House of the Dragon’s first season flew in with all the drama, shocking moments, and, of course, dragons that fans expect from this universe. Season one took us back many decades before Daenerys Targaryen’s birth to show us the events leading to the decline of the mighty House Targaryen. Now, we are fully locked into the fury that Rhaenyra will rain upon her former BFF Alicent and her supporters after Jace’s death. What does the future hold for these warring factions? We shall see what happens in this upcoming season.

One thing we know is that everyone looks super intense yet hella fly in these first-look photos for season two.

Click To View Gallery

Here’s everything we know about House of the Dragon season two so far. 

House of the Dragon Season Two’s Plot 

The show is based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, so book fans have a general sense of where this show will go. Of course, there will be some creative liberties taken, but the obvious “Dance of the Dragons” between Team Rhaenyra (the Black Queen) and Team Alicent will happen. Rhaenyra and her uncle-husband Daemon will wage war against Aegon II, Alicent’s son and the newly crowned king.

House Velaryon stands with the “Blacks” along with their massive navy. On the other side is the “Greens” with Alicent, her father Otto Hightower, Ser Criston Cole, and her son Aemond, the rider of Vhagar, the largest dragon in the world. There is no longer a chance at mediation as Rhaenyra’s rage takes over. 

The battle between the Greens and Blacks is further set up with these gorgeous posters featuring Alicent and Rhaenyra.

George R.R. Martin himself has seen the first two episodes and said on his blog that they were “very dark.” Now, we all know you literally can’t see things sometimes on this show. But we are sure he means the tone and action are not pleasant. He also said the episodes are “powerful, emotional, gut-wrenching, heart rending” and “may make you cry.” Let’s prepare out hearts for heartbreak.

Behind the Scenes 

House of the Dragon co-creator and executive producer Ryan Condal will continue on as a showrunner; however, his season one co-showunner Miguel Sapochnik will not return for season two. George R.R. Martin will continue his involvement as an executive producer. This time, fans will get eight episodes, which is two fewer than the first season.

House of the Dragon Season Two’s Cast

After many time jumps and casting changes in season one, House of the Dragon’s second season will stick with the faces we know now. And boy are there a lot of characters in this show. Matt Smith and Emma D’Arcy will return as Daemon and Rhaenyra Targaryen. Olivia Cooke (Alicent), Eve Best (Rhaenys Targaryen), Steve Toussaint (Corlys Velaryon), Fabien Frankel (Ser Criston Cole), Ewan Mitchell (Aemond Targaryen), Tom Glynn-Carney (Aegon Targaryen), Sonoya Mizuno (Mysaria), Matthew Needham (Larys Strong) and Rhys Ifans (Otto Hightower) are also set to round out the main cast. 

Simon Russell Beale, Freddie Fox, Gayle Rankin, and Abubakar Salim have joined the series as well, according to Deadline. Beale plays Ser Simon Strong, Castellan of Harrenhal. Fox is Ser Gwayne Hightower. Rankin is Alys Rivers, and Salim is Alyn of Hull.

The series revealed new cast members at CCXP 2023, including Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull, Jamie Kenna as Ser Alfred Broome, Kieran Bew as Hugh, Tom Bennett as Ulf, Tom Taylor as Lord Cregan Stark, and Vincent Regan as Ser Rickard Thorne.

House of the Dragon Season Two’s Release Date 

There is currently no release date for House of the Dragon season two. However, the series is slated to release in the summer of 2024.

Originally published on May 8, 2023.

The post HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Season 2 Brings Intense Stares in First-Look Images appeared first on Nerdist.

“There is no war so hateful to the gods than a war between kin.” We’re not sure how much the gods will be involved in House of the Dragon‘s sophomore outing, but the new trailer for the show’s second season features a whole lot of hate and war. Rhaenyra Targaryen is coming for both vengeance and the Iron Throne. And everyone, on both sides, who splintered House Targaryen is now preparing for the blood that will surely follow all that fire. HBO has finally debuted its highly anticipated first trailer for House of the Dragon season two. It premiered at this year’s CCXP23 panel in São Paulo, Brazil. This promo more than delivers on the promise of rage and death teased during the first season’s final moments.

Rhaenyra’s son is gone and she’s determined to make those responsible for his death answer. They know what’s coming, too. This House of the Dragon season two trailer has an underlying sense of regret, as the members of House Hightower who stole Rhaenyra’s crown must face the grim reality of having succeeded. Death is coming for all involved. And with both sides having dragons it’s coming in the form of fire. Bad for them, but it should make for a great season of television for us.

The show also announced some new cast members. Some will end up playing major roles on the show. (We won’t spoil which ones for you.) The new stars include: Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull, Jamie Kenna as Ser Alfred Broome, Kieran Bew as Hugh, Tom Bennett as Ulf, Tom Taylor as Lord Cregan Stark, and Vincent Regan as Ser Rickard Thorne. Previously announced new season two cast includes Abubakar Salim as Alyn of Hull, Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers, Freddie Fox as Ser Gwayne Hightower, and Simon Russell Beale as Ser Simon Strong.

The show will also feature a number of returning stars. Back for more chaos in the Realm are: Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Eve Best, Steve Toussaint, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno, and Rhys Ifans. Additional returning cast includes Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall, and Matthew Needham.

What Is the Release Date for House of the Dragon Season 2?

The eight-episode second season debuts at HBO next summer in 2024.

The post HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Shares Season 2 Trailer and Announces New Cast Members appeared first on Nerdist.

The House of the Dragon is about to get a lot bigger on HBO. Warner Bros. Discovery has ordered another Game of Thrones prequel set during the Targaryen dynasty to series. Based on George R.R. Martin’s collection of novellas, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, it will bring the beloved duo of Dunk and Egg to life. But unlike its two predecessors, they won’t be moving around like their famous family members. This will be the first Game of Thrones show not to feature dragons. Instead it will feature a famous One-Eyed Raven.

HBO has finally settled on a second Westeros spinoff. Currently known as A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight, the show will follow two legendary figures in the Realm’s history: Ser Duncan the Tall and his young squire/secret Targaryen prince, Aegon. (Yup, another Aegon.) The show has been in development for more than two years. Martin and Ira Parker will write and executive produce the show. Ryan Condal and Vince Gerardis will also serve as executive producers. According to Variety, at a recent press event, HBO CEO Casey Bloys shared that the series will begin production in spring 2024, pending the resolution of the SAG-AFTRA strike. Hopefully, the studios will soon agree to fairly compensate and protect their actors.

HBO also shared an official logline for the prequel:

A century before the events of Game of Thrones, two unlikely heroes wandered Westeros… a young, naïve but courageous knight, Ser Duncan the Tall, and his diminutive squire, Egg. Set in an age when the Targaryen line still holds the Iron Throne and the memory of the last dragon has not yet passed from living memory, great destinies, powerful foes, and dangerous exploits all await these improbable and incomparable friends.

Martin has released three novellas about Dunk and Egg’s adventures together, which came in the immediate aftermath of the Blackfyre Rebellion. That was the second famous Targaryen civil war in Westeros, the one fought after dragons went extinct. The three stories were later collected in the book that lends its name to the show’s title.

While we know the fate of Dunk and Egg many years later (which you can read about here if you don’t mind spoilers), there’s so much of their earlier time together we do not. Beyond the three stories Martin has published, he has long said he had/has plans for many more entries. Even if he never writes them, he can now use those ideas as a basis for storylines on the show.

Recently, HBO’s head of drama Francesca Orsi noted more about how the series would structure itself. She offered that it would run “ideally year-to-year and arcing out a three-season series, which maps out the three novellas that George wrote… Of course, we’d like more beyond that, and George is continuing to think about the remaining novellas that he still wants to write, but at this point, we have our eye on three seasons that would map out each book, each novella.”

Even if we simply get adaptations of the three we have read, though, they will provide a fascinating look at the Seven Kingdoms during an important era in its history. The first Blackfyre Rebellion split the Realm in two. But the end of a war does not guarantee peace. And while House Targaryen did not have dragons during this time period, they did have magic. Also, the actions of family members also had major implications on their ancestors 100 years later during the events of Game of Thrones. A couple of them were still around then, too.

Maester Aemon of the Night’s Watch was Egg’s brother. (He called out to Egg while dying.) And the Three-Eyed Raven (known as the Three-Eyed Crow in the novels) was one of the most important figures before, during, and long after the Blackfyre Rebellion. Long before he became part of a tree far beyond the Wall he was an infamous sorcerer and political figure. Just getting to see him in his heyday will make this spinoff worth watching.

Not that it needs any more reasons than Dunk and Egg. Warner Bros. Discovery didn’t need a Three-Eyed Raven to tell the people love this duo for a reason. Or that another Game of Thrones spinoff is a good idea.

Originally published on April 12, 2023.

The post GAME OF THRONES Dunk and Egg Spinoff Series to Adapt A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS appeared first on Nerdist.

Game of Thrones featured a clash of kings and queens fighting to have their crown recognized as the only one with power. Considering how many monarchs suffered horrible deaths on the series, that didn’t really work out for most of them. Fortunately you don’t have to worry about war, wargs, White Walkers, or Walder Frey if you want to wear a beautiful piece of jewelry that shows your devotion to the Seven Kingdoms. Nerdist can exclusively share with you that Pandora is launching a global Game of Thrones line. And we also have your first-look at three Targaryen-inspired pieces from the collection.

Pandora has partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products for a set that customers have been clamoring for like a wight locked in a box. The Game of Thrones x Pandora collection will celebrate the world of ice and fire with 12 distinct, officially-licensed pieces. The collection will go on sale both in store and online starting September 28th. (Pandora Club members will get early access.)

You don’t have to wait that long to get a sneak peek at what’s coming. In addition to the collection’s announcement, Nerdist also has your first look at the three pieces. They’ll make dragon lovers especially happy. Here they are along with Pandora’s official descriptions and prices:

Dragon Egg Charm (€49/£45/$60)

Crafted from sterling silver with a textured scale effect and a crack studded with sparkling cubic zirconia, the Dragon Egg Charm represents the beginning of the dragon story that runs through the narrative of the series.

House of the Dragon Crown Ring (€79/£70/$95)

The ultimate symbol of power and strength, the Targaryen Crown of the House of Targaryen has been reimagined as a 14k gold-plated ring, embellished with the iconic house insignia at its centre and geometric detail throughout.

Curved Dragon Stud Earrings (€59/£55/$70)

Intricately crafted, the Dragon Earrings curl around the earlobe in striking sterling silver and can be worn as one or stacked with both on one ear.

It will be nice to honor House Targaryen with beautiful ornaments rather than fire and blood. It’ll also be nice to wear Seven Kingdoms-related jewelry without worrying about enemies. (Or needing Lannister levels of gold to acquire them.)

This collection is not about power and who rules Westeros. It’s about letting everyone honor the Realm while looking good.

The post Honor the Realm with Pandora’s GAME OF THRONES Jewelry Collection appeared first on Nerdist.

There was never any question of whether or not HBO would return to Westeros. The only question was often the network would. George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire features thousands of years of backstories and lore spread across multiple continents. But one thing seemed certain about any potential Game of Thrones spinoff – it would be a prequel. Well, we can forget that. A new report says HBO is developing a Jon Snow sequel series with Kit Harington returning for the Game of Thrones spinoff.

The Hollywood Reporter‘s James Hibberd, author of the behind-the-scenes Game of Thrones book Fire Cannot Kill a Dragon, has proven just how true that is. According to him, HBO is currently developing a show about Jon Snow set after the hit HBO series. That’s if the series moves forward. The working title for this Jon Snow spinoff is Snow. We also learned from Emilia Clarke that this idea comes from Kit Harington (George R.R. Martin confirmed it; he’ll be a producer on the series). She told the BBC:

It’s been created by Kit as far as I can understand, so he’s in it from the ground up. So what you will be watching, hopefully, if it happens, is certified by Kit Harington.

Recently, HBO’s head of drama Francesca Orsi have a brief update on the status of this spinoff, noting: “We’re just working deeply… to get it in shape for a potential greenlight, but at this point, no, no determination on whether it can go all the way.”

In Jon Snow’s final moments, he went to live beyond the Wall with the wildlings. But considering his true identity as Aegon Targaryen, rightful heir to Westeros, it’s easy to imagine why he’d return. Events in the Seven Kingdoms could result in him returning south. That would also make it possible for any and all surviving characters from Game of Thrones to return.

When asked, Harington dodged around giving too much information out about the Jon Snow spinoff, but in many ways, he set the scene for how Jon Snow could return in a new Game of Thrones show. According to Entertainment Weekly, the actor shared:

I think if you asked him, he would’ve felt he got off lightly… At the end of the show, when we find him in that cell, he’s preparing to be beheaded and he wants to be. He’s done. The fact he goes to the Wall is the greatest gift and also the greatest curse. He’s gotta go back up to the place with all this history and live out his life thinking about how he killed Dany, and live out his life thinking about Ygritte dying in his arms, and live out his life thinking about how he hung Olly and live out his life thinking about all of this trauma.

And all of that, the actor concluded, is “interesting.” We won’t read too much into it, but we’ve hard that shows often need an interesting base of ideas. Harington concluded by saying, “So I think where we leave him at the end of the show, there’s always this feeling of like… I think we wanted some kind of little smile that things are okay. He’s not okay.” But hopefully, if Snow does make it onto HBO, Jon Snow will find some kind of peace in the spinoff. Or not; this is Game of Thrones.

House of the Dragon, a prequel set 150 years before Thrones, premiered on HBO in August. This latest project is merely the latest of the many—and we do mean many—other Game of Thrones spinoffs HBO is currently considering. However, Snow is the first spinoff that would take place after the main Game of Thrones series. It would completely upend what was always promised to be the end of that story.

Would HBO have ever considered a sequel if the original show’s final two seasons had proven more successful with fans? It’s easy to say no, but wildly popular IPs have a tendency to rise from the dead again and again, like Beric Dondarrion. And since Jon Snow himself came back from the grave once, we really shouldn’t be that surprised that his spinoff show may surface as well.

Originally published on June 17, 2022.

The post GAME OF THRONES Jon Snow Spinoff Idea Came From Kit Harington appeared first on Nerdist.

We already know that it will be a long time before we discover how The Black Queen a.k.a. Rhaenyra exacts revenge after Vhagar ate poor Luce alive. House of the Dragon season two isn’t coming our way until sometime in 2024, likely the summer. Until then, we can spend our time thinking about Daemon Targaryen’s many wonderful hairstyles. And, when House of the Dragon season two does finally arrive, it may fly in with fewer episodes than season one—eight, to be specific. According to a Deadline report, the episode count for next season will indeed be reduced by two episodes. 

It’s natural for fans to feel upset about this, especially after waiting nearly two years for House of the Dragon to return. But, the trim could drive the story further in a more succinct manner. We may love the many dragons on this show, but no one loves filler.

Recently, HBO’s head of drama Francesca Orsi commented on the condensed season. She noted “There was some question about the narrative shape of Season 2. We were developing it with Ryan Condal and [EP] Sara Hess, and we realized that we were sort of treading water narratively in the middle of the season… So it just felt much more rigorous, more urgent emotional arc for our characters if we compressed the season. And then that also dictated how we would kick off Season 3.”

Deadline further adds, “With a portion of the plot originally intended for Season 2, including a major battle, moving to Season 3, there has been speculation that the series more likely would go to four seasons.” However, Orsi notes “It hasn’t been finalized yet, it’s still under discussion,” and “Is it four seasons? I don’t think from where I sit at this point will be any less than four. But could be more. We’ll see.”

The future remains unclear. But we can all agree it is indeed better to get eight House of the Dragon season two episodes with sharp pacing and storytelling than two extra episodes that could include things that don’t really develop characters nor drive the plot forward. Ultimately, we are glad that there will be more House of the Dragon, full stop.

Originally published on March 29, 2023.

The post HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Season Two Will Have Fewer Episodes appeared first on Nerdist.

As much as we may love Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, we’re perfectly content to leave most things from the mind of George R. R. Martin safely in the world of fiction. It’s not exactly a fun world to live in. But man, it would be cool if there were dragons in real life. Although, you’d probably never want to meet one, especially if someone says “Dracarys” around it. Well, there are no real dragons sadly. But thanks to YouTube channel Coolest Thing, via Geeks Are Sexy, we’ve discovered one man who made the next best thing. An actual life-size steel version of Drogon. And yes, it really does breathe fire. You can see the video chronicling its creation right here:

Canadian metal sculptor Kevin Stone of Chilliwack B.C. has created some incredible sculptures out of stainless steel in his day, including an eagle for none other than Dolly Parton. But recreating a dragon from the world of Westeros proved to be his most daunting challenge so far. It took him two full years to complete the project and weld Drogon together. The final sculpture ended up being 12 feet tall, and 44 fee[‘t wide with his wings folded. If his wings were able to spread out, they’d be approaching 100 feet in wingspan! And this bad boy weighs a whopping 15,000 pounds.

On Kevin Stone’s own YouTube channel, he goes into more detail about the creation of his Drogon sculpture. And you can also see lots of his other work, including one of a massive T-Rex. In Stone’s own words, it’s his goal to make something that will last for generations, and stand the test of time. We think some of these steel beasts are going to be around a whole lot longer than any of us. To see more, go to the Metal Sculptor Kevin Stone YouTube channel.

The post This Metal GAME OF THRONES Fire-Breathing Dragon Is Ready for Battle appeared first on Nerdist.

Dunk and Egg are coming to HBO. The beloved duo will roam the Realm on the second Game of Thrones spinoff. Their names won’t appear in the title, however. Why did the network opt to give a duo A Song of Ice and Fire fans adore their own series but not use their well-known names? Dunk and Egg’s creator George R.R. Martin explained the rational behind that decision with his first official comments on the show. He also provided hope to viewers anticipating spending even more time in the fantasy world he built.

Martin took to his “Not a Blog” to discuss the official news HBO has officially ordered another Westeros prequel series. It will follow Dunk and Egg, a legendary pair whose story has been told in part via three novellas. Originally published in anthologies, Martin released them together in a single book known as A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. That’s currently the working (and it seems likely) title of the show, which also has the first novella’s name attached, “The Hedge Knight.”

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms: The Hedge Knight is a mouthful. It’s certainly a lot wordier than simply calling the show “Dunk and Egg.” So why did HBO eschew a title that included their popular moniker? Martin said that was an easy call. Here’s what he wrote:

I love Dunk and I love Egg, and I know that fans refer to my novellas as “the Dunk & Egg stories,” sure, but there are millions of people out there who do not know the stories and the title needs to intrigue them too. If you don’t know the characters, DUNK & EGG sounds like a sitcom. LAVERNE & SHIRLEY.   ABBOTT & COSTELLO. BEAVIS & BUTTHEAD. So, no. We want “knight” in the title. Knighthood and chivalry are central to the themes of these stories.

I mean, I LOVE Dunk and Egg, but he’s not wrong about what to call the show. That’s why even though the working title is not guaranteed to be the actual title, we wouldn’t bet against it. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is a great name, even if it seemingly only references Ser Duncan the Tall rather than his squire/secret Targaryen prince.

Martin also gave us an idea of how long we’ll get to spend with them during season one. He says right now the plan is for “most likely” six episodes, which will cover his first short story. If that’s a hit we’ll get more of the pair. When we’ll meet them on screen, though, we have no idea. The author says the pilot is written, and work has begun on the rest of the scripts, but that’s a long way from shooting.

Of course, as Martin also pointed out, it took a long time to even get to this point. HBO has been developing “Dunk and Egg” in some form for years since Martin first pitched it as a spinoff possibility in 2016. That’s why he says fans shouldn’t give up on other spinoffs also in development, as “development takes time.” Reports of other projects’ demise are often premature or wrong. That doesn’t mean they’ll make it to air, just that they have a long way to go before they might.

Until they do we can hold of on debating what HBO names them.

The post George R.R. Martin Talks Dunk and Egg Series, Other Potential Spinoffs appeared first on Nerdist.

Get ready because dragons are about to fly. According to a release from HBO, production has begun on season two of House of the Dragon , the epic Game of Thrones prequel series. Although we don’t expect to see the series grace our screens until 2024, we’re excited to know that the Iron Throne is back in action. And presumably, soon, we’ll see dragons flying in the skies of the United Kingdom. The House of the Dragon dragons are real, right?

Ryan Condal, House of the Dragon‘s Co-Creator and Showrunner shares of season two:

House of the Dragon has returned. We are thrilled to be shooting again with members of our original family as well as new talents on both sides of the camera. All your favorite characters will soon be conspiring at the council tables, marching with their armies, and riding their dragons into battle. We can’t wait to share what we have in store. 

House of the Dragon season two will surely waste no time in heating up its adventures. We may see fewer episodes in the show’s second season. But we have no doubt they will each contain a ton of story and action. Season one left us with many questions, after all, and a whole lot of drama. As always, when family becomes involved in Game of Thrones‘ world, fire and blood will follow.

Condal further notes via Deadline:

I’m excited to pick up where we left off… Now we get to fall into the more traditional rhythms of storytelling and Game of Thrones. We’ve always talked about this particular tale, George [R.R. Martin] has too, of being a Shakespearean or Greek tragedy. This series is very much about a house tearing itself apart from within. Now that all those pieces have been set on the board, I’m really excited to tell the next chapter, to see what happens now that Viserys is gone and no longer keeping a lid on things.

A release shares that season two cast will include “Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Eve Best, Steve Toussaint, Fabien Frankel, Ewan Mitchell, Tom Glynn-Carney, Sonoya Mizuno, and Rhys Ifans. Additional returning cast includes Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Phia Saban, Jefferson Hall, and Matthew Needham.” Although it seemed like Sonoya Mizuno’s Mysaria, the White Worm, did not survive season one, it appears she will return after all.

We can’t wait to learn more about House of the Dragon season two. Hopefully, we’ll even see a release date sometime soon.

Originally published on April 11, 2023.

The post HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Season 2 Officially Begins Production appeared first on Nerdist.

House of the Dragon is only heading into its second season, yet HBO is moving forward with another Game of Thrones prequel. (Of course, we first heard about it being in development back in 2021, hence the original date of this post, but this whole decade is a void of time.) This second series will be based on George R.R. Martin’s novellas about Dunk and Egg.

The famous pair, who became King Aegon Targaryen V and his legendary Lord Commander, Ser Duncan the Tall, began their time together when “Egg” was a child. He served as squire to Dunk, a lowly, brave hedge knight, as the two traveled all over Westeros. During those years they interacted and lived with the common folk. But they never fully escaped the clutches of Egg’s royalty and the troubles his family faced during that complicated time. Theirs is a remarkable story, full of adventure, intrigue, triumph, and tragedy.

Martin himself has said their tales make for the “most natural follow-up” to his smash hit HBO show. And there’s reason to believe he’s right. Here are the reasons why a Dunk and Egg series will make for a spectacular spin-off.

We Will See the Westeros of the Other 99%

Random House

House of the Dragon will tell “The Dance of the Dragons,” the first Targaryen civil war. Like Game of Thrones, the series will primarily follow the most powerful figures in Westeros. But the Realm consists primarily of common people just trying to survive. Their experiences were, necessarily, not a priority in telling the epic story that followed Robert Baratheon’s death. And HBO’s other prequel, also set against a great war for the Iron Throne, likely won’t give viewers a chance to see that side of the continent much either.

But young Aegon Targaryen’s travels in (general) anonymity with Dunk, during a time of uneasy peace, provided him a perspective few in his family ever had. He interacted with people as far from the royal court as possible. Dunk and Egg’s time wandering Westeros will provide a totally different perspective of the Seven Kingdoms. That means totally different characters and stories, which will allow the series to differentiate itself from the other two Thrones shows.

A Delicate Peace and a Looming Threat Makes for Compelling Storytelling

Dunk and Egg met after the first Blackfyre Rebellion, the second great Targaryen civil war. Unlike “The Dance of the Dragons,” where mostly terrible people fought for power, the Blackfyre Rebellion was a battle between two worthy claimants. And the outcome very nearly went against Egg’s side of the family. The war inevitably splintered the Seven Kingdoms into two factions, even after it ended. The losing side did not quickly forget. They firmly believed, with sincere and understandable cause, that their king had been the rightful heir.

The wounds of the war were fresh while Dunk and Egg traveled during a time of peace. Not everyone Egg came in contact with had supported his side of the Targaryen family. The Blackfyre forces were not fully defeated. either For years they tried to reclaim the throne, a threat both Dunk and Egg were not immune from even while Aegon hid his true identity. Two of Martin’s three novellas embrace both of these circumstances with great success. This time period, when a tenuous peace barely concealed the deep wounds of the Realm, is ripe for great and compelling storytelling.

The Dunk and Egg Series Can Go Anywhere and Everywhere in Westeros

“The Tales of Dunk and Egg” are action-adventure stories. All three novellas (of which Martin has said he’d like to write as many as 12) take place in decidedly different locales. Yet all involve epic showdowns and battles. But they only provide a small glimpse into the places the pair went, the things they saw, the people they met, and the troubles they encountered. We know they went up, down, and across all of Westeros. They roamed from Dorne to the Wall, and crossed from the Sunset Sea in the west to the Narrow Sea in the East.

Game of Thrones showed us some truly amazing places, like the Eyrie in the Vale and Casterly Rock of House Lannister. But we never saw the important seat of House Baratheon: the ancient castle Storm’s End. Nor did we travel to the mysterious island known as the Isle of Faces, where Children of the Forest might still live. And we don’t know if cannibals really do live on the Northern island of Skagos. Dunk and Egg’s adventures are the perfect vessel to opening up the entire Realm—and maybe even beyond. They aren’t fighting a war. Two can move a lot easier than an army.

The Future Three-Eyed Raven

One of Game of Thrones‘ biggest omissions from George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire novels was the Three-Eyed Raven’s backstory. In the books Bran’s mentor was known as the Three-Eyed Crow, a pale white figure who was more tree than man. (The character originally looked like that, but his appearance was greatly altered when they recast Max von Sydow in the role.) Long before he became Lord Commander of the Night’s Watch and disappeared beyond the Wall, the Three-Eyed Crow was the mysterious and feared Hand of the King, Ser Brynden Rivers. Many called him Bloodraven, though never to his face. His life story is one of the most fascinating and consequential in all of Westerosi history.

Bloodraven was one of many highborn bastards of the detestable Aegon the IV. Known as “the Unworthy,” King Aegon legitimized those children on his deathbed. That decision ultimately led to the Blackfyre Rebellion, fought between Aegon’s lawfully sired children and his legitimized bastards. But Bloodraven did not fight with his fellow bastard-born siblings. He stayed loyal to the crown and his half-brother, King Daeron II, Egg’s grandfather. Few though, including the common folk and even Egg, ever truly trusted Brynden Rivers. People believed he possessed dark magical powers that let him see everything, everywhere, at any time. We know from his future as the Three-Eyed Crow the whispers were true.

It’s hard to overstate how big a role Brynden Rivers played in Westeros. First as a member of the royal court, then beyond the Wall where he outlived his natural life by many years. He looms over Dunk and Egg’s adventures. A series about the duo is also a perfect way to explore one of the most fascinating and important characters the Seven Kingdoms ever knew.

Read more about Bloodraven, his abilities, and his importance with our “History of Thrones” series.

We Could Get More Dunk and Egg Written Stories

George R.R. Martin has always had big plans for Dunk and Egg on the page. In 2014 he said his “intent” was to “write a whole series of novellas” about them. But so far he’s only finished three, even though the first was published in 1998. An announced fourth, set at Winterfell, was supposed to be published in 2013. It still hasn’t been released. Considering we all might be Melisandre’s age when (IF!) he finishes The Winds of Winter, let alone the seventh and final book in A Song of Ice and Fire, we might never get another Dunk and Egg story from him. We might not even get more of their general story unless he finishes part two of his Targaryen family history, Fire and Blood. That’s a long of unfinished projects for a notoriously slow writer.

A TV series is our best chance at getting more tales of this memorable pair. That means meeting more great characters—heroes, villains, and those in-between—like the ones who populate the novellas. And since Martin has told so few official stories, a show would come with plenty of mystery and intrigue about what we will see. We know where their story is going, but not much about how they got there.

Westeros has thousands of stories to tell. But few are as perfect for the screen as those of Dunk and Egg.

Originally published January 22, 2021.

The post 5 Reasons Why We’re Excited for the GAME OF THRONES Dunk and Egg Spinoff Series appeared first on Nerdist.

On House of the Dragon, keeping track of the many dragons flying around is a little complex. In Game of Thrones, it was much easier to account for the creatures. Daenerys Stormborn took three eggs into the flames and rose unscathed from the ashes with three “children.” That was it! But the skies of Westeros are overrun with “fire made flesh” on House of the Dragon. The prequel series shows us House Targaryen at its strongest, when they had 17 dragons prior to the civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons. And the dragons play important roles both in the personal and political machinations of House of the Dragon. But with that many beasts in the air, the question becomes: How will you keep straight the identities of all of House of the Dragon‘s numerous dragons in season one of the show and beyond?

The good news is you don’t have to. We’ve got you covered—with as few spoilers as possible. Here’s a list of all the dragons you’ll see on House of the Dragon, along with their riders. And we’ll keep updating this post every time a dragon appears on the prequel series or does something major on the show. For now, this list of House of the Dragon‘s dragons is complete through season one. So, who are House of the Dragon‘s 17 dragons? Let’s find out.

House of the Dragon’s Dragons; Jump to Rhaenyra Targaryen’s Dragon, Syrax // Daemon Targaryen’s Dragon, Caraxes // Unhatched Dragon Egg // Laenor Velaryon’s Dragon, Seasmoke // Rhaenys Targaryen’s Dragon, Meleys // Jacaerys Velaryon’s Dragon, Vermax // Laena (Velaryon) Targaryen and Aemond Targaryen’s Dragon Vhagar // The Unclaimed Dragon, Dreamfyre // The Unclaimed Dragon, Vermithor // Prince Lucerys Velaryon’s Dragon Arrax // The Deceased Balerion // House of the Dragon Future Dragons

How Many Dragons Will Appear During House of the Dragon Season Two?

As we gear up for House of the Dragon season two, the question of dragons returns to the table. The latest news we’ve heard comes from showrunner Ryan Condal. Per Deadline, Condal noted, “there will be five new dragons in season two” of House of the Dragon.

There you have it, we have five new flying creatures to look forward to.

How Many Dragons Appeared During House of the Dragon Season One?

House of the Dragon‘s co-showrunner Miguel Sapochnik told Empire that season one would feature nine of House Targaryen’s 17 dragons before the season began. And that’s exactly what happened, plus a couple of other dragon mentions. While each dragon has its own look, the Game of Thrones alum says the creatures are easier to differentiate by their individual traits, as each dragon has its own personality.

That’s no surprise. We already know Game of Thrones‘ dragons are highly-intelligent creatures with minds of their own. But with so many different personalities flying around, it will be fun to see how they interact with their fellow dragons. And it will be entertaining to see how the dragons’ attitudes either mirror or conflict with their riders. Dragons only accept a single rider—of Valyrian blood—while both still live. For now, here are the dragons we’ve already met on House of the Dragon. Let’s meet every House of the Dragon dragon that we got to see in season one.

Which Dragons Have Already Appeared on House of the Dragon?

Syrax (Dragon Rider: Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen)

A giant yellow-scaled she-dragon who took young Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen as rider in 104 AC. House of the Dragon opened with the princess riding high over King’s Landing while in a saddle on Syrax’s back. Thanks to her parents, we also now know you can smell like a dragon after taking one for a spin. Syrax features in an early standoff with Rhaenyra’s uncle Daemon Targaryen. When Daemon disrespects the crown during the first episodes of House of the Dragon, Syrax and Caraxes have a tense dragon stand-off, as their riders battle wills below. Without Syrax, there would have been no reasoning with Daemon. But the presence of two dragons serves as insurance and prevents a fight. The dragon was greatly featured earlier in House of the Dragon season one, but we will likely see more of her in season two.

Syrax is also still laying dragon eggs—three in episode eight—setting the stage for more dragon riders to come in House Targaryen’s internal battle. As the Dance of the Dragons war heats up on House of the Dragon, we know Rhaenyra will be glad to have this Syrax by her side.

Caraxes (Dragon Rider: Daemon Targaryen)

In 105 AC, Daemon Targaryen became the second member of his family to mount Caraxes, the large red dragon known as the Blood Wyrm. Caraxes’ original dragonrider was Prince Aemon Targaryen, but Daemon took him as his dragon after Aemon’s murder. Caraxes made a big impression in House of the Dragon‘s premiere. That included how it brought out the tender side of Prince Daemon.

Don’t let that fool you, though. Caraxes is a fearsome creature. We see him devour his prey with great ferocity, and that’s just lunch. Throughout House of the Dragon‘s episodes, we’ve mostly seen the giant dragon menacing in the background. But we imagine that when we see him do battle, perhaps in season two of House of the Dragon, it will make for quite a sight. Especially if Caraxes battles other dragons in the sky.

Unhatched Dragon Egg

Technically, episode two of House of the Dragon didn’t feature a new dragon. But we’re positive there’s one inside the egg Daemon stole. How can there not be when that egg—originally meant for King Viserys’s son Baelon—already feels like Chekhov’s dragon? For now, all we know is that the egg belongs to the dragon Dreamfyre. But we think it could ultimately hatch and bond with one of Viserys’ offspring. Could this be the egg of Sunfyre? Sunfyre was almost certainly born soon after this episode aired.

(You can read more about that potential House of the Dragon dragon below.)

Seasmoke (Dragon Rider: Laenor Velaryon)

The silver-gray dragon accepted Laenor Velaryon (son of Rhaenys Targaryen, which makes him eligible for dragon-riding) as its rider by the year 101 AC. The duo didn’t make their House of the Dragon debut, though, until the show’s third episode. That’s when Laenor and Seasmoke helped Laenor’s father Lord Corlys Velaryon and Prince Daemon Targaryen defeat the Crabfeeder in the Stepstones. Although Laenor does not die in season one of the Game of Thrones prequel series, he fakes his own death and goes into hiding. And that means he has to leave Seasmoke behind.

Presently, it seems that Seasmoke resides in Driftmark. Daemon Targaryen hoped to use the dragon to help secure Princess Rhaenyra’s claim to the throne on House of the Dragon, but it is not yet clear what will happen with the dragon since Laenor, his rider, remains alive. As mentioned, typically dragons can only bond with another rider when their rider is dead. But it remains for us to see how House of the Dragon tackles this particular bit of dragon-lore. Potentially, Seasmoke will simply not find a new rider on the show. Or perhaps Rhaenyra’s need for another dragon on her side will find Laenor returning to the world of House of the Dragon.

House of the Dragon’s Dragons; Jump to Rhaenyra Targaryen’s Dragon, Syrax // Daemon Targaryen’s Dragon, Caraxes // Unhatched Dragon Egg // Laenor Velaryon’s Dragon, Seasmoke // Rhaenys Targaryen’s Dragon, Meleys // Jacaerys Velaryon’s Dragon, Vermax // Laena (Velaryon) Targaryen and Aemond Targaryen’s Dragon Vhagar // The Unclaimed Dragon, Dreamfyre // The Unclaimed Dragon, Vermithor // Prince Lucerys Velaryon’s Dragon Arrax // The Deceased Balerion // House of the Dragon Future Dragons

Meleys (Rider: Rhaenys Targaryen)

Rhaenys, “The Queen Who Never Was,” became the second Targaryen to sit upon the swift red and pink she-dragon Meleys when they bonded in 87 AC. The first Targaryen to ride Meleys was Princess Alyssa Targaryen. But unfortunately, Meleys lost her dragonrider when the Targaryen princess died while giving birth. In her prime, Meleys was known as one of the fastest of dragons. With time she slowed, but she remained no less cunning.

We finally saw Rhaenys flying Meleys in House of the Dragon‘s fifth episode. As House of the Dragon revealed, this rosy-hued dragon has a “crown” of thorns around her head, hence Meleys’ nickname the “Red Queen.” But after the show’s ninth episode, we can also call the dragon the “Beast Beneath the Boards.” Rhaenys rode Meleys up into the arena of the Dragonpit during Aegon II’s coronation, killing quite a few citizens and causing general mayhem. Rhaenys did not, however, use this chance to spew dragon-fire against her enemies, including Queen Alicent and Aegon II, who had her imprisoned. She instead escapes to safety.

Ultimately, Rhaenys pledges her dragon to Queen Rhaenyra in the finale of House of the Dragon. She mentions she will strengthen the Velaryon blockade of The Gullet using her dragon. Meleys and Rhaenys are both not to be trifled with.

Vermax (Rider: Jacaerys Velaryon)

Prince Jacaerys, Rhaenyra Targaryen’s son, bonded with the young green dragon after it hatched in his crib. This helped cement his place as heir to the throne after Rhaenyra because some in King’s Landing questioned his heritage. Jace and Vermax start off on shaky footing, with the dragon only barely obeying his rider. But by the time of the House of the Dragon finale, they seem to have settled into their dragon and rider bond.

In Game of Thrones’ book, Fire & Blood, it is noted that Vermax especially disliked ice, snow, and cold. This probably means the dragon won’t love the trip North he set out on with “Jace” in House of the Dragon‘s season one finale. Vermax and Jacaerys will head to familiar territory in season two, the Eyrie and Winterfell, in the hopes of finding support for Rhaenyra’s cause among the northern houses. And we will see again how dragons fare in the snow of Westeros.

Vhagar (Rider: Laena (Velaryon) Targaryen / Rider: Aemond Targaryen)

Vhagar was one of the three dragons that helped Aegon and his sisters conquer Westeros. She was first claimed by Queen Visenya. According to the Game of Thrones books, the dragon was so huge, a hore could be ridden down her throat. And Vhagar’s breath was said to be hot enough to melt armor and cook a knight inside of it. Later, the bronze she-dragon with green-blue coloring and green eyes took Laena Velaryon as its rider. But the dragon didn’t establish its importance on House of the Dragon until the show’s sixth episode

Instead of facing death during childbirth, Laena took matters into her own hands. She told Vhagar “dracarys” until the dragon engulfed her in flame.

After Laena’s funeral on Driftmark young Aemond Targaryen claimed the massive Vhagar as his own, though not without a cost. An ensuing fight with his cousins led to Aemond losing an eye. The young prince was happy to pay that “price,” though. He had long desired a dragon of his own.

Vhagar helped set the coming Targaryen civil war in motion when he killed Prince Lucerys and his dragon Arrax in House of the Dragon‘s season one finale. Seeing this instense violence between dragons on House of the Dragon was shocking, but more is sure to come. And it seems that though Aemond has a certain smugness in himself and his abilities, his dragon still does not fully respect him. This makes sense because Vhagar is an ancient dragon who has lived a long life and seen many riders. And, unlike his dragon, Aemond only has a narrow outlook on the world.

Dreamfyre (Unclaimed)

Dreamfyre, the slim, blue she-dragon with silver wings, was once the dragon of Princess Rhaena Targaryen, Aegon I’s granddaughter. Dragon and rider stayed together until Rhaena passed after a long and troubled life. And then Dreamfyre settled in the Dragonpit at King’s Landing. We first hear of Dreamfyre on House of the Dragon when Daemon admits to having stolen one of her eggs, falsely insisting he had a child on the way. Aemond Targaryen next comes across Dreamfyre in the Dragonpit around 120 AC, but the dragon is not to be claimed by him.

While we know Dreamfyre’s rider from Fire & Blood, the show has yet to establish which member of House Targaryen rides her. Dreamfyre might also connect House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones together. Some theorize that Dreamfyre laid the eggs that became Daenerys Targaryen’s dragons, Drogon, Rhaegal, and Viserion. We are sure that Dreamfyre’s lack of rider will become an object of interest for both sides of the upcoming war.

Vermithor (Rider: King Jaeherys I (Deceased) / Unclaimed)

One of the largest dragons to ever fly over Westeros, the bronze beast belonged to House Targaryen’s longest-reigning ruler in the Realm, The Old King Jaeherys I. Vermithor outlived the King and remained unclaimed at the start of the Dance of the Dragons.

The beast finally appeared on House of the Dragon during the show’s season one finale, when Daemon sang a song in High Valyrian to lure the dragon from its rest. Rhaenyra’s forced to hope they will find a rider for Vermithor. One dragon could make all the difference in the upcoming fight on House of the Dragon.

Arrax (Rider: Prince Lucerys Velaryon)

The small, young dragon Arrax appeared on House of the Dragon with blue scales. Though quick and agile, the dragon was unable to outrun or outfight Vhagar high above Storm’s End. Vhagar bit Arrax in half, killing Prince Lucerys and killing the dragon.

Balerion (Rider Aegon the Conqueror/Viserys I)

We do not ever get to see Balerion the Black Dread alive in House of the Dragon, but the presence of the mighty beast is felt throughout the show. In episode one, Balerion’s giant dragon skull looms over Viserys and Rhaenyra as Viserys imparts crucial words of prophecy onto her.

Aegon the Conqueror was, of course, the first to ride Balerion. And the dragon played a crucial role in Aegon’s conquering of Westeros. It is fitting that Balerion be a party to Viserys and Rhaenyra’s discussion because Viserys speaks of exactly why Aegon the Conqueror felt so moved to conquer.

Balerion was a dragon born in Valyria and was the last dragon to exist in its mighty Freehold. Balerion’s wings and body were black. And his fire was also said to be black. Balerion was one of the largest dragons to ever exist, and his wingspan was enormous. He had sharp teeth and a vicious temperament. But, with time, age took him. The dragon is, in fact, a fitting analog for his final rider Viserys on House of the Dragon. Like Balerion, we see Viserys succumb to the languor of age until he finally fades away. Though once mighty, the time of his rule, like that of his dragon, ends in season one of House of the Dragon.

ADDITIONAL READING

Aegon’s Conquest, When Dragons Came to Westeros
Dragonstone, Birthplace of a Dynasty and Home of Dragonglass
Rhaenyra Targaryen, the First Woman to Sit on the Iron Throne
The Dragonpit and the Demise of Dragons
The Chilling Legend of Ice Dragons

House of the Dragon’s Dragons; Jump to Rhaenyra Targaryen’s Dragon, Syrax // Daemon Targaryen’s Dragon, Caraxes // Unhatched Dragon Egg // Laenor Velaryon’s Dragon, Seasmoke // Rhaenys Targaryen’s Dragon, Meleys // Jacaerys Velaryon’s Dragon, Vermax // Laena (Velaryon) Targaryen and Aemond Targaryen’s Dragon Vhagar // The Unclaimed Dragon, Dreamfyre // The Unclaimed Dragon, Vermithor // Prince Lucerys Velaryon’s Dragon Arrax // The Deceased Balerion // House of the Dragon Future Dragons

What Other Dragons Exist During the Dance of the Dragons?

Sunfyre, Moondancer, Silverwing, and More

In addition to the dragons mentioned above, House Targaryen also had eight other dragons before civil war pitted the beasts against one another in 129 AC. That included the full-sized dragons Silverwing, Tessarion, Sunfyre, Tyraxes, and Moondancer, as well as three hatchlings too small to ride: Stormcloud, Morghul, and Shrykos.

Wild Dragons on House of the Dragon

During the time of House of the Dragon, three wild, unbonded dragons also lived on Dragonstone: Grey Ghost, Sheepstealer, and the Cannibal. Daemon mentions these dragons briefly in the finale of House of the Dragons as Rhaenyra and company hope they can join their side of the conflict to come.

In a war pitting dragon-against-dragon, both in the air and on the ground, you can imagine the possibilities a wild dragon presents. But there’s a reason those three had no riders by the time war broke out.

House of the Dragons‘ Future Dragons

So what about the dragons we didn’t see in season one? Who flew them high above the Seven Kingdoms? Well, we’ll let you learn all of that on your own when House of the Dragon brings those many magical creatures to life in season two.

Don’t worry, though, we’ll make sure to update this post to help you can keep track of all of them. It was a lot easier when Daenerys only had three of them.

This post originally published on August 17.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post Who Are HOUSE OF THE DRAGON’s 17 Dragons? appeared first on Nerdist.

A new report from Variety says HBO is “actively” discussing an Aegon Targaryen Game of Thrones spinoff. This isn’t the first time the network has contemplated doing a series about the man who started his family’s dynasty in Westeros. It was among the original group of spinoff ideas HBO considered as far back as 2016. That version would have presented the legendary Conqueror as a “drunken lout.“

It’s a long path to go from an idea to an actual television show. That’s a road only House of the Dragon has walked flown in Westeros. But should you root for this Aegon series to be the next one to make that journey? That depends on whether you think the pros outweigh the cons.

The Cons of a Game of Thrones Spinoff Series About Aegon the Conqueror

1) There’s not a lot of mystery around the events of his invasion

Aegon’s Conquest is one of the most transformative events in Westeros’ history. That’s why his victory is so well-chronicled, both in-world and in George R.R. Martin’s books. There’s very little we don’t already know about the two-year Conquest’s biggest events. Even Aegon’s failures in Dorne, the one kingdom he never brought under his rule, are well-established.

2) Aegon’s battles were one-sided affairs without much drama

Tywin Lannister once explained to Arya Stark that “Aegon Targaryen changed the rules” of warfare forever. He did that by easily defeating all of his enemies. (Either on the battlefield or when they surrendered before the fight even began.) As fun as it would be to see three dragons sweep over the continent together, almost all of the actual Conquest’s biggest moments are anti-climactic. Even Aegon’s most visually stunning battle, the Field of Fire, would be a letdown. We’ve essentially already seen it on Game of Thrones when Daenerys wiped out the Lannister forces in the Loot Train Attack.

And while Aegon still had wars to fight after being crowned, they’re not as exciting as what we saw on Game of Thrones or what awaits on House of the Dragon.

3) There are maybe too many Targaryens and dragons already

How many Targaryen centered stories do we need or want? Daenerys was a main character on Game of Thrones. And House of the Dragon covers the era of House Targaryen when the family had the most dragons ever under its control. Westeros’s history goes back tens of thousands of years and involves countless families, heroes, and villains. There’s also an entire world of stories beyond its borders. Do we really need yet another series about that one clan of surviving Valyrians? At what point do even dragons get boring?

4) House of the Dragon already revealed the most important secret of Aegon the Conqueror’s story

Why did Aegon suddenly turn his attention west one day? Why did House Targaryen spend a century on Dragonstone before anyone thought to unleash the greatest weapon in history on the Realm? House of the Dragon already told us: Aegon’s Dream drove his conquest. That prophecy convinced him a unified kingdom under his family’s rule was the only thing that could save the world from a White Walker invasion someday.

That was a monumental, franchise-shattering revelation on House of the Dragon. It completely reframed everything we knew about House Targaryen and Aegon the Conqueror. There’s nothing else we could learn about Aegon that would be anywhere near as important.

The Pros of a Game of Thrones Spinoff Series About Aegon the Conqueror

1) An Aegon series could explore what it’s like to truly have power

Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon are about the fight for power. Aegon’s story is about truly having it. That’s a very different perspective to explore. What are the burdens and pitfalls of really ruling the world? How did Aegon avoid the fate that befell someone like Robert Baratheon after his own conquest? And how did Aegon shape the way history remembers him and his legacy? Those questions, and all the possibilities for storytelling that come with them, would come to the forefront in a story about the most powerful figure in the history of Westeros.

2) We don’t know the real Aegon

For all its battles, magic, dragons, and shocking moments, Game of Thrones worked because it always centered its story around its characters. From their desires and failures, to their personal relationships, the show mattered because we cared about the people in it. The same is true on House of the Dragon, and it would be true on an Aegon spinoff.

While we know much about the big events in his life, we know very little about the man he actually was. What did he care about when no one was around? What was he afraid of? How did he get along with others? Did he relish his Conquest or bemoan the awesome responsibility that launched his invasion? Even the legendary, larger-than-life Aegon the Conqueror was a real person. Meeting that man in an intimate setting would be fascinating in the best tradition of the franchise.

3) Aegon isn’t the Conquest’s most interesting figure. His sisters are.

History calls it Aegon’s Conquest, but as Arya reminded Tywin, it did not solely belong to him. Aegon’s two sister-wives, Visenya and Rhaenys, helped him take the Realm and ruled alongside him. That’s why House Targaryen’s sigil is a three-headed dragon. Centering all three of them equally would make for a compelling spinoff that could tell a captivating story about family, power, legacy, and love. Aegon didn’t do this alone. His sisters, both very different in personality and in their relationship to their brother-husband, were conquerors, too. There’s even more to learn about them.

4) Family Drama, with a capital “D” for dragons

If you love nothing more than seeing Westeros’s most powerful families engage in some good old-fashioned infighting and drama, a Game of Thrones spinoff series with Aegon and his sister-wives will provide plenty of that. He truly loved one but only married the other out of duty. One was also a fierce and imposing warrior, the other a charming beauty adored by all. Seeing the three of them interact together while currying favor at court would make this spinoff worth it. Far more than the actual invasion.

So do the pros outweigh the cons? Is this a Game of Thrones spinoff idea HBO and Warner Bros. should make a reality? Or is it time to stop focusing on House Targaryen? Not everyone will agree. But if Aegon’s Conquest does come to life, we doubt anyone will complain about seeing Balerion take to the sky.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at  @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post An Aegon the Conqueror GAME OF THRONES Spinoff Could Rule (But Maybe We Don’t Need It) appeared first on Nerdist.

We were mostly counting on not seeing House of the Dragon season two until 2024. But now, HBO and HBO Max content CEO Casey Bloys has more or less confirmed that timeline to Variety. He calls 2024 a “good guess” for when we’ll see season two of House of the Dragon. And, in addition, Bloys teases that it’s “‘a good guess’ that the show won’t be eligible for the 2024 Emmy season.” Decoded, this means we’ll likely see House of the Dragon and its many dragons roar to life again in the summer of 2024. Since season one also aired in late summer, this seems like it tracks.

What we probably won’t see is another Game of Thrones spinoff in the meanwhile. Although Bloys says Game of Thrones‘ world lends itself well to spinoffs, developing the right show takes a lot of time and thinking.

Other HBO properties are less likely to see reboots and offshoots, full stop. Bloys largely rejects the idea of a Succession spinoff, although he never says never. And also reports that though HBO considered some kind of return for True Blood and a few scripts were developed, the network found “nothing that felt like it got there.”

We first heard of a True Blood reboot in 2020. And for die-hard fans of the series, the news felt exciting. But alas, it is not to be. At least with edited episodes of True Blood coming to basic cable channels, more of the family can enjoy the show…

The post HBO TRUE BLOOD Reboot Dead, Summer 2024 HOTD Return Likely appeared first on Nerdist.

Valar Morghulis, Game of Thrones fans. After the recent shakeups at HBO MAX, it looks like it’s not just all men who must die, but Game of Thrones spinoffs as well. Dan heads to Westeros to take a look at which of the spinoffs will make it through the winter on today’s episode of Nerdist News!

More House of the Dragons News: https://nerdist.com/topic/game-of-thrones/
Watch more Nerdist News: http://bit.ly/1qvVVhV

Follow Us:
Facebook https://facebook.com/nerdist
Twitter https://twitter.com/Nerdist
Instagram https://instagram.com/nerdist/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nerdist

Image: HBO

#NerdistNews #GoT #HouseOfTheDragon #HBO

The post Are the Game of Thrones Spinoffs In Danger? (Nerdist News w/ Dan Casey) appeared first on Nerdist.

House of the Dragon is another global hit for HBO, and more Game of Thrones spinoffs are on the way. Despite all that success, though, most viewers don’t know the name of the woman whose contribution to the franchise helped make all of that possible. Because had author Phyllis Eisenstein not convinced George R.R. Martin to “put the dragons in” his story, most of us might never have met Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, and Princess Rhaenyra. Those fantastical beasts have cast a spell over mankind—transcending both culture and time—for as long as people have told stories. They’ve also continued to capture our imaginations since the moment we started putting moving pictures on screen. And without dragons, Westeros might not be the magical phenomenon it’s become.

Dragons have been part of mankind’s myths since the beginning of civilization itself. The first such legend dates back to Ancient Sumer during the 4th or 3rd millennium B.C.E. Those mythical animals started appearing in stories from China, Egypt, and India not long after. Ancient Greece then followed with its own famous dragon tales starting 4,000 years ago, with more societies around the world independently contributing their own tales to dragon lore. (Possibly after finding dinosaur skeletons.) The classic English dragon tales that endure to this day—ones where brave knights battle giant beasts of fire—began earlier than many realize. The Medieval story “Saint George and the Dragon” traces its origins back to around 300 C.E.

The specifics surrounding tales of large reptilian monsters differ throughout history. In some parts of the world dragons are benevolent and heroic. In others they’re cruel and dangerous. Some fly and breathe flames, while others swim or crawl on land. Others have no wings at all, but sport great horns or even antlers. But while their features, size, and personalities change, dragons’ enduring place in our myths and folktales do not. That didn’t change as the way we tell stories do, either. Just as they’ve long adorned works of art, scrolls, and books, they’ve been part of our movies and TV shows for as long as we’ve had those.

The first dragon appeared on screen in Austrian director’s Fritz Lang’s 1924 “Die Nibelungen.” A dragon made its animated film debut in Disney’s 1931 film The China Plate. (They’ve remained a staple of Disney movies ever since.) Those magical beasts then made the jump to TV in 1946 on Kukla, Fran and Ollie. (The final name in the show’s title refers to the puppet Oliver J. Dragon.) The advent of CGI has only made dragons’ place on screen more ubiquitous during the 21st century. Between live-action stories, cartoons, video games, and tabletop adventures, in many ways dragons are more prevalent in society than ever before. The 21st century makes Arthurian legends seem dragon-light.

Dragons owe their oversized place in modern pop culture to the written word just as much as moving pictures, though. J.R.R. Tolkien’s tales of Middle-earth began with The Hobbit, an adventure about defeating a greedy dragon. We’ll never know if that novel would have been beloved without Smaug. Nor if publishers would have gone forward with The Lord of the Rings had the author’s introduction to his fantasy world not been so well received. But we know Bilbo’s journey led to us meeting Frodo, Gandalf, and Sauron, as well as generations of fantasy stories inspired by the Fellowship of the Ring. Without a dragon at the start we wouldn’t have many of the most beloved and influential fantasy epics we have today. That very much includes George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire.

Westeros is not interesting merely because it has dragons. It’s too rich and layered a world to only define it by one element. But it wouldn’t be the same without dragons. Those creatures add a grandeur and mystical quality the story might not otherwise have. (And, let’s be honest, dragons are always cool.) But most importantly they give A Song of Ice and Fire a timeless quality that speaks to people everywhere.

There’s a reason countless cultures, separated by both time and distance, came up with their own dragon myths. It’s the same reason their place in our stories, both for kids and adults, remains steadfast to this day. Dragons represent the power, beauty, and danger of nature. They represent both the perilous challenges and incredible possibilities all humans face. Dragons are supernatural yet made of flesh. They’re seemingly impossible to defeat or even tame, yet vulnerable as any creature. They can be good or bad or something in-between, same as us. They are a fantasy that capture the horror and wonder of the real world.

And George R.R. Martin almost didn’t include them in his story.

Martin originally considered giving House Targaryen a dragon sigil but no actual dragons. Instead he would have imbued Targaryens with “a psionic power” that was like a “pyrokinesis” where “they could conjure up flames with their minds.” Ultimately, though, his friend and fellow fantasy author Phyllis Eisenstein wisely told him to include actual dragons, forever changing the trajectory of not only Martin’s novels but the entire world of pop culture. Would his books have been as good or successful without dragons? Would HBO have adapted them without that success? And would Game of Thrones, a true global phenomenon, have found its massive audience minus an element that has long been a part of mankind’s stories everywhere?

We’ll never have answers to those questions. We don’t want to know or need to know them anyway, because we know what happened with dragons in the story. We’re reminded of that every time we watch or discuss House of the Dragon, a prequel about the time when House Targaryen had its highest total of dragons ever in Westeros.

Martin dedicated 2000’s A Storm of Swords, arguably the best book in his series, to his friend. But while Phyllis Eisenstein saw the world embrace Game of Thrones, she passed away in 2020. She never got to see dragons take to the sky on House of the Dragon.

Every time they do, though, we should remember her role in making it all possible and be grateful for what she did. Because she recognized something mankind has always known: dragons always have—and always will—make any story better.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post The History of Dragon Stories and the Woman Who Helped Bring Them to Westeros appeared first on Nerdist.

The first season of House of the Dragon is now complete, and fans have reacted to the series with takes of ice and fire. The season left us with plenty of questions, and as the long wait for season 2 begins, it’s time to break out the Valyrian foil hats for some fan theories and predictions as for what may lay ahead. Dan breaks down five of the biggest theories for season 2 on today’s episode of Nerdist News!

More House of the Dragons News: https://nerdist.com/topic/game-of-thrones/
Watch more Nerdist News: http://bit.ly/1qvVVhV

Follow Us:
Facebook https://facebook.com/nerdist
Twitter https://twitter.com/Nerdist
Instagram https://instagram.com/nerdist/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nerdist

Image: HBO

#NerdistNews #GoT #HouseOfTheDragon #HBO

The post 5 House of the Dragon Theories That Could Happen in Season 2 (Nerdist News w/ Dan Casey) appeared first on Nerdist.

Westeros has one Iron Throne, but on House of the Dragon two people now claim it as their own. And that means civil war has come to House Targaryen and the Realm. The prequel’s season one finale made sure of that. The death of Prince Lucerys Velaryon killed any chance at a peaceful resolution to the question of succession. But we still have plenty of other questions for the show’s sophomore year. Here are the biggest ahead of House of the Dragon season two.

Jump To: House of the Dragon Questions with Existing Answers // House of the Dragon Questions That Fire & Blood Might Answer // House of the Dragon Questions with Season Two Answers

Important House of the Dragons Questions We Already Have Answers For

There are a couple of major questions about the show’s future we already know the answer to. That will let us focus more time on the many we don’t know.

Will There Be Any More Time Jumps in House of the Dragon?

The big time jumps of House of the Dragon season one are a thing of the past. Showrunner Ryan Condal has said there will not be anymore large passages of time between episodes going forward. House of the Dragon will be more like Game of Thrones in that regard. (And considering what we know about the Dance of the Dragons, the prequel could ultimately be even more condensed than its predecessor.)

When Will House of the Dragon Season Two Start Filming?

HBO renewed House of the Dragon for a second season in late August just five days after the premiere. But it won’t start filming season two until early 2023.

House of the Dragon Questions George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood Can/Might Answer

House of the Dragon is based on George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood. But the series has already made major changes to the timeline and specifics around certain events. It can (almost certainly will in some cases) do the same in the future. So we only think we know the answers to these questions.

Who Will Claim Vermithor and the Other Dragons Without Riders?

Rhaenyra’s side has a big dragon advantage over the greens, but not in the way that matters. Most of their dragons lack experience in battle, and even more have no rider at all. Vermithor, the dragon Daemon sang to, is the biggest left without a mount. But there are others.

That includes three very wild, dangerous dragons. Who—if anyone—will claim them and what will that mean for the war?

Who Will the North, Vale, and Riverlands Declare Their Loyalty To?

Both sides have dragons, but they still need men to win this war. Especially the men who lead the Realm’s greatest and most powerful houses. Lord Boros of Storm’s End declared for Aegon, but Rhaenyra is counting on House Stark in the North and House Arryn in the Vale to support her.

She has reason to think both will, but Lord Grover Tully of (the vital) Riverlands is a wild card. Will Daemon’s dragon flight there be enough to bring House Tully and all its sworn houses to Rhaenyra’s cause? Or will the region fight for Aegon?

Is Mysaria the White Worm Still Alive?

Alicent and Larys Strong conspired to burn down Mysaria’s manse. She not only had spies throughout King’s Landing and the Red Keep, she was a valuable asset to Otto Hightower. But we never actually saw her (or anyone else’s) body burn. Is she still alive? If so, what kind of role will a powerful purveyor of spies play during the Dance of the Dragons? And might Mysaria’s past with Daemon influence her actions for or against Rhaenyra?

How Will Rhaenyra Respond to the Death of Her Son Lucerys?

House of the Dragon‘s first season ended on an ominous note. After learning about the death of her son Lucerys, Queen Rhaenyra’s resolve hardened. Any thoughts of peacefully ending the war died with Luke. But how exactly will a mourning mother respond now that she wants both her throne and blood? We doubt restraint will factor into the answer.

Questions Only House of the Dragon Season Two Can Answer

For as much as we think we know what’s going to happen on House of the Dragon, there’s even more we can’t predict. These are the biggest questions only the show itself can resolve next season.

Will Aemond Tell the Truth About Luke’s Death?

Aemond did not mean to kill Prince Lucerys on House of the Dragon. That’s a departure from the story told in the (unreliable) Fire & Blood. But is that the official story because it’s the one Aemond will tell? Will he lie and say he murdered his nephew intentionally? If not he’ll have to admit he’s not in control of Vhagar. Will he elect to look weak or be thought a dangerous kinslayer?

Will Rhaenyra Tell Anyone Else About Aegon the Conqueror’s Prophecy?

Aegon the Conqueror’s “song of ice and fire” completely changed Rhaenyra’s own story. But even though he was briefly Viserys’s heir, the King never told his brother Daemon about the prophecy. Does anyone else know about it? Will Rhaenyra share the Conqueror’s vision with more people? If so, how will that impact their support during the war?

Will Ser Laenor Velaryon Return in House of the Dragon Season Two?

Unlike in Martin’s books, Ser Laenor Velaryon is not actually dead. He only faked his death so him and Rhaenyra could be free from the duty that bound them to a life of misery. Since he only lived on the show, only House of the Dragon can tell us if he’ll ever return to Westeros and his dragon Seasmoke.

Will Halaena Targaryen Predict Other Major Events?

From cryptically foretelling of Aemond losing his eye to gain a dragon, to the civil war now threatening to tear her family apart, to predicting “the beast beneath the boards,” the new Queen of Westeros has proven herself to either be a prophetess, witch, or yet another Targaryen dreamer. Whatever she is, Halaena can clearly see the future. So what other major events will she see before they happen? And, more importantly, will anyone in her family ever realize they should listen to her?

Is Aemond the Real Father of Halaena’s Children?

One fan theory to arise during House of the Dragon‘s first season is that Aemond, rather than her brother-husband King Aegon, is really the father of Halaena’s children. Not all the “evidence” holds up to scrutiny, but some of it absolutely does. Aemond is also dedicated to his duties. Did he see protecting his sister and ensuring more heirs as part of his familial responsibilities since Aegon is an absentee husband? Does Aemond love his sister romantically? All of the above? Or is this just a fun theory without merit?

Is Lord Larys “The Clubfoot” Strong Actually a Warg?

The other major fan theory from House of the Dragon says Larys Strong is actually a warg who can inhabit the many, many, many rats of King’s Landing. That could explain why he knows so many secrets of the royal court. He’s a strange man (and not because of his foot fetish), but is he even more peculiar than we thought? Is he really a warg like Bran Stark?

When Will House of the Dragon Season Two Premiere?

The most important question of all has no answer yet. With scripts written but filming only beginning in 2023, season two might not come to HBO until sometime in 2024. But not all hope is lost. Ryan Condal hasn’t ruled out the show returning sometime next year. If it does it will almost certainly be later in the year, but we’ll take it.

We have a lot of questions we need answered. We don’t want to wait two years for them.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post The Biggest Questions We Have for HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Season 2 appeared first on Nerdist.

House of the Dragon‘s first season reveals that the world of Game of Thrones is so much bigger than just its most famous houses, families, and wardens. Long before Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen, other lords and their kin made lasting contributions—-both good and bad—to Westeros. That included the houses that played monumental roles during the first Targaryen civil war, known as The Dance of the Dragons. If you’re only familiar with George R.R. Martin’s world of ice and fire through the original HBO series, though, they’re all new to you. Let us introduce you to House of the Dragon‘s new houses so you can enjoy the prequel spinoff without having to figure out who everyone is.

But beware: this post contains major spoilers for House of the Dragon‘s first season.

New House of the Dragon Houses; Jump to House Hightower // House Velaryon // House Strong // House Beesbury // House Cole // House Westerling // Other New Houses From House of the Dragon // Named (But Not Yet Seen) Houses

Major New House of the Dragon Houses

House Hightower

The most significant Great House not to factor into Game of Thrones’ story was House Hightower of Oldtown along Westeros’ southwest coast. But the family plays a central role on House of the Dragon.

House Hightower is one of the most ancient, most powerful, most respected families in the Realm. It gained its great wealth through shipping and trade. The family’s name and sigil both refer to the Hightower, a tall castle and lighthouse it built in the center of Oldtown. Their position as lords of the city also contributed to their standing in Westeros. Oldtown is home to the maesters’ Citadel. It was also where the High Septon resided before the Faith of the Seven’s leader relocated his seat to King’s Landing.

Ser Otto Hightower, noted by Daemon Targaryen as a fellow second son, served as Hand of the King during the end of King Jaehaerys’ reign. Ser Otto essentially ran the kingdom as the Old King’s health declined. He then continued in the position under King Viserys I. The widowed Otto also brought his young daughter Alicent to court with him. She tended to the elderly Jaehaerys before his death and (initially) became friends with Rhaenyra Targaryen. But that was just the start of the family’s rise.

Alicent married King Viserys, and they had three children together. (Or four, depending on whether or not the show ultimately introduced their third son.) After years of animosity with Rhaenyra, the “Greens” as Alicent’s faction became known as conspired to place Alicent’s oldest son, Aegon Targaryen, on the Iron Throne, usurping Rhaenyra’s claim as Viserys’s named heir.

House Velaryon

Like House Targaryen, House of the Dragon‘s House Velaryon is an old noble family of Valyria. But unlike the Targaryens, Velaryons were not dragonlords. Instead, they were great seafarers whose family’s head is known as the Lord of Tides. House Velaryon rules over the island of Driftmark just west of Dragonstone in Blackwater Bay. They are the oldest and most loyal bannermen of their Valyrian kin, but House Velaryon actually came to Westeros before the Targaryens.

They also provided most of the royal fleet for House Targaryen. No surprise then that master of ships on the Small Council essentially turned into a hereditary one for Velaryons. Just as it did with the title of lord admiral.

House of the Dragon‘s Lord Corlys Velaryon is known as the Sea Snake. He is Westeros’ most famous and celebrated sailor. He traveled to places no other person in the Realm ever had. His famed exploits also made his family so rich they surpassed even the Lannisters in wealth for a time. The Sea Snake used that money to build House Velaryon a new seat of power, the castle known as High Tide. Corlys is also the husband to The Queen Who Never Was, Rhaenys Targaryen. And along with House Hightower and House Targaryen, House Velaryon will play the biggest role on House of the Dragon. And it will contribute greatly to the Dance of the Dragons fighting for Queen Rhaenyra.

House Strong

House Strong of the Riverlands traces its lineage back to the First Men. They also have a long history with House Targaryen in Westeros. Ser Osmund Strong served as Aegon the Conqueror’s fourth Hand of the King. Osmund also was in charge of the completion of King’s Landing and its great walls. A Strong also served in King Jaehaerys’ Kinsguard. (Though that didn’t end well.) And it was Jaehaerys who named House Strong—whose sigil is a white field with a blue, red, and green stripe running down the center—lords of Harrenhal. That’s where Jaehaerys held his Great Council to name his heir.

Lord Lyonel Strong was King Viserys’ master of laws in House of the Dragon before replacing Otto Hightower as Hand of the King. But he wasn’t the only member of his family to play a significant role during the show’s first season. His eldest son, Ser Harwin “Breakbones” Strong was the real father of Rhaenyra’s first three children. But he died alongside his brother during a fire at Harrenhal, a fire his younger brother, Larys the Clubfoot, started. This House has certainly had a fascinating time so far on House of the Dragon.

New House of the Dragon Houses; Jump to House Hightower // House Velaryon // House Strong // House Beesbury // House Blackwood // House Bracken // House Cole // House Westerling

House Beesbury

House Beesbury is a minor noble house that also traces its founding back to the First Men. Sworn bannermen of House Hightower in the Reach, the family’s seat of Honeyholt sits north of Oldtown. Their sigil features three yellow beehives on a black and yellow striped field.

On House of the Dragon, Lord Lyman Beesbury served as master of coin under King Viserys. Lord Beesbury previously held the same position under King Jaehaerys, despite some of his ancestors ending up on the losing end of trials by combat with Targaryens. That included one where King Jaehaerys himself killed Ser Baxton Beesbury.

Beesbury was the first death during the Dance of the Dragons. Criston Cole murdered Lord Lyman when Beesbury refused to go along with seating Aegon on the Iron Throne.

New House of the Dragon Houses; House Hightower // House Velaryon // House Strong // House Beesbury // House Cole // House Westerling // Other New Houses From House of the Dragon // Named (But Not Yet Seen) Houses

House Cole

House of the Dragon made clear how small and unimportant House Cole was in Westeros during this era. Princess Rhaenyra had no idea who Ser Criston Cole was. Even the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard knew little about the family. The knight’s shabby armor also made clear his family is not a rich one.

House Cole, a former noble family, comes from the Dornish marshes of the Stormlands and swears allegiance to House Dondarrion. The family sigil is 10 black pellets—mostly likely pieces of coal that gives the house its name—against a scarlet field. Not much more is known about the Coles. But House of the Dragon will reveal why Westeros will never forget the name of this new Game of Thrones house.

House Westerling

House Westerling of the Crag in the Westerlands is a name that readers of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire know well. In the books, Robb Stark didn’t marry Talisa like on Game of Thrones. He married Jeyne Westerling, despite her family being the “principal bannermen” of House Lannister. That ancient noble house, whose sigil is six white shells on a beach, also often married Lannisters.

At the start of House of the Dragon, Ser Harrold Westerling served as Lord Commander of King Viserys’ Kingsguard. But he ended the season by walking away from the green council. Alicent then replaced him as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard with Criston Cole. But Ser Harrold faces a tough decision now. His house, sworn to the Lannisters, will fight for Aegon in the coming war. But will he instead ally with Rhaenyra? We’re in uncharted waters with the character, who in the books was dead before the war started.

Other New House of the Dragon Houses

House Blackwood

House Blackwood of Raventree Hall is an ancient family who once ruled as kings of the riverlands during the Age of Heroes. Its sigil depicts three black ravens above a white weirwood tree on a red field.

They aligned with Aegon during his Conquest against their own king, Harren the Black. Since then, the house has served as loyal bannermen to House Tully. However, they can amass an even bigger army than their lord. And while the blood of the First Men flows through them, they merged their family with the Andals. But unlike most everyone else outside of the North, they have never given up the old gods, who they still worship.

House Blackwood is best known as the longtime bitter rivals of House Bracken. We see the feud between the new houses play out on House of the Dragon.

House Bracken

House Bracken of Stone Hedge traces their roots back to the First Men. During the Age of Heroes, they ruled as kings until overthrown by House Blackwood, who they claim hired sellswords to defeat them. Their sigil features a red stallion against a yellow field. They are also loyal bannermen to House Tully, but like the Blackwoods can put together an even larger army than the Tullys.

Their conversion to the Faith of the Seven after they merged their family with the Andals only added to the deep enmity between their family and House Bracken.

(Note: We met members of House Bracken on Game of Thrones, but only in very minor roles.)

New House of the Dragon Houses; House Hightower // House Velaryon // House Strong // House Beesbury // House Cole // House Westerling // Other New Houses From House of the Dragon // Named (But Not Yet Seen) Houses

House Wylde

The noble House Wylde of Rain Town resides in the Stormlands where it swears fealty to House Baratheon. Lord Jasper Wylde served as master of laws for King Viserys and plotted with the “green council” to install Aegon on the Iron Throne. He now serves the same role on the new King’s small council.

House Caswell

House Caswell is known as the Defender of the Fords, because Bitterbridge castle sits where two rivers meet in the Reach. The family’s sigil is a yellow centaur with bow on white.

Lord Caswell was a friend of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen at court. After falsely swearing allegiance to Aegon he tried to escape King’s Landing to warn her. Lord Larys Strong caught him, and Otto Hightower had Lord Caswell hanged.

House Cargyll

A noble house of the Reach, House Cargyll’s sigil is believed to be a golden goose on “bendy sinister black and red.” Two members of the family, identical twins Ser Erryk and Ser Arryk, served on Viserys’ Kingsguard. Ser Erryk had been Aegon’s sworn protector, but defected to Rhaenyra’s side because he did not believe Aegon was fit to rule.

Ser Arryk stayed on to serve Aegon despite his brother’s pleas. We will have to see how these decisions impact the new Game of Thrones house.

House Darklyn

The noble House Darklyn of Duskendale traces its lineage back to the First Men, when it ruled as petty kings in the crownlands. From its keep the Dun Fort, it still presides over the town of Duskendale and its lands.

The house was one of the first to oppose Aegon the Conqueror and also one of the first to bend the knee to him. Ser Steffon Darkyln served on the Kingsguards of both Jaehaerys and Viserys. He was on Dragonstone protecting Princess Rhaenyra when Viserys died. He then swore to serve on her Queensguard.

New House of the Dragon Houses; House Hightower // House Velaryon // House Strong // House Beesbury // House Cole // House Westerling // Other New Houses From House of the Dragon // Named (But Not Yet Seen) Houses

House Marbrand

The noble House Marbrand of Ashemark is a major house of the Westerlands where the Lannisters rule. The family calls Ashemark near Tumblestone its home. The sigil of this Game of Thrones house is a burning orange tree.

Ser Lorent Marbrand of Viserys’s Kingsguard was with Rhaenyra on Dragonstone when her father died. He swore to serve her over Aegon.

House Celtigar

The ancient House Celtigar of Claw Isle calls the coast of Crackclaw Point in the Narrow Sea home. It has long sworn fealty to Dragonstone and House Targaryen and even shares some Valyrian blood with the dragon lords. The Celtigar sigil features red crabs on white.

Lord Bartimos Celtigar serves as a fierce and loyal member of Queen Rhaenyra’s black council.

House Staunton

House Staunton is a noble house of the crownlands in Game of Thrones‘ world. The family calls Rook’s Rest home. Lord Simon Staunton serves on Queen Rhaenyra’s small council.

Named (But Not Yet Seen) Houses

Daemon Targaryen sent ravens to seek support for Queen Rhaenyra. That includes sending ravens to House Massey and House Bar Emmon, both noble houses in the crownlands.

New House of the Dragon Houses; House Hightower // House Velaryon // House Strong // House Beesbury // House Cole // House Westerling // Other New Houses From House of the Dragon // Named (But Not Yet Seen) Houses

This post originally published on August 22, 2022.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Houses That Didn’t Appear on GAME OF THRONES appeared first on Nerdist.

House of the Dragon might not have White Walkers, but the show’s cast is just as sprawling as Game of Thrones‘ was. Houses Targaryen, Hightower, and Velaryon aren’t the only ones destined to find themselves fighting in a civil war of fire and blood. The Dance of the Dragons will ensnare nearly every family in the Realm. But identifying the many characters of Westeros has never been easy and it remains tricky on House of the Dragon. Fortunately, you don’t need a maester to know who everyone is, not even with all those “new” families popping up. We tracked every major new character introduced on House of the Dragon during season one. Here’s everyone we met, what happened to them, and who’s still around for season two. Let’s dive into the many characters of House of the Dragon.

New House of the Dragon Characters; Jump to: House Targaryen // House Hightower // House Velaryon // House Strong // House Lannister // House Royce // Other Major Characters (Baratheons, Coles, and More)

House Targaryen

King Viserys Targaryen

King Viserys Targaryen was the king of sat on the Iron Throne when House of the Dragon began. Of all the new House of the Dragon characters, he definitely wanted peace the most. But the matter of succession was of high importance to King Viserys during the end of his reign. He bypassed his brother Daemon and named his daughter Princess Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne. But that was before Viserys had a son with his second wife, Alicent Hightower, which brought Targaryen civil war into motion. King Viserys died at the end of season one, and this caused the rift in his family to turn into war.

Daemon Targaryen

Daemon Targaryen is a fascinating character on House of the Dragon. He seemed volatile and untrustworthy at first but mellowed over time, though never completely. He and Rhaenyra married after the death of his second wife, Laena Velaryon, and the staged death of her husband Ser Laenor Velaryon. Together they fight for her place on the throne as we move into House of the Dragon season two.

Jacaerys (“Jace”) Velaryon

Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen had three black-haired boys with her first husband Ser Laenor. They named their oldest son Jacaerys, heir to the Iron Throne, after Rhaenyra. However, many believed (correctly) their real father was Ser Harwin “Breakbones” Strong. At the end of season one of House of the Dragon, we see this important character and his dragon flying to Winterfell.

Lucerys (“Luke”) Velaryon

Rhaenyra and Laenor’s second child was Prince Lucerys Velaryon, his grandfather Ser Corlys Velaryon’s heir to the Lord of Driftmark. However, Prince Lucerys died high over Storm’s Landing after his uncle Aemond Targaryen’s dragon Vhagar attacked Luke and his dragon Arrax. In many ways, this major character death triggers the main events on House of the Dragon. It would appear Princess, or is that Queen, Rhaenyre is now ready to engage in war.

Joffrey Velaryon

Joffrey Velaryon was the third, black-haired son of Rhaenyra and Laenor. His lawful father named him after his late paramour, Joffrey Lonmouth, whom Criston Cole murdered years earlier. Joffrey is yet to play a major role on House of the Dragon, but we’re sure we’ll see more of this character in season two.

Aegon Targaryen (Son of Rhaenyra and Daemon)

Daemon and Rhaenyra’s first child together was Prince Aegon Targaryen. (Not to be confused with Alicent’s first child, also a House of the Dragon character named Aegon. That much older Aegon is crowned King, Second of His Name.)

Viserys Targaryen (Son of Rhaenyra and Daemon)

Rhaenyra and Daemon named their second child after her father, King Viserys. Their third child, a daughter, died during childbirth after Rhaenyra learned her father died and Aegon had been crowned King.

Aegon Targaryen (Son of Viserys and Alicent)

Queen Alicent and King Viserys’s named their oldest child and firstborn son Aegon after the Conqueror. A known rapist and spectator of child fighting rings (where one of his own bastards might be forced to fight), Aegon himself said he is unfit to rule. However, he allowed his grandfather Otto Hightower, the green council, and his mother to crown him King, bypassing Viserys’ named heir, Aegon’s older half-sister Rhaenyra. He wears the crown and holds the Valyrian sword Blackfyre of Aegon the Conqueror.

This House of the Dragon character is clearly not going to make a good king and does not deserve the Iron Throne. But we will have to wait for season two to see how Aegon’s rule begins.

Helaena Targaryen

Helaena, the first daughter and second child of Queen Alicent and King Viserys, married her older brother Aegon. She became Queen of Westeros after his coronation. They have twins, a son named Jahaerys and a daughter named Jahaera. (The show has yet to introduce their third child, Prince Maelor.)

The quiet, kind, strange Helaena also seems to be a dreamer. A number of her cryptic quotes proved prophetic, most notably about her brother Aemond needing to lose an eye to gain a dragon and “the beast beneath the boards.”

Aemond Targaryen

Aemond, the third child and second son of Alicent and Viserys, lost his eye as a child during a fight with his cousins. Aemond grew up to be a great warrior who resented his bastard-born nephews. He frequently wears an eyepatch over his sapphire eye and unlike his lazy brother, Aemond takes his duties seriously and spent his life studying and training. Aemond assured war after his dragon Vhagar killed his nephew Lucerys Velaryon in the finale of House of the Dragon season one.

Season one did not introduce Aemond’s younger brother, Alicent’s fourth child with Viserys, Prince Daeron, as a character on the show.

House Hightower

Ser Otto Hightower was the first Hand of the King to Viserys. He returned to the position after the death of Lord Lyonel Strong. He’s father to Queen Alicent and grandfather to three (or four!) Targaryens. However, Otto Hightower not the Lord of his own family. That title belongs to his older, clean-shaven brother, Lord Hobert Hightower, head of one of Westeros’s oldest and most important noble families.

Otto was an instrumental character in crowing Aegon as King on House of the Dragon.

Lord Hobert Hightower

Lord Hightower wanted to ensure his great-nephew became king rather than Aegon’s older half-sister, and House Hightower stands behind the new King.

House Velaryon

Ser Corlys Velaryon

Ser Corlys Velaryon, husband to Princess Rhaenys Targaryen (The Queen Who Never Was), abandoned his position as master of ships on the small council to fight in the Stepstones with Daemon Targaryen. Two major characters from House Velaryon—his son and his brother—joined him in this early House of the Dragon battle.

Ser Corlys Velaryon is known as the Sea Snake, the most celebrated and accomplished sailor in the history of Westeros. He controls the most powerful fleet in the world, which he has sworn to Queen Rhaenyra. After debating sitting out the war, he declared for her side to protect his grandchildren. His wife will also fight for Rhaenyra, vowing to use her dragon Meleys for their side.

Princess Rhaenys Targaryen

Rhaenys Targaryen, the Queen Who Never Was, is the one character who really should have sat on the Iron Throne. But, alas, it was not to be. Instead, Viserys got to sit upon the throne. Rhaenys serves as the Lady of Driftmark and helps her husband to shrewdly navigate the world of Westeros. Rhaenys’ chief allegiance is to the good of her family and she considers her loyalties from that perspective. In House of the Dragon, Rhaenys made a splash when she rode her dragon Meleys through King Aegon II’s coronation. Ultimately, as mentioned, she has vowed her loyalty and dragon to Rhaenyra.

Laenor Velaryon

Ser Corlys’ oldest son Laenor fought against the Crabfeeder in his character introduction on House of the Dragon. He mounted his dragon Seasmoke to help defeat the Crabfeeder. He then married Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, an arrangement where they both vowed to do their duty while seeking happiness on the side.

Laenor conspired with his wife, her uncle Daemon, and his paramour Ser Qarl Correy to fake his death following a quarrel with Correy. The pair then fled to Essos, allowing Rhaenyra to marry her uncle. We did not see this character again after that and it isn’t clear if he will ever return on House of the Dragon.

Laena (née Velaryon) Targaryen

Lord Strong suggested Laenor as a strategic suitor for Princess Rhaenyra, just as Lyonel Strong once recommended King Viserys wed Laenor’s older sister, Laena. Ultimately Laena married Prince Daemon Targaryen. The two had twin daughters,  Rhaena and Baela, but Laena died after she was unable to deliver their third child. Rather than die in bed, she had her dragon Vhagar bathe her in dragon flame.

Baela Targaryen

The older daughter of Daemon and Laena’s twins, Baela, rides the dragon Moondancer. She also stayed at Driftmark with her grandmother after the death of her mother, Laena. She is betrothed to Jacaerys Velaryon.

Rhaena Targaryen

Daemon and Laena’s younger daughter was the only member of the family not to be a dragonrider while they lived in Pentos. She is still without a mount at the start of the Dance of the Dragons and serves as Rhaenyra’s cupbearer. This character was also betrothed to Lucerys Velaryon before his death on House of the Dragon.

Vaemond Velaryon

Ser Corlys’s brother Vaemond was ready to mutiny against Daemon Targaryen before their side’s victory in the Stepstones. He also sought to have himself named as Lord of Driftmark when it looked like Ser Corlys might die. After King VIserys affirmed his grandson Lucerys as the lawful heir, Vaemond called Rhaenyra’s boys bastards and her a whore. Daemon then sliced Aemond’s head in half. (He left him his tongue, at least.)

(Note: In the books, Vaemond is Corlys’ nephew, not his brother.)

New House of the Dragon Characters; Jump to: House Targaryen // House Hightower // House Velaryon // House Strong // House Lannister // House Royce // Other Major Characters (Baratheons, Coles, and More)

House Strong

Lord Lyonel Strong of Harrenhal first served on King Viserys’ small council as master of laws before becoming Hand of the King. He had two sons. The oldest, Harwin, died alongside his father during a fire at Harrenhal started by Lyonel’s youngest son, Larys.

Ser Harwin “Breakbones” Strong

Considered “the strongest knight” in the Seven Kingdoms, Ser Harwin “Breakbones” Strong was quite a knight in Westeros. We saw how the character earned his nickname early in House of the Dragon, during Viserys’ royal hunt. He was the only knight to hold the stag with his bare hands. Everyone else rode atop a horse.

Harwin Strong later became Commander of the City Watch in King’s Landing and was the real father of Princess Rhaenyra’s three oldest sons. Harwin died alongside his father at Harrenhal shortly after his banishment from King’s Landing for attacking Criston Cole.

Larys Strong, The Clubfoot

Harwin’s younger brother Larys is known as “The Clubfoot” because he was born with a twisted foot. He cited his foot as the reason he could not go on the royal hunt. Instead, he stayed at the King’s pavilion and quietly sat with the high ladies of the hunt. (That group included Lady Ceira Lannister and Lady Joselyn Redwyne, both character created for House of the Dragon.)

Larys proved himself to be far more than just cunning and perceptive, though. He murdered his father and brother to appease his close friend and ally, Queen Alicent. Their deaths also made him Lord of Harrenhal. An unofficial master of whispers for the “Greens,” Larys is an amoral killer with a memorable proclivity.

House Lannister

The widowed Lady Ceira has twin sons, each of whom holds a major position in Westeros.

Jason Lannister

The older of the twins, the prideful, long-haired Jason Lannister is Lord of Casterly Rock and Warden of the West. Princess Rhaenyra spurned his offer of marriage, which he made after believing Prince Aegon had supplanted her as heir. His assumption also upset King Viserys, who called such talk “treason.” Jason Lannister is head of House Lannister, which supports King Aegon.

Ser Tyland Lannister

Tyland Lannister—who sports a shorter, neater haircut than his older twin brother—replaced Ser Corlys Velaryon on the small council as master of ships. His brother considers Tyland “frightfully dull.”

Tyland Lannister conspired with Otto Hightower to place Aegon on the Iron Throne. The House of the Dragon character remains on the new King’s small council.

New House of the Dragon Characters; Jump to: House Targaryen // House Hightower // House Velaryon // House Strong // House Lannister // House Royce // Other Major Characters (Baratheons, Coles, and More)

House Royce

House Royce of Runestone in the Vale is an old, noble family descended from the First Men. (They also played a meaningful role on Game of Thrones.) Though kings long ago, they are sworn bannermen to House Arryn, Princess Rhaenys’ family (her mother was an Arryn). The Royce sigil features black iron studs and rune markings on a bronze field, which is where Daemon Targaryen got his uncouth nickname for his late wife.

Lady Rhea Royce

Prince Daemon hated his wife, Lady Royce, and the feeling was mutual. He killed the skilled rider (who was obviously much prettier than any sheep) after Lady Rhea fell from her horse. She died without an heir, which led Daemon to appeal to Lady Jeyne Arryn directly for the rights to Runestone. Although this character only briefly appeared on House of the Dragon, we would have liked to see more of her.

Ser Gerold Royce

Lady Rhea’s cousin Ser Gerold Royce believes Daemon killed his wife, an accusation he made during a feast for Rhaenyra and Laenor’s wedding. But he was taken aback by Prince Daemon’s plans to claim Runestone as his own. The castle has been House Royce’s seat of power for thousands of years. It remains to be seen how the altercation between these two characters will play out.

Other Major New Characters on House of the Dragon

Lord Lyman Beesbury

Lord Lyman Beesbury served as master of coin under King Jaehaerys. He continued in that role as part of Viserys’s small council, but Criston Cole killed him after Lord Lyman refused to go along with the plan to crown Aegon.

Lord Jasper Wylde

Lord Jasper Wylde joined King VIserys’s small council as master of laws. He conspired to place Aegon on the Iron Throne. This House of the Dragon character serves on the new King’s small council.

Lord Commander Ser Harrold Westerling

Ser Harrold of House Westerling (House Lannister’s most important bannermen) served as Lord Commander of King Viserys’ Kingsguard. He refused to go along with the “green council” when it planned to install Aegon as King. We don’t know where this character has ended up as of the finale of House of the Dragon season one.

Ser Criston Cole

Criston Cole called his ascent to the Kingsguard the highest honor anyone in his (minor) family from the Stormlands’ Dornish marches ever achieved. He owed that position to Princess Rhaenyra and was originally her sworn protector. But after they had an affair and she refused to run off with him, he became Queen Alicent’s sworn shield. This House of the Dragon character now hates Rhaenyra and helped usurp her throne.

Criston Cole now serves as Lord Commander of Aegon’s Kingsguard, and he crowned Aegon at the Dragonpit.

Mysaria

Prince Daemon’s former paramour hails from the Free City of Lys in Essos. Daemon wanted to make her his second wife, but his brother and the laws of Westeros forbade the marriage. She then became known as King’s Landings “White Worm,” a purveyor of secrets. She traded her information to Otto Hightower and also turned Prince Aegon over to him for coin and promises of reform after King Viserys’ death.

Mysaria has so many spies in King’s Landing and not even Larys Strong knows all of them. The Clubfoot and Alicent burned down Mysaria’s manse in season one, but no bodies were shown in the building.

Lord Boremund Baratheon

The show’s first Lord of Storm’s End in the Stormlands hosted Princess Rhaenyra during her tour of suitors. Lord Boremund Baratheon was the only son of Lord Rogar Baratheon and former Queen Alyssa Velaryon. (She was first married to King Aenys I Targaryen and was mother to King Jaehaerys I.)

He was also a supporter of his cousin Rhaenys Targaryen’s claim to the Iron Throne before swearing an oath to support Rhaenyra as Viserys’ rightful heir. Boremund had one son of his own, Borros, who followed his father as Lord of Storm’s End after Boremund’s death.

Lord Borros Baratheon

The new, illiterate, prideful Lord of Storm’s End rejected his late father’s vow to keep Rhaenyra as heir after Aemond Taragryen promised to marry one of his daughters in exchange for Storm’s End’s support in the coming war.

Grand Maester Mellos

The first Grand Maester of King’s Landing under Viserys provided the king and his family with questionable care. His service was bad enough to make us wonder if the Grand Maester Conspiracy theory is absolutely true and House Targaryen should be weary of the order. Mellos also served Princess Rhaenyra Moon Tea, a libation used to end a pregnancy, a vital secret that got out immediately. This character died during Viserys’s reign on House of the Dragon.

Grand Maester Orwyle

Archmaester Orwyle tried offering King Viserys a different, more effective course of treatment during House of the Dragon‘s fifth episode, but was shut down by his boss, Grand Maester Mellos. Orwyle eventually became Grand Maester of King’s Landing, which earned him a seat in Viserys’ small council. He was a member of the green council that crowned Aegon king.

Maester Gerardys

The maester of Dragonstone continued to serve and advise Rhaenyra when the Dance of the Dragons began.

Ser Qarl Correy

The paramour of Ser Laenor Velaryon helped fake Laenor’s death. The couple then fled to Essos.

Lord Caswell

Lord Caswell was among the first people to congratulate Rhaenyra and Laenor on the birth of their third son. He asked the couple if there was anyway he could serve the family, which he did when Aegon was about to be named king. He lied about swearing allegiance to Aegon and tried to flee King’s Landing to warn Rhaenyra. Larys Strong had him captured, and Otto Hightower hanged Lord Caswell for treason.

Sers Erryk and Arryk Cargyll

The identical twin brothers, Sers Erryk and Arryk Cargyll, served on King Viserys’s Kingsguard. Erryk was Aegon’s sworn protector, but refused to help crown him King. He knew Aegon was unworthy of the position, so he stole Viserys’s crown and brought it to Dragonstone for Rhaenyra, whom he swore to protect as a member of her Queensguard.

Arryk Cargyll remained behind in King’s Landing as part of Aegon’s Kingsguard against his brother’s urging.

Ser Steffon Darklyn

Ser Steffon Darklyn of Viserys’s Kingsguard was with Rhaenyra on Dragonstone when The Dance of the Dragons began. This character joined her Queensguard (under threat of death by Daemon) rather than swear allegiance to Aegon in the final episode of House of the Dragon season one.

Ser Lorent Marbrand

Ser Lorent Marbrand was also a member of Viserys’s Kingsguard at Dragonstone when The Dance of the Dragons began. And like Ser Steffon he joined Rhaenyra’s Queensguard (under the same threat of death by Daemon).

Lord Bartimos Celtigar

The Lord of Claw Isle, Lord Bartimos Celtigar, took an immediate and important spot on Rhaenyra’s small council at the start of the Dance of the Dragons.

Lord Simon Staunton

Lord Simon Staunton of Rook’s Rest was also a member of Rhaenyra’s black council on Dragonstone when war broke out over the Iron Throne.

New House of the Dragon Characters; Jump to: House Targaryen // House Hightower // House Velaryon // House Strong // House Lannister // House Royce // Other Major Characters (Baratheons, Coles, and More)

Originally published on September 6, 2022.

The post Every Major New Character on HOUSE OF THE DRAGON appeared first on Nerdist.

Welcome back, HotD fans! The season finale of House of the Dragon provided plenty of fire, blood, and so much more as it set the stage for season two and the war ahead. Dan gathers his small council of Michael Walsh and Karama Horne to discuss their reactions to “The Black Queen”, and all the latest from the world of Westeros on today’s episode of Maesterminds!

More House of the Dragons News: https://nerdist.com/topic/game-of-thrones/
Watch more Nerdist Now: https://bit.ly/3yhdnmF

Follow Us:
Facebook https://facebook.com/nerdist
Twitter https://twitter.com/Nerdist
Instagram https://instagram.com/nerdist/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nerdist

Image: HBO

#NerdistNews #GoT #HouseOfTheDragon #HBO

The post HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Ep 10 “The Black Queen” Reaction & Breakdown (Maesterminds) appeared first on Nerdist.

House of the Dragon couldn’t tell the exact same story found in George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood even if wanted to. Numerous events in the author’s history feature multiple versions told by unreliable sources with agendas and biases. Those, combined with inaccuracies found in many historical retellings, make Fire & Blood‘s account of the Targaryen civil war far from definitive. That’s the Game of Thrones prequel’s biggest advantage. It has the freedom to explore the Dance of the Dragons in ways not even book readers might expect. But after the season one finale and the accidental death of Prince Lucerys Velaryon, it’s clear House of the Dragon is not just answering lingering questions and reconciling differences in the official record. The series is fundamentally changing events and character motivations in ways that make the story a lot less interesting.

Fire & Blood‘s Alicent Hightower is the leader of the “greens” and the driving force behind crowning her son king. House of the Dragon‘s Alicent was about to abandon that long-held goal before Viserys’s final scene. The dying king’s confusion altered both the Queen’s plans and reason for wanting Aegon seated on the Iron Throne. An honest misunderstanding will now frame her entire story going forward, rather than her own desires and wants. As a result she’s more sympathetic. Less of a villain than she is in the book, but also less compelling. Rather than a complicated mother driven by resentment, lust for power, and a deep yearning to keep her children safe from a woman she doesn’t trust, live-action Alicent is a victim of circumstance. That’s the same exact ill-conceived change House of the Dragon opted for in its season one finale with another major character.

Prince Aemond’s murder of his nephew high over Storm’s End is a seminal moment in the Dance of the Dragons. It destroys any remaining chance at a peaceful resolution and ensures a gruesome war. In Fire & Blood there’s no question Aemond meant to kill Prince Lucerys Velaryon. It’s an incredible moment rife with personal animosity, questionable decision-making, and tragic consequences. Aemond wants revenge against Lucerys because the young prince took his uncle’s eye years earlier. But in that moment Aemond, a great warrior known for flying off the handle, also recognizes an opportunity. Rhaenyra’s side has a dragon advantage. Killing Luce and Arrax weakens her and strengthens the greens’ cause. It’s not necessarily a great decision by Aemond, but it is a defensible one whether you believe that makes him an unlikeable figure or not.

House of the Dragon took Aemond’s agency and culpability away from him when it made Luce’s death an accident. After Prince Lucerys couldn’t control Arrax, an angry Vhagar disobeyed Aemond and killed the younger dragon and his rider, all while a helpless Aemond screamed “Nooo!” Was Aemond responsible for trying to frighten his nephew and using a Westerosi weapon of mass destruction in such a reckless way? Yes, but that’s a far cry from owning the responsibility of intentionally killing a scared kid and launching a continent-wide war.

This change, which now makes Aemond a victim of circumstances like his mother before him, is one House of the Dragon opted to make not out of necessity but desire. Lucerys’s death is not one of Fire & Blood‘s conflicting or unreliable reports. Not everything in that history comes from questionable sources. The specifics around major events at significant locations (like Storm’s End) are more trustworthy in the official account because countless people witnessed them and maester’s present for them recorded what happened. That includes what pushed Aemond to murder his nephew.

In the book version, Aemond ultimately hunts down Lucerys after one of Lord Boros Baratheon’s daughters taunts his manhood. After Lucerys refuses to fight, she says to Aemond, “Was it one of your eyes he took, or one of your balls? I am so glad you chose my sister. I want a husband with all his parts.” Had the show included that amazing moment, witnessed by many, it couldn’t have made Lucerys’s death an accident. To make such a major moment chance shows the series clearly wants to tell a different kind of story. Its version is one where events beyond people’s control move the plot rather than their own decisions. And stories where things happen to people rather than them doing things is less engaging.

We don’t need to travel far from Westeros to understand why, either. Imagine for a moment if Game of Thrones had changed the scene between Jaime, Cersei, and Bran. What if, instead of intentionally pushing Bran out of the window to protect their deadly incestuous secret, Jaime accidentally knocked Bran out of that tower? Would that have been more interesting? Was it more compelling watching Jaime spend his life dealing with the fallout of that decision than it would have been watching him deal with an oopsie doopsie? Would the Kingslayer’s arc to redemption, which took him from grand villain to beloved character, have been better or worse? The answer seems obvious. Just as it does when you consider any of the major events of the original show. And yet that’s what House of the Dragon just did to Aemond and his story, same as it did with Alicent.

Sometimes accidents we have no control over change the entire course of our lives. There is value and entertainment in seeing characters deal with moments like that. But not when it keeps happening over and over again, and not when it happens to characters who are interesting because of what they do and why. It’s powerful when characters own responsibility for their own actions and their consequences. Especially in the Dance of the Dragons. This is a family civil war, where personal failings, personal ambition, and personal animosity influence so much of the story. It’s why this era of House Targaryen was worthy of adapting in the first place.

House of the Dragon had—and still has—more creative freedom than most adaptations do. It can flesh out characters and add a level of depth and understanding of their actions frequently absent from Fire & Blood. It can also surprise book readers and newcomers alike. But the decision to radically change this story so it’s playing out more like the “Accidental Dance of the Dragons” is undermining so much of what makes this story engaging. House of the Dragon is showing us why Game of Thrones wouldn’t have been as good if characters like Tywin and Cersei weren’t so ruthless. And that Realm just isn’t as much fun. Who’s more fun to watch: an opportunistic, violent, vengeful, hot-tempered warrior with family issues? Or a helpless bystander who couldn’t control his own dragon?

We don’t need to feel bad for every character any more than we need to hate all of them. It’s better when we hate some people because we understand why they did the terrible thing they did. Just as it’s more interesting watching them deal with the consequences of their flawed choices. Taking away their agency is no accident, it’s a big mistake

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post Turning Civil War Into an Accident on HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Is a Mistake appeared first on Nerdist.

Game of Thrones is known for being a franchise where shocking deaths lurk around every corner, and House of the Dragon continues that tradition. Especially with the first season’s time jumps, many House of the Dragon characters met their deaths before we even really got to know them. But from the very first episode to the last, this season’s deaths hit viciously. So who died on House of the Dragon season one? Let’s review everyone we lost.

Jump to: Aemma Arryn’s Death // Laena Velaryon’s Death // Harwin and Lyonel Strong’s Death // Vaemond Velaryon’s Death // King Viserys Targaryen’s Death // Lord Beesbury’s Death // Lucerys Velaryon’s Death

Queen Aemma Arryn’s Death Set the Tone for House of the Dragon

If we had any cause to wonder whether House of the Dragon would be as viciously cruel as Game of Thrones, especially to women, the first death of the season gave us an answer. In a truly vicious vision of childbirth, King Viserys, desperate for a son and heir, sacrifices his wife and the mother of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, Aemma Arryn. The violent c-section scene on House of the Dragon not only horrified viewers but forever changed the realm. The death of Aemma created a gulf between Viserys and Rhaenyra Targaryen and opened up the king to remarry Alicent Hightower. Queen Aemma Arryn’s House of the Dragon death eventually leads to the Targaryen civil war.

Laena Velaryon Controls Her Own Doom

Another woman to be felled by childbirth on House of the Dragon, Laena Velaryon’s death goes a bit differently. In a mirror of Aemma’s final moments, Laena’s husband Daemon Targaryen is told that he can try to save his child by sacrificing his wife. But Laena Velaryon insists on taking her death into her own hands. She goes to her dragon, Vhagar, and utters, “Dracarys.” And so her dragon burns her alive, her end of choice. We assume House of the Dragon saw Laena Velaryon’s death as a strong one, but we wish we’d gotten to see more of her alive.

Harwin Strong and Lyonel Strong Die at the Hands of Larys‘ Machinations

Speaking of characters that we barely got to know before they died thanks to House of the Dragon‘s time jumps, Harwin Strong and Lyonel Strong both died in season one of the show. Both characters seemed abnormally good for a show like this Game of Thrones prequel. And so, though we didn’t get to know them as properly as we like, the deaths of Harwin and Lyonel Strong still hit hard. Harwin Strong was, of course, Rhaenyra Targaryen’s lover and the father of her children. Lyonel Strong was a nobleman and a good Hand of the King who just tried to do what was right. The orchestration of their deaths by Larys Strong and, by extension, Queen Alicent Hightower signaled to us that the game on House of the Dragon had changed.

Vaemond Velaryon’s Shocking Death on House of the Dragon

One of the most shocking parts of House of the Dragon is the casual way with which death is dispensed. Death can come during the search for a marriage partner, in the middle of a wedding, or even at a formal meeting in court. It’s no wonder the universe feels dark. Most of these public executions don’t even get much of a reaction in response. This was the type of death that Vaemond Velaryon received at the hands of Daemon Targaryen. Without hesitation, Daemon cut Vaemond’s head off, in the middle of the Velaryon presenting his arguments at court. Granted, the hearing wasn’t very fair, and Vaemond was quite rude about Rhaenyra Targaryen… But it feels like House of the Dragon‘s world needs a much better security system.

King Viserys Targaryen’s Death Spells Civil War on House of the Dragon

Everyone who watched House of the Dragon knew that King Viserys Targaryen had to die. In fact, it seemed like his death would come on multiple occasions. But death finally took Viserys at the most inopportune moment. Just before he died, King Viserys, mistakenly believing he was speaking to his daughter, Rhaenyra, set Alicent on a path of destruction. King Viserys’ last words revolved around one of Game of Thrones‘ most important prophecies, but he didn’t deliver his final thoughts carefully enough. King Viserys Targaryen’s House of the Dragon‘s death was the final straw in the antagonism between his family members.

Criston Cole Murders Lyman Beesbury

The Hightowers are dead set on having Aegon II rule on the Iron Throne and they’ll spread death to achieve it. On Queen Alicent’s word that it was King Viserys’ wishes, the Hand of the King, Otto Hightower, moves to put his plan to usurp the throne into action. But Lyman Beesbury won’t accept this kind of treason. Unfortunately, he finds himself outnumbered on the small council. Criston Cole, who has previously shown he’s not afraid to kill out in the open, brings swift death down on Lord Beesbury. That’s the Game of Thrones way, after all. Those in the minority get the sword, rule of law be damned.

Lucerys Velaryon’s Death Changes From the Books

The last death on season one of House of the Dragon is as important as the first. After years of animosity between them, Aemond Targaryen and Lucerys Velaryon end up in a vicious face-off. Aemond, of course, blames Lucerys for the loss of his eye. After an unsuccessful visit by Lucerys Velaryon to Lord Borros Baratheon, Aemond, who also visited the Lord, corners him in the air. Both Aemond and Lucerys seem out of control as they battle on dragon-back. Neither one can quite get their dragon to do what they want. For Lucerys, this proves fatal. Even though Aemond appears to regret the action, his dragon Vhagar bites straight through Lucerys and his dragon Arrax. This marks the death of two of Rhaenyra’s children in one House of the Dragon episode. And surely, Lucerys’s death spells trouble for the realm on House of the Dragon.

In the Game of Thrones book, Fire & Blood, Aemond did intend to kill his cousin. But in the show, this death seems more accidental, like many things about the war to come. Still, Aemond wasn’t exactly being kind to Lucerys, and death seemed like a highly probable outcome.

The Future of House of the Dragon‘s Characters

As we already knew from Game of Thrones, there is no one truly safe on House of the Dragon. Death can come to any House of the Dragon character at any time. And, in truth, real warfare did not arrive in Westeros during season one of the show. Next season of House of the Dragon, civil war is likely to explode in earnest, spelling more deaths. So hold your favorites close, everyone, and strap in, it’s going to be a bloody ride.

The post Every Major Character Death From HOUSE OF THE DRAGON appeared first on Nerdist.

The Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon takes us nearly 200 years before Daenerys Targaryen’s existence with a story of fire and blood. The HBO series is underway, setting up some fraught drama between King Viserys, Princess Rhaneyra, and the very chaotic Daemon Targaryen. With the Stepstones drama coming into play, a host of other families in the mix, and this universe’s penchant for violence, we can certainly expect some shocking, brutal, and horrific moments in House of the Dragon. Some of it is typical warfare while other things will make your stomach churn. It is the way of Westeros, apparently. So, let’s keep up with just how many moments House of the Dragon makes us gasp, cringe, and maybe even cheer over a terrible person’s demise.

Jump to: Episode 1 // Episode 2 // Episode 3 // Episode 4 // Episode 5 // Episode 6 // Episode 7 // Episode 8 // Episode 9 // Episode 10

Episode 1 – “The Heirs of the Dragon” 

Viserys’ Gross Wound 

Sure, this gooey cut on Viserys’ back pales in comparison to what we see later in the episode. But it is still gross anyway. He got the nick that won’t heal (and appears to be infected) from sitting on the infamous Iron Throne. As we see, the throne looks wilder than ever with more dangerous swords. Maybe it is not a good idea to sit on that kind of chair all the time, even if you want to look like a tough guy.

Daemon and the City Watch’s Killing Spree

Daemon is a wild guy. And, for some reason, the council thought it would be wise to make him the commander of the City Watch. Giving someone like him that kind of power will lead to bloody results. And oh does it go back when he rolls up with his Gold Cloak crew and they seek out criminals. People lose all sorts of body parts and the City Watch loads the human pieces in a wagon. Why? To send a clear message about crime and what happens to people who do bad things. Yeesh. This is one of House of the Dragon‘s most brutal moments.

The Queen’s Death in Childbirth 

This scene is brutal, heartbreaking, and honestly cruel. Queen Aemma is in labor; however, the baby is breech and will not turn. Viserys learns from a councilman that there is a new method of removing the child but it will certainly kill the mother. And he decides to try to save his male heir, electing to essentially kill his wife without her knowledge nor consent. She’s held down and given a C-section with no medication, bleeding profusely until she dies. Sadly, the child also dies soon after birth. 

Everything About Jousting 

This is such an unhinged activity. A bunch of people sit in stands and watch men on horses gallop towards each other with pointy sticks to celebrate the birth of a child. And, if they don’t like how things go, they can go for a duel and beat the crap out of each other. With people cheering them on. And, we see a couple of guys get beaten or injured horribly in this episode. Wild. 

The Doctor’s Butt

Look, I understand that Matt Smith is a talented person who will continue to portray many characters after the Eleventh Doctor. But when I look at him, I see that fez and bowtie-loving dude. So imagine the audible sound that left my mouth when I saw his bare butt on my TV screen. Just… a lot to process as a Doctor Who fan. 

The Heir for a Day Toast 

Let’s continue with Daemon being a wild dude. He’s in a brothel where lots of… activity is happening all around him. And he decides to make a toast to his dead nephew, calling him “The Heir for a Day.” That move causes Viserys to remove Daemon from the succession line and sever the remnants of their relationship. Yikes. This House of the Dragon moment is what truly sets things in motion.

Episode 2 – “The Rogue Prince” 

Marrying Off Children 

Listen. I don’t care if it was common practice or “legal” to do things like that. Just because it is socially acceptable or “legal” doesn’t mean it is morally just. We are six months into the future and the Velaryons want the king to marry their daughter, Laena. A literal little kid who asks all sorts of curious questions. And, when the subject of marriage comes up, she repeats some things her father told her to say. She also admits that she wouldn’t have to bed him until she turns 14. Gross. Thankfully, this is too weird for Viserys, and they do not go forth with the engagement. 

The Maggot Solution

Apparently, the cure for what ails Viserys’ hand can be found with maggots. Bigly gross and also not effective, it seems. Definitely one House of the Dragon moment that turns our stomach.

The Stepstones Crab Conundrum 

So there is trouble in the Stepstones. A Myrish Prince is feeding Westerosi sailors to crabs… alive. And it is a very gnarly thing to watch people being hacked up then left for crabs to eat them. What a way to end an episode along with shady Corlys forming an alliance with Daemon.

Episode 3 – “Second of His Name”

Nails, Wood, Crabs, and a Dragon Foot 

That Myrish Prince is a wild dude. He nails a soldier’s hand to a wooden plank in a very Jesus-like fashion and allows a few crabs to begin to consume him. However, Daemon arrives on the back of his dragon, and the creature smushes the man with its foot. What a way to go…

Public Father/Daughter Drama 

We are now around three years in the future. Rhaenyra’s friend Alicent is now the queen after marrying Viserys. She’s not only had a male child but is very pregnant at this time. Of course, this means there’s a ton of tension between the pair. But it is nothing like what goes down between Viserys and Rhaenyra. Thus far, their disagreements have been mostly in private (save for a bit of shady exchanges), but they get into quite the heated argument in public concerning Rhaenyra finding a “suitable husband.” The fight causes a record scratch moment among the guests at their big ole hunt party. 

Hello Wild Boar

Rhaenyra and Harrold are hanging out by the fireside when they get quite the unwelcome surprise. A boar rolls up on them, nearly killing them both until Rhaenyra takes him down. She’s clearly working through some pent-up frustration, stabbing the boar a few too many times. It’s a bloody and frantic scene that shows 1) Rhaenyra is better than her father at many things and 2) it is dangerous as hell to exist in this universe. 

Daemon’s Gotcha Plan 

Daemon makes it seem that he and his men are waving the white flag. In fact, he does that explicitly. But is a clever trap and a battle ensues. And, just when it seems that it is done, he goes on a one man battle, taking down quite a few people in the process. The rest of the men come in valiantly and take the W complete with lots of blood, gore, and screaming. In fact, the episode ends on a close up of Daemon covered in someone’s blood. House of the Dragon loves its dramatic and gross moments.

Episode 4 – “King of the Narrow Sea”

A Little Blood and Spilled Guts

The Daemon drama hour is back for another installment! But before he makes his triumphant return, we see Rhaenyra looking very bored by her potential suitors. The only fun thing about this is the young Blackwood lad go head to head with an older Bracken fellow who talks trash. The kid spills his guts and blood and we love it.

Old Man Spongebathing

Rhaenyra ruffles Alicent’s feathers a bit when she says that she doesn’t want to be trapped in a castle to birth heirs. That’s Alicent’s sad and lonely life now and boy does it come with some drawbacks. One of them is spongebathing her old husband, whose sores are getting increasingly worse. Definitely a House of the Dragon moment we could have done without.

All That Stuff with Daemon and HIS NIECE

Yes, as Alicent says, we know that the Targaryens have “queer” customs. They are totally down with incest and stuff. And, in many ways, Daemon and Rhaenrya’s relationship is quite cool. But when they look at each other a little too passionately and began to kiss, it is still very cringe.

The King and Queen’s Intimate Scene

Alicent lies motionless as the King is on top of her. It’s not shocking or brutal but it does make your stomach turn on her behalf. Unlike Rhaenyra, who actually gets to experience pleasure and attraction with Criston Cole, she is only doing her “duty” as a wife.

Did You F*** Your Uncle?!

It’s pretty shocking to hear The Queen use such foul language. But it is clear that she’s upset and probably worried about her friend. Of course, Rhaenyra only tells the partial truth, which seems like something that will resurface and possibly destroy their already fragile relationship.

Daemon on the Ground

To say the Viserys is pissed would be an understatement. One of the big moments from this House of the Dragon episode is Daemon once again drawing ire from his brother. He is on the ground drunk and Viserys kicks him a few times before throwing him out… again.

Goodbye to the Hand

Rhaenyra knows that she cannot go against her father when it comes to an arraigned marriage. But she can pull one last card by convincing her father to relieve Otto Hightower of his duties. And that’s how this episode ends. What a ride.

Episode 5 – “We Light the Way”

Daemon’s Greeting

Daemon returns to the Vale and his wife Rhea is ready to verbally drag him. (As she should.) He doesn’t speak a single word, but rather causes her horse to throw her off, injuring her, and then walks ominously towards her with a rock. You know, the kind for bludgeoning a person. Yikes.

Viserys’ Throwing Up

This could have been a lot more gross, but come on. You were offered a really fancy container to do it in and instead, you do it over the railing on a ship. Gross. Viserys seems to star in House of the Dragon‘s most queasy moments.

Rhaenyra and Laenor’s Agreement

Surprisingly, Rhaenyra and Laenor are able to come to an agreement. She somehow knows that he’s not into women while he knows she wants to be with other men. So, they agree to do their realm duties but partake in whatever “meals” they desire. It’s a bit shocking but, in the context of this story, I’m not mad at it.

Alicent Turns Dark

Well, well. The one person who seemed to be somewhat innocent in this tale is now working on her own agenda. Alicent shows up in style at the wedding, wearing the color green. It signifies the Hightower’s banner color for war. And that’s what she’s about to wage against her former best friend, who is set to become queen sooner or later. Oof.

Viserys’ Arm

There’s really not much to be said about it except, well, I can barely look at it. His arm is literally about to fall off and perhaps killing him. And it seems that those around him are doing little to nothing to help. We think we know why, though.

Sir Criston Cole Goes Rogue

Oh sir. You really don’t know how to play your part as the side dude. He gets upset when Laenor’s lover Joffrey reveals that he knows the secret between Criston and Rhaenyra. This leads to a full on fight where Criston kills Joffrey. The House of the Dragon‘s moment was both intense and disgusting, Criston didn’t know when to stop. Marriage celebrations are always a mess in this universe.

Viserys Is…Dead?

As if this wedding isn’t awful enough, Viserys passes out right after the vows between two very sad people. Is he dead? We will have to wait and see.

Episode 6 – “The Princess and the Queen”

Another Traumatic Birth Scene

We go through a pretty significant time jump in this episode. Rhanerya and Laenor have been married for quite sometime, as evidenced by their two older boys and her giving birth to a third baby boy. Of course, this show depicts childbirth pretty brutally and even though she doesn’t die, it is gnarly to watch. She has to get up moments after birth to present her child to the queen and is literally leaving a trail of blood behind her. House of the Dragons loves to give us a childbirth moment or five we could do without.

Aegon’s Present to the World

So, this Prince is a full on jerk. And speaking of the word jerk, that’s what he is doing to himself in a window sill in broad daylight when the Queen walks in on him. She doesn’t even address this foul behavior, instead coming to yell at him about being terrible to his younger brother. I guess this is the norm for him.

Sir Criston Cole’s Salty Shenanigans

I take back anything nice I said about this guy. Years later, he’s still upset that the Princess didn’t give up her entire life to run away with him. And he knows good and well (like everyone) that all three of her children are fathered by Ser Harwin. He picks a deliberate fight with him and further affirms the rumors going around, causing a domino effect among everyone.

The Rotting King Viserys

Oh, forgot to mention this. Viserys isn’t dead…but he looks like it. The king could be an extra in The Walking Dead at this point, and you really hate to see it. This isn’t really one gross moment on House of the Dragon, but basically every time we see the king.

Laena’s Sad Demise

Poor Laena. She barely got to be a character in this series. We finally get the grown up version of her, who is married to Daemon with two children and a third on the way. Cousin weirdness aside, they actually seem to be a good match with genuine love between them. But, she goes through a difficult birth and chooses to die via dragon fire. It is tough to watch this happen, even though she made this decision on her own.

Larys’ Big Evil Plan

Queen Alicent tells Larys Strong she wishes her father Ser Otto were still the King’s Hand. So, Larys decides to do something for her (and moreso for himself) by starting a fire at Harrenhal. This is where Ser Lyonel and Harwin both die in a fire. Big yikes but it sets up perhaps the most brutal villain we will see in House of the Dragon.

Episode 7 – “Driftmark”

Velaryon Family Drama

We are back, and actually not another ten years in the future. Laena’s funeral brings everyone together for some good ole fashioned mess. And it starts at the funeral with Laenor falling apart and kneeling in the sea while his father Corlys is ready to punch him for being weak. Corlys and Rhaenys get into an argument also about Laena’s death, among other things, which is unusual considering they are normally united.

Daemon and Rhaenyra (Again)

Well, it looks like Rhaenyra’s fire for her uncle never wavered. Not only do they end up sleeping together this episode, but Rhaenyra and Daemon also form a pact to get an upper hand over Alicent and the Velaryons. And, after both of their spouses (who are siblings) die, they marry each other. (More on that later.)

An Eye for a Dragon

Aemond finally gets some comeuppance (sort of) for being a major jerk like his brother Aegon. Following Laena’s funeral, he takes and claims Vhagar as his own, upsetting her daughters as well as Rhaenyra’s sons. The quartet confronts him, and he hits each one of them, causing a scuffle. In the end, Luke distracts him with sand to the eye with Jace gives him a good uppercut with a knife. I love teamwork. When all the adults convene together along with the kids, we find out that Aemond lost an eye and has gnarly stitches. But he’s cool because Vhagar is his dragon now.

Rhaenyra vs. Alicent

Whooo, Lord. The tension between these two spills over to violence over this incident with the kids. Alicent wants revenge for her son losing an eye and, against the word of King Viserys, orders Ser Criston Cole to take one of Jace’s eyes. The King, of course, sides with his daughter and seems more concerned about the allegations of Rhaenyra’s kids being bastards. Like sirrrr, everyone knows the clear truth. Anyway, Alicent grabs a knife and attempts to do it herself, causing a physical struggle between her and Rhaenyra that ends with the latter’s forearm being cut… and stitches for her too. (She will keep her arm, though.) House of the Dragon lets us see the stitches in all their glory in another disgusting moment. Alicent’s son sucks, and Rhaenyra calls her out for being terrible… while also not being a great person. Everyone’s a villain.

Laenor’s Death Is a Part of the Plan

Rhaenyra is so determined to win this brewing game of thrones that she proposes an idea to Daemon. They will marry, an alliance that makes it harder for the realm to deny her right as heir. But they know that Laenor will have to die for that to happen. So they orchestrate his death… except it’s all staged. The charred body that his parents buy doesn’t belong to him and he gets to live far, far away with his lover. Honestly, I respect Rhaenyra and Daemon for allowing him to be free to live his life. At least, we assume that was the plan… Never know with these folks. Either way, he’s ALIVE!

Episode 8 – “The Lord of the Tides”

Viserys (Again)

The Rotting King continues to fall to literal pieces. It’s been a few years since we last saw everyone (again) and Viserys looks really, really bad. Like scary enough to frighten Rhaenyra and Daemon’s little boys. Rotting skin and teeth along with being able to barely see and think is a bad shake.

A Horrific Assault

Until now, House of the Dragon‘s brutal and shocking moments hadn’t included anything with sexual assault of violence, unlike Game of Thrones. We didn’t actually see what happened to Dyana but it was sickening to see how traumatized and scared she was after Aegon’s assault against her. And it is even sadder (but not shocking) to see that the only thing that happens is her getting a few coins for her “troubles.”

The Rhaenyra and Alicent Verbal Spar

What a delight to see them together again and going at it. This time, its even better with a few snide remarks from Daemon. Truly the best of brutal words.

Daemon Kills Again

Is it really a House of the Dragon episode without Daemon doing something wild in public? This time, Vaemond catches his wrath by bringing up the mess about Rhaenyra’s illegitimate children. Daemon shuts it down immediately, slicing his head in half. Welp.

Alicent’s New-ish Mission

Oh Viserys. He spilled the beans about the original Aegon’s vision and now Alicent really thinks it is her mission to make her awful first born son the next King. He was NOT talking about him, ma’am. Hate thisssss.

Episode 9 – “The Green Council”

It Was the Council All Along 

In a reveal that shocks no one, Viserys is dead. And now Alicent is moving forward with what she believes is his dying wish: to make Aegon (their son, not Rhaenyra’s) the next king. However, she quickly discovers in a meeting with the Small Council that they have been conspiring to make Aegon king all along, which angers her. 

Ser Criston Cole Kills Again 

Criston Cole proves once again that he is dangerous and impulsive, a bad combination. Ole boy kills Lord Lyman, the one council member who calls the situation out for what it is. It is brutal and done in front of a room of men (and Alicent) with mostly everyone covering it up. Nasty business. 

Alicent vs. Sir Otto 

So, there’s a weird war of wills going on here. Alicent wants to make Aegon the king… and so does Otto. But, after Rhaenys rightfully tells her that she’s 1) living for the will of men around her and 2) a pawn in Otto’s game, Alicent wants to do things her way. So they end up leading separate charges to bring Aegon home. It will be interesting to see how they co-exist from this point forward and if Alicent will make a move that she desires for once. 

Otto vs. Anyone Who Opposes Him

Otto is a wild dude. He’s out here ordering the deaths of anyone who doesn’t bend the knee and already on some rogue stuff. Of course, Rhaenyra and Daemon don’t have a clue what is going on. It’s not like someone can call them to fill them in on the chaos. But when they do find out, they will have to contend with Otto, who is shaping up to be a wild villain. 

Larys’ Foot Obsession

Let me preface this by saying that there’s nothing wrong with a foot fetish. I am not shaming anyone who likes that sort of thing. But it is very wild to see how thirsty Larys is over Alicent’s bare feet. He stares at them while divulging information before ending the situation with pleasuring himself. Alicent is looking the opposite way but there’s no way she doesn’t know what he’s doing. 

Rhaenys’ Dragon Escape 

Aegon’s installation goes off without a hitch… until things get very chaotic. Rhaenys bursts through the floor with Meleys, who kills a ton of people. The end shows the dragon standing fiercely over the Hightower family and their associates with Rhaenys giving them a death stare before flying off. No. NO. She should have barbequed them and went about her way. But alas, the story must go on. 

Episode 10 – “The Black Queen” 

Rhaenyra’s Brutal Birth Scene

Rhaenys arrives to deliver the very bad news about Aegon’s installment. It shocks and upsets Rhaenyra so much that she goes into premature labor, which results in her giving birth to a stillborn daughter. Sadly, she must mourn this loss alone because Daemon is too busy being unhinged to support her. 

Daemon Verbally Dragging Otto 

There’s truly never a dull moment with Daemon. He’s not only the lord of great hair, but will literally say whatever he’s thinking. And that’s what he does to Otto, calling his grandson a drunk idiot and insulting Otto at every chance. It’s what Otto deserves. 

Daemon vs. Rhaenyra 

We know that Daemon is a war-loving guy who cannot be trusted. He did, after all, kill his first wife in cold blood. But things take quite the turn when he grabs Rhaenyra by the neck, upset that she’s feeding into Viserys’ vision and declaring that dragons—not dreams—are why they are kings. Rhaenyra realizes her father kept that important information from his brother because well, he’s unhinged. Big yikes. 

Lucerys’ Death by Dragon 

For those of us with no book knowledge, the episode itself gave some clear foreshadowing that he was going to die. The quiet conversation with Rhaenyra at the end. Their sentimental goodbye that went on for a little too long. But whoa did things take quite the turn when Aemond grabs Vhagar and chases down Lucerys on Arrax. The former dragon eats both of them and now Rhaenyra considers that the first strike for war. Poor lady has lost two children and her father in rapid succession. Lord hammercy. Now we have to wait a really long time to see what happens next in 2024. 

Until next season, we can reminisce on all the brutal, shocking, and stomach churning moments on House of the Dragon.

Originally published on August 21, 2022.

The post The Most Brutal, Shocking, and Gross Moments in HOUSE OF THE DRAGON appeared first on Nerdist.

When we began our History of Thrones series examining important events and people from the complex and controversial past of Westeros, we were searching for clues about what might happen on Game of Thrones. What we didn’t know at the time was that HBO would one day bring some of those stories to the screen, too. House of the Dragon takes place long before Daenerys brought dragons back to the Realm. But before she tried to reclaim her family’s Iron Throne, another Targaryen woman fought to sit upon it, Rhaenyra Targaryen. If you want to learn all about Princess Rhaenyra and why we believed her story was a harbinger of things to come on Game of Thrones, here’s everything you need to know about her life and brief reign. Just be warned, this tragic tale is full of spoilers for Rhaenyra Targaryen’s journey and House of the Dragon.

You can find all other History of Thrones entries here.

Jump to: The First Woman to Claim the Iron Throne // King Viserys’ Son // Rhaenyra Targaryen’s Romances // Targaryen Civil War // Rhaenyra Targaryen on the Iron Throne // The Death of Rhaenyra Targaryen

Rhaenyra Targaryen, the First Woman to Claim the Iron Throne

Game of Thrones’ sixth season ends with Cersei Lannister as queen of Westeros, but only after innumerable tragedy and unspeakable acts of horror. She has the support of few friends, is beset by enemies on all sides, and, if all that isn’t bad enough… She doesn’t have any dragons at her disposal like the only other woman to claim the Iron Throne before her.

Because while Cersei became the first official female queen of the Seven Kingdoms, she was not the first woman to sit in Aegon the Conqueror’s royal chair as Westeros’ ruler. That title belongs to the Half-Year Queen, Rhaenyra Targaryen. Rhaenyra Targaryen briefly held King’s Landing during the infamous Targaryen Civil War known as the Dance of the Dragons. The story of this war and of Rhaenyra Targaryen will now be explored in the Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon.

King Viserys Targaryen Names Rhaenyra His Heir

The war of succession between Rhaenyra Targaryen and her half-brother Aegon II got its name both from its combatants and the dragons who fought each other over the skies of the Seven Kingdoms. But the story begins long before, back during the time of Rhaenyra’s childhood.

Rhaenyra Targaryen, born in 97 AC, was the only surviving child of King Viserys and his first wife, Aemma Arryn. Their first son died as an infant. And their second son passed away a day after Queen Aemma died during birth. The early episodes of House of the Dragon chronicle this part of Rhaenyra Targaryen’s life.

To ensure that his brother Daemon was not his heir, Viserys announced in 105 AC that Rhaenyra, already a dragonrider, would follow him on the throne. The King made the Lords of Westeros swear fealty to his eight-year-old daughter as the lawful successor to the crown. Rhaenyra Targaryen was named the Princess of Dragonstone, and thereafter was always by her father’s side, becoming known as the Realm’s Delight. Rhaenyra was beautiful, with classic, old Valyrian looks. But while a popular figure (early in life), she was also a proud woman with a temper.

King Viserys’ Son and the Birth of Civil War

Viserys thought the matter of succession was established for good in 105 AC. He had reason to believe it was. He ascended to the Iron Throne without issue after the Great Council of 101 AC named him King Jaehaerys’ heir. But a year after naming Rhaenyra as his, he remarried. He wedded Alicent Hightower, daughter of his Hand Ser Otto Hightower. Their union is what set the future civil war set in motion, even if the king didn’t realize it. Because a year after they wed, King Viserys and Queen Alicent had a son (107 AC), Aegon, followed by a daughter and two other sons.

You can probably see where this is going.

Sons, no matter their date of birth, always came before daughters in the line of succession. And with the King now having two surviving boys, it was thought he would name his eldest son the rightful heir. But Viserys refused to change his mind. He said he had already named Rhaenyra his successor and that the lords of the Realm had sworn to honor his wish and will. Not everyone wanted those vows kept, though. And some questioned Rhaenyra Targaryen as heir to the Iron Throne.

Ser Otto Hightower Loses His Position for Questioning Rhaenyra’s Claim

Viserys’ Hand and father of the Queen, Otto Hightower, pushed the issue of succession after his grandson’s birth so often that Viserys dismissed him from both his position and King’s Landing. The formerly warm relationship between Queen Alicent and Princess Rhaenyra also grew cold. From their enmity, two factions grew at court. The “Blacks” supported Rhaenyra. The “Greens” backed the Queen. (The names were references to dresses each woman wore at a large tournament).

During this time, the two most important men in Rhaenyra’s life were her uncle Daemon and Ser Criston Cole. She was very fond of both of them and them of her. Her history with both was, for lack of a better word, complicated. But what we know of her relationship with each help explain future events. House of the Dragon also delves into Rhaenyra Targaryen’s complex relationships with both these men.

The Men Who Loved Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen

Ser Criston Cole

Criston Cole named young Rhaenyra the queen of love and beauty at a grand tourney. Soon after he became her personal sworn shield as a member of the Kingsguard. She had asked her father to give him the position. But Viserys was clearly impressed with Ser Criston, too. The King eventually promoted Cole to Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. House of the Dragon delves into Criston Cole and Rhaenyra Targaryen’s romance and even resolves a mystery about their relationship from the Game of Thrones book, Fire & Blood.

Daemon Targaryen

The story of the princess and her valiant knight did not end as a fairy tale, though. A sordid and controversial story began to spread that Rhaenyra lost her virginity to her uncle Daemon at age 16. No one knows if that is true. But Targaryens had long married within the family to keep their bloodlines pure. And King Viserys did exile his brother shortly after. In House of the Dragon, the answer seems to be that Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen did not sleep together when she was young. But perhaps we do not know the full story yet.

Doomed Romance

Meanwhile, the histories tell another story about Rhaenyra and the other man who loved her. As mentioned, one tale tells that the day came when Criston Cole professed his love to Rhaenyra and asked her to run away with him to Essos. But instead, she questioned his loyalties since he wanted to break his sworn Kingsguard vow. But another version of the story says that it was she who professed her love to him, only for him to turn her down. Whatever really happened between the princess and her sworn shield, has remained a mystery until now. But whatever it was, he suddenly became a bitter enemy of hers. Once again, if House of the Dragon is to be believed, it was actually Cole who confessed to Rhaenyra, but instead of questioning him, she wanted him to remain her lover and guard. In any case, Ser Criston Cole then became supporter of Queen Alicent and the Greens.

Game of Thrones‘ prequel series professes to deliver a true account of the events of the time. What we know so far comes from meta “histories,” where the truth of events became distorted with time. It seems that House of the Dragon reveals to us the truths of the relationships between Rhaenyra Targaryen, Daemon Targaryen, and Criston Cole. And, indeed, we have seen depictions of many of moments between the trio.

The Controversial Marriages of Rhaenyra Targaryen

Eventually, Rhaenyra entered into a politically motivated marriage with Ser Laenor Velaryon. Her father arranged the union and threatened to name his son Aegon heir instead when she protested the arrangement. Her desire to be queen was greater than her lack of desire for a husband. But it seems perhaps the match was not a great one for either of the pair. The Princess said Laenor would be more interested in romancing her half-brothers. The couple did officially have three sons together, but the overwhelming evidence indicated Laenor was not their father. The inescapable and obvious question of paternity in the matter of Rhaenyra Targaryen’s children would become a major moment on the path to civil war. Rumors of the boy’s true father would also lead to bitter disputes with their cousins that led to violence over the years.

A few years later, Ser Laenor died during a fight with a dear friend. Some believe it was a lovers quarrel born of jealousy. But others whispered that Daemon arranged to have Laenor murdered. That was never proven. What happened next, though, did nothing to quell the murmur of conspiracy. Rhaenyra quickly remarried, this time to her uncle Daemon. Their controversial union angered her father. Still, the king did not announce a different heir. And that’s where things stood when Viserys died in 129 AC, and all dragon hell broke loose.

On House of the Dragon, we see the marriage between Rhaenyra and Daemon take place. In House of the Dragon‘s version of Rhaenyra, Daemon, and Laenor’s story things go a bit differently. The three come to some kind of arrangement and stage Laenor’s death so he can escape with his lover somewhere far away, and Rhaenyra and Daemon can wed.

The Death of King Viserys Leads to All-Out Targaryen Civil War

Rhaenyra was in Dragonstone, away from court, when her father, Viserys Targaryen, died, an event that has finally happened on House of the Dragon. Meanwhile, Queen Alicent was in King’s Landing. On House of the Dragon, Alicent is at Viserys side when he dies, and hears him speak of the prophecy, “A Song of Ice and Fire.” She does not realize Viserys believes himself to be speaking to Rhaenyra. These are events that the books do not recount.

In the books, after Alicent learned of her husband’s death, she kept it hidden for a week. In the meantime, she called together the small council to determine succession. The council was almost entirely made up of Greens, save for Lord Lyman Beesbury. He argued that Rhaenyra was the rightful heir. For that, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Ser Criston Cole, slit his throat, ending the debate. It’s why Cole is forever known as the Kingmaker. In House of the Dragon, we see these events take place according to what is set out in the books. Although Alicent seems much more empathetic to Rhaenyra and what she might go through and does not wish to kill her, while Otto Hightower is much more set on blood.

In the Game of Thrones books, Aegon II reluctantly accepted the title of King only after he was convinced his half-sister would execute him when she became Queen. Rhaenyra was predictably furious when she finally heard everything that had happened. In response, she had herself crowned on Dragonstone. In House of the Dragon, however, Rhaenyra Targaryen has a much more measured initial response to the news of what has transpired with the crown. Although she crowns herself Queen, she initially agrees to consider the terms sent by Queen Alicent and Otto Hightower. Though Rhaenyra does not think to give up her claim, she notes she does not wish to rule over a kingdom of ash and bone.

The Realm Chooses Sides in the Dance of the Dragons

Despite swearing a vow to King Viserys, many lords of the realm took up Aegon’s claim, for a myriad of reasons. Chief among them was that Rhaenyra Targaryen was a woman. Some also believed her children, next in line to the Iron Throne, were bastards. And some thought crowning her would ultimately make her despised uncle-husband King. However, she had many supporters who planned to keep their vow to her. Plus, she had one major advantage over her brother—Rhaenyra’s side had more dragons than Aegon and the Greens.

Any small hope for a peaceful resolution went out the window quickly. The two sides quickly went to work rallying support which led to a deathly encounter. King Aegon’s brother Aemond, riding on his giant dragon Vhagar, killed Rhaenyra’s son Luce atop of his much smaller dragon, Arrax. When Luce died over Shipbreaker’s Bay off of Storm’s End, peace was no longer an option. In House of the Dragon, Lucerys’ death at Aemond and Vhagar’s hands appears to be more accidental than in the books. However, when news reaches Rhaenyra Targaryen at the end of season one of House of the Dragon, it still strikes the match of full-on war.

To tell the tale of the entire Dance of the Dragons would take five more parts. (NOTE: There’s a reason HBO chose this as its first Game of Thrones spinoff. It features some epic fights, horrible tragedies, and shocking moments we haven’t even touched on). But Westeros will never forget when the skies filled with the flames and shadows of dragons battling one another. And the Realm will never forget how it ended.

Fire & Blood Comes to House Targaryen

King Aegon II was badly injured early in the war. He and his dragon spent most of the Dance missing out of sight. Some even thought Aegon was dead for most of it. However, in the end, he emerged victorious. But only for a very brief time.

Rhaenyra Targaryen could, and probably even should, have won this civil war. She had enough of the realm’s support along with her superior number of dragons. But she lost too many of each of these aspects because of her own anger, paranoia, and mistakes. (She even lost the bastard Targaryens who became Dragonriders during the way. They betrayed her like so many others.). Despite all of that, though, she did sit upon the Iron Throne for a fleeting time.

Rhaenyra Targaryen Takes the Iron Throne, but Only For a Moment

While the Green forces were away from King’s Landing, they foolishly left the capital sparsely protected. That allowed Rhaenyra and Daemon to easily take the city, where she sat on the Iron Throne for half-a-year. An infamous story says when Rhaenyra Targaryen first got up from the chair, she was bleeding from so many cuts. To some, it meant the throne had rejected her for not being worthy. (Though in fairness, how many people could avoid being cut by a chair of swords the first time they tried to get comfortable in it?)

Rhaenyra Targaryen’s brief rule, which her brother Aegon later declared unofficial, initially caused a celebration in the city. But the Queen soon grew unpopular. She raised taxes, began executing green loyalists, and earned the crude moniker of “King Maegor with Teats.” That was a hard reference to the brutal and hated third Targaryen king.

Rhaenyra Targaryen’s Death—How Did the Queen Die?

Rhaenyra’s time on the Iron Throne enraged citizens so much they came to think of dragons as evil. So one legendary night, they stormed the Dragonpit in a frenzy and killed the four dragons inside. (Many died during the attack.) They also killed Rhaenyra’s own dragon Syrax, shortly thereafter. Having already lost her first three sons to the war, Rhaenyra fled back to Dragonstone for safety. But there she was betrayed and brought before her injured and delirious brother King Aegon II.

So how did Rhaenyra Targaryen die? Well, Aegon had his dragon Sunfyre burn Rhaenyra alive before he ate her. (Sunfyre was one of only two dragons left from many who fought in the war). He also made Rhaenyra’s young son, also named Aegon, watch his mother die. The King refused calls to execute his nephew, though. Instead, he kept him prisoner as his enemies continued the war in the name of Rhaenyra’s son and own heir. And the younger Aegon would ultimately achieve what his mother couldn’t.

King Aegon Is Dead, Long Live King Aegon

Someone close to King Aegon II—who proved himself as unworthy of the Iron Throne as many had feared—murdered the unpopular monarch not long after Rhaenyra Targaryen’s death. And his demise raised the same issue that started the Dance of the Dragons decades earlier. Aegon II died without an obvious heir.

In a poetic end to the deadly war, Rhaenyra’s son with Daemon became King Aegon III. He was also wed to his cousin, Aegon II’s daughter Jaehaera. Their marriage reunited both sides of House Targaryen. But the new King was a sad man who never recovered from seeing his mother’s horrible death. He was known by many names, such as Aegon the Unlucky, Aegon the Unhappy, and the Broken King.

But his lasting moniker is Aegon the Dragonsbane. Because during his rule, the last dragons died (until Daenerys’ time, almost 150 years later). Some suspected him of conspiring to eliminate the creatures due to his personal hatred. But other theories say the maesters of the Citadel, who hated magic and the death caused by dragons, secretly plotted to kill them off.

When Aegon III died, his brother, Viserys—once thought lost forever—ended up sitting on the Iron Throne himself. For everything denied her, Rhaenyra Targaryen ended up being the mother of two kings.

The Dance of the Dragons’ Legacy and House of the Dragons

The Dance of the Dragons was the swan song of the dragons. And House Targaryen was never as powerful without them as they were before.

As for Rhaenyra Targaryen, she grew up believing she would rule Westeros. But when the time came, her enemies and family stole the crown from her. She answered with fire and blood and was destroyed by them. So while Rhaenyra may have been the first woman to claim the Iron Throne, she never ruled the Seven Kingdoms. The Half-Year Queen’s tale is the ultimate reminder that all rulers—whether Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, or Cersei Lannister—need more than many dragons to rule. They need the support of the people. And the people never truly wanted a woman to rule.

What none of those who opposed Rhaenyra Targaryen knew, including us until House of the Dragon, though, was that Rhaenyra was fighting for something bigger than herself. She knew about Aegon’s dream of Ice and Fire. Her father gave the responsibility of the world to her. For that, she’s a far more sympathetic figure than the histories have ever told of the woman who lost the Dance of the Dragons. But it also means her many mistakes are more unforgivable, too.

Originally published on July 1, 2017.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post History of Thrones: Rhaenyra Targaryen, the First Woman to Claim the Iron Throne appeared first on Nerdist.

House of the Dragon brought its first season to an explosive end with Daemon and Rhaenyra both ready for war after Lucerys’ heartbreaking death. This season certainly gave fans all the action they could stand, from absolutely gross and shocking moments to stunning revelations and shady moves that set the stage for a Targaryen vs. Hightower battle. However, the biggest gifts that we receive from TV shows are often those lovely details that spark joy… or thirst… or joy and thirst. In The Boys, it is MM’s impeccable lineup of T-shirts. And in House of the Dragon, it’s Daemon Targaryen and his penchant for a great hairstyle. 

Sure, he’s the internet’s new boyfriend because of his frequent chaos, scathing commentary, and sometimes unhinged behavior. But we really, really dig the hair journey he’s gone on so far. Some fans love his long and flowing yet neatly arranged locks while others dug the closer coif. And, who can resist those tufts of hair peeking from under his murder and scheme cloak? So, let’s rank Daemon Targaryen’s main hairstyles from least best to best best. Because while he is incapable of playing by the royal rules, he cannot fail when it comes to giving us looks.

4. The Short and Very Sassy Sweep

After yet another time jump of several years, we discover that Daemon Targaryen and his hair are once again different. Our chaotic legend has been hanging out in Pentos and growing his hair out again. It’s not quite as long as it originally was but the styling is still the same. And, delightfully, we get the murder cloak once again (even though the murder is not real) for a short bit. So it is a great happy medium between his princely locks and the closer cut.

3. The Fresh, Flowing Princely Locks

When we meet Daemon Targaryen in episode one, his hairstyle is quite traditional with the long, flowing white locks. He keeps it super neat with a half up in a ponytail, half down look, leaving some loose tendrils at his temples. Very princely hair, indeed. Somehow, it even looks good tucked under a jousting helmet with just enough peeking out to catch some wind action. Daemon’s hair is the complete opposite of who we discover him to be: a consistent purveyor of chaos going on with some loose tendrils at his temples. It’s nicely put together, the complete opposite of his whirlwind of chaos that causes Viserys to name Rhaenyra his heir.

2. The King of Controlled Chaos Coif

Allow Daemon to reintroduce himself! After some time away, Daemon comes back home in episode four with a makeshift crown, the title of “King of the Narrow Sea,” and a short cut that really suits him. Really digging the loose strands near his face that he coolly sweeps back with a glimmer of destruction in his eyes. Will he embrace you or stab you? You can never be sure. The tapering at the nape of his neck puts this one above almost all the others. He also covers it with that murder cloak in episode five when he kills his wife. That is, of course, is very bad behavior but he looks like a really cool Legend of Zelda character. It is truly a style worthy of reverence.

This haircut really symbolizes a shift in his personality from being unbridled mayhem to a more controlled and calculating chaotic version of himself. He’s thinking several moves ahead and keenly aware of where everyone stands despite living outside of King’s Landing.  

1. The Battle Tested, Braided, and Tousled Look

War Daemon calls for a messy take on his hair, even though he tosses a lil braid action our way. (Gotta love a braid!) Sure, there’s a little bit of helmet hair when he first takes it off. And it probably smells like burnt toast and dragon. His hair gets a battle upgrade towards the end episode three, giving us the best Daemon Targaryen hairstyle with that tousled, braided creation. He goes into killer mode and faces a literal army. Lots of blood splatter, lots of sweat, some dashes of dirt… now this is a hairstyle befitting of this rogue prince. Love to see it. Need more of it.

The post The Definitive Ranking of Daemon Targaryen’s HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Hairstyles appeared first on Nerdist.

House of the Dragon is full of incest, abuse, death, and violence. And yet somehow the show managed to shock us with a man called the Clubfoot pleasuring himself to the Queen’s royal toes. If you never want to think about what was going through the mind of Lord Larys Strong in that moment, we understand. We don’t either. But there was much more to that scene than just its unsettling (for us and Alicent) sexual nature. It completely changed what we know about both characters and their relationship. And that has big implications for the path they’ll walk together during the Dance of the Dragons.

Until House of the Dragon‘s “The Green Council” it seemed we had a clear understanding of Larys Strong and Alicent Hightower’s partnership. He’s an amoral sociopath with grand ambition who has served as her loyal advisor and friend. Larys has also acted on her behalf in heinous ways she didn’t ask for or want. He murdered his own father and brother because it would get her dad Otto back to King’s Landing. (Larys also offered to take one of Lucerys Velaryon’s eyes for the Queen.) Of course, the Clubfoot has also benefited from his relationship with Alicent. He immediately became Lord of Harrenhal after the fire, with the implied promise the Queen would find an even better way to repay him.

The secret of his murder also gave him something to hold over her. Yes, he did it on his own accord, but he could always say he did it on her orders. If Larys is ever in danger of going down for his actions, he can take the Queen with him. They’re friends, but she must protect him to protect herself.

Combined with his web of spies and (ahem) foot soldiers, in some ways he’s been more powerful than her. He has knowledge she doesn’t and can get things done that she can’t. She’s the Queen, but in the relationship he seemed to have the upper hand. Or rather he did until their “foot” scene completely reframed their relationship.

Once you get past the initial shock of Alicent and Larys’ consensual playtime, there’s a ton of storytelling to appreciate in the moment. Once more we find him waiting for the Queen alone in her personal quarters. But upon finding him she’s already exhausted by his presence. What follows is a give-and-take. He has information for her, but he refuses to give it over until she begins revealing her bare feet to him. As she takes off her socks he opens up about the White Worm and Otto Hightower’s willingness to use Mysaria for his own purposes. He then agrees to covertly handle this problem for Alicent, all before her feet leads to him using his hand.

On the surface this interaction seems to reinforce the Clubfoot’s hold over Alicent. He’s in the Queen’s bedroom trading secrets and service for the right to pleasure himself not just to her, but in front of her. In this moment Alicent is selling a piece of herself for something of value, turning the Red Keep into a royal brothel.

But Alicent isn’t really selling her body, since the two aren’t having any actual physical interaction. Instead she’s trading her dignity to keep Larys in her service. She knows how dangerous and valuable he is. It behooves her to keep him happy and loyal to her, especially now that war is surely coming to Westeros, as few players in the game of thrones will offer what he can to a woman now competing with her own father. All it takes for her to maintain Larys Strong’s discretion and reliability is showing off her feet and turning her head. People in King’s Landing pay far more for far less everyday.

Of course, Lord Strong could go to the Street of Silk and pay someone to do so much more than merely show him their feet. The fact he wants—or possibly even needs—to see the Queen’s feet to satiate his sexual appetites shows that on some level he desires her specifically. Whether it’s being around Alicent the woman, whom he has leered at since she was a teen, or the Queen of Westeros and what that represents, she has some kind of hold on him. He might think this act is a type of power play for himself, and that Alicent is desperate for his service. But what he wants from her—and likely always has, since he’s done unspeakable horror to please her—is far more personal. And therefore he is far more exploitable.

On Game of Thrones during the Battle of Blackwater Bay Cersei gave some shocking advice to a naïve Sansa Stark. The Queen said women have a weapon they can us against men to manipulate them. Alicent isn’t using the exact “weapon” against Larys that Cersei meant, but the same idea applies. Alicent is using her body and Lord Strong’s lust for her to her advantage. He thinks he’s in control over their relationship, but she has something he wants and can only get from her. He’s not quite the supreme evil genius only driven by ambition we thought he was. He’s a man with wants and desires that make him vulnerable. Because she’s willing to exploit that, Alicent is in charge of this relationship. She wants his help, but she doesn’t need him the way he needs her.

But in true A Song of Ice and Fire fashion, power, even in a single relationship, comes with a price. Throughout the scene Alicent is exhausted and frustrated. She shouldn’t have to placate this amoral monster in such an undignified way. And she knows it’s undignified. Disgust—with herself, with him, and with this absurd situation—is evident on her face in the scene’s final moments. Alicent looks away in shame while Larys finishes his unseemly act. She’s willing to lower herself for a greater cause, but she doesn’t like it.

Pride for power? Dignity for loyalty? Bare feet for control over a dangerous weapon? Is that an exchange worthy of a Queen? Of Alicent Hightower? Of any woman? When it comes to the Iron Throne, and all the danger and death that comes with claiming it, there are never any easy answers.

But what we do know now is the truth about the relationship between Larys and Queen Alicent. Even if we’d rather not think about what it took to learn what’s really going on.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post HOUSE OF THE DRAGON’s Foot Scene Reframes Larys and Alicent’s Relationship appeared first on Nerdist.

Welcome back for more fire and blood, HotD fans! With King Viserys dead, the Dance of Dragons is set to begin as Team Green and Team Black prepare for war on this penultimate episode of House of the Dragon. Dan gathers his small council of Michael Walsh and Kim Horcher to discuss their reactions to “The Green Council”, and all the latest from the world of Westeros on today’s episode of Maesterminds!

More House of the Dragons News: https://nerdist.com/topic/game-of-thrones/
Watch more Nerdist Now: https://bit.ly/3yhdnmF

Follow Us:
Facebook https://facebook.com/nerdist
Twitter https://twitter.com/Nerdist
Instagram https://instagram.com/nerdist/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nerdist

Image: HBO

#NerdistNews #GoT #HouseOfTheDragon #HBO

The post HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Ep 9 “The Green Council” Reaction & Breakdown (Maesterminds) appeared first on Nerdist.

Welcome back for more fire and blood, HotD fans! This week’s episode saw a final time skip as Viserys took his final bow and the stage was set for the Dance of Dragons. Dan gathers his small council of Michael Walsh and Amy Vorpahl to discuss their reactions to “The Lord of Tides”, and all the latest from the world of Westeros on today’s episode of Maesterminds!

More House of the Dragons News: https://nerdist.com/topic/game-of-thrones/
Watch more Nerdist Now: https://bit.ly/3yhdnmF

Follow Us:
Facebook https://facebook.com/nerdist
Twitter https://twitter.com/Nerdist
Instagram https://instagram.com/nerdist/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nerdist

Image: HBO

#NerdistNews #GoT #HouseOfTheDragon #HBO

The post HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Ep 8 “The Lord of Tides” Reaction & Breakdown (Maesterminds) appeared first on Nerdist.

For more than an hour House of the Dragon‘s eighth episode, “The Lord of Tides,” was the show’s best yet. Full of incredible performances, moving moments, complex familial and political relationships, and the specter of danger to come, it was the very best of what we’ve come to expect from HBO’s Game of Thrones universe. But unfortunately the episode’s final scene will stand as its ultimate legacy, because King Viserys’s deathbed confusion completely reframed Queen Alicent’s story going forward, and not for the better.

House of the Dragon‘s premiere introduced Aegon the Conqueror’s prophetic dream to George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire. That revelation changes everything we know about House Targaryen’s time in Westeros in ways we don’t fully understand yet. But it’s immediate ramifications for the spinoff series were clear. In the war of succession to come, Rhaenyra will fight for more than the Iron Throne. She’ll be fighting to save the entire world.

That makes her own story considerably more interesting and complex than the version told in Martin’s Fire & Blood. The responsibility of Aegon’s dream makes how hard Rhaenyra will soon fight more understandable and human. That also makes her a more sympathetic and compelling character. But what Aegon’s dream has not done is absolve her of the many mistakes she has made and will make. In fact, the onus of her responsibility magnifies her selfishness.

Rhaenyra mistreated and insulted the lords of Westeros, the very people her father tasked her with uniting. She let personal animosity trump smart and helpful politicking in King’s Landing. She let her actions in Flea Bottom sully her name and honor, all while knowing her claim to the Iron Throne was destined to be contested by some looking for any reason to bypass her. Rhaenyra allowed people to question her morality by “killing” her husband and immediately marrying her detested uncle.

And, most importantly, she had three children out of wedlock. That calls not only her own claim into question, but her heir’s. Her “strong” boys represent the single biggest threat to her ascension. But they also represent the single biggest obstacle to fulfilling the purpose of Aegon’s Conquest, a mission he undertook to save humanity from darkness.

Knowing the secret responsibility Rhaenyra inherited from her father made her both more and less likable. That’s masterful storytelling, especially for an adaptation. But that’s the complete opposite of what knowing about Aegon’s prophecy has done for Alicent’s own story.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry, but you wanted to know if I believe it to be true. Don’t you remember? Aegon. His Dream, the Song of Ice and Fire. It is true, what he saw in the North. The Prince That Was Promised. The Prince. To unite the Realm against the cold and the dark. It is you. You are the one, you must do this. You must do this.”

We know a confused Viserys thought he was talking to his daughter Rhaenyra on his deathbed. He was answering her question from earlier in the episode about Aegon the Conqueror’s dream and whether Viserys believed in it. In his final moments the King reaffirmed his daughter as heir to both the Iron Throne and to the most important task in the world.

But as far as Alicent knew, her dying husband was finally professing his desire for their son Aegon to become King. She didn’t fully understand what Viserys was saying, but she knew he was speaking of a responsibility far more important than simply ruling over Westeros. And, as far as Alicent is concerned, she is the one who “must do this” to unite the Realm. Viserys seemingly tasked her with assuring Aegon sit on the Iron Throne and not Rhaenyra.

As a result, a sad misunderstanding will now bear the blame for what she does in the future. Her desire to place her son on the Iron Throne won’t be one she makes entirely of her own accord. It will be because of an unfortunate misunderstanding. Viserys, and by extension House of the Dragon, just gave Alicent an “out.” It gave her an offramp to excuse her actions.

While that doesn’t absolve her of two decades of scheming and bad behavior, this episode did set her up to atone for her ambition, right before it guaranteed she can’t. Alicent’s story is no longer her own the way Rhaenyra’s is still hers. Rhaenyra will still be defined by her actions, which are far less defensible because of what she knows to be true. Alicent’s will be far more defensible because of what she falsely thinks she knows.

We can’t even give the show the benefit of the doubt that this moment isn’t clear cut and maybe Alicent heard what she wanted to hear. The context of her husband’s deathbed “confession” makes it impossible to assign malice to Alicent’s interpretation. Viserys’s drunken rant at the royal hunt explains why Alicent would interpret this conversation how she did. That night at the bonfire Viserys talked about prophetic dreams and how he might have made a mistake naming Rhaenyra heir. He questioned if he had made a terrible mistake in denying their son’s ascension. When you watch his death scene in that context, it’s hard to fault Alicent for connecting those dots.

But Alicent Hightower’s story has always been interesting because she made decisions of her own volition for her own reasons and then had to deal with the consequences of her choices. She helped put in motion a war that did not need to happen, then lived with the results of that war. And until her last conversation with Viserys, that’s the path she was taking on House of the Dragon. Now she has less agency and less responsibility over her own fate. She’s more of a victim of circumstances than a Queen conflicted by love, hate, regret, and ambition. For all the ways Aegon the Conqueror’s Song of Ice and Fire made Rhaenyra’s story better, it made Alicent’s worse.

“I understand, my King,” was the last thing Alicent ever said to her husband. But it’s hard to understand why House of the Dragon thought that scene made for a better show.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post HOUSE OF THE DRAGON’s Deathbed Confusion Is a Storytelling Nightmare appeared first on Nerdist.

Welcome back for more fire and blood, HotD fans! This week’s House of the Dragon saw the Targaryen drama heat up with an explosive episode filled with a funeral, a wedding, and plenty of bloodshed. Dan gathers his small council of Michael Walsh and Trisha Hershberger to discuss their reactions to “Driftmark”, and all the latest from the world of Westeros on today’s episode of Maesterminds!

Thanks again to the official House of the Dragon wine collection for sponsoring today’s show! If you’re 21 or older, please drink responsibly and click here to learn more about how to make your next viewing party even cooler: https://bit.ly/3EaAMJV

More House of the Dragons News: https://nerdist.com/topic/game-of-thrones/
Watch more Nerdist Now: https://bit.ly/3yhdnmF

Follow Us:
Facebook https://facebook.com/nerdist
Twitter https://twitter.com/Nerdist
Instagram https://instagram.com/nerdist/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nerdist

Image: HBO

#NerdistNews #GoT #HouseOfTheDragon #HBO

The post HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Ep 7 “Driftmark” Reaction & Breakdown (Maesterminds) appeared first on Nerdist.

House of the Dragon‘s Laenor Velaryon finally realized that when you play the game of thrones duty and happiness are not compatible. It’s the same realization Maester Aemond Targaryen will share with Jon Snow 150 years later. But, unlike Jon who chose duty, Laenor chose love. He faked his own death and fled to Essos. That was only possible because his wife, Princess Rhaenyra, and her uncle Daemon granted Laenor a “kindness” and “set him free.” It’s all part of Rhaenyra and Daemon’s grand plan to strengthen her claim to the Iron Throne on House of the Dragon. But will their plan work? It’s as risky as it is daring.

Rhaenyra and Daemon Set Laenor “Free”

At first House of the Dragon made it seem as though Daemon Targaryen was plotting with Qarl Correy to murder Laenor Velaryon on the orders of Rhaenyra. Ser Laenor’s death was the only way the Princess could marry her uncle. Most of that lined up with Fire & Blood, the book the show is based on. In George R.R. Martin’s unreliable history, Ser Qarl (unquestionably) murders Laenor. Most believe it to be a “lovers quarrel,” though many whisper Daemon gave Correy a large sum of gold to eliminate Laenor.

But that’s not how it played out on the show. It gave us the ole Driftmark switcheroo. Rhaenyra, Daemon, Laenor, and Qarl were in on the House of the Dragon plan for Laenor to “die.” Once alone in Lord Corlys’s throne room, Laenor and Qarl put the dead guard (whom Daemon killed) into Laenor’s clothes and placed him in the fire place. That way the body would burn beyond recognition. And with a witness to the “fight,” the Realm would think Ser Qarl had killed Laenor.

It’s a win-win for both couples. Laenor—whom Rhaenyra said deserved better for being an honorable man with a good heart—is absolved of the duty that has made his life so miserable. Now he and his shaved head are free to live happily with Qarl Correy in Essos.

Meanwhile, Rhaenyra and Daemon can marry, as they have always wanted. That gives the isolated Princess a powerful ally she can trust in the coming war of succession. All while finally getting the husband she believes she deserves. But this plan is not without its victims, nor its risks.

Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys Lose Their Last Child

That innocent guard Daemon murdered wasn’t this plan’s only victim. Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys just buried their daughter Laena. Now, as far as they know, they’ve lost their last child. The conspirators, even their own son, decided that for this plan to work, Laenor’s parents couldn’t know.

Was that because they didn’t think Lord and Lady Velaryon would agree to the plan? (Zero chance the legacy-obsessed Corlys would.) Or because they wisely wanted as few people as possible to know about the scheme to preserve the secret? Or did they think they needed a genuinely grieving mother and father to make it all believable? It’s probably a little of each. But no matter their reasons, Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys now only have three bastard grandsons and two legitimate granddaughters left. And “the greens” ambitions put all of those kids in danger.

But this plan also puts Rhaenyra and Daemon at risk on House of the Dragon. And they clearly understand why.

The Daemon-Sized Flaw in Rhaenyra’s Plan

Rhaenyra does not want to rule as a tyrant through terror. However, she also knows the “the realm will whisper” she was responsible for Ser Laenor’s apparent death. Daemon thinks that’s a good thing. They will know the truth, that they did something kind for Laenor. But it’s fine if their enemies believe they’re capable of such depravity. Daemon said, “If the king is not feared he is powerless. If you’re to be a strong queen you must cultivate love and respect, yes, but your subjects must fear you.”  

Rhaenyra agrees there’s value in that. “They will fear what else we might be capable of,” she said. There most certainly is merit to your foes thinking you’re willing to do anything to win. But in their quest to be together, these two are missing something obvious: most people hate Daemon.

The Realm didn’t want Daemon—thought to crave the Iron Throne above all else—as heir because they feared he’d be “another Maegor,” the worst, most sadistic, most destructive Targaryen king. Now Rhaenyra has not only married him, she did so immediately following the curious murder of her husband. This union was a questionable tactic to begin with. But the specifics around it make it even worse.

It’s going to be hard for people to love and respect you if they think you killed your husband to marry a depraved monster. So while their union strengthens her claim (a loyal dragonrider by her side) and brings her happiness, it also calls into question both her honor and her judgement. Combined with the question of her own children’s identities, Rhaenyra has created another reason for people to oppose her ascension.

On some level, Rhaenyra knows all of this. She recognizes that by seeking real love to help her perform her duties she opens herself up to nasty accusations along with fair criticism and concern. This plan comes with many risks.

That’s why she told her Uncle-Husband, “We have always been meant to burn together.”

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post What Rhaenyra and Daemon’s Plan Means for HOUSE OF THE DRAGON appeared first on Nerdist.

Welcome back for more fire and blood, HotD fans! This week’s episode saw the biggest time skip yet as fans were introduced to the new, adult faces of Rhaenyra and Alicent 10 years later. With new children, new dragons, and old rivalries, the Targaryen drama is only heating up. With Dan away on business in Harrenhal, Nerdist’s Kyle Anderson fills in on the Iron Throne with his small council of Michael Walsh and Amy Vorpahl to discuss their reactions to “The Princess and the Queen”, and all the latest from the world of Westeros on today’s episode of Maesterminds!

More House of the Dragons News: https://nerdist.com/topic/game-of-thrones/
Watch more Nerdist Now: https://bit.ly/3yhdnmF

Follow Us:
Facebook https://facebook.com/nerdist
Twitter https://twitter.com/Nerdist
Instagram https://instagram.com/nerdist/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nerdist

Image: HBO

#NerdistNews #GoT #HouseOfTheDragon #HBO

The post HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Ep 6 “The Princess and the Queen” Reaction & Breakdown (Maesterminds) appeared first on Nerdist.

House of the Dragon‘s sixth episode answered one of Fire & Blood‘s biggest questions. We finally know who caused the fire that killed Lord Lyonel Strong and his oldest son. It was Ser Harwin’s younger brother, Larys. His bloody betrayal is not only shocking, it completely reframes everything we thought we knew about The Clubfoot and his motives during the Dance of the Dragons. Thanks to House of the Dragon, Larys Strong is no longer the war’s greatest enigma; he’s one of the greatest villains in all of Game of Thrones.

House of the Dragon has revealed to viewers what book readers already know about Larys Strong’s allegiances during the coming Targaryen civil war. He has aligned himself with Alicent’s faction. But why he he chose her side is a revelation to everyone.

George R.R. Martin’s history of House Targaryen never provides a tangible reason why The Clubfoot chose to support the Queen. None of the many figures whose versions of events shape Fire & Blood‘s unreliable recounting ever claim to know Larys’s motivations. He’s remembered as someone who spoke little and kept his own counsel, a mysterious man whose true reasons for what he did died with him. Until House of the Dragon, the only logical explanation for the Clubfoot’s actions came entirely from subtext.

Ser Harwin Strong was the real father of Rhaenyra’s black-haired children. That open-secret is much bigger than just being a dishonor to the late Hand of the King and his family, though. It could rip the Realm apart. The Princess, the first female heir to the Iron Throne, has always known she will face opposition to her claim. But to have any children out of wedlock—with her sworn shield no less—is a scandal that could cost Rhaenyra all her allies. It would also likely lead to her exile if not worse. That’s why King Viserys doesn’t want to even acknowledge the possibility Ser Harwin fathering her three children. He’d be forced to disown her.

Rhaenyra’s ascension to the throne is now also a more complicated issue than whether or not Westeros will accept a woman as its ruler. Her own heir will be thought a bastard. And Game of Thrones fans know why that would cause issues in a kingdom that sneers at people like Jon Snow.

That’s why, even though no Westerosi historian ever wrote it plainly, there was always a logical reason to explain Larys Clubfoot’s alliance with Queen Alicent. Princess Rhaenyra’s affair with Ser Harwin brought shame upon House Strong. But worse, their affair seemed to also lead to his father and brother’s death. Fire & Blood never determines the cause of the deadly fire at Harrenhal, but it provides plenty of suspects.

Some say it was Corlys Velaryon looking to kill the man who brought shame upon his son, Rhaenyra’s husband Laenor. Others accuse King Viserys himself, desperate to protect his daughter’s secret. Or that it was his brother Daemon, the newly-widowed Prince who wanted to marry Rhaenyra long ago. And some chalk it up to the curse of Harrenhal, whose lords and ladies always seem to die curious deaths shortly after claiming the castle.

The least likely suspect named by historians has always been Larys himself. Some thought he killed his father and brother so he could inherit Harrenhal. But the bonds of family in Westeros, combined with the curse of kinslaying, made that seem absurd. Especially since at the time of the fire Lyonel Strong was still Hand of the King, one of the most powerful people in the Seven Kingdoms. And there was never any documented enmity between father and son, or between brothers.

Larys’ allegiance to Alicent only made sense after her brother’s affair and the fire. Or at least it did until now.

Now House of the Dragon has shown that Larys Strong aligned himself with Alicent years earlier. He then killed his only family in a quest to gain something far greater than her favor or the ruins of a cursed castle.

He sees the war that is coming to Westeros. He’s picked his side early to show his value, loyalty, and unwavering commitment. And as thanks for murdering his own kin for Alicent, Larys “knows” the Queen will find a way to one day reward him for his service. Because none of this is about right and wrong, or even revenge for Larys. It’s all about him.

The Clubfoot is not a brokenhearted brother. He did not grow to hate the Princess who sullied his family name as so many always thought. The cunning Larys Strong’s greatest secret was that he is a devious, amoral monster who did not love his family and saw the coming chaos of House Targaryen as a ladder of opportunity. All of which makes him one of Westeros’s greatest villains.

Even Littlefinger didn’t murder his own father to get ahead.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Revealed FIRE & BLOOD’s Secret Villain appeared first on Nerdist.

Quiet in the realm, it’s time for another new episode of House of the Dragon! This week’s episode of HotD sees a royal wedding as Rhaenyra is paired off with her cousin, ser Laenor Velaryon, and festivities take a bloody turn in proper Game of Thrones tradition. Dan assembles his small council of Michael Walsh and Amy Vorpahl to discuss their reactions to “We Light the Way”, and all the latest from the world of Westeros on today’s episode of Maesterminds!

More House of the Dragons News: https://nerdist.com/topic/game-of-thrones/
Watch more Nerdist Now: https://bit.ly/3yhdnmF

Follow Us:
Facebook https://facebook.com/nerdist
Twitter https://twitter.com/Nerdist
Instagram https://instagram.com/nerdist/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nerdist

Image: HBO

#NerdistNews #GoT #HouseOfTheDragon #HBO

The post HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Ep 5 “We Light the Way” Reaction & Breakdown (Maesterminds) appeared first on Nerdist.

HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel series, House of the Dragon, adapts George R. R. Martin’s book, Fire & Blood. The stories leads to one of the most brutal chapters in Westeros’ history: the Dance of the Dragons. Introducing a new group of Targaryen characters and their various allies and enemies in Westeros, House of the Dragon depicts the Targaryens at their most powerful, almost two centuries before the events of the original Game of Thrones show. 

The Dance of the Dragons was a civil war that sprung up over succession to the Iron Throne. It is one of the precipitating events that eventually brought down the power of House Targaryen in Westeros. Princess Rhaenyra, the heir appointed by King Viserys, battled for the right to rule. And while disputes of succession are by no means new to the world of Game of Thrones, the Dance of the Dragons revealed how hostile Westeros was to the idea of a female ruler. Even though Princess Rhaenyra established herself as the most level-headed option for King Viserys’ heir, the king’s male children from his second marriage to Alicent Hightower further muddied the waters of succession to the Iron Throne. 

So far, HBO’s adaptation of Fire & Blood has stayed largely faithful to the book. However, it lacks one specific aspect that enhances the story’s focus on how society stifles women in positions of power. Fire & Blood, unlike other Game of Thrones books, is an oral history. Instead of following the story from different characters’ perspectives, Fire & Blood offers a macro view of how narratives of the past are constructed, and the political ends that they can serve. This is apparent when the narrator reveals that two different historical accounts exist for the Dance of the Dragons, one written by Maester Eustace, and the other written by a court fool named Mushroom.

Maester Eustace’s account is a sober recollection of House Targaryen’s fall; Mushroom’s is a deeply sensationalized look at Princess Rhaenyra’s life in particular. In turn, this is a perfect framework for the story of House Targaryen, because of how morally complex many of the characters are. With the narrator unsure of which version of history is true, the book leaves it to the reader to determine how much they want to believe from either one. 

This discrepancy comes to a head when the scheming Prince Daemon, brother of King Viserys and uncle of Princess Rhaenyra, returns to King’s Landing. The narrator admits that the history gets muddled between Maester Eustace and Mushroom’s accounts. According to Maester Eustace, Daemon “seduced his niece the princess and claimed her maidenhood,” leading Rhaenyra to later tell her father that she was in love with Daemon. Mushroom, on the other hand, wrote that Rhaenyra longed for Ser Criston Cole, her personal guard, leading Daemon to teach her how to seduce men. This involved sneaking the princess out of the castle and into the Street of Silk, King’s Landing’s red light district. Rhaenyra then tried to seduce Criston Cole, only to have him reject her. Mushroom’s story soon came to light, and Viserys denied his daughter’s wrongdoing before Daemon confirmed that it was true. 

House of the Dragon settles this debate by adapting many details from Mushroom’s account. The main difference is Criston Cole accepted Rhaenyra’s advances. In doing so, it tacitly accepts Mushroom’s version as the truth, without interrogating the political ends the story had in the first place. After all, it was Mushroom who leaked Rhaenyra’s purported activities to the court. Clearly men, including Daemon, had much to gain from sullying the princess’ image. 

The show did try to replicate the discrepancies in the book. We see it in a scene where Queen Alicent confronts Rhaenyra about her rumored activities with Daemon. However, it falls short of presenting the most central fact of Fire & Blood: the hindsight of men forges history. Rather than unfolding in the present through a neutral party, the history of Fire & Blood frequently presents as a collaborative project, one in which the readers themselves are complicit. Fire & Blood pulls readers in to teach them the early history of House Targaryen. Then, it shows them the patchwork of lies and incomplete truths governing the narrative. In the end, they walk away with no definitive account of what really happened. In this sense, Fire & Blood is less a history of House Targaryen, and more a portrait of the construction of history in Westeros in the first place. 

This lack of subjectivity in House of the Dragon is intriguing, given that so much of the show’s themes circle around the subjugation of women like Rhaenyra. By leaving out the roles that Maester Eustace and Mushroom played in documenting the history of House Targaryen, House of the Dragon misses the book’s most damning revelation: even at the height of their power, House Targaryen was never in control of their own narrative. As they terrorized Westeros with their display of dragons and military might, the Targaryens’ power eroded from the inside thanks to men with political agendas watching their every move. While it may be easy to wipe out entire armies full of men with a dragon, not even the Targaryens could extinguish a story spread by men like Maester Eustace and Mushroom. 

The post HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Misses One of the Best Aspects of FIRE & BLOOD appeared first on Nerdist.

Unlike most book adaptations, House of the Dragon is based on unreliable source material. George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood is “written” by an archmaester who lived long after the Targaryen civil war. And that fictional historian’s retelling relies on primary sources whose accounts are not only questionable, they frequently contradict. But that’s a good thing for viewers and readers alike. The spinoff series is giving us answers to some of Fire & Blood‘s most debated events, including one of the most important moments in Ser Criston Cole’s life. We now know he was the one who asked Rhaenyra to run away with him. But that wasn’t the only huge revelation the show’s explosive fifth episode gave us about the dishonorable Kingsguard. And everything we learned about him will frame his upcoming role in the Dance of the Dragons.

Fire & Blood is full of conflicting reports about signature events from this era of House Targaryen. That includes the matter of whether Princess Rhaenyra or Ser Criston Cole asked the other to run off to a life together in Essos. Now we know Rhaenyra’s sworn protector beseeched her to abdicate her throne. That wasn’t surprising, given what we know what Rhaenyra will do to claim the Iron Throne later in life. But Ser Criston’s reasons for making that outrageous request were.

Long before we got a definitive answer of who made this request, it always seemed clear it was one of love. Fire & Blood leaves no doubt Ser Criston Cole and Rhaenyra Targaryen had an intimate bond when she was younger. It was also easy to imagine why Cole would make such a desperate, outrageous plea. It’s easy to understand why a lovesick nobody from a minor house, raised to prominence by the princess he swore to keep safe, would think a fairy tale ending awaited them.

But House of the Dragon made clear the true story was far more complicated—and a lot less noble—than we ever thought. Ser Criston’s offer was not merely one of the heart, it was a selfish one. He loves Rhaenyra, but he also wanted her to rescue him from his own actions. He’s struggling to live with himself since he broke his vows (and continued breaking them) with the princess. He violated his white cloak, the “only thing” he has to his “f***ing name.” If she would merely give up her family, her title, her home, her responsibilities, and her future crown, he wouldn’t have to feel so badly about himself. She could save his honor for him.

Throw in that crate of oranges and it’s incredible she turned him down! What an offer! Rhaenyra gives up literally everything so the guy that took advantage of a drunk teenager can feel better about himself.

Whatever you think of Princess Rhaenyra and her own decisions, Ser Criston Cole clearly did not act purely out of love when he asked for her hand in marriage. Nor was he heartbroken because she said no. He was angry. He was angry at himself before, now he’s angry at her, with little self-reflection for why he is solely responsible for his own actions.

And as though that wasn’t bad enough, Criston Cole then violated Rhaenyra’s trust to Queen Alicent. He was so lost in self-pity he confessed to a crime no one accused him of. Only his guilt and need for absolution mattered to him in that moment. He gave no consideration to what his admission would mean for Princess Rhaenyra, a girl already dealing with powerful forces seeking to deny her the Iron Throne. That’s a shocking confession not found in Fire & Blood, one that has completely changed our understanding of the story.

At least Ser Criston’s anger and guilt only led him to betray Rhaenyra’s secret. Cole took out his anger and guilt on naive Ser Joffrey Lonmouth’s face, in one of the most despicable moments in Kingsguard history. Ser Criston responded to a toothless “threat” with a cold blooded murder in the throne room before half the Realm.

Ser Criston Cole’s story would have ended right then had Alicent not stopped him from taking his own life in the Godswood. And that might be this episode’s single most important revelation. It didn’t just answer some big questions about the infamous knight; it marked a major change for the Queen. She now realizes King’s Landing and its heir—which cast away her father in service of a lie—are not as sweet and innocent as she thought. Queen Alicent is finally ready to play the game of thrones.

And she begins this deadly game with a secret that could ruin Rhaenyra. A secret Ser Criston Cole is desperate to keep hidden. And what he’ll do to make sure it does—including to whom he’ll swear allegiance in the future—will forever change Westeros.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Answered a Huge Criston Cole Question From FIRE & BLOOD appeared first on Nerdist.

House of the Dragon‘s fifth episode started with Otto Hightower telling his daughter, Queen Alicent, her husband won’t live much longer. It then ended with Grand Maester Mellos giving the ailing King Viserys subpar care. Those two bookends, combined with some curious moments earlier in the season, make it impossible not to suspect a sinister scheme might be afoot against House Targaryen. And if there is, that could mean the Grand Maester Conspiracy, a major A Song of Ice and Fire theory, is absolutely true.

The Grand Maester Conspiracy’s name comes from readers of George R.R. Martin’s novels. But the longstanding theory—which says maesters of the Citadel both spy on the families of Westeros for their own benefit and secretly undermine all forms of magic—comes from Martin’s characters.

One of them is Lady Barbrey Dustin of Barrowtown in the north. In A Dance With Dragons she questions maesters’ loyalty to their assigned houses. Maesters are meant to serve only the lords and ladies of the particular castles and keeps they’re sent to. But Lady Barbrey suspects those learnéd men share sensitive information among themselves. And they’d have a lot to share. They’re privy to every family’s greatest secrets. They’re als keepers of the Realm’s messenger ravens. That’s why she calls those figures clad in robes and chains “grey rats.”

(A term that obviously stands out when discussing House of the Dragon, which keeps showing rats in the Red Keep.)

She’s not the only one who thinks maesters are more cunning and diabolical than they appear. But the opinion of Marwyn the Mage carries even more weight than Lady Barbrey because he is the archmaester of magic and the occult at the Citadel.

Marwyn the Mage is a notorious member of the male-only institution. He’s one of the few maesters to forge a link (made of Valyrian steel) for mastering the study of magic. He’s also rumored to associate with strange figures and engage in bizarre activites. And he spent years abroad studying with practitioners of sorcery. Because unlike other maesters, men of science and knowledge whom Marwyn calls “grey sheep,” he embraces the very things they shun. That includes dragons.

Game of Thrones viewer knows at some point between House of the Dragon and Daenerys Targaryen’s rise to power dragons go extinct. They will not return until the Khaleesi emerges from the ashes with her three “children.” Marwyn, eager to meet with Daenerys in the books, believes the demise of dragons was no accident. Nor was it a natural phenomenon. He believes maesters conspired to secretly kill off every dragon, animals connected to magic.

Dragons are the antithesis of everything maesters believe in. They’re intelligent creatures capable of independent thought that only a handful of people can even ride. Dragons very existence also undermines knowledge, science, and control itself, the very sources of maesters strength and beliefs. For everything dragons give to House Targaryen they take from maesters.

But even if maesters don’t fear the magic of dragons, they might very well fear the destruction they bring. Dragons are “fire made flesh,” and for thousands of years they’ve killed countless people over two continents. Dragons might be majestic, but they truly do bring fire and blood wherever they go. They’re also destined to soon fight a brutal civil war of succession, a costly event maesters will witness up close.

If Marwyn and Lady Barbrey are right about the “grey rats,” the Grand Maester Conspiracy might have once been even bigger than they thought. Because House of the Dragon has hinted that maesters are conspiring against House Targaryen with a powerful ally—the Hightowers.

House Hightower is one of the most noble ancient families in all the Realm. And their seat of power, a famous lighthouse castle, resides in Oldtown, one of the oldest and most powerful cities in all of Westeros. It’s also home to the maesters’ Citadel, which House Hightower has long protected. No family has a more meaningful and important connection with the maesters’ than Queen Alicent’s family.

Now Ser Otto Hightower, the former Hand of the King and grandfather to a potential Targaryen king, is positive Viserys won’t live much longer. Is that because Otto has seen Viserys naturally growing weaker? Or because he knows someone is making His Grace ill? The King certainly is not getting the best care from his own Grand Maester, a man who might very well want to see the blood of House Hightower on the Iron throne. And Game of Thrones showed us Grand Maester Pycelle was not loyal to King Robert Baratheon. Sometimes maesters serve themselves.

From not knowing how to treat open sores, to the unexplained death of the king’s newborn son, to the many untreated wounds of Viserys, the current Grand Maester, Mellos is doing a terrible job. Even Orwyle, the new maester introduced in episode five, agrees. He tried providing Viserys with other treatments that might actually help.

But he might be the only maester trying to serve House Targaryen. But that might not be enough to save Viserys, House Targaryen, dragons, or the Realm from the Grand Maester Conspiracy. Because we might soon learn one of A Song of Ice and Fire‘s most important theories was always true.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Is Hinting at the Truth of a Major Maester Theory appeared first on Nerdist.

Are dragons too big to fly? Many a scientist and over-thinker has asked this question. Sure, Game of Thrones is fantasy. After all, there’s dragons. And there’s even more in the prequel House of the Dragon. But that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a good thought experiment, similar to last month’s, what do dragons smell like? Thankfully, someone has already done the calculations for this one. An aeronautical engineer did the math. We saw it on Scientific American, but the story was originally published on The Conversation back in 2016. Let’s find out if the dragons of Westeros could actually fly.  

The Quick Math

There’s a few factors that go into this, but most people assume dragons are too heavy or their wings are too small to get lift. The author, pilot and aviation professor Guy Gratton, estimated an adult dragon’s size and mass by comparing it to Daenerys. He reached the conclusion that it was 42 feet long, or a little bigger than a school bus, and weighed 5,700 pounds, about the size of a small elephant. 

The wing size and stalling speed (the slowest it can fly) are also needed to calculate the amount of lift needed to get a dragon in the air. Assuming Earth’s gravity and air density, a dragon that heavy could not get off the ground with wings that size. Rather than giving up and saying, “then some magic happens,’ Gratton assumes Westeros itself must have different atmospheric conditions. 

How It Works

Delightfully, the author uses everyone’s ability to throw swords and spears so well to back up this theory. What would help lift a dragon would also give characters seemingly superhuman abilities. It’s like Superman’s red versus yellow suns. If you increase the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere, it would make the atmosphere more dense. And dragon flight more possible. Everything would also be more likely to catch fire. But again, that is backed up by just how quickly things burst into flame in Westeros.  

In order to bump the numbers up enough to lift a dragon into the sky, the remaining nitrogen in Earth’s atmosphere would have to be replace with denser argon. Gratton admits this mix would be “moderately narcotic” but adds, “Perhaps this might in part explain the regularly irrational and downright aggressive behaviour seen among many citizens of Westeros.” So not only do we get an explanation of how dragons are able to fly, but also why everyone is such a murderous grump.

What About Pterosaurs?

But wait a minute, Earth has been home to enormous flying animals already. Pterosaurs, with wing spans over 30 feet, lived between 65 and 215 million years ago. How do we explain that? This question has also been answered thanks to The Conversation. According to the fossil record, they had hollow bones like living birds today. So even though they were massive, they may have only weighed about 1,000 pounds. The increased oxygen levels during prehistoric times also tips the calculation in favor of flight.

A recent simulation of how Pterosaurs might have launched themselves into the air using their massive legs and wings looks quite similar to the dragon lift-offs in Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. So whether or not the show bothers with the math or just makes it look cool, now you know it’s actually possible for those Westeros dragons to fly.

Melissa is Nerdist’s science & technology staff writer. She also moderates “science of” panels at conventions and co-hosts Star Warsologies, a podcast about science and Star Wars. Follow her on Twitter @melissatruth. 

The post Are Westeros Dragons Too Big to Fly? Someone Did the Math  appeared first on Nerdist.

Our History of Thrones series examined important historical events and people from the complex and controversial past of Westeros to try and predict what might happen on Game of Thrones. Now those deep dives are giving some much needed context for House of the Dragon. But, much to our surprise, the Game of Thrones prequel series House of the Dragon also dropped its own giant lore revelation about the dream that led Aegon the Conqueror to take Westeros. And that song of ice and fire makes his story even more important than we ever knew. But who Is Aegon the Conqueror and why is he so important to House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones.

You can read every History of Thrones here.

House Targaryen: The World’s Last Dragonlords

The last surviving Valyrian dragonlords in the world called Dragonstone home. Lord Aenar Targaryen had moved his family there after his daughter Daenys had a dream about the impending Doom of Valyria 12 years before the empire’s total demise.

That island on the eastern shores of Westeros is where Daenerys Targaryen returned from Essos with her three dragons. That castle was more than just a home, though; it was a legacy. Three hundred years before she launched her own invasion, another head of House Targaryen who ruled on Dragonstine turned his gaze to the west. That’s when Aegon I—forever known as Aegon the Conquerer—-achieved the greatest military triumph in the Realm’s history. But everything we thought we knew about why he claimed the continent forever changed when his ancestor Viserys I shared the secret of Aegon’s own dream.

A Quiet Century on Dragonstone

For more than a century House Targaryen resided on the island of Dragonstone, independent from—and uninterested in—the kingdoms of Westeros. But that might have been because they were also down to only one dragon, Balerion.

It was on Balerion’s back that the newest Lord of Dragonstone, Aegon Targaryen, joined the other Free Cities of Essos in battle. He helped them fight against Volantis, which hoped to capture Valyria’s position of power. Aegon burned the Volantene fleet at Lys, reminding the world about the power of dragons. Having experienced firsthand the strength of his ancestors, he then returned home.

The world would never be the same.

Aegon Targaryen Turns His Attention to Westeros

The Free Cities, primarily former Valyrian colonies, wanted Aegon to help them reform the Valyrian Freehold. But instead, he turned his focus to the Seven Kingdoms. Until that moment, even Aegon had only ever considered Westeros a place worth visiting rather than taking. Historical reports say he traveled to the southern island Arbor, as well as Oldtown’s Citadel and possibly even Lannisport.

Why Aegon elected to do what his predecessors at Dragonstone hadn’t and invade the Realm was always a topic of debate. But not the “how.” A Targaryen incursion of the Seven Kingdoms became far more feasible because they had recently hatched two more dragon eggs. And Aegon’s two sister-wives, Visenya and Rhaenys, had each become riders of fully grown dragons.

The Future King, Aegon the Conqueror, Lands in Westeros

Aegon’s invasion began when King Argilac Durrandon of the Stormlands sent a letter to Aegon offering him his daughter’s hand in marriage. As a dowry, he offered lands that actually belonged to his greatest threat, Harren the Black, King of the (Iron) Isles and Rivers (now known as the Riverlands). Harren was nearing completion of his new enormous castle Harrenhal, and Argilac saw an opportunity to defeat his rival.

Aegon the Conqueror didn’t want another wife, though. Nor did he need Argilac to “give” him lands he’d have to take himself. As a counteroffer, Aegon put forth his closest friend (and possibly bastard half-brother) Orys Baratheon as a husband for Argilac’s daughter. Argilac responded by sending Aegon the hands of his envoy. The response from Aegon was not limited to just Argilac

Aegon called upon his small force of bannermen. (That included House Velaryon of Driftmark, the only other Valyrian family in the Realm.) After meeting with his allies and his sisters over his custom wooden table of Westeros (notably a map without borders), Aegon sent letters to every ruler in the Seven Kingdoms announcing himself the new king of a unified realm.

Aegon promised those who bent the knee would keep their lands and titles. Just as he promised to destroy those who did not.

He then rejected offers of alliance from Dorne and the Vale because they would not kneel. Instead, Aegon, his sister-wives, and their dragons took to the skies and landed at what is now King’s Landing. At the time, they had under 1,600 soldiers in their army.

Westeros Begins to Fall to the Dragonlords

Houses Rosby and Stokeworth quickly surrendered after Aegon’s sister-wives arrived with their dragons. (A little dragonflame roof burning display was needed to motivate Stokeworth.) But Duskendale and Maidenpool united and marched on Aegon’s forces. Their 3,000 men gave them the advantage on the ground, but after Aegon the Conqueror burned the lords from the sky both castles swore allegiance.

As Aegon continued to move across Westeros, sometimes he met an enemy ready to fight. Other times he met those ready to kneel so they could save both their lives and the lives of their people. But even when Aegon’s ever-growing army suffered losses, the strength of his dragons turned those setbacks into victory, bringing more houses under his rule.

Harren the Black, however, refused to kneel and burned inside the walls of his new castle. He’d built Harrenhal to be impenetrable. But it wasn’t immune to dragonflame from the sky, and its huge stone walls were unable to save him and his sons, ending Harren’s line forever. House Tully, who had been the first house of the Riverlands to kneel before Aegon, then became the new Paramounts of the Trident.

Dragons also proved decisive in defeating the last of the Storm Kings. After Argilac fell Aegon named his Hand of the King Orys Baratheon as the new Lord of Storm’s End. Orys married Argilac’s daughter, and House Baratheon took up the words, honors, and sigil of House Durrandon.

Those willing to oppose Aegon grew smaller and smaller, and more and more houses swore allegiance rather than burn. But not everyone was willing to surrender. Yet.

The First Field of Fire in Westeros

Two Western kings decided to stand together and fight the Targaryens and Aegon the Conqueror. Mern IX Gardener, King of the Reach, and Loren Lannister, King of Casterly Rock, put together the single biggest force in the history of the Seven Kingdoms. They marched 55,000 soldiers to the plains of the Blackwater Rush and attacked the Targaryen army. But Aegon and his sister-wives, together on a battlefield together for the first time, bathed the middle of the army in dragonflame, destroying the Gardener force. (Just as Daenerys destroyed the Loot Train three centuries later.)

Over 5,000 men died, with twice as many injured, in what is known as the Field of Fire. House Gardener was also completely destroyed, but Loren Lannister kneeled. Aegon then named him Warden of the West. And when Aegon flew to Highgarden, the Gardener stewards House Tyrell bent the knee and became Wardens of the South.

The North and the Vale Bend the Knee to Aegon the Conqueror

The Vale still intended to continue to fight and hold out, confident in the strength of the Eyrie. But after the Queen Regent Sharra Arryn found her son Ronnel sitting on Visenya’s lap, begging for a ride on the back of her dragon Vhagar, the Arryns became Aegon’s Wardens of the East.

Despite everything, Aegon had accomplished, though, the North (of course) was still ready to fight. It had amassed an impressive force of 30,000 men, twice the size of Aegon’s current army. But before battle, the two sides met at the Trident. While many of his men wanted the King in the North, Torren Stark, to go to war, he knew all too well what happened at the Field of Fire. Just as he knew, Harrenhal now stood in ruin, and House Gardener was gone. So instead, Torren called for peace. He is forever known as the King Who Knelt (an event Daenerys was only too happy to remind Jon Snow about). But not one of Torren’s men died, and House Stark was named Wardens of the North.

Aegon the Conqueror is Crowned King of Westeros

After seven days of prayer, the High Septon of Oldtown convinced Lord Hightower to open the gates and let Aegon and his dragons in. Aegon then accepted the Faith of the Seven and was crowned King. That moment also led to a new way of keeping time Westeros. Aegon technically landed in 2 BC (Before the Conquest). After his coronation, the new calendar used AC (After the Conquest).

In only two years, Aegon of House Targaryen, the First of His Name, became King of the Andals, the Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms, and Protector of the Realm. The first ruler of a (mostly) unified Westeros then built his new capital where he first came ashore on Westeros’s mainland. It became known as King’s Landing and the seat of his Iron Throne, which Aegon forged from the swords of his defeated enemies.

But Aegon the Conqueror never ruled all seven kingdoms because, despite his unparalleled conquest, he never did take Dorne.

Dorne Kills a Dragon and Defies Aegon

When Rhaenys flew to Dorne on her dragon Meraxes, she found all of Dorne’s castles abandoned. One person remained at Sunspear, though, the seat of Dorne’s rulers, House Martell. It was there Princess Meria told Rhaenys that Dorne had no king and would never kneel.

In 4 AC, Aegon waged the First Dornish War in an effort to finish his conquest. But the Dornish continued to hide. They’d learn a valuable lesson from The Field of Fire. They wouldn’t let Aegon use his dragons against them, and instead employed guerrilla warfare tactics of quick strikes and retreat.

Six years into the war, the unthinkable happened. Dorne struck Meraxes through its eye with a scorpion bolt (the same weapon Euron Greyjoy used to kill Daenerys’ dragon Rhaegal). Meraxes fell to his death, but no one knows whether Rhaenys died in the fall or if her captors killer her after. The body of Aegon’s most beloved sister-wife was never returned.

In response, a grief-stricken and enraged Aegon, along with Visenya, burned every castle and holdfast in Dorne except for Sunspear. But the war came to an end a couple of years later, when Aegon received Meraxes’ skull along with a letter. No one knows what that letter said. (Did it have something to do with the fate of Rhaenys?)

What we do know is that the next day Aegon agreed to a peace with Dorne. It wouldn’t formally become a part of the Seven Kingdoms until a Martell/Targaryen marriage almost 150 years later.

Aegon the Conqueror’s Dream and a Greater Purpose

Aegon conquered Westeros, but Daenerys never did. In part, because she failed to find the same early success, Aegon did during his invasion. Despite having a far greater advantage in forces, allies, and naval strength than her famous ancestor, she didn’t have the power Aegon brought to Westeros. She lost two of her dragons before attacking King’s Landing, whereas Aegon had his two dragonrider sisters to fight with him.

But things might have gone differently for Daenerys had she inherited something even more important than dragons. She might never have destroyed King’s Landing and lived to rule if she knew the real reason for his conquest. Because Aegon’s secret dream gave him a purpose that went far beyond a quest for power.

Daenys the Dreamer’s prophetic dream saved her family. And after a century on Dragonstone, House Targaryen finally came to Westeros because Aegon had his own dream. Only he dreamed of the coming Long Night. He saw that the world’s only hope against eternal darkness was a unified Westeros led by his family. Aegon turned his sights to the West and showed mercy to his enemies because his goal was to stop the Night King.

That secret was passed down only to Targaryen heirs, who inherited both the Iron Throne and the greatest responsibility in the world. But the knowledge of Aegon the Conquerer’s dream seemingly died when Robert Baratheon killed Rhaegar and Jaime Lannister slew the Mad King. Daenerys clearly did not know about Aegon’s song of ice and fire, even if she knew about the prophecy of the Prince That Was Promised.

Princess Rhaenyra knows all about it, though. And every decision she will make in the coming war of succession on House of the Dragon will be both framed and influenced by the same dream that brought Aegon the Conqueror and House Targaryen to Westeros.

Originally published on August 3, 2017.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post History of Thrones: Aegon the Conqueror’s Conquest, When Dragons Came to Westeros appeared first on Nerdist.

Aegon the Conqueror forged the Iron Throne from the swords of his defeated enemies in Westeros. However, his family’s seat of power was no mere symbol of victory. Nor just a warning. Aegon designed the chair to be physically uncomfortable, because “a king should never sit easy.” His descendant, House of the Dragon‘s Viserys I, knows firsthand the perils that come with his royal seat. Literally. He’s already lost two fingers to the chair and his back is covered in open sores incurred by the sharp remnants of vanquished foes. But to some in the Seven Kingdoms those wounds represent something even more dangerous. For there are those who believe the Iron Throne rejects anyone unworthy of sitting on it.

Maegor the Cruel was Aegon the Conqueror’s second son who usurped his nephew’s rightful place as king. He’s also House Targaryen’s most infamous and detested ruler. His memory is why men like Ser Otto Hightower feared Daemon becoming king. They worried he’d be “a second Maegor.” But for all the death and mayhem Maegor brought to Westeros, his reign of terror came to a quiet end. Servants found him on the Iron Throne with his wrists slashed. He also had a large spike from the chair sticking through his neck.

Who killed him? Some say his wife, others his Kingsguard, and a few think he ended things himself. With secret passages throughout the Red Keep, it could have been any of his countless enemies. Many sought revenge against him, and all wanted freedom of his tyranny. But there are some who don’t think any person killed Maegor. They believe the Iron Throne itself brought a bloody end to his heinous rule.

The idea of the Iron Throne having a type of sentience capable of not only judging those who sit upon it but actually harming them remained until the end of House Targaryen’s dynasty. The chair enacted such a toll on the Mad King, Aerys II, that some called him King Scab. His injuries were a sign to some the Iron Throne had deemed Aerys unfit to rule.

In a world of omens, prophecies, dragons, and magic, that’s not as wild a notion as it might seem. And if the Iron Throne really can adjudicate a ruler’s worthiness, Viserys’ many wounds are potentially an ill-omen for both his reign and his family. Is the Iron Throne trying to tell Westeros it chose the wrong person to rule? Viserys only became king thanks to the Great Council of 101. Does the Iron Throne know the lords of the Realm chose the wrong person? Was Princess Rhaenys the rightful heir?

Or is the Iron Throne trying to convey disdain with Viserys’ decisions now? He disinherited his brother Daemon and named Rhaenyra, a woman, as his rightful heir. And he’s sticking with his decision even though Queen Alicent has given him a son. As Otto Hightowe said, by all the “laws of gods and men” little Aegon should be next in line. Is that why the Iron Throne is exacting such a toll on Viserys’ body? Because it is displeased with his plans for succession? Or how Viserys is handling the coming discord?

But whether House Targaryen’s seat of power truly killed Maegor, turned Aerys II into a pin cushion, or is punishing Viserys doesn’t matter. As Viserys told Rhaenyra, perception is what matters. And the fact some believe that chair—made of swords and designed to imperil those who sit on it—can pass judgement on its occupant is a bad sign for whomever claims it as their own.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post Why Viserys’ Iron Throne Wounds Are an Ill-Omen on HOUSE OF THE DRAGON appeared first on Nerdist.

Welcome back for more fire and blood, HotD fans! The latest episode of House of the Dragon sees the return of Daemon Targaryen to King’s Landing where he looks to repair bridges, spend some quality time with his niece, and cause even more trouble. Dan assembles his small council of Michael Walsh and Tai Gooden to discuss their reactions to “King of the Narrow Sea”, and all the latest from the world of Westeros on today’s episode of Maesterminds!

More House of the Dragons News: https://nerdist.com/topic/game-of-thrones/
Watch more Nerdist Now: https://bit.ly/3yhdnmF

Follow Us:
Facebook https://facebook.com/nerdist
Twitter https://twitter.com/Nerdist
Instagram https://instagram.com/nerdist/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nerdist

Image: HBO

#NerdistNews #GoT #HouseOfTheDragon #HBO

The post HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Ep 4 “King of the Narrow Sea” Reaction & Breakdown (Maesterminds) appeared first on Nerdist.

Quiet in the realm! It’s another week of House of the Dragon and a three-year time skip sees a new potential heir to the throne enter the picture, a losing battle with the Crabfeeder at the Stepstones, and a royal hunt that spells drama for the Targaryen family. Dan assembles his small council of Michael Walsh and Maude Garrett to discuss their reactions to “Second of His Name” and all the latest from the world of Westeros on today’s episode of Maesterminds!

More House of the Dragons News: https://nerdist.com/topic/game-of-thrones/
Watch more Nerdist Now: https://bit.ly/3yhdnmF

Follow Us:
Facebook https://facebook.com/nerdist
Twitter https://twitter.com/Nerdist
Instagram https://instagram.com/nerdist/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nerdist

Image: HBO

#NerdistNews #GoT #HouseOfTheDragon #HBO

The post HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Ep 3 “Second of His Name” Reaction & Breakdown (Maesterminds) appeared first on Nerdist.

House of the Dragon‘s third episode did more than deliver another chapter in one Westeros’ most notorious events. “Second of His Name” also rectified George R.R. Martin’s biggest Game of Thrones regret. Years after Robert Baratheon walked into the woods for the last time, the prequel spinoff finally showed the author knows what a royal hunt actually entailed. That endeavor, full of great Easer eggs, was more than a fun callback, though. The King’s lavish event is a harbinger of what’s to come. Because if House of the Dragon is willing to put this many resources into killing a single deer, imagine what it will do when dragons start fighting dragons.

In author James Hibberd’s Game of Thrones oral history, Fire Cannot Kill a Dragon, George R.R. Martin was unequivocal about his “least favorite scene in the entire show, in all eight seasons.” But it’s almost certainly not a moment viewers would pick or even consider. It was a brief season one sequence, when Robert Baratheon went on his fateful hunt in the Kingswood. Here’s what Martin said about why that roughly 90-second scene bothered him so much:

Four guys walking on foot through the woods carrying spears and Robert is giving Renly shit. In the books, Robert goes off hunting, we get word he was gored by a boar, and they bring him back and he dies. So I never did [a hunting scene]. But I knew what a royal hunting party was like. There would have been a hundred guys. There would have been pavilions. There would have been huntsmen. There would have been dogs. There would have been horns blowing – that’s how a king goes hunting! He wouldn’t have just been walking through the woods with three of his friends holding spears hoping to meet a boar. But at that point, we couldn’t afford horses or dogs or pavilions.

Martin can now rest easy. Everyone has seen a “real” royal hunt take place in his fictional world. House of the Dragon‘s version had everything he ever wanted and more. The celebration for Prince Aegon’s second name day was a grandiose gathering with lots of important lords and ladies. And also lots of horses, dogs, and pavilions.

Like King Viserys, Robert went hunting in the Kingswood for a white hart, a rare, older majestic deer considered magical. And like Viserys, Robert got very drunk during his hunt. (Lancel Lannister secretly gave Robert fortified strongwine to endanger the king.) House of the Dragon showed how a wild animal could fatally wound an inebriated monarch. Viserys was stumbling and unable to focus and, even with the deer tied up, he was at risk. And we also saw how dangerous a charging boar is when it almost killed Rhaenyra. Viserys’ hunt really did give us everything Robert’s didn’t.

In fairness to Game of Thrones, though, its royal hunt was brief. It did everything it needed to quickly. It would have made more sense to cut it entirely than go all out. House of the Dragon‘s royal hunt was far more important. It was a major gathering of important figures, some new to the show, that took up half the episode and helped moved numerous plots forward.

It was also a lot of easier for the spinoff to execute an extravagant royal hunt, too. The original show’s first season had a per episode budget of $6 million. That was a lot for 2010 when Game of Thrones began production, but a far cry from what HBO lets House of the Dragon spend every week. The prequel’s per episode budget comes in just under $20 million. That’s a Brienne of Tarth-sized increase over its predecessor. (Even if you account for inflation, $6 million in 2010 is roughly $7.4 million in 2021, when House of the Dragon filmed.) Meanwhile, Game of Thrones‘ final season budget was “only” $15 million per episode.

Speaking of comparisons, the first episode of House of the Dragon gave us the kind of royal tourney Martin wanted for Game of Thrones. The author also told Hibberd the original show had to dramatically cut back on the scope of King Robert’s jousting tournament. Despite the budgetary restrictions, Martin doesn’t hate that scene. He just wishes it could have been a lot bigger, and seven bloody hells is that exactly what we got in House of the Dragon‘s premiere.

The difference between the two is staggering. Just look at them.

HBO is giving House of the Dragon the kind of financial backing it took Game of Thrones years to earn. It’s the single biggest advantage the prequel has over its predecessor. Game of Thrones‘ success is House of the Dragon‘s gain. But that doesn’t mean the show is only using that money to satiate A Song of Ice and Fire‘s creator. It’s also delivering for fans, and looks like it will throughout the entire run.

By the time “The Dance of the Dragons” ends, this royal hunt should seem quaint in scope. The first Targaryen civil war features some truly epic moments, both on the ground and high in the sky. If House of the Dragon is willing to invest massive resources in royal tournaments and hunts, imagine what it will do when dragons battle dragons.

Of course, we’re fine with the show spending money to rectify Game of Thrones‘ biggest issues. Just so long as those issues aren’t limited to just George R.R. Martin’s regrets. House of the Dragon should put money into making sure we can see dragons go to war. And, most of all, in delivering an ending we all love.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Rectified George R.R. Martin’s Biggest GAME OF THRONES Regret appeared first on Nerdist.

Sound the drums, let the dragons fly free because HBO has officially renewed the Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon for season two. A second season of House of the Dragon seemed to be all but a given, but Game of Thrones fans will no doubt still feel excited to hear the news confirmed.

House of the Dragon has barely started to air, but its premiere broke HBO records. According to a release, “House of the Dragon debuted Sunday, August 21, to the largest audience for any new original series in HBO history. The first episode has now been seen by over 20 million viewers across linear, On Demand and HBO Max platforms in the U.S., based on a combination of Nielsen data and first-party data.” Those are big numbers, and no doubt made HBO hungry for more fire and blood… and dragons.

We know there is plenty of story still to tell when it comes to this Game of Thrones spinoff. House of the Dragon season one has only ten episodes, but the Targaryens have centuries of history to tell. We guess that’s where House of the Dragon season two comes in. Those excited to know where the story of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, Daemon Targaryen, and others might go should check out the book House of the Dragon is based on, Fire & Blood by G.R.R. Martin. Obviously, that means spoilers, but at least the wait for more episodes will fly by.

Of course, we don’t have any indication of when House of the Dragon season two will release or even go into production. Nor do we yet know about any new casting or story information.

However, we do know we’ll see a different co-showrunner. Via TVLine, House of the Dragon season one co-showrunner Miguel Sapochnik is moving on. He said, “It was incredibly tough to decide to move on, but I know that it is the right choice for me, personally and professionally.”

Ryan Condal will remain and serve as the sole showrunner for season two. However, Game of Thrones veteran Alan Taylor will return as exectuve producer and director for the next season. Taylor said in a statement:

It’s a pleasure and an honor to be back at HBO, immersing myself in the world of the Targaryens. I look forward to working closely with Ryan as House of the Dragon grows into its second season. Ryan, Miguel and George [R.R. Martin] have launched an extraordinary story, in a rich and fascinating world. Returning to Westeros will be a huge undertaking, and I’m looking forward to the challenge.

Really, it boils down to this, House of the Dragon‘s creators promised us seventeen total dragons in the show. But we know we only get to meet nine of them in season one. That means we still need to encounter eight more dragons. We can’t leave that many dragons on the table. House of the Dragon season two it is!

Originally published August 26, 2022.

The post HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Renewed for Season 2 by HBO appeared first on Nerdist.

House of the Dragon is finally here, and it’s brought fans all the fire, blood, and Targaryen drama they could hope for. While the series’ premiere dove right into the medieval mayhem, the show’s second episode also introduced fans to a new opening credit sequence. The credits included a familiar theme song, but the visuals provided a fresh intro filled with easter eggs, hidden details, and plenty of blood. Dan heads to the Dragon Pit to break down everything you might have missed in the House of the Dragon opening credits on today’s episode of Nerdist News!

More House of the Dragons News: https://nerdist.com/topic/game-of-thrones/
Watch more Nerdist News: http://bit.ly/1qvVVhV

Follow Us:
Facebook https://facebook.com/nerdist
Twitter https://twitter.com/Nerdist
Instagram https://instagram.com/nerdist/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nerdist

Image: HBO

#NerdistNews #GoT #HouseOfTheDragon #HBO

The post House of the Dragon Opening Credits Breakdown & Easter Eggs (Nerdist News w/ Dan Casey) appeared first on Nerdist.

It’s another week in Westeros as House of the Dragon sees the Targaryen drama continue to heat up. This week’s episode, “The Rogue Prince” saw Daemon causing trouble in Dragonstone, Rhaenyra finding her place as heir to the Iron Throne, and King Viserys in search of a new Queen. Dan Casey assembles his small council of Michael Walsh (@burgermike) and Keisha Hatchett (@keishamaze) to break down all the latest from Kings Landing on this week’s episode of Maesterminds!

More House of the Dragons News: https://nerdist.com/topic/game-of-thrones/
Watch more Nerdist Now: https://bit.ly/3yhdnmF

0:00 – Intro
2:17 – New Title Sequence
4:45 – Time Skip
5:57 – King Viserys New Queen
7:56 – Otto Hightower
10:00 – King Viserys Injuries
12:12 – Rhaenyra
16:12 – Daemon
20:00 – Dragons
21:24 – The Step Stones
22:45 – The Crab Feeder
25:30 – Greyscale
27:39 – House Velaryon
33:09 – Episode 3
35:24 – Episode MVP
38:40 – Rhaenyra & Rhaenys
41:25 – Daemon & Mysaria
43:15 – Outro

Follow Us:
Facebook https://facebook.com/nerdist
Twitter https://twitter.com/Nerdist
Instagram https://instagram.com/nerdist/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nerdist

Image: HBO

#NerdistNews #GoT #HouseOfTheDragon #HBO

The post HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Ep 2 “The Rogue Prince” Reaction & Breakdown (Maesterminds) appeared first on Nerdist.

Game of Thrones‘ opening credits sequence changed the game for TV show openings. And though House of the Dragon, the Game of Thrones prequel show, premiered without any kind of notable intro sequence, its second episode introduced a proper opening. However, in a strange twist, the House of the Dragon opening credits uses the original theme music from Game of Thrones.

Take a look at the full House of the Dragon opening credits sequence below.

While playing the iconic Game of Thrones opening music during House of the Dragon‘s credit sequence isn’t necessarily a bad choice, it does feel like a bit of a strange one. Fans of the show are probably hard conditioned to expect to see a sprawling map of Westeros accompanying the notes. And the music makes us feel like we’ll soon watch the continuing adventures of Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, and more. There’s a bit of a disconnect between reality and expectation here. It just feels weird to see the new House of the Dragon opening unfolding to the familiar theme.

We assume HBO really wanted to stress the continuity of the two shows. And the platform probably wanted to ease fans of the original series into something new. But it probably would have been better to have the original theme blend into something new. After all, something different for the House of the Dragon opening would be nice.

We also feel a little confused about what is going on in the visuals in the House of the Dragon opening. There’s a lot of blood but no fire. We see a lot of cityscape and brick. And it seems like we’re moving through Old Valyria as a backdrop. Viewers will recognize this setting from the model King Viserys is working on in his spare time. According to Mashable, the spinning gears and insignias we see filling with blood each have to do with a specific Targaryen. Ultimately, the threads of blood appear to offer us a kind of abridged Targaryen family tree. It’s a little convoluted for those who don’t know the full history of the Targaryen family, but we assume we’ll understand more as House of the Dragon airs.

In the meanwhile, the original Game of Thrones theme has, in fact, become stuck in our heads again. Thanks a lot, House of the Dragon opening credits.

The post HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Opening Credits Keep GAME OF THRONES Theme in Odd Twist appeared first on Nerdist.

On House of the Dragon, the first Small Council meeting began with Ser Corlys Velaryon warning of a growing concern in the Stepstones. King Viserys and Ser Otto Hightower took the Lord of Tide’s concerns “under advisement,” but not seriously. Now the show’s second episode has revealed why ignoring the problem won’t make it go away. No matter how much Viserys wants to avoid war, it seems inevitable, with or without his blessing. If he won’t act his brother Daemon just might. Exactly where are the Stepstones, though, and why are they so important in House of the Dragon?

And what is the risk of Westeros confronting the Triarchy currently ruling over those desolate rocks? Despite being undesirable land, the location of those islands makes them highly valuable. And that’s been true since the First Men came to Westeros.

What are the Stepstones? Where Are the Stepstones Located?

The Stepstones consists of more than a dozen small islands that separate the Narrow Sea to the north and the Summer Sea to the south. They run from Dorne’s eastern coast in Westeros to the Disputed Lands on Essos’s southwest shore.

The chain’s most notable island is its biggest, Bloodstone. However, that’s a fitting moniker for the Stepstones at large. Unto themselves the stony and inhospitable islands are almost entirely worthless. They’re also constantly savaged by powerful storms. And despite being so close to Westeros, they’re under constant threat by pirates, which often claim them as their own domain. (That’s why Viserys was initially pleased to learn the Triarchy had begun eliminating the pirate problem.) But despite all that, the Stepstones’ history during House Targaryen’s time in Westeros is one of war.

And their importance dates back to before their creation during Westeros’ first great conflict.

Who Created the Stepstones and Why Were They Made?

Before we get into House of the Dragon happenings, let’s look at how the Stepstones came to be. Ancient legend say the Stepstones were once part of the Arm of Dorne, a southern land passage that ran from Westeros to Essos. It is A Song of Ice and Fire‘s answer to the Bering Strait that once connected Alaska and Russia. And like the Bering Strait, the Arm of Dorne made a great migration between continents possible before disappearing under the waves. It’s believed the First Men came to Westeros across that land-bridge. When war eventually broke out between men and the Children of the Forest, the Children turned their attention to the Arm to try and prevent even more of their populous enemy from arriving.

The greenseers of the Children used powerful magic to flood and splinter the Arm of Dorne turned the land-bridge into the Stepstones. (A name they get because they look like stepping stones between the two continents.) The Children’s desperate ploy wasn’t enough to defeat the First Men, though. And the Arm’s destruction only made its remnants more important because it opened up a pathway to connect more parts of the world.

The Doom of Valyria and the War History at the Stepstones

For thousands of years the Stepstones fell under the domain of Old Valyria’s dragonlords. The Freehold turned an island just north of the archipelago into its eastern most military outpost of Tyrosh. But slavers and pirates still occasionally operated out the Stepstones. And sometimes they brought conflict to the eastern Kingdoms of Westeros, including to Houses Stark and Arryn.

When the Doom came to Valyria, though, it unleashed chaos in Essos known as the “Century of Blood Pirates,” free from the fear dragonflame would consume their wooden ships, overran the Stepstones. Meanwhile, Valyrian outposts along Essos’ western coast—as well as independent Braavos— became known as the nine Free Cities. But rather than unite, war broke out almost immediately between some of those independent city-states. They fought many battles over what is known as the Disputed Lands in mainline southwestern Essos.

But their battles also involved frequently fighting over the highly valuable islands. The Stepstones became more than a haven for pirates and outcasts. It become one of the most important shipping lanes in the world. Anyone who hoped to earn their riches through trade needed to pass through them. And that meant whomever controlled them collected a fortune of tolls.

Tyrosh, not formally part of the Stepstones despite its close proximity to them, often fought over the islands. Sometimes Targaryen kings and Dornish princes also found themselves involved in the chain’s disputes, too. (Dorne remained independent from the Targaryen’s realm until 184 AC.) However, no Free Cities warred over the Stepstones more than Myr and Lys.

War was the constant state of the Stepstones for two hundred years, from the Doom to King Viserys reign. Alliances came and went, battles were won and lost, pirates and lords alike laid claim to the islands, and yet no one ever held them long. The Stepstones’ lack of permanent keeps and stone structures is a silent testament to the brief reigns of its many rulers. But even a temporary King of the Stepstones can cause major problems.

Why Is House of the Dragon‘s Triarchy a Dangerous Problem?

No one, not even a Targaryen dragon lord, wants to deal with pirates. It’s why Viserys thought his Small Council should celebrate news of the Triarchy dispatching pirates on the Stepstones. The Triarchy is a powerful alliance of three Free Cities who often fight each other: Lys, Myr, and Tyrosh. A ruler hoping to avoid war can formally parlay and negotiate with them. Especially since the Triarchy is also an alliance no king wants to war with. Even with his family’s dragons, Viserys’ knows many of his subjects would die any ensuing conflict with the Free Cities.

But the problem the Realm now faces has nothing to do with the Myrish prince Craghas Drahar and his ghastly war crimes. The Crabfeeder’s real transgression against Westeros is damaging the pockets and reputation of its most powerful seafarer. Ser Corlys, the Realm’s most accomplished sailor and master of ships, a man who made his family the richest in Westeros during his lifetime thanks to his prowess on the seas, lost four ships and their men to Craghas. He isn’t content with Viserys sending emissaries to the Free Cities and awaiting a diplomatic solution. Lord Velaryon wants to send a show of force to the Stepstones, even if it means Westeros goes to open war with the Free Cities for the first time.

Ser Corlys not only oversees the royal fleet, his house provides it. And he knows better than anyone that if the Stepstones and their shipping lanes fall into the wrong hands it could “beggar” every trader in the Realm. None more than him. No ship will be able to pass by or even near the islands without paying a hefty price to Craghas, whether the cost comes in gold or lost ships. It’s no wonder the Lord of Tides has turned to another Targaryen for help, a prince willing to embrace war. And if Daemon and his dragon answer Ser Corlys’s call on House of the Dragon, the Stepstones could serve as his own stepping stone to the power and respect he craves.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post Why the Stepstones Are So Important on HOUSE OF THE DRAGON appeared first on Nerdist.

Dracarys! It’s time to return to the realm of Westeros with the Game of Thrones prequel series, House of the Dragon! The show’s first episode was filled with fire, blood, and plenty of Targaryen drama, and Dan Casey is sitting down with Nerdist’s Michael Walsh and Karama Horne (@theblerdgurl) to discuss their reactions to the series premiere on today’s episode of Maesterminds!

More House of the Dragons News: https://nerdist.com/topic/game-of-thrones/
Watch more Nerdist Now: https://bit.ly/3yhdnmF

Chapters:
0:00 – Intro
2:48 – Game of Thrones Ending
6:05 – The Books
7:42 – House of the Dragons Premiere Overall Reactions
12:38 – Standout Moments
18:48 – Biggest Surprises
24:57 – Prince Daemon
31:01 – Most Dangerous Character
34:04 – Dragons
38:01 – Worst Moment
38:52 – The Iron Throne
42:42 – Opening Credits
45:50 – Final Thoughts

Follow Us:
Facebook https://facebook.com/nerdist
Twitter https://twitter.com/Nerdist
Instagram https://instagram.com/nerdist/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nerdist

Image: HBO

#NerdistNews #GoT #HouseOfTheDragon #HBO

The post HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Ep 1 “The Heir of the Dragon” Reaction & Breakdown (Maesterminds) appeared first on Nerdist.

Game of Thrones is back with its prequel series House of the Dragon. And of course it opened with sweeping shots of a blonde riding her dragon. The creators promise us lots of dragon content but for now let’s ponder the most pressing question. What does Princess Rhaenyra smell like after riding her golden steed Syrax? And what does a dragon smell like? Do dragons smell like other things you ride, like a horse? Syrax does wear a saddle, so maybe the smells of leather and oil mix with animal and fire scents. Or maybe the king and queen got a whiff of the clouds. Are Targaryens better at picking up the scent of a dragon? Let’s dive in to the possibilities of what a dragon might smell like on House of the Dragon!

What Could a Game of Thrones Dragon Smell Like?

Space

When you’re riding a dragon, you’re exposed to parts of the atmosphere you wouldn’t usually be. Earth’s ozone, or trioxygen, smells like burnt electricity or chlorine, depending on who you ask. Outer space also has a smell, described by various astronauts as gunpowder, burned cookies, raspberries, and rum. NASA devised a formula to simulate the smell of space. Recently, a Kickstarter perfume called Eau de Space was released based on this combination. When astronauts return from a spacewalk, they smell of space. So maybe it follows that when a dragon drops you off after a ride, you smell of the air you flew through.

Dinosaurs

An exhibit at the Field Museum in Chicago lets visitors smell Sue the T. rex’s breath. Scientists determined rotting flesh as the likely smell. They diluted it down enough so that paying customers wouldn’t gag. Apparently the team also considered hyena poop as the closest smell to T. rex fecal matter because both species eat animal bones as well as flesh. It’s possible our House of the Dragon dragons could smell something like this.

Bats

Bats, with their leathery wings, certainly cut the same profile as dragons. Some species have a wingspan of five feet. The strongest smell associated with bats is urine. It’s often the most telling sign that you have an infestation in your attic or are entering a cave they call home. Amorous male bats rub urine and “other secretions” over their bodies to attract females. One bat researcher, however, describes different species as smelling like burnt oranges, fungus, and even corn tortillas, which doesn’t sound all that bad.

Komodo Dragons

Their eight-foot size is nothing compared to Westeros’s favorite pets, but Komodo dragons are the closest living animal. So what do Komodo dragons smell like? “Reptiles do not have sweat glands,” says Kim Gray, curator of herpetology & ichthyology at the San Diego Zoo. “They do scent mark, as all monitor lizards can, and are territorial. But we humans, with our relatively poor sense of smell, can’t detect anything really.” Perhaps the Targaryen’s sense of smell zeroes in on subtle dragon scents. Considering their important bonds, this would make sense.

As for their breath, Komodo dragons ambush deer and other prey, but also feast on dead or dying animals. Though they eat them raw instead of cooking them the way George R.R. Martin’s dragons do. “Perhaps dragons simply smell like their food items, so depending on what they are eating…hopefully not humans?” says Gray. “Galapagos marine iguanas smell like seaweed a bit, obviously that is their main diet and the older animals even have algae growing on them. So Godzilla or a water dragon would smell like seaweed. Being a bit of a D&D nerd myself, one might debate they smell like ash and burnt coals if it is a fire breathing sort.”

Barbecue

Grilled meat and campfire is probably the most logical guess for what dragons smell like. The ability to cook your food using fiery breath certainly comes in handy if you refuse to eat raw meat. But we also know barbecuing gives off certain smells. And those linger on whoever is at the grill. That smokey smell permeates your hair and whatever clothes you were wearing. Some of those smells are delicious. But anyone who’s accidentally singed their arm hair or cooked sweet meats knows there can also be some funkiness mixed in. Depending on each dragon’s favorite foods, a mix of ash and that burning smell is likely.

With all the questions House of the Dragon already put forward in episode one, I doubt there will be any canonical information about what Syrax and other dragons smell like. But that’s why you count on Nerdist for these types of thought experiments. We can’t be the only ones wondering about what a dragon smells like.

Melissa is Nerdist’s science & technology staff writer. She also moderates “science of” panels at conventions and co-hosts Star Warsologies, a podcast about science and Star Wars. Follow her on Twitter @melissatruth. 

The post HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Makes Us Wonder What a Dragon Smells Like appeared first on Nerdist.