5 ‘Fire & Blood’ Changes That Make ‘House of the Dragon’ Even Better

In the wide world of A Song of Ice and Fire content, fans are used to a certain level of creative liberty regarding adaptations. George R.R. Martin wove a world of politics, magic, and dragons so complex that translating it 100% would be impossible. Game of Thrones made some controversial changes that gave viewers pause, but the prequel, House of the Dragon, had at least one trick up its sleeve. Its source material, Fire & Blood, wasn’t a straightforward narrative, but an in-universe tome of the Targaryen history.

With this in mind, House of the Dragon could make intentional changes to the source material, which, in turn, was a commentary about how history is remembered. House of the Dragon follows Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy), the first woman to sit the Iron Throne, a controversy that was hotly contested at the time. Her reign was short, but she is still remembered as a figure who tried to change things. House of the Dragon also means to change the narrative and makes a commentary on politics and the patriarchy with the changes made to the HBO series.

5

Rhaenyra and Alicent’s Friendship Was a Necessary Change

Image via HBO

One of the most ambitious changes to Fire & Blood was the alteration of Rhaenyra and Alicent Hightower’s (Olivia Cooke) dynamic. Instead of the contemporaries the two women are shown as in the series, they were actually further apart in age in the book. When Viserys and Alicent’s marriage took place in the book, Rhaenyra was still a child and the Hightower was an adult. This led to jealousy between the two women and Alicent’s unabashed attempt to steal Rhaenyra’s birthright in favor of her own children.

Making Rhaenyra and Alicent childhood friends not only makes the later drama between them more compelling, but offers an interesting commentary on the patriarchy. The big division between them later is that Alicent has no choice in who she marries as a child bride. Forced to bear four children before she turns 20, she is victimized by the men who rule the world. She sees how Rhaenyra can make her own destiny, which ultimately sours their relationship. Alicent’s character arc shows how she is a pawn in the schemes of men, only to eventually realize her role further imprisons her. This change from Fire & Blood implies that because histories are written by men, the connections between women are twisted to pit them against each other.

4

Laenor’s Freedom Came as a Relief

Image via HBO

Fire & Blood is a resource considered more like a guideline rather than a blueprint, and this works out especially well for Laenor Velaryon (John Macmillan) in the end. His arranged marriage with Rhaenyra largely functions the same as in the book, that is, until his tragic ending. The book version of Laenor dies during a confrontation with Ser Qarl during a fair in Spicetown. There were rumors that this was ordered at the hands of Daemon Targaryen so he could marry Laenor’s wife, Rhaenyra, and for most of the House of the Dragon episode, it appears that this is the case.

Rhaenyra knew that she needed to solidify her claim and Daemon was a much better partner than Laenor. The bulk of the episode leads viewers to believe that Daemon (Matt Smith) pays Qarl to kill his lover, only for the tables to be turned in the final moments. Qarl and the Blacks were in league with each other to fake Laenor’s death so he could run away with the knight. This allowed Rhaenyra to remarry and allow Laenor to live the life he wanted without having to have a sham marriage. This change artfully avoids the Bury Your Gays trope and gives a sliver of happiness to one of the characters who needed it most.

3

Criston Cole Gets a Villain Origin Story That Works

Image via HBO

One of the biggest mysteries in Fire & Blood is the scorched earth between Rhaenyra Targaryen and her once sworn sword, Ser Criston Cole. The Targaryen history offers some theories about this dynamic, but nothing is substantiated. Cole turns cloak as Rhaenyra’s protector to side with the Greens for reasons no one knows for sure. House of the Dragon puts this to bed in a highly satisfying arc that makes Cole the true villain of the story.

Cole (Fabien Frankel) starts out being devoted to Rhaenyra and accepts her romantically without much hesitation. However, the moment that it becomes clear Rhaenyra controls the parameters of the relationship, her Kingsguard turns vile. He blames her for making him sleep with her and expects her to give up her inheritance to make him feel better about himself. This is a slight he quite literally never gets over and makes it Westeros’ problem. Pride is his ultimate sin to such a degree he doesn’t see how hypocritical it is when he starts sleeping with Alicent. Criston Cole is a perfect example of misogyny in the Seven Kingdoms and with this storyline, House of the Dragon made the perfect villain.

2

Mysaria Is Elevated From a Background Character

Image via HBO

Like many Masters of Whisperers, Mysaria was a character who existed largely in the shadows. A former sex worker and lover of Daemon Targaryen, she improves her circumstances by becoming a spymaster in King’s Landing. As in the book, Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) becomes part of Rhaenyra’s Small Council, but their dynamic is changed incredibly in the series. In Fire & Blood, Mysaria’s romantic relationship with Daemon never really goes away, and they continue their affair while Rhaenyra is queen. Rhaenyra accepts this as a reality of her marriage and allows it to go on.

Mysaria’s role in House of the Dragon is more than is on the page and far more interesting. This is another instance where historians would miss the complexities of female dynamics. The series shows Mysaria as a threat to Daemon when it comes to Rhaenyra’s rule, but the Master of Whispers cares for her queen deeply. Mysaria is a far more interesting character in the series, elevated from someone in the shadows to a true ally for Rhaenyra.

1

Rhaena Is a More Interesting Version of Nettles

Image via HBO

The dragonseed plotline left a lot to be desired in House of the Dragon, but one of the more intriguing prospects belonged to Rhaena Targaryen (Phoebe Campbell). Often seen as the least-loved daughter because she is not a dragon-rider, things change when she becomes aware of the wild dragon, Sheepstealer, who resides in the Vale. Canonically, Sheepstealer was a young common girl named Nettles’ mount. Nettles was clever and lured Sheepstealer to her side when no one else could.

Nettles is also known for the rumored connection she has with Daemon Targaryen during the Dance of the Dragons. By giving Rhaena Nettles’ plot, this removes any potential betrayal between Daemon and Rhaenyra while also giving Rhaena more of an interesting storyline. She is finally able to claim a dragon, but as with all who attempt to tame such wild beasts, it comes with a cost. A recurring theme in House of the Dragon is that these creatures were never meant to be tamed and Rhaena’s plotline cements that concept even further.

Release Date

August 21, 2022

Network

HBO

Showrunner

George R.R. Martin

• 

• 

  Fabien Frankel

  Ser Criston Cole