In the House of the Dragon – 82%, twin brothers Ser Arryk and Ser Erryk Cargyll are intriguing and tragic characters. In the novel Fire and Blood, material on which the series is based, both are Members of the Royal Guard and identical in all aspects, so much so that not even their companions could distinguish them. Their loyalty and role in the Kingdom of Westeros is crucial, especially during dynastic conflicts. Spoilers below.
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Arryk and Erryk, although physically equal, found themselves on opposite sides of the Targaryen Civil War. Arryk remained loyal to King Aegon II, while Erryk supported Queen Rhaenyra. This division between brothers highlights the complexity of politics and loyalty in Westeros. Last night, The House of the Dragon presented us with a duel between both brothers and now fans are wondering how different this confrontation is from the book. We discuss it here.
In the second episode of The House of the Dragon A fateful duel between these two brothers is shown. Ser Arryk is sent by Criston Cole to Dragonstone with the mission of assassinating Rhaenyra, in retaliation for the death of Jaehaerys Targaryen, son of Aegon and Helaena. Arryk enters the castle posing as his brother Erryk but things do not go as he expected.
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What is the duel like in the series?
The series shows a confrontation between the twins in the corridors of Dragonstone. Arryk attempts to fulfill his mission, but is discovered by Erryk. The brothers duel, an intense fight that culminates in Arryk’s death at the hands of Erryk. Devastated by having killed his brother, Erryk commits suicide, completing one of the most tragic and moving scenes in the series.
What is grief like in the book?
in the novel Fire and Blood, the death of the twins is equally dramatic. According to the chroniclers, Arryk arrived at Dragonstone and infiltrated the castle, posing as Erryk. However, the gods wanted the brothers to meet. Septon Eustace and Mushroom, narrators of different versions, agree that the twins faced each other in a mortal duel.
The duel between Arryk and Erryk lasted an hour and was said to have awakened half of the Queen’s court. The fight was intense and full of desperation, as the spectators could not distinguish who was who. Finally, both brothers mortally wounded each other and died in each other’s arms, with tears streaming down their cheeks. This tragic moment underscores the brutality and pain of the civil war in Westeros.
The adaptation of this duel in The House of the Dragon was well received by fans, who appreciated the slight changes made to the series. The narrative of Fire and Bloodtold by chroniclers who offer multiple versions of the events, allows the series’ writers to take certain creative liberties to improve the visual narrative.
The House of the Dragon managed to capture the essence of the conflicts and themes present in George RR Martin’s books. The series explores themes such as loyalty, betrayal, power and family, reflecting the complexity of human relationships in a context of war and politics.
The impact of The House of the Dragon has been significant, not only for its high-quality production and fidelity to the original work, but also for its ability to address universal themes. The tragedy of the twins Arryk and Erryk is a perfect example of how the series combines personal drama with political intrigue, creating a rich and emotionally resonant narrative.
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