Spoiler Alert: Major plot twists and book deviations ahead!
So, you’ve just watched the Season 2 finale of House of the Dragon and your brain is still reeling from the twists and turns? Or maybe you’re someone who prefers to keep the surprises intact and doesn’t want any spoilers. Either way, you might want to tread carefully. This listicle dives deep into every major deviation from George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood that occurred in Season 2. From pivotal character changes to significant plot shifts, here’s what the show altered from the book and how it impacts the unfolding Targaryen saga.
Blood and Cheese Went Down Very Differently
The gruesome murder of Aegon and Helaena’s son, Jaehaerys, in the premiere excluded their third child, son Maelor, from the plot entirely. In the book, Blood and Cheese force Helaena to choose which son would die under threat of rape of her and her daughter, Jaehaerya. She chooses Maelor, the youngest, but they kill the eldest son and heir, Jaehaerys, anyway. Maelor isn’t born in House of the Dragon. Creator Ryan Condal told TV Insider that “Maelor is not yet around in the story,” implying that he could be born in future episodes (this season or beyond). But Aegon says in the finale that his penis burned off when he was burned at Rook’s Rest, so there’s zero chance that Aegon and Helaena will make more children together now.
Criston and Alicent’s Affair
Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) and Queen Dowager Alicent don’t have a secret affair after Viserys’ (Paddy Considine) death in the book. Rhaenyra and Criston’s romance in Season 1 was also not explicitly written in the book. However, it does say that they had a falling out, though the exact reason is unknown. The series introduces a romantic angle between Alicent and Criston, adding layers to their characters that the book doesn’t cover.
Alicent and Rhaenyra’s Secret Meeting
In the book, after Alicent claims the throne for Aegon, she never sees Rhaenyra again for the rest of their lives. The series takes creative liberties by portraying a secret meeting between the two, adding depth to their relationship and offering a poignant twist to their narrative. This reunion, while a departure from the book, adds significant emotional weight to the storyline.
The Hull Brothers Are Aged Up
Addam (Clinton Liberty) and Alyn of Hull (Abubakar Salim) are teenagers aged 15 and 16 in the novel. They were aged up to adults for the series. Salim told TV Insider that the aging was a good choice because younger Alyn would have sought their father Corlys’ (Steve Toussaint) attention and love, while adult Alyn’s disinterest adds more dramatic tension.
Daemon’s Harrenhal Visions
Daemon does indeed raise an army at Harrenhal, but his visions are a new addition for the series. These visions, including elements from Aegon the Conqueror’s dream and various ghostly apparitions, are not found in the book. They enrich the narrative by adding a personal, mystical layer to Daemon’s character, even though they diverge from the historical account in Fire & Blood.
Daemon’s Relationship With Alys Rivers
Daemon’s relationship with Alys (Gayle Rankin) in the series is far more significant than in the book. While Alys’s presence and abilities align with Helaena’s, the book does not delve into a relationship between Daemon and Alys. The show uses this connection to explore themes of prophecy and fate, though it is a notable departure from Martin’s text.
Helaena’s Prophetic Abilities
In the book, Helaena is not depicted as having the gift of foresight, but the series portrays her as being aware of and involved in Daemon’s visions. This creative choice introduces a new dynamic, aligning Helaena more closely with the mystical elements of the story and adding depth to her character.
Rhaenys’ Death at the Battle of Rook’s Rest
The show’s depiction of Rhaenys’s death differs significantly from the book. In Fire & Blood, the battle at Rook’s Rest is a brutal affair where all three dragons—Meleys, Sunfyre, and Vhagar—fall, resulting in Rhaenys’s death and the wounding of Aegon and Sunfyre. The series alters this to showcase Aemond’s betrayal, which simplifies the brutal reality of Rhaenys’s final stand. The book presents Rhaenys’s fight as a fierce last stand, with Meleys attacking Sunfyre and the subsequent fall being a direct consequence of the war’s ferocity.
Aemond Doesn’t Betray Aegon
In the book, Aemond becomes Prince Regent while Aegon is healing but does not betray him to achieve this position. The series, however, portrays Aemond as a clear villain who betrays his brother, enhancing the dramatic tension and conflict within the story.
Rhaenyra and Mysaria Kiss
There is no romantic or sexual relationship between Rhaenyra and Mysaria in the book. Instead, Mysaria continues her relationship with Daemon while serving as Rhaenyra’s mistress of whisperers. The show adds a queer subtext to their relationship, which adds new dimensions to their characters and relationships.
Rhaena and Sheepstealer?
Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell) searches for a wild dragon in the Season 2 finale. The dragon is hinted to be Sheepstealer, a significant dragon in the book. Rhaena does eventually get a dragon, but it is not Sheepstealer; her dragon is named Morning, while Sheepstealer’s rider is a character named Nettles, who has not yet been introduced. This change could indicate a major shift in the narrative for Rhaena’s character.
Sunfyre Doesn’t Die
The fate of Sunfyre in the book is pivotal. Sunfyre is mortally wounded in the battle of Rook’s Rest and dies, symbolizing the end of Aegon II’s reign and the high cost of the civil war. The show leaves Sunfyre’s fate ambiguous, suggesting Aegon’s belief in the dragon’s death without confirming it on-screen. This ambiguity might signal a potential return of Sunfyre in future seasons, adding complexity to the plot. In the book, Sunfyre’s death is integral to Aegon II’s story and the overall war narrative.
Alicent Doesn’t Go to Dragonstone
The finale’s secret meeting between Rhaenyra and Alicent, where Alicent offers to help Rhaenyra take King’s Landing, does not occur in the book. This new development alters Alicent’s role and motivations, showing her attempt to atone for her actions and reshape the narrative before the anticipated conflict.
