Fans of House of the Dragon have developed a disturbing theory regarding Rhaenyra Targaryen's fate, predicting a dark transformation into a tyrant driven by prophecy. The theory emerged after Season 3, Episode 2, which saw Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) take the Iron Throne in King's Landing alongside her husband Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith). The episode featured Rhaenyra beheading Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) as a display of power to the smallfolk, with Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) forced to witness her father's death.
Fans Predict Tyrannical Turn
Reddit users have speculated that Rhaenyra's arc will mirror that of Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) from Game of Thrones, with one fan stating, "I'm hopeful, having her be religiously zealous because of the prophecy and righteous in her actions will be interesting to watch." Another responded, "I think that's where the show is going, they've set it up with how she sacrifices the Dragonseeds and then how her gaze turns steely in the last shot of this episode." A third user added, "I think they nicely foreshadow that this episode with Rhaenyra ascending the throne in bloodied footsteps."
Prophecy and Religious Fanaticism
Emma D'Arcy, who plays Rhaenyra, hinted at the character's shift in the latest Inside the Episode segment, stating, "There is a sort of religious fanaticism that is brewing in Rhaenyra, a belief that her rule is preordained, that it's fated in some way." Co-star Matt Smith explained how Daemon's firm belief in the prophecy rouses Rhaenyra from her grief and leads her to take the throne. D'Arcy added, "Grief affords Rhaenyra a kind of nihilism that's quite helpful in the face of danger and carrying Jace's sword at her side gives her strength."
Cost of Power
Bethany Antonia, who plays Baela Targaryen, commented on the character's shift: "It's a real shift for the character when she gets this sword, but it's just like, 'At what cost?' You know, what did she have to pay to have this?" The theory suggests Rhaenyra will become a full-blown tyrant, echoing the madness of Targaryens like Maegor the Cruel and Aerys II 'the mad king' (David Rintoul). Season 2 already hinted at Rhaenyra's moral decline when she willingly let potential dragonseeds be massacred by dragons in her quest for new dragonriders.
