has been one of the most consistent contenders for the throne, insisting he’s the rightful heir to his brother’s throne. He doesn’t entirely support the patriarchal norms of his society since that would clarify that he lost his right to be king when his nephews were born. However, Daemon doesn’t support Rhaenyra, made clear by his emphasizing his belief that she is incapable of winning the war because the men of Westeros will not support a woman even if she’s the rightful heir. Regardless of his reasoning or motivations, Daemon has not hidden the fact that he’s supporting his own claim over his wife’s.
This can be compared to Stannis and Renly Baratheon claiming the Iron Throne following the widespread rumors that Cersei Lannister’s sons were ‘bastards’ and not true heirs of Robert Baratheon. Just as the Baratheon men thought they were entitled solely due to their blood relations to the previous king, Daemon believes he should never have been displaced as heir in favor of the younger Targaryen heirs. These claims based on blood, name, and suitability have complicated the relationships and the dynamic of these noble houses. Daemon may not be in open rebellion to override Rhaenyra’s claim (instead demanding they rule as a unit), just as players like Tywin Lannister didn’t openly try to displace his unfit grandson from the throne (but took charge in King’s Landing in place of Joffrey), but he’s made it abundantly clear he’s thrown his name into the hat of potential rulers of Westeros following the battle for power between the Targaryen royals.
Regardless if a viewer is hoping The Greens or The Blacks will end up on top in the finale, this war is not as simple as Aegon vs. Rhaenyra. Just as Game of Thrones had obvious heirs based on lineage but still had others laying claim to the Iron Throne, House of the Dragon has more than two nobles battling for the top seat in Westeros. By embracing this major theme in GOT, the prequel series highlights the overall point of the show: how the powerful Targaryen Dynasty ensured its own downfall.
