House of the Dragon corrects Game of Thrones lore about Targaryens

As a long-time fan of George R.R. Martin’s intricately woven saga of power struggles and political intrigue in the fantastical land of Westeros, I’ve watched with both fascination and frustration as the hit HBO series “Game of Thrones” evolved, sometimes diverging from its source material.

[Ed note: This story contains spoilers for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 5.]

In the fifth episode of House of the Dragon’s second season, there is a hint that King Aegon II Targaryen survived the Battle at Rook’s Rest. However, his condition is far from ideal. The king, who is not particularly strong on the throne, is left with severe injuries. He has fractures, internal damages, and extensive burns – quite a common sight in the world of Game of Thrones. This may leave some viewers wondering: Isn’t it said that Targaryens are immune to fire?

As a longtime fan of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, I can confidently say that the matter of Targaryen’s fire immunity is clear-cut in Martin’s novels. However, having been left bewildered by the inconsistencies in both “Game of Thrones” and “House of the Dragon,” I must admit that the truth has become as tangled as dragon tails in an overcrowded hatchery.

Are Targaryens fireproof in George R.R. Martin’s books?

In Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series, Targaryens have a unique trait: they are more resistant to fire and less affected by temperature changes than most people. However, this doesn’t make them completely immune to fire. This information was not explicitly stated in the books but was clarified by George R.R. Martin on the Citadel fansite in November 1998.

Some fans may be interpreting too deeply the scene in “Game of Thrones” where dragons are born, mistakenly believing that all Targaryens possess an unwavering immunity to fire under all circumstances. However, this is not supported by the evidence presented in George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series.

In George R.R. Martin’s “A Game of Thrones,” Daenerys Targaryen famously states, “Fire cannot harm a dragon” following her brother Viserys’ demise, which occurred when molten gold was poured onto his head. However, this quote is not to be taken literally. Instead, Dany is mockingly retorting to her brother’s empty boasts about being a dragon. In contrast, Daenerys’ survival from Khal Drogo’s funeral pyre later in the book can indeed be considered an instance of a Targaryen walking through fire unharmed. Nevertheless, Martin has emphasized that this event was due to supernatural influences.

Martin clarified in a 2003 interview that Targaryans are not exempt from the harm of fire. The incident involving Daenerys and her dragons was a rare magical occurrence, not a standard ability for Targaryans. They may enjoy hot environments more than others, but they are not invulnerable to flames.

Furthermore, the Targaryen dynasty experiences numerous unequivocal instances of being harmed by fire throughout Martin’s works. For instance, Viserys meets his end when Khal Drogo places a crown made of molten gold on his head, while Daenerys witnesses her hair turning to ash as she passes through the funeral pyre. She also singes her hair by getting too close to Drogon’s flames and her hands by touching a spear that the dragon had breathed upon. The historical account in “Fire & Blood” documents several instances of other Targaryens, such as Aegon II, sustaining injuries from fire.

The majority of these afflictions result from battles among dragons, with one exception being a self-inflicted injury (Prince Aerion Targaryen consumed a cup of Wildfire, an explosive substance similar to napalm). It’s an intriguing observation that, although I haven’t run the statistics, it seems more Targaryens meet their end or suffer severe harm due to fire in George R.R. Martin’s books than any other named characters.

As a longtime fan of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series, I’ve been following these epic tales for years. And let me tell you, despite all the hype surrounding House Targaryen, I’d advise taking it with a grain of salt.

Are Targaryens fireproof in the Game of Thrones show?

In the HBO version of the story, there are differences regarding this particular aspect when compared to George R.R. Martin’s books. However, the response remains “yes and no.” Daenerys exhibits these traits, but other Targaryens do not to the same extent.

In “Game of Thrones,” Dany repeatedly endures fire without suffering any harm beyond what’s expected. For instance, she takes baths that are boiling hot, manages dragon eggs that are scalding, stands close to Drogon as he breathes fire, and even sets a room ablaze, leaving only her clothes damaged. (Note: The “funeral-pyre stunt” mentioned earlier doesn’t actually burn Dany’s hair in the show.)

As a passionate fan, I’d put it this way: In contrast to the dragons’ fiery nature, Viserys and Jon Snow, despite their Targaryen lineage, are far from fire-resistant in the world of “Game of Thrones.” I can recall how Viserys meets his unfortunate end in both the show and the books due to the scorching heat. And let’s not forget about poor Jon Snow; his hand got singed when he threw a lantern at a wight in the first season. It seems that their supposed dragon blood doesn’t grant them any protection from fire.

When it comes to the storyline of “Game of Thrones,” Daenerys Targaryen stands alone as the only fire-resistant member of her family. This unique ability represents her authentic Targaryen identity. Therefore, the showrunners, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, presented her as a “chosen one” with the expectation that she would embody this role in a significant way. However, as we later saw, Daenerys’ journey took a darker turn, resembling Anakin Skywalker from “Star Wars.”

Are Targaryens fireproof (even sometimes) in House of the Dragon?

House of the Dragon is a prequel to the Game of Throns TV series, focusing on the Targaryen dynasty and their connection to dragons, as per George R.R. Martin’s books. It’s no wonder that characters like Aegon, Princess Rhaenys, and Prince Aemond face danger when dragonfire erupts – a truth we saw unfold in season 2, episode 4. They can handle the occasional brush of fire, but a full-blown attack will leave them engulfed.

In “House of the Dragon” season 2 episode 5, Aegon and Daemon both suffer from severe burns. This explains Daemon’s scars and the fear among dragon riders when approaching their dragons. The Targaryens’ interaction with fire in this series comes with a high risk of getting burnt – just like any other character in Westeros. However, this contrasts oddly with the later appearance of Daenerys Targaryen, who manages to avoid such consequences despite similar encounters with fire. This inconsistency adds to the significant changes observed in “House of the Dragon” compared to the broader franchise narrative.

In the TV show “Game of Thrones,” there’s an intriguing question about why Daenerys Targaryen is the only fireproof member of her family. One possibility could be that dragon fire is just more powerful than regular flames. After all, it can melt down stone fortresses like Harrenhal, making it the hottest thing we’ve seen in the show. This explanation could account for Aegon Targaryen’s burnt state as an isolated incident; only a dragon can truly harm a “true” Targaryen, whatever that may mean in this fictional universe.

From my perspective as a passionate fan, I can’t help but ponder over the intriguing detail that only one member of House Targaryen seems to be genuinely fire-resistant. Of course, this is just speculation for now, and Ryan Condal and George R.R. Martin might hold a different interpretation. Yet, they haven’t disclosed their thoughts on this matter. Consequently, the reason behind this unique ability remains one of the most captivating mysteries that “House of the Dragon” has left us pondering.

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2024-07-15 05:19