Warning: Spoilers ahead for House of the Dragon’s season 2 finale!
Summary
- Rhaenyra’s past with Criston had a callback during a scene with Alicent in House of the Dragon season 2’s finale.
- Despite her past rejection, Rhaenyra is tempted by Alicent’s offer to escape, mirroring a season 1 scene.
- Alicent’s request to run away together symbolizes a longing for freedom, contrasting with the constraints of royal duty in her teens.
Rhaenyra Targaryen and Criston Cole’s relationship turned contentious in House of the Dragon, but one moment in season 2’s finale served as a final “f*** you” to Fabien Frankel’s character. “The Queen Who Ever Was” didn’t feature the two House of the Dragon characters interacting, though a moment involving two of Criston’s romantic partners made for a very interesting reveal. Early in season 1, a teenage Rhaenyra specifically chose Criston to serve as a member of her father’s Kingsguard. The two also had a secret affair, leading to Criston’s hope for a future together.
By the end of House of the Dragon season 2, a lot had changed for Criston, and Rhaenyra for that matter. Aside from being romantically linked to Alicent, Criston became Hand of the King to Aegon and heavily guided Prince Aemond and his endeavors. Criston might not be completely hiding his feelings for Alicent, considering his interaction with Gwayne, but many of his past decisions were influenced by his continued hatred for Rhaenyra. His feelings for his former lover would probably be worse if he were present for Rhaenyra and Alicent’s Dragonstone interaction.
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Rhaenyra Actually Wanted To Escape With Alicent After Scoffing At Criston’s Proposal As A Teen
Rhaenyra Clearly Wanted To Accept Alicent’s Request
Shortly after Rhaenyra and Laenor Velaryon’s betrothment, Criston proposed to Rhaenyra, suggesting the pair elope and relocate to Essos under new identities. Rhaenyra quickly scoffed at the marriage proposal and moved forward with her marriage to Laenor. The celebration was cut short, however, after Criston’s rage and jealousy led to him beating Laenor’s secret lover to death. Interestingly, Rhaenyra got another offer to escape in House of the Dragon season 2 with Alicent’s “come with me” request. Unlike her reaction to Criston as a teen, Rhaenyra wanted to flee with Alicent.
Alicent wanted a way out for herself and her daughter, but she wouldn’t have asked Rhaenyra to come with her if she didn’t truly mean it.
The Dragonstone encounter, which notably fueled the romantic theories surrounding Rhaenyra and Alicent, packed an emotional punch. But even with the discussions of surrender and a “son for a son,” the walls they had built between one another over the years started to fall a bit, allowing their old bond to reemerge. Of course, Alicent wanted a way out for herself and her daughter, but she wouldn’t have asked Rhaenyra to come with her if she didn’t truly mean it. Rhaenyra may have been surprised at the offer, but she was undoubtedly intrigued by the notion, even if it would be impossible.
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Alicent Asking Rhaenyra To Run Away With Her Tragically Reverses A HOTD Season 1 Scene
Alicent’s Request Calls Back To A Key Moment When She Was A Teenager
Rhaenyra’s reaction to Alicent’s offer in House of the Dragon season 2 may have been an indirect diss to her past with Criston, but it also tragically called back to a moment in the prequel’s first season. As a teen, Rhaenyra shared with Alicent that she wanted to travel the realm with her on dragon back and “eat only cake,” revealing that she wished for freedom and peace alongside her best friend over her royal obligations. Then, Alicent married King Viserys not long after, as both young women found themselves trapped within their traditional duties.
Flashforward years later within House of the Dragon‘s timeline, and Alicent became the one asking Rhaenyra to flee with her, tragically reversing the pair’s season 1 scene. Even though the option would be the ideal choice, this time, it was Rhaenyra who couldn’t do more than dream of the possibility due to her obligations from her duty to the realm and the implications of Aegon’s prophecy. It’s unclear where House of the Dragon season 3 will take Rhaenyra and Alicent’s stories. Still, even if escaping Westeros together is not possible in the future, they will likely be brought together again.
