Emma D’Arcy saying that Mysaria is Rhaenyra’s first actual romantic connection — not Harwin, and certainly not Husbuncle Daemon !!!!!
Literally so correct, so important, so true, etc. Emma knows Rhaenyra so, so well, and they’ve always been able to so clearly articulate the difference between being coveted or lusted after for domination or power reasons (Crispy and Daemon, looking at y’all) and actually being respected, understood, and romantically loved. Although I’ll always ride for Rhaenicent, everyone with eyes and a little bit of media comprehension understands that their inability to find a way back to each other fully (platonically, romantically, or otherwise) — to truly just communicate and be open with one another — is a huge part of the core emotional tragedy of the show.
Mysaria is the first person to offer Rhaenyra true emotional openness and genuine tenderness so organically and openly. She allows Rhaenyra to be soft and vulnerable, away from prying eyes who might look to exploit such a thing. She’s the moral counterweight to Daemon’s imperial aspirations, as has been confirmed by the show runner, writers, and actors alike.
Even though it feels inevitable that everything is going to end in tragedy and ruin, it’s so fucking cool and special to me that the first true romance experienced by the first Queen to ever sit the Iron Throne is with a woman — a “commoner,” no less 🥹 god, I love them.
