Rhaenys Targaryen, one of the viewers of the show House of the Dragon is played by the British actress, Eve Best. Rhaenys is part of the Targaryen dynasty, a family famous for dragons and the conquest of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros that is also referred to as the “Queen Who Never Was.” Her character is the main focus of the series and represents political struggle, family relationships, and fight for power.

Rhaenys Targaryen is a Targaryen princess who is the daughter of Prince Aemon Targaryen and Lady Jocelyn Baratheon. Despite her prowess and right to the Iron Throne, she was replaced by her cousin Viserys I Targaryen because of the male dominated culture of Westeros. This decision not only decided her life but also defined the circumstances that lead to the events in the show of “House of the Dragon.

The show “House of the Dragon” presents Rhaenys as a powerful, smart, and, most importantly, a survivor. She is wed to Corlys Velaryon, the Lord of the Tides and the head of the House Velaryon, one of the richest and most influential families in the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. Together, they are a force to be reckoned with, as Corlys is a powerful sea captain, and Rhaenys is of royal lineage, making them major players in the political world of the series.

Rhaenys is important in this brewing conflict referred to as the Dance of the Dragons; a civil war over the Iron Throne. Her backing of her cousin, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, for the throne against the greens of Queen Alicent Hightower and her son, Aegon II Targaryen, is evidence of her loyalty and fairness. In this conflict, Rhaenys showcases her intelligence and her readiness to engage in a battle for justice, regardless of the cost to herself.

One of the most notable elements of Rhaenys’ character is her connection to her dragon, Meleys, or as she is known, the Red Queen. Meleys is in the top five of the strongest dragons in the series, and Rhaenys’ connection to Meleys shows her Targaryen lineage and her ability to be a dragon rider. Thus, the connection between Rhaenys and Tyrion is not only a manifestation of power but also a way to find comfort and friendship.

Depth and Nuance

The character Rhaenys Targaryen played by Eve Best has received much appreciation because of its realism, subtlety and the range of emotions that the actress has captured on screen. Even at the start, Best gives Rhaenys a royal bearing that demands respect. She portrays a strong and weak character at the same time, which reflects the position of a woman who was supposed to sit on the Iron Throne but failed because of the male chauvinist culture of the Westeros.

I think one of the most impressive things about Best’s performance is that she managed to show the audiences a number of emotions with just her facial expressions and gestures. Rhaenys is mentioned in Episode 8, “The Lord of the Tides,” as a character who has to testify before King Viserys with a petition. Best in this scene gives one of the best dramatic performances that is characterised by minimal movement and exaggerated expressions. When Rhaenys finally agrees to the coup the Hightowers had been planning for, she lifts her head, a smirk playing on her lips. This small action speaks volumes about the woman’s character, her strength and her capacity to think tactically.

The most memorable scene of Episode 9 is Rhaenys’ daring escape from captivity and her final showdown with the newly crowned King Aegon II; this scene perfectly illustrates Best’s capacity for portraying the character’s dominance while also holding herself back. Riding her dragon, Meleys, Rhaenys arrives at the coronation ceremony, causing commotion and escalating tension. Rhaenys, who had the chance to put an end to the war by slaying Aegon and his allies, decides to retreat instead, an action which has been positively and negatively received by the readers. This decision was supported by the showrunner Ryan Condal and director Miguel Sapochnik, who stated that it was made due to Rhaenys’ ethical position and her unwillingness to kill another mother.

The Great Council of 101 AC is a significant event in the lore of the Seven Kingdoms, which took place in the historical past of the fictional world.

The first time Rhaenys plays a conspicuous role is during the Great Council of 101 AC when the lords of Westeros are to choose the successor of King Jaehaerys I Targaryen. Although Rhaenys was the daughter of Jaehaerys’ eldest son, Aemon, she was not selected as the heir, but her cousin Viserys I Targaryen because of the prejudice of male domination of that period. This decision made her known as the “Queen Who Never Was” and determined her subsequent activities and incentives.

Another one is Rhaenys’ marriage to Corlys Velaryon, the Lord of the Tides, and the head of the House Velaryon. They are political bedfellows and a couple who respect and admire each other’s drive and determination. Together, they form a strong pair, Corlys being a sea captain and Rhaenys being born of royal blood, they are influential figures in the world of Westeros.

The death of King Viserys I Targaryen is the key event in the series, which culminates in the civil war between the supporters of Rhaenyra Targaryen and the supporters of Aegon II Targaryen. Rhaenys is locked up by the Hightowers who wish to have her on their side of supporting Aegon’s claim to be King. Her daring freeing herself from captivity and arriving at Aegon’s coronation on a dragon is one of the most memorable scenes of the series. Riding her dragon Meleys, Rhaenys crashes into the Dragonpit through the floor, thereby causing tension and commotion. She has the chance to kill Aegon and his allies and put an end to the war, but she leaves, stating that she cannot do this, and this is her moral high ground and respect for Alicent as a mother.

It is important to note that Rhaenys participated in the Dance of the Dragons, the Targaryen Civil War. She swears allegiance to Princess Rhaenyra and emerges as a significant player in the conflict for the control of the Iron Throne. As a dragonrider and a master tactician, she is a valuable addition to Rhaenyra’s side and the cause she fighting for. This war is fought with the help of Rhaenys’ dragon, Meleys, also called the Red Queen, to demonstrate the strength and might of the Targaryen dragons.

In the last episode of the first season, Rhaenys says that she will ride Meleys to patrol the Velaryon fleet around the region of The Gullet. This move is more of a political one, as it seeks to ensure the loyalty of the Velaryon fleet to Rhaenyra’s cause and to deny the Hightowers a foothold in the area. This action creates the premise for the coming fights that will be seen in the second season of the series.

Rhaenys Targaryen played by Eve Best is one of the most significant characters in “House of the Dragon,” who has a rich and multi-layered storyline fraught with political machinations, personal tragedy, and epic battles. In the show, Eve Best plays an intelligent and strong-willed woman who is also not immune to fear and sadness, which makes Rhaenys one of the most interesting characters in the series. I think that her capacity to express multifaceted feelings and to maneuver through the rather complex relations of the political world of Westeros has secured her position of one of the most talented actresses of the show.