George R.R. Martin Appreciates Poignant Modification in House of the Dragon
Revised Article
George R.R. Martin, renowned author of the Game of Thrones series and the source material for HBO's latest hit, House of the Dragon, isn't directly working on the show, but he's been keeping an eye on the second season unfold. So far, he's quite pleased with it, even finding one surprising addition he wishes he'd thought of himself.
If you've yet to catch up on House of the Dragon season two, here's your spoiler alert.
The murderous duo, Blood and Cheese, were expected for an early appearance in season two following their assassination mission from Daemon Targaryen in the first season. Their objective is simple: eliminate Aemond Targaryen, the young lad from Team Green responsible for Rhaenyra's son Luke's demise in the season finale. It's all about revenge: trading a "Son for a Son," as the season premiere teaser suggests. But when Blood and Cheese storm the castle, they can't find Aemond. Instead, they come across King Aegon II's young son, a toddler, and don't hesitate to take his little head off. This chilling act only fuels the fire toward a full-blown war in Westeros.
However, a new character has joined the fray: Cheese's loyal canine companion. Cheese isn't exactly a gentle soul, and he's no friend to his four-legged friend either. But in the second episode, "Rhaenyra the Cruel," we witness a different side of their bond. When Aegon orders all ratcatchers employed by the crown to be publicly executed, not all of them are recognized by name, causing worries among their loved ones. As friends and family watch agonized reactions, a particularly heartbreaking spectacle catches our eye—a sad, furry one.
In his glowing review of the first two episodes, Martin praised the writers for integrating this unexpected character. "The show authors added a new element," Martin wrote. "A canine friend. I'm usually skeptical when screenwriters add characters to the source material when adapting a story, especially when the source is my own. But that dog was fantastic. I was prepared to dislike Cheese, but I disliked him even more when he mistreated the dog. And later, when the dog stayed by his side... it nearly tore my heart apart. Such a small creature... such a small dog... but its presence, the brief moments it appeared on screen, brought so much human emotion to the ratcatcher. Humans are complex beings. The silent companionship of that dog reminded us that even the most despicable people, the cruel and the selfish, can still show love."
Martin also added: "I wish I'd thought of that dog. I didn't, but someone else did. I'm glad of that."
New episodes of House of the Dragon air Sundays on Max and HBO.
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- George R.R. Martin, in his glowing review of the second season of House of the Dragon, praised the writers for incorporating an unexpected addition – a canine friend – that he wishes he had thought of himself.
- The new character, a loyal canine companion of Cheese, was added to House of the Dragon by the show's writers, adding a layer of human emotion to the ratcatcher character in the second episode, "Rhaenyra the Cruel."
- The canine friend in House of the Dragon has contributed significantly to the character development of Cheese, with its presence bringing emotion and complexity to a character who is generally perceived as cruel and despicable.
- io9 keeps readers updated on the latest developments in various sci-fi and fantasy universes, including the future of Doctor Who, Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, and HBO's House of the Dragon.
