Warning! This article contains spoilers for House of the Dragon and the Fire and Blood book.
Summary
I was shocked to discover that Maelor Targaryen was missing fromHouse of the Dragonseason 2, but I think I know why. As a way to provide further context for George R. R. Martin’sA Song of Ice and Firebook series, the author wroteFire and Blood, a history of the Targaryen family. This book serves as the basis forHouse of the Dragon, but some significant changes from the book were made. Regardless ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2’s book changes, the show still includes the broader storytelling strokes fromFire and Blood.
As a book fan, I was eagerly anticipating - and dreading - a specific sequence being included inHouse of the Dragonseason 2 episode 1’s ending; Blood and Cheese is one of the biggest precursors to the Dance of Dragons inFire and Blood,and infamous for its brutality.House of the Dragon’s Blood and Cheese scenewas suitably harrowing, though included several alterations from the book. One alteration was the absence of Maelor Targaryen, a vital part of Helaena’s character. That said,I think I know why Maelor was missing, and how his potential debut could continue Targaryen tragedy.
I Can’t Believe How House Of The Dragon Changed THAT Scene After 6 Years Of Hype
House of the Dragon season 2, episode 1 has a very significant scene from George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, but the show’s version is disappointing.
Maelor’s Birth Could Be A Direct Consequence Of Blood & Cheese
Maelor Is Not In House Of The Dragon… Yet
InFire and Blood, Maelor is the youngest son of Helaena and Aegon. When Blood and Cheese corner Helaena, they force her to choose between the sons; Helaena picks Maelor as he is younger and does not understand, but Blood and Cheese kill Jaehaerys after telling Maelor his mother wanted him dead. Given how integral a role Maelor plays in this sequence, I was taken aback when he was not introduced inHouse of the Dragonand thus did not play a part in season 2, episode 1. However, I have figured out how Maelor could still be involved.
After Blood and Cheese inHous of the Dragon, Aegon’s heir is now dead, and he has no clear line of succession.This could prompt Aegon to secure his line by having another child, meaning Helaena gives birth to Maelorat some point inHouse of the Dragonseason 2. This would significantly change Maelor’s timeline fromFire and Bloodbut would fix the moment that shocked us book fans by including the youngest Targaryen child as an heir to the Iron Throne, one who serves as a direct consequence of Blood and Cheese thanks to Jaehaerys' untimely death.
Maelor’s Delayed Birth Fixes A Potential Problem With Helaena’s Character
Helaena’s Character Arc In Fire & Blood Hinges On Maelor
Given thatHouse of the Dragon’s Blood and Cheese sequence was still effective, I could forgive someone for asking why Maelor being involved matters at all. In response, I would explain that Maelor’s involvement in Blood and Cheese directly impacts Helaena’s character arc further down the line and that his absence could risk a problem with her development. After Jaehaerys' death inFire and Blood,Helaena falls into depression, partly driven by her guilt over initially choosing Maelor to die. She cannot even look at her surviving son out of remorse and eventually meets her death by suicide.
Maelor being born as a direct result of Jaehaerys' death inHouse of the Dragonwould essentially make the baby a physical manifestation of Blood and Cheese…
WhileHouse of the Dragoncould simply switch the object of Helaena’s depression from guilt over Maelor to Jaehaerys' death, Maelor being born in the way I outlined above could allow for a similar character arc to the one inFire and Blood. Maelor being born as a direct result of Jaehaerys' death inHouse of the Dragonwould essentially make the baby a physical manifestation of Blood and Cheese, and a reminder to Helaena that she chose Jaehaerys to die. This could give Helaena that same guilt fromFire and Bloodattached to Maelor, leading to her tragic character development.
House Of The Dragon’s Creator Hinted At Maelor Being Part Of Future Seasons
Maelor Could Still Be A Part Of House Of The Dragon
While this could be brushed off as a theory that will never come to fruition, I’ve found some evidence to support my claim. In order to discuss the tragic events of Blood and Cheese fromHouse of the Dragonseason 2’s premiere, showrunner Ryan Condal was interviewed byEntertainment Weekly.Condal was asked about Maelor’s absence from the HBO adaptation, leading him to remark that"Maelor does not yet exist on this timeline because 30 years is compressed into 20 years."
The interesting word to focus on here is"yet,“which hints that Condal indeed has plans to include Maelor at some point. Of course, this does not make my theory irrefutable fact, and Maelor’s inclusion could be handled in a myriad of ways. That said, Maelor being hinted at for the future lends more credence to Helaena and Aegon birthing the child as a result ofHouse of the Dragon’s Blood and Cheese tragedy, fixing a potential subsequent change to the former’s character fromFire and Blood.
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.
