EntertainmentHouse of the Dragon: George RR Martin promises ‘bigger and more toxic’ changesIn a post made on his own website, George RR Martin also explained some changes made in the second season of House of the Dragontoday at 11:33

Like this game of Thrones, The House of the Dragon also adapts a book by George R.R. Martinwho promised “bigger and more toxic” changes to Fire & Blood (2018).

It is worth remembering how the second season of the production, which was renewed until the fourth and final year, was shown in 2024. In a deleted publication on the official website (via People), the author commented on what to expect from the next two seasons of The House of the Dragon.

In the text in question, published on August 30, 2024, Martin commented on how he would write “about everything that went wrong with” the series. “I promised you some more thoughts on ‘Blood and Cheese‘ and Maelor after my commentary on the first two episodes of season two, ‘A son for a son‘ and ‘Rhaenyra the Cruel,'” he wrote.

These were fantastic episodes: well written, well directed, powerfully acted. A great way to start the new season.

However, according to George R.R. Martinfans and critics “seemed to agree” with the decisions in the chapters in question: “From the comments I saw [online]opinion was divided. Readers of Fire & Blood found the sequel disappointing, a disappointment, diluted in relation to what they expected.”

“Viewers who hadn’t read the book had no such problems. Most of them found the sequel a real gut punch, tragic, horrifying, nightmarish, etc.,” the author continued. “Some reported being reduced to tears. I found myself agreeing with both sides.”

He then highlighted the main changes between the series and the book, such as the ages and the number of children in each house: “In my book, Aegon and Helaena have three children, not two. The twins, Jaehaerys and Jaehaeraare six years old. They have a younger brother, Maelorwhich has two. When Blood and Cheese invade Helaena and the children, they tell her that they are debt collectors who have come to avenge the prince’s death Lucerys: a son for a son.”

“As Helaena has two sons, however, they disable her from choosing which of them should die. She resists and offers her own life, but the killers insist that it has to be a son,” he explained Martin. “If she doesn’t give a name, they will kill all three children. To save the twins’ lives, Helaena gives the name of Maelor.But Blood kills the older boy, Jaehaeryswhile Cheese tell the little one Maelor that his mother wanted him dead. Whether the boy is old enough to understand that is not at all certain.”