House Of The Dragon Episode Ten Review - 9 Ups & 1 Down
4. Up - A wise Queen
The manner in which Rhaenyra is forced to endure the horrors of her childbirth alone poignantly parallels the inimitably lonely nature of ruling. The unshakable determination Emma D’Arcy has imbued their character with was on full display as Rhaenyra tears the remains of her lifeless, deformed child from herself, echoing the appalling death of her own mother.
A rare example of an appallingly gratuitous sequence that was simultaneously a case study in powerhouse acting and as clear an indication that Rhaenyra possesses the iron will necessary to rule; before viewers can blink, the Black Queen stands at the head of her war table in the immediate aftermath of the harrowing levels of trauma she has endured.
Rhaenyra's iron will is only rivalled by her levels of patience and empathy. She can now rely on the might of the Velaryon navy but urges caution, willing only to act when confident that the end result of a war will not be a land of ashes. Rhaenyra’s empathy also notably shines through; this is no bloodthirsty tyrant. She passes on the tantalizing opportunity to send Otto home in charred pieces, her love for her childhood friend Alicent preventing her from giving the order.
The true tragedy is that Lucerys’ death will likely leave this wise and benevolent Queen unrecognizable; vengeful parents are seldom empathetic or patient. Rhaenyra visibly wobbles when receiving the news, before turning to the camera; where once stood the Realm’s Delight stands the Black Queen, the anguish in her tear filled eyes alluding to all the Greens can expect from her now.
Fire and Blood.