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I figured out what went wrong with the Blood and Cheese scene (and how to fix it)

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I figured out what went wrong with the Blood and Cheese scene (and how to fix it)

As a long-time fan of George R.R. Martin’s epic saga, I’ve witnessed countless heart-wrenching moments that have left me in tears. Yet, during the season 2 premiere of House of the Dragon, the brutal scene involving Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen’s beheading failed to elicit much emotion from me – a reaction that left me quite perplexed.

In the thrilling opening of House of the Dragon season 2, titled “A Son for a Son,” I found myself witnessing a chilling scene straight from George R.R. Martin’s novel Fire & Blood: Daemon Targaryen, my character in this world, dispatches two assassins, named Blood and Cheese, to the Red Keep with orders to avenge his step-son Luke’s death by killing Aemond Targaryen, who was responsible for it. However, these killers couldn’t locate Aemond, so they decided on a different target: the young Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen, son of King Aegon Targaryen and his sister-wife Helaena. In a tragic turn of events, they took Prince Jaehaerys’ life while he was in the room. Helaena, who was also present, managed to save her other child, Jaehaerys’ twin sister Jaehaera, and escape as quickly as she could after witnessing such a gruesome sight.

In this intense scene, I expected to feel a strong emotional response, yet I found myself remarkably unaffected. This was likely not the reaction the creators aimed for; they must have wanted me to be shocked and saddened. So, why didn’t it resonate with me as intended?

As a long-time fan of George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series, I must admit that I was initially excited about the HBO adaptation, “Game of Thrones.” However, as a seasoned viewer, I find myself increasingly disappointed with the departures from the source material in the latest season, particularly in the storyline involving House Targaryen.

However, despite the show removing numerous aspects, what remains is a scene depicting a mother witnessing her young son being beheaded. This should have provoked an emotional response from me, but surprisingly, it did not. Instead, I believe the issue resides elsewhere, and after careful contemplation for a few weeks, I’ve come to understand where the problem might be.

I figured out what went wrong with the Blood and Cheese scene (and how to fix it)

From a certain point of view

In movies, feelings of empathy are often developed through adopting another character’s viewpoint. The longer we observe the world from their perspective, the greater our capacity to feel compassion towards them. This explains why a film about a criminal can manage to win audience affection; as we delve deeper into the character’s life, it becomes simpler for us to relate and empathize with them.

As a passionate gamer immersed in the world of “House of the Dragon”, I must admit that there’s an abundance of characters, leaving us craving for more personal connection with each one. Regrettably, by the episode “A Son for a Son,” we barely had a chance to know Helaena Targaryen. Despite this limited interaction, the heart-wrenching scene where her son is brutally murdered before her eyes stirs deep sympathy within us. If only we could experience life from her perspective, it would have intensified our empathy and bond with the character.

In this episode, Blood and Cheese have significantly more screen time than Helaena, approximately 10 minutes compared to her 5 minutes. The audience encounters them when Daemon assigns them a mission, follows them as they sneak through the Red Keep’s corridors, even passing by the throne room where Aegon is relaxing with his companions. We watch them debate their next steps, explore the royal apartments, and ultimately complete their task.

During this single episode, there are several viewpoints presented on both Blood and Cheese. While these characters aren’t fully fleshed out, the show effectively utilizes their limited screen time. On the other hand, Helaena is only seen after Blood and Cheese locate her. All we witness is her fear for her children and the intense stress she’s under. Even in the earlier scene, she’s foretelling impending doom.

In this episode, the narrative seems designed to evoke more empathy towards Blood and Cheese compared to Helaena. We’re given multiple perspectives on the intruders, showing that Cheese resists entering the royal chambers until Blood coerces him. The question of their escape is left hanging. This storyline primarily focuses on Blood and Cheese rather than Helaena, which may explain why the scene didn’t resonate strongly with me.

Hindsight theater: How should Blood and Cheese have happened?

To be honest, I don’t believe the creators intended for the scene to evoke such intense emotions from me, but the writing and direction by Ryan Condal and Alan Taylor made it almost unavoidable. If they wanted me to weep for Helaena by the end, what could they have done differently?

As a seasoned storyteller with years of experience under my belt, I firmly believe that shifting our focus to Helaena before the chaos ensues would greatly enhance the narrative. Having worked with countless characters and crafting countless stories, I can attest to the power of establishing a character’s baseline before the storm hits.

Absolutely, I’ve merely been pondering some thoughts about the “Blood and Cheese” matters from House of the Dragon’s second season, which has been on my mind for quite a while now. Even though the episode is already filmed, I can’t help but share my speculations and put forth my theory for others to consider. I eagerly anticipate more from the series!

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2024-08-02 17:41

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