Emma D’Arcy is earning widespread acclaim and early Emmy buzz following their powerful performance in ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3, Episode 2. Since the episode debuted on Monday, fans have been praising the actor’s portrayal of Rhaenyra Targaryen’s devastating grief following the death of her eldest son, and heir to the Iron Throne, Prince Jacaerys “Jace” Velaryon.
‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3, Episode 2 scores highest ratings
The second episode titled ‘Queen’s Landing’ currently has a rating of 9.4/10, which is the highest rating for any House of the Dragon episode to date. It opens in the aftermath of the Battle of the Gullet, as Baela returns Jace’s body to Dragonstone. The emotionally charged sequence sees Rhaenyra overcome with grief as she mourns the loss of her firstborn.However, a viral video circulating online has sparked debate after placing the ‘HOTD’ scene alongside a sequence from the Turkish historical drama ‘Magnificent Century: Kosem’, starring Beren Saat as Kosem Sultan.
WATCH: ‘House of the Dragon’ vs ‘Magnificent Century: Kosem’
The acclaimed series chronicles the life of Mahpeyker Kosem Sultan, one of the most influential women in Ottoman history during the Sultanate of Women. Nearly nine years after the show originally aired, a clip of Kosem mourning the death of her son is now doing the rounds online with viewers pointing out striking similarities to Rhaenyra’s heartbreaking scene with Jace.
Fans react to ‘House of the Dragon’ and ‘Magnificent Century: Kosem’ similarities
Both sequences depict a grieving queen walking towards the body of her deceased son, who lies on a stretcher, before collapsing in grief. Viewers have also noted similarities in the characters’ gestures, hand movements as they reach for their sons, camera framing, background staging and the overall emotional progression of the scenes.While the comparison video does not explicitly accuse either production of copying the other, it invites viewers to judge for themselves. The clip has prompted a wave of reactions on social media with fans saying, “I definitely thought of this scene when I was watching last night!” Another fan of the Turkish drama commented, “Oh my God, I thought I was the only one who saw the cinematic parallel.” “Even in the dialogues, it’s similar, as both want their children to respond to them,” another viewer observed.
Turkish fans hail Beren Saat and Emma D’Arcy’s performances
One fan praised Saat’s performance, writing, “I don’t know how the HOTD scene has been because I haven’t seen the episode yet, but I have seen that scene from Kösem and I assure you that Beren Saat’s performance leaves you breathless and is utterly heartbreaking; it really impressed me.” Another agreed, saying, “Nobody compares Beren Saat’s performance. When I saw the scene between Rhaenyra and Jace, I remembered the same scene of Kösem and Mehmet. Emma D’Arcy did well, but Beren Saat represents magnificently the grief of losing a son.”Some viewers chose to celebrate both actresses.”Yeah, I did say I’d seen it before… amazing actresses both of them. That cry from Kösem broke me back then. A little bit cringey, but they both act so well,” one user commented while another added, “Hahahaha it’s too much of a coincidence XD. Though it’s worth pointing out that, well, it’s the natural attitude of any mother faced with the death of her son.”A different fan argued that the performances ultimately set the scenes apart, writing, “It might be, but D’Arcy’s performance makes the difference even in this little clip…” Go to Source
