As a weary and worldly-worn man with a past filled with questionable decisions and a penchant for bending the truth to suit my needs, I’ve spent me whole life eking out a living through cunning wit and charm. The winds of fortune have carried me from one fleeting opportunity to another, leaving a trail of broken promises in their wake.
Spoilers for House of the Dragon season two, episode seven: “The Red Sowing.”
Bringing a new character into the complex world of “Game of Thrones” and “House of the Dragon” can be a challenging endeavor. With an abundance of existing characters, introducing someone new whom we’re expected to remember seems daunting. In the second season premiere of “House of the Dragon,” a trio of seemingly insignificant commoners were introduced: Addam of Hull (Clinton Liberty), Hugh Hammer (Kieran Bew), and Ulf (Tom Bennett). Initially, their role in the story remained unclear. However, it was later revealed in the penultimate episode that they all possess Targaryen blood and have been drafted as dragonriders for Rhaenyra’s “army of bastards.”
For Hugh and Ulf, this involved participating in the Red Sowing, an event reminiscent of the Hunger Games where anyone claiming royal blood and attempting to ride a dragon was selected. As Bennett explains, it’s a brutal affair with chaos and carnage, and only Hugh, Ulf, and no one else are left alive. While Ulf initially appears as a good-natured drunk boasting Targaryen lineage for free drinks in King’s Landing, some may assume he is just meant for comic relief. However, Bennett finds it satisfying that Ulf seems like a secondary character. For the residents of Flea Bottom, Ulf serves as a tool to depict their daily struggles and the oppressive power above them – being hungry, starving, and constantly mistreated by those in authority.
An significant event in Bennett’s past, before this week, took place in episode three: Ulf proposed the concept of “dragonseeds,” or Targaryen bastards spread throughout the realm due to the noble family’s excessive behavior. Claiming to be the son of Baelon the Brave, Ulf presented a supposed family tree, implying he was Rhaenyra’s uncle. However, Bennett admitted that this scene presented some difficulties for him on his first day filming.
He bemoans the fact that all the names are identical in essence, the distinctions in pronunciation being almost imperceptible. In a lengthy soliloquy, he repeated numerous times names such as Jaehaerys, Viserys, Rhaenyra, Valyrian, and Velaryon. Reaching the conclusion of this monologue, a speech coach would correct him, revealing that while he had pronounced Valyrian correctly, the house was actually named Velaryon and they spoke High Valyrian. He reacted with dismay, needing to start over again.
In “House of the Dragon”, it appears that the creators aim to portray dragons as having the same serious weight as nuclear weapons. However, amidst this gravity, there’s Ulf, who is egged on by his companions to attempt dragon taming. Interestingly, Ulf exhibits a humor not typically found in the series.
At the bar, everyone enjoys teasing Ulf about dragonrider tryouts. However, the scene changes dramatically as Hugh, another commoner from Flea Bottom, grapples with the heavy decision of becoming a dragonrider after losing his child and contemplating leaving his wife. Could Ulf and Hugh represent different aspects of the Targaryen bastards?
In simpler terms, Ulf is portrayed unfavorably in the source material for House of the Dragon. However, on the show, he appears more pitiful and endearing. Could it be that House of the Dragon is giving additional dimensions and compassion to most characters, including Ulf?
1. The character doesn’t make a good impression in the novels. He’s portrayed as an alcoholic with questionable actions that remain unspecified. I believe I was selected for this role because they might have wanted a character who is somewhat more identifiable and has a charming, roguish appeal. Essentially, a character who can be both irritating yet endearing. You could say he’s a complex individual with a likable edge, but let’s just call him a lovably annoying character. I think I excel at playing such roles.
As someone who’s spent years studying the ancient art of dragon lore and mythology, I can tell you that the bond between a rider and their dragon is not something that can be explained by logic or reason alone. It’s a deeply mystical connection that transcends our understanding.
1. We considered numerous possibilities, but it seems I can only be explained by having Targaryen ancestry. After all, this is the one constant factor that aligns with my story being true. To strengthen this theory, I cover myself in a strong odor of dragon urine and feces before meeting her – it’s a peculiar trait, but it helps me remain undetected by her. She is also recognized as one of the more compassionate dragons, which works to my advantage since she’s not Vermithor. Vermithor has always wanted me dead, and he sought the destruction of everyone around him. Luck plays a significant role in my encounters with Ulf.
1) Is it surprising that Ulf sees himself in this position? Does this scenario represent an opportunity for him to fulfill his long-held self-image, or is he discovering a hitherto unknown ambition here? To put it another way, did Ulf ever envision such a turn of events? And could the power he now wields change him in unforeseen ways, perhaps leading to corruption?
1. At the end of the episode, we find Ulf soaring above King’s Landing on Silverwing, presumably sent by Rhaenyra for an impressive flyby. One might wonder why Ulf was chosen for this task and what he’s feeling as he struggles to control the powerful creature beneath him. Here’s a different way to phrase it:
Rhaenyra is confident in her actions. She may have noticed me and approved, “Yes, him. Dispatch him for the drive-by task.”
Was it ever discussed if anyone informed Ulf about the giant scorpions, designed to slay dragons, which might have been aimed at Silverwing while he hovered over King’s Landing?
None of that happens in the show. [Laughs.] I’m making all of that up.
Read More
- CKB PREDICTION. CKB cryptocurrency
- EUR INR PREDICTION
- PBX PREDICTION. PBX cryptocurrency
- PENDLE PREDICTION. PENDLE cryptocurrency
- IMX PREDICTION. IMX cryptocurrency
- TANK PREDICTION. TANK cryptocurrency
- W PREDICTION. W cryptocurrency
- ICP PREDICTION. ICP cryptocurrency
- USD DKK PREDICTION
- GEAR PREDICTION. GEAR cryptocurrency
2024-07-30 00:54