Explore The Controversy Surrounding House Of The Dragon Season 2 As It Considers Reversing A Major Character Death.
In a surprising revelation, House of the Dragon actor Elliot Grihault hints that the show’s second season almost reversed a significant character death. This death sets off the Dance of the Dragons civil war, as portrayed in the series.
Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen sends Lucerys and Jacaerys Velaryon as messengers in House of the Dragon episode 10
The first season finale of House of the Dragon witnessed the demise of Lucerys Velaryon, the second son of Rhaenyra Targaryen. Lucerys was sent as an emissary to Storm’s End, only to find himself confronted by Aemond Targaryen. In a desperate attempt to escape, Lucerys took to the skies on his dragon, Arrax. However, tragedy struck when the monstrous Vhagar mercilessly devoured him. Rhaenyra’s devastation upon hearing the news foreshadows the fiery consequences to come in House of the Dragon season 2.
Rhaenyra Targaryen and Lucerys Velaryon in a still from HOTD season finale
During a recent Comic Con event in England, actor Elliot Grihault was asked about the possibility of Lucerys surviving and returning in season 2. His response, while cryptic, suggested that there were discussions about Lucerys’ survival. Grihault expressed his desire to return to the show but refrained from disclosing further details due to confidentiality. While the actor’s comments indicated some consideration of reversing Lucerys’ death, it is unclear whether these discussions were substantial or merely speculative.
Lucerys Velaryon in HOTD episode 10
House of the Dragon season 2 is unlikely to reverse Lucerys’ death, and this decision is justified. The show has remained faithful to George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, serving as a faithful adaptation of the book thus far. In both the book and the show, Lucerys’ death acts as a catalyst, igniting the Targaryen civil war known as the Dance of the Dragons. In the aftermath, Rhaenyra and Daemon vow vengeance against the Greens for the loss of their beloved son.
Why House of the Dragon should not have changed the death of Lucerys Velaryon
Although House of the Dragon season 2 may have briefly contemplated Lucerys’ fate, it is crucial to note that the book itself leaves room for uncertainty. In the literary version, Lucerys’ body is never recovered, and certain accounts of history suggest that he miraculously survived the fall but suffered from amnesia, living out his days as a fisherman. However, the show portrays Lucerys being consumed entirely by Vhagar, explaining why his body remains elusive. Respecting the emotional impact of the season 1 finale, House of the Dragon wisely refrains from reversing his death.
While speculation regarding Lucerys’ potential survival in House of the Dragon season 2 surfaced, it is evident that the show’s creators adhered to the narrative trajectory established in the source material. Lucerys’ tragic demise serves as the impetus for the Dance of the Dragons, and undoing this pivotal event would undermine the emotional weight of the series. Fans can anticipate the repercussions of Lucerys’ death and the subsequent power struggles as House of the Dragon continues to unfold.
