Phia Saban ('House of the Dragon'): "Helaena is overstimulated, she just wants her mother to save her"

"Never let a good crisis go to waste". This is the masterful lesson on public relations set in motion by Otto Hightower after the tragic end of the first episode of the second season of House of the Dragon. Do not continue reading if you are not up-to-date with the series because there are spoilers.

After the murder of Jahaerys, they couldn't do anything to bring him back to life, but his death could be useful to 'kill' Rhaenyra's image in the eyes of the people of King's Landing. How? parading the dead child through the streets with the devastated mother and grandmother right behind in the procession. Helaena's trauma, well, maybe. 

A somewhat cruel act towards their own granddaughter, but it must be acknowledged that it was an intelligent move by the Hand of the King, up to this second episode. After all, the damage was done, the only positive thing they could take from there was the opportunity for propaganda. 

The sequences of this plot were a triumph in the episode: devastating emotionally and masterful in technical and interpretative aspects. From the shots of bloodstained clothing to the dismantling of the child's bed, and of course, the funeral procession, for which director Clare Kilner has acknowledged in Vanity Fair being inspired by the funeral of Lady Di "to capture the atmosphere of collective mourning and respect". Also, how the princes were put on display at that time. 

Regarding this particular moment, the emotional state of Helaena Targaryen at the beginning of this season and the nature of her premonitions, EL ESPAÑOL spoke with Phia Saban, the actress who portrays her in the series, in an interview conducted after watching the first two episodes of this season. 

'House of the Dragon' 2x01

How would you describe Helaena?

She is a creative and imaginative creature. Misunderstood. She is fragile, yet independent.  

Would you say there is a supernatural aspect to her premonitions?

I like to think that she is very sensitive and intuitive. And in this world, that translates to her saying things that come true. The funny thing is that no one around her has realized it because everyone has dismissed her as a weirdo and doesn't listen to her. That doesn't mean they don't love her, they just don't understand her because she's different. More than supernatural, I think it's like a sixth sense that intensifies in her, like a really strong instinct. 

'House of the Dragon' 2x02

What is Helaena's emotional and mental state in the funeral scenes?

I think she is completely overstimulated. She has just been through a traumatic situation and suddenly she receives all these stimuli from people she doesn't know, but who project onto her the image they have of who she is. I think it is extremely overwhelming for Helaena because it is almost as if her brain is being filled with other people's perceptions and there is no room left for hers.

It's the opposite of what you would prescribe to someone who has gone through her experience, especially when we're talking about Helaena, because she processes everything in a different way. She is overstimulated and on the verge of a panic attack. All she wants at that moment is for her mother to save her. 

Like the night before...

Exactly.

'House of the Dragon' 2x01

Could we say that the character has lost her innocence with all this experience?

I think you're right. I believe she is definitely going through a loss of innocence. A loss of innocence represented as the loss of the belief she used to have that her family would protect her in exchange for what she has done for them, for fulfilling her duty.

Being a queen is not what Helaena would choose for herself if she could, she believed that at least they would keep her safe and allow her to live the private life she wants to live, but now with the danger of death and public exposure, she has realized that she really can't trust anyone, not even her own mother. She has realized that she is alone.