Farewell, Mother of Dragons: Emilia Clarke, Game of Thrones Star, Passes Away at Age 39 md20

In an interview with Mashable, Geeta Vasant Patel, who directed episode 3, confirmed that those three eggs are the very same that find their way to Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) in Game of Thrones. “Those are Daenerys’ eggs,” Patel confirmed. “All of us who work on this show are big Game of Thrones fans, so it was very exciting to shoot that scene.” This confirmation, as exciting as it has been for fans, is a major departure from George R.R. Martin’s source material. Fire & Blood was Martin’s follow up after the success of the A Song of Ice and Fire series, and it is what House of the Dragon is based on. In the novel, the eggs make their way to Essos far before the Targaryen Civil War that is depicted in the series.

 

During the reign of Jaehaerys I Targaryen, noblewoman and sailor extraordinaire Elissa Farman enters into a relationship with Rhaena Targaryen (puzzlingly, not the same Rhaena that is portrayed by Phoebe Campbell in House of the Dragon). However, upon the bitter end of their relationship, Elissa steals three eggs from Dragonstone and sails to Braavos, where she sells the eggs to support her seafaring ways. In Game of Thrones, Daenerys receives the eggs from Illyrio Mopatis, a merchant prince of Pentos. Though Martin does somewhat explain how they first left the watchful eye of House Targaryen, he does not chronicle the steps it took for them to get there. Therefore, House of the Dragon takes a creative liberty that allows them to provide fans of the franchise with an exciting, “There it is!” moment.

The appearance of these eggs in the show is not just a matter of fan service, however. “The other part of [the egg scene] is Rhaena saying goodbye and giving up her family in order to be a leader,” Patel explained.

Dragons Are the Heart of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon

It’s been shown throughout Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, that House Targaryen – and House Velaryon for that matter – develop incredibly close relationships with their dragons. From Daenerys calling herself the “Mother of Dragons,” and treating the hatchlings accordingly, to Laenor Velaryon’s dragon, Seasmoke, becoming restless since the disappearance of his rider, it’s clear that that bond is sacred. Rhaenyra, due to the approaching conflict, must say goodbye to her children, which is hard enough, but she must also distance herself from, and thus protect, the future of House Targaryen by sending the eggs away.