The Blacks vs. The Greens: Who's more morally dubious in "Rhaenyra the Cruel"?

Welcome back, dragon riders and Westeros watchers! Season 2 of House of the Dragon is heating up faster than a dragon’s breath on a cold winter night. As the flames of war blaze between the Blacks and the Greens, it's time to grab some popcorn and see which side is winning the battle of moral ambiguity.

Spoiler alert: it's a close race! No, but really: SPOILER WARNING. I will be recounting the events of House of the Dragon season 2. Read at your own risk!

The Greens: Power, deceit, and just a dash of madness

First up, let’s talk about Queen Alicent. She’s determined to hold onto power tighter than a miser clutching his last gold coin. Forcing her grieving daughter Helaena to attend Jaehaerys’ funeral? Not cool, Alicent, not cool. Sure, it’s a power move to show the realm their unity, but at what cost? Manipulating your children for political gain lands Alicent a firm spot in the morally gray area.

Helaena, forced into the political game by her mother, is the tragic figure. Her mental state is deteriorating, and her presence adds a layer of sadness to the Blacks’ side. She’s the one pure victim in this bloody dance, caught between her duty and her despair.

Then there’s Ser Criston Cole, whose affair with Alicent is about as well-kept a secret as the existence of dragons. Not only did Criston fail to protect Jaehaerys, but he’s now forgetting his place and telling other members of the Kingsguard to go on suicide missions as he projects his own shame and guilt onto them...? He's knee-deep in the moral muck. Honestly, he's just a shit person.

Aemond, with his glorious head of hair, is a wild card. Sure, he’s showing some guilt and complexity after accidentally causing Lucerys’ death, but he’s also got a thirst for power that’s downright scary. His ambition is growing, and he’s starting to steal scenes like a thief in the night. Aemond’s evolving from a brooding teenager into a formidable player, but his moral compass could end up spinning out of control.

Let’s not forget Lord Larys, the puppet master of King’s Landing. This guy has dirt on everyone and isn’t afraid to use it. His threats and manipulations pave the way for characters such as Littlefinger, making him a key contender for the title of most morally dubious. He literally has nothing to lose, having killed his own father and brother and having most of the royals on a leash. If there’s a sneaky, underhanded scheme afoot, you can bet Larys is pulling the strings.

The Blacks: Revenge, recklessness, and ruthless ambition

On the other side of the battlefield, we have Rhaenyra, who’s out for blood after her son Lucerys' death. Her anger at Daemon for escalating the conflict by sending assassins into the Red Keep is justified, but her thirst for revenge is leading her down a dark path. Rhaenyra is a master strategist, but her decisions are increasingly driven by emotion, potentially pushing her into morally murky waters.

Ah, Daemon. Ever the unpredictable, dragon-riding rogue. His impulsiveness led to him hiring Blood and Cheese to exact revenge for Luke's death. Things went wrong, little Jaehaerys is dead, and now everyone assumes Rhaenyra demanded it done. Daemon’s approach to problem-solving is about as subtle as a dragon landing on your roof. His desire for vengeance is understandable, but his methods? Not so much.

Corlys, the Sea Snake, and his powerful fleet are crucial for the Blacks. While his loyalty to Rhaenyra is commendable, his readiness to blockade and starve King’s Landing shows a ruthless side. Corlys is willing to do whatever it takes to see Rhaenyra on the throne, even if it means innocent lives are lost.

The scoreboard: who’s winning the morality war?

So, who’s more morally dubious so far in season 2? Let’s tally up the scores:

The Greens

• Alicent: Manipulative and power-hungry. Sure, she's a victim of consequence, but she wears it like armor. Forcing her daughter to the funeral was a low blow.
  
• Criston: Compromised and complicit in shady dealings. Being a hypocrite doesn’t help his case. Actually, him being himself doesn't help his case.
  
• Aemond: Ambitious and increasingly ruthless. His guilt is overshadowed by his thirst for power and to prove himself.
  
• Helaena: Tragic pawn. Her suffering is a result of others’ machinations.
  
• Larys: Master manipulator. Holds everyone’s secrets and isn’t afraid to use them.

The Blacks

• Rhaenyra: Driven by revenge, making emotionally charged decisions. Dangerous combination.
  
• Daemon: Reckless and vengeful. Hiring assassins like Blood and Cheese was a dark move and an unremovable stain.
  
• Corlys: Ruthless in his tactics. His blockade shows a willingness to sacrifice innocents for the cause. Has mysterious ties to Alyn and Addam Hull.

The verdict

It’s a tight race, but since I have to choose, the Greens might just edge out the Blacks in the morally dubious department. Alicent’s manipulation of her daughter and Larys’ masterful scheming give them the upper hand. But don’t count the Blacks out yet; with Daemon’s ruthless strategies and Rhaenyra’s emotional decisions, they’re not far behind.

As we move forward, expect the lines between right and wrong to blur even more.

In the end, it’s not about who’s right or wrong; it’s about who can play the game of thrones better. And with dragons, deceit, and death at every turn, one thing’s for sure: the Dance of the Dragons is just getting started.

Let's see just how much this scale tips after the upcoming third episode of the second season of House of the Dragon.

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