Warning: Contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 2.

Laenor Velaryon’s dragon, Seasmoke, returns in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 2, and it sets up his future in the Dance of the Dragons. Seasmoke only made a few appearances as one of the dragons in House of the Dragon season 1, most notably in the battle against the Triarchy at the Stepstones. After Laenor’s “death,” it was left unclear exactly how he’d figure into the plot going forward.

House of the Dragon season 2, episode 2 begins to offer an answer to that very question. While the returning dragon certainly isn’t the biggest focus, what with the duel of the Cargyll twins, Otto Hightower’s removal from being Hand of the King, and Daemon Targaryen furiously leaving for Harrenhal, his comeback is notable in how he appears to Addam of Hull. It’s a brief scene, but one with big implications.

House Of The Dragon Sets Up Addam Of Hull Claiming Seasmoke

He Bonds With The Dragon In Fire & Blood

After the introduction of Alyn of Hull in the premiere, episode 2 introduces his brother, Addam, with Clinton Liberty joining House of the Dragon‘s cast. Like Alyn, Addam is a shipwright who serves House Velaryon. Unlike Alyn, Addam gets a very notable scene with a dragon, as Seasmoke flies over his head and circles the sky above him, while he looks on in wonder. This is no mere coincidence, but directly sets up Addam later claiming Seasmoke like he does in Fire & Blood, which should happen towards the end of season 2. I

In the book, Addam is able to bond with Seasmoke, and becomes an important part of Team Black in the Dance of the Dragons, fighting in the Battle of the Gullet (which has been set up by multiple mentions of the Velaryons blockading it) and the Second Battle of Tumbleton. Suffice to say, while Seasmoke’s role has been small thus far, it should get bigger and bigger heading into House of the Dragon season 3.

How Addam Of Hull Can Claim A Dragon In House Of The Dragon

Is Addam Of Hull Of Valyrian Descent?

Addam of Hull being able to bond with and fly a dragon may raise a big question for those who haven’t read the book: is he a Targaryen, or otherwise of Valyrian descent? The answer in simple terms is yes, though the book doesn’t provide a complete solution for Addam and Alyn’s parentage, but rather two options: Laenor and Corlys Velaryon.

When they are introduced, Addam and Alyn are presented as Laenor’s bastard children, with their mother, Marilda, claiming as such, despite Laenor being gay and not being the real father of Rhaenyra’s children. Other accounts, however, claim they are actually Corlys’ own bastard children. House of the Dragon season 2 has muddied these waters as neither character looks Valyrian – Alyn is bald, and Addam has dark hair, whereas they both have silver hair in the books. Still, it can be assumed they will be of Valyrian – and, specifically, Velaryon – descent.

It seems very unlikely, however, that them being Laenor’s bastards is going to be an option, given the actors look around the same age as Laenor, so it would be near-impossible to believe they’re his. It’s also clearly establishing a connection between Alyn and Corlys, likely setting up the parentage reveal later on and confirming they are indeed his sons. While the Velaryons weren’t dragonriders, they do nonetheless have the blood of Old Valyria (and traces of Targaryen blood), which can explain how Addam is able to ride Seasmoke.

Those who are bastards of Valyrian descent are called dragonseeds. The Sowing of the Seeds is one of the key events in the Dance of the Dragons, which sees several of these bastards coming forth to claim the riderless dragons on Dragonstone to fight for Team Black – some of whom fail, with dire consequences, and some of whom succeed. Addam, assuming it follows the book, will be one of the latter.

Addam Claiming Seasmoke Risks Creating A House Of The Dragon Plot Hole

There’s One Problem It Needs To Address

House of the Dragon has one main issue with Addam of Hull claiming Seasmoke, which Fire & Blood did not have: Laenor Velaryon is still alive. Whereas in the book he is actually killed, the show instead went down the fake death route. It’s unclear if there are any plans for Laenor to return, but Seasmoke should still feel the connection to him, and that would mean he is still technically a bonded dragon who wouldn’t take on another rider.

House of the Dragon is setting up Seasmoke taking an interest in Addam, laying the groundwork for their bond. That, however, isn’t really enough, and it needs to offer up a clear explanation for how Seasmoke takes a new rider when his previous one is still alive and should remain bonded to him in some way. Hopefully, this is just the first step towards a solution, with Seamsoke and Addam taking on bigger roles in the war to come.

New episodes of House of the Dragon season 2 release Sundays at 9pm ET on HBO and Max.