Spoilers for episode 6 of House of the Dragon Season 2 is titled “Smallfolk”.
House of the Dragon is getting closer to the finale of the second season, which is two episodes shorter than the first. Readers of George R.R. Martin‘S Fire & Blood can probably guess where the rest of the episodes will leave off, but the show has barely stuck to the events of the book in Season 2 when it comes to the Targaryen family tree. In the latest episode Aemond took steps in King’s Landing to secure his rule, even as Aegon awoke and the common people began to riot for resources, while Rhaenyra tried to turn a knight into a dragon rider with a few drops of Targaryen blood.
But it was the events on Driftmark, and not on Dragonstone or King’s Landing, that might have confirmed the death of someone quite important in the first season, and all because of one of the dragons of theHouse of the Dragon: Sea smoke.
Has Seasmoke confirmed a death?
Seasmoke’s first role in House of the Dragon fought against Daemon’s War in the Stepstones last season, as he was the dragon of none other than Laenor Velaryon. All of the series’ dragon riders seem to have a close bond with their mounts, but Laenor had to leave Seasmoke behind when he faked his death in the chaotic seventh episode of season one. A giant gray dragon would have given away that Laenor was alive, even if he had shaved off his signature white hair!
But Laenor was still alive, which seemed a sure sign that Seasmoke was no longer fit for the Black or Green unless he came back. After all, there is no evidence that a dragon would form a bond with another rider if its previous rider was still alive, which was not even disproved by game of Thrones‘ divisive final season, when Jon could ride Rhaegalbecause Dany had only ridden Drogon her three dragons. (RIP Rhaegal, after Dany famously forgot about the Iron Fleet.)
At the end of the hour of House of the DragonIn the last episode of Seasmoke, it seems that none other than Addams of Hull…or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that Addam was claimed by Seasmoke. If the dragon was able to find a new rider, does that mean that Laenor must be dead and his connection to Seasmoke – assuming it could exist despite their separation and great distance – completely severed?
If House of the Dragon I would say that Addams riding Seasmoke is proof of Laenor’s death long ago. On the other hand, Laenor did not fake his death. Fire & Bloodso it’s all pretty messy at this point. It’s also something that may never be fully resolved if Laenor just stays off-screen and his story is never addressed again.
Who is Addams of Hull?
Technically, Episode 6 ended without it being clearly shown that Addam of Hull rode Seasmoke, but it’s hard to interpret why Rhaenyra learned that Seasmoke and a rider were flying over Spicetown after Seasmoke pursued Addam by other means. After all, Seasmoke didn’t eat or roast Addam like he did poor Ser Steffon Darklyn, and Addam seemed to overcome his fear to stare the dragon down. Who else could it be?
And while House of the Dragon Although Addam has not been given nearly as much time as the Targaryens of the second season, he is an interesting character. HBO’s promotional material prior to the second season described the character – played by Clinton Liberty – as “a shipwright for the Velaryon fleet and Alyn’s brother.” By the end of “Smallfolk,” it is clear enough that both Addam and Alyn are the bastard sons of Corlys Velaryonalthough only Alyn seems to have inherited the characteristic white hair of most Velaryons and Targaryens.
Based on the brothers’ interactions, it seems likely that Addam wants to make the most of his connection with Seasmoke for the Black or Green, while Alyn wants nothing from Corlys. Readers of the book can guess what the consequences of Addam’s claim to Seasmoke will be, but nothing is confirmed at this point, and Rhaenyra has some words for Addam in the promo video for Episode 7. Check it out for yourself:
Look further
Interesting, Jace seems to be against the idea of non-Targaryens riding dragons, although he himself had the idea of recruiting people with only traces of Targaryen blood to join the Blacks on dragonback. It is worth noting that Velaryons and Targaryens had already Demon And LaenaSo Addam and Alyn could be considered dragon seed, even without being the children of Rhaenys like Laenor and Laenor.
All in all, Seasmoke’s future House of the Dragon seems to be tied to Addam of Hull, which might be the only confirmation we’ll ever get that Laenor died far, far away from his dragon. Of course, Season 2 isn’t over yet in the 2024 TV schedule, and there are still a few episodes left to potentially get some answers about Laenor. I for one am not excited.
Continue to tune in to HBO on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET for new episodes of House of the Dragon Season 2 and/or stream every episode with a Max subscription.
