‘Home of the Dragon’
[This story contains spoilers from House of the Dragon season two, episode two.]
It’s not straightforward to trace each character within the Sport of Thrones universe, significantly on Home of the Dragon. All of those Targaryens operating round named Aegon. A few them named Jaehaerys (relaxation in peace to each the late king and the late inheritor). And let’s not even get into Rhaenyra and Rhaenys.
However leaving the primary season of the present, few had been extra head-spinning than two members of the Kingsguard principally named “Eric,” albeit with fantastically George R.R. Martin spelling: Erryk and Arryk, twin brothers who’re indistinguishable from each other. How on the earth of ice and fireplace to inform the distinction?
Criston Cole’s ideas precisely.
Cargyll twins Erryk and Arryk.
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The second episode of Home of the Dragon includes a ton of reckonings, none extra violent and dramatic as the ultimate struggle between the Cargyll twins, performed by Elliot Tittensor and Luke Tittensor. Within the aftermath of Prince Jahaerys’ homicide, Ser Cole (Fabien Frankel) decides it’s time to finish Rhaenyra’s reign earlier than it may really start. His plan: ship Ser Arryk, loyal to King Aegon, to Dragonstone pretending to be his brother Erryk, loyal to Queen Rhaenyra. If he performs the half appropriately, Arryk can get near the “pretender” and kill her in a single deft clandestine transfer — or so Criston causes. The truth of the mission proves way more tough when Mysaria spots “Ser Erryk” in a spot he couldn’t presumably be, on condition that she simply noticed him just a few minutes earlier.
Alerted to his brother’s presence, Erryk arrives simply in time to cease his twin from slaying Rhaenyra, however at a deadly value. Each Cargyll brothers die within the struggle, one in every of them slain by the opposite’s sword, the survivor subsequently stabbing himself in disgrace. Which Cargyll died first? The confusion is a giant a part of the purpose, one which drives the core themes of season two’s brutal struggle all the way in which house.
“The Erryk and Arryk duel is a huge second in Westerosi historical past,” creator Ryan Condal says of the scene in HBO’s after-the-episode featurette, with government producer Sara Hess chiming in, “We at all times beloved this second of those two brothers who love one another greater than something additionally being set to kill one another. There’s a really American Civil Battle brother-on-brother side to it. Why are they doing this? As a result of these nobles have determined that they’re mad at one another, and now these guys should battle it to the dying.”
‘Home of the Dragon’ Cargyll twins, performed by Elliot Tittensor and Luke Tittensor.
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The battle between the brothers required “over 30 hours of rehearsals,” in response to Tittensor (who performs Erryk), for a struggle that lasts solely three minutes, give or take. However nailing the scene was essential in a minimum of one respect: Erryk and Arryk’s dying match is likely one of the standout moments in Hearth and Blood, the fictional historical past e-book by Martin that HOTD takes its cues from. The related passage, as written by Martin:
“Ser Arryk got here ashore with out hindrance, donned his armor and white cloak, and had no bother gaining entrance to the fort within the guise of his twin brother, simply as Criston Cole had deliberate. Deep within the coronary heart of Dragonstone, nevertheless, as he was making his method to the royal flats, the gods introduced him face-to-face with Ser Erryk himself, who knew directly what his brother’s presence meant. The singers inform us that Ser Erryk stated, ‘I like you, brother,’ as he unsheathed his blade, and that Ser Arryk replied, ‘And I you, brother,’ as he drew his personal.
“The twins battled for the most effective a part of an hour, Grand Maester Munkun says; the conflict of metal on metal woke half of the queen’s courtroom, however the onlookers may solely stand by helplessly and watch, for no man there may inform which brother was which. In the long run, Ser Arryk and Ser Erryk dealt one another mortal wounds, and died in each other’s arms with tears upon their cheeks.”
That’s only one model of occasions, in response to the e-book. Hearth and Blood options quite a few conflicting studies concerning the Dance of the Dragons, together with the battle between the Cargyll brothers. The second perspective is “shorter, saltier and altogether nastier,” with Erryk and Arryk’s struggle lasting “solely moments.” Once more, from Martin:
“There have been no declarations of cohesion; every Cargyll denounced the opposite as a traitor as they clashed. Ser Erryk, standing above his twin on the spiral steps, struck the primary mortal blow, a savage downward reduce that nigh took his brother’s sword arm off on the shoulder, however as he collapsed Ser Arryk grasped his slayer’s white cloak and pulled him shut sufficient to drive a dagger deep into his stomach. Ser Arryk was useless earlier than the primary guards arrived, however Ser Erryk took 4 days to die of his intestine wound, screaming in horrible ache and cursing his traitor brother all of the whereas.”
Clearly, the present didn’t go together with that second model. Although it additionally deviated from the “happier” story in just a few methods: Arryk reaching Rhaenyra for one, and just one brother dealt the opposite a mortal blow, with the surviving Cargyll taking his personal life moments later. It’s simply the newest instance of how Home of the Dragon takes cues from Martin’s e-book, constructed on unreliable narrators, to current what the writers view as a extra goal reality.
Whether or not these modifications are satisfying to the book-reading public is a matter to be settled elsewhere, however for now, we are saying goodbye to the brothers Cargyll. Might we see you once more some day in a Benedict Cumberbatch-starring prequel referred to as “E/Arryk.”
Home of the Dragon releases new season two episodes Sundays at 9 p.m. on HBO and Max. Comply with together with THR‘s season protection and interviews.