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

Exploring the significance of Nettles in George R. R. Martin’s work.

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Credits: @elaena on Tumblr

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.

Read More: House of the Dragon Season 2 may cut some characters from the books

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12/12/2024 05:12 am GMT

Who is Nettles?

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.

Read More: Isaac Hempstead Wright talks about Hodor’s seizure in Season 6 and importance of the Valyrian Steel Dagger

Fan reactions to Nettles’ removal

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

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.

Read More: A major character’s death was foreshadowed in House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 3

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Ved Prabhudesai is an avid enthusiast of all things pop culture. He has a special interest in the field of animation and art, with a background in Fine Arts and Digital Media Arts. He has begun his first into the field of Entertainment Journalism with Wiki of Thrones, and has been writing for them since 2023. He also has experience working as a screenplay writer, animator and comic book artist. His hobbies include holding discussions and organising events focused around pop culture, dissecting the importance of media in today's world. He began reading A Song Of Ice And Fire shortly before Game of Thrones debuted on HBO. He has followed the series religiously and has spent hours reading Wikis learning about Targaryen history and possible plot points we will see in the Winds of Winter.

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