The final scene of Sunday’s episode features a new perspective on George R.R. Martin’s fictional history book on House Targaryen. The TV adaptation claims that Laenor actually assisted in fabricating his own demise rather than maintaining the “historical” details of Laenor Velaryon’s death as in Fire and Blood. Follow For More Updates: newsyorbits
The episode’s closing moments lead viewers to believe that Rhaenyla and Damon hired Carl to kill Leno, just like it did in Fire and Blood. However, in the final image, Laenor and Qarl can be seen boarding a boat together and sailing away, seemingly content to live out the rest of their days in Essos.
So why alter the facts for a television adaptation? Another deviation from the historical facts presented in Fire and Blood helps the audience better understand Rhaenyra’s struggle for the Iron Throne.
Rhaenyra’s personality is that of a loving mother, a close friend, and an ally of Rano, as opposed to a murderous adultery. In court, Rhaenyra is threatened by loyalists to Queen Allison, who is politically adept enough to have married Damon and his daughters to her cause.
Sir Carl Corey fatally killed Sir Leno Valerian, the presumed father of Princess Rhaenyra’s children and the woman’s husband, as they were taking part in the Carnival in Spicetown.
When Lord Valerion arrived at the bazaar to fetch his son’s body, the merchant reported that people quarreled loudly before drawing the blade. By that time, Corey had escaped, hurting many people who attempted to stop him. Some people asserted that he was waiting for a boat at sea. He was never again seen.
The historical account of the book continues by explaining how the specifics of Leno’s murder have remained a mystery, much like a contemporary unsolved case with numerous theories. Murder results from a jealous lovers’ rivalry.
Daemon ordered an assassination to be carried out in order to make Rhaenyra’s marriage possible (this is the story of the mushroom, the court jester seen at the wedding reception in episode 5). Karl was reportedly known for having an opulent taste, thus it seems sensible that he would murder the future king’s consort and take her to Essos in exchange for a big payment.
