Although it is always clear that The House of the BeastHouses of honor will anchor the drama of the second season, and it was also seen early on that the underdogs—often overlooked, often oppressed—will have a new prominence in Westeros’ latest struggle. Last night, “Sowing Red” showed us how important some “minor” characters will really be.
If you don’t get caught…
In episode seven, Rhaenyra’s increasingly frantic plan to find two of Team Black’s riderless dragons actually paid off: Hugh the Hammer received a translation of permission from Vermithor, and Ulf the White found a new friend in Silverwing.
Ulf appeared in the previous episode bragging about his Targaryen heritage, though he hesitated when he heard that Rhaenyra was looking for bastards who might become dragonriders. He’s got this leg injury, you see… and he’s not sure he has it indeed he has Targaryen blood—a serious consideration, because the dragon will know who is worthy, and will burn anyone who is not.
But—after some teasing from his drinking buddies—he decides to try his luck. And thanks to Ulf, everything works; as we see in the final moments of the episode, he has a blast riding the Silverwing over his old stomping grounds of King’s Landing (upsetting Aemond, the Prince Regent, in the process). Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, actor Tom Bennett reflected on the sudden development in his life.
“It’s big. Ulf is under the barrel; he’s Flea Bottom through and through,” Bennett said. “You are poor and oppressed people. He is a working class man under the thumb of the ruling classes and lived with that all his life. All of a sudden, you’re sitting on nuclear weapons. The power shift is huge. Let’s see what you do with that.”
Bennett also shared details of what led Ulf to that moment—as well as explaining what went through the character’s head when he realized that Silverwing wouldn’t let him know. To put it another way: why is he laughing then? “You think you’re going to die and there’s a big release of relief, and that I decided again [episode director] Today [Peristere] you liked it. Because, let’s be honest, she’s one of the best actors to ever smile, let alone laugh. Every time I was set, I tried to use that. Ulf sticks out like a sore thumb for a number of reasons. Another thing is that I am one of the actors who are just having fun.”
The House of the BeastEpisode eight, the second season finale, airs Sunday night on HBO and Max.
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