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[This story contains major spoilers from the season three finale of House of the Dragon.]
Whenever a Targaryen is born, the gods flip a coin, and the world waits to see if the child will achieve greatness, or succumb to madness. Where has the coin landed when it comes to House of the Dragon hero Rhaenyra Targaryen? As of the season three finale, the results are in — and they are decidedly mixed, pending one’s viewpoint.
Certainly, there are major Daenerys vibes throughout the HOTD finale, including turning to violence against her own constituents in her quest for power. Beyond ordering the immediate execution of a faith leader turned political rival, Rhaenyra’s rampage was bloodless, and yet, bone-chilling. In a moment that deviates wildly from George R.R. Martin’s source material, the queen stands before the masses of King’s Landing and reveals the Song of Ice and Fire prophecy: the White Walkers coming, and only Rhaenyra can stop them, as the prophesied Prince Who Was Promised.
Martin’s book Fire and Blood, which HOTD takes its cues from, never mentions the Ice and Fire prophecy. Likewise, there’s no mention of Rhaenyra making such a public declaration. Given what she says, one would think the history books would reverberate with details about the Dragon Queen and her stark warning (or her stark madness, as some might have seen it). In a press conference about the shape of season three and specifically its finale, executive producer and showrunner Ryan Condal revealed his answer to that very question: “Targaryens say crazy shit all the time.”
