'House of the Dragon's Biggest Deviation From 'Fire & Blood' Is Saving the Show

Published Jul 21, 2026, 7:18 PM EDT Kendall Myers is a Senior Author with Collider. As part of the TV and Movies Features team, she writes about some of the most popular releases before, during, and after they premiere. In three years, she has written over 900 articles with topics ranging from classic sitcoms to fantasy epics. Editor's note: The below contains spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 5. House of the Dragon provides a unique look at Westeros' history as it explores the Dance of the Dragons; however, the prequel series has taken some liberties with the original story. Given that the show is based on George R. R. Martin's Fire & Blood, the major events of the story are already laid out, but House of the Dragon has made some major changes in its adaptation. While fans may complain about some pivots, others have greatly improved the story, from deepening Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) and Alicent's (Olivia Cooke) relationship to adding Aegon's Prophecy. Last week's episode, "Tumbleton," revealed that Helaena (Phia Saban) is pregnant with her third child, but the timing of the event is a major change. At this point in Fire & Blood, Helaena's son Maelor has already been born and is experiencing the horrors of the civil war. Despite this dramatic rewrite, House of the Dragon's version of events ultimately works because it gives both Alicent and Helaena a more compelling storyline during their captivity in King's Landing, allowing the series to continue exploring their characters and adding tension to their situation. Helaena's Pregnancy Adds More Complications to 'House of the Dragon' Season 3 While it isn't pulled strictly from Fire & Blood, Helaena's pregnancy adds a new layer of complication to her and Alicent's Season 3 arcs, as, despite remaining with Jaehaera in relative safety within the walls of the Red Keep, this baby could pose a threat to Rhaenyra's rule. By dealing with these implications, Alicent and Helaena earn a meaningful storyline that explores their dynamic, priorities, and hopes for the future, and the twist becomes a major plot point in Season 3, Episode 5, "Unbowed and Unbent," as they each take a different stance on how to handle it. Throughout the episode, Alicent is focused on protecting Helaena by any means necessary. She convinces Maester Orwyle (Kurt Egyiawan) to secretly deliver them some moon tea, and when Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) discovers what she's done, Alicent confesses to taking a lover, sacrificing her own reputation to hide the truth. These scenes highlight the dynamic between mother and daughter, which took a backseat to Alicent's attempts to control her sons in previous seasons. However, Helaena's own desire for autonomy is just as pivotal to their storyline. Not only is she determined to give birth, but she refuses to leave Jaehaera behind for the sake of escaping King's Landing. 'House of the Dragon' Needed a New Story for Alicent and Helaena While Helaena isn't pregnant during the Dance of the Dragons in Martin's book, the show's change is exactly what the story needed. If House of the Dragon had strictly adapted the events of Fire & Blood, Alicent and Helaena would have had very little to do. In the novel, they are captives for a long time, and, since they are not involved in any battles, they become passive figures. During this stage of the war, they react to the tragic news that comes in and occasionally try to negotiate with Rhaenyra. There is a rumor in Fire & Blood that Rhaenyra sent them to work in a brothel as punishment, but the truth of it is widely discredited. By making this change from Fire & Blood, House of the Dragon Season 3 keeps Alicent and Helaena as active characters in the story, expanding their roles and giving them both something to fight for. This change is especially important for Helaena, who had little to do in the first two seasons. Previously, the series added her abilities as a Dreamer to make her more relevant, but Helaena's pregnancy arguably makes her as important as any of her siblings, and so far, has greatly improved both her character and the series as a whole. Release Date August 21, 2022 Network HBO Showrunner George R.R. Martin Cast Fabien Frankel Ser Criston Cole Directors Clare Kilner, Geeta Patel Writers Gabe Fonseca Franchise(s) Game of Thrones Creator(s) George R. R. Martin