By John Erath
In 2022, the HBO series House of the Dragon premiered, and I posted an item on this blog discussing the show, in particular the role of dragons as a metaphor for nuclear weapons. Not surprisingly, I received more comments about that post than most of the others I’ve done. More people, it would seem, are interested in a well-crafted TV series featuring compelling characters, shocking violence and, of course, dragons than yet another post about the dangers of Russian nuclear threats.
Season 2 of HotD premieres June 16, and has been preceded by the inevitable marketing campaign, including a bizarre promo featuring Shaquille O’Neal. The tag line for the season is “All Must Choose,” a reference to the struggle for power, set up in season 1, between two factions led by powerful women. With the former King of fictional Westeros dead, his widow and daughter have different ideas about succession, and their parties are identified respectively as “Greens” and “Blacks” after the color dresses each woman typically wore in season 1. Each ended that season gathering allies and setting the stage for the (presumably) bloody conflict that will take place in the second season. HBO, or at least its publicity team, would also like viewers to choose a side.
It is clear which side the producers of the show have chosen. Throughout season 1, the Blacks, especially their leader, Princess Rhaenyra, were given the “good guys” edit, while the Greens were mostly depicted as conniving schemers. A quick scan of online discussions revealed that most viewers went along with the showrunners and support the Black side by a wide margin.
And they are wrong.
Anyone who is concerned about the risks of nuclear weapons and believes that they should not be used as weapons of war should be backing the Greens, and here’s why.
There is no doubt that the Greens would provide poor government. Their candidate for supreme power is a spoiled rich boy, much given to alcohol abuse and vice. They have already been responsible for abuse of power and party to several murders. Why, then, are the Blacks worse?
While the Blacks were portrayed positively during the first season, they were also guilty of some crimes, including killing the inconvenient and sexual harassment. But it was during a scene in the final episode that they lost my support. In that moment, Rhaenyra and her advisors discussed the military situation and the possibility their army would be outnumbered. One gentleman dismissed the possibility the Blacks were at a disadvantage:
“Pray forgive my bluntness, Your Grace, but talk of men is moot. Your cause owns a power that has not been seen in this world since the days of Old Valyria. Dragons.”
There it is. The Blacks are basing their strategy on the use of WMD, not deterrence.
Although not strictly against modern international law — it would theoretically be possible to target only military formations and not civilians — employing such means could serve to trigger a cycle of escalation that could produce massive destruction and widespread suffering. The Blacks, were they really the good guys HBO wants us to believe, should instead have looked to de-escalate. Perhaps if they had a competent diplomatic service — in the show, the diplomacy consists of sending messages via children riding mini dragons — they could seek to negotiate a “no first use” of dragons agreement to keep the conflict from getting out of hand. Rather than at least trying for restraint, incorporating WMD into war planning is the default. The Greens also have dragons and are guilty of (so far) one murder by dragon, but, as of the end of season 1, were basing their strategy on controlling cities and castles and recruiting more troops — not using WMD. Therefore, as of the start of season 2, the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation is officially Team Green.
This may not last. Previews promise plenty of action that will no doubt feature war crimes committed by both sides as they struggle for hereditary power in a monarchy. Perhaps in the end, the lesson will be less about weapons of mass destruction and more about the senselessness of autocratic systems of government. In any event, it should make for entertaining viewing.
