Warning: SPOILERS lie ahead for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 2, “Rhaenyra the Cruel”!
Summary
George R. R. Martin has nothing but love for one change thatHouse of the Dragonmade from its source material. As the author of theA Song of Ice and Fireseries, Martin’s most beloved works have already been adapted into two shows, includingGame of Thrones. There are several other adaptations in development, but the only one currently airing focuses on the horrors of a Targaryen civil war.House of the Dragonhas received incredible reviews, and many focus on the horrifying Blood and Cheese scene, in which two assassins murder the Crown Prince.
In a post on hisNot A Blogwebsite, Martin went into detail about one specific character who was added to the scene for the adaptation, that being the nameless dog. Martin found that the dog, who was loyal only to Cheese (Mark Stobbart), added a sense of humanization to the character. While he was hurt by Cheese kicking the dog,the pet’s loyalty earned immense praise from Martin, who wishes that he thought of adding the character himself. Check out his full quote below:
The show added a brand-new character as well. The dog. I am… ahem… not usually a fan of screenwriters adding characters to the source material when adapting a story. Especially not when the source material is mine. But that dog was brilliant. I was prepared to hate Cheese, but I hated him even more when he kicked that dog. And later, when the dog sat at his feet, gazing up… that damn near broke my heart. Such a little thing… such a little dog… but his presence, the few short moments he was on screen, gave the ratcatcher so much humanity. Human beings are such complex creatures. The silent presence of that dog reminded us that even the worst of men, the vile and the venal, can love and be loved. I wish I’d thought of that dog. I didn’t, but someone else did. I am glad of that.
Martin Has A Nuanced Take On Blood And Cheese
Martin Loves the Dog But Thinks The Scene Was Watered Down
The rest of Martin’s post also emphasizes his love for the latest season, butthere are some elements that he remains critical of. Blood and Cheese, in particular, is one scene that he cites as potentially deviating too much fromFire & Blood. While the author does not go into immense detail, he reflects that the Blood and Cheese scene is impactful, “especially for viewers who had never read FIRE & BLOOD.” He added to his reflection on the changes by stating “For those who had read the book, however…”
A Song Of Ice And Fire: Every Game Of Thrones Book In Chronological Order
Before Game Of Thrones was a hit on HBO, it was a series of fantasy novels called A Song Of Ice And Fire. Here is every book in chronological order.
Martin promised to post another review “somewhere down the line” to break down how the Blood and Cheese changes influenced the future narrative. One element he already cited, however, is “Maelor the Missing”. In his books, Helaena has two sons, Jaehaerys and Maelor, andBlood and Cheese forced Helaena to choose between her two sons, then murdered the child that she chose to save. It was traumatic for the surviving son, Maelor, and proved just how cruel Blood and Cheese could be.
The changes in the adaptationhumanized Blood and Cheese, but Martin implied that it took away the tragedy and horror originally presented in the books. He alluded to the disappointment that book readers faced while watching the scene. His promise to consider the changes later indicates thatit will have serious implications in future episodes, which he cannot yet discuss. While the change was notable for Martin, he still had nothing but praise for the acting, writing, and set designs.House of the Dragon’s dog, especially, was nothing but perfect in Martin’s eyes.
New episodes ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2 air Sundays on HBO.
House of the Dragon
Cast
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
