A new House of the Dragon video recaps every major Targaryen dragon and their rider, but it leaves out a highly-anticipated dragon. The epic fantasy show is based on George R. R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, a fictional, historical account of the Targaryens before the events of A Game of Thrones. The show focuses on the Targaryen civil war (also called the Dance of the Dragons), where Rhaenyra Targaryen and Aegon II fight for the iron throne, with season 1 chronicling the inciting incidents that led to the war.
In a new video from Max, House of the Dragon reviews each major Targaryen dragon and their rider, but it leaves out Aegon II’s Sunfyre. Watch the full video below:
The video starts with Rhaenys Targaryen’s Meleys, also known as The Red Queen, with a clip of Rhaenys and Meleys’ intense confrontation with the royal family at Aegon II’s coronation. The rest of the video includes major players like Rhaenyra’s Syrax, Daemon’s Ceraxes (nicknamed The Blood Wyrm by the dragonkeepers), and the ill-fated Arrax, who was mounted by Lucerys “until he wasn’t,” as the video jokingly puts.
Sunfyre Explained
Why is Sunfyre Being Shrouded in Mystery?
Whatever the reason for withholding Sunfyre in House of the Dragon , the moment the extravagant dragon appears on-screen in full should be rewarding.
Sunfyre, also known as Sunfyre the Golden, is a highly anticipated dragon, and his rider, Aegon II, is a prolific and formidable rider. While this wasn’t explicitly depicted in season 1 — Aegon II is shown as an irresponsible, deplorable child without many redeemable qualities — this might change in House of the Dragon season 2. Sunfyre the Golden is a young dragon distinguished by its golden scales. In Fire & Blood, archmaester Gyldayn describes the dragon as the most beautiful in history. With how highly regarded the dragon is in the book, there’s little doubt that Sunfyre’s introduction in season 2 will be warmly welcomed.
So the question of why Aegon II’s Sunfyre rarely gets any screen time in season 1 is often raised. Showing Aegon II’s bond with the dragon was expected, but the dragon rarely appears in House of the Dragon season 1. Even as the trailers for season 2 roll out, Sunfyre is only teased. All of this suggests that Sunfyre’s debut is being held back for now, only to reveal that the dragon plays a vital part in the Dance of the Dragons, particularly the battle at Rook’s Rest and later on — in a brutal, climactic moment — in the civil war.
Until season 2 premieres, viewers will have to suffice with the tall tales of Sunfyre. While showing the dragon as a youngling bonding with Aegon II in season 1 would have been great, holding the dragon’s reveal back until he plays a part in the war might play out well. Whatever the reason for withholding Sunfyre in House of the Dragon, the moment the extravagant dragon appears on-screen in full should be rewarding.