This article contains mentions of violence, abuse, sexual assault, and PTSD.

The excitement for Hulu’sA Court of Thorns and Rosesscreen adaptation has been mounting since it was announced. However, this doesn’t mean that the streaming service shouldn’t make some alterations to the story. While the core aspects of the plot shouldn’t change,there are many opportunities for the TV series to expand existing elements of the narrativeto deepen characters and their relationships. If there’s any character who deserves extra time and attention, it’s Rhysand, the sweeping romantic lead with a troubling backstory that emotionally moves many readers.

The cover of A Court of Silver Flames in front of the covers of A Court of Thorns & Roses and A Court of Wings & Ruin

There aretropes in everyA Court of Thorns and Rosesbook, and no character is immune to falling victim to them. While Feyre is the protagonist for most of the story, characters like Rhysand are a large part of why readers are so dedicated to theACOTARuniverse. While love and romance take center stage inACOTAR​​​​​​,the series also tackles some serious topics and doesn’t shy away from engaging in conversations about traumaand abuse. There are many ways that the show can go about bringing these facets of the story to life.

Rhysand’s Trauma From Under The Mountain Isn’t Explored Enough In The ACOTAR Books

This part of his story needs more explanation and time

TheHuluA Court of Thorns and Rosesshow must make some changes to Rhysand, including spending more time touching upon his experiences Under the Mountain. While Feyre goes through her intense troubles Under the Mountain, Rhysand was struggling there before.He’s kept Under the Mountain by Amarantha,the primary antagonist ofA Court of Thorns and Roses, and is coerced into being her consort while being her prisoner. It’s a horrible period in his life, and he is put through a lot of sexual trauma, going through this to protect his people after his father kills Tamlin’s father.

What happens between Rhysand and Amarantha is one of the most upsetting parts of his story, and this is a delicate, sensitive topic that deserves the necessary time and attention.

A Court of Thorns and Roses, Wings and Ruin, and Frost and Starlight book covers on green hulu background

What happens between Rhysand and Amarantha is one of the most upsetting parts of his story, and this is a delicate, sensitive topic that deserves the necessary time and attention. The time he spends Under the Mountain and what Amarantha does to him impact Rhysand’s actions and decisions for the rest of the books. Though this is brought up throughoutACOTAR​​​​​​, the TV series format will allow the adaptation’s writers to spend more time showcasing Rhysand’s perspective and helping the audience empathize with him as a character.

A Court of Thorns and Roses

The Court of Thorns & Roses books lined up together against a dark concrete background

2015

A Court of Mist and Fury

Book-Cover-Imagery-of-ACOTAR,-Rhapsodic,-&-What-Lies-Beyond-The-Veil

2016

A Court of Wings and Ruin

A Court of Thornes and Roses temp book-tv poster

2017

2021

Hulu’s Court Of Thorns & Roses Show Must Give This Rhysand Story The Weight It Deserves

This subject must be treated with empathy and sensitivity

Whileit’s easy to see Rhysand through Feyre’s eyes as a powerful and desirable figure,expanding upon his past would strengthen his character. Showcasing how this experience impacted him would help the viewer handle witnessing a subject of such gravity. Rhysand’s experience Under the Mountain isn’t the only example of storylines inACOTARthat should be taken seriously. They must be adapted with care in order to give them their proper weight. Glossing over Rhysand’s time being hurt by Amarantha isn’t the right direction for the series to go, as it’s part of his characterization.

10 Court Of Thorns & Roses Book Moments Hulu’s TV Show Needs To Get Right

With the ACOTAR TV show currently in development at Hulu, there are plenty of crucial book moments moments that the TV series will need to get right.

However, centering Rhysand’s perspective and allowing him to fully process his trauma and experiences would be the best way for anACOTARseries to include this storyline with empathy and sensitivity. The audience finds out about Rhysand’s time Under the Mountain in the first book in a scene between Rhysand and Feyre, but the series could go even further. Thanks to the TV format,ACOTARcould utilize flashbacks and have scenes that revolve around Rhysand’s internal processingto focus on his growth and healing.

Exploring This Rhysand Story Would Improve His Character & Relationship With Feyre

Though their bond is already fantastic, Rhysand and Feyre’s relationship could grow even more

Feyre and Rhysand’s love story is one of the best in the entire book seriesand is a large part of the reason that audiences loveACOTAR. While there’s already a lot that the pair relate to each other, if Rhysand has opened up to Feyre about what he went through, she could relate because of her experiences of being lied to and manipulated by Tamlin. Though Tamlin doesn’t treat Feyre in the way that Amarantha abuses Rhysand, her relationship with Tamlin is built on deception, and this affects her feelings in new relationships.

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There are many thingsfans missed about Rhysand inA Court of Thorns of Roses, but what he goes through because of Amarantha shouldn’t be one of them. Both Rhysand and Feyre might have more depth if Hulu’sA Court of Thorns and Rosesdelves even further into its exploration of the breadth of their experiences. Feyre and Rhysand share a lot and aren’t afraid to open up to each other, so it would make sense for them to be honest about how their past has affected them.

Based on theA Court of Thorns and Rosesfantasy novel series, A Court of Thorns and Roses is a television adaptation that follows Feyre Archeron, a young woman dragged into the world of faeries after slaying one of their kind. The series will follow her journey through the lands of Prythian and her relationship with one of its lords, Tamlin.