WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 6!
Summary
Seasmoke has a new rider inHouse of the Dragon, and for the first known time in Westerosi history, it’s not a Targaryen. The titular family has long upheld the now-debunked claim that only Targaryen Dragonlords can ride dragons, though Jacaerys Velaryon himself noted that this was likely an exaggerated assertion made to glorify Targaryens in the Valyrian histories. While there is Valyrian blood in Seasmoke’s new rider,Addam’s ancestry seemingly doesn’t include Dragonlords of Old Valyria, thus revealing that the Targaryens don’t know as much as they think they do about dragonriding customs.
After Laenor Velaryon faked his death inHouse of the Dragonseason 1, his dragon Seasmoke grew so restless that he sought out a new rider approximately a decade later. While Rhaenyra approached Ser Steffon Darklyn about attempting to claim Seasmoke due to his grandmother’s grandmother being a Targaryen princess, the dragon wouldn’t take him as a rider. Instead,Seasmoke chose Addam of Hull as his new riderinHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 6, even though he seemingly has no drops of Targaryen blood.
Addam & Seasmoke May Be The First Time A Dragon Has Chosen Its Rider (Not The Other Way Around)
A Dragon Chose Its Rider, And It Wasn’t A Targaryen
Numerous generations ofHouse Targaryen’s family treehave ridden dragons, witheach rider having either hatched a dragon egg once placed in their cradle or claimed a dragon without a living rider. However, the latter occurs when a dragonrider purposefully attempts to bond with and claim a dragon, such as how Aemond claims Vhagar inHouse of the Dragonseason 1. This is far from how it seems to have happened for Addam of Hull inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 6’s ending, as Seasmoke chases Addam and corners him at Driftmark before the news arrives that he mounted the dragon.
Given how powerful and strong this bond already appears to be, it’s devastating for House Targaryen as this first-time occurrence has nothing to do with their family line or thick Valyrian blood.
This seems to be the veryfirst time that a dragon, whose original rider may or may not still be alive, has sought out a bond with a human. Given how powerful and strong this bond already appears to be, it’s devastating for House Targaryen as this first-time occurrence has nothing to do with their family line or thick Valyrian blood. Addam of Hull is the bastard son of Corlys Velaryon, so while he has Valyrian blood through his father, it isn’t the Targaryen Dragonlord blood that should theoretically give them stronger bonds to dragons than non-Dragonlord Valyrians.
House Velaryon has the blood of Old Valyria, but, unlike House Targaryen, they were not historically Dragonlords before moving to Westeros.
Seasmoke Choosing Addam Of Hull Reveals Dragons Don’t Actually Favor Targaryens
Can Anyone Claim A Dragon In Game Of Thrones' Universe?
If a dragon were to actively seek out a new rider, one would think that this person would be a Targaryen with strong Valyrian blood. Seasmoke reveals this isn’t the case, as he rejected Ser Steffon Darklyn, who has a small trace of Targaryen blood, but chose to bond with Addam, who appears to have no Targaryen ancestors. This is an incrediblyworrying reality for the power and distinctive god-like glorification of House Targaryen, as it suggests that anyone could potentially bond with a dragon – and they don’t even need the Targaryens’ approval or assistance in doing so.
New episodes ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2 release Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.
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.
