House of the Dragon Season 2 is About to Make a Big Mistake Bringing Laenor Velaryon Back

Rumours continue to circulate about Laenor Velaryon's return in House of the Dragon season 2. And while that storyline has not been confirmed, his fake death in season 1 indicates that he has a future in the show.

This is particularly true given that, in the novel Fire & Blood. Laenor is definitely dead by this point. The book also sees him killed by Ser Qarl – only in that case Laenor is actually killed and there is no happy ending for the two lovers.

But bringing Laenor back could be a huge mistake for the show. His 'death' is what paved the way for a union between his widow Rhaenyra and her uncle Daemon. This is a huge part of the storyline that leads to the Dance of the Dragons.

A return for Laenor would add unnecessary complications in this regard. This is a battle for the monarchy that is not lacking in claimants and confusion over the way things should be done. So, adding another name to the equation brings nothing to the story.

Then there's the issue of Alyn of Hull (who will be played in season 2 by Abubakar Salim) and his brother Addam. It's still not clear whether Addam will make an appearance in the show. But in the books, the two (purported to be bastard sons of Laenor) arrive together.

Addam's omission could prove significant. It's he who bonded with Laenor's dragon, Seasmoke. Clearly, he can't do that if we're to witness the return of Laenor in any meaningful way. But by simply leaving Addam out of the show, the writers could circumnavigate this issue.

But perhaps the biggest problem with bringing Laenor back is that he was presented as a good and noble man in season 1. A man prepared to marry Rhaenyra for the good of the family. But one who, shortly before his 'death' had promised to be there for his wife and children.

In the absence of any real character arc that had seen him struggling to come to terms with the reality of his life compared with what his heart desired, for him to simply sail away without a care for his children seems crass. Not to mention that he was part of a plot that convinced his parents his body had been horribly burned.

Laenor is neither necessary nor expected in HotD season 2. Let's hope we don't see him in it.