WARNING! This article contains MAJOR spoilers for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 1 and future spoilers from George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood book, on which the show is based.
Summary
This article contains potentially distressing discussions of graphic violence, child death, and suicide.
After Blood & Cheese,House of the Dragonhas now introduced one of House Targaryen’s most devastating death curses throughout the family’s history in Westeros. Once King Aegon I Targaryen conquered Westeros, theTargaryen family treeruled from the Iron Throne with 18 kings and queens, thougheach generation was riddled with its own set of tragedies and devastations. One of the most catastrophic eras in House Targaryen’s history was their civil war, the Dance of the Dragons, which led to the deaths of numerous Targaryens and their dragons as King Viserys’ heirs vied for the Iron Throne.
Game of Thronesalready prepared audiences to expect their favorite characters to die brutal deaths at one point or another, andHouse of the Dragonis arguably even worse. While numerousHouse of the Dragoncharacters will diein battle or at the hands of their family members, more than might be expected end up taking their own lives. Horrifyingly, several of these deaths stem back to the agonizing moment featured inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 1’s ending, withthe curse of being involved in this tragedy staying with every character present that night.
House Of The Dragon’s Blood & Cheese Moment Leads To A Horrible Death Streak In House Targaryen
The Greens present on that night have terrible fates
Considering everything that transpires after the brutal murder,House of the Dragon’s Blood & Cheese moment essentially creates an unofficial curse for the Greens. Including young Prince Jaehaerys,everyone there on the night of Blood & Cheese on the Greens' side ends up dying horrifically– and it’s already even worse in George R.R. Martin’sFire & Bloodbook. Furthermore, all of these horrifying deaths end up happening in a 3–4 year span ofHouse of the Dragon’s timeline, taking the lives of Criston, Helaena, Jaehaera, Alicent, and – in the book – Maelor.
Killed by Northern soldiers in the Butcher’s Ball
Prince Maelor
Killed either by mob, accidental crushing, or murder trying to flee King’s Landing
Dies by suicide after the Fall of King’s Landing
Queen Alicent Hightower
Killed by the winter fever shortly after the Dance of the Dragons ends
Princess Jaehaera
Dies by suicide shortly after Alicent’s death
According toFire & Blood, King Aegon has all ratcatchers hanged to ensure Cheese’s death, with Blood also being captured and fatally tortured. The next character related to Blood & Cheese to die is Criston Cole, who is killed by Northern soldiers in battle. In the book, the followingdeath is Helaena’s son Maelor, who was killed trying to flee King’s Landing, though he was cut from the show.Helaena then dies by suicide after the trauma of Blood & Cheese before the war’s end. She’s followed in death by Alicent Hightower, who dies of a fever shortly after the war, and finally, Jaehaera, who dies by suicide after marrying King Aegon III Targaryen.
Just Wait: How Criston Cole Dies In House Of The Dragon Will Be So Satisfying
Criston Cole is one of House of the Dragon’s most unlikeable characters, which will make his death scene all the more satisfying to see on the show.
How Blood & Cheese Completely Changes The Dance Of The Dragons' Targaryen War
The Dance becomes a ruthless and catastrophic event
With so many Targaryens from Team Green dying after being closely tied to theevents of Blood & Cheese, it’s clear that the horrors of this atrocity didn’t end on that night. Rather, itsent the Dance of the Dragons to a point of no return with ruthlessness and full-out warbeing waged on both sides. Trust and any attempt at reconciliation was gone on both sides, with Aegon being hellbent on violent vengeance and quick retaliations. Consequently, Rhaenyra is forced to show her hand as well after Aegon seeks his revenge in battle, sending the Targaryens down a devastating path that costs them for generations afterHouse of the Dragon.
New episodes ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2 release Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.
House of the Dragon
Cast
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
