House of the Dragon: Did Alys Rivers cripple the foot of Larys Strong?

House of the Dragon: Did Alys Rivers cripple the foot of Larys Strong?

As a dedicated gamer and avid fan of “House of the Dragon,” I’ve been eagerly anticipating each new episode, and the latest one, “Smallfolk,” did not disappoint. The complexity and depth of the characters have always been one of the show’s strongest aspects, but this episode took it to a whole new level.


In the sixth episode of “House of the Dragon” season 2, many surprises and advancements unfolded. The story moved from Dragonstone’s solemn halls to the Red Keep’s council room, and even to the bustling streets of King’s Landing. The lives of various characters involved in the Dance of the Dragons conflict were significantly altered by the common folk or “smallfolk.”

As a gamer, I’ve noticed how intriguing the characters of Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) and King Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) have been this season. For Aegon, it was a rollercoaster ride from adjusting to his new role as king in the first half, only to be cruelly dethroned when his brother Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) ordered him burned in dragonfire. Aemond seized power and became the Prince Regent at King’s Landing.

In “Smallfolk,” Larys finds himself in an unusual predicament instead of continuing to fawn over Aemond. He decides to approach King Aegon, who is recovering, and speaks candidly about living with a disability in Westeros. This conversation aims to help Aegon understand and prepare for his own challenges. Additionally, Larys uses this opportunity to discuss how he acquired his injury and names those held responsible within his family.

“I was born with a loud cry in one of Harren’s grand towers, recounted Larys to Aegon. My lungs were robust, but my foot was deformed, leading my father to suspect witchcraft among our household.”

As someone who has spent years immersed in the rich tapestry of Westeros lore, I must admit that the hint of dark magic at Harrenhal piques my curiosity like nothing else. With a background filled with tales of sorcery and its consequences, I can’t help but wonder: could it be the enigmatic figure known as “The Red Priestess,” Melisandre? Or perhaps the cunning and elusive Qyburn, who has been rumored to dabble in the forbidden arts? Whatever the truth may be, my fascination with the arcane runs deep, and I eagerly await the revelation of this mystery.

House of the Dragon: Did Alys Rivers cripple the foot of Larys Strong?

Is Alys Rivers responsible for Larys “Clubfoot” Strong’s condition?

Certainly, I’m referring to Alys Rivers, played by Gayle Rankin, who has been meddling with Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) during his time at Harrenhal. When I overheard this conversation between Aegon and Larys, my first thought was if Alys could have been the one whom Larys’ father, Lyonel Strong, attempted to accuse for his deformed foot.

In simpler terms, the show “House of the Dragon” doesn’t directly answer who Alys is, but there are strong indications suggesting it could be her. Her age is uncertain, and in both the show and the book “Fire & Blood,” no one knows how old she truly is or how long she has served the Strong family at Harrenhal. Actress Gayle Rankin has hinted that Alys might have been present for over 400 years. Furthermore, it’s mentioned in “Fire & Blood” that she could be the wet nurse for Larys and his older brother Harwin or even their father from generations past. The book states that she was at least 40 years old during the Dance of the Dragons, but her exact age remains a mystery.

It’s plausible to think Alys could have played a role in Larys Strong’s birth, given the many other enigmas surrounding her. However, if she was indeed charged with practicing dark magic leading to Larys’ deformed foot, why would she remain in Harrenhal’s service? This might be an indication of Alys’ remarkable influence and grip on House Strong within that cursed castle.

House of the Dragon: Did Alys Rivers cripple the foot of Larys Strong?

An alternative explanation is that the individual blamed for hurling “defamatory curses” against Larys might have been the maester who came before Alys at Harrenhal. In the episode titled “The Red Dragon and the Gold” (Episode 204), Alys shares with Daemon that this unidentified previous maester “never truly stayed” at Harrenhal. It is possible that she was attempting to soften the situation, and in reality, he was forcibly removed due to allegations of sorcery.

It’s an open question whether any genuine witchcraft was involved in the events that transpired, or if Larys’ condition was merely a result of fate. Was someone truly responsible, or was it the cursed ruins of Harrenhal that played a role? Until “House of the Dragon” delves deeper into this topic, the cause of Larys’ deformed foot remains uncertain. Regardless, we now have more information about him than previously.

Two more episodes of House of the Dragon season 2 remain. They air Sunday nights on HBO and Max.

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2024-07-22 18:42

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