WARNING! This article contains major SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 5 and George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood book, on which the show is based!
Summary
An important line inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 5 undermines the relatively happy ending of Baela Targaryen, whose book story concludes more favorably than other Targaryen characters. Very few major characters make it out of the Dance of the Dragons alive, and even fewer have what could be considered “happy” endings thereafter. After all, the ultimatelywinner-less Dance of the Dragons endswith thedeaths of the majority of House Targaryen, the demise of nearly all dragons, and a significant loss of powerin the family’s future.
WhileLaenor Velaryon’s survival twistgives him an arguably happy ending by fleeing to Essos and living an anonymous life,Baela Targaryen has among the most prosperous fates ofHouse of the Dragon’s characters after the war. However, this now doesn’t seem to be the case after a conversation between Baela and Corlys inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 5. By rejecting Corlys’ proposal for her to be his heir to Driftmark and stating it’s not what she wants, Baela’s future in George R.R. Maritn’sFire & Bloodbook appears much more disappointing than before.
Why Baela Rejects Corlys' Wish To Make Her Heir To Driftmark In House Of The Dragon
Baela’s Targaryen Blood Runs Stronger
As Baela states inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 5,“I am blood and fire. Driftmark must pass to salt and sea.”Baela’s heart and passions lie in dragonriding, the skies, and a fiery disposition, not at the sea on a boat. Baela knows little about the sea and would rather spend her future patrolling the skies and flying on Moondancer, living in the style of a Targaryen dragonrider. In this way, Baela takes after her both her mother, Laena, and father, Daemon, whose lives are spent on dragonback as Targaryen royalty rather than as sailors of Driftmark.
Baela doesn’t loathe her grandfather’s passions or reject her Velaryon heritage, butshe turns down Corlys’ offer because she knows she’s not the right person to be the Lady of the Tides. Had she grown up preferring to sail than fly, then Baela would have been the perfect choice to succeed Corlys at Driftmark. Not to mention that she’s betrothed to the heir to the Iron Throne, Prince Jacaerys Velaryon, Baela’s sight is set on carrying on the legacy of House Targaryen and the customs of those with fire and blood flowing through their veins.
6
7
8
Baela Targaryen Still Ends Up Being The Wife Of The Lord Of The Tides After Corlys' Death (Despite Not Wanting It)
Baela Marries Alyn Velaryon & Largely Remains At Driftmark
Sadly,Fire & Bloodreveals that this optimistic ending isn’t exactly what happens to Baela. Instead, shedoes end up spending her future at Driftmark, but perhaps worse, as the wife of the Lord of the Tides rather than the ruling Lady of the Tides.Prince Jacaerys Velaryon diesin the Dance of the Dragons during the Battle of the Gullet, with Baela soon being held captive by King Aegon II Targaryen at Dragonstone. After the war, Rhaenyra’s young son Aegon III Targaryen ascends the Iron Throne instead, with Baela also being without a dragon due to Moondancer’s death.
Though she didn’t want a life at Driftmark in House of the Dragon, this somewhat tragically becomes her reality.
When Aegon III’s regents decide that Baela needs to marry a politically beneficial suitor,she flees from King’s Landing to Driftmark and marries her uncle Alyn Velaryon, whobecomes the Lord of the Tides after Corlys’ death. WhileFire & Bloodonly extends to the first five years after the Dance of the Dragons, Baela largely remains at Driftmark and has two children with Alyn. As such, though she didn’t want a life at Driftmark inHouse of the Dragon, this somewhat tragically becomes her reality.
New episodes ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2 release Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.
House of the Dragon
Cast
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
