Warning: This article contains spoilers for ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3, Episode 2.Emma D’Arcy is earning widespread acclaim for their powerful performance in ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3, Episode 2. Shortly after the episode aired online, fans took to social media to hail the actor’s portrayal of Rhaenyra Targaryen, grieving the death of her eldest son, Prince Jacaerys “Jace” Velaryon.
Rhaenyra mourns Jace
The second episode of the new season opens in the aftermath of the devastating Battle of the Gullet, as Baela returns Jace’s body to Dragonstone. The emotional sequence sees Rhaenyra overcome with grief as she struggles to come to terms with the loss of her firstborn son and heir to the throne.
How Jace meets his end
Jace, played by Harry Collett, was killed during the Season 3 premiere after he and his dragon, Vermax, were brought down by enemy arrows. While the dragon was dragged to the depths of the ocean, Jace briefly resurfaced before being struck by arrows.Following its premiere on HBO, viewers flooded social media with praise for D’Arcy’s performance, particularly the opening sequence depicting Rhaenyra mourning the death of Jace. “seeing rhaenyra going through stages of grief in just 3 mins is so heartbreaking. and now you can see why the cast keep praising emma d’arcy acting here,” one fan wrote.
Fans react to Emma’s performance
Another praised the actor’s performance, writing, “Emma D’Arcy’s performance is impeccable. IMPECCABLE!”Others were equally moved by the emotional scenes, with one viewer posting, “rhaenyra calling out to a lifeless jace is gut-wrenching.”“That opening scene broke me. Rhaenyra you have lost too much,” another fan wrote. Still another said, “JACE. JACE? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? RHAENYRA’S REACTION TO THE LOSS OF JACE BREAKS MY HEART.”
Fans root for Emma D’Arcy’s Emmy nomination
The performance has also sparked early awards-season conversation, with many fans calling for D’Arcy to receive an Emmy nomination – and even a win – for the episode. “Rhaenyra weeping as she’s holding Jace her first born and I am bawling with her Emma D’Arcy that Emmy is yours!” one viewer posted while another added, “Ooh, Rhaenyra! Emma D’Arcy deserves an Emmy nomination.”While Emma’s performance is widely celebrated and they have earned Golden Globes nominations for Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series (Drama) for both Season 1 and Season 2 and Saturn Award nominations. However, they have not yet received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for their work on the show.‘House of the Dragon’ premiered on June 22. The eight-part series will debut new episodes every Monday (IST).