Eve Best Believes Her House Of The Dragon Character Is The Greatest Possible Ruler
The first season of HBO's "House of the Dragon" focuses primarily on the growing tension surrounding Viserys I Targaryen's (Paddy Considine) line of succession, particularly in reference to his daughter Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock/Emma D'Arcy). Indeed, one of the most pivotal moments in the entire series is the scene in Episode 1, in which Viserys decides to remove his brother Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) from the succession after the latter insults his stillborn child, making Rhaenrya the heir to the Iron Throne.
Things become even more complicated once Viserys' new wife Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey/Olivia Cooke) gives him a son, which lays the groundwork for the Targaryen civil war known as "The Dance of the Dragons." Although the series spends plenty of time exploring the controversial line of succession in House Targaryen, it somewhat neglects the fact that Viserys himself was not the original heir to the throne, having been named King Jaehaerys I Targaryen's (Michael Carter) successor over his elder cousin, Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best).
This overtly sexist decision causes Rhaenys to earn the nickname "the Queen Who Never Was," and although it's mentioned several times throughout the series, nobody ever really seems to take Rhaenys' past claim seriously. Fortunately, one person who does take this claim seriously is actor Eve Best –– who believes that Rhaenys Targaryen is the best possible ruler for Westeros.
Eve Best believes Rhaenys' show of mercy makes her the best possible ruler
Episode 9 of "House of the Dragon" sees Rhaenys Targaryen being held captive by the usurping Greens of House Hightower, forcing her to escape on the back of her dragon, Meleys. Rhaenys does so by bursting up through the floor of the Dragonpit during the coronation of King Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney), and for a moment, she has the opportunity to eradicate the usurpers once and for all as they stand helpless before her dragon. Ultimately, she chooses to spare them, an act of mercy that Eve Best believes makes her worthy to rule the Seven Kingdoms.
"It's the moment when she shows herself to be the greatest possible ruler," said Best during an interview with Entertainment Weekly. "It was the most outrageous and explosive action of the season. In a way, it's also the most merciful and most graceful act. It's because she's so intelligent and in the end chooses to do the right thing, which is not to destroy." Best went on to describe how Rhaenys decision to "not drop the bombs" is a sign of her greatness, especially when you consider all she's suffered through to get to this point.
Although there's certainly something admirable about forgiving your aggressors instead of mindlessly seeking revenge, it's worth mentioning that this scene also sees the noble Rhaenys Targaryen killing countless innocent people as she bursts through the floor. While Best's comments certainly make a case for why Rhaenys is probably the best successor that House Targaryen has to offer, like every person in Westeros, she is not without her flaws.