The Most Epic Fantasy and Sci-Fi Website

House of the Dragon Season 2: Major Death Alludes to the Big Change in George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood


house-of-the-dragon-season-2-major-death-alludes-to-the-big-change-in-george-rr-martins-fire-blood
Credit: GameofThrones/YouTube Screenshot

House of the Dragon Season 2 set photos revealed a major death is happening, alluding to the big change the first season made to its source material, George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood.

The book is written as an “in-universe historical account,” so it needs several alterations—from minor to major. As the first season already saw some of these changes, it will continue to play out in House of the Dragon Season 2, like the death of Princess Rhaenys Targaryen’s (Eve Best) she-dragon, Meleys.

Meley’s Death in House of Dragon Season 2

Warning: Major spoilers ahead. Read at your own risk.

According to Screen Rant, Meley’s death is crucial in the Dance of the Dragons, as the blacks dominate Harrenhal, and numerous houses have joined Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy).

Rhaenys and Meleys arrived in Rook’s Rest after House Staunton asked for Rhaenyra’s help following Ser Criston Cole’s (Fabien Frankel) march of almost 3,000 men north, forcing Houses Rosby and Stokeworth to yield.

ALSO READ: Young Sheldon Season 7: 3 Possible Storylines That Season 6 Finale Has Set Up

Archers fired arrows upon them, but Criston let Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) and Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) join the battle with their dragons, Sunfyre and Vhagar.

The two dragons fought Meleys in the air, resulting in the Red Queen and Rhaenys’ death.

After Meley’s defeat, the dragon’s head was taken for a parade in King’s Landing, as seen in the House of the Dragon Season 2 set photos.

A Decreased House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode Order and Release Window

Fans will see fewer episodes of House of the Dragon Season 2. From the premiere season’s 10-episode run, the second season will be down to eight episodes.

In an interview with Deadline, HBO’s EVP and Head of Drama Francesca Orsi revealed the decision was made due to the middle of the season’s “treading water.”

"There was some question about the narrative shape of Season 2," she said.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Legacies Season 5: What Could Have Happened in the Supposed New Season?

"We were developing it with Ryan Condal and [EP] Sara Hess, and we realized that we were sort of treading water narratively in the middle of the season," she continued. "So, it just felt much more rigorous, more urgent emotional arc for our characters if we compressed the season."

The number-of-episode change will also affect the second season’s conclusion and how House of the Dragon Season 3 will begin.

Though HBO has yet to renew the show for a third season, they seem to already mapping out its storyline.

READ MORE: Bridgerton Season 3: New Female Character’s Introduction May Cause Trouble for Colin, Penelope

There are no words yet on when House of the Dragon Season 2 will officially be released, but the network reportedly eyes dropping it in the summer of 2024.

For more House of the Dragon Season 2 news, stay tuned to EpicStream!

For more articles like this, take a look at our Pop Culture page.