There's an interesting thing here where I think sometimes Rhaenyra being warmer would help, and that's her instinct, but she's being very firm because she can't risk seeming like a Woman™️. Particularly with Ulf and Hugh Hammer here.
And that plays on how closed off and sullen Aegon failson is. And there's that parallel, the both of them struggling to rule, finding that they can't lead with kindness... for Aegon because of unpreparedness and policy. For Rhaenyra, she's actually very civic minded and as cupbearer and experiencing what it is to be a woman being courted for her station. But by the time she gets the throne, it's left so barren from Viserys' legacy or neglect with the green children.
And Rhaenyra is very open to conversation, guidance and duality and nuance, but there's no room for it here. That flexibility would help Aegon survive his current predicament, but all he has is the idea of entitlement. It's all he's been given.
House of the Dragon is playing with so many interesting things. I really wish we made tv old school style. Imagine even 12 episodes and yearly drops for 5 or 6 healthy seasons. Aaaaaaaah.