Episode six of House of the Dragon, titled “The Princess and the Queen,” marked a significant shift in the narrative, jumping forward ten years and reintroducing us to key characters amidst new familial complexities. Among them was Laena Velaryon, now Daemon Targaryen’s wife and mother to two daughters, pregnant with a third child. However, Laena’s storyline took a dramatic turn, diverging from George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood and leading to a poignant and decisive end. This article explores the question: Why Did Laena Kill Herself in House of the Dragon?
Laena Velaryon’s Death: A Departure from Fire & Blood
In George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, Laena Velaryon’s death is attributed to complications after a difficult labor, resulting in a stillborn child. The book recounts that Laena succumbed to illness over several days, with a legend suggesting she attempted to ride her dragon, Vhagar, one last time before passing away.
House of the Dragon presents a starkly different and more immediate end for Laena. Following the tragic stillbirth of her son, overwhelmed by grief and facing a grim prognosis after a prolonged and arduous labor, Laena makes a resolute choice. Instead of a drawn-out decline, she seeks out Vhagar, her dragon, and commands the colossal beast to unleash its flames upon her. This act of dragon-induced suicide is a powerful and visually arresting departure from the source material.
Laena Velaryon and Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon, contemplating their future with dragons.
Unpacking the Reasons Behind Laena’s Dragonfire Suicide
Several layers of interpretation can explain why the showrunners opted for this dramatic alteration to Laena’s fate.
A More Detailed Historical Account?
Ryan Condal, the showrunner, has emphasized that House of the Dragon aims to present a more comprehensive and factual account of the Dance of the Dragons than the in-universe historical text, Fire & Blood. Fire & Blood is presented as written by a Maester, relying on potentially biased or incomplete sources. It’s plausible that Laena’s suicide by dragonfire was an event omitted from Maester Yandel’s chronicle to protect the Targaryen reputation or simply overlooked in a broad historical overview. The show, in this light, could be revealing a more intimate and unfiltered truth.
Literalizing Westerosi Themes
House of the Dragon frequently translates underlying themes from Fire & Blood into explicit and visually potent scenes. While the book touches upon the perils of childbirth and the restricted roles of women in Westeros, it does so within a historical recounting style, lacking deep thematic exploration. The show, however, amplifies these themes. Laena’s suicide becomes a visceral embodiment of the agonizing realities of childbirth in Westeros and a woman’s agency, even in death, within a patriarchal society. Rather than passively succumbing to post-labor complications as depicted in the book, Laena actively seizes control of her end, choosing a fiery and definitive exit.
Enhancing Character Definition and Narrative Impact
The change in Laena’s death serves to carve a more distinct identity for her within the series. Despite limited screen time, her choice to embrace dragonfire speaks volumes about her character. It underscores a woman of courage, agency, and perhaps a degree of desperation in the face of unbearable loss and suffering. This dramatic exit is far more memorable and impactful than a slow decline from illness.
Furthermore, Laena’s suicide propels the narrative forward with greater intensity. It intensifies the themes of mortality, the bond between dragonriders and their dragons, and the harsh realities faced by women in Westeros. It also adds another layer of complexity to Daemon Targaryen’s character, witnessing the death of another wife, albeit under drastically different circumstances from Rhea Royce’s demise.
Conclusion: Laena’s Fiery Farewell
Laena Velaryon’s death by dragonfire in House of the Dragon is a significant departure from Fire & Blood, serving multiple narrative and thematic purposes. It potentially offers a more detailed account of events, literalizes the harsh realities of Westerosi life, and most importantly, profoundly defines Laena’s character and amplifies the show’s core themes. Her choice to meet her end through dragonfire is a powerful statement of agency and despair, leaving a lasting impact on the audience and the unfolding drama of House of the Dragon.
