Summary
George R.R.
He feels that the TV version misses the historical ambiguity and complexity found in the book.
The layered storytelling is lost in the show, where the events are presented more definitively.
Image via HBO
This time,the gruesome murder was carried out by two men known as Blood and Cheese.
When they couldn’t find Aemond, they targeted Jaehaerys instead.
Helaena then fled with her daughter to the safety of her mother Alicents room.
Image via HBO
Additionally, the murder in the book takes place in Alicents room, not Helaenas.
However, they kill Jaehaerys anyway.
Why Did George R.R.
The reign of House Targaryen begins with this prequel to the popular HBO seriesGame of Thrones.Based on George R.R. Martin’sFire & Blood,House of the Dragonis set nearly 200 years beforeGame of Thrones, telling the story of the Targaryen civil war with King Viserys.
Martin Dislike the Adaptation of Blood and Cheese?
The issues are too complicated."
Another issue Martin has is with how the characters' motivations were changed.
The setting change from Alicents bedroom to Helaenas also impacts the psychological intensity of the scene.
In the book, having Alicent present during the murder adds a layer of horror and helplessness.
This shift in the show might reduce the intended emotional impact.
Lastly, Helaenas choice in the book is more heartbreaking.
She chooses Maelor, her youngest son, in the hope that Blood and Cheese will spare Jaehaerys.
This moment highlights a mothers desperate hope and the cruel reality of her tormentors.
House of the Dragonairs Sundays on HBO at 9pm, and the series streams on Max.
