House of the Dragon’s second season chronicles the beginning of the “Dance of Dragons,” riddled with senseless murders, meticulous plotting, and mental unraveling. The series, for the most part, has remained faithful to the book, with important events like “The Battle of Rook’s Rest” and characters like the Dragonseeds being introduced.
House of the Dragon
Taking place about 172 years before the events ofGame of Thrones,House of the Dragontells the tale of the rise of the Targaryens, the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria. The popular HBO spinoff show first starred Milly Alcock and Emily Carey as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower before they were replaced by Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke, who play the older versions of the characters. Also starring in the series is Matt Smith (Prince Daemon Targaryen) and Paddy Considine as Rhaenyra’s father, King Viserys Targaryen.
However, the series has made its own concessions. Ranging from a focus on Daemon (Matt Smith) in Harrenhal to Rhaena Targaryen’s (Phoebe Campbell) time in The Vale, many changes to the story found in George R.R. Martin’sFire And Bloodhave left fans confused.
Nevertheless, the show still has a vested interest in both capturing the essence of the Martin-penned tale, while also avoiding a similar reception to that ofGame of Thrones' latter seasons. If they continue to follow the books, this could very well be the trajectory of the series.
Fire and Blood, at a Glance
Fire And Bloodis a collection of stories written by various maesters, each with their personal biases influencing the published sequence of events. Detailing the long history of House Targaryen, the novella includes historical accounts about the rise and fall of the Valyrian Freehold, the Targaryens' power before and following the fall, as well as their role in unifying the Seven Kingdoms. One of these events includes the infamous “Dance of Dragons,” the civil war documented by theHouse of the Dragon.
As many viewers understand, the discrepancies surrounding the line of succession followingthe passing of King Viserys I(Paddy Considine) would eventually boil over, resulting in a fiery conflict between loyalists of Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) and King Aegon Targaryen (Tom-Glynn Carney).
As the war for the Iron Throne rages on, the book powerfully illustrates how hubris, misogyny, and a relentless thirst for complete domination fractured the facade that deemed House Targaryen divine rulers.
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Beyond Fire and Blood
While definitive moments such as the murders of Lucerys Velaryon (Elliott Grihault) and Jahaerys Targaryen have been cited as motivations for increased tension, the beginning of the Dance itself is widely debated.
Some believe that the aforementioned murder and subsequent retaliation serve as the beginning, while others claim that the seeds for conflict have been planted long ago by the ambitious yet nefarious Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), the man responsible for sowing doubt among the court regarding Rhaenyra’s title as the heiress to the throne.
Some even suggest that events might have looked different if Rhaenys (Eve Best) was named queen instead of Viserys. The wicked joy that comes with looking into the Dance of Dragons creates the endless theories that fans conjure up.
However, due to the Mandate of Heaven-esque rule that empowered House Targaryen, civil war is a seemingly inevitable phenomenon that would hurl the realm into chaos.
Changes made to the story, such as Alicent (Olivia Cooke) and Rhaenyra’s age differences and the unforgettable jousting tourney that saw the beginning of the Blacks and The Greens offer a different glance into the conflict, but the conditions necessary for war have already been written on the wall due to the infantilization of women in Westeros, the secrecy behind the Prince That Was Promised, and the egos that fill up the royal court.
How Does the Dance of Dragons End in the Books?
For better or for worse, the show has taken liberties in the depiction of said characters and their motivations prior to and during the war. While the books highlight the callousness of the warring queens and their allies, the show underpins the misogynistic environment that essentially isolates and demonizes Rhaenyra and Alicent while rewarding men like Aegon, Aemond, and Daemon.
In doing so, the show also presents cases where both women use their proximity to the crown to their benefit, at the expense of those around them and the small folk alike. Offering a nuanced look at their culpability in the civil war, Rhaenyra and Alicent’s respective roles in the Dance of Dragons also serve as references for modern discussions surrounding the dangers of choice feminism and class.
Beyond Rhaenyra and Alicent, the hubris of the Targaryen dynasty is on trial. Be it through the Greens' undermining the divinity of dragons following the death of Meleys or the Blacks' reliance on dragonseeds, both parties delegitimize their claim to the throne due to their personal ambitions and, as a result, subject themselves and their dragons to near extinction.
With disillusioned small folk and treacherous members in both factions, the Dance of Dragons was a watershed moment that, evidently, House Targaryen never recovered from.
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The Lasting Impact of the War’s Conclusion
According toFire And Blood, the Blacks take advantage of The Greens' pride, specifically Aemond (Ewan Mitchell), leading an assault on King’s Landing while Aemond falls for a trap laid by Daemon in Harrenhal. While the small folk are initially receptive to Rhaenyra’s ascension to the throne, heavy taxes as well as her being implicated in the passing of Queen Haelena (Phia Sabian) lead to an overall rebellion.
Furthermore, Rhaenyra’s worsening paranoia is exacerbated by the betrayal of the Velaryons and the dragonseeds. When she flees to Dragonstone in hopes of evading the advancing green army and the rebellious small folk, she is then betrayed by Ser Alfred Broome who, literally, feeds her to Aegon and Sunfyre.
Despite the major victory, the Dance was far from over, with Aegon himself suffering from the plot of traitors.With Rhaenyra’s son Aegon being installed as king, the Dance of Dragons officially comes to an end, but cataclysmic events occurring during the war leave House Targaryen weakened, the mythical lore behind their claim to power being shattered by years of conflict and lies.
No One Wins When the Family Feuds
While Aegon andRhaenyra’s conflict results in a clear winner, to claim that the win is absolute is quite simplistic. Aside from who ascends the throne after the winner, the Dance Of Dragons itself vividly illustrates the tragedy of war and greed. Kindred spirits quickly turned against each other in the name of power.
Furthermore, the myth of the Targaryen family’s right to rule, and their holy status, is effectively diminished. Instead of being revered and protected,dragonsbecome reviledand consequently, the Dance seemingly left Westeros ill-prepared to defend itself from the impending threat of the white walkers.
House Of The Dragonmay struggle with its pacing, but beloved characters have embarked on necessary journeys that shatter their respective shells. Not in spite of, but because of the conditions they grew up in, moments like Alicent’s time away from King’s Landing, Daemon’s time in Harrenhal, and Aemond’s power struggle underline the enabling factors that create the monstrous rulers that wreak havoc across the land, skies, and seas.
This most recent season carefully depicts the very human inclinations for maneuvering and making peace with conflict. With each step of the war being a balanced combination of good intentions, greed, and outright depravity, the Dance of Dragons not only outlines the cataclysmic consequences of pride gone unchecked but also begs the audience to make noteworthy parallels between fictional figures and those that dictate one’s real life.
Whether the series continues to make slight, or drastic changes, if the showrunners capture the essence of Martin’s famed story, then the end of the series will complement the novel’s themes as well as George R.R. Martin’s vested interest in capturing “the human heart in conflict with itself.”
