'House of the Dragon's' Rhaenyra Is Actually Terrible At This

(spoilers for episode 4 of House of the Dragon)

From the moment Rhaenys offered herself up to defend Rook’s Rest, I knew down to the pit of my soul that she would not be returning. Even if I weren’t a Game of Thrones veteran, the season one finale was enough to inform me that, much like its predecessor, no one on House of the Dragon is safe. Did that stop me from yelling “Rhaenys, please leave now,” over and over again as she circled back? No. Even fully expecting it, did I still jump when Vhagar lunged from the ground, jaw fully clamped on poor Meleys’ neck? Yes. Would I have believed you if you had told me at the beginning of this season that House Black would continuously demonstrate some of the worst war strategy possible? No, no at all.

It hurts, but it’s time to admit that Rhaenyra isn’t very good at this war thing. She can be forgiven for the foolhardy, but well-meaning attempt to entreat Alicent for peace; but sending your best advisor on the most battle-tested dragon to stop an enemy horde without giving a single thought towards the possibility that maybe, just maybe, they would have one of their dragons at the ready is such a wildly horrible decision that I’m tempted to call the whole game in favor of House Green on principle. Losing Rhaenys—easily the smartest person in the room at any given time—is a tremendous loss, but losing a fully grown dragon in entirely avoidable circumstances is inexcusable.

One could argue that Rhaenys made her choice. She could have chosen to leave the second time she managed to evade Vhagar while wounding her in the process, a miracle considering the enormous size difference between our winged combatants. But her warrior heart convinced her to stay and attempt to finish the job at hand, in a decision that defied all reason and logic (killing Vhagar would be a two-dragon job, at least), costing Rhaenyra two of her greatest assets. But if anyone should take the dragon’s share of the blame, it’s Rhaenyra herself.

Because as well-meaning as her trip to King’s Landing may have been, a raven could have accomplished the same task while not costing her those crucial days she was absent from her council, leaving her young son and step daughter barely fending off non-familial advisors from wresting control. Even before her super spy mission, however, Rhaenyra had time to make arrangements to secure the few strongholds she had, knowing that Criston Cole was on the move, but opted instead to wait for Daemon. It makes one wonder what her reaction would be if she knew that during her Pyrrhic victory—a gracious label—Daemon was busy going mad and playing King of the (Crumbling) Castle.

The sole upshot is that House Green isn’t also impervious to stupid decision-making. With Aegon being Aegon and drunkenly joining the battle astride Sunfrye, they’re now down one dragon as well. As delicious as revenge must have tasted to Aemond, letting it come at such a cost is as short-sighted as it gets, truly no pun intended. Neither of their parents are known for their sagacity—Alicent leaving out her cup o’ abortifacient for anyone to see (Larys, at that) was a mistake that bordered on comical—so none of those kids had much of a chance. At the rate these losses are coming, no one stands much of a chance.

Kaleena Rivera is the TV Editor for Pajiba. She can be found on Bluesky here.