Why Rhaenyra Won’t See Joffrey & What Happens To Him

Warning! Spoilers for House of the Dragon season 3, episode 5, ahead!

House of the Dragon could have given us a heartwarming reunion in season 3, episode 5, but things took a heartbreaking turn. This installment in the Game of Thrones spinoff series has been tragic around every corner, despite the fact that Rhaenyra Targaryen has finally claimed the Iron Throne. Just before heading to King’s Landing, Rhaenyra suffered the loss of her oldest son, Jacaerys Velaryon, in the Battle of the Gullet. This followed up on the death of her second son, Lucerys Velaryon, in House of the Dragon season 1. Unfortunately, Rhaenyra isn’t quite done suffering losses.

With Jace and Luke both gone, Rhaenyra’s third son, Joffrey Velaryon, is now heir to the Iron Throne. Back in House of the Dragon season 2, Rhaenyra sent little Joffrey to ward in the Vale, but shortly after taking King’s Landing, the queen ordered that her son be brought to her. It’s all standard, and Rhaenyra treats it as such. In fact, her coldness toward Joffrey in House of the Dragon season 3, episode 5, is somewhat alarming.

Sending Joffrey to the Vale was extremely hard on the queen. Yet when she learns in episode 5 that the boy has arrived safely at the Red Keep, Rhaenyra says she will greet him later. Near the end of this House of the Dragon episode, she finally makes her way to Joffrey’s room, but it’s only to peek at his sleeping face. Overall, it’s very uncharacteristic behavior for Rhaenyra, who should be holding her son as close as she can.

Rhaenyra’s Distance From Joffrey Reveals A Heartbreaking Truth

The unfortunate truth of Rhaenyra’s distance from Joffrey is that she fully recognizes the price she has paid and will continue to pay for her throne. While King’s Landing is currently hers, the queen can sense that things are far from well. There is no gold, the people are trapped in poverty, Aemond and Aegon are still out there somewhere, Criston Cole continues to march, and Ormund Hightower has set up camp in Tumbleton as he declares Daeron Targaryen as king. When it comes down to it, Rhaenyra knows that the chance of losing Joffrey is painfully high.

We’ve seen a Mad Queen transformation in the Game of Thrones franchise before, and it seems that even Rhaenyra recognizes that she is on the edge. Another loss would finish her, so the only hope that Rhaenyra will keep her head is if she puts a barrier up between herself and Joffrey.

Rhaenyra may also fear seeing the faces of Jace and Luke looking back at her through Joffrey’s brown eyes. He is the last piece she has of them and her late lover, Ser Harwin Strong.

It’s also worth noting that Rhaenyra has become somewhat superstitious. Daemon accuses her of seeing omens that aren’t there, but she continues to search for them regardless. It’s not beyond Rhaenyra’s notice that Joffrey is her last bastard son with the late Ser Harwin Strong. Her illegitimate children have suffered as a result of the circumstances of their birth, and Rhaenyra may have come to fear that Jace and Luke’s deaths are payment for that big sin. Perhaps the gods won’t allow a bastard to sit on the Iron Throne, in which case, Rhaenyra at least suspects that Joffrey won’t have a happy ending.

What Happens To Joffrey Velaryon In George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood

Joffrey Velaryon in House of the Dragon season 3

It’s difficult to say whether Jace and Luke’s deaths were punishments from the old or new gods. However, the fact that their only bastard brother also doesn’t live long enough to inherit the Iron Throne seems to speak volumes. In Martin’s Fire & Blood, uprisings from the people of King’s Landing lead to the storming of the Dragonpit. Joffrey becomes worried for the safety of his dragon, Tyraxes, and begs his mother to let him go to his aid. Rhaenyra refuses, but, much like his older brother, Joffrey doesn’t listen.

Rhaenyra’s third bastard son steals her dragon, Syrax, and attempts to ride to the Dragonpit to protect Tyraxes from the rabble. However, dragons very rarely accept riders they aren’t bonded with. Poor Jeffrey is thrown from Syrax and crashes to the streets of Flea Bottom. Suffering a broken back, Joffrey dies in the arms of a kind candlemaker’s daughter, Robin, while saying the words “Mother, forgive me.”

Following Joffrey’s death, his body is looted by the people of Flea Bottom, who take his sword and boots before severing his hands to claim his rings.

It’s unlikely that any emotional distance Rhaenyra creates between herself and Joffrey will soften the blow of this tragedy. Assuming House of the Dragon keeps Joffrey’s canon story, future episodes are sure to see the queen absolutely crumble as another of her sons dies for no other reason than the war between the Blacks and Greens. It will be Rhaenyra’s first legitimate son, Aegon Targaryen, who inherits the Iron Throne. Whether by good or bad fortune, neither Rhaenyra nor Aegon’s older brothers live to see it.