Warning, spoilers. It is recommended that you watch House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 3 before continuing with this article.
Season 2 of Dragon House, currently airing on the MAX platform, is in full swing. Every week, fans of the Game of Thrones spin-off will discover a new episode of this large-scale adaptation of the novel. Fire and blood by George Martin, centered on the tragic story of the tensions, betrayals, jealousies and complex alliances of the Targaryen family, set almost 200 years before the events of Game Of Thrones.
And this second season, which finally begins the famous “Dance of Dragons”, dives even deeper into violence, darkness, betrayal and revelation. And the third episode, called “Le Moulin Brûlé”, is no exception. And above all, it features an entirely new sequence that doesn’t exist in the books, but brings an additional tragedy that isn’t necessarily unwanted.
The War Begins Now in “Dragon House”
After killing Jaehaerys, son of Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) and Helena (Fia Saban), at the behest of a demon (Matt Smith), Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) is distraught. While the demon travels to Harrenhal to raise an army, Rhaenyra decides to protect her offspring and sends her younger children and dragon eggs to safety with Rhena (Phoebe Campbell).
Although all of her advisors, except Rhaenys (Eva Best), advise her to go to war against the Greens, Rhaenyra decides to make one last attempt at reconciliation. He sneaks into King’s Landing disguised as a sept to find Alicent (Olivia Cooke). The two women then have a long, high-tension discussion at the end of House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 3.
In particular, they return to statements made by Viserys (Paddy Considine), the former king, Rhaenyra’s father and Alicent’s husband, regarding her designated heir. While she always claimed Rhaenyra as her rightful heir during her lifetime, Targaryen mentioned on her deathbed that she wanted Aegon as her heir in House of Dragons Season 1 Episode 8. .
If Alicent believed that it was his son Aegon and that he put him on the throne in Rhaenyra’s place, Viserys did not mention this Aegon in his final statement. Remember the famous prophecy about Aegon the Conqueror’s “Prince That Was Promised” in the very first episode of the first season of House of Dragons:
“It will begin with a terrible winter that sweeps through the far north. Aegon saw the darkness riding the winds. What lies within that darkness will destroy the world of the living. When that winter comes, all of Westeros must rise against it.
In order for a man to survive, there must be a Targaryen on the Iron Throne. A king or queen who can unite the kingdom against cold and darkness. This dream is a song of ice and fire. This is a secret that was passed from the king to the heir from Aegon.”
As Alicent recalls Viserys’s last words to Rhaenyra, the latter understands her father’s intent, who wanted this prophecy to be fulfilled by his offspring. Which was possible especially since Rhaenyra also has a son named Aegon. He then tries to convince Alicent of his mistake, but Aegon’s mother tells him it’s too late. Therefore, war is inevitable.
This scene between Alicent and Renira does not exist in the book
Fans of the book “Fire and Blood” are well aware that this scene does not exist in the novel, but that does not mean that it does not have meaning and emotional power. Contrary to what is portrayed in the book, the creators of House of Dragons chose to make Rhaenyra and Alicent childhood friends, close age friends who grew up together, giving them a strong bond.
In the book, Rhaenyra is younger than Alicent and they don’t get along at all. Alicent is much more evil in the novel and has a terrible stepmother role towards Rhaenyra. Therefore, the dynamics are completely different in the series. But these great liberties taken by the Dragon House screenwriters are not necessarily a betrayal of the original material.
because for those who don’t know Fire and blood based on a unique narrative construction. George A. R. Martin’s work is actually a compilation of various stories about the history of the Targaryen dynasty, namely the reports of the wizards and sometimes conflicting testimonies. Therefore, the authors of the series can deviate a little from the narrative framework of the novel, given that the narrators are not always reliable.
By bringing Alicent and Rhaenyra together for the last time in this sacred union sequence, the writers raise the tone of the tragedy even further. This final meeting between the two women allows them to mourn the dead, to understand their intentions, and to know that neither wants to be put on the path to war.
And yet, it is inevitable and both of them know it well. Tragedy arises from misunderstandings, bad choices, forced alliances, and betrayals that could have been avoided. And this sequence becomes one of the most important key moments of the second season.
Obviously if we’re remaking the universe, but the third episode of House of the Dragon season 2 will rub salt in the wound and bring even more nuance to its characters, both victim and executioner, before the blood truly begins. The war that awaits us.
Season 2 of “Dragon House” is currently streaming on the MAX platform.
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
