Fans of George RR Martin’s books and the fantasy series Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon have been speculating for some time about whether a important figure from Westeros lived under a different name hundreds of years ago and worked her magic. We are talking about Melisandre (Carice van Houten), who we know since the 6th season of Game of Thrones is much older than her appearance suggests.
Is Alys Strom from House of the Dragon secretly Melisandre from Game of Thrones?
When Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) flies to the horror castle Harrenhal in the second season of House of the Dragon, he meets a mysterious womanShe introduces herself as Alys Strom (Gayle Rankin) – the bastard surname in the Riverlands. She is said to be the illegitimate daughter of Lord Lyonel Strong (Gavin Spokes).
The Dragon Prince promptly identifies her as a witch and receives a mind-altering potion from Alys. She seems to know more than she says, is apparently not afraid of anyone (not even the impetuous dragon rider), and according to the novel, Visions in the fire (and other elements) and is probably much older than it appears. Doesn’t that sound familiar?
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House of the Dragon
In addition, there is the following interview quote from Alys actress Rankin from her conversation with Entertainment Weekly: “She’s someone who has all this power, who has potentially lived for 400 years.” Exactly the same number that Melisandre actress Van Houten is said to have once trumpeted about her character in the series. If you add in the 200 years between GoT and HotD, the number no longer makes sense, but here two actresses may have been given the same character description. Coincidence?
A certain external similarity, at least in terms of type, cannot be denied. But that was also true for the red priestess Kinvara (Ania Bukstein) from Game of Thrones.
Does the book Fire and Blood solve the mystery surrounding Alys and Melisandre?
No. There are still hints that could be connections, but they don’t have to be. George RR Martin invented so many characters for his extensive Song of Ice and Fire that certain parallels are unavoidable. But even if the books only establish a connection between Alys and Melisandre by chance (or intentionally leave it ambivalent), that doesn’t mean that the HBO series doesn’t adopt this fan theory.
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game of Thrones
Just recently, episode director Geeta Patel confirmed that the dragon eggs sent by Team Black from Dragonstone are actually the eggs that Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) receives at her wedding at the beginning of Game of Thrones. And this despite the fact that the maesters from the book suspect a completely different fate for them.
What role does Alys Strom play in the book Fire and Blood?
Warning, from here on there are (potentially) massive spoilers: In Westeros history, Alys later becomes known as the Witch Queen and quasi-ruler of Harrenhal. She even claims to have had a son with a claim to the throne as Aemond Targaryen’s lover and presumed wife. We then only learn how the castle later passed to a new ruler… but not what became of Alys.
When will House of the Dragon continue?
The second season of House of the Dragon will continue weekly with a new episode on Sunday night. The next episode will be available in the early hours of July 15, 2024 on the Sky and WOW program schedule.