WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 2!
Summary
A sweet conversation between Jacaerys Velaryon and Baela Targaryen inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 2 reveals a devastating truth regarding Jace’s knowledge of his real background.Game of Thronesmemorably contended with hiding the real parentage of several characters throughout its story, such as Cersei’s children actually being fathered by her brother Jaime or Jon Snow actually being the son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen rather than Ned Stark’s bastard.House of the Dragonbrings this theme back withRhaenyra Targaryen’s eldest three children, who werefathered by Ser Harwin Strong but claimed by Ser Laenor Velaryon.
Though the Westerosi history books left it up for interpretation,House of the Dragonseason 1 confirmed that Ser Harwin Strong is the biological father of Jacaerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey Velaryon. In quite the opposite way as Jon Snow, Rhaenyra Targaryen’s bastard sons are raised as and publicly declared legitimate children of her husband Laenor Velaryon, andthey must embrace this story in order to maintain their claims to the Iron Throne, Dragonstone, and Driftmark. However,House of the Dragonseason 2, episode 2includes a conversation between Jace and Baela about their fathers, revealing her son isn’t ignorant of the truth despite being taught to deny it.
Jacaerys Definitely Knows Harwin Strong Is His Father (& Misses Him)
Jace explicitly admits to Harwin being his father in HOTD season 2
As Jace, the heir to the Iron Throne, and Baela, his step-sister/cousin/betrothed speak together alone on Dragonstone, they begin to have a deeper talk about their relationships with their fathers. While Baela states that she sometimes thinks she hates her father,Daemon, who abruptly left for Harrenhalin that episode, Jacaerys recalls happy times fishing and singing with his father, Laenor Velaryon. Of course, like the rest of the realm, whether they want to admit it or not,Baela knows the truth about Jacaerys, so she kindly asks him what Ser Harwin Strong was like, with both silently acknowledging he’s Jace’s biological father.
Prince Daemon Targaryen
Dead
Jacaerys responds by explaining that Harwin was both gentle and fierce, and as the show revealed, he was a gentle father to the boys and partner to Rhaenyra, but also a fierce warrior who aimed to protect them through his dying moments. WhileHouse of the Dragonseason 1 hinted at Jace knowing the truth, this marksthe first time that one of Rhaenyra’s sons has outright acknowledged Harwin Strong as their father and shared their feelingsabout it. Jace even bittersweetly smiles when talking about the now-deceased Ser Harwin Strong, remembering him fondly with the belief that “Breakbones” loved the boys and Rhaenyra.
Harwin Strong & Criston Cole’s Fight Is Deeper Than HOTD Reveals
The two knights come to blows for the first time in House of the Dragon in episode 6, but their rivalry has a deeper history in the book Fire & Blood.
Jacaerys & Baela Talking About Harwin Makes Their Relationship Much Better
Jacaerys & Baela are heading into a marriage where they truly trust each other
Young Jacaerys asked Rhaenyra if Harwin was his father back in season 1, but she simply responded that he was a Targaryen and that’s all that mattered. With Rhaenyra having to constantly deny her sons’ real father to protect them and her claim, this islikely the first occasion on which Jace has been able to openly speak about his feelings on Ser Harwin Strong, especially afterLuke’s tragic death. It makes it all the more heartwarming that he’s able to and feels comfortable doing so with Baela, who he’s supposed to marry.
Whereas much ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 2 focuses on the lack of trust Daemon and Rhaenyra have in their marriage, Jace and Baela don’t intend to repeat their parents’ shortcomings.
Not only doesJacaerys feel safe opening up to and being vulnerable with Baela, but she also shows a great fondness for Jace when reassuring him that Harwin did love him as his son. Baela and Jacaerys can comfortably share secrets they likely haven’t confessed to anyone else before, so it’s rewarding to see an arranged betrothal inHouse of the Dragonbetween two people who genuinely care about and trust one another. Whereas much ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 2 focuses on the lack of trust Daemon and Rhaenyra have in their marriage, Jace and Baela don’t intend to repeat their parents’ shortcomings.
New episodes ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2 release Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.
House of the Dragon
Cast
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
