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‘House of the Dragon’s Nettles Replacement Spells Major Trouble for the Character

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Editor’s Note: The following contains spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 2.

House of the Dragon tells an epic story about the Dance of the Dragons based on George R.R. Martin‘s book Fire & Blood, but the series doesn’t look exactly like the book. With the added prophecies, characters cut, and characters’ ages changed, the HBO series has taken its own path, and nowhere is that clearer than in Season 3. In one of its biggest deviations from the novel, House of the Dragon removes the character of Nettles. This mysterious dragonrider builds on the lore with her unconventional claiming of a wild dragon and distinctly non-Valyrian look. Instead of introducing a new character, HBO’s adaptation has replaced Nettles with Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell), as she claimed Sheepstealer and rode into battle in Season 3. Yet, as the change continues, it spells trouble for the young Targaryen.

In Fire & Blood, Rhaena is among the few Targaryens who make it out relatively unscathed. Though she loses much of her family, she not only survives but also becomes a member of a much smaller royal line, making her more important. However, it doesn’t seem as though the show will allow her the same fate, because Rhaena’s story merges with Nettles’. Just two episodes into Season 3, and things don’t look good for Rhaena, who has lost her allies, privilege, and safety, and things are only going to get worse for her.

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‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 Gives Rhaena a Tragic Story

While it is just starting, Season 3 has been eventful for Rhaena. Season 2 set her up as Nettles’ replacement, but only in Season 3 does this arc begin to unfold as she claims the wild dragon Sheepstealer, fulfilling a long-held dream of hers. However, it turns bad fast when she takes the untrained dragon to war, causing chaos in the Battle of the Gullet. Unfortunately, this tragedy puts a target on Rhaena’s back, and it’s not the Greens who are after her. Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) doesn’t know that Rhaena claimed Sheepstealer, and not only does she see the giant dragon as a threat, but she blames him and his rider for Jacaerys’ (Harry Collett) death. Out of revenge, Rhaenyra asks Daemon (Matt Smith) to find the rider. As Daemon’s own daughter, Rhaena isn’t in as much danger as it sounds, yet this sets her up to follow Nettles’ storyline in the rest of the season.



















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The more immediate threat to Rhaena is that she has lost all her allies. She cannot return home because Rhaenyra would be furious, and even Lady Jeyne Arryn (Amanda Collin) sends her away in Season 3, Episode 2, “Queen’s Landing,” despite Rhaena’s pleas. This leaves Rhaena on her own in an increasingly volatile Westeros. Though she is used to the life of a noble, Rhaena’s new circumstances make her more like the lowborn Nettles as she must fend for herself. Now, Rhaena must deal with her own guilt over Jace’s death and sudden isolation, throwing her into a desperate situation.


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More Struggles Are in Store for Rhaena in ‘House of the Dragon’

As Rhaena’s story becomes more like Nettles’, things will not improve for her. And House of the Dragon has already set up the next stage of the story. In Fire & Blood, Nettles and Daemon hunt for Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) together, growing close. In fact, the most common rumor is that Daemon had an affair with Nettles, which makes Rhaenyra jealous. However, for House of the Dragon, their connection will be less problematic. As Rhaena is Daemon’s daughter, the series will offer a different explanation for their connection, more closely following the rumor that Nettles is Daemon’s bastard daughter. Their relationship will bring out the best in Daemon rather than the worst as he chooses to protect Rhaena rather than pursue Rhaenyra’s vengeance.

However, that doesn’t mean Rhaena will have a happy ending. In fact, if Rhaena’s story truly follows Nettles, she won’t. With Rhaenyra out for her blood, Nettles is forced to flee, disappearing into the Vale, where there are occasional sightings of Sheepstealer. Though there is little information about Nettles herself after that point, the Vale mountain clans develop legends of a “fire witch” living in a hidden valley with her dragon, which is likely inspired by Nettles. While Rhaena’s story could go many different ways as House of the Dragon combines her and Nettles, there are certainly some twists ahead.

House of the Dragon is streaming on HBO Max with new episodes on Sundays.


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Release Date

August 21, 2022

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HBO

Showrunner

George R.R. Martin

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Directors

Clare Kilner, Geeta Patel

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Writers

Gabe Fonseca

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  • Fabien Frankel

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    Ser Criston Cole

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