As a devoted fan who has spent countless hours immersed in the rich tapestry of George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” I must admit that I found myself slightly taken aback by the deviations House of Dragons has taken from its source material. While I understand the necessity for adaptation, the absence of Nettles, the reshaping of Mysaria and Rhaenyra’s relationship, and the expansive role given to Alys Rivers have left me yearning for a taste of the familiar.
Transforming a beloved book into a television series is always a challenging endeavor, as Game of Thrones fans have learned all too well. However, when the show ran out of George R.R. Martin’s source material, its quality declined significantly. The final season aired in 2019 and faced heavy criticism. Nevertheless, the spin-off series House of the Dragon has fared better than its predecessor. This series is based on Martin’s Fire & Blood and explores the history of the Targaryen family; however, even this show, led by Game of Thrones veteran Ryan Condal, has made some significant changes to the original storyline.
Adapting a non-traditional narrative
Fire & Blood deviates from the conventional narrative style found in A Song of Ice and Fire. Instead, it resembles historical chronicles, focusing more on the overall evolution of the Targaryen dynasty rather than individual journeys. Consequently, transforming this work into a TV series presents unique challenges. The storyline primarily revolves around momentous events that have shaped the Targaryens, as opposed to personal adventures (Condal et al., 2022). Notwithstanding these differences, showrunner Ryan Condal and his team have introduced significant modifications in the second season of House of the Dragon, which delves into the tumultuous civil war within the Targaryen family, also known as the Dance of the Dragons. Here are some of the notable changes they’ve made.
Alicent Hightower’s secret romance
A significant shift occurs in the plot of “Game of Thrones: House of the Dragon” television series during Season 2, as Alicent Hightower gains prominence due to her connection with Ser Criston Cole. In contrast, during Season 1, a friendship between Alicent and Rhaenyra Targaryen deteriorates following an intimate encounter between Rhaenyra and Ser Criston at a sad wedding celebration for a relative. This incident creates a divide between them that escalates into conflicts in season two.
As a long-time fan of George R.R. Martin’s epic fantasy series, I must admit that I was initially skeptical when I heard that the showrunners were introducing new elements to the storyline in the second season of “Fire & Blood.” However, after watching the latest episodes, I find myself pleasantly surprised by the addition of the affair between Alicent and Ser Criston.
The brutal murder of Prince Jaehaerys
One key distinction between the show and the book lies in the portrayal of Prince Jaehaerys’ death. In the first season finale, it is Prince Lucerys Targaryen who is killed by his uncle Aemond Targaryen. In response, Rhaenyra resorts to a drastic measure and hires assassins who are unsuccessful in killing Aemond but instead capture Helaena Targaryen, daughter of Alicent, along with her two young children, Prince Jaehaerys and Princess Jaehaera.
In the series, Prince Jaehaerys meets a gruesome end in front of Helaena, lacking his head. While this scene is violent in both the show and book, the description in Fire & Blood is more unsettling as it reveals that Helaena was forced to decide between her sons’ lives. She chose to save her younger son, tragically resulting in Jaehaerys being beheaded by assassins instead.
Furthermore, Alicent was present at the scene of the murder, found bound and silenced in her own room. Contrary to the portrayal in the TV series “Game of Thrones: House of the Dragon,” she was not off enjoying herself with Criston elsewhere.
Helaena and Alicent’s sympathy tour
The production additionally includes a scene not found in the original text, depicting Helaena’s emotional response after her son’s death. Her sorrow is overwhelming, bordering on catatonia. Yet, Otto Hightower exploits this sorrow, turning it into a tool against their adversaries. As a result, both Helaena and Alicent are compelled by him to walk through King’s Landing accompanied by a town crier, who falsely accuses Rhaenyra of murdering Prince Jaehaerys.
In Fire & Blood, this particular scene is not present. However, in the show, it introduces a tense conflict between two factions, heightening the drama. Moreover, it offers insights into Otto’s unyielding desire for power, even at the expense of his own family. This new layer further deepens Helaena’s existing emotional turmoil.
Mysaria’s role in the Cargyll Twins’ conflict
In the drama between twins Erryk and Arryk Cargyll, Mysaria significantly influences the plot in the TV series. While she has a small part in the book Fire & Blood, known as the White Worm, Mysaria assumes a more significant role in House of the Dragon, aligning with Team Black. She develops a close relationship with Rhaenyra Targaryen and her actions play a crucial part in the events portrayed on-screen.
In the epic conflict known as “The Dance of Dragons,” the Targaryen civil war, the twins, Elliot Tittensor’s character Arryk and Luke Tittensor’s character Erryk, find themselves on opposite sides. While Arryk backs Aegon, Erryk stays faithful to Rhaenyra.
In one instance depicted within the storyline, Ser Criston Cole disguised himself as Arryk, causing confusion between them, and sent the deceptive Arryk to Dragonstone with instructions to assassinate Rhaenyra. However, when Mysaria discovered this scheme, she alerted Erryk and his brother about it. Unfortunately, their confrontation resulted in a deadly battle, but in this particular book, Mysaria is not present during this fight.
Daemon’s visions at Harrenhal
One significant distinction is the time Daemon Targaryen spends at Harrenhal, depicted in House of the Dragon’s second season. Unlike Rhaenyra, Daemon resides in the crumbling castle of Harrenhal, and this period reveals his hallucinations that are not present in Fire & Blood.
In this series, his experiences include encountering a younger likeness of Rhaenyra, witnessing his deceased brother, and having bizarre dreams about his own mother. Reminiscent of familiar scenes for Game of Thrones enthusiasts featuring Daenerys Targaryen and her dragons, as well as the Night King, these visions are unique to the television adaptation and not found in the original books.
The Dragon Eggs’ path
In the storyline, the number of dragon eggs entrusted for safekeeping has been adjusted. In Fire & Blood, Rhaenyra dispatches three dragon eggs to Rhaena Targaryen during a war, but in House of the Dragon and later in Game of Thrones, four eggs are sent initially, with only three eventually connected to Daenerys Targaryen. This is supported by director Geeta Patel, who confirms these as Daenerys’ dragon eggs that appear on Game of Thrones.
As a lifestyle expert, I’d say: Not only do these eggs resemble my dragons in color, but it seems the showrunners intentionally incorporated this detail as a tribute to the original series. However, in the book, things unfold differently; a sailor named Elissa Fairman makes off with them and puts them up for sale instead. This twist brings back fond memories of Game of Thrones for fans, although it’s not quite how it played out in the novel.
Alicent and Rhaenyra reunited
One of the most heartfelt moments in House of Dragon’s second season involves Alicent and Rhaenyra coming together. In a bid to settle the conflict as shown on TV, Rhaenyra secretly enters King’s Landing and confronts Alicent. While disguised as a septa, she encounters Alicent in a sept where they both kneel down, praying for harmony. The encounter is powerful, highlighting the chemistry between Olivia Cooke and Emma D’Arcy that has been so effectively portrayed throughout the series.
While Fire & Blood doesn’t include this specific scene, George R.R Martin clarifies that neither Rhaenyra nor her character invaded King’s Landing, nor did they have the emotional exchange depicted in that episode. This scene seems to be more about adding dramatic tension or backstory, but it strays quite a bit from the original source material.
Nettles’ absence in the series
One significant shift fans have observed in the House of Dragons cast is the lack of the character Nettles, who was depicted riding a dragon named Sheepstealer in the book Fire and Blood. Nettles, known as a dragonseed (a term for bastards with old Valyrian blood), also had an affair with Daemon Targaryen in the same novel. However, it seems like Rhaena Targaryen might be assuming some aspects of Nettles’s character in the series adaptation.
Season 2 concludes with Rhaena meeting a dragon known as Sheepstealer, a familiar figure for readers. This encounter in the next season could imply that Rhaena may mount this dragon. However, by introducing Rhaena instead of Nettles, the series might be diverging from the anticipated screen appearance of the character Nettles, which could be disappointing to fans eagerly awaiting her on-screen debut.
New relationship between Mysaria and Rhaenyra
In episode 6 of season 2 (Smallfolk), an unanticipated shift arises in the dynamic between Mysaria and Rhaenyra. They share their hidden anxieties with each other, leading to a surprising moment – a kiss, indicating their romantic feelings within the storyline. This scene is not found in Fire & Blood.
In the course of filming, Sonoya Mizuno and her co-star hadn’t initially intended to share a romantic kiss; however, when the moment came, it seemed fitting for their fictional characters. This unplanned development deepened the connection between them, a dimension that wasn’t previously explored in the original content.
The expansive role of Alys Rivers
In Fire & Blood, while Alys Rivers’ witchcraft is well-known, her influence over Prince Daemon Targaryen is relatively minor. At Harrenhal, they were apart, and it appeared as though Daemon did not sense any magical aura from her. However, the series presents an alternative perspective that develops a deeper connection between Alys and Prince Daemon compared to how their relationship was portrayed in its initial source material.
Via her spells, Daemon possesses the ability to predict individuals like Daenerys Targaryen and Night King, among others. Additionally, the series “House of the Dragon” reveals that Alys employed alchemy to poison him by tampering with his meals and beverages. Compared to her character in the novel, this portrayal of Alys showcases a more significant role for her character.
Alicent’s unusual agreement with Rhaenyra
The Queen Who Ever Was, the last episode of season 2 experiences one of the most sensational twists where Alicent Hightower makes an agreement with Rhaenyra Targaryen that shocks us all. Alicent decides that she will make sure that Rhaenyra gets hold of the throne even if her son has to die for it This particular scene contrasts heavily with what happens in Fire & Blood.
Alicent Holds Steadfast Even After Rhaenyra Captures King’s Landing, Following Her Defiance Against Aemond’s Return, Bringing Fire and Blood. Yet, her decision to stand firm for Season 3 sparks a new conflict, offering an unexpected twist compared to the original storyline known by book readers.
House of the Dragon, when bringing Fire & Blood to life, took bold risks, altering or omitting significant characters and crucial events in the narrative. This departure from the original source material gives the show a unique spin that might be seen as a letdown by some viewers, but could also offer a fresh perspective for others. As the series unfolds, these adaptations are expected to shape the future portrayal of Westeros’s political landscape and the Targaryen dynasty known for their dragon riding.
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2024-08-09 17:56