As a long-time fan of George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series, I’ve always been fascinated by the rich history of House Targaryen and the intrigue surrounding its members. So when HBO announced “House of the Dragon,” I was ecstatic to finally delve deeper into this captivating world.
Spoilers ahead for Episode 7 of House of the Dragon Season 2, called “The Red Sowing.”
The “House of the Dragon” TV series is nearing its end in 2024, as Season 2 contains two fewer episodes than Season 1. The Targaryen family has experienced chaos throughout this season, with Daemon feeling down after his arrival at Harrenhal and hallucinating, Rhaenys and Meleys both losing their lives in battle, and Rhaenyra struggling to decide on a plan to defeat the Greens without causing excessive harm to commoners. However, she made substantial progress towards that goal in “The Red Sowing,” an episode that unexpectedly revealed a Targaryen character who exited the “Game of Thrones” as depicted in George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood” book.
A Targaryen who was stripped of her right to the throne by her father as mentioned in “Fire & Blood”! Let’s delve into the secrets uncovered about this excluded Targaryen and Hugh from King’s Landing through “The Red Sowing”. (Light spoilers for “Fire & Blood”, but none for the time of the Greens versus the Blacks.)
Hugh’s Targaryen Mother
In Season 2, it was hinted that the dragonseed children, also known as the illegitimate offspring of various Targaryens, would play significant roles. With Mysaria’s assistance, Rhaenyra came to understand that these bastards could potentially claim dragons by having Targaryen blood in their veins – even if they lacked the formal Targaryen title.
When news reached King’s Landing that the Blacks were searching for commoners believed to have Targaryen ancestry to claim dragons, both Hugh and Ulf found themselves considering this opportunity. In explaining why he wanted to travel to Rhaenyra, Hugh made a shocking revelation to his wife:
I grew up without knowing my father, a fact that remains unchanged. However, I did have a relationship with my mother, which I previously concealed from you. I feel remorseful for keeping this secret. My mother worked in a brothel, where she enjoyed more liberties than most due to her status and the financial means of her clients, who desired women with silver hair. She often compared me to her brothers’ sons, Viserys and Daemon. However, I was embarrassed by her occupation and sought to make a living on my own terms.
If Hugh didn’t explicitly mention his mother among the Targaryen women in the family tree on “House of the Dragon,” it’s clear who she is unless the show introduced another daughter of King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne. According to the series, Hugh is Prince Saera’s son, making her the younger sister of Baelon and Alyssa. These two were the parents of Viserys and Daemon.
In the annals of “Fire & Blood,” Saera’s tale is not marked by happiness, unlike those of most of Jaehaerys and Alysanne’s thirteen offspring. Born as the ninth child and fifth daughter to the reigning monarch and queen, Saera was known for her obstinacy and pampered upbringing. Her mother, Alysanne, possessed a keen insight into Saera’s character, surpassing that of her father Jaehaerys. The trio, including Saera and two companions, spent an excessive amount of time in the company of three mysterious figures. Eventually, Jaehaerys expressed concern over their associations as documented in “Fire & Blood.”
“What actions have you taken, for the sake of seven lives, have you taken someone’s virginity? Be honest with me.”
Saera replied, “I handed it over to all three of them,” causing Jaehaerys to later declare, “You are no longer my daughter.” The princess was ordered to live with septas for penance, but she escaped to a notorious pleasure house in Lys. Saera gained infamy and wealth, while her three illegitimate sons competed for the Iron Throne at a council that ultimately put Viserys on the throne.
I was deeply invested in Sansa Stark’s storyline in “Game of Thrones,” but she made a decision not to return to Westeros and stake her claim for the throne because I believe she had built her own prosperous realm in Essos instead. Though the show didn’t delve much into Saera’s background, it seems that her destiny in the adaptation is more sorrowful compared to the books. In George R.R. Martin’s writings, Sansa gained wealth and power independently – a detail that sadly appears less significant on screen.
In House of the Dragon, the sequence of events surrounding Saera and Hugh’s mother is somewhat vague when attempting to connect the two stories. This ambiguity has been consistent throughout the series. It’s intriguing that Jaehaerys’ declared dead daughter gave birth to a bastard son who later claimed Jaehaerys’ dragon, Vermithor. The irony deepens as Vermithor first incinerated other potential dragon riders before choosing this offspring.
In other words, the “House of the Dragon” series unveiled that Saera, the missing Targaryen princess, gave birth to one of the significant dragonseed offspring mentioned in “Fire & Blood,” making me apprehensive about the upcoming Season 2 finale.
Why I’m Getting More And More Nervous
In “The Red Sowing,” an intriguing scene unfolds as Hugh asserts his claim over Vermithor and Ulf insists on Silverwing. This dramatic encounter is followed by Aemond diverting Vhagar from Dragonstone upon noticing the two new dragons, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the finale. The emergence of these dragonseed heirs gives us a sense of where we stand in “House of the Dragon” as it adapts the events of “Fire & Blood.” Some of these upcoming sequences are likely to be quite tense and challenging, much like the certainty of Rhaenys’ demise. Fans should brace themselves for the emotional rollercoaster ahead, especially given Hugh’s ominous conversation with his wife!
In the Season 2 finale on August 4, it’s important to note that not every part of the sky will be crashing down. Although there might be some crises following Luke’s demise in Season 1, the most alarming plot twists may not materialize yet. I’m hoping that the finale will shed light on Addam’s mother’s identity. Despite Corlys having enough Targaryen lineage to potentially inherit a dragon through all the Targaryen-Velaryon unions in “Fire & Blood,” it seems he overlooked this possibility in “The Red Sowing.”
The upcoming final episode of “House of the Dragon” in its second season is filled with uncertainty, with only time revealing its secrets. However, the finale’s director has hinted that crucial clues were subtly planted earlier in the season. In the meantime, mark your calendars for watching the Season 2 finale on April 4 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO or via a Max subscription. Don’t forget to catch up with all previous episodes of Season 2 and the complete first season, along with the eight seasons of “Game of Thrones,” available on the streaming platform.
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2024-07-29 15:37