<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="22630410" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hugh-Hammer" source="keywords">Hugh Hammer</keyword> claims to be related to some popular Targaryens in the latest "<keyword id="20023656" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="House-of-the-Dragon" source="keywords">House of the Dragon</keyword>" episode.</li><li>In "Fire and Blood," he is also a bastard, but his parents are never revealed.</li></ul>Warning: Spoilers ahead for "House of the Dragon" season two, episode seven, and the "Fire and Blood" novel. Hugh Hammer casually drops a massive bombshell in the latest episode of "House of the Dragon," which may have complicated the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/house-of-the-dragon-targaryen-kid-guide-photos-jace-aegon">Targaryen family tree</a> even further. In the latest episode, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rhaenyra-targaryen-death-house-of-the-dragon-fire-and-blood-2024-6">Rhaenyra</a> (Emma D'Arcy) tries to recruit Targaryen and Velaryon bastards as dragon riders for her army, because only people with <keyword id="22630411" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Valyrian-blood" source="keywords">Valyrian blood</keyword> can bond with a dragon. After the loss of their daughter, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/who-is-hugh-hammer-house-of-the-dragon-vermithor-rider-2024-6">Hugh</a> (Kieran Bew) tells his wife that he wants to go to <keyword id="22630412" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dragonstone" source="keywords">Dragonstone</keyword> to claim a dragon so that he can have more power to protect their family. Hugh explains that his mother was a prostitute who was successful because she had the Targaryen's signature silver hair color. "She used to tell me I was no different to her brother's boys, Viserys and Daemon," Hugh says, seemingly referring to the former king, Viserys I, and his brother, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-daemon-targaryen-die-house-of-the-dragon-2024-6">Daemon Targaryen</a>. Hugh never specifies his mother's name, implying that she was just another illegitimate child of Baerlon the Brave, Viserys, and Daemon's parent. This claim is strengthened later in the episode when Hugh becomes the only person who is able to bond with Vermithor, the second-largest dragon in the land. If what Hugh says is true, it is a major departure from "<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-jacaerys-targaryen-die-house-of-the-dragon-fire-blood-2024-7">Fire and Blood</a>," the novel that "House of the Dragon" is based on, since it makes Hugh a direct relative of the Targaryen royal family. <h2>Hugh is not directly related to the Targaryens in 'Fire and Blood'</h2> <div type="image" title="A still image of &quot;House of the Dragon&quot; episode seven featuring Emma D'Arcy in a black robe with a brown dragon behind her." height="1280" width="1920" msid="112095069" hostid="261"></div>In "Fire and Blood," Hugh is the bastard of an unnamed blacksmith from Dragonstone. Though it is later revealed he has Valryian blood when he claims the dragon Vermithor, there is never a direct link between him and the Targaryens. In an interview before episode seven was released, Bew told<a href="https://decider.com/2024/07/28/house-of-the-dragon-hugh-the-hammer-mother-saera-targaryen/?utm_campaign=decider&amp;utm_source=twitter&amp;utm_medium=social" target="_blank"> Decider</a> that Hugh is related to Saera, one of Baerlon Targaryen's seven sisters. This is not the first time that "House of the Dragon" has changed the "Fire and Blood" storyline. Fans have praised some of these changes, while others have left plot holes, making the story more confusing. Hugh's addition to the Targaryens makes an already puzzling family tree even more complicated. It also seems to hint that the show will adapt another major part of the civil war in "Fire and Blood." In "Fire and Blood," Hugh betrays Rhaenyra and eventually tries to seize the Iron Throne for himself so that he can rule as king. Hugh is not part of the royal succession in Westeros in the TV series, but the fact that he is related to the royal family and has one of the biggest dragons could give him a genuine claim to the throne. It's not like the Targaryens haven't skipped over generations before. We will likely find out Hugh's ambitions with his dragon in next week's season two finale. "House of the Dragon" season two airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and is streaming on <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=fed657e5d456898628c785351016f7b12b4d269a5d17af0f15435159aef229d0&amp;postID=66a3ac146550c8ac4ef14301&amp;postSlug=is-hugh-hammer-related-daemon-viserys-house-of-the-dragon-2024-7&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.max.com%2F">Max</a>. Correction: July 29, 2024 — An earlier version of this story misspelled Baelon and mistated how many sisters he had.

'House of the Dragon' just made a major change not in the book. It could make the Targaryen family tree even more complicated.

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Aegon suffers a pretty bad fall in season two, episode four of "House of the Dragon."</li><li>We got an update on his condition in the latest episode, and it's not pretty.</li></ul>Warning: Spoilers ahead for season two, episode five of "House of the Dragon" and the book "Fire and Blood.""<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/house-of-the-dragon-season-2-review-2024-6">House of the Dragon</a>" finally stopped pulling its punches, and it's time for all-out war.That's right: Dragons are finally on the table in the war between <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/house-of-the-dragon-rhaenyra-lucerys-death-scene-director-2024-6">Rhaenyra Targaryen</a> and her half-brother, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/house-of-the-dragon-alicent-aegon-the-conqueror-memes-explained-2024-7">Aegon II</a>, over the Iron Throne. Season two, episode four depicted the Battle of Rook's Rest, an event from its source material, "Fire and Blood," that exacts a heavy toll. Instead of predictably heading to seize Harrenhal from Prince Daemon, Ser Criston Cole leads his forces instead to Rook's Rest. It's seemingly a ploy to lure one of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/all-targaryen-dragons-house-of-the-dragon-2022-9">Rhaenyra's dragons</a> out, and it works: Rhaenyra sends Princess Rhaenys and her dragon, Meleys, the "Red Queen."Unfortunately for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/house-of-the-dragon-criston-cole-death-book-2024-6">Criston Cole</a> and Aemond, his partner in crime, Aegon chooses that moment to take charge, flying into the battle on his dragon Sunfyre. The episode leaves Aegon's fate ambiguous — but episode five gave us an update on his condition. Past that, we can look to "Fire and Blood" for clues. If you care about book spoilers (and, in turn, potential show spoilers), turn back.<div type="image" title="Tom Glynn-Carney as Aegon Targaryen." height="1280" width="1707" msid="111564945" hostid="261"></div><h2 id="f930f10f-4ba8-4afd-a4ad-cf7835943cc2">Aegon chooses the wrong moment to play the hero</h2>All in all, Criston and Aemond had a pretty good plan at Rook's Rest: lure one of Rhaenyra's dragons out, and destroy them with <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/house-of-the-dragon-aemond-nude-scene-ewan-mitchell-mommy-issues-2024-7">Vhagar</a>, Aemond's gigantic mount.But Aegon is far more spurned, and far more foolish, than either of them planned. And when he arrives on the battlefield with Sunfyre, it's immediately clear that Rhaenys and Meleys have him outmatched. Meleys grievously wounds Sunfyre before Vhagar even enters the battlefield.But <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/aemond-targaryen-death-house-of-the-dragon-fire-and-blood-2024-6">Aemond</a> isn't there to save his brother. In fact, this may even be an opportunity to take him out along with one of Rhaenyra's most powerful allies. While Meleys has Sunfyre pinned in the air, Aemond orders Vhagar to set fire to them all, and Sunfyre and Aegon plummet into the forest.After the battle's dismal conclusion, Ser Criston seeks Aegon out. Aemond has beat him to the crash site, and what they find isn't pretty: Aegon lies limp on the ground, surrounded by a smoking, groaning Sunfyre.But in episode three, Aegon dons a set of Valyrian steel armor that he says belonged to Aegon the Conqueror. It's this armor he appears to wear to the battle.We know from "Fire and Blood" that "common fire" cannot melt Valyrian steel. In the book, Vhagar lights Aegon the Conqueror's funeral pyre, which incinerates his body but leaves his Valyrian steel blade, Blackfyre, unharmed. But it wasn't enough to protect Aegon.<div type="image" title="Tom Glynn-Carney as Aegon, looking forlorn while wearing dark metal armor." height="1280" width="1707" msid="111564946" hostid="261"></div><h2 id="a8d1d75d-3956-4dc6-a870-c423efc41195">Aegon is alive, but completely out of commission</h2>In episode five, Criston parades Meleys' head through King's Landing, much to the horror of its denizens. Unbeknownst to them, Aegon's unconscious body follows behind, hidden inside a box.The maesters tend to Aegon in his chambers, but he does not awake. Much of his body is covered by gruesome burns, and in some cases, the Maesters must peel his armor from where it has fused to his skin. At that moment, it's unclear if he will survive.Grand Maester Orwyle informs the small council later in the episode that despite his Valyrian steel armor, Aegon's burns were severe and he has numerous broken bones. Past that, he still may have internal injuries."I must admit I am not sure he will ever wake," Orwyle says. "I have plied my crafts to their fullest extent. Our King's fate lies with the gods now."With Aegon unable to rule, the council names Aemond as regent to rule in his stead. Later in the episode, Alicent sits at Aegon's bedside as he rests, his left leg elevated and his breaths coming in wheezes.<h2 id="790db37b-d29d-4cde-be9e-966974030e45">Aegon and Sunfyre survive in the book — but they're pretty beat up</h2>In "Fire and Blood," Meleys, Vhagar, and Sunfyre all clash during the Battle of Rook's Rest. The dragon fight ends when Vhagar falls onto Meleys and Sunfyre from above, killing Meleys and Rhaenys. Sunfyre and Aegon, however, survive.They're not in great shape, though. One of Sunfyre's wings is half-ripped off his body, grounding him near the castle. According to the book, he remains there, consuming the corpses from the battle, and later livestock brought by Ser Criston.Like in the show, Aegon sustains severe injuries: a broken hip and broken ribs. His burns are also severe, and his armor melts into the skin of his left arm.George R. R. Martin writes in "Fire and Blood" that Aegon's burns "brought him such pain that some say he prayed for death." His injuries force him into a yearlong bed rest, during which the maesters attend to him and he sleeps through the pain. Obviously, that means he's unfit to rule, and Aemond assumes his duties as Prince Regent.<div type="image" title="Tom Glynn-Carney as Aegon, sitting in a high-backed chair and playing with a steel dagger." height="1280" width="1707" msid="111564947" hostid="261"></div><h2 id="3b62c55b-04b0-49ad-87b4-205f24b97e1c">Aegon and Sunfyre do eventually die, though</h2>Later in the war, a small force loyal to Rhaenyra takes back Rook's Rest and attempts to kill Sunfyre. They don't succeed, but shortly after, Sunfyre is nowhere to be found.When Rhaenyra takes King's Landing, Aegon is gone, as are his remaining children, Jaehaera and Maelor. According to one historical record referenced in "Fire and Blood," Larys Strong smuggled them out of the city, setting Aegon aboard a fishing boat bound for Dragonstone.Aegon hides there until Sunfyre makes his way to the island after disappearing for half a year, his wing healed enough to barely allow him to fly. The two begin to fly together again, and eventually, a force loyal to Aegon takes over the island. Aegon and Sunfyre are forced to fight Baela, Daemon and Laena's daughter, and her dragon, Moondancer. The clash leaves Moondancer dead, Sunfyre unable to fly again, Aegon with two broken legs after jumping out of the saddle, and Baela taken prisoner.But it also leaves Aegon in possession of Dragonstone. When Rhaenyra arrives, he promptly feeds her to his dragon, Sunfyre. Shortly after, Sunfyre dies.Aegon returns to King's Landing after his mother, Alicent, strikes an accord with Lord Corlys Velaryon, lifting the Velaryon blockade that prevented his return. There, he sits not on the Iron Throne but on a seat at its steps as a result of his broken legs.The King then seeks revenge on those who acted against him during the war, forcing lords in the surrounding crownlands to submit to him. But while Aegon's council frets over how to quell the coming rebellion from across Westeros, Aegon is preoccupied with matters of succession: He wishes to marry Lady Cassandra Baratheon and produce new heirs. (In the book, Aegon's sister-wife, Helaena, dies by suicide after the death of their son Maelor.) Similarly, he wants to prevent the betrothal of his daughter Jaehaera to Rhaenyra's son Aegon the Younger so as to finish off Rhaenyra's bloodline.Eventually, with armies encroaching on King's Landing, Aegon is poisoned while being carried in his litter to the sept via a cup of laced wine."House of the Dragon" season two airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and is streaming on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="c-link" href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=fed657e5d456898628c785351016f7b12b4d269a5d17af0f15435159aef229d0&amp;postID=6685c2e5cbc59e61ceb693b6&amp;postSlug=is-aegon-dead-alive-house-of-the-dragon-book-2024-7&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.max.com%2F">Max</a>.

Aegon's fate on 'House of the Dragon' is left unclear &mdash; here's how he dies in the books

<ul class="summary-list"><li>"House of the Dragon" season two introduced Addam and Alyn of Hull.</li><li>In "Fire and Blood," the brothers are pivotal characters, and Addam has a big moment in episode six.</li></ul>Warning: Spoilers ahead for "House of the Dragon" season two, episode six, and for the book "Fire and Blood."Addam and Alyn of Hull are finally becoming major players in this week's "House of the Dragon," as one of the brothers becomes a dragonrider.When the Hull brothers were first introduced in the early episodes of "House of the Dragon" season two, they initially seemed like random minor characters amid the show's big cast.But in recent episodes, the show has given more hints that this pair will be really important in the impending civil war.In the latest episode, Corlys Velaryon asks Alyn to serve as his first mate on his ship when they next ride out to sea. Alyn reluctantly accepts despite previously expressing that he didn't want any reward from Corlys for having pulled the older man from the sea, saving his life.The reason for Alyn's rejection is finally addressed in the same episode. While Alyn is arguing about the situation with his brother Addam, Alyn says that Corlys will never accept them as his sons. It is the first time the series has openly discussed that both men were fathered by Corlys, though earlier episodes established that they (and <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rhaenys-death-house-of-the-dragon-eve-best-interview-2024-7">Corlys' late wife, Rhaenys</a>) knew the truth about their parentage.But it's Addam who has the most monumental moment in Sunday's episode. The riderless dragon Seasmoke chases and eventually corners him. But instead of killing Addam, the dragon chooses the young man as his new rider.Addam is the first person not of noble birth to ride a dragon on the show, making a big development for the series. But fans of "Fire and Blood," the series' source material, are likely not surprised by this turn of events.Here's what happens to Addam and Alyn in "Fire and Blood."<h2 id="94a62b6d-7842-4e35-b979-1d1a9800e2c7">Addam of Hull becomes a dragonrider</h2>"Fire and Blood" recounts how Rhaenyra's son, Jacaerys Velaryon, promises wealth to any man able to claim a dragon. Addam successfully claims Seasmoke, the former dragon of Laenor Velaryon, Rhaenyra's late husband.The series seems to be adapting this storyline in a different way. Firstly, in episode two, Addam observes a pale dragon resembling Seasmoke flying above him as he picks up a crab on the beach. Pretty strong foreshadowing!Then in episode six, Rhaenyra tries to recruit a new dragonrider after Jacaerys makes the suggestion. Her chosen rider, Ser Steffon Darklyn, the Lord Commander of her Queensguard, is killed by Seasmoke, and the dragon flies off to find Addam instead.<div type="image" title="Clinton Liberty as Addam of Hull, facing off with Seasmoke the dragon on &quot;House of the Dragon&quot;" height="1280" width="1920" msid="111937880" hostid="261" sizebytes="150478"></div>In the book, both Alyn and Addam are described as having silver hair and purple eyes, hallmarks of Valyrian descent. Their mother was a woman named Marilda, who gave birth to Addam when she was 16, and Alyn when she was 18. Both of her sons served on her fleet of ships.Marilda claimed that her sons were Laenor Velaryon's bastards. But Mushroom, who provides one of the historical accounts referenced in "Fire and Blood," posits that Corlys was their father instead. After Addam successfully bonded with Seasmoke, Corlys asked Rhaenyra to legitimize him as a Velaryon. She did so, making Addam Velaryon the heir to Driftmark.As a dragonrider, Addam played a crucial part in the war. He eventually helped to claim King's Landing for Rhaenyra, and defended it while Daemon sought out Aemond and Vhagar.Later in the war, Addam's fate is loosely tied to that of the other dragonriders, some of whom betray Rhaenyra. Eventually, he and Seasmoke die in a dragon fight.<h2 id="d93e3900-86ca-46a3-9015-0ea6f42daac1">Alyn of Hull becomes Corlys Velaryon's heir</h2>According to the book, after failing to locate the wild dragon Grey Ghost, Alyn unsuccessfully tried to claim another dragon called Sheepstealer. He was wounded in the process when Sheepstealer set his cloak aflame, but Addam and Seasmoke saved him.Later, Corlys asserted that both Alyn and Adam were Velaryons, and suitable heirs to the Driftwood Throne. After Rhaenyra's death, and with Corlys sequestered in King's Landing, Alyn assumed control of the Velaryon fleet.The TV series seems to be foreshadowing this eventual storyline with Alyn becoming Corlys' first mate in episode six.Eventually, Alyn became Corlys' chosen heir. After Corlys' death, he became the new Lord of the Tides, and eventually wed Baela Targaryen."House of the Dragon" season two airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and is streaming on <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="c-link" href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=fed657e5d456898628c785351016f7b12b4d269a5d17af0f15435159aef229d0&amp;postID=6675e5c5eb6c4b50267e0295&amp;postSlug=house-of-the-dragon-addam-alyn-hull-velaryon-seasmoke-2024-6&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.max.com%2F">Max</a>.

The latest episode of 'House of the Dragon' finally confirms Addam and Alyn of Hull's importance

<ul class="summary-list"><li>"House of the Dragon" teased a major character in its season two premiere.</li><li>Hugh is a blacksmith, and one of the common folk in King's Landing. </li></ul>Warning: Spoilers ahead through season two, episode five of "House of the Dragon" and the book "Fire and Blood."<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/house-of-the-dragon-season-2-review-2024-6">"House of the Dragon"</a> is keeping us on our toes in season two — and the premiere briefly introduced an important figure from George R.R. Martin's book "Fire and Blood." Now, a few episodes in, we're starting to learn a bit more about him.In the season two premiere, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hotd-book-describes-aegon-as-medieval-millionaires-prodigal-son-2023-1">Aegon II Targaryen</a> hears petitions from the common folk. One of the petitioners is more important than the others: Hugh the blacksmith (Kieran Bew), who asks Aegon for an advance on the smiths' payment for weapons.If you couldn't tell by the lingering, close-up shot of Hugh's face during his introduction, here's your PSA: You should remember his face. Assuming he's the same Hugh from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/house-of-the-dragon-deaths-different-from-book-fire-and-blood">"Fire and Blood,"</a> the book on which "House of the Dragon" is based, we'll see much more of him down the line.<h2 id="f6fd1dd2-7924-425e-b0a0-2cb7873f3d26">Hugh is shown in 'House of the Dragon' as a father</h2>In season two, episode two, Hugh and his wife converse at their home about the price of food as they tend to their sick daughter. Hugh assures his wife that Aegon has promised him an advance — but she's skeptical.By episode five, the money hasn't come through. Aegon is badly injured after his clash with Rhaenys, Aemond, and their dragons Meleys and Vhagar, and his brother Aemond is ruling in his stead. With King's Landing falling into unrest, Hugh's wife urges him to leave for Tumbleton, where her brother resides. Hugh is reluctant, but the couple attempts to leave the city with their daughter.Unfortunately, they fail, stalled by Aemond's order to close the city gates. But at the end of episode five, Rhaenyra's son Jacaerys has an idea to seek out others with Targaryen blood who could mount a dragon — and it's one that could potentially bring Hugh into the fold.<h2 id="df0b8dae-82cc-4f3a-84ed-2de366a010d3">In 'Fire and Blood,' Hugh is a dragonrider</h2>During the Dance of the Dragons, as recounted in "Fire and Blood," Jacaerys decides to recruit potential dragonriders from the breadth of Targaryen bastards. He puts out a call for recruits, promising rewards like knighthood, lands, and glory to those who are able to successfully <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/all-targaryen-dragons-house-of-the-dragon-2022-9">mount a dragon</a>.Not everyone was able to do so. According to "Fire and Blood," Grand Maester Munkun (one historical source) recounted that 16 men died during the trials, while tens of them were injured. Hugh, a "blacksmith's bastard" with incredible physical strength, mounted the dragon Vermithor. Others also succeeded, mounting <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/house-of-the-dragon-all-dragons-season-2-beyond-2022-11">the dragons Silverwing, Seasmoke, and Sheepstealer.</a><h2 id="0c08db18-326e-4ec7-8170-fdcbddf30091">Vermithor — we know him, right?</h2>That you do. "House of the Dragons" viewers encountered Vermithor in season one. The previous mount of <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/house-of-the-dragon-hbo-character-guide">King Jaehaerys</a>, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/house-of-the-dragon-timeline-of-major-events">Viserys' predecessor</a>, and was riderless after his death.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/house-of-the-dragon-emma-darcy-daemon-rhaenyra-choking-2022-10">Daemon Targaryen</a> very briefly encounters Vermithor in the season one finale when he seeks him out underneath Dragonstone. Singing a song in High Valyrian, Daemon doesn't seem to get very far with Vermithor — but he doesn't get burnt to a crisp, which is still a net win.<div type="image" title="Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen standing in front of Vermithor." height="900" width="1200" msid="111047719" hostid="261"></div>Vermithor isn't the biggest dragon that we've seen in "House of the Dragon" — that honor goes to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/house-of-the-dragon-season-1-episode-6-recap-hbo-2022-9">Aemond's big, beautiful girl Vhagar</a> — but he's still pretty big.Now, if you want potential major spoilers for the show…<h2 id="4bb888a4-a9a9-4b0c-8aa8-9b393964d955">What happens to Hugh in the books?</h2>The fictional history of Westeros recounts how Hugh fought in the war as a dragonrider. In one battle, Rhaenyra's forces clashed with a naval fleet from the Triarchy, with whom Otto Hightower had engineered an alliance. During the battle, Hugh and Vermithor fought alongside the dragons Silverwing, Sheepstealer, Seasmoke, their riders, Jacaerys, and his dragon Vermax.However, Hugh and Ulf White, Silverwing's rider, defected later in the war during the battle of Tumbleton, though their motivations were disputed in the historical record. Their betrayal caused the city to fall into the hands of Ormund Hightower's forces, accompanied by <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/who-is-daeron-targaryen-house-of-the-dragon-book-2024-6">Prince Daeron Targaryen</a>, as well as Hugh and Ulf themselves.Hugh eventually demanded to sit on the Iron Throne himself, leading the lords under Daeron's command to conspire to kill him. However, Addam Velaryon, bonded to Laenor Velaryon's former dragon Seasmoke, attacked the town. During the subsequent second battle of Tumbleton, Hugh was killed."House of the Dragon" season two airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and is streaming on <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=fed657e5d456898628c785351016f7b12b4d269a5d17af0f15435159aef229d0&amp;postID=666ca46be7e1e0003ff8c5d9&amp;postSlug=who-is-hugh-hammer-house-of-the-dragon-vermithor-rider-2024-6&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.max.com%2F">Max</a>.

'House of the Dragon' keeps teasing a blacksmith named Hugh &mdash; here's why he'll likely be an important character

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Addam of Hull becomes the dragon Seasmoke's new rider in "House of the Dragon" season two.</li><li>This shouldn't be possible because, last we heard, Seasmoke's rider Laenor Velaryon is alive.</li></ul>Warning: Spoilers ahead for "House of the Dragon" season two, episode six."House of the Dragon" hasn't been shy about taking some liberties with its source material. But one of those changes has led to major confusion among some fans.The HBO hit, based on the fictional House Targaryen history book "Fire and Blood" by George R.R. Martin, the author of "Game of Thrones," made its biggest departure from the book so far back in season one when it <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/house-of-the-dragon-laenor-qarl-change-fire-and-blood-deaths-2022-9">changed the fate of Laenor Velaryon</a>.Laenor was Rhaenyra Targaryen's first husband. In the book, Laenor is killed by Ser Qarl Correy, who is described as his "friend and companion." This allows Rhaenyra to remarry her uncle, Daemon Targaryen. But in the show, Laenor survives; in a twist, he fakes his own death (with the help of Rhaenyra and Daemon) <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/house-of-the-dragon-season-1-episode-7-recap-hbo-2022-9">in season one, episode seven</a>.The episode initially leads viewers to believe that Rhaenyra and Daemon have paid Qarl to kill Laenor, as it plays out in the book. Instead, Daemon kills a random servant (RIP, that guy) and burns his body while Qarl and Laenor act out a confrontation. Qarl escapes, and the burned body is brought in as "proof" that Laenor was killed in the fight. The final shot shows both Laenor and Qarl on a ship bound for Essos.This is a much happier ending for Laenor, but it leaves one major loose thread: <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/all-targaryen-dragons-house-of-the-dragon-2022-9">his dragon, Seasmoke</a>.<h2 id="3635d706-39b8-49b5-9ed9-e72b99623bd7">Dragons aren't supposed to be able to bond to another rider while their existing rider is still alive</h2>We don't hear anything else about what Laenor and Qarl are up to in Essos or wherever they ultimately wound up. To be fair, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/house-of-the-dragon-rhaenyra-bisexual-queer-mysaria-kiss-alicent-2024-7">Rhaenyra is pretty busy in season two</a>. We do, however, get a reference to Laenor when Rhaenyra and Mysaria observe a seemingly distraught Seasmoke in season two, episode two. Rhaenyra comments that Seasmoke recently started acting strangely, and Mysaria suggests that maybe he's lonely.Then, in episode six, Rhaenyra takes her son Jacaerys' suggestion to try to find new dragonriders to bolster their army for the war against her half-brother Aegon and the Greens. She first chooses the Lord Commander of her Queensguard, Ser Steffon Darklyn, to mount Seasmoke, but the dragon kills him and rides off to find Addam of Hull instead.<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/house-of-the-dragon-addam-alyn-hull-velaryon-seasmoke-2024-6">Addam and his brother Alyn</a> were introduced at the beginning of season two amid hints that they'd eventually become important. And the show finally explains exactly why they're important in episode six, which explicitly confirms that the two men are Corlys Velaryon's illegitimate sons, making them dragonseeds (a term to describe bastards of Valyrian descent, who are therefore potentially capable of claiming dragons) and the half-brothers of Laenor.It's an exciting moment because it's set up to look as if Seasmoke is about to kill Addam before claiming him instead. But it's also confusing: Seasmoke technically should know Laenor is still alive, even if Laenor faked his death to everyone else.<h2 id="89ed0e37-7a0e-4a8a-90df-4bff9e22ed3c">Some fans think this means Laenor died off-screen</h2>The bond between a dragon and their rider is established as sacred and, as far as we know, unbreakable in all of Martin's books.There are dragon-lore consistencies across all the text. One is that no rider can have two dragons (for instance, Daenerys only ever claims Drogon in "Game of Thrones," though she technically has three dragons), and the other is that no dragon can have two simultaneous riders. This means in order for another person to ride a dragon, the first rider has to be dead. (There are exceptions in which the dragonrider can bring on a passenger, but that second person must be accompanied by the rider.)After Sunday's episode, fans questioned the logic of Seasmoke claiming Addam as his new rider, saying this shouldn't be possible if Laenor is still alive.At this point, there are two plausible options: Either Seasmoke's ability to choose a new rider when his existing rider is alive is a plot hole on the part of the show, or <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/Vanessid/status/1815226340968382545">Laenor's gay retirement</a> was cut short, and he actually is dead now.Some viewers were already theorizing about Laenor having died off-screen earlier this season after Mysaria and Rhaenyra noticed Seasmoke's distress.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">As long as their rider is alive, dragons cannot bond with another person This means Laenor Velaryon has died offscreen <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HouseOfTheDragon?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HouseOfTheDragon</a> <a href="https://t.co/CPnldhy71N">pic.twitter.com/CPnldhy71N</a>— Thrones Facts | HOTD (@Thrones_Facts) <a href="https://twitter.com/Thrones_Facts/status/1815398123524747417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2024</a></blockquote><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">So what’s tea on Laenor? Are we supposed to assume that he died off screen since Seasmoke has a new rider??— Mj (@ThisGrayArea) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThisGrayArea/status/1815206462404104231?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2024</a></blockquote>Of course, this is absolutely not confirmed, and HBO didn't respond to our request for comment.As far as the show has established, Laenor is still alive, so this will just remain an apparent plot hole until the writers address it one way or the other or give us intel on some kind of loophole — maybe Addam being pretty closely related to Laenor factored in?An alternative option is that dragons are simply not that bright after all, and Seasmoke was effectively tricked by Laenor's death, just like the humans. Or that he simply saw another handsome man of Velaryon blood and decided he must be Laenor (or decided he was close enough to be New Laenor).<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">seasmoke: close enough welcome back laenor velaryon <a href="https://t.co/vyZ3OBPJ2g">pic.twitter.com/vyZ3OBPJ2g</a>— kenn ౨ৎ | aelo dayyyy (@daenyrasm) <a href="https://twitter.com/daenyrasm/status/1815217601116532820?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2024</a></blockquote>"House of the Dragon" season two airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and is streaming on <a target="_blank" rel="nofollow sponsored noindex" class="" href="https://affiliate.insider.com?h=fed657e5d456898628c785351016f7b12b4d269a5d17af0f15435159aef229d0&amp;postID=669ec52cc79d31931d80df5a&amp;postSlug=seasmoke-addam-dragonrider-laenor-death-plot-hole-house-of-the-dragon-2024-7&amp;site=bi&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.max.com%2F">Max</a>.

One of the biggest 'House of the Dragon' book changes may have introduced a major plot hole to the show

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Warning: Major spoilers ahead for the <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/house-of-the-dragon">"House of the Dragon"</a> season one finale.</li><li>In Sunday's finale, Aemond Targaryen and Lucerys Velaryon came to blows in an unexpected way.</li></ul>As <a href="https://www.insider.com/house-of-the-dragon-predictions-season-one-finale-hbo-2022-10">we predicted last week</a>, HBO's "House of the Dragon" brought to life two tragic events from George R.R. Martin's "Fire and Blood" book in the season one finale of the TV adaptation.First, Rhaenyra experienced a stillbirth for the first time after having six children. But her losses weren't over — the episode concluded with the death of her son, Luke, after his uncle, Aemond, chased him on dragonback. But the show took care to make some key changes to the way Luke's death is described in "Fire and Blood," so let's dive into the similarities and differences. <h2>The lead-up to Luke and Aemond's showdown was almost identical to 'Fire and Blood' — but what happens in the air was changed</h2><div type="image" title="A young teenage boy wearing red and a pregnant woman with white-blonde hair holding his head." height="805" width="1074" msid="95058438" hostid="261" sizebytes="45306"></div>In Martin's "Fire and Blood," there are multiple accounts of the historical tales of House Targaryen. That means "House of the Dragon" showrunner and writer Ryan Condal had his pick of ways to show this pivotal death in the overall Dance of the Dragons (the name given to the civil war among the Targaryens during their rule). The build-up to Luke being at Storm's End is all taken from the book, including the fact that his brother, Jace, was the one to suggest the boys riding on their dragons to envoy with the lords. The book also says that Rhaenyra would only agree to it if they swore an oath on the Seven-Pointed Star (the equivalent of the Bible for the Faith) that they'd be there as messengers and not take part in "any fighting.""The tragedy that befell Lucerys Velaryon at Storm's End was never planned, on this all of our sources agree," Martin's book says. "The first battles in the Dance of the Dragons were fought with quills and ravens, with threats and promises, decrees and blandishments. The murder of Lord Beesbury at the green council was not yet widely known; most believed his lordship to be languishing in some dungeon."As this passage sets up, Luke's death really establishes a new tone for war and diminishes any chance of compromise from his mother, Queen Rhaenyra.Most of what happened in the Storm's End hall is also taken right from the book, with Lord Borros Baratheon giving a frosty reception to Luke while Aemond enjoys the chance to bully him some more. Then the book goes on to describe how it was bad weather for flying, which meant Luke's dragon Arrax was already "struggling to stay aloft when <a href="https://www.insider.com/all-targaryen-dragons-house-of-the-dragon-2022-9">Prince Aemond mounted Vhagar</a> and went after him."<div type="image" title="Side by side images of a young boy with curly hair, and a teen boy with the same hair." height="900" width="1200" msid="95058439" hostid="261" sizebytes="37922"></div>"Had the sky been calm, Prince Lucerys might have been able to out fly his pursuer, for Arrax was younger and swifter … but the day was 'as black as Prince Aemond's heart,' says Mushroom, and so it came to pass that the dragons met above Shipbreaker Bay," the book says. "Watchers on the castle walls saw distant blasts of flame, and heard a shriek cut the thunder. Then the two beasts were locked together, lightning crackling around them. Vhagar was five times the size of her foe, the hardened survivor of a hundred battles. If there was a fight, it could not have lasted long."The detail that "House of the Dragon" showrunner Ryan Condal decided to add to this battle was the fact that both Arrax and Vhagar acted of their own accord when it came to the actual dragon-on-dragon fighting. Aemond seemed to think he could use his dragon as a schoolyard bullying tool, while Luke tries hard to get his dragon to ignore the instinct to fight back at his pursuer. Both young men are yelling commands in Valyrian (though Aemond seems to default back to English at points) but fail to get their dragons fully under control.Just when Luke thinks he's escaped, Vhagar emerges from the clouds and bites Arrax into multiple pieces, presumably leaving Luke's body to fall to the sea or be swallowed up whole by the she-dragon. Control over dragons has always been a fickle thing in Martin's stories. Plus, <a href="https://www.insider.com/house-of-the-dragon-season-1-episode-1-recap-hbo-2022-8">Condal took the time in episode one</a> to let us know the now-dead King Viserys believed it was a mistake for Targaryens to think they could ever truly command a dragon. By having Luke's death be a partial-accident, the show is adding even more tragedy to the events of this civil war's outbreak.<h2>This change takes some culpability away from Aemond, but doesn't shift the overall path of what's in store next</h2><div type="image" title="House of the Dragon" height="1344" width="1791" msid="95058440" hostid="261" sizebytes="18636"></div>Aemond seems remorseful in the moments after Luke's death, perhaps surprised that he didn't have the control over Vhagar that he believed he did. But there's no doubt that Aemond was pushing the limits of his physical advantage over his young nephew, happy to cause him as much distress as possible. So, is Luke really dead? Here's how "Fire and Blood" describes the various rumors of what happened to Luke and his dragon's body after the fight:"Arrax fell, broken, to be swallowed by the storm-lashed waters of the bay. His head and neck washed up beneath the cliffs below Storm's End three days later, to make a feast for crabs and seagulls. Mushroom claims that Prince Lucerys's corpse washed up as well, and tells us that Prince Aemond cut out his eyes and presented them to Lady Maris on a bed of seaweed, but this seems excessive. Some say Vhagar snatched Lucerys off his dragon's back and swallowed him whole. It has even been claimed that the prince survived his fall, swam to safety, but lost all memory of who he was, spending the rest of his days as a simpleminded fisherman."It's possible that "House of the Dragon" goes with that last option and surprises book readers in season two <a href="https://www.insider.com/house-of-the-dragon-laenor-qarl-change-fire-and-blood-deaths-2022-9">like they did with Laenor's fake-out death</a>, but the likeliest scenario seems to be that he dies. He was so high in the air, and right in the middle of Vhagar's jaws, that surviving both the attack and the resulting fall seems impossible."The True Telling gives all these tales the respect they deserve … which is to say, none," the book says. "Lucerys Velaryon died with his dragon, Munkun insists. This is undoubtedly correct. The prince was thirteen years of age. His body was never found. And with his death, the war of ravens and envoys and marriage pacts came to an end, and the war of fire and blood began in earnest."As the final shot of season one demonstrates, Luke's death seems to push Rhaenyra's cause into unrestrained war against the Greens.We'll have to wait until a future season two scene to see how Aemond decides to explain the death to his family back in King's Landing. Will King Aegon II and Otto be thrilled to hear of Luke's death? How will Alicent handle her own son being a kinslayer? Time will tell. For more on "House of the Dragon," <a href="https://www.insider.com/house-of-the-dragon-season-1-episode-8-recap-hbo-2022-10">read our breakdown of the best details you might have missed in last week's episode.</a>

How 'House of the Dragon' made an important change to this tragic death in the season one finale

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="71946" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="HBO">HBO</keyword> just announced that Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, and Emma D'Arcy will costar in "<keyword id="8274763" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="house-of-the-dragon">House of the Dragon</keyword>."</li><li>The trio will play members of the royal court in Westeros under the rule of King Viserys I.</li><li>"House of the Dragon," centered on Daenerys <keyword id="4528084" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="targaryen">Targaryen</keyword>'s ancestors, takes place about 200 years prior to the events in "<keyword id="6433339" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Game-of-Thrones">Game of Thrones</keyword>."</li><li>The new HBO series starts production next year, so it'll likely premiere in 2022.</li></ul>HBO's "House of the Dragon," the first "Game of Thrones" prequel series already ordered for a full season, continues to move ahead with exciting casting news.Matt Smith ("The Crown," "Doctor Who") will play Prince Daemon Targaryen in the upcoming show, while Emma D'Arcy ("Wanderlust") will star as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. Olivia Cooke ("Ready Player One") also joins the cast as Alicent Hightower, the daughter of the Hand of the King during King Viserys I rule in Westeros. Earlier this year, HBO announced that Paddy Considine ("The Outsider," "Hot Fuzz") will star as King Viserys, the fifth Targaryen ruler in Westeros, who lived about 200 years before the events of "Game of Thrones."<div type="image" title="Daenerys and Viserys Targaryen Game of Thrones HBO Helen Sloan " height="900" width="1200" msid="79688597" hostid="261"></div>"Game of Thrones" fans will recognize the name Viserys from the original HBO series, though that character (Daenerys' brother) was simply a descendant of the characters we'll meet in "House of the Dragon."While "Game of Thrones" was based on author George R.R. Martin's unfinished series "A Song of Ice and Fire," the new prequel show is taking its narrative inspiration from a different set of books: "Fire and Blood."The first volume of "Fire and Blood" was released in 2018, chronicling the origin of House Targaryen, the dragon-riding Valyrian descendants who conquered the Seven Kingdoms. "House of the Dragon" begins filming next year, which means fans might see the new series as soon as 2022.To learn more about the "House of the Dragon" series, <a href="https://www.insider.com/house-of-the-dragon-game-of-thrones-prequel-everything-to-know">read Insider's full report on everything we know so far here. </a><ul class="read-more-links"><li>Read more:</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/house-of-the-dragon-game-of-thrones-prequel-everything-to-know">Everything you need to know about the 'Game of Thrones' prequel series 'House of the Dragon'</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/shows-to-watch-if-you-loved-game-of-thrones">15 shows you should watch if you loved 'Game of Thrones'</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/emilia-clarke-rewrote-game-of-thrones-scene-valyrian-2020-11">Emilia Clarke was asked to rewrite an entire 'Game of Thrones' scene in Valyrian, and she pulled it off in 10 minutes</a></li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/game-of-thrones-a-song-of-ice-and-fire-show-book-endings-analysis-2020-5">Why 'Game of Thrones' may not have 'spoiled' the ending of George R.R. Martin's books as much as you think</a></li></ul>

'Game of Thrones' prequel series, 'House of the Dragon,' has finally cast its major Targaryen characters

All the details you missed in the 'Game Of Thrones' season 8 trailer

You Searched For "Valyrian blood" and got 9 results

'House of the Dragon' just made a major change not in the book. It could make the Targaryen family tree even more complicated.

Ayomikun Adekaiyero

Aegon's fate on 'House of the Dragon' is left unclear here's how he dies in the books

Palmer Haasch

The latest episode of 'House of the Dragon' finally confirms Addam and Alyn of Hull's importance

Palmer Haasch

'House of the Dragon' keeps teasing a blacksmith named Hugh here's why he'll likely be an important character

Palmer Haasch

One of the biggest 'House of the Dragon' book changes may have introduced a major plot hole to the show

Caralynn Matassa

How 'House of the Dragon' made an important change to this tragic death in the season one finale

Kim Renfro

'Game of Thrones' prequel series, 'House of the Dragon,' has finally cast its major Targaryen characters

Kim Renfro

All the details you missed in the 'Game Of Thrones' season 8 trailer

Chris Snyder

The 14 most memorable moments from 'Game of Thrones'

Chris Snyder