MAJOR SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 2.
Summary
House of the Dragonseason 2 makes significant changes to the source material, ranging from minor character details to major narrative alterations. TheGame of Thronesprequel is based on the bookFire & Bloodby George R.R. Martin, a “fictional history” text that examinesHouse Targaryen’s historycenturies before the main series.House of the Dragonis composed of just a portion of the book, focusing on the pivotal civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons, where Rhaenyra Targaryen and Aegon II Targaryen both made claims to the Iron Throne, resulting in a conflict of succession.
Given the nature of the source material,House of the Dragon’swriters are met with the challenging task of filling in several blanks, particularly with characters' interpersonal relationships and internal struggles. TheHouse of the Dragoncastdoes a phenomenal job of bringing these Targaryen figures to life, as they aren’t as well-defined and complex in the book. Many aspects of the characters are original to the TV series, andseason 2 also sees timeline changes and more drastic omissions of certain elements of the book.
25Jacaerys & Cregan Stark’s Friendship Is Skimmed Over
Jacaerys & Cregan Grow Into Great Friends In Their Time Spent In Fire & Blood
It’s recounted that they form a quick bond, hunting, drinking, and training together
House of the Dragonseason 2 opens with Jacaerys Velaryon’s delegation in the North with Cregan Stark, Lord of Winterfell. The scene is relatively brief, essentially offering a tease of Cregan Stark as a character to be brought back later on, and a significant aspect ofFire & Bloodis left out.In the book, Cregan and Jacaerys hit it off, with the prince reminding the Northern lord of his late younger brother. It’s recounted that they form a quick bond, hunting, drinking, and training together, which sets up important aspects of Cregan Stark’s motivations for later on.
24Cregan Teases The White Walkers
Cregan Stark Adds More Game Of Thrones Continuity
House of the Dragonhas already tied itself toGame of Throneswith theAegon’s Dream prophecy, and season 2 continues this trend through Cregan Stark. Atop the Wall,he warns Jacaerys that there’s a greater threat in the North beyond the Wall: death. This change suggests that inHouse of the Dragon’stimeline, some vague idea of the White Walkers was more apparent and that noblemen in Westeros sought to prepare for it. Cregan also claims that King Jaehaerys and his dragon, Vermithor, visited the Wall and wouldn’t travel further, which is new to the show.
23Sara Snow Isn’t In House Of The Dragon
Jacaerys' Northern Love Interest Is Cut From The Show
InFire & Blood, Sara Snow is a bastard daughter of Lord Rickon Stark, Cregan’s father, who’s introduced when Jacaerys travels to Winterfell. There, he allegedly falls in love with her, marries her, and sleeps with her, breaking his betrothal to Baela Targaryen. This is one of the moments inFire & Bloodthat has questionable legitimacy, with different accounts saying she never existed and that Jacaerys wouldn’t betray Baela. The possibility is also introduced that they slept together but never married.House of the Dragonomits this entirely.
I’m Very Disappointed With The Starks In House Of The Dragon Season 2
House of the Dragon season 2, episode 1, “A Son for a Son” introduces Lord Cregan Stark, but the return to Winterfell and the Wall is a letdown.
Jacaerys & Cregan Form A Pact In The Book
Furthering Jacaerys and Cregan Stark’s friendship, inFire & Blood,the two form a pact of brotherhood called the Pact of Ice and Fire. While Cregan Stark has already vowed to support House Targaryen due to his father swearing fealty years prior, this pact furthers the allegiance between House Stark and House Targaryen throughout the war. In the series, Jacaerys seems to leave upon hearing news of Lucerys' death, and this pact isn’t mentioned. Cregan Stark offers Rhaenyra 2,000 men, but it’s unclear to what extent he and Jacaerys bonded.
21Alicent & Criston Cole’s Relationship
Alicent & Criston Have A Romantic Connection
Criston Cole becomes Alicent’s sworn shield in season 1, following the divide between him and Rhaenyra. In season 2, it’s revealed thatthe pair have formed a romantic relationship, which is original to the show. The series established some precedence for it in the opening episode, as Alicent is shown to be attracted to Cole from the start. In the context ofHouse of the Dragon, it makes sense, especially given the complicated feelings both have regarding Rhaenyra.
20Aegon’s Involvement As King
Aegon Is More Kind As King Than Anyone Expected
In season 1, Aegon demonstrated apathy toward any semblance of responsibility, but his coronation hinted that the power of the throne would go to his head. However, season 2 shows some other sides of the character that aren’t drawn fromFire & Blood. First, Aegon is shown to have genuine interest and love for his son, Jaehaerys, andthere’s a naive part of him that wants to help the common folk. Aegon is immature and is undoubtedly horrible in some ways, but this creates an essential difference between him and Joffrey fromGame of Thrones: Aegon isn’t nearly as sadistic.
Larys Is Already On The Small Council In Fire & Blood
Following Aegon’s sequence in the throne room, Larys Strong pulls him aside for his marquee scheming behavior. He suggests to Aegon that he may not want to look"pliable" like Viserys and that one of the reasons the late king was seen that way was due to the influence of Otto Hightower. The plot hints that Larys will continue to gain influence with Aegon as Otto is pushed away, though, at this pointinFire & Blood, Larys Strong already sits on the small council as Master of Whisperers.
18Alyn Of Hull Is Introduced Differently
Alyn Saved Corlys Velaryon From The Wreckage In Season 1
Alyn is also known for having Valyrian silver hair like Lord Corlys
Alyn of Hull is one of thenew characters inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, and he’s introduced in episode 1 with some notable differences from his book counterpart. First,Alyn’s story is tied back to Corlys Velaryon’s disappearance late in season 1, where the Lord of the Tides was considered dead. It’s revealed that Alyn was the one who pulled him from the wreckage, which doesn’t happen in the book. InFire & Blood, Alyn is also known for having Valyrian silver hair like Lord Corlys, but is bald in the show.
17Hugh Lives In King’s Landing
Hugh Is From Dragonstone In Fire & Blood
Hugh is another new character introduced in Aegon’s throne room scene, requesting advance payment for the smiths of King’s Landing. The smiths are working on scorpions, the ballista-like weapons used to fire at dragons.InFire & Blood, Hugh is a smith’s bastard living on Dragonstone, and his story is tied to Rhaenyra and the Black faction. His changed location could imply further shifts to his narrative in the series unless he makes his way to Dragonstone at some point in season 2.
16Rhaenyra Demands Aemond Targaryen
In Fire & Blood, Daemon Is The One Who Demands Vengeance
InHouse of the Dragon, Rhaenyra returns after finding Lucerys' remains, entering her council room, anddeclares that she wants Aemond Targaryen dead in return for murdering her son. This is a significant change to the entire Blood & Cheese operation, as Rhaenyra isn’t specifically complicit in any part of it in the book. InFire & Blood, she receives a letter from Daemon Targaryen stating,“A son for a son,“and he carries out the deed through Mysaria in King’s Landing. Of course, Rhaenyra still didn’t know what Daemon would do to make an attempt on Aemond’s life.
Why Aemond Lied About Luke’s Death After House Of The Dragon Season 1
Aemond Targaryen hides the truth about how Lucerys Velaryon’s death happened, making him all the more dangerous in House of the Dragon season 2.
