Why it’s a mistake to not include Nettles in House of the Dragon

Nettles is an integral character in George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood. However, she may not appear in the House of the Dragon series. Showrunner Ryan Condal’s reluctance to comment on her inclusion has led many to believe that Nettles has been removed from the show’s storyline. This decision has sparked a significant debate among fans, with many arguing against her inclusion. X user @thelaughinstorm has commented on Nettles’s importance to the storyline and why she should be included in House of the Dragon.

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09/07/2024 10:57 pm GMT

Who is Nettles?

Credits: Hylora

In Fire & Blood, Nettles is a lowborn, dark-skinned orphan who tamed the wild dragon Sheepstealer. This was considered an extraordinary feat that even many Targaryens struggled to achieve. She fought alongside the Blacks in many battles during the Dance of the Dragons, helping them achieve numerous victories.

Nettles also worked closely with Prince Daemon and was rumored to have a romantic relationship with him. Like Daenerys Targaryen, Nettles grew up in poverty, using her intelligence to survive. Her story offers a fresh perspective, differing from the noble-centric narratives in Westeros.

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Fan reactions to Nettles’ removal

X user @thelaughinstorm recently created a compelling thread explaining why removing Nettles from the show was a mistake.

the importance of nettles —— a thread

nettles is among the most thematically important, non main series character in the entire f&b whose legacy is still present in the main saga but unfortunately hbo fundamentally doesn't understand her importance or what she stands for. pic.twitter.com/JYv6Z8XefJ

— Անահիտ (@thelaughinstorm) July 12, 2024

The thread highlights Nettles’ importance, both thematically and narratively. As a black, lowborn girl who independently tamed an adult dragon by feeding it sheep daily, Nettles mirrors the ancient Valyrian dragonriders who were shepherds. In A Song of Ice and Fire, she is revered as a deity by the Burned Men, a dangerous hill tribe living in the Mountains of the Moon in the Vale.

Nettles is not just another secondary character. She showed compassion and grief over the death of innocents and Prince Jacaerys even though she didn’t need to. She had a genuine bond with her dragon, Sheepstealer.

In a genre where black characters are often sidelined or reduced to supporting roles for white protagonists, Nettles stands out. Daemon Targaryen and Corlys Velaryon attempted to protect her, adding to the significance of the larger story.

The omission of Nettles from House of the Dragon raises questions about the representation of black characters in fantasy. The showrunners included other dragonseeds like Hugh and Ulf, so budget or time constraints don’t justify her exclusion.

George R.R. Martin has expressed a desire to explore the character of Nettles further, indicating the potential for compelling storytelling. Given these details, the showrunners’ exclusion of Nettles from House of the Dragon may appear to be a misstep.

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