5 Game-Changing Reveals From the House of the Dragon Pilot Script

The first season of House of the Dragon was a thrilling ride for all fans of the Game of Thrones universe. But as it turns out, not everything Ryan Condal had planned was shown on screen. The prequel creator recently released the script for the pilot episode, which was shared by Deadline, and it has some pretty interesting deleted scenes that help explore the show's main characters in more depth.

Here are five key takeaways from the script.

Rhaenyra had a crush on Alicent

If you thought the chemistry between Rhaenyra and Alicent was too electric, you were right. Their relationship is the centerpiece of the first season, and probably the entire show. They started out as best friends who'd banter from time to time, but it felt like there was more to it — and the pilot script proves it. In one scene, the word 'flirting' is used to describe Rhaenyra's conversation with Alicent.

Alicent was once Rhaenyra's anchor

Continuing the theme of the complex dynamic between Rhaenyra and Alicent, the script has a deleted scene that proves how close the two actually were. After Rhaenyra's mother dies, Alicent, who recently lost her own mother, is shown supporting her friend and holding her sobbing after the funeral.

Alicent was power-hungry all along

But the two girls' relationship has not always been supportive and heartwarming. The pilot script makes it clear that Alicent was jealous of Rhaenyra's position after she was named heir. This proves that while Alicent was a puppet in her father's arms, she was hungry for power herself. And she is not fighting for the Iron Throne just for the sake of her children.

Daemon is not ready for Aegon's prophecy

Season 1 already showed why Daemon is unfit to be king, and one of the cut scenes in the pilot makes it clear from the beginning. In the scene, Viserys tries to tell Daemon the Song of Ice and Fire prophecy but sees that his brother is not ready to take it seriously. Daemon is too obsessed with the power that dragons give the Targaryens and thinks of his family as some kind of invincible gods. This leads Viserys to set his sights on Rhaenyra as an heir.

Rhaenyra is partly to blame for Lucerys' death

One of the most tragic scenes of the season is the killing of Lucerys Velaryon by Aemond Targaryen in the skies above Storm's End, where both are sent to negotiate an alliance with Borros Baratheon.

Borros basically kicks Lucerys out of his castle and gives Aemond permission to follow and kill him, partly because he feels humiliated that Rhaenyra sent her son with a letter he can't read. You see, Borros Baratheon is illiterate — and the worst part is that the pilot script shows Rhaenyra gossiping about it with Alicent, which means she knew about Borros' illiteracy all along.

Source: Deadline.