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- Control Over the Dragons Is an Illusion
- Season Two Fully Leans Into the Nuclear Angle
- House of the Dragon Is Enhanced by its Allegory
As a war correspondent who has witnessed the horrors of conflicts around the globe, I find myself deeply immersed in the narrative of House of the Dragon. Having seen the devastation that nuclear wars can inflict on humanity, I cannot help but draw parallels between the Cold War era and this fantastical tale of dragons and dynasties.
Since George R.R. Martin embarked on crafting the epic tale, “A Song of Ice and Fire,” he has drawn influence not just from the fantasy realm but also from real-world events. The series’ most evident inspiration appears to be the Wars of the Roses, a 15th-century power struggle over England’s throne triggered by a succession crisis. However, Martin skillfully employs his fictional setting to delve into other contemporary themes that resonate today. These include the limited autonomy of women in patriarchal societies and the impending peril of environmental catastrophe.
Generally speaking, the television series House of the Dragon has continued the tradition set by its predecessors in a compelling way, as it delves into a society grappling with internal strife that mirrors our modern-day concerns. However, what truly sets this show apart is its symbolic narrative surrounding House Targaryen. They have ruled Westeros for centuries without contest, thanks to their dragons, which serve as a metaphor for nuclear weapons – powerful tools that, if misused, could bring about destruction, and can breed overconfidence in those who possess them.
Control Over the Dragons Is an Illusion
In the debut episode of House of the Dragon, King Viserys warns his daughter Rhaenyra that humans have overestimated their control over dragons, stating they are a force humanity should not have dabbled with. This discussion seems to set the stage for the central theme of the series. Aegon the Conqueror had utilized dragons to unite all of Westeros under his dominion; however, while these dragons enabled House Targaryen to wield power for centuries, they ultimately led to their downfall.
In George R.R. Martin’s epic series “A Song of Ice and Fire“, the theme of power is extensively examined. The optimal ruler, according to the author, is one who can get involved when needed yet exhibits self-control to maintain the loyalty of his subjects. Dragons symbolize the ultimate form of unchecked power, as they have intimidated any potential rivals for the Iron Throne. However, dragons have also made Targaryen rulers overly confident due to their long reign, causing them to overlook internal conflicts within their own dynasty.
In the first season of ‘House of the Dragon’, Viserys comes across as a kind ruler, yet his leadership is questionable and he struggles with decisiveness during critical moments. He fails to convince those opposed to his choice of naming Rhaenyra as his heir, leading to their dissatisfaction which eventually triggers a war upon his death. However, unlike many of his allies, Viserys has an appreciation for the importance of respecting dragons rather than viewing them as mere weapons – a sentiment shared by the late Lady Rhaenys.
Unfortunately, the sad truth doesn’t carry over to his lineage. In the final moments of Season 1, Luke Velaryon makes an attempt to rally the major houses for his mother’s mission. However, during his flight across Westeros, he crosses paths with Aemond Targaryen, leading to a fierce battle between their dragons. The riders have trouble keeping their dragons in check, and ultimately, Vhagar defies Aemond’s command and slays both Lucerys and his dragon. This tragic event serves as a harsh lesson for everyone on both teams, Black and Green, about Viserys’ warning that their control over these beasts is merely an illusion.
Season Two Fully Leans Into the Nuclear Angle
In the second season of “House of the Dragon,” we delve deeper into the metaphor of a simmering Cold War in Westeros. As Ryan Condal, the show’s creator and producer, stated, “We aimed to emphasize the concept of a potential nuclear conflict…” This means that just like during the Cold War era, no one wants to take an action that could lead to their side being wiped out or the destruction of a major city and the throne they are vying for. The atmosphere resembles the James Bond era, immediately post-World War II, with its tense, cold conflicts occasionally igniting in brief, intense flares.
Season 2 has witnessed the Dance of the Dragons escalate significantly, notably with the Battle of Rook’s Rest marking the first significant conflict where Rhaenyra agreed to dispatch a dragon for its defense. Interestingly, Rhaenys is hesitant about this decision, as she understands it could be a tipping point with potentially irreversible consequences. In an interview, Eve Best expressed, “Rhaenys’ goal throughout the season has been to guide them towards understanding that when one wields such power, there comes an immense responsibility and a duty to seek a peaceful resolution.”
Undeniably, Rhaenys’ and her dragon’s demise in battle significantly shifts the balance, as Team Black is now left with fewer dragons. More importantly, Rhaenyra loses a trusted advisor, someone who often provided rational counsel. Facing potential defeat in the war, Rhaenyra decides to intensify their armament production, recruiting Targaryen bastards as dragon riders, or what they call “dragonseeds.”
As both sides escalate their forces, they might inadvertently cause more casualties among the dragons, potentially losing control over these powerful creatures entirely. Since Houses Black and Green possess the means to inflict immense damage on each other, it significantly increases the likelihood that they will suffer devastating retaliation. This situation is an unmistakable example of mutually assured destruction.
House of the Dragon Is Enhanced by its Allegory
The events unfold with an additional layer of sorrow, as when the series Game of Thrones commences, about two centuries after House of the Dragon, dragons are scarcely found in existence, and House Targaryen has significantly weakened. It’s not uncommon for war to leave no real winner when nuclear weapons are involved, and the devastation wrought is widespread and detrimental. In essence, did the Targaryens, with their dragons, initiate a sequence of events that could nearly bring about the end of the world? We think they did. House of the Dragon is now available on Max.
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2024-08-04 03:05