House of the Dragon showrunner defends bizarre Season 2 scene as fan service, igniting fan criticism about the show’s creative liberties.
It isn’t House of the Dragon if an episode or an event does not cause controversy and leads to countless ‘civil wars’ within the huge Game of Thrones fandom. Ever since the series debuted on our screens, fans and critics have found one or the other thing controversial and problematic about the plot, which is based on/inspired by the writing of George R.R. Martin.
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A still from House of the Dragon | HBO
Yet, despite the controversy and backlash, the series continues to be one of the most-watched and fan-favorite fantasy ones of all time. However, its status might not remain so given the recent backlash House of the Dragon showrunner faced after he claimed one bizarre season 2 scene as ‘fan service’.
House of the Dragon Showrunner Ryan Condal Defends Bizarre Season 2 Scene
House of the Dragon is one of the best fantasy shows in recent times, but given the series is based on a written source, fans are not always happy that the show takes creative liberties when and wherever it likes. While there are several instances we can point out that fans have found problematic and taxing, recently, it is a bizarre season 2 plot that has caught the ire of fans.
Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower are shown as the best of friends in the season of the show. But when Alicent is married off to King Viserys Targaryen, becoming Rhaenyra’s stepmother, things slowly descend into chaos one by one.
Soon, Alicent takes over Rhaenyra’s throne, making her son, Aegon, the king, as her second son, Aemond, ends up killing Rhaenyra’s child, Lucerys. Yet, both, in their own ways, continue to pine for each other. This eventually leads to Episode 3 of the show’s season 2, where Rhaenyra disguises herself and enters King’s Landing to meet Alicent.
Although their relationship remains as divided as ever, this particular plotline has been criticized by fans. However, House of the Dragon showrunner Ryan Condal recently defended the act in the official podcast of the series by stating that everyone wanted to see the two characters and the actors together. Labeling the controversial act as fan service, fans of the series are up in revolt claiming they never wanted the show to go as far.
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House of the Dragon Faces Fresh Wave of Criticism After Ryan Condal’s Claims
Ryan Condal defends HOTD scene featuring Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower | HBO
House of the Dragon is a TV show narrating fictional events as stories, while the book it is based on, Fire & Blood, is more of a historical account of the same fictional stories. Given the difference between the two, it has allowed the makers of HOTD to take creative liberties and introduce events that were probably not considered worthy of being ‘written down as historical accounts’. One such creative liberty features Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) and Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) sharing the screen after the many tumultuous and disastrous events in their relationship.
After showrunner Ryan Condal defended their reunion, giving the reasoning that fans wanted to see them together, fans of the show have been busy bashing Condal and the rest of the team for making such a decision.
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As fans continue to call out the writers and showrunners for ruining a well-running plot with unnecessary acts of ‘fan fiction’ for the sake of ‘fan service’, it is clear that many of them seem to be losing interest. For a work based on a written piece of material, history has stood as evidence that no unfaithful work gets to enjoy enduring popularity and success.
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Hence, it is about time that the show’s creators address these issues and navigate these challenges carefully to maintain the series’ status as a beloved fantasy epic.
House of the Dragon can be streamed on Max.
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