The latest episode of House of the Dragon season 2, titled “Smallfolk”, was similar to the last episode, “Regent”, which focused less on the actual action and more on setting up an explosive finale. The ongoing conflict between the Greens and the Blacks continues to escalate. Though the show is based on George R. R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, a history of House Targaryen, there are some differences between the two mediums of the story’s presentation. Let’s see how House of the Dragon season 2 episode 6 differs from the book.
House of the Dragon is the first Game of Thrones spinoff to see the light of day. However, there are many more in varying stages of development. The series is based on the Dance of the Dragons, the Targaryen civil war dubbed so because of the heavy use of these fire-breathing beasts that caused much bloodshed.
The show’s season 1 recounted how the whole conflict took root, while in season 2, the war officially began as both sides scrambled to gain allies and battles were waged across the length and breadth of Westeros.
What happens in House of the Dragon season 2 episode 6?
The Blacks still do not have the answer to Vhagar, who is basically a walking nuke, but they are getting there. In the previous episode, Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) and her eldest son Jacaerys (Harry Collett) discuss finding dragonriders for riderless dragons they possess, including Vermithor, Seasmoke and Silverwing.
In episode 6, Ser Steffon Darklyn is convinced by Rhaenyra to try to bond with Seasmoke, since he has Targaryen heritage. She makes it clear that he is not being forced. He concurs and the dragon burns him to death. Later on, Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) and Rhaenyra engage in a passionate kiss and this is a romance we did not see coming.
Later, we see Seasmoke seemingly attacking Addam of Hull (Clinton Liberty), but clearly, he is just tired of waiting for a dragonrider — so he chooses it. Meanwhile, Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) finally gets a bit of much-needed good news even if he is still plagued by visions. Lord Grover Tully is dead and now Oscar Tully (Archie Barnes) is the Lord Paramount of Riverlands. Finally, Daemon has the riverlords, but will he ally with Rhaenyra? Rhaenyra sends food on tiny boats with her banner to King’s Landing, in hopes of turning the Smallfolk of the city to her cause. It works.
How does House of the Dragon season 2 episode 6 differ from the book?
Since House of the Dragon is a TV show, it has had to inevitably condense or alter many of the plotlines and events from the book. It is the nature of the medium, as showrunners have to consider budget, logistics and other issues.
Triarchy and the Blockade of the Gullet and Blackwater Bay
This season ends with a certain battle, the seeds of which were sown by Regent Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) in the new episode. The Triarchy finds a mention here — Aemond put forward the idea of the Greens allying with the former, which is an alliance between the Free Cities of Myr, Lys and Tyrosh. It was the Triarchy that Daemon and Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) defeated in the first season.
This alliance, by the way, is successful in the book, thanks only to the machinations of Lord Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans). Season 2 will likely end with the Battle of the Gullet, in which the Triarchy fleets attack Gay Abandon, the ship carrying Rhaenyra’s sons. Or it could also be Battle at the Red Fork.
Extended role of Mysaria in the show?
Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) is a comparatively minor player in the book, but clearly, that is not the case in the show. Besides her kiss with Rhaenyra, her role in the show is bigger, and she is even, for all intents and purposes, pulling the strings for the Blacks. Rhaenyra in the book is quite different, being more angry and impulsive. And although she listens to Mysaria’s advice, she is definitely a woman of her own mind. In the show, she is easily influenced by others, including Mysaria and her Small Council, though she rebels against this when she slaps one of her advisors.
Seasmoke and Addam of Hull
In the book, Prince Jacaerys calls out for Dragonseeds (people with either Targaryen or Velaryon blood in them) to try to ride the riderless dragons. Many listen and dragons like Vermithor and Seasmoke get new riders. Seasmoke’s rider is Addam of Hull, the same as the show. But in the show, it is Seasmoke who seeks out Addam, spotting the Velaryon blood (of Corlys) in him. In the book, Addam simply tries out his luck and is successful.
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(Hero and featured image: Courtesy of Liam Daniel/HBO)
This article first appeared on Lifestyle Asia India
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Hugh Hammer (played by Kieran Bew) ends up being the rider of Vermithor in the book. We expect it to be the same in the show as well.
Rhaenyra's dragon is called Syrax.
It is Daemon's mother, Alyssa Targaryen (played by Emeline Lambert), who visits him in his dream.
