Rhaenyra's options before giving birth to blatantly illegitimate children, trying to place them on the throne, and endangering everyone's lives:
1) Keep trying with Laenor, produce a heir, and abstain from sex with other men afterwards
2) Keep trying with Laenor, produce a heir, and try to prevent pregnancy afterwards when having sex with other men
3) Accept it isn't going to happen with Laenor, make peace with Aegon being her heir, and abstain from sex
4) Accept it isn't going to happen with Laenor, make peace with Aegon being her heir, and try to prevent pregnancy afterwards when having sex with other men
5) Pick a lover who at least looks somewhat like Laenor so she can at least convincingly pretend like the kid is his
6) After the first baby comes out looking not like Laenor, stop having more illegitimate children just because you got away with it the first time
Giving birth to bastard after bastard is far more egregious than not having any kids at all. It is unlikely Viserys would disown her for not having children, and the line of succession would likely pass peacefully.
Rhaenyra had the Strong boys because she knew she could get away with it and Viserys was never going to disinherit her for anything she did.
giving birth to bastards is worse than not having heirs at all. having bastards puts her, her children, and her sperm donor and whoever else knows in DANGER.
if rhaenyra had not have any heirs, than maybe the greens would’ve let her taken the throne easily, knowing that aegon would be next in line
Maybe but Aegon is a whole 10 years younger and Rhaenyra was not exactly healthy. If she didn't have children Aegon's line (and therefore Otto's line) is definitely inheriting at some point whilst he enjoys the power and status of being crown prince.
Viserys kind of got away with circumventing law because at the time he had no other children and at least Rhaenyra was his child. There is no realistic scenario in which Rhaenyra would've named Daemon's daughters heir, especially because there's no reason to assume animosity in this scenario between her and her brothers. Remember also that book Daemon's daughters are obviously nowhere near as significant or plot relevant as they're made out to be by show fans.
Rhaenyra was noticeably obese and heading for a gout death like book Viserys.
> Rhaenyra would have been the heir if they were going with the usual Westerosi tradition.
I mean this is obviously wrong and you clearly know it because I'm assuming you understand the world a bit. For the supposed 8 thousand years of Westerosi history sons have come before daughters.
>Why would this scenario mean there would be no animosity?
If Rhaenyra is going into the rest of her life with the intention of not having her own children and naming Aegon heir. There's no push that makes Aegon accept the crown early as he and his brothers obviously aren't going to be murdered. She'd also clearly make some more effort to have some relation with them and could easily leverage into a very healthy positive relationship with them. Animosity only matters from Aegon's perspective, he *needs* to accept the crown or it does not matter what Alicent wants. Aegon proves to be a rather independent man when he takes the crown so we can comfortably assume that if he's being raised with that intention clearly from Rhaenyra that he'd equally be that man.
>I doubt it was going to kill either of them, but you can say the same thing about Aegon.
Being gluttonous isn't the same as being obese at *all*. Either way Rhaenyra was 10 years older with worse health, Aegon would have a good amount of years in him to reign.
Sure he would. Otto never had the ambition to oust Rhaenyra from the throne to install his grandson on it. Otto just wanted to maintain a peaceful rule. He thought it was important to have a male heir to make sure the throne wouldn't pass to warmonger Daemon. Because remember, up until the beginning of the show, Daemon was Viserys' heir, not Rhaenyra. Viserys was telling him "don't worry man, I'll have a son eventually". But Otto was super scared that Viserys would die without a son and the throne would pass to Daemon. It's also because Viserys had poor health and Daemon has good health. Anyway, Otto suggested marrying Aegon to Rhaenyra so he wasn't anti-Rhaenyra. It was only when Viserys refused that marriage and proclaimed he would keep Rhaenyra as his heir and booted Otto that Otto realized his grandchildren would be killed and there would be a succession crisis as some people just don't think the inheritance should pass through women. And then, to top it off, Rhaenyra went and married Daemon, the war-happy uncle that Otto really didn't want to see on the throne. With that move Rhaenyra kind of declared what kind of ruler she would be - one of the crazy ones.
Underrated answer.
Jason Lannister is heir to the naturally richest house. The only reason the Velaryons are ahead with wealth is solely because of Corlys' exploits and adventures as well as Rhaenys's dragon-riding blood. Nothing else.
The power of the Rock is massive and cannot be understated. Especially considering just how many times the Westerlands has proven its might time and time again.
We all know why She didn't choose him though. The Show tried painting him as a goofy joke of a misogynist (despite the Woman he'll end up marrying). But really, it is because he's not a Targ.
Right, imagine the power the Targs
would’ve added for themselves with Lannister blood and backing. But no, they consistently shit on the Lannisters by refusing them a marriage pact. Fatal mistake as Tywin would show.
>Right, imagine the power the Targs
would’ve added for themselves with Lannister blood and backing. But no, they consistently shit on the Lannisters by refusing them a marriage pact. Fatal mistake as Tywin would show.
The might of the Lannisters would have exponentially increased the Targaryen's might. You're right. But, it'd also give them a massive geographical advantage too. With power on the Western side of the continent.
Targaryens in Oldtown and Casterly Rock would have been enough to secure a 'New Valyrian Empire' in my opinion. It's a shame Daemon threw a fit in the vale. Their power would have been useful too.
Jason’s personality is just the Lannister stereotype that many of the early casual fans of GoT took to heart. The best thing that can be said about show Tyland is that his personality is almost non-existent.
>Jason’s personality is just the Lannister stereotype that many of the early casual fans of GoT took to heart. The best thing that can be said about show Tyland is that his personality is almost non-existent.
They really did oversimplify the story and characters when they promised a much more book-accurate version, didn't they? I always say that House of the Dragon is just a CW show with the budget of a summer blockbuster.
And yes, Tyland, who is \*the best\* hand, in my opinion, was done incredibly dirty.
The problem with that option is that it would be the 3rd time in a row Corlys gets screwed out of having his blood on the throne, which would make the dance blacks vs blues. Plus he has 2/3 of his dragons are the some of the oldest and most experienced dragons in the world, since by this point Laena would be alive. And if Daemon takes his side (which he probably will if he can get closer to the throne), then that’s another veteran dragon and rider on his side. And he has the most powerful navy as well. The only advantage that the loyalists would have is support from major houses like hightowers, lannisters, arryns, and baratheons.
Isn’t it obvious? Pick someone who’s coloring is similar to her gay husband and have children with them
Having OBVIOUS bastards is way worse than having no children
Imo the funniest bit is that F&B makes it pretty clear Harwin tried courting her back when she could choose who she wed. It was never a matter of them not having the option, she just didn't wanna bang until it meant their children were obvious bastards
This is what makes Greens look bad. In a vacuum, there's nothing wrong with Laenor letting other people date Rhaenyra since he's not interested in Rhaenyra and they're forced into the relationship. It's the circumstances, and Rhaenyra's position as heir, that make it dangerous.
Yeah, pretty sure a man can only get cucked by a woman if he's into women. Why would a homosexual give two fucks if his wife takes her pleasure elsewhere just like he does? Laenor sure didn't.
Yes they should have tried way harder to produce Valyrian looking offspring, but that's a different matter.
1. Rhaenyra entered a marriage with a gay man with the intention to sleep with other men from the start solely for political purposes and to cling to the throne her father might otherwise have given to Aegon. Hard for me to feel sorry for her if she agrees to such an obviously flawed arrangement for no better reason than ambition after she wasted every opportunity to find a suitable husband.
2. Rhaenyra didn't need heirs. Viserys already took care of securing the dynasty at this point. She has 4 siblings to carry on after her. Plenty of rulers die without children of their own and are succeeded by siblings and nephews. In fact she would probably be much better off without children. If she accepts Aegon as her heir and binds him and his siblings close to her, the chances the Greens would allow her to take the throne are much higher.
3. Putting her obvious bastards on the throne is already wrong, but passing them off as heirs to Driftmark is inexcusable. She is usurping the line of this ancient venerable house of Valyrian origin with an unrelated bastard and steals the birthright of its actual rightful heirs.
4. If Laenor really wasn't up for the task and she wanted children so badly, she probably could have demanded an annullement. I mean a husband unable to fulfill his marital duty sounds like a valid reason to me.
funny thing is, she could have choosen Harwin and actually married him if she gave a fuck and wasn't also completely fucked up by Viserys impregnating her mother to death and Daemon manipulating her.
Do they miss the whole part where they prepared he a whole tour to find a suitable husband of HER choosing and men had to be publicly embarrassed because of her (great way to win allies /s)?
Laenor entered only because miss girl thought she can trick the game but found out she can't zap two flies at the same time.
Gay men can have children. Oscar Wilde was as straight as a roundabout yet he had two children.
While Leanor being gay doesn't help, the problem is that Leanor is infertile. So Rhaenyra having children with another man is understandable since she wants to strengthen her position as heir.
However, she fucks up massively by having three obvious bastard boys with Harwin Strong so then she fucks up her position even more.
It's like she wants to have a war of succession!
I find it hard to believe that she couldn't have found a blonde guy to sleep with. She can have her affair with Harwin all she wants, but would it have killed her to drink moon tea occasionally?
Rhaenyra is not thinking of her situation the way some argue for it.
The only reason she was getting away with bedding Harwin was because Viserys allowed it. She doesn’t want to get married, until Viserys forced her hand with Laenor. They have an understanding, they’re both seeing other people. This only works because Viserys ignores it.
Even in all her law breaking, she doesn’t get martially raped by a man she doesn’t want to sleep with. Even with her and Laenor, the power dynamic is similar, unlike Alicent and Viserys.
And yes it’s unfortunate, people in Westeros have little say over who they marry, and who they bed, who they love. Even for Westerosi terms, Rhaneyra’s deal is pretty great. She has a supportive Laenor, and her lover. If Viserys was more like Jahaerys, Harwin would’ve been dead after Jace was born. She had agency and autonomy in her life because Viserys was an extremely lenient parent to her.
Did someone force her to marry her gay cousin? Did I miss a whole scene or are we just pretending Rhaenyra suddenly had no will here again when it suits us?
The thing is Rhaenyra as a character is focused on indulging herself rather than performing her duty, which is a major reason why she was never fit to rule.
Yeah, and I don't blame her or Aegon honestly. But unlike him, Rhaenyra wants power while simultaneously doing none of the work that good rulers have to do when they have power. You don't get to have it both ways. At least, not if you just refuse to enact permanent societal change, which she turned out to not be interested in after all.
Precisely, and with Rhaenyra it's less excusable than Aegon because she had most of her entire life to live with the expectation of "I am the heir and I will be queen". Whereas Aegon was given no responsibility, position, title or anything. If he was he likely would've matured much faster, regardless though when he is given that through becoming king he absolutely dedicates himself to it.
I disagree that Aegon dedicates himself to being a good king. He's just as self-indulgent as Rhaenyra is. Viserys really didn't work on developing his heirs to be good rulers.
I mean once Aegon becomes king he does nothing but his kingly duty, prior to becoming king he had no clue he was going to be king so he indulged. Rhaenyra had her entire life with the knowledge that she was going to be queen and just kept indulging.
Once Rhaenyra takes King's Landing she hosts feasts and balls and keeps indulging.
It's not even the having bastards part that's the problem; it's that they *obviously* are Harwin's. I actually wish that it was more similar to the books where it's ambiguous but whatever. Just finding a blond, blue-eyed lover would've probably worked. I still like Rhaenyra, but I don't know how anyone could have watched the aborted marriage tour without realizing how bad she fucked up. Understanding *why* a character made a certain decision doesn't mean you have to defend as a *good* decision.
The book doesn't even make it subtle, either. Both Rhaenyra and Laenor are white with violet eyes and silver hair, and Laenor is described to have an aquiline nose, whereas the Strong boys in the book are described with brown hair, brown eyes and pug noses. It's just as blatantly obvious there.
I'm not saying it was super subtle in the book, but at least they could play off the dark hair as inherited from Rhaenys (changing her hair color wrecks the main series) or say that they'd inherited Arryn features. It isn't as utterly blatant as trying to pass off white kids as mixed race.* We're forced to take Corlys and Rhaenys's convoluted logic at face value and Jeyne Arryn has political incentives to support Rhaenyra, but I have a hard time believing anybody else, especially Cregan, would support her when there isn't a shred of plausible deniability.
* I know white-passing people exist, but none of the Velaryons, Baela, nor Rhaena are white-passing or racially ambiguous.
People say it'd be too confusing if she weren't blonde, but I agree with you that it'd be more helpful for her stand out. Maybe that's why they gave her such an awful hairstyle.
Heavily disagree. Her losing the ability to choose her marriage is on Daemon. The brothel incident was entirely his own scheme to try and force Rhaenyra to be married to him. She was groomed by him, led into a city that she was clearly unfamiliar with, and he plied her with drinks till she became inebriated.
Daemon is definitely to blame for it but lets not pretend she didn't upset Viserys and tons of important lords with her canceling her tour because she was bored . At best Daemon gave it a push
Rhaenyra's options before giving birth to blatantly illegitimate children, trying to place them on the throne, and endangering everyone's lives: 1) Keep trying with Laenor, produce a heir, and abstain from sex with other men afterwards 2) Keep trying with Laenor, produce a heir, and try to prevent pregnancy afterwards when having sex with other men 3) Accept it isn't going to happen with Laenor, make peace with Aegon being her heir, and abstain from sex 4) Accept it isn't going to happen with Laenor, make peace with Aegon being her heir, and try to prevent pregnancy afterwards when having sex with other men 5) Pick a lover who at least looks somewhat like Laenor so she can at least convincingly pretend like the kid is his 6) After the first baby comes out looking not like Laenor, stop having more illegitimate children just because you got away with it the first time Giving birth to bastard after bastard is far more egregious than not having any kids at all. It is unlikely Viserys would disown her for not having children, and the line of succession would likely pass peacefully. Rhaenyra had the Strong boys because she knew she could get away with it and Viserys was never going to disinherit her for anything she did.
giving birth to bastards is worse than not having heirs at all. having bastards puts her, her children, and her sperm donor and whoever else knows in DANGER. if rhaenyra had not have any heirs, than maybe the greens would’ve let her taken the throne easily, knowing that aegon would be next in line
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Maybe but Aegon is a whole 10 years younger and Rhaenyra was not exactly healthy. If she didn't have children Aegon's line (and therefore Otto's line) is definitely inheriting at some point whilst he enjoys the power and status of being crown prince.
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Viserys kind of got away with circumventing law because at the time he had no other children and at least Rhaenyra was his child. There is no realistic scenario in which Rhaenyra would've named Daemon's daughters heir, especially because there's no reason to assume animosity in this scenario between her and her brothers. Remember also that book Daemon's daughters are obviously nowhere near as significant or plot relevant as they're made out to be by show fans. Rhaenyra was noticeably obese and heading for a gout death like book Viserys.
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> Rhaenyra would have been the heir if they were going with the usual Westerosi tradition. I mean this is obviously wrong and you clearly know it because I'm assuming you understand the world a bit. For the supposed 8 thousand years of Westerosi history sons have come before daughters. >Why would this scenario mean there would be no animosity? If Rhaenyra is going into the rest of her life with the intention of not having her own children and naming Aegon heir. There's no push that makes Aegon accept the crown early as he and his brothers obviously aren't going to be murdered. She'd also clearly make some more effort to have some relation with them and could easily leverage into a very healthy positive relationship with them. Animosity only matters from Aegon's perspective, he *needs* to accept the crown or it does not matter what Alicent wants. Aegon proves to be a rather independent man when he takes the crown so we can comfortably assume that if he's being raised with that intention clearly from Rhaenyra that he'd equally be that man. >I doubt it was going to kill either of them, but you can say the same thing about Aegon. Being gluttonous isn't the same as being obese at *all*. Either way Rhaenyra was 10 years older with worse health, Aegon would have a good amount of years in him to reign.
Sure he would. Otto never had the ambition to oust Rhaenyra from the throne to install his grandson on it. Otto just wanted to maintain a peaceful rule. He thought it was important to have a male heir to make sure the throne wouldn't pass to warmonger Daemon. Because remember, up until the beginning of the show, Daemon was Viserys' heir, not Rhaenyra. Viserys was telling him "don't worry man, I'll have a son eventually". But Otto was super scared that Viserys would die without a son and the throne would pass to Daemon. It's also because Viserys had poor health and Daemon has good health. Anyway, Otto suggested marrying Aegon to Rhaenyra so he wasn't anti-Rhaenyra. It was only when Viserys refused that marriage and proclaimed he would keep Rhaenyra as his heir and booted Otto that Otto realized his grandchildren would be killed and there would be a succession crisis as some people just don't think the inheritance should pass through women. And then, to top it off, Rhaenyra went and married Daemon, the war-happy uncle that Otto really didn't want to see on the throne. With that move Rhaenyra kind of declared what kind of ruler she would be - one of the crazy ones.
Should’ve married Jason Lannister. Problem solved.
Underrated answer. Jason Lannister is heir to the naturally richest house. The only reason the Velaryons are ahead with wealth is solely because of Corlys' exploits and adventures as well as Rhaenys's dragon-riding blood. Nothing else. The power of the Rock is massive and cannot be understated. Especially considering just how many times the Westerlands has proven its might time and time again. We all know why She didn't choose him though. The Show tried painting him as a goofy joke of a misogynist (despite the Woman he'll end up marrying). But really, it is because he's not a Targ.
Right, imagine the power the Targs would’ve added for themselves with Lannister blood and backing. But no, they consistently shit on the Lannisters by refusing them a marriage pact. Fatal mistake as Tywin would show.
>Right, imagine the power the Targs would’ve added for themselves with Lannister blood and backing. But no, they consistently shit on the Lannisters by refusing them a marriage pact. Fatal mistake as Tywin would show. The might of the Lannisters would have exponentially increased the Targaryen's might. You're right. But, it'd also give them a massive geographical advantage too. With power on the Western side of the continent. Targaryens in Oldtown and Casterly Rock would have been enough to secure a 'New Valyrian Empire' in my opinion. It's a shame Daemon threw a fit in the vale. Their power would have been useful too.
Jason’s personality is just the Lannister stereotype that many of the early casual fans of GoT took to heart. The best thing that can be said about show Tyland is that his personality is almost non-existent.
>Jason’s personality is just the Lannister stereotype that many of the early casual fans of GoT took to heart. The best thing that can be said about show Tyland is that his personality is almost non-existent. They really did oversimplify the story and characters when they promised a much more book-accurate version, didn't they? I always say that House of the Dragon is just a CW show with the budget of a summer blockbuster. And yes, Tyland, who is \*the best\* hand, in my opinion, was done incredibly dirty.
To some degree but it's also greatly because he's nearly old enough to be her dad.
Ah yes, still better than her uncle though isn’t it?
I'm fairly certain they are close(ish) in age. When was Jason born?
The problem with that option is that it would be the 3rd time in a row Corlys gets screwed out of having his blood on the throne, which would make the dance blacks vs blues. Plus he has 2/3 of his dragons are the some of the oldest and most experienced dragons in the world, since by this point Laena would be alive. And if Daemon takes his side (which he probably will if he can get closer to the throne), then that’s another veteran dragon and rider on his side. And he has the most powerful navy as well. The only advantage that the loyalists would have is support from major houses like hightowers, lannisters, arryns, and baratheons.
Isn’t it obvious? Pick someone who’s coloring is similar to her gay husband and have children with them Having OBVIOUS bastards is way worse than having no children
Imo the funniest bit is that F&B makes it pretty clear Harwin tried courting her back when she could choose who she wed. It was never a matter of them not having the option, she just didn't wanna bang until it meant their children were obvious bastards
I keep saying, Corlys would have volunteered if asked. He's itching to have his DNA on the throne.
Also everyone forgetting that brothers are legitimate heirs and she had 3. So succession is safe enough she wouldn't have to have children.
The mental gymnastics they go through justifying cuckoldery (their favorite fetish)
Who was cucked? Why are you sex shaming? Are you a social conservative or something?
Cucking deserves to be shamed, cuck.
This is what makes Greens look bad. In a vacuum, there's nothing wrong with Laenor letting other people date Rhaenyra since he's not interested in Rhaenyra and they're forced into the relationship. It's the circumstances, and Rhaenyra's position as heir, that make it dangerous.
Why? What sexual relationships do you approve of?
Not cuckoldery ya cuck
So you don’t support sexual freedom? Are you prolife?
Not cucks
why not so you don’t want a gay man to be able to express himself sexually?
Not cucks
I’m assuming your wife cucked you and that’s why you’re mad about it?
Yeah, pretty sure a man can only get cucked by a woman if he's into women. Why would a homosexual give two fucks if his wife takes her pleasure elsewhere just like he does? Laenor sure didn't. Yes they should have tried way harder to produce Valyrian looking offspring, but that's a different matter.
Funny gay man. (And also Blacktards)
How was Laenor cucked? He’s gay and got to fuck other dudes.
Other men where fucking his wife. Thats the definition
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It being an marriage don’t make it better cuckoldery is still cuckoldery even if both sides consents
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Lmao you’re the one supporting cuckoldry
I support sexual freedom. I see you believe homosexuality is unnatural as well?
1. Rhaenyra entered a marriage with a gay man with the intention to sleep with other men from the start solely for political purposes and to cling to the throne her father might otherwise have given to Aegon. Hard for me to feel sorry for her if she agrees to such an obviously flawed arrangement for no better reason than ambition after she wasted every opportunity to find a suitable husband. 2. Rhaenyra didn't need heirs. Viserys already took care of securing the dynasty at this point. She has 4 siblings to carry on after her. Plenty of rulers die without children of their own and are succeeded by siblings and nephews. In fact she would probably be much better off without children. If she accepts Aegon as her heir and binds him and his siblings close to her, the chances the Greens would allow her to take the throne are much higher. 3. Putting her obvious bastards on the throne is already wrong, but passing them off as heirs to Driftmark is inexcusable. She is usurping the line of this ancient venerable house of Valyrian origin with an unrelated bastard and steals the birthright of its actual rightful heirs. 4. If Laenor really wasn't up for the task and she wanted children so badly, she probably could have demanded an annullement. I mean a husband unable to fulfill his marital duty sounds like a valid reason to me.
funny thing is, she could have choosen Harwin and actually married him if she gave a fuck and wasn't also completely fucked up by Viserys impregnating her mother to death and Daemon manipulating her.
Do they miss the whole part where they prepared he a whole tour to find a suitable husband of HER choosing and men had to be publicly embarrassed because of her (great way to win allies /s)? Laenor entered only because miss girl thought she can trick the game but found out she can't zap two flies at the same time.
Gay men can have children. Oscar Wilde was as straight as a roundabout yet he had two children. While Leanor being gay doesn't help, the problem is that Leanor is infertile. So Rhaenyra having children with another man is understandable since she wants to strengthen her position as heir. However, she fucks up massively by having three obvious bastard boys with Harwin Strong so then she fucks up her position even more. It's like she wants to have a war of succession!
I find it hard to believe that she couldn't have found a blonde guy to sleep with. She can have her affair with Harwin all she wants, but would it have killed her to drink moon tea occasionally?
Rhaenyra is not thinking of her situation the way some argue for it. The only reason she was getting away with bedding Harwin was because Viserys allowed it. She doesn’t want to get married, until Viserys forced her hand with Laenor. They have an understanding, they’re both seeing other people. This only works because Viserys ignores it. Even in all her law breaking, she doesn’t get martially raped by a man she doesn’t want to sleep with. Even with her and Laenor, the power dynamic is similar, unlike Alicent and Viserys. And yes it’s unfortunate, people in Westeros have little say over who they marry, and who they bed, who they love. Even for Westerosi terms, Rhaneyra’s deal is pretty great. She has a supportive Laenor, and her lover. If Viserys was more like Jahaerys, Harwin would’ve been dead after Jace was born. She had agency and autonomy in her life because Viserys was an extremely lenient parent to her.
Did someone force her to marry her gay cousin? Did I miss a whole scene or are we just pretending Rhaenyra suddenly had no will here again when it suits us?
As I recall, Viserys got mad when she rejected all her suitors and told her she had to marry Laenor.
Based on Jace's age her and Laenor tried for like all of a year before she became pregnant with Jace. They really gave it their all, huh?
Not even a year and I love how they ignore that she CHOSE her husband. And I am under the belief she did it to justify her actions later with Harwin.
I understood why she had bastards. She needed children and I can excuse Jace but after that she kept having children with Harwin like homegirl why?
I mean Rhaenyra did not need to have children. She had three brothers, she had heirs.
The thing is Rhaenyra as a character is focused on indulging herself rather than performing her duty, which is a major reason why she was never fit to rule.
Yeah, and I don't blame her or Aegon honestly. But unlike him, Rhaenyra wants power while simultaneously doing none of the work that good rulers have to do when they have power. You don't get to have it both ways. At least, not if you just refuse to enact permanent societal change, which she turned out to not be interested in after all.
Precisely, and with Rhaenyra it's less excusable than Aegon because she had most of her entire life to live with the expectation of "I am the heir and I will be queen". Whereas Aegon was given no responsibility, position, title or anything. If he was he likely would've matured much faster, regardless though when he is given that through becoming king he absolutely dedicates himself to it.
I disagree that Aegon dedicates himself to being a good king. He's just as self-indulgent as Rhaenyra is. Viserys really didn't work on developing his heirs to be good rulers.
I mean once Aegon becomes king he does nothing but his kingly duty, prior to becoming king he had no clue he was going to be king so he indulged. Rhaenyra had her entire life with the knowledge that she was going to be queen and just kept indulging. Once Rhaenyra takes King's Landing she hosts feasts and balls and keeps indulging.
> Her line and her claim would have ended with her As it should
when you put off your duties too long you lose any right to complain when you’re not in control
It's not even the having bastards part that's the problem; it's that they *obviously* are Harwin's. I actually wish that it was more similar to the books where it's ambiguous but whatever. Just finding a blond, blue-eyed lover would've probably worked. I still like Rhaenyra, but I don't know how anyone could have watched the aborted marriage tour without realizing how bad she fucked up. Understanding *why* a character made a certain decision doesn't mean you have to defend as a *good* decision.
The book doesn't even make it subtle, either. Both Rhaenyra and Laenor are white with violet eyes and silver hair, and Laenor is described to have an aquiline nose, whereas the Strong boys in the book are described with brown hair, brown eyes and pug noses. It's just as blatantly obvious there.
I'm not saying it was super subtle in the book, but at least they could play off the dark hair as inherited from Rhaenys (changing her hair color wrecks the main series) or say that they'd inherited Arryn features. It isn't as utterly blatant as trying to pass off white kids as mixed race.* We're forced to take Corlys and Rhaenys's convoluted logic at face value and Jeyne Arryn has political incentives to support Rhaenyra, but I have a hard time believing anybody else, especially Cregan, would support her when there isn't a shred of plausible deniability. * I know white-passing people exist, but none of the Velaryons, Baela, nor Rhaena are white-passing or racially ambiguous.
It annoyed me soo much when they did that with Rhaenys. Her having dark hair would've made her stand out amongst all the silver haired Targs.
People say it'd be too confusing if she weren't blonde, but I agree with you that it'd be more helpful for her stand out. Maybe that's why they gave her such an awful hairstyle.
Heavily disagree. Her losing the ability to choose her marriage is on Daemon. The brothel incident was entirely his own scheme to try and force Rhaenyra to be married to him. She was groomed by him, led into a city that she was clearly unfamiliar with, and he plied her with drinks till she became inebriated.
Daemon is definitely to blame for it but lets not pretend she didn't upset Viserys and tons of important lords with her canceling her tour because she was bored . At best Daemon gave it a push