House of the Dragon season 3 has, so far, mostly been about Rhaenyra Targaryen's (Emma D'Arcy) trials and tribulations as the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. Ever since taking the Iron Throne back in the second episode of the season, "Queen's Landing," a large portion of the season's screentime has been devoted to seeing Rhaenyra's struggles now that she's finally achieved her goal.
One of the most compelling elements of Rhaenyra's storyline feels like it was ripped right out of the early seasons of House of the Dragon's predecessor, Game of Thrones. However, this specific element gradually disappeared from Game of Thrones, to the point where some of the show's final seasons feel like they left it out entirely. As such, it's refreshing for longtime fans of the series to see Rhaenyra struggle with some of what early series Game of Thrones characters had previously struggled with.
Rhaenyra Targaryen vs. the Court of Public Opinion
Although Rhaenyra has tried to rule as a just queen so far, she has still met with pushback from the small folk. Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) and Aegon Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) still have plenty of loyal supporters among the residents of King's Landing, and many of Rhaenyra's subjects dislike her tax policies. Additionally, in robbing many of Westeros' most wealthy families back in the third episode of the season, "Rhaenyra Triumphant," she has made several influential enemies, capable of turning their own subjects against her.
Fans have seen the effects of Rhaenyra's unpopularity play out throughout the season. Ser Ulf the White (Tom Bennett) calls to attention some of the pushback Rhaenyra has received among the smallfolk, highlighting some of their mean nicknames for her. She has also struggled to ensure a smooth relationship with the Faith of the Seven, with the High Septon (Simon Chandler) opposing her reign. Additionally, the smallfolk have adorned various walls throughout King's Landing with anti-Rhaenyra graffiti. As of the fifth episode of the season, "Unbowed and Unbent," this has culminated in the murder of Rhaenyra's Gold Cloaks, with their brutalized corpses displayed underneath the words "A feast for traitors."
The smallfolk's role in Game of Thrones
Towards the beginning of Game of Thrones' run, the opinions of the smallfolk received a great deal of attention. One of the most harrowing scenes early in the series takes place in season 2, when Myrcella Baratheon (then played by Aimee Richardson, before Nell Tiger Free took over the role) was shipped off to Dorne, with her royal family coming to say goodbye. This quickly devolves into a violent protest against Myrcella's brother, King Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleason), and his cruel and selfish reign. Although the audience likely agrees with the mob that Joffrey is a despicable ruler, this scene quickly becomes terrifying and hard to watch, with Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) quickly finding herself in danger of sexual assault. before being saved by Sandor Clegane, a.k.a. the Hound (Rory McCann).
This scene allows viewers a glimpse into the consequences of Joffrey's cruelty. While audiences see his viciousness first hand, it usually feels contained to the characters the story mainly follows. To show how Joffrey's villainy affects the characters we don't follow makes the world of Westeros feel larger and Joffrey himself somehow seem even more evil.
However, as the series progresses, the role of the smallfolk diminishes. The last time they felt truly relevant is throughout season 5, when King Tommen (Dean-Charles Chapman) faces cries of "Abomination" when out in the public, regarding the rumors that he is born of incest; Daenerys struggles to protect Meereen from the Sons of the Harpy, concerned citizens out to protest her reign and the abolition of slavery; and Cersei Lannister's (Lena Headey) walk of shame, featuring the common people booing and jeering at her.
Afterwards, the smallfolk seem to blend into the background, never receiving this much focus again until arguably during Daenerys' razing of King's Landing at the very end of the show, which disturbingly catches many innocents in the crossfire. Between that moment and the walk of shame, the smallfolk's opinion of the nobles feels less relevant than ever. For example, when Cersei destroys the Sept of Baelor, she immediately ascends to the Throne herself with no pushback, with the citizens of King's Landing simply accepting this. While there can be in-universe explanations as to why this event leads to Cersei's unopposed rule in King's Landing, the show is no longer interested in exploring them. As such, Rhaenyra's struggles with the court of public opinion connect House of the Dragon with Game of Thrones' glory days.
For more from the world of Westeros, keep tuning into House of the Dragon season 3, airing Sundays on HBO Max.
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