5 Unused Scenes From House of the Dragon Pilot Script Actually Tell A Lot

The debut season of House of the Dragon was an exhilarating experience for every fan of the Game of Thrones universe. It is safe to say that it left us all eager for the next chapter, which promises the start of the full-blown, bloody Targaryen civil war with a beautiful name - the Dance of the Dragons.

However, with just 10 episodes to encapsulate the years-long buildup to the most devastating conflict in Targaryen history, not all of Ryan Condal's initial visions made the final cut. Last year, the prequel's creator unveiled the script for the pilot episode. And the text revealed some intriguing deleted scenes that allow readers to better understand the motivations and character traits of the show's protagonists, as well as the forces behind the upcoming Dance of the Dragons

Here are the top five insights from the House of the Dragon pilot script.

1. Rhaenyra & Alicent's Relationship

If you sensed a romantic spark between young Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower (played by Milly Alcock and Emily Carey), you weren't wrong. Initially best friends with playful banter, they always seemed more. The pilot script confirms this by using the word 'flirting' to describe one of Rhaenyra's conversations with Alicent.

And now the word 'love' has been used in the Season 2 trailer to describe what Alicent feels for her enemy. What an exciting angle to the conflict, right?

2. Deep Bond

Delving deeper into the intricate bond between Rhaenyra and Alicent, a deleted scene from the script reveals the depth of their connection. After Rhaenyra's mother's demise, Alicent, who herself still mourns the loss of her mother, is portrayed comforting her friend during the somber moments after the funeral. Too bad this touching scene didn't make it to the screen.

3. Hunger for Power

Despite the previous two takes, the relationship between the two girls hasn't always been warm. The pilot script explicitly portrays Alicent's jealousy of Rhaenyra's status as the named heir. This indicates that while Alicent may have initially been manipulated by her father, she also nursed her own ambitions for power. Her pursuit of the Iron Throne isn't solely for the sake of her children. The woman has her own personal aspirations propelling her forward.

4. Aegon's Prophecy

In the premiere season of House of the Dragon, the portrayal of Daemon Targaryen underscores his unsuitability for kingship, a notion reinforced by a deleted scene from the pilot script. In this scene, King Viserys attempts to tell his brother the Song of Ice and Fire prophecy, only to realize he is not prepared to take it seriously.

Daemon's fixation on the power of dragons and the muscle-over-brain approach to conflict blinds him to the responsibilities of leadership. That’s why, Viserys begins to regard Rhaenyra as a more fitting heir.

5. Tragic Death

One of the most gut-wrenching scenes in the first season is the death of Lucerys Velaryon at the hands of Aemond Targaryen. The fatal encounter between the relatives and their dragons takes place in the skies above Storm's End, where both come to negotiate an alliance with Borros Baratheon. The scrip reveals that, shockingly, Rhaenyra bears some of the blame for this tragedy.

Not only does Baratheon refuse Lucerys' offer, he gives Aemond permission to pursue and kill him. This decision is fueled in part by Baratheon's sense of humiliation upon receiving a letter from Rhaenyra that he cannot read, being illiterate. The pilot script reveals that Rhaenyra was aware of this fact all along, as she is shown gossiping with Alicent about Borros' illiteracy.

House of the Dragon Season 2 premieres June 16 on both HBO and Max.

Source: Deadline.