The absence of Nettles is a wasted opportunity to challenge the Targaryens as George R.R. Martin expressed frustration over show’s changes.

Fans have heard George R.R. Martin’s side on the numerous changes made by HBO’s House of the Dragon after he published a now-deleted blog post criticizing the absence of one major character in the show. Prior to that, he also pointed out how another significant figure seems to be missing during the sowing of the dragonseeds, or the gathering of the Targaryen bastards.

Credits: Emma D’Arcy in House of the Dragon / HBO

While the changes made in Season 1 seemed reasonable at some point, the continuation of the alterations not only of the story but the characters as well may pose a massive repercussion in the succeeding seasons. Martin believed the show should have established in Season 2 the fundamental roles that will take up space in Season 3.

The Absence Of Nettles In House Of The Dragon Removes A Significant Obstacle For The Targaryens

George R.R. Martin already warned in his Beware the Butterflies entry that more toxic changes will come if House of the Dragon pushes forward with the changes the writers are planning to make for Seasons 3 and 4.

One of the key characters that is seemingly omitted permanently from the prequel series is Nettles. Episode 7: The Red Sowing saw the Targaryen dragonseeds gather in a courageous attempt at claiming a dragon. Hugh Hammer and Ulf the White managed to tame Vermithor and Silverwing, but more dragons are lurking in the wilderness.

Credits: Phoebe Campbell in House of the Dragon / HBO

Fans were expecting to see Nettles claim the wild beast Sheepstealer in the same chapter, but the second season only saw Rhaena Targaryen running after what she thought was a dragon residing in the Vale who loves to eat mutton.

Martin singled out this issue on his website saying, “You won’t find dragons hunting the riverlands or the Reach or the Vale” because they seldom wander far from Dragonstone. This was already a major change in the plot. It seems like they brought Sheepstealer near the Vale to tease the fact that Rhaena Targaryen will be claiming the dragon.

The exclusion of Nettles in the show’s narrative already erased a critical point in the history of the Targaryen bloodline. The girl is the only character in Fire & Blood whose uncertain birth and non-Targaryen features can prove that Valyrian blood may not be necessary to ride a dragon. That would surely pose a grave threat to the Targaryen dynasty if other houses discover this.

George R.R. Martin Seems Unhappy Over Changes Made In House Of The Dragon

Credits: George R.R. Martin via TIFF Originals / YouTube

Martin was certainly not thrilled with the several modifications done in the series. Along with Nettles, Maelor Targaryen was also missing and seemingly out of the question already unless Ryan Condal makes a drastic change in Season 3.

The writer publicly expressed his frustration when he wrote that working on a fantasy series “is not simply a license to do anything you like”. He warned that if one dares to ignore the canon, which is evidently the world he established in Fire & Blood, then the world built on the screen will eventually find its cracks and slowly crumble to pieces.

House of the Dragon is currently available to watch on HBO.