ora pro nobis

HBO's House of the Dragon (2022, United States)

And that undermines the whole soulmate aspect that the show constantly emphasizes through their dialogue and direction. Ideally, they should be on the same wavelength.

In the book, Daemyra can also be viewed as soulmates—even though there is no dialogue or dramatization, given the historical-chronicle style—largely due to the fact that...

- Daemon and Rhaenyra both endured forced marriages, from which they were only freed by the accidental deaths of their respective spouses. — The fact that Viserys essentially allowed the Greens to target Daemon and Rhaenyra (Otto targeting Daemon, Alicent targeting Rhaenyra). — The fact that Daemon alleviated the loneliness Rhaenyra felt upon his return from seven years of exile—since Alicent and her faction had already begun isolating her and her ladies-in-waiting—leading them to immediately join forces against the Greens. — The fact that Daemon and Rhaenyra both married the Velaryon siblings, Laena and Laenor. — The fact that (as I mentioned) Rhaenyra gave Daemon the trust he had never received from Viserys (at least until she was consumed by paranoia late in the war, following all her losses and betrayals), while Daemon was Rhaenyra’s first true ally; thus, they provided each other with exactly what the other needed most. — The fact that Daemon and Rhaenyra’s dragons mated and produced offspring. — And finally, the fact that Daemon and Rhaenyra died on the same day, five months apart... and so on.

However, in the book, this interpretation of their relationship as soulmates works—ironically—much better than in the show. After all, beyond simply coming together and complementing one another, they are always on the same wavelength. Not to mention that their dragons have mirrored the love shared between them, and—above all—that their deaths are intrinsically linked, almost mirroring each other.

In my opinion, the show clearly botched the Daemyra relationship in several ways. The only thing that really saves it is the actors who are perfect:

Also, the way Syrax & Caraxes are shown:

And of course, the way Daemyra are often depicted as dragons in human form. That's was a fucking good idea:

Daemon and Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon: Queen's Landing

And wherever I go next, you’re coming with me