Whereas Vermithor’s destruction of the Targaryen bastards was probably the most talked about second in final week’s episode of Home of The Dragon, the scenes earlier than which might be maybe much more fascinating.
Specifically, the scene between Rhaenyra and her dragon keepers is kind of vital. Earlier than she takes the dragon seeds to Vermithor, Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) loses all of her dragon keepers.
They go on strike, protesting Rhaenyra’s plan for the dragonseeds and expressing their disapproval on to her. This may very well be a significant drawback, as there are fewer individuals to coach Ulf (Tom Bennett), Addam (Clinton Liberty), and Hugh Hammer (Kieran Bew) to turn out to be competent dragonriders.
However probably the most intriguing facet is the best way the dragon keepers view the dragons. They really feel that Rhaenyra’s plan not solely breaks custom, but additionally abuses the dragons.
The Dragonkeepers consider within the outdated Valyrian histories, which say that solely sure individuals, particularly these born into dragonlord households, can experience dragons. This means that households such because the Velaryons and Celtigars wouldn’t have the identical potential.
From their dialog with Rhaenyra, it turns into clear that the dragonkeepers see dragons not solely as animals, but additionally as gods.
They’re very devoted to it. Nevertheless, Jace (Harry Collett) recommended that these histories may very well be propaganda, created to make the Targaryens appear nearer to gods than to unusual people. This concept is challenged by everybody.
The Targaryens’ energy, together with their incestuous practices, relies on the idea that they’re the one ones who can experience dragons and are subsequently particular.
In Fireplace & Blood by George R. R. Martin, it’s talked about that earlier than the Dance of the Dragons, King Jaehaerys (Michael Carter) established the Doctrine of Exceptionalism. This doctrine states that Targaryens are exempt from prosecution for incest by the Religion of the Seven due to their connection to dragons.
This emphasizes the facility the Targaryens had at the moment. That energy disappeared after the Dance of Dragons confirmed that the Targaryens and their dragons weren’t invincible.
We see this when Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) parades Meley’s head via town. Through the use of dragonseeds, Rhaenyra has additional challenged the parable of the Targaryens. Plainly this was an excessive amount of for the dragonkeepers, who couldn’t settle for this problem to their core values.
The Dragonkeepers, just like the followers of Previous Valyria, view dragons as sacred. They consider that noble lineage and birthright are the sources of the Targaryens’ magical connection to dragons. They’ve devoted their lives to this perception, and Rhaenyra’s plan is an affront to their devotion.
If bastards and non-Valyrians can strategy these “holy” dragons, it reduces the function of the dragonkeepers from that of clergymen to mere steady fingers. However their resentment of Rhaenyra’s plan isn’t solely on account of their very own standing.
The Dragon Keepers Do Not Imagine That Dragons Ought to Be Used In Political Video games
The dragonkeepers will not be solely protecting of their function as devoted worshippers. One dragonkeeper claims that dragons are the “final magic of Previous Valyria” and shouldn’t be utilized in “man’s video games.”
They’re indignant that bastards have gotten dragon riders, however they’re particularly indignant that this variation is occurring in order that dragons can struggle one another in a battle between relations.
This exhibits that the dragon keepers will not be like different gamers in Westeros. They care extra about their devotion to the dragons than their very own standing. In the event that they noticed dragons as weapons or toys, as an alternative of being honored, they’d abandon their function.
The dragon keepers add depth and curiosity to the Home of the Dragon story. Their devotion to the dragons emphasizes their significance and units them aside from the political maneuverings of the present. Whether or not the dragon keepers will return stays to be seen. Will they go to King’s Touchdown, depart Westeros altogether, or return to Rhaenyra?
