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The most recent episode of House of the DragonHBO’s hit prequel to Game of Thronesthrew a spanner in the works. So far, the show’s second season has focused on the divided House of Targaryen, which is on the verge of a bloody civil war. The Blacks, led by Rhaenyra and Daemon Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy and Matt Smith), believe Rhaenyra is the rightful queen of Westeros. However, it is their rivals, the Greens, led by Alicent Hightower and her son Aegon II Targaryen (Olivia Cooke and Tom Glynn-Carney), who rule from the coveted Iron Throne.
Warning – Spoilers for ‘House of the Dragon’ Season Two Episode Three Following
Amidst all this internal bickering, a new character has entered the fray: Ulf de Witte. “Guys, I’ve had quite a day,” says the mysterious stranger (played by Phone shop actor Tom Bennett) when we first hear of him in Sylvi’s Tavern and Brothel, one of King’s Landing’s less salubrious drinking dens. “I’m not sure I talk much, but you know, a wet whistle works wonders…” As it turns out, once he’s had a few drinks, Ulf has quite a tale to tell.
After learning that his drinking buddy is from Dorne, it doesn’t take long for Ulf to start bragging about his supposed heritage. He notes that while “my house” never conquered Dorne, even the Dornish people mourned the passing of his grandfather, whom he calls King Jaehaerys. Ulf continues, “I really shouldn’t be telling you this, it could cost me my head. I am the son of Baelon the Brave, bastard brother to Prince Daemon and the late Viserys. Uncle to the one true queen, Rhaenyra Targaryen. The blood of the dragon runs in these veins, and yes, men would take my head for it. A Dragonseed must guard his own neck, if he has no white cloaked guards to do it for him.”
This outlandish claim is treated with some scepticism by his fellow drinkers, who point out that he bears little resemblance to his supposed brothers Viserys (Paddy Considine) and Daemon (Matt Smith) and joke that he doesn’t have the Targaryens’ trademark silver hair. “Yeah, because I’m their half-brother, you f***wit,” Ulf shoots back. “Yeah, I’ll tell you who else doesn’t have silver hair. The rightful heir to the Iron Throne, my nephew, Prince Jacaerys Velaryon.”
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Tom Bennett as the mysterious Ulf the White in season two of ‘House of the Dragon’ (HBO)
At this point, the drinkers are interrupted by the arrival of King Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney), who, as a fellow drinker remarks, is supposed to be Ulf’s “other cousin.” Ulf quickly shuts his treacherous mouth and joins the other guests in barking, “Long live the King!”
That’s all we’ve heard of Ulf so far, but it’s certainly not the last we’ve seen of him. Fans on social media are divided over whether Ulf is telling the truth about his relationship with Baelon the Brave, who—in the George R. R. Martin novels on which the series is based—is portrayed as a loving and loyal husband who never fathered bastard children, even after the tragic death of his wife Alyssa Targaryen.
However, if Ulf’s claims are taken literally, he could be a major figure in the coming civil war. To understand just how important he is, a quick summary of the Targaryens’ complicated family tree is necessary.
The Targaryen Family Tree Explained, From Rhaenyra to Aegon the Conqueror
Baelon Targaryen, better known as Baelon the Brave, never appeared on screen in House of the Dragonbut it was his death that set the entire series in motion. In the opening scene of the show’s very first episode, the Grand Council of 101 AC has been convened to debate who should succeed King Jaehaerys Targaryen, known as the Old King (Michael Carter).
This debate was necessary because two of the Old King’s sons (Aemon and Baelon) had died. (A third, Prince Vaegon, was a maester of the Citadel and refused the throne.) Some felt that the throne should follow the rule of primogeniture, meaning that it should go to the eldest born, which would put Aemon’s daughter Princess Rhaenys (Eve Best) on the throne. Instead, the crown passed over her and went to the next male in line, Baelon’s son Viserys (Considine).
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Ulf apparently wants Rhaenyra, his supposed cousin, installed as the “one true queen.” Whether he can influence the outcome of the coming war in her favor may also answer the question of whether he’s telling the truth about his heritage: can he ride a dragon? If he’s really a Targaryen, he’ll have no problem riding one. If it’s all just pub talk gone wrong, well, he’ll be baked in a pub. There’s only one way to find out.
House of the Dragon airs in the US on Sundays on HBO and in the UK on Mondays on Sky Atlantic and NOW.
