'House of the Dragon' Fans Are Beginning to Take Sides
10/16/2022 04:44 pm EDT
Presence
After Episode 8, fans hotly debated whether Alicent or Rhaenyra deserved more of Viserys' (Paddy Considine) protection. Some felt that Alicent's steady presence had primed her and her family for rule, while others noted that it was her presence that pushed Rhaenyra away.
Moments of Happiness
The moments of genuine happiness in this show have become few and far between by now, but they are all the more heartbreaking for that very reason.
Interpretation
Fans who read Martin's book Fire & Blood sometimes noted that their affinity for certain characters might be based on nuances that weren't included in the show's interpretation of this story. The details in Martin's "imaginary history book" are intentionally vague, leaving room for fans to make up their own minds. Some are dissatisfied with the show's interpretation and are believe the story would come together better with a different take.
Not Gray Enough
For many fans, the unique draw of Martin's writing is that no character is wholly good or bad – all exist in a moral gray area. Whichever side they personally lean towards, some fans feared that this show was beginning to miss that grayness and depict a war that is righteous on one side and evil on the other.
Missing the Point
At the same time, some thought that the fandom itself was imposing this moral binary on the show. They felt that participating in these debates on social media were beginning to lessen their appreciation for the show.
Fringe Contenders
To the extent that anyone in this story is worthy of absolute power, many viewers argued that there were better candidates to throw their support behind than either Rhaenyra or Aegon.
Viserys
Finally, many fans felt like the show hasn't pinned enough blame on Viserys for cultivating this war. They wondered if the show would ever force its characters to reckon with Viserys' willful ignorance and neglect.
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