The departure of House of the Dragon from George R.R. Martin’s canon of books brings a bittersweet Rhaenys twist that exacerbates a crucial plot point in Jon Snow’s Game of Thrones. The idea that Corlys is Alyn of Hull’s biological father is more explicitly discussed by Rhaenys in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4, even though it was already alluded to during Alyn’s initial encounter with Corlys earlier in the season. Rhaenys not only accepts Alyn despite the fact that he is the offspring of Corlys’ extramarital affairs, but she also gives him praise and disapproves of Corlys’ attempt to conceal him.

In the Fire & Blood book, the histories recorded that Alyn and Addam of Hull claimed to be bastard sons of Laenor Velaryon. However, there were rumors and heavy implications that Corlys Velaryon was actually their father, with speculation that he hid their true parentage to avoid the wrath of his wife, Rhaenys. House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4 goes a different route, revealing that Rhaenys always knew the truth about Alyn and bore him no ill will. As relieving as it is to see Rhaenys’ strength and empathy in her interactions with Alyn, it makes a tragic Jon Snow story worse.