'House of the Dragon' Episode 9: Why Rhaenys Targaryen Didn't Yell 'Dr…

HBO's  has presented more than one perplexing character decision in need of further dissection. From to , season 1 of the Game of Thrones prequel series is absorbing in more ways than one. The latest episode -- -- saw Princess Rhaenys Targaryen, aka The Queen Who Never Was, take her turn in the spotlight.

Let's discuss that huge final scene with the Princess and why she chose not to burn a certain family to cinders.

Warning: Spoilers ahead.

Why didn't Rhaenys burn the Hightowers?

Despite having been imprisoned by the Hightowers, Princess Rhaenys chooses to spare their lives -- for now. After escaping her room with the help of defected knight Erryk Cargyll, Rhaenys finds herself swept up in Prince Aegon's coronation ceremony. She slinks away as Aegon receives the Conqueror's crown, managing to descend beneath the floorboards and reunite with her red-hued she-dragon . Rhaenys and Meleys then burst through the floorboards, sending the ceremony into chaos.

Facing down the Hightower clan -- including Queen Alicent, her father Otto and her son Aegon -- Rhaenys has the opportunity to end the Hightowers' reign for good. All she has to do is say "Dracarys," the High Valyrian (language of the old Valyrian Freehold) word for "Dragonfire" and order Meleys to breath fire. Instead, Meleys lets out a deafening shriek. Rhaenys shares a meaningful look with Alicent, who's standing protectively in front of Aegon, before she and Meleys fly off.

Let's allow the co-showrunners to explain why Rhaenys chose to spare the Hightowers. Here's what Miguel Sapochnik says in  about creating the big moment for the character:

"We really wanted to make sure that there was meat on her character. Rhaenys was not passive, and it felt this was an incredibly valuable moment to -- rather than have her just bear witness to something -- be able to take part in it. But her moral standpoint become the reason for inaction rather than action."

Here's what Ryan J. Condal says about Rhaenys' motivations behind sparing the Hightowers' lives.

"She knows if she sets fire to that dais, she ends any possibility of war and probably sets peace throughout the realm, but I think probably doesn't want to be responsible for doing that to another mother. And it's a complex choice and one that people might dispute or have a problem with, but that's the choice Rhaenys makes in that moment. We see her busting out, and being the one that's going to take the news to Dragonstone of the coup and of Rhaenyra's throne being stolen. And it was a great, you know, great heroic moment for her character."

Condal is right in thinking this is a controversial character decision from Rhaenys. Wouldn't she ultimately want to dutifully serve her chosen side by destroying the opposition?