HBO House of the Dragoninspired by author George RR Martin Fire and blooddebuted with a stellar first season, but drew criticism for a slow story and a noticeable lack of action in the second. Several characters and arcs have suffered to the point of being indistinguishable from their book counterparts. While it can be beneficial to give characters a new direction, having them behave inconsistently and in a way that contradicts their basic traits and behavior is another matter entirely.
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Inconsistent writing, poor character development, and weak pacing ultimately compromised House of the Dragonstoryline resulting in a lackluster Season 2. HotD he is guilty of not only mishandling high profile figures such as Alicent Hightower and Rhaenyra Targaryen, but also shortchanged several minor players in the Westerosi political scene. WITH House of the Dragon With Season 3 on the way, the series is running out of time to fix most of its major players.
10
Ser Harrold Westerling effectively disappears without pay
Ser Harrold Westerling was built as a conscientious and morally sound character, in stark contrast to many in the Red Keep. After succeeding Ser Ryam as Lord Commander, he urged the King and his Council to quickly find a replacement in the Kingsguard, emphasizing his active involvement and command. He perfected the workings of the Kingsguard and even invited suitable candidates to court, one of them being Ser Criston Cole.
However, Westerling lost control of the Kingsguard at the time of the Green coup in King's Landing. He stood by in visible shock as Otto Hightower demanded he kill Rhaenyra. Westerling responded with a dramatic exit, marking a disappointing end to his arc. This portrayal stands in stark contrast to the books where Cole simply followed him after death. House of the Dragon he gave him a lot of build up by keeping him alive for a lot longer, but eventually wrote him off with no meaningful reward.
9
Ser Steffon Darklyn is a watered down version of his book counterpart
In the books, it is Ser Steffon Darklyn, not Ser Erryk Cargyll, who brings Rhaenyra her father's two-tone crown. Darklyn is a passionate and loyal knight who risks his life during the Green Coup to travel to Dragonstone to serve his queen. While Darklyn is loyal in both iterations, his presence in House of the Dragon he is mechanical and lacks the passionate loyalty seen in the books.
In the show, Darklyn is relegated to the background of a character whose actions only serve the plot. He rushes to stake a claim on Seasmoke, but is quickly killed by dragon fire, ending his tenure as a narrative device rather than a fully realized character.
8
Hugh Hammer lacks the stark depth of his book counterpart
Hugh's polished portrayal on the show diverges sharply from this Fire and bloodand this change will have a butterfly effect throughout the story, especially in the Two Traitors storyline where he and Ulf defect to the Greens during the first Battle of Tumbleton. In the series, Hugh is Saera Targaryen's bastard, who claims that his grandfather, King Jaehaerys Targaryen's dragon, Vermithor, fights for Rhaenyra's faction. He is a disgraced father with clearly established ties to Viserys and Daemon Targaryen.
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The source material presents Hugh as a rough-and-tumble Blacksmith bastard from Dragonstone, making his eventual betrayal all the more justified. In contrast, Hugh has transformed into a more level-headed person with a sense of purpose House of the Dragonthe result is a character that lacks the depth and rawness of the original.
7
Helaena Targaryen Is Merely A Narrative Ornament
Helaena Targaryen of the Greens is quite different from her family members in both the series and the books. As a dreamer, he experiences prophetic visions and speaks them aloud in mysterious words. The sister-wife of King Aegon II and mother of his twins suffers the tragic loss of her son Jaehaerys at the hands of Blood and Cheese.
Despite her potential, Helaena remains largely underutilized in the game House of the Dragonserving only occasionally as a decoration to the story. Her prophetic visions and pivotal moments fail to be woven into a compelling character, as she largely exists to provide a contrast between the evil Greens and herself.
6
Lady Jeyne Arryn offers a little support to her faction
Queen Rhaenyra's cousin, Lady Jeyne Arryn, is a much more compelling character in the books than in House of the Dragon. As a ruthless ruler, she fervently supported Rhaenyra's cause, even sending her soldiers to aid her cousin. She played a proactive role in the books, fulfilling the role of an ally to the best of her ability.
IN House of the DragonLady Arryn is a reluctant black ally who would much rather keep the Vale safe than participate in Rhaenyra's war. She worries too much even when the war is far from her region, turning the dynamic book character into a disturbing one.
5
Alys Rivers' ambiguity is taken too far
The writers over developed Alys Rivers and forced complexity into her characterization. In the books, she is a mysterious nurse at Harrenhal who becomes Aemond Targaryen's lover during the Dance of Dragons. In the series, he develops a special relationship with Daemon Targaryen, who acts as his psychological assistant.
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House of the Dragon transformed Alys Rivers into a more mysterious character than her book counterpart. Her actions worsened the already meandering Harrenhal subplot. The writers used her to inject a violent mystique into the show, leading to a stagnant narrative.
4
Otto Hightower turned one of Season 1's best characters into a reactive patriarch
Alicenta's wily father Otto is the architect of much of the plot in the Red Keep. He arranges his daughter's marriage to King Viserys Targaryen and is characterized by ruthlessness and cold-blooded logic. In the books, Otto is a shrewd statesman and the true brains of the Greens.
House of the Dragon he undermines Otto's intelligence and turns him into a reactive curmudgeon for most of season 2. His actions are often inconsistent, written to elevate others such as Aegon II and Alicent. Plus, his kidnapping is a pointless diversion from the source material that adds very little to it.
3
Aegon II Targaryen is overshadowed by his brother Aemond Targaryen
Despite being the face of the Greens, King Aegon II flies to Rook's Rest on a whim to fall victim to his brother's plots. This and many other scenes are written to make him look incompetent unlike his younger brother. IN Fire and bloodAegon prepares to fight alongside Aemond in Rook's Rest and is caught in the dragonfire.
House of the Dragon depicts Aegon II as being deliberately burned by Aemond, again tricked into looking foolish. Yes, Aegon II doesn't deserve the throne, but the show makes it even worse by repeatedly making him seem like a pompous fool who's happy to get rid of his own brother.
2
Rhaenyra Targaryen suffers from uneven characterization
Rhaenyra Targaryen is nowhere near as ruthless House of the Dragon as it is in the books. She broods over the prospect of war until she sneaks into King's Landing in a misguided move to negotiate peace with Alicent. The effects of Rhaenyra's conflict arc, confusing character writing, and lack of resolution can be felt throughout Season 2.
In contrast, Rhaenyra in Fire and blood he doesn't worry about the prospect of war, but instead stays one step ahead. She does not surrender her agency to anyone, including Princess Rhaenys or the older male members of her council, and her determination makes her a formidable figure.
1
Alicent Hightower's character is plagued by inconsistent writing
Alicent, like Rhaenyra, suffers from uneven characterization. Hesitating at the prospect of war, she eventually flees into the woods, leaving behind the war she helped start. After spending much of the series instilling fear and hatred in her children, HotD At the end of season 2, he suddenly turns her into a desperate peacemaker.
Alicent's character is neither here nor there. House of the Dragon he treats her poorly and fails to adequately explain the extreme change in her motives. While yes, she is sidelined by a mostly male council, Alicent has experienced and done too much to leave the war as a woman who gives up.
