Whereas it’s all the time been clear that Home of the Dragon‘s noble homes would anchor the season-two drama, it additionally turned obvious early on that the smallfolk—usually neglected, routinely oppressed—have been going to have new prominence in Westeros’ newest energy wrestle. Final evening, “The Pink Sowing” confirmed us simply how essential sure “lowborn” characters have been actually going to be.
In case you’re not caught up…
In episode seven, Rhaenyra’s more and more frantic scheme to seek out two riders for Staff Black’s pair of riderless dragons really paid off: Hugh the Hammer received the snort of approval from Vermithor, and Ulf the White discovered a brand new buddy in Silverwing.
Ulf popped up in an earlier episode bragging about his Targaryen heritage, although he hesitated when he heard Rhaenyra was in search of bastards who would possibly turn into dragonriders. He has this nagging leg damage, you see… and he’s additionally unsure he actually has Targaryen blood—a severe consideration, as a result of a dragon will know who’s worthy, and can incinerate anybody who isn’t.
However—after some good-natured shaming from his ingesting buddies—he decides to attempt his luck. And fortunately for Ulf, all of it works out; as we see within the episode’s remaining moments, he’s having an absolute blast using Silverwing over his previous stomping grounds of King’s Touchdown (infuriating Aemond, the Prince Regent, within the course of). Talking to the Hollywood Reporter, actor Tom Bennett mirrored on his character’s sudden life improve.
“It’s enormous. Ulf is the underside of the barrel; he’s Flea Backside by way of and thru,” Bennett mentioned. “He’s poor people and the oppressed. He’s the working class man below the thumb of the ruling courses and lived with that his whole life. All of a sudden, he’s sitting on a nuclear warhead. The facility shift is big. Let’s see what he does with that.”
Bennett additionally shared some insights into what led Ulf to that second—in addition to explaining what’s going by way of the character’s head when he realizes Silverwing isn’t going to roast him. To place it one other manner: why did he snort in that second? “You suppose you’re going to die and there’s only a large launch of reduction, and that I made a decision and [episode director] Loni [Peristere] preferred it. As a result of, let’s be sincere, he’s one of many solely characters within the present who ever smiles, not to mention laughs. Each time I’m on set, I attempted to make use of that. Ulf stands proud like a sore thumb for a lot of causes. One in all which is I’m one of many solely characters that’s simply having enjoyable.”
Home of the Dragon‘s eighth episode, the season two finale, arrives Sunday evening on HBO and Max.
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