House of the Dragon Season 2 was indeed a roller coaster ride, as it involved several events that fans had awaited since the finale of Season 1. One such event was the Blood and Cheese sequence that gave us nightmares; I mean, who would think of witnessing a boy getting butchered on their screens? Even though the creators didn’t showcase the murder onscreen, we can’t deny how disturbing the offscreen noises were.
The viewers who haven’t read George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood didn’t find any problem in the sequence, but those who anticipated HOTD’s most awaited scene after reading the book were undoubtedly disappointed. Not only were those viewers dissatisfied, but the author himself was not satisfied with the portrayal of Blood and Cheese in the HBO series. Recently, he discussed what went wrong before deleting the blog post. However, let’s not forget that nothing can be permanently deleted from the Internet.
Insights from GRRM’s Blog on HOTD Season 2
George R.R. Martin, the author of the books that inspired Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, frequently shares his thoughts on how well the adaptations translate to screen. Promising fans he would address the impact of certain sequences, he opened up about the Blood and Cheese episode in HOTD Season 2.
GRRM’s blog indicates that he was not pleased with the Blood and Cheese sequence featured in the premiere of House of the Dragon Season 2. According to Martin, the sequence was significantly more powerful in the books. He acknowledged the actors who played the brutal killers delivered fantastic performances, but felt the characters appeared flat in the TV series compared to their book counterparts. In the adaptation, Blood and Cheese forced Haelena to identify Jahaerys among her sleeping twins, as there was no introduction of Maelor in the show.
In the source material, Aegon II and Haelena had three children: Jahaerys, Jahaera, and Maelor. The murderous duo demanded that the Queen choose between her two sons whom she wanted to sacrifice. Moreover, in the books, Haelena bravely asks the killers to end her life instead, sparing her children, a display of courage not depicted in the show where she only offers jewelry to the assassins.
Martin’s blog post also illuminated the cruel nature of Blood and Cheese in the Fire & Blood narrative:
In the show, Blood is a gold cloak. In the book, he is a former gold cloak, stripped of his office for beating a woman to death. Book Blood is the sort of man who might think making a woman choose which of her sons should die is amusing, especially when they double down on the wanton cruelty by murdering the boy she tries to save. Book Cheese is worse too; he does not kick a dog, true, but he does not have a dog, and he’s the one who tells Maelor that his mom wants him dead.
He emphasized that the essence of this scene is akin to 'Sophie’s Choice' and expressed disappointment that the showrunners chose to overlook this depth. George R.R. Martin stated that, based on public comments, most of the audience seemed to share his sentiments.
Despite the criticism, GRRM acknowledged that it was a good episode overall. However, he noted it could have been enhanced had Haelena been depicted as she was envisioned in the books, particularly during such a critical moment of decision-making.
Response from Ryan Condal Regarding GRRM's Criticism
Martin’s blog also provided insights into Ryan Condal’s response when the author confronted him over the changes made in 2022. According to Condal, they considered casting a toddler to portray Maelor but ultimately decided against it. He explained that toddlers significantly contributed to production delays, and he wasn't prepared to take that risk. Additionally, he mentioned budget constraints, stating that the production costs were already substantial, prompting him to seek cost-saving measures wherever possible.
When Martin inquired about Maelor’s absence from the show, Condal indicated that he had not completely disregarded the character but intended to include Maelor in Season 3. This explanation resonated with Martin, leading him to cease further disputes with the showrunner.
Implications for HOTD Season 3
Despite Condal’s assurance of including Maelor in the third season, Martin indicated that the young prince might not appear in the TV adaptation. In the novels, Haelena tragically takes her own life after Maelor’s demise, but the show seems poised to depict her ending her life without any clear motive. “In Ryan’s outline for season 3, Helaena still kills herself … for no particular reason,” the author noted.
There is no fresh horror, no triggering event to overwhelm the fragile young queen. - George R.R. Martin
Additionally, Martin discussed the concept of the Butterfly Effect, suggesting that even small changes in the storyline could lead to significant consequences in future episodes. The omission of Maelor could compel the creators to modify or eliminate pivotal events in HOTD Season 3, which would undoubtedly disappoint viewers.
Following the deletion of Martin’s blog post, HBO responded by emphasizing their respect and admiration for George R.R. Martin and his work. They acknowledged the difficulties in adapting a book into a television series, where tough decisions must be made about which characters and narratives to include. They expressed confidence in Ryan Condal and his team's ability to create a series that continues to resonate with fans.
Although the author chose to delete his post for reasons unknown, it is clear that several fans had already saved and begun discussing its contents. The absence of a clear explanation from Martin about why he removed the blog adds another layer of intrigue to the ongoing conversation surrounding the adaptation.
