In the world of Game of Thrones fan fiction, we have a character named Queen Helaena who is much beloved by the smallfolk of King’s Landing. Recently, rumors began to arise that she did not kill herself, but rather was murdered at Rhaenyra’s command. The commoners are quick to believe these rumors and the city rose in bloody riot.
In simpler terms, ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 garnered both praise and criticism. While it drew in viewers, some fans felt that the storyline wasn’t as strong compared to the first season. The initial episodes were appreciated, but there was a sense of dissatisfaction over how a pivotal scene from the book, Blood & Cheese, was handled. Rhaenys’ death was a shocking and powerful scene, yet subsequent episodes seemed to lack substantial plot development and appeared more like setups for Season 3
Viewers additionally voiced apprehensions regarding the series’ narrative progression, particularly noticing changes leaning towards a more socially conscious approach, such as an unscheduled kiss between Mysaria and Rhaenyra on screen, and the representation of certain figures. Furthermore, the treatment of topics like sexism was deemed shallow by some, and several felt that Rhaenyra was excessively portrayed as the virtuous character, a depiction that contrasted with the books’ more nuanced portrayal of characters
In the spirit of George R.R. Martin, a masterful storyteller whose works include “A Song of Ice and Fire” series and the novel “Fire & Blood,” I am here to give you a heads-up about what may go awry within the show. Rest assured, I’ll keep my word
As a dedicated gamer, I’d like to point out some aspects the show could improve upon revisiting the character of Maelor from their book. While Marting didn’t argue those changes explicitly, his comments suggest that he feels the removal of Maelor weakened the emotional impact of the Blood and Cheese scene and disrupted subsequent plot developments
) In the book, Helaena faces a heart-wrenching decision where she must choose which of her sons will perish, making the scene deeply emotional and filled with tragedy. However, in the show, this complex situation was simplified by not featuring Maelor and altering Helaena’s response, a change that Martin believes lessened the impact of the scene’s emotional intensity
Eliminating Maelor doesn’t just impact the current narrative, but it will also ripple through the story, affecting key elements such as the Bitterbridge series and ultimately leading to Helaena’s tragic end by suicide
“Martin temporarily removed his blog entry, however, the entire discourse remains accessible through the internet.”
In July, I mentioned that I would share more insights about Blood and Cheese… and the storyline of Maelor the Missing… following my analysis of the initial two episodes from House of the Dragon season 2 titled “A Son for a Son” and “Rhaenyra the Cruel.”
The episodes were fantastic: expertly written, skillfully directed, and powerfully performed. They provided an excellent start for the new season. Both fans and critics seemed to concur. However, there was one aspect of the episodes that received considerable backlash: the portrayal of Blood and Cheese, as well as the death of Prince Jaehaerys. Opinions were divided on this matter. Readers of FIRE & BLOOD found it underwhelming and a letdown compared to their expectations. On the other hand, viewers who hadn’t read the book didn’t encounter such issues. They generally considered the sequence emotionally intense, tragic, horrifying, and nightmarish, with some even tearing up
I found myself agreeing with both sides.
According to my novel, Aegon and Helaena have three offspring, not just two. The twins, Jaehaerys and Jaehaera, are six years of age. They also have a younger brother, Maelor, who turns two. During an unexpected intrusion by Blood and Cheese, they inform Helaena that they are debt collectors seeking vengeance for the death of Prince Lucerys. Since Lucerys was a son, they demand that Helaena choose which one of her sons should perish in return. She refuses and proposes sacrificing herself instead, but they insist it must be a son. If she fails to designate one, they threaten to kill all three children. To spare the twins, Helaena selects Maelor. However, Blood slaughters Jaehaerys, the elder child, instead, while Cheese tells little Maelor that his mother wished him dead. (It’s questionable whether he comprehends this.)
In the series House of the Dragon, Maelor is absent as there are only two young-looking twins, but their exact age isn’t certain. Since Blood has trouble distinguishing between them, Helaena, their mother, is asked to identify which twin is the boy (though it seems like a simple task given their attire). Instead of offering her life to protect the children, Helaena presents them with a necklace. Neither Blood nor Cheese are swayed by this gesture. Later, we hear the sound of Prince Jaehaerys’s beheading; the graphic scene is omitted and only implied (in the book, he loses his head with a sword)
There’s no denying it – the scene is gruesome and violent. After all, an innocent child is being mercilessly killed right before the eyes of his mother
I still believe the scene in the book is stronger. The readers have the right of that. The two killers are crueler in the book. I thought the actors who played the killers on the show were excellent… but the characters are crueler, harder, and more frightening in FIRE & BLOOD. In the show, Blood is a gold cloak. In the book, he is a former gold cloak, stripped of his office for beating a woman to death. Book Blood is the sort of man who might think making a woman choose which of her sons should die is amusing, especially when they double down on the wanton cruelty by murdering the boy she tries to save. Book Cheese is worse too; he does not kick a dog, true, but he does not have a dog, and he’s the one who tells Maelor that his mom wants him head. I would also suggest that Helaena shows more courage, more strength in the book, by offering her own own life to save her son. Offering a piece of jewelry is just not the same.
In my observation, the “Sophie’s Choice” segment stood out as the most intense, the most dramatic, and the one with the deepest impact. It was the part I found hardest to let go. And based on audience feedback, it appears that most spectators concurred
When Ryan Condal initially proposed his idea, it was back in 2022, and I initially objected for several reasons. However, I did not prolong my objections or escalate the discussion excessively. The adjustment seemed to weaken the process, but only slightly. Ryan had practical rationales for the change; he did not wish to handle another child, especially a two-year old toddler. Young children naturally slow down production, and there were budget concerns on HOUSE OF THE DRAGON. It made financial sense to save money wherever we could. Moreover, Ryan guaranteed me that we were not forsaking Prince Maelor, but merely postponing him. Queen Helaena could still conceive him in season three, presumably after linking with the child late in season two. This seemed sensible to me, so I relinquished my objections and assented to the adjustment
I still love the episode, and the Blood and Cheese sequence overall. Losing the “Helaena’s Choice” beat did weaken the scene, but not to any great degree. Only the book readers would even notice its absence; viewers who had never read FIRE & BLOOD would still find the scenes heart-rending. Maelor did not actually DO anything in the scene, after all. How could he? He was only two years old.
There is another aspect to the removal of the young princeling, however.
For those who detest spoilers, let’s move forward without further ado. Readers, this piece is intended for your perusal. Spoilers might find a way to tag along, but the focus here is on those who appreciate unspoiled content
In a more conversational and reader-friendly manner: If you’ve never watched the show “Fire & Blood,” it might not be crucial, since what I am about to discuss here are events unique to the book that rarely occur in the series. Let’s delve into Maelor himself
At some point after the original plan to exclude Maelor, a significant alteration occurred. Instead of merely delaying his birth until Season 3, it was decided that he wouldn’t be born at all. As a result, the younger son of Aegon and Helaena would no longer make an appearance in the storyline
Most of you know about the Butterfly Effect, I assume.
In simpler terms, the idea you’re referring to is known as the “Butterfly Effect” in Chaos Theory, popularized by Ray Bradbury in his time travel tale, “A Sound of Thunder”. This concept suggests that small changes or alterations in a timeline (or story) can lead to significant and far-reaching effects. Essentially, change breeds change, implying that even minor adjustments can have profound impacts on what follows afterwards
Maelor, a two-year-old toddler in FIRE & BLOOD, exhibits an influence disproportionate to his size, similar to our butterfly. Readers may recall that when it seems Rhaenyra and her blacks are about to capture King’s Landing, Queen Alicent becomes concerned for the safety of Helaena’s remaining children, and takes steps to save them by smuggling them out of the city. The task is given to two knights of the Kingsguard: Ser Willis Fell is commanded to deliver Princess Jaehaera to the Baratheons at Storm’s End, while Maelor is given over to Ser Rickard Thorne to be escorted across the Mander to the protection of the Hightower army on its way to King’s Landing
In a turn of events, Willis Fell successfully escorts Jaehaera to the Baratheons at Storm’s End. However, Ser Rickard’s journey doesn’t end as favorably. Accompanied by Maelor, they reach Bitterbridge, where his true identity as a Kingsguard is unveiled in a tavern called The Hogs Head. Upon discovery, he valiantly fights to shield and transport Maelor to safety, but falls just short of crossing the bridge, struck down by crossbow fire. Tragically, Maelor is wrenched from his grasp, and then brutally torn apart by the crowd scrambling for the boy and the substantial reward Rhaenyra has promised for his capture and return
As a gamer, I’m pondering over some potential changes for the show: Maybe, but it seems unlikely due to the butterflies in my stomach. Swapping Ser Rickard’s ward from Maelor to Jaehaera could work, given her importance as Aegon’s heir. However, Jaehaera is invincible, which might complicate things. A possible tweak could be making Maelor a newborn instead of a two-year-old, but that would disrupt the timeline even more, especially since it’s already a bit of a mess. I have no clue what Ryan has up his sleeve – if he has anything planned at all – but given Maelor’s absence in episode 2, simplifying things might be best by just writing off Maelor altogether, skipping Alicent’s attempt to send the kids to safety, and either sending Rickard Thorne away or having him accompany Willis Fell so Jaehaera has two guards
It appears Ryan might be streamlining this scene based on what I’ve gathered. This approach could indeed be logical considering budgets and shooting timelines. However, simplicity isn’t always superior. The Bitterbridge scene carries tension, suspense, action, bloodshed, a dash of heroism, and a lot of tragedy. Rickard Thorne, though not a major character, has a brief moment of heroism here, showcasing the valor and loyalty of the Kingsguard, be they black or green. While many viewers might not notice his absence, I thought it was worth giving him this small act of heroism
In the story, when news of Prince Maelor’s gruesome demise (on pages 505) spreads to the Red Keep, it ultimately pushes Queen Helaena to take her own life. She found it unbearable to even glance at Maelor, knowing that she had chosen him for his fate in the “Sophie’s Choice” moment… and now he is truly deceased, fulfilling her prophetic words. The sorrow and remorse prove too heavy a burden for her
In Ryan’s Season 3 plot, Helaena continues her relentless pursuit… for no apparent cause. There are no sudden shocks, no dramatic incidents to unnerve the vulnerable protagonist
In simpler terms, Queen Helaena, known for her kindness and gentleness, is deeply cherished by the common people of King’s Landing. On the other hand, Rhaenyra was not well-liked. Whispers started circulating that Helaena didn’t take her own life as believed, but was murdered under Rhaenyra’s orders. The people, quick to believe these rumors, stirred up violence in King’s Landing, an event I described on page 506 of FIRE & BLOOD. This marked the beginning of Rhaenyra’s downfall as ruler of the city, leading eventually to the Storming of the Dragonpit, the rise of the Shepherd’s mob, and Rhaenyra’s flight from the city back to Dragonstone… and her demise
Maelor by himself means little. He is a small child, does not have a line of dialogue, does nothing of consequence but die… but where and when and how, that does matter. Losing Maelor weakened the end of the Blood and Cheese sequence, but it also cost us the Bitterbridge scene with all its horror and heroism, it undercut the motivation for Helaena’s suicide, and that in turn sent thousands into the streets and alleys, screaming for justice for their “murdered” queen. None of that is essential, I suppose… but all of it does serve a purpose, it all helps to tie the story lines together, so one thing follows another in a logical and convincing manner.
As a fan, I find myself pondering what alternatives we might present to our fellow enthusiasts once these butterflies have been… eliminated, for lack of a better term. I must confess, it never crossed my mind when Ryan first shared the news about Aegon’s second son being delayed. Maelor, while not indispensable, certainly holds significance in this grand tapestry. However, if his absence leads to the loss of Bitterbridge, Helaena’s tragic demise, and the ensuing unrest, then we stand to lose a great deal indeed
Introducing a new bloom in the garden of ideas: The Dragon’s Abode prepares modifications for Seasons 3 and 4. As more colossal and harmful Butterflies approach, let us devise strategies to ensure harmony and progression
GRRM
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2024-09-05 13:15