Why Seasmoke Chose His New Rider Explained By House Of The Dragon Star: “It’s More Than Just Blood”

This article contains spoilers from House of the Dragon season 2, episodes 6 and 7.

House of the Dragon star Clinton Liberty explains why he believes Seasmoke chooses Addam of Hull as his new rider. Season 2 episode 6 ends with Addam, a bastard son of Corlys Velaryon, unexpectedly being chosen by Seasmoke, whose former rider was Corlys and Rhaenys Targaryen’s son, Laenor Velaryon. A seemingly common shipwright becoming a dragonrider has now changed the balance of power as the Dance of the Dragons continues to unfold.

In an interview with Variety, Liberty was asked what he believes it takes for an individual to bond with a dragon, whether it comes down to Targaryen blood, strength, or another factor entirely. He shared his interpretation of why Seasmoke chooses Addam when the dragon did not choose Steffon Darklyn, whose lineage traced back to the Targaryens. He also draws parallels between the half-brothers of Addam and Laenor, both of whom Seasmoke chose. Check out Liberty’s comments below:

I feel like it’s a combination of different things, because as we saw, Steffon Darklyn, he had the blood and the highborn sort of family. But Seasmoke could sense that the essence of the human wasn’t quite what Seasmoke was looking for, which made me understand, “Oh, it’s more than just blood — it’s also the essence of who the human is.” Because if we see Laenor and Addam, yes, they both share the same blood and similar blood, but when you look at them as people, they’re actually just really good, nice, lovely human beings.

And it’s funny to say that in a world of hard-hearted people who are trying to claim glory, win whatever the cost is. I feel like that’s also an important factor for a dragon to choose a human to bond with, because dragons are very intelligent. They know who the essence of the human is behind the facade the human’s trying to portray. So I think it’s a mixture of blood — but it’s also who this human being is.

Addam’s Fate Has Upended House Of The Dragon’s Status Quo

Trueborn Targaryens Aren’t The Only Dragon Riders Now

Warning: Spoilers for House of the Dragon season 2 episode 7 belowHouse of the Dragon‘s status quo was set as a world where only trueborn Targaryens could become dragonriders, which severely restricted the Blacks and the Greens’ ability to wage their war against each other. Seasmoke choosing Addam changes that, ultimately encouraging Rhaenyra to broaded her criteria for new riders and leading to Vermithor choosing Hugh Hammer and Silverwing choosing Ulf. As Liberty emphasizes, the essence of the individual holds just as much weight as the blood that flows through their veins.

That essence does not have to be noble, as seen with Vhagar choosing the ruthless Aemond Targaryen in season 1. Despite Vhagar being the largest living dragon, Aemond and the Greens are at a sudden disadvantage now that the Blacks have riders for Syrax, Seasmoke, Vermithor, Silverwing, Vermax, and Moondancer. With Daemon Targaryen seemingly giving up on his foolish pursuit of the Iron Throne, the Blacks should still have him and his dragon Caraxes as well.

The Dragonkeepers rejecting the idea of Targaryen bastards becoming dragonriders in House of the Dragon season 2 episode 7 shows that not everyone is willing to accept the change in the status quo, but regardless, it has turned the tide in the ongoing war. At the same time, no matter how promising this seems for the future of dragons and their riders, it does not change the fact that the Dance of the Dragons will lead to dragons going extinct for more than a century before Robert’s Rebellion, and until Daenerys Targaryen’s dragons are born in Game of Thrones.

Source: Variety

House of the Dragon

Taking place about 172 years before the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon tells the tale of the rise of the Targaryens, the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria. The popular HBO spinoff show first starred Milly Alcock and Emily Carey as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower before they were replaced by Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke, who play the older versions of the characters. Also starring in the series is Matt Smith (Prince Daemon Targaryen) and Paddy Considine as Rhaenyra’s father, King Viserys Targaryen.

Cast

Jefferson Hall , Paddy Considine , Fabien Frankel , Ryan Corr , Eve Best , Gavin Spokes , Graham McTavish , Steve Toussaint , Olivia Cooke , Sonoya Mizuno , Bill Paterson , Matthew Needham , Emma D’Arcy , Matt Smith , Rhys Ifans , David Horovitch

Release Date

August 21, 2022

Seasons

2

Network

HBO Max

Showrunner

Ryan Condal

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