After only two episodes of House of the Dragon, Rhaenyra Targaryen already bears some striking similarities to her descendent, Daenerys Targaryen.

House Of The Dragon broke another HBO record with nearly 10 million viewers for the premiere episode. Though it’s likely due to the popularity of Game of Thrones, the original series only had about 2.2 million viewers during its premiere.

Among the many impressive aspects of the new prequel, audiences have noticed some striking similarities between Rhaenyra Targaryen and her descendent, Daenerys Targaryen. These two women come from different backgrounds and have experienced different things within their lifetimes, whether the Dance of the Dragons event or being exiled after Robert’s Rebellion. And though the prequel is only on its second episode, both Targaryen women have some obvious similarities as ambitious dreams as female rulers in Westeros.

Under The Shadow Of Men

Nearly two centuries before Daenerys Targaryen, Rhaenyra had a family at her back. However, this also left her in the shadow of all the men in her family. Though she’s respected as the princess, she’s often disregarded or expected to hang in the background in silence.

There are many Daenerys references in House of the Dragon, but there’s no denying the most startling similarity is the way in which the Targaryen women are regarded by the men in their family. Though Viserys is the only other Targaryen left at the beginning of Game of Thrones, he makes it clear Daenerys’ opinions don’t matter.

Born And Raised Trophy

Daenerys was raised across the Narrow Sea, constantly on the run with her brother against those that would kill the remaining Targaryens. When she came of age, Viserys was all too eager to sell her off to the first warlord who would help him win his crown.

Though Rhaenyra isn’t sold off to be wed at her earliest age, it’s clear at the beginning of her story that she doesn’t hold any power in the kingdom. Her mother even makes it a point to remind her that her place will always be to give birth to heirs.

Heir By Default

In House of the Dragon, the main focus of the first episode is the queen’s pregnancy. That’s because the crown is hoping for a male heir to replace Daemon Targaryen. Though Rhaenyra is Viserys’ only child, she isn’t deemed the heir until the infant prince dies at birth, leaving little possibility for another male heir.

The Heir for a Day in House of the Dragon is reminiscent of Daenerys’ own child, which was stillborn. However, Daenerys also shares Rhaenyra’s experience because she’s the heir by default after her brother dies, making her the last Targaryen. This change seems to work better for Daenerys, though it does lead to Rhaenyra as heir.

Intelligent

The culture in House of the Dragon seems more misogynistic than in Game of Thrones, though both women are assumed less intelligent and therefore less deserving to rule. Daenerys proves how intelligent she is over and over again, most notable when she tricks the Master of the Unsullied.

One major takeaway from House of the Dragon is how similar Rhaenyra is to Daenerys. This is shown in many different ways, including highlighting the young girl’s intelligence. Rhaenyra has the upper hand with formal education, but they still both prove to be educated individuals that can speak multiple languages and recall the history of their ancestors.

Bravery

Neither of these women are warriors. However, they both show a considerable amount of bravery, not afraid to fight for what they believe in or stand up for themselves. Rhaenyra expresses this early on when she tells the queen she’d rather serve as a knight than give birth.

Similarly, Daenerys is put in many situations in which she has to stand up for herself. One of her most notable moments of bravery is when she finally sticks up to her abusive brother, threatening to have his hands cut off if he ever strikes her again.

How They See Dragons

Daenerys loves her dragons over every other being on the planet. She repeatedly calls them her children throughout the series, and even reprimands people when they call them beasts. They aren’t simply weapons to her, but important creatures that she mourns over when they’re lost in battle.

Rhaenyra expresses her exact opinion of dragons to her father, saying she sees Targaryens when she looks at dragons and points out, “without them, we’re just like everyone else.” Not only does Rhaenyra love dragons, but she respects the fact they are the only reason the Targaryens were able to control the Seven Kingdoms.

Mocked For Speaking Up

Despite the fact that both of these young women are intelligent and in positions of power, they’re often looked down upon. Even after Rhaenyra is made heir to the kingdom, she is reprimanded for speaking up at a council meeting. Later on, she admits to Alicent Hightower that she wishes her father would see her more than his little girl.

Daenerys has to earn respect from the moment she’s seen in the show, being shamed by speaking up around her brother and even being mocked by a Dothraki warrior. Daenerys inevitably had to prove her strength to get others to take her seriously.

Connection With Dragons

One of the most blatant similarities between the two Targaryens is the connection they have with dragons. While this seems like a given, there are clearly several Targaryens in House of the Dragon that are not seen interacting with the beasts. Rhaenyra, on the other hand, is first seen riding her dragon, Syrax.

Rhaenyra clearly has the upper hand by being raised around dragons. However, Daenerys Targaryen clearly has a strong relationship with her dragons from the moment they are hatched. Both women are seen proudly soaring in the skies with their dragons, unafraid.

Protector Of The Realm

As a Targaryen, both of these women are wrapped into the destiny of the Long Night. While it seems odd to call Daenerys a Protector of the Realm, considering she burns King’s Landing to the ground, she initially saves the world by helping to defeat the Night King.

When King Viserys decides to make Rhaenyra his heir, he discloses to her the secret King Aegon kept and passed down through the Targaryen line. Not only is this a direct reference to the events in Game of Thrones, but it means Rhaenyra is now entrusted to prepare her kingdom for the impending doom.

Grand Entrances

These two women may be many things, but they clearly aren’t modest. Both of them are proud Targaryens, showing off their authority and connection with the dragons. In the second episode of House of the Dragon, Rhaenyra makes a grand entrance to retrieve the dragon egg Daemon stole from the Red Keep.

This grand entrance is not unlike the several grand entrances Daenerys makes riding on the back of Drogon. Notably, she does this during her meeting with Cersei in season 7, dropping into an alliance meeting instead of riding in with the rest of her party. Considering how similar Rhaenyra is to Daenerys, the audience can expect a couple more grand entrances.