What exactly was the Blood and Cheese incident in House of the Dragon? The brutal moment, explained in depth

House of the Dragon (Image Source: Prime Video)
House of the Dragon (Image Source: Prime Video)

In the House of the Dragon series, we can see the dragons' lifestyle, their power struggles, and the heartbreaking events that unfold. One of the most shocking and brutal moments in the Game of Thrones prequel is the ‘Blood and Cheese’ incident. We will discuss this here. Before we talk about the Blood and Cheese incident, let’s delve into the big conflict in the series, the fight for the Iron Throne.


The Blood and Cheese incident in House of the Dragon

House of the Dragon (Image Source: Prime Video)
House of the Dragon (Image Source: Prime Video)

King Viserys I Targaryen wanted his daughter named Rhaenyra, to become queen after him in this series. But People chose his son to be the king. A full civil war starts in the royal family between the two. Rhaenyra‘s side is known as the "Blacks," Aegon's side is the "Greens." This war is called the Dance of the Dragons.


The death that sparked the terrible dance

The end of season 1 shows Rhaenyra’s son, Lucerys Velaryon, flies on his dragon Arrax to Storm’s End to meet with Lord Borros Baratheon. There he finds his uncle, his long-standing rival Aemond Targaryen.

Aemond chases Lucerys through the skies on his huge dragon, called Vhagar. In a tragic twist, Vhagar kills Lucerys and his dragon there. Rhaenyra’s world falls apart, and now she sets the stage for revenge.

House of the Dragon (Image Source: Prime Video)
House of the Dragon (Image Source: Prime Video)

Blood and cheese arrive

In the very first episode of Season 2, we see the result of Rhaenyra’s pain. She wants revenge for the death of her son. But instead of taking it on the battlefield, she agrees to a secret plan. Daemon Targaryen, her husband and uncle, arranges for a dark and deadly mission inside King’s Landing, where Aegon II’s family lives.

Daemon hires two men. One is a former City Watch guard known only as “Blood.” He is violent and dangerous. The other is a rat-catcher in the Red Keep, nicknamed “Cheese.” As he knows the secret paths inside the castle, together, blood and cheese sneak into the Red Keep with a horrible plan.


Their target: A son for a son

They want Aegon to feel the same pain Rhaenyra felt after her son’s demise. As per the plan, Cheese gets past the guards and reaches the royal chambers inside the castle. There is Aegon’s wife, Queen Helaena Targaryen, with her two children. Entering the room, the men ask her to choose which of her children should die. In the end, we see the terrible scene, where they kill the little prince Jaehaerys.

House of the Dragon (Image Source: Prime Video)
House of the Dragon (Image Source: Prime Video)

The brutality of the scene

This scene in House of the Dragon is about fear, helplessness, and pain, where the queen is forced to witness her child’s death. Cold, violent Blood and Cheese do not act with mercy. What makes it even worse is that the child they kill is innocent. He has no part in the war or the politics. He is just a young boy caught in a cruel game of revenge.


Aegon’s heartbreak and rage

When King Aegon II finds out about his son's murder, he goes destroyed and screams in pain. He becomes even angrier. His grief turns into rage. This moment pushes him to fully commit to the war. Until now, there was still a small chance of peace. But after this, peace becomes impossible. He now wants revenge just like Rhaenyra did. Both sides are stuck in a cycle of pain. One loss leads to another. The bloody and terrible Dance of the Dragons shows that no one is safe anymore.

House of the Dragon (Image Source: Prime Video)
House of the Dragon (Image Source: Prime Video)

Queen Helaena’s suffering

Helaena Targaryen is a gentle and quiet woman. She loves her children deeply. After witnessing her son's death, she breaks down completely. She loses her touch with reality. Her so much suffering reminds viewers that war always leaves deep scars, which can be unbearable.


Who were Blood and Cheese?

Blood and Cheese in House of the Dragon are not famous knights or powerful lords. They are just two ordinary men who take part in a terrible act. Blood used to be a soldier in the City Watch. He has seen violence before. Cheese is a rat-catcher who works in the dark corners of the palace. Together, they show that even small people can do great harm. They are tools of revenge, hired by people in power. But they leave behind a big mark. Their actions show how low the war can go and how dangerous it is to let hatred take control.


Why This Scene Matters So Much

The Blood and Cheese incident is more than just a violent moment in House of the Dragon. It is a turning point in the story. Before this, both sides still had a little hope. Maybe there could be peace, or maybe the war would end quickly. But after this moment, the war becomes full of hate.

House of the Dragon (Image Source: Prime Video)
House of the Dragon (Image Source: Prime Video)

The Backlash, fallout

After the murder, the Greens tighten their security. Aegon wants revenge. He trusts fewer people. The whole Red Keep becomes a place of suspicion and fear. Meanwhile, Rhaenyra does not feel comforted by what happened. Killing a child does not bring her peace. Instead, both sides suffer more. The war becomes worse. Dragons will burn cities. Armies will clash. But nothing will undo what Blood and Cheese did. That night changed everything forever in House of the Dragon.


The Price of Revenge

Blood and Cheese, one of the most tragic and horrifying scenes in House of the Dragon. It is about lost children, broken hearts, and the beginning of an unforgiving war. It demonstrates to the viewers that even the defenseless can suffer the most in the struggle for the crown. There is no going back once the cycle of retaliation starts.

Edited by Sohini Biswas