One sentence in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 6 lays the foundation for a future, major disaster

The second season of House of the Dragon also has many tragedies. Blood and Cheese and Rook’s Rest have already broken hearts.

Episode 6 of the second season, however, brings another disaster. Below we have outlined what the episode has to offer and how the event plays out in the book. Of course, that means that there is Major spoilers below for George RR Martin’s Fire and Blood. Turn back now if you don’t want to know what happens next in the show!

If you’re still reading, then you’re ready to delve into the issue of gay abandonment and the catastrophe that will follow…

What is the ‘Gay Abandon’ and why is it important?

House of the Dragon

(Image credit: HBO)

Rhaena is sent to the Vale with Rhaenyra’s three youngest sons, Joffrey, Aegon (yes, another one), and Viserys.

They are cared for by Lady Jeyne Arryn, who tells Rhaena that the ship Gay Abandon will carry Aegon and Viserys to Pentos, where the young princes will be taken in.

Now readers of the book know why the name Gay Abandon sounds ominous: it all leads to the disastrous Battle of the Esophagus.

What Happens in the Battle of the Gullet? Spoilers

House of the Dragon

(Image credit: HBO)

In Martin’s source material, the Greens reach out to the Triarchy, that old enemy from Season 1, and win them over. In Episode 6, Aemond takes the first step toward this exact outcome.

The Gay Abandon soon encounters the Triarchy ships in the Gullet, an area blockaded by House Velaryon. The Triarchy captures the princes’ ship, but young Aegon escapes with the help of his dragon Stormcloud (who we see in episode 6, albeit tiny). Viserys, however, only has a dragon egg and cannot escape. He is captured.

Stormcloud is injured during the flight of the Gay Abandon and succumbs to his wounds after reaching Dragonstone. After the Blacks learn what has happened, a fight breaks out. Jacaerys arrives on Vermax and he is accompanied by the dragonseeds Ulf the White, Addam of Hull, Hugh Hammer, and Nettles (who has not yet been introduced in the show).

The ships begin to sail away as they see how many dragons they encounter, but Vermax flies too low and ends up in the sea, sinking to his death. Jace jumps from the back of his dragon and survives the fall, but tragically Rhaenyra’s eldest son is shot dead by arrows.

The battle rages on, with Driftmark under attack by the fleet. Spicetown is also sacked and never seen again.

It is a huge blow for the Blacks: Rhaenyra’s heir Jace is dead, his dragon Vermax has also disappeared, and Rhaenyra’s youngest son Viserys is taken hostage and presumed dead.

With Gay Abandon set to go to series, it’s only a matter of time before we see this catastrophic battle unfold on screen.

House of the Dragon season 2 continues weekly on Sky and NOW in the UK and HBO in the US. For more details, check out our deep dives below:

House of the Dragon season 2, episodes 1-4 review
House of the Dragon Season 2 Showrunner on Why Blood and Cheese Has Nothing to Do with Game of Thrones’ Red Wedding
House of the Dragon Season 2 Showrunner Doesn’t Feel the Pressure of Following the Controversial Game of Thrones Season 8: ‘Our Challenge Comes from Within’
House of the Dragon showrunner hints at season 3: “You don’t want to be in a situation where you’re doing the same thing over and over again”
House of the Dragon Season 2 Showrunner Breaks Down Daemon and Rhaenyra’s Complicated Relationship: “Conflict Is Everyday”
House of the Dragon Season 2 Showrunner Says Rhaenyra and Alicent’s Bond Is Still the Heart of the Show: “We Understand These Two Women Are Connected”
Aemond Targaryen actor Ewan Mitchell breaks down the ending of House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4: “He knew exactly what he was doing”
House of the Dragon Star Ewan Mitchell on Why Aemond Targaryen Follows the Same Code as Robert De Niro in Heat
House of the Dragon star Ewan Mitchell talks about the rivalry between Aemond and Daemon: “There’s almost a romantic element to it”
House of the Dragon star Ewan Mitchell explains how Michael Myers inspired Aemond Targaryen
House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 1 Recap & Easter Eggs
House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 2 Recap & Easter Eggs
House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 3 Recap & Easter Eggs
House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 4 Recap & Easter Eggs
House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 5 Recap & Easter Eggs
Cregan Stark explained
Daeron Targaryen explained
Alys Rivieren explained
The House of the Dragon dragonslisted and explained
Greens vs Blacksexplained
The White wormexplained
The Targaryen family tree
The House of the Dragon Timeline
Who will win the Dance of the Dragons?
The history of Vhagar
The Prophecy of the Song of Ice and Fire
House of the Dragon season 2 release schedule

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