{"id":36230,"date":"2026-08-10T09:47:57","date_gmt":"2026-08-10T04:47:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=36230"},"modified":"2026-08-10T09:47:57","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T04:47:57","slug":"7-years-later-house-of-the-dragons-rhaenyra-story-just-repeated-gots-daenerys-mistake","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=36230","title":{"rendered":"7 Years Later, House Of The Dragon&#8217;s Rhaenyra Story Just Repeated GOT&#8217;s Daenerys Mistake"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<p><span class=\"article-alert\">Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 3, episode 8.<\/span>The <a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/db\/tv-show\/house-of-the-dragon\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>House of the Dragon<\/em><\/strong><\/a> season 3 finale pushes Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D&#8217;Arcy) into Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) territory, with some unfortunate similarities to <a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/db\/tv-show\/game-of-thrones\/\" target=\"_blank\"><em>Game of Thrones<\/em><\/a> season 8. Seven years later, Dany&#8217;s fate still casts a shadow over HBO&#8217;s Westeros franchise. Her descent into becoming the so-called Mad Queen, before being <a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/why-jon-snow-killed-daenerys-targaryen-game-of-thrones-explainer\/\" target=\"_blank\">killed by Jon Snow in the series finale<\/a>, was one of the major reasons the final episodes of <em>Thrones<\/em> sparked such a vitriolic backlash. But <em>House of the Dragon<\/em> was supposed to be different.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<p> This was a chance to learn from the <a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/game-thrones-hbo-season-8-bad-reason\/\" target=\"_blank\">mistakes that hurt <em>Game of Thrones<\/em><\/a>. There would, inevitably, be comparisons between Rhaenyra and Daenerys. After all, both are silver-haired, dragon-riding Targaryens who believe the Iron Throne is both their birthright and their destiny. I knew, thanks to George R.R. Martin&#8217;s <em>Fire &amp; Blood<\/em>, that Rhaenyra would not just be a straightforward hero, and that there&#8217;d be some major perception shifts to come, but it&#8217;s how they play out that causes the problems.<\/p>\n<p>The ending to <em>House of the Dragon<\/em> season 3 is what really sees Rhaenyra take her biggest steps to becoming the show&#8217;s de facto villain, or at least (and really, more importantly) being perceived as such. With the death of Helaena Targaryen by suicide, which comes after Rhaenyra&#8217;s cruel treatment of her (and others) in the installment, it makes it clear that she has now crossed the Rubicon, but that journey could&#8217;ve been better executed.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"rhaenyra-follows-daenerys-to-become-house-of-the-dragon-39-s-targaryen-villain\">\n                        Rhaenyra Follows Daenerys To Become House Of The Dragon&#8217;s Targaryen Villain<br \/>\n               <\/h2>\n<div class=\"body-img landscape mobile-optimized\">\n<div class=\"responsive-img  image-expandable  img-article-item\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.25%\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/rhaenyra-grabbing-baela-s-face-in-house-of-the-dragon-s-season-3-finale.jpg\" data-modal-id=\"single-image-modal\" data-modal-container-id=\"single-image-modal-container\" data-img-caption=\"&quot;Image via HBO&quot;\">\n<figure><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/rhaenyra-grabbing-baela-s-face-in-house-of-the-dragon-s-season-3-finale.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/rhaenyra-grabbing-baela-s-face-in-house-of-the-dragon-s-season-3-finale.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/rhaenyra-grabbing-baela-s-face-in-house-of-the-dragon-s-season-3-finale.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/rhaenyra-grabbing-baela-s-face-in-house-of-the-dragon-s-season-3-finale.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 1023px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/rhaenyra-grabbing-baela-s-face-in-house-of-the-dragon-s-season-3-finale.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/rhaenyra-grabbing-baela-s-face-in-house-of-the-dragon-s-season-3-finale.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/><img width=\"1650\" height=\"928\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Rhaenyra grabbing Baela's face in House of the Dragon's season 3 finale\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/rhaenyra-grabbing-baela-s-face-in-house-of-the-dragon-s-season-3-finale.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/rhaenyra-grabbing-baela-s-face-in-house-of-the-dragon-s-season-3-finale.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture><small class=\"body-img-caption\">Image via HBO<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Rhaenyra&#8217;s apparent villain turn comes via several key interactions throughout the finale. She&#8217;s callous toward Baela Targaryen, saying she should&#8217;ve abandoned her after the Battle of the Gullet, and does not care about saving Corlys Velaryon or the others at Tumbleton. Later, she attempts to send Mysaria away. But it&#8217;s the scenes with Helaena that really cement it, given she is one of the show&#8217;s most innocent and more purely &#8220;good&#8221; characters.<\/p>\n<p>Initially, she tries to play to Helaena&#8217;s concern for her unborn child, but later she becomes much more cruel about it. She has Helaena force-fed, and thus basically tortured, and at the end of the episode, when Helaena has taken her own life, she just shuts the window before it cuts to black. With Ormund killed, and Aegon having been portrayed in a more sympathetic light across season 3, the implication is clear: Rhaenyra is the show&#8217;s main villain now.<\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-vignette\">\n<div class=\"hd-quiz\">\n<p>  <canvas class=\"hd-particles\" id=\"hd-particles\"\/><\/p>\n<p>  <!-- STEP RADIOS --><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-s0\" name=\"hd-step\" checked=\"checked\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-s1\" name=\"hd-step\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-s2\" name=\"hd-step\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-s3\" name=\"hd-step\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-s4\" name=\"hd-step\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-s5\" name=\"hd-step\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-s6\" name=\"hd-step\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-s7\" name=\"hd-step\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-s8\" name=\"hd-step\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-sR\" name=\"hd-step\"\/><\/p>\n<p>  <!-- QUESTION RADIOS --><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q1a\" name=\"hd-q1\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q1b\" name=\"hd-q1\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q1c\" name=\"hd-q1\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q1d\" name=\"hd-q1\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q2a\" name=\"hd-q2\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q2b\" name=\"hd-q2\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q2c\" name=\"hd-q2\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q2d\" name=\"hd-q2\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q3a\" name=\"hd-q3\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q3b\" name=\"hd-q3\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q3c\" name=\"hd-q3\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q3d\" name=\"hd-q3\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q4a\" name=\"hd-q4\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q4b\" name=\"hd-q4\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q4c\" name=\"hd-q4\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q4d\" name=\"hd-q4\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q5a\" name=\"hd-q5\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q5b\" name=\"hd-q5\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q5c\" name=\"hd-q5\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q5d\" name=\"hd-q5\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q6a\" name=\"hd-q6\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q6b\" name=\"hd-q6\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q6c\" name=\"hd-q6\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q6d\" name=\"hd-q6\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q7a\" name=\"hd-q7\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q7b\" name=\"hd-q7\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q7c\" name=\"hd-q7\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q7d\" name=\"hd-q7\"\/><br \/>\n  <input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q8a\" name=\"hd-q8\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q8b\" name=\"hd-q8\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q8c\" name=\"hd-q8\"\/><input type=\"radio\" id=\"hd-q8d\" name=\"hd-q8\"\/><\/p>\n<p>  <!-- SCORE TRACKER --><\/p>\n<div class=\"hd-slides\">\n<p>    <!-- INTRO --><\/p>\n<section class=\"hd-slide hd-sl0\">\n<div class=\"hd-intro-box\">\n        <span class=\"hd-ep-label\">Dragonstone Archives \u00b7 The Dance Begins<\/span><br \/>\n        <span class=\"hd-main-title\">The Dance of the Dragons Awaits<\/span><br \/>\n        <span class=\"hd-crawl-sub\">\u201cThe idea that we control the dragons is an illusion.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"hd-faction-previews\">\n<p><span class=\"hd-faction-icon\">\ud83d\udc09<\/span><span class=\"hd-faction-name\" style=\"color:#c42828\">The Blacks<\/span><span class=\"hd-faction-words\">Team Rhaenyra<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"hd-faction-icon\">\ud83d\udc51<\/span><span class=\"hd-faction-name\" style=\"color:#3d9454\">The Greens<\/span><span class=\"hd-faction-words\">Team Aegon<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"hd-faction-icon\">\ud83d\udd25<\/span><span class=\"hd-faction-name\" style=\"color:#e88040\">Dragons<\/span><span class=\"hd-faction-words\">Fire &amp; Blood<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"hd-faction-icon\">\u2694<\/span><span class=\"hd-faction-name\" style=\"color:#e8c86a\">The Crown<\/span><span class=\"hd-faction-words\">Succession<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"hd-faction-icon\">\ud83d\udd2e<\/span><span class=\"hd-faction-name\" style=\"color:#a888d0\">Prophecy<\/span><span class=\"hd-faction-words\">A Song of Ice<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><label class=\"hd-btn-primary\" for=\"hd-s1\">CHOOSE YOUR SIDE \u2192<\/label><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>    <!-- Q1: Succession --><\/p>\n<section class=\"hd-slide hd-sl1\">\n<div class=\"hd-question-card\">\n<p>01<\/p>\n<p>        <span class=\"hd-question-text\">King Viserys I names his heir early in the series, defying tradition that would favor his firstborn son. Who does he name as his successor?<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<p>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-1a\" for=\"hd-q1a\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">A<\/span>Daemon Targaryen<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-1b\" for=\"hd-q1b\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">B<\/span>Aegon Targaryen<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-1c\" for=\"hd-q1c\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">C<\/span>Rhaenyra Targaryen<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-1d\" for=\"hd-q1d\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">D<\/span>Aemond Targaryen<\/label>\n      <\/p>\n<div class=\"hd-feedback\">\n<p>\u2713 Correct! Viserys named his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne after the death of his first wife, Aemma, and their infant son. He forced the lords of the realm to swear oaths of fealty to her \u2014 oaths many would later break.<\/p>\n<p>\u2717 Dracarys! The answer is Rhaenyra Targaryen. Viserys defied Westerosi precedent by naming his daughter over his brother Daemon. Even after fathering sons with Alicent Hightower, Viserys never changed his decree.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><label class=\"hd-btn-next\" for=\"hd-s2\">NEXT \u2192<\/label><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>    <!-- Q2: The Greens --><\/p>\n<section class=\"hd-slide hd-sl2\">\n<div class=\"hd-question-card\">\n<p>02<\/p>\n<p>        <span class=\"hd-question-text\">Alicent Hightower\u2019s faction is known as \u201cthe Greens.\u201d Who is her father, the cunning Hand of the King who orchestrates much of their political strategy?<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<p>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-2a\" for=\"hd-q2a\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">A<\/span>Corlys Velaryon<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-2b\" for=\"hd-q2b\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">B<\/span>Otto Hightower<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-2c\" for=\"hd-q2c\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">C<\/span>Lyonel Strong<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-2d\" for=\"hd-q2d\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">D<\/span>Tyland Lannister<\/label>\n      <\/p>\n<div class=\"hd-feedback\">\n<p>\u2713 Correct! Otto Hightower served as Hand of the King and was the mastermind behind the Green faction. He strategically positioned his daughter Alicent to marry Viserys, and spent decades maneuvering to place Alicent\u2019s son Aegon on the throne.<\/p>\n<p>\u2717 Dracarys! The answer is Otto Hightower. He served as Hand to both Jaehaerys I and Viserys I, and engineered the marriage between Alicent and the King. Corlys Velaryon sided with the Blacks, and Lyonel Strong served as Hand before Otto\u2019s return.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><label class=\"hd-btn-next\" for=\"hd-s3\">NEXT \u2192<\/label><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>    <!-- Q3: Dragons --><\/p>\n<section class=\"hd-slide hd-sl3\">\n<div class=\"hd-question-card\">\n<p>03<\/p>\n<p>        <span class=\"hd-question-text\">Daemon Targaryen rides a fierce, battle-scarred dragon known for its Blood Wyrm nickname. What is the name of his fearsome mount?<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<p>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-3a\" for=\"hd-q3a\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">A<\/span>Syrax<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-3b\" for=\"hd-q3b\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">B<\/span>Vhagar<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-3c\" for=\"hd-q3c\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">C<\/span>Meleys<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-3d\" for=\"hd-q3d\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">D<\/span>Caraxes<\/label>\n      <\/p>\n<div class=\"hd-feedback\">\n<p>\u2713 Correct! Caraxes, known as \u201cthe Blood Wyrm,\u201d is Daemon\u2019s dragon \u2014 a lean, red, battle-scarred beast. While Vhagar is the largest and oldest dragon alive, Caraxes is the most experienced in combat and fiercely loyal to Daemon.<\/p>\n<p>\u2717 Dracarys! The answer is Caraxes. Syrax is Rhaenyra\u2019s dragon, Vhagar is the oldest dragon (ridden by Aemond), and Meleys \u201cthe Red Queen\u201d is Rhaenys\u2019s mount. Caraxes the Blood Wyrm is Daemon\u2019s partner in the skies.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><label class=\"hd-btn-next\" for=\"hd-s4\">NEXT \u2192<\/label><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>    <!-- Q4: Rhaenys --><\/p>\n<section class=\"hd-slide hd-sl4\">\n<div class=\"hd-question-card\">\n<p>04<\/p>\n<p>        <span class=\"hd-question-text\">Princess Rhaenys Targaryen is known by a nickname reflecting the fact she was passed over for the throne in favor of Viserys. What is she called?<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<p>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-4a\" for=\"hd-q4a\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">A<\/span>The Queen Who Never Was<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-4b\" for=\"hd-q4b\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">B<\/span>The Dragon Queen<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-4c\" for=\"hd-q4c\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">C<\/span>The Realm\u2019s Delight<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-4d\" for=\"hd-q4d\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">D<\/span>The Black Queen<\/label>\n      <\/p>\n<div class=\"hd-feedback\">\n<p>\u2713 Correct! Rhaenys was dubbed \u201cThe Queen Who Never Was\u201d after the Great Council of 101 AC chose Viserys over her, despite her strong claim. Married to Corlys Velaryon, she became one of the most formidable figures in the Dance, riding Meleys the Red Queen.<\/p>\n<p>\u2717 Dracarys! The answer is The Queen Who Never Was. \u201cThe Realm\u2019s Delight\u201d is actually young Rhaenyra\u2019s nickname. Rhaenys earned her title when the lords of the realm chose Viserys over her at the Great Council, setting the precedent that later fueled the Dance.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><label class=\"hd-btn-next\" for=\"hd-s5\">NEXT \u2192<\/label><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>    <!-- Q5: Vhagar --><\/p>\n<section class=\"hd-slide hd-sl5\">\n<div class=\"hd-question-card\">\n<p>05<\/p>\n<p>        <span class=\"hd-question-text\">Vhagar is the largest living dragon during the Dance. Which Targaryen prince claims her \u2014 dramatically shifting the balance of power to the Greens?<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<p>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-5a\" for=\"hd-q5a\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">A<\/span>Aegon II Targaryen<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-5b\" for=\"hd-q5b\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">B<\/span>Jacaerys Velaryon<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-5c\" for=\"hd-q5c\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">C<\/span>Aemond Targaryen<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-5d\" for=\"hd-q5d\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">D<\/span>Daeron Targaryen<\/label>\n      <\/p>\n<div class=\"hd-feedback\">\n<p>\u2713 Correct! Aemond Targaryen claimed Vhagar at Driftmark after the funeral of Laena Velaryon \u2014 Vhagar\u2019s previous rider. This bold act gave the Greens their most devastating weapon and sparked the confrontation that cost Aemond his eye.<\/p>\n<p>\u2717 Dracarys! The answer is Aemond Targaryen. Aegon II rides Sunfyre, Jacaerys rides Vermax, and Daeron rides Tessarion. Aemond\u2019s daring claim of Vhagar at Driftmark was a pivotal moment that made him the Greens\u2019 most dangerous warrior.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><label class=\"hd-btn-next\" for=\"hd-s6\">NEXT \u2192<\/label><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>    <!-- Q6: Prophecy --><\/p>\n<section class=\"hd-slide hd-sl6\">\n<div class=\"hd-question-card\">\n<p>06<\/p>\n<p>        <span class=\"hd-question-text\">Viserys shares a secret Targaryen prophecy with Rhaenyra about a threat from the North and a promised prince. What is this prophecy called?<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<p>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-6a\" for=\"hd-q6a\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">A<\/span>The Prince That Was Promised<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-6b\" for=\"hd-q6b\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">B<\/span>A Song of Ice and Fire<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-6c\" for=\"hd-q6c\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">C<\/span>The Long Night Prophecy<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-6d\" for=\"hd-q6d\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">D<\/span>Aegon\u2019s Conquest<\/label>\n      <\/p>\n<div class=\"hd-feedback\">\n<p>\u2713 Correct! Aegon the Conqueror had a prophetic dream he called \u201cA Song of Ice and Fire\u201d \u2014 a vision of a terrible winter coming from the North that would destroy the world of the living. This secret was passed from king to heir, and Viserys shared it with Rhaenyra on the night he named her heir.<\/p>\n<p>\u2717 Dracarys! The answer is A Song of Ice and Fire. Aegon the Conqueror\u2019s dream foretold a great threat from the North requiring a Targaryen on the Iron Throne to unite the realm. Viserys revealed this to Rhaenyra, connecting House of the Dragon directly to the events of Game of Thrones.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><label class=\"hd-btn-next\" for=\"hd-s7\">NEXT \u2192<\/label><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>    <!-- Q7: Velaryon --><\/p>\n<section class=\"hd-slide hd-sl7\">\n<div class=\"hd-question-card\">\n<p>07<\/p>\n<p>        <span class=\"hd-question-text\">Corlys Velaryon is one of the richest and most powerful men in Westeros, famous for his legendary voyages. What is his well-known title?<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<p>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-7a\" for=\"hd-q7a\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">A<\/span>The Master of Ships<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-7b\" for=\"hd-q7b\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">B<\/span>The Lord of Tides<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-7c\" for=\"hd-q7c\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">C<\/span>The Kraken<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-7d\" for=\"hd-q7d\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">D<\/span>The Sea Snake<\/label>\n      <\/p>\n<div class=\"hd-feedback\">\n<p>\u2713 Correct! Corlys Velaryon earned the name \u201cThe Sea Snake\u201d through his legendary nine voyages across the known world aboard his ship. He amassed a fortune that made House Velaryon wealthier than even the Lannisters, and his naval power proved crucial in the Dance.<\/p>\n<p>\u2717 Dracarys! The answer is The Sea Snake. While Corlys did serve on the Small Council, his legendary title comes from his nine great voyages. \u201cLord of the Tides\u201d is the formal title of the head of House Velaryon, but \u201cThe Sea Snake\u201d is his personal epithet.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><label class=\"hd-btn-next\" for=\"hd-s8\">NEXT \u2192<\/label><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>    <!-- Q8: Tragedy --><\/p>\n<section class=\"hd-slide hd-sl8\">\n<div class=\"hd-question-card\">\n<p>08<\/p>\n<p>        <span class=\"hd-question-text\">The Season 1 finale ends with a devastating loss for Rhaenyra when one of her sons is killed in a dragonback confrontation. Which son does she lose, and who kills him?<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<p>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-8a\" for=\"hd-q8a\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">A<\/span>Lucerys, killed by Aemond and Vhagar<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-8b\" for=\"hd-q8b\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">B<\/span>Jacaerys, killed by Aegon and Sunfyre<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-8c\" for=\"hd-q8c\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">C<\/span>Joffrey, killed by Daeron and Tessarion<\/label><br \/>\n        <label class=\"hd-option-btn hd-opt-8d\" for=\"hd-q8d\"><span class=\"hd-option-letter\">D<\/span>Lucerys, killed by Daemon and Caraxes<\/label>\n      <\/p>\n<div class=\"hd-feedback\">\n<p>\u2713 Correct! Lucerys Velaryon, riding his young dragon Arrax, was pursued and killed by Aemond on the colossal Vhagar above Shipbreaker Bay near Storm\u2019s End. The show portrays this as partly accidental \u2014 Vhagar acted on her own \u2014 but the result ignited the Dance of the Dragons into open war.<\/p>\n<p>\u2717 Dracarys! The answer is Lucerys, killed by Aemond and Vhagar. Luke was sent as an envoy to Storm\u2019s End but was confronted by Aemond. The massive Vhagar devoured young Arrax and his rider above Shipbreaker Bay \u2014 the act that turned a succession dispute into a full-scale civil war.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><label class=\"hd-btn-next\" for=\"hd-sR\">REVEAL MY SCORE \u2192<\/label><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<p>    <!-- RESULTS --><\/p>\n<section class=\"hd-slide hd-slR\">\n<p>\n        <span class=\"hd-result-label\">Dragonstone Archives \u00b7 Sealed by Fire<\/span><br \/>\n        <span class=\"hd-result-title\">Your Dragon Rider Record<\/span>\n      <\/p>\n<div class=\"hd-score-box\">\n        <span class=\"hd-score-icon\">\ud83d\udc09<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\n          <span class=\"hd-score-num\"\/><span class=\"hd-score-of\"> \/ 8<\/span>\n        <\/p>\n<p>        <span class=\"hd-score-msg\">Did you ride to glory \u2014 or fall from the sky?<\/span>\n      <\/div>\n<p><label class=\"hd-btn-restart\" for=\"hd-s0\">\u21bb DANCE AGAIN<\/label><\/p>\n<\/section><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>The specifics are different, but some of the methodology here is out of the same playbook as Daenerys&#8217; arc. They&#8217;re two people who have been transformed by extreme losses and grief, which has given way to fear and paranoia even with those closest to them. At the same time, though, they&#8217;re confident in their approach because of a belief in their destiny and divinity, both for the Iron Throne and (to varying degrees) to be <a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/who-was-the-prince-that-was-promised\/\" target=\"_blank\">the Prince That Was Promised<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"rhaenyra-39-s-turn-has-the-same-problem-as-daenerys-39-game-of-thrones-ending\">\n                        Rhaenyra&#8217;s Turn Has The Same Problem As Daenerys&#8217; Game Of Thrones Ending<br \/>\n               <\/h2>\n<div class=\"body-img landscape mobile-optimized\">\n<div class=\"responsive-img  image-expandable  img-article-item\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.25%\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/game-of-thrones_qqgcq4-1.jpg\" data-modal-id=\"single-image-modal\" data-modal-container-id=\"single-image-modal-container\" data-img-caption=\"&quot;Credit: MovieStillsDB&quot;\">\n<figure><picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/game-of-thrones_qqgcq4-1.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/game-of-thrones_qqgcq4-1.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/game-of-thrones_qqgcq4-1.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/game-of-thrones_qqgcq4-1.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 1023px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/game-of-thrones_qqgcq4-1.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/game-of-thrones_qqgcq4-1.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/><img width=\"1650\" height=\"928\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) looking furious in Game of Thrones.\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/game-of-thrones_qqgcq4-1.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/game-of-thrones_qqgcq4-1.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture><small class=\"body-img-caption\">Credit: MovieStillsDB<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>There is not an inherent problem with Rhaenyra becoming a villain, just like there wasn&#8217;t with Daenerys. Sure, there will be some who refuse to accept it no matter what, but it is an interesting arc and, in <em>House of the Dragon<\/em>&#8216;s case, one that was expected. In the book, where Rhaenyra is presented in a far more negative light due to the biases of those writing the story, she is a lot less likable and sympathetic anyway, but even still the people of King&#8217;s Landing do eventually turn against her.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s been coming, and a lot of the storyline has worked, but the problem is how fast things just progressed. The show has done a good job of showing both her paranoia, disorientation, and increasing God complex across the past couple of seasons, but now that it&#8217;s arrived at the season 3 finale, it&#8217;s jumped ahead. I feel like I&#8217;ve missed a couple of episodes that would&#8217;ve properly bridged things from episode 7, where she&#8217;s at least keeping up a pretense with Helaena and having sex with Mysaria, to now where she&#8217;s being monstrously cruel and sending her lover away.<\/p>\n<p>It isn&#8217;t that it&#8217;s completely out of character &#8211; this is the arc that has been building, and Helaena&#8217;s comments about the things Rhaenyra loves being ugly make sense &#8211; but it&#8217;s as though instead of following the path they were laying out, the writers decided to jump several steps ahead. That is, really, the crux of the problem with Daenerys&#8217; story as well: it was never that her turn was the wrong decision or that there was no set-up for it, but it needed more time for it to land and feel like it was fully earned, and so audiences could understand it properly.<\/p>\n<p>What&#8217;s particularly frustrating in this case is that it had laid some strong foundations, but then decided to build a house out of cardboard. Something like season 3, episode 3 is a perfect example: for me, this is one of the strongest episodes of the entire series, and at that point the insight into Rhaenyra&#8217;s psyche suggested that we&#8217;d get much more depth into what promised to be a very patient, developed progression to her more villainous turn. While things mounted up, so no one can say this is surprising, it hasn&#8217;t done enough to make this shift not abrupt.<\/p>\n<p>    <!-- No AdsNinja v10 Client! --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"there-39-s-still-time-for-house-of-the-dragon-to-fix-its-rhaenyra-problem\">\n                        There&#8217;s Still Time For House Of The Dragon To Fix Its Rhaenyra Problem<br \/>\n               <\/h2>\n<div class=\"body-img landscape mobile-optimized\">\n<div class=\"responsive-img  image-expandable  img-article-item\" style=\"padding-bottom:56.25%\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/rhaenyra-holding-her-crown.jpg\" data-modal-id=\"single-image-modal\" data-modal-container-id=\"single-image-modal-container\" data-img-caption=\"&quot;&quot;\">\n                                                                                            <picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/rhaenyra-holding-her-crown.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/rhaenyra-holding-her-crown.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=500&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/rhaenyra-holding-her-crown.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/rhaenyra-holding-her-crown.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=800&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 1023px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/rhaenyra-holding-her-crown.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/rhaenyra-holding-her-crown.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/><img width=\"1650\" height=\"928\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Rhaenyra holding her crown\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/rhaenyra-holding-her-crown.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/rhaenyra-holding-her-crown.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=825&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Fortunately,<em> House of the Dragon<\/em> does still have time on its side, something that <em>Game of Thrones<\/em> didn&#8217;t have. <a href=\"https:\/\/screenrant.com\/game-thrones-daenerys-kings-landing-reason-why-explained\/\" target=\"_blank\">Daenerys burned King&#8217;s Landing<\/a> in the penultimate episode of the show, whereas there is still an entire fourth season to come to add to Rhaenyra&#8217;s story.<\/p>\n<p>Again, there is plenty of good here. Before the finale, I&#8217;d thought they were largely doing a solid job with the character, albeit more so in the earlier episodes of the season, which as a whole was more assured. Emma D&#8217;Arcy, it must be said, has done truly stunning work with the character, but it&#8217;s simply a case that the pacing has caught up with things.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"w-promotion-offer promo-article-content-3\/4-depth w-promotion-widget\" data-popup=\"false\" data-sentinel-tracking=\"false\" data-promotion-zone=\"TmV3c2xldHRlciBBcnRpY2xlIENvbnRlbnQgV2lkZ2V0\" data-nosnippet=\"\">\n                                        <link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/assets\/promotions.099cca01.css\"\/>\n<\/aside>\n<p>This is partially due to how it&#8217;s been structured: <em>House of the Dragon<\/em> season 3&#8217;s first two episodes were, in effect, the real ending of season 2, which means that the &#8220;true&#8221; third season has only been six episodes. It&#8217;s expected that season 4 will again have eight episodes, which itself doesn&#8217;t sound like enough to end this story, but it can still do a lot with Rhaenyra&#8217;s arc.<\/p>\n<p>It needs to again take us inside her head as much as possible, and to really examine &#8211; both from her more internal perspective, and from an external one &#8211; her actions and motivations. How does she feel about Helaena&#8217;s death? What does it do to her and Alicent&#8217;s relationship? Does she care about anything beyond winning this war? There&#8217;s lots to explore with her, and it can all go into better contextualizing these final moments, but it&#8217;s also the last chance to get it right and avoid her fate being seen in the exact same way as Daenerys&#8217; was.<\/p>\n<p><strong>All three seasons of <em>House of the Dragon<\/em> are now streaming in full on HBO Max.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"display-card type-screen large\" data-show-streamrentbuy-links=\"true\" data-include-community-rating=\"true\" id=\"2fa0-4b79-981a43b7ef1b\">\n<div class=\"display-card-main-content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"display-card-main-content\">\n<div class=\"display-card-content image-column\">\n<p>                        <!--    Rating block community and brand ratings --><br \/>\n                        <!--  Image --><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-img  has-image-group\" data-stnl=\"%7B%22category%22%3A%22Click%20Interactions%22%2C%22name%22%3A%22Tag%20Display%20Card%22%2C%22action%22%3A%22Fullscreen%20Image%20Load%22%2C%22once%22%3Atrue%7D\" data-stnl-group-once=\"Seb4RQOhCI\">\n<div class=\"body-img portrait \">\n<div class=\"responsive-img  img-article-square\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/sharedimages\/2026\/06\/house-of-the-dragon-poster.jpg\" data-modal-id=\"single-image-modal\" data-modal-container-id=\"single-image-modal-container\" data-img-caption=\"&quot;&quot;\">\n                                                                                                                                                            <picture><source media=\"(max-width: 480px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/sharedimages\/2026\/06\/house-of-the-dragon-poster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=300&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/sharedimages\/2026\/06\/house-of-the-dragon-poster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=300&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/sharedimages\/2026\/06\/house-of-the-dragon-poster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=400&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/sharedimages\/2026\/06\/house-of-the-dragon-poster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=400&amp;dpr=2\"\/><source media=\"(max-width: 1023px)\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/sharedimages\/2026\/06\/house-of-the-dragon-poster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=320&amp;dpr=2\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/sharedimages\/2026\/06\/house-of-the-dragon-poster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=320&amp;dpr=2\"\/><img width=\"960\" height=\"1440\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"house-of-the-dragon-poster.jpg\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/sharedimages\/2026\/06\/house-of-the-dragon-poster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=480&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/sharedimages\/2026\/06\/house-of-the-dragon-poster.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=contain&amp;w=480&amp;dpr=2\"\/>\n        <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>                        <!-- User Rating widget --><\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"display-card-content info-column\">\n                                                                                                                            <!--  Display card tags widget --><\/p>\n<p>                                                <!--  Display card community and brand rating widget --><br \/>\n                                                                <!--  Display card main info widget --><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-info main-info\">\n<dl>\n<p><dt>\n                                            <strong>Release Date<\/strong>\n                                        <\/dt>\n<dd>\n                                            <span><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAugust 21, 2022<br \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n                                        <\/dd>\n<\/p>\n<p><dt>\n                                            <strong>Network<\/strong>\n                                        <\/dt>\n<dd>\n                                            <span><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHBO<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/span>\n                                        <\/dd>\n<\/p>\n<p><dt>\n                                            <strong>Directors<\/strong>\n                                        <\/dt>\n<dd>\n                                            <span><\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tClare Kilner, Geeta Patel<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/span>\n                                        <\/dd>\n<\/p>\n<\/dl><\/div>\n<p>                                        <!--  Display card main info widget end --><\/p>\n<p>                    <!--  Display card media widget start --><\/p>\n<p>                                        <!--  Display card media widget end --><\/p>\n<p>                    <!-- Cast widget start --><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-display-card-cast\">\n<ul class=\"cast-tab-list\">\n<li class=\"cast-tab full-width\">\n                                                                                <img width=\"100\" height=\"130\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Headshot Of Matt Smith In The UK premiere of Sky series 'House of the Dragon'\" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/instar53838673.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=50&amp;h=65&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/instar53838673.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=50&amp;h=65&amp;dpr=2\"\/><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"cast-tab full-width\">\n                                                                                <img width=\"100\" height=\"130\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Headshot Of Fabien Frankel In The World premiere of \u2018House Of The Dragon\u2019 \" data-img-url=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/instar53816215.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=50&amp;h=65&amp;dpr=2\" src=\"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/instar53816215.jpg?q=49&amp;fit=crop&amp;w=50&amp;h=65&amp;dpr=2\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"w-cast-info flex\">\n<p>Fabien Frankel<\/p>\n<p>\n                                                    Ser Criston Cole\n                                                <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p>                                        <!-- Cast widget end --><\/p>\n<p>                    <!-- Where to watch button preview --><\/p>\n<p>                    <!-- Where to watch preview end --><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>            <!-- Extra content section, display hidden by default --><br \/>\n            <input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"extra-content-2fa0-4b79-981a43b7ef1b\" name=\"extra-content-2fa0-4b79-981a43b7ef1b\" class=\"expand-extra-info-checkbox css-menu-checkbox\"\/> <!-- Checkbox: control the expandable behavior  of the extra info --><\/p>\n<p>            <!-- Display card footer --><\/p>\n<p>            <!-- PROS and CONS section --><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 3, episode 8.The House of the Dragon season 3 finale pushes Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D&#8217;Arcy) into Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) territory, with some unfortunate similarities to Game of Thrones season 8. Seven years later, Dany&#8217;s fate still casts a shadow over HBO&#8217;s Westeros franchise&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":36231,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/static0.srcdn.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/rhaenyra-targaryen-emma-d-arcy-crying-in-the-house-of-the-dragon-season-3-finale.jpg?w=1600&h=900&fit=crop","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[19],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-36230","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-newsweek-trending"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36230","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=36230"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36230\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/36231"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=36230"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=36230"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=36230"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}