WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4 and George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood book, on which the show is based!

House of the Dragon departs from George R.R. Martin’s book canon with a bittersweet Rhaenys twist, which makes an important part of Jon Snow’s Game of Thrones story more frustrating. While it was already hinted at during Alyn’s first conversation with Corlys earlier in the season, the notion that Corlys is Alyn of Hull’s real father is more directly addressed by Rhaenys in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4. Not only is Rhaenys accepting of Alyn even though he’s a product of Corlys’ extramarital affairs, but she also praises him while disapproving of Corlys trying to hide 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.

Rhaenys’ Response To Alyn Of Hull Makes Catelyn Stark’s Treatment Of Jon Snow Even Worse

Catelyn Stark Was Horrible To Ned’s Supposed Bastard Son, Jon Snow

Whereas Rhaenys feels sorry that Corlys has hidden Alyn and even compliments him about how beautiful his mother must have been, Catelyn Stark made Jon Snow’s life hell at Winterfell. Seeing the self-secure Rhaenys treat Corlys’ bastard son Alyn with gentleness and kindness is a far cry from Catelyn’s cruel and insecure treatment of Ned’s supposed bastard son Jon. Rhaenys reiterates that Alyn’s illegitimacy is no fault of his own, so he shouldn’t be punished for it by Corlys, and should instead be raised up and embraced within the Velaryon fleet.

Meanwhile, Catelyn wished for Jon’s death and hated him for something he couldn’t control, as she saw him as a constant reminder of Ned’s infidelity. There is a difference in that Ned raised Jon Snow alongside the rest of his children, whereas Alyn and Addam were raised out of sight of Rhaenys and their children, but it still doesn’t excuse how Catelyn treated an innocent child. Furthermore, unbeknownst to Catelyn, Jon was never actually the bastard son of Ned Stark, as he was secretly the trueborn son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen, making Catelyn’s horrible treatment of him entirely purposeless.

Rhaenys & Alyn’s House Of The Dragon Scene Makes His Future Even Better

Alyn’s Future Honors Rhaenys’ Wishes In House Of The Dragon

With Rhaenys Targaryen’s death occurring shortly after she confronts Corlys about how his son should be treated, Alyn’s future story becomes even more empowering in House of the Dragon. Following the deaths of Laenor, Laena, and Lucerys, Corlys must choose a new heir to Driftmark. In Fire & Blood, the heir becomes Alyn of Hull, who is legitimized as Alyn Velaryon. Considering Rhaenys wanted Corlys to raise up Alyn instead of keeping him hidden beneath the tides, his future in House of the Dragon is now a way of bittersweetly honoring Rhaenys’ wishes after her death.