Aegon’s coronation, the episode 9 highlight in House of the Dragon, was originally going to be very different from how it aired. A prequel to and spin-off of the mega-successful Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon takes place 200 years before the flagship show during the reign of the Targaryens. Only five days after the premiere, the show was renewed for a second season. Season 1 recently came to a close, with its finale released via HBO on October 23.
VFX supervisor Mike Bell revealed in an exclusive interview with ScreenRant how episode 9 of House of the Dragon was changed and why. He revealed that the devastation was at first visibly wreaked upon “thousands.” Ultimately, the number was reduced after revision. Bell explained the decision, citing a lack of consistency with Rhaenys’ character. Check out the full quote below:
[The coronation in episode 9] was changed a little bit. Especially when Rhaenys exits, because we initially had shots where she exits and plows through thousands of people. And it was just like, "Well, that's not really into the feeling of the character. There's definitely a feeling like, "Is it okay that she's just going through all this crowd?" We went high and then reduced it down. But in all that dust, there's also people flying and somersaulting. I think if you paused it, you might be able to count them. It's hundreds, maybe thousands.
Why Rhaenys Holds Her Dragon Back At Aegon's Coronation
Entrapped in King’s Landing after the death of Viserys, Rhaenys is able to slip away during Aegon’s coronation and reach Meleys, her dragon in the dragonpit. They breach the grand hall from below, chaotically disrupting the ceremony and causing casualties. Though she comes face to face with the newly crowned king and his family, she turns away and leaves for Dragonstone.
Rhaenys’ decision to not kill Aegon led to frustration from viewers, who felt that she could have easily prevented an impending war between Rhaenyra and Aegeon’s supporters. However, in addition to this working as an obvious plot device to ensure the inevitability of the war, it also acts as an important moment defining Rhaenys’ character. By holding Meleys back, Rhaenys proves what she isn’t: vengeful, impulsive, or monstrous. The decision to cut back on the massacre (or at least the visual effects of it) further reinforces this characterization. Named the “Queen Who Never Was,” Rhaenys is unique for her lack of pursuit of the throne. Despite having had a claim to it, she recognizes that the crown is not worth bloodshed, suffering, and bitter ambition.
House of the Dragon is definitely exercising restraint when it comes to graphic scenes and shock value, especially when compared to its Game of Thrones predecessor. Not only does this raise the stakes for House of the Dragon season 2, but it also goes to show that the show isn’t afraid to set itself apart. No date has yet been set for a season 2 timeline, but with the series’ critical acclaim and viewers hungry for more, it’s bound to be a short wait for further details.