'House of the Dragon' 2x02: why the tragic scene of Arryk and Errik Cargyll in the book does not work in the series

Rhaenys and Rhaenyra. Daemon, Aegon, and Aemond. Jacaerys, Jaehaerys and Jaehaera. George R.R. Martin will not be remembered for making it easy for his readers to differentiate the names of the characters, a task that becomes even more difficult for the viewers of House of The Dragon who do not have prior knowledge of Fire and Blood. 

With peculiar and repetitive names, it's easy to get confused, and with so many characters, it's easy to lose track of those who are not part of the main plot or who appear anecdotally. This becomes even more complicated if we consider that we watched the first season two years ago. 

From here on, there are spoilers from episode 2x02 of La casa del dragón.

A moment that doesn't work in the series

When in this second episode Criston Cole sends Arryk Cargyll to Dragonstone to impersonate his twin brother, Erryk, in order to reach Rhaenyra, the book readers already imagined what was to come with great anticipation. 

An anticipation that probably wasn't shared by those who didn't know his story beforehand because most likely they didn't remember who these characters were, if they had seen them before and what had been previously told about them.

Criston Cole and Arryk Cargyll

Seeing two identical twins with names differing by just one letter and impossible to memorize becomes too distracting. From that moment on, you probably can't think of anything else, leaving no space for the epic that this moment was supposed to require. 

For those who wondered like Paquita Salas "who are these people?", and while watching these two brothers die, they could only think of the three Spiderman meme, here we tell you who they were and why the series gives such importance to a death that goes down in history as a troubadour legend. 

The Cargyll twins in season 1

They are two white capes sworn of the Kingsguard in the reign of Viserys, and being mistaken for each other throughout the palace is a recurring joke during the season.

Arryk is the protective guard of Aegon, so he is knowledgeable about his vices, but when both are sent by Otto Hightower to search for the queen's eldest son after Viserys' death, his brother Erryk discovers the places where the future monarch used to frequent and the corruption in the Red Keep, leading him to question his loyalties.

Erryk Argyll swears allegiance to Rhaenyra

Erryk then decides to support Rhaenyra's faction, a mission that begins by freeing Rhaenys and bringing her the crown of Viserys to the future Queen of Dragonstone. On the other hand, Arryk remains in King's Landing supporting the green faction and swears allegiance to Aegon, the second of his name.

Their tragic death

The civil war divides the brothers in the same way it will divide the Seven Kingdoms, but the brothers' paths cross again in this episode.

As recorded in Fuego y sangre, Arryk is sent to enemy territory to impersonate Erryk, in the series' case, not to gather information as a spy, but to cold-bloodedly assassinate Rhaenyra. A plan that is thwarted thanks to Mysaria, who alerts Erryk to go to the queen's aid. 

In the end, Erryk, the twin from the black faction, kills his brother and then commits suicide 'Jojimbo' style after apologizing to his queen.

Regardless of whether it works dramatically or not, the scene showcases the vulnerability of Rhaenyra, incapable of defending herself if she is not mounted on Syrax. It also highlights the lack of security in both palaces because, as shown, anyone can easily reach the queens' private quarters.

'La casa del dragón' 2x02

A ballad was composed in their honor

In the book Fire and Blood, there are several versions of their tragic fraternal battle, but the story was so sad that the troubadour Luceon of Tarth composed a ballad titled Goodbye, my brother that continued to be sung centuries later.

A verse that recounts their final encounter, in which each tried to convince the other to change sides to avoid having to meet again as enemies. 

The good news

If the first two episodes of this second season have shown anything, it is that the secondary characters are receiving a bit more attention and continuous presence, so when the time comes for them to have their epic moment, the viewer will know who they are, and their tragedies or triumphs will have the emotional impact they require. 

'House of the Dragon' is available on Max.