The show continues to surprise with its attention to the smallest details.
One of the main themes that House of the Dragon has explored throughout the first season of the show is motherhood and childbirth.
Within 10 episodes we have seen 4 women become mothers, 2 die from childbirth, 1 devastating case of stillbirth, and many questions about the medieval fantasy of parenthood left unanswered.
However, there is another important parallel that is easy to overlook but makes a lot of sense.
Rhaenyra Targaryen, who ended up being the only surviving child of King Viserys and his wife Aemma Arryn, was always afraid to give birth after her mother died tragically trying to produce an heir to the throne.
She expressed her fear several times in the first part of the series but later had to overcome it by giving birth to three sons of her own.
Rhaenyra eventually had five children of her own, all five boys. She lost her sixth pregnancy during the war, giving birth to the stillborn daughter she had always wanted.
Although the child’s gender hasn’t been mentioned on the show, it was a big deal for Rhaenyra in the books, and fans expect it to be mentioned at the beginning of season 2.
The girl was named Visenya, the same name Rhaenyra wanted to give her little sister if Aemma were to have a girl.
But that’s not the only way the daughter’s story ties in nicely with her mother’s. Aemma turns out to be the opposite of Rhaenyra in some ways, as she has only one daughter and wants a son, while Rhaenyra has five sons and no daughters.
Aemma mentions losing five children while trying for a boy, and Rhaenyra has five living children.
Most importantly, while both mother and daughter fulfill their duties to the realm, Aemma dies, leaving her son behind only to die a few hours after her, and Rhaenyra lives, but buries her own child.
This truly heartbreaking but amazingly captured story explains a bit more of Rhaenyra’s motivation behind the war we’ll see unfold in House of the Dragon Season 2.
Although there is no official release date yet, season 2 is already being filmed, so keep your eyes peeled for more news and updates.