Earlier in Episode 6, Laena Velaryon informs Daemon (and viewers) that she has no wish to succumb to a Lord's death, but instead wants to die as she lived — as a dragon rider. Laena's death by dragon fire fulfills her promise, though actor Nanna Blondell was worried Laena's decision would turn "House of the Dragon" fans against her character.
"I remember when I first read [the script], I was like, 'Oh my god, is she sure the baby's really dead,'" explained Blondell. "[It's] crazy to go burn yourself." Sarah Hess, who wrote the episode, assured the actor that Laena's decision was more understandable given what viewers had already witnessed in Episode 1 with Aemma Arryn's (Sian Brooke) death. When King Viserys (Paddy Considine) is given the same option as his brother Daemon, Viserys chooses to sacrifice his wife in an attempt to save the baby. Both Aemma and their child die.
"Because we also get to see so little of her character, I think they really wanted to give her a bang ending," Blondell continued. "But I must admit in the beginning, I was like, 'This is crazy, [viewers] are gonna hate her.'"
