Warning: Main spoilers forward for the season two premiere of “Home of the Dragon” and the guide “Fireplace and Blood.”
“Home of the Dragon” is already protecting us on our toes in season two — and the premiere briefly launched an vital determine from George R.R. Martin’s guide.
Within the season two premiere, Aegon II Targaryen hears petitions from widespread people. Unused to creating troublesome selections as ruler, he is beneficiant in granting their needs — that’s, till his Hand Otto Hightower steps in to remind him that his dragons must eat the sheep he simply granted again to a shepherd.
Considered one of these petitioners, nevertheless, is extra vital than the others: Hugh the blacksmith (Kieran Bew), who asks Aegon for an advance on the smiths’ cost for weapons.
In case you could not inform by the lingering, close-up shot of Hugh’s face throughout his introduction, here is your PSA: You need to bear in mind his face. Assuming he is the identical Hugh from “Fireplace and Blood,” the guide on which “Home of the Dragon” is predicated, we’ll see rather more of him down the road.
In ‘Fireplace and Blood,’ Hugh is a dragonrider
In the course of the Dance of the Dragons, as recounted in “Fireplace and Blood,” Rhaenyra’s son Jacaerys decides to recruit potential dragonriders from the breadth of Targaryen bastards. He places out a name for recruits, promising rewards like knighthood, lands, and glory to those that are capable of efficiently mount a dragon.
Not everybody was ready to take action. In accordance with “Fireplace and Blood,” Grand Maester Munkun (one historic supply) recounted that 16 males died through the trials, whereas tens of them had been injured. Hugh, a “blacksmith’s bastard” with unimaginable bodily power, mounted the dragon Vermithor. Others additionally succeeded, mounting the dragons Silverwing, Seasmoke, and Sheepstealer.
Vermithor — we all know him, proper?
That you simply do. “Home of the Dragons” viewers encountered Vermithor in season one. The earlier mount of King Jaehaerys, Viserys’ predecessor, and was riderless after his loss of life.
Daemon Targaryen very briefly encounters Vermithor within the season one finale when he seeks him out beneath Dragonstone. Singing a music in Excessive Valyrian, Daemon would not appear to get very far with Vermithor — however he would not get burnt to a crisp, which continues to be a internet win.
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Vermithor is not the largest dragon that we have seen in “Home of the Dragon” — that honor goes to Aemond’s huge, stunning lady Vhagar — however he is nonetheless fairly huge.
Now, if you’d like potential main spoilers for the present…
What occurs to Hugh within the books?
The fictional historical past of Westeros recounts how Hugh fought within the battle as a dragonrider. In a single battle, Rhaenyra’s forces clashed with a naval fleet from the Triarchy, with whom Otto Hightower had engineered an alliance. In the course of the battle, Hugh and Vermithor fought alongside the dragons Silverwing, Sheepstealer, Seasmoke, their riders, Jacaerys, and his dragon Vermax.
Nevertheless, Hugh and Ulf White, Silverwing’s rider, defected later within the battle, although their motivations had been disputed within the historic document. Later within the battle, he made a play for the throne himself, however was killed throughout a battle.
“Home of the Dragon” season two airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and is streaming on Max.
