With House Of The Dragon’s Latest Episode Cliffhanger, Has The Death Of Another Key Character Been Confirmed?

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As a dedicated fan of “House of the Dragon,” I’ve been following this captivating series with bated breath since its premiere, and the latest episode left me utterly intrigued. The unexpected turn of events regarding Seasmoke, the dragon once ridden by Laenor Velaryon, has left me questioning what lies ahead for our beloved characters.

Spoilers ahead for Episode 6 of House of the Dragon Season 2, called “Smallfolk.”

The second season of “House of the Dragon” is nearing its finale, with only a few episodes left. These episodes will cover less ground than the first season due to the reduction in episode count by two. While fans of George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood” may have an idea of where these episodes will end based on the source material, the show has not strictly adhered to the Targaryen family tree as depicted in the book during Season 2.

At Driftmark instead of Dragonstone or King’s Landing, significant events occurred that might have indicated the demise of a crucial figure from the first season. This was all due to one dragon belonging to House of the Dragon: Seasmoke. (So, it was at Driftmark rather than Dragonstone or King’s Landing where some pivotal occurrences took place in the first season that suggested the death of an essential character. This was caused by one dragon from House of the Dragon named Seasmoke.)

Did Seasmoke Confirm A Death?

In the initial appearance of Seasmoke in “House of the Dragon,” its role involved participating in Daemon’s war in the Stepstones. Being the dragon of none other than Laenor Velaryon, Seasmoke held a significant connection to its rider. However, an intriguing twist unfolded when Laenor orchestrated his own “death” in the seventh episode of Season 1. To maintain the illusion of his demise, it was essential for Laenor to abandon Seasmoke, as the sight of a giant grey dragon would have revealed his survival, even with his shaved white hair hidden.

As a gamer, I’d put it this way: Laenor was still among the living, meaning Seasmoke, the dragon, wasn’t up for grabs by either the Blacks or the Greens – at least not until Laenor was out of the picture. It’s common knowledge that a dragon only bonds to one rider at a time, and there’s no record of a situation where a dragon switches allegiance while its previous rider is still alive. Even in the controversial final season of “Game of Thrones,” Jon managed to ride Rhaegal, but Dany had been exclusively riding Drogon among her three dragons. (Rest in peace, Rhaegal, unfortunately forgotten by Dany amidst the chaos of the Iron Fleet.)

Towards the close of the latest episode of “House of the Dragon,” by the hour’s end, it appeared that Seasmoke had chosen no other than Addam of Hull as its new master… Alternatively, one could say that Addam became Seasmoke’s new master. If the dragon was capable of finding a new rider, does this signify that Laenor has met his demise and his bond with Seasmoke – assuming it could remain intact despite their separation and vast distance – completely severed?

If “House of the Dragon” strictly adhered to George R.R. Martin’s literature, I’d argue that Addam riding Seasmoke indicates Laenor’s death in a distant land. However, Laenor didn’t feign his demise in “Fire & Blood,” creating confusion. This unresolved issue may persist if Laenor’s tale is never revisited on screen.

Who Is Addam Of Hull?

From a gamer’s perspective, I can’t say for sure that Addam of Hull was riding Seasmoke as Episode 6 ended without making it crystal clear. However, it’s quite intriguing to consider Rhaenyra’s report about Seasmoke and a rider flying over Spicetown after the dragon pursued Addam. I mean, Seasmoke didn’t eat or burn Addam like he did poor Ser Steffon Darklyn. Instead, it seems that Addam managed to face down the dragon. So, who else could have been on Seasmoke?

Although “House of the Dragon” has given less focus to Addam compared to the Targaryens in Season 2, he is an intriguing character. According to HBO’s pre-season promotional materials, Addam, portrayed by Clinton Liberty, is described as a shipwright for the Velaryon fleet and Alyn’s brother. By the end of “Smallfolk,” it has been revealed that both Addam and Alyn are the bastard sons of Corlys Velaryon, but only Alyn displays the typical white hair of most Velaryons and Targaryens.

According to the way the brothers have behaved so far, it appears that Addam values his connection with Seasmoke greatly, either for the benefit of the Blacks or the Greens. In contrast, Alyn shows no interest in Corlys. Though readers can speculate about the consequences if Addam takes control of Seasmoke, nothing has been definitively decided yet. Rhaenyra shares some significant comments with Addam in the sneak peek for Episode 7.

As someone who has spent my entire life immersed in the rich tapestry of Targaryen history, I find it intriguing that Jace holds such a staunch stance against non-Targaryens riding dragons, given his own past actions. You see, I’ve read countless accounts of ancient Targaryen lore, and I know firsthand that even before the union of House Velaryon and House Targaryen through Daemon and Laena, there were close blood ties between the two houses.

In summary, Seasmoke’s fate on “House of the Dragon” appears linked to Addam of Hull, potentially indicating that Laenor met his end distantly from his dragon. However, with a few episodes left in Season 2’s 2024 broadcast schedule, there is still a chance for clarification regarding Laenor’s demise. Personally, I’m not optimistic about it.

Don’t miss out on the latest installments of “House of the Dragon” Season 2, airing Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO, or watch them all with an HBO Max membership by streaming online.

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2024-07-22 06:07