Many things change in adapting books to screen, butHouse of the Dragonchanges more than most.
The structure ofGeorge R. R. Martin’sFire & Bloodmakes itimpossible for the series to adapt the story accurately.
This is somewhat drastic, considering it impacts most of the cast’s ages.
Of course, the change doesn’t come without drawbacks, but the benefits far outweigh them.
So although they had likely met before the marriage, it was under very different circumstances.
There was no hesitation on their side in the name of past friendships.
Image via HBO
The change is relatively simple, but it creates a nuanced relationship that isn’t common.
The added layer of complexity creates a more interesting story and a bitter rivalry that will sustain the series.
As the show set up the war of succession, the first season had the potential to be boarding.
Dealing with political intrigue during peacetime means there is little for the story to do.
Their discord is passed to their respective children creating resentment and anger that no one can stop.
Her half-brother, Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney), claims the throne, not Alicent.
Image via HBO
YetHouse of the Dragonremedies this by exploring their relationship.
It is not just about the throne, although that certainly plays a large part.
Their rivalry is the compilation of resentment and jealousy that built up over the years.
Image via HBO
As the season skips through time, looking at different points of this relationship, that much becomes evident.
But this change is effective beyond the characters and stakes of the show.
It impacts the themes as well.
Alicent is told that it’s either Rhaenyra’s friendship or her children’s lives.
It is the outside world that will not let them be friends any longer.
Alicent and Rhaenyra didn’t originally hate each other like inFire & Blood.
But they were manipulated into becoming enemies.
To make their friendship work, most of the ages needed to change.
Rhaenyra became older, as she was nine when her father remarried in the book.
This had many effects, but mainly, it required Viserys to be aged.
In the show, he is middle-aged, while in the book, he’s only twenty-nine.
This alsorequired the show to play with the timeline, changing the dates for a few events.
Yet this is a small price to pay for the change that madeHouse of the Dragonwhat it is.
