Rhaenyra Targaryen and her son Jacaerys Velaryon share a big scene at the end of House of the Dragon season 2, episode 5 – and there's more to it than meets the eye.
The following will contain spoilers for the most recent episode, so turn back now if you're not up to date!
Jace spends much of episode 5 meeting with the Freys at the Twins, securing an important alliance for his mother. When he returns, he and Rhaenyra discuss the need for more dragon riders, and Jace has an excellent idea. He points out that Targaryens have been marrying into other Houses for generations, so there are probably some relatives with Valyrian blood scattered around the realm who could potentially claim dragons of their own. Book readers will recognize this as the dragonseed plot.
But, one fan has pointed out a sweet, deeper meaning to the moment. "There's something poetic about Jace suggesting they look into bastards as potential riders in a conversation with his mom," they say. "I feel like he was trying to say it without saying the word but they were both on the same wavelength in the end. Like 'yo Mom if I can ride, then maybe others…'"
Of course, Jace's father by blood is Harwin Strong, though officially he's the son of Laenor Velaryon. His parentage makes him a bastard in the eyes of Westerosi law.
"I was disappointed that he didn’t bring up himself and his brothers on first watch but you make a very good point. I imagine it's taboo to admit to being a bastard even behind closed doors," adds one fan.
"That went right over my head on first watch. I appreciate this scene a lot more now," reflects someone else.
The trailer for episode 6 is heavy on the dragon taming, so we can expect to see the dragonseeds plot in motion very soon.
For even more on House of the Dragon season 2, check out our deep dives on:
- House of the Dragon season 2, episodes 1-4 review
- House of the Dragon season 2 showrunner on why Blood and Cheese is nothing like Game of Thrones' Red Wedding
- House of the Dragon season 2 showrunner doesn't feel the pressure of following the controversial Game of Thrones season 8: "Our challenge comes from within"
- House of the Dragon showrunner teases season 3: "You don't want to end up in that place where you're doing the same thing again and again"
- House of the Dragon season 2 showrunner breaks down the complicated relationship between Daemon and Rhaenyra: "Conflict is the order of the day"
- House of the Dragon season 2 showrunner says Rhaenyra and Alicent's bond is still the heart of the show: "We understand that these two women are connected"
- Aemond Targaryen actor Ewan Mitchell breaks down that House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4 ending: "He very much knew what he was doing"
- House of the Dragon star Ewan Mitchell on why Aemond Targaryen lives to the same code as Robert De Niro in Heat
- House of the Dragon star Ewan Mitchell talks Aemond and Daemon's rivalry: "There's almost a romantic element to it"
- House of the Dragon star Ewan Mitchell explains how Michael Myers inspired Aemond Targaryen
- House of the Dragon season 2, episode 1 recap and Easter eggs
- House of the Dragon season 2, episode 2 recap and Easter eggs
- House of the Dragon season 2, episode 3 recap and Easter eggs
- House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4 recap and Easter eggs
- Hugh Hammer explained
- How Blood and Cheese is different from the book
- How Rook's Rest is different from the book
- Cregan Stark explained
- Addam of Hull explained
- Daeron Targaryen explained
- Alys Rivers explained
- The House of the Dragon dragons, listed and explained
- Greens vs. Blacks, explained
- The White Worm, explained
- The Targaryen family tree
- The House of the Dragon timeline
- Who wins the Dance of the Dragons?
- The history of Vhagar
- The Song of Ice and Fire prophecy
- House of the Dragon season 2 release schedule
