Key Takeaways:
– Fans voiced disappointment over significant changes in the notorious Blood and Cheese incident in the season 2 premiere of House of the Dragon.
– The book's gruesome depiction of the scene, involving Alicent Hightower, was modified, causing fan discontent.
– Viewers had mixed responses to Daemon's revenge plot against the Hightowers.
– The showrunner shared insight into a cryptic moment involving Prince Daemon.
Diving Into Season 2 Of House Of The Dragon
House of the Dragon's first season breathed new life into the Game of Thrones saga, weaving an intricate storyline around the characters that existed before Daenerys Targaryen's time. As the first season closed, viewers found themselves on the brink of the Dance of the Dragons, with season 2 set to bring the fiery clash to life. The first episode has aired, stirring up mixed reactions, especially concerning the introduction of the notorious Blood and Cheese storyline from George R. R. Martin's “Fire & Blood.”
Fans Disgruntled Over Episode One's Major Adjustments
In a pivotal plot twist, the shocking death of Lucerys by Aemond created a dark cloud over the Green and Black factions in House of the Dragon season 2. The initial episode took a deep dive into Rheanyra and Alicent's emotional upheaval after the horrifying incident, laying the groundwork for a brewing war between the two influential families.
However, fans were left particularly frustrated over changes made to the infamous Blood and Cheese incident from Martin's book. In a strategic move of vengeance, the episode featured Daemon hiring two men, Blood and Cheese, to perform a fatal retaliation against the Hightowers. The two men were tasked to infiltrate the palace and murder Aemond Targaryen in exchange for the death of Lucerys.
Alicent's Absence In The Blood And Cheese Scene Sparks Outrage
What left fans rather unhappy was the show's decision to make Alicent absent during the chilling murder scene. The gruesome event in the book described Alicent being forced to witness her grandson's death, amplifying the horror of the scene. However, the show approached the scene with lesser gore, and Alicent's shocking absence led fans to feel the scene lacked its original tragic intensity. Various fans took to social media platforms to express their disappointment, calling the adaptation “cheap” and “distasteful.”
Insights From Showrunner On A Cryptic Moment Involving Daemon
Despite its mixed reception, the episode provided several intriguing moments, particularly revolving around Matt Smith's Daemon Targaryen. Bent on revenge following Lucerys's death, Daemon devised a plan against Aemond, recruiting Blood and Cheese for the task. A vital moment saw Daemon giving the men a penetrating stare upon being asked what approach they should use if they failed to find Aemond. The camera cut away at this juncture, leaving Daemon's instructions ambiguous.
Ryan Condal, the series creator, reported to Variety that Daemon's orders were left unclear on purpose, letting the audience fill in the blanks. However, he hinted at Daemon's potential instruction of not returning empty-handed, suggesting his desire for the head of another of Alicent's offspring as a counterattack.
As the Blood and Cheese duo successfully executed Jaehaerys instead of Aemond, the tension escalates with both factions now mourning the murder of a family member. What consequences this surging animosity will bring to Wu remains to be seen as the second season unfolds, promising viewers a tumultuous ride. The House of Dragon Season 2's premiere episode is now streaming on Max.
