House of the Dragon carved George R.R. Martin’s face into the weirwood tree at Harrenhal

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As a dedicated fan who’s spent countless hours immersed in the intricate world of Westeros, I find George R.R. Martin’s subtle appearance in House of the Dragon to be an exquisite touch, reminiscent of the author’s meticulous attention to detail that has captivated millions worldwide. The fact that this tribute is hidden within the ancient weirwood tree at Harrenhal adds a layer of mystery and reverence, connecting the show’s rich history with its creator in a deeply symbolic manner.

1. George R.R. Martin is known for writing the ‘Song of Ice and Fire’ series, which was transformed into ‘Game of Thrones’ by HBO. He also penned ‘Fire & Blood’, being adapted as ‘House of the Dragon’ by HBO currently. Despite visiting the set, Martin doesn’t appear in the show itself – or perhaps he does?

Kinda-sorta. Although Martin himself never appears onscreen, we learn in the latest episode of The House That Dragons Built — a documentary series HBO airs about each new episodes — that we do see his face. If you look closely at the weirwood tree in the Harrenhal godswood, you’ll see Martin’s visage carved into the bark:

1. The Weirwood trees are revered by both the Children of the Forest and the early inhabitants of Westeros, known as the First Men. The reason behind the Children carving faces into these trees is a mystery, but they play a crucial role in the ancient faith of the Old Gods, which maintains some influence in areas like the Riverlands, where Harrenhal Castle stands. Couldn’t George R.R. Martin’s likeness be subtly incorporated among those carved faces?

As stated by production designer Jim Clay, showrunner Ryan Condal intended “House of the Dragon” to be a subtle tribute to author George R.R. Martin. According to supervising art director Dominic Masters, the directive was to create an atmosphere that echoes Martin’s style, but leaves one guessing. The intention is that upon first glance, it may not immediately appear as George R.R. Martin’s work. However, after a second look, viewers might say, “Is that…?” suggesting a resemblance to the author.

In the YouTube episode of “The House That Dragons Built” named at 7:38, Martin’s reaction can be observed. He expresses his excitement with the words, “Wow, this is amazing, everyone!” followed by a thankful “Thanks.”

1. Frankly speaking, Martin seems rather unenthusiastic about his tribute to me. Perhaps he spent a long time on set and there might be no reason for concern. However, it’s amusing to speculate that he was upset the show lacked the correct number of dragon legs on its banners and found it hard to muster much excitement at seeing his image etched in fake bark.

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2024-07-30 19:42