'House of the Dragon' Season 2: Inside Lord Corlys' adventure-filled life that earned him 'Sea Snake' nickname
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 is streaming on June 16, 2024, on HBO. 'House of the Dragon' is the prequel to the hit show 'Game of Thrones' and boasts many iconic characters who pick their sides and go to war over who will sit on the coveted Iron Throne.
One such character is Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) known as the 'Sea Snake'. The other titles bestowed upon the character are Lord of the Tides, head of House Velaryon, and Master of Driftmark.
His life has been a fabled tale of accomplishments in the sea. In 'House of the Dragon', since the storytelling is from the point of view of the Targaryen house, we do not see his earlier accomplishments and see him as the husband of Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best) who is the cousin of the ruling King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine).
As we head into the second season of 'House of the Dragon', let us trace the journey of this legendary character through the first season and understand the reasons behind the moniker of 'Sea Snake'.
Lord Corlys Velaryon and the nickname 'Sea Snake'
Lord Corlys Velaryon earns the nickname 'Sea Snake' from his exploits on his ship named Sea Snake. The ship was made and designed by Corlys himself and he made nine great voyages to Essos where he traded silk and spices and significantly increased his wealth to make his house richer than even the Lannisters and Targaryens.
Although he has been faithful to the throne, he and his wife have often been overlooked by the ruling Targaryens while deciding upon succession as his wife was denied a claim to the throne and her cousin King Viserys was named the heir to the throne.
What happened to Lord Corlys in season 1 of 'House of the Dragon'?
When King Viserys' wife dies, Lord Corlys' daughter Laena Velaryon (Nova Foueillis-Mosé) who is 12 years old is suggested to be married to the king. But the King decides to marry Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) instead.
That angers him as he allies with Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) after being scorned again by King Viserys. Together, Daemon and Corlys conquer the stepstones after three years of fighting as Corlys commands the fleet.
Later in the series, the two houses make amends as his son Laenor Velaryon (John Macmillan) marries Rhaenyra Targaryen, and his daughter Laena marries Daemon.
The season ends in despair for Lord Corlys as his daughter dies while giving birth to her third child and her son is presumed to be dead. However, the audience learns that Laenor is still alive and his death was faked.
What to expect from Lord Corlys in 'House of the Dragon' Season 2?
As age catches up to the fabled lord, an issue of succession of Driftmark is going to arise for him, and with both his children presumably dead, he has a task on his hands to choose the successor for Driftmark.
Further, he is expected to play a major part in the war between Alicent's team and Rhaenyra's team in the conflict between the Targaryens as he commands the biggest navy fleet in King's Landing.
'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Trailer
'House of the Dragon' Season 2 will stream on HBO on June 16, 2024