In House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 3, Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) makes the significant decision to ask Rhaenyra to legitimize his bastard sons, Alyn and Addam.
In the moment, it feels like he is doing this to strengthen his legacy. But Steve Toussaint revealed to Variety that Corlys’ wife Rhaenys played a part for him heading towards this decision.
Quick read:
- Steve Toussaint says Rhaenys played a hand in Corlys recognising his bastard sons
- Her death makes him realise the urgency of this legitimization
- He wants to honour his wife’s memory
Rhaenys’ confrontation as the catalyst
Corlys traces the turning point directly back to a pivotal conversation with his late wife, Rhaenys:
“If there is one event that is the catalyst, I would have to say it goes right back to that moment where Rhaenys says, I know who they are. Because what she says is I know who he is, and basically she says words to the effect of, ‘It’s not their fault that you were a shitty dad and you need to recognize them.’”
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Rhaenys’ words cut deep, forcing Corlys to confront his neglect as a father. Not long after this confrontation, Rhaenys dies, adding a layer of regret and urgency to Corlys’ actions.
Credits: Max
Honouring Rhaenys’ wish
Corlys views legitimizing Alyn and Addam as a way to honour the woman he truly loved:
“So I feel that there’s an element of Corlys honoring his dead wife, the one person that he truly loved, honoring her and trying to do the right thing because she wanted that and she was smart and so forth.”
This decision becomes part of his attempt to make amends and live up to Rhaenys’ expectations, even after her death.
Alyn’s confrontation and Corlys’ apology
The impact of Rhaenys’ words is evident later when Alyn confronts his father about their difficult childhood. Corlys doesn’t push back or banish him. Instead, he listens. This leads to one of Corlys’ most vulnerable moments in Season 3, Episode 1, where he apologizes to Alyn in a quiet cabin scene before battle; a rare admission of fault for the proud Sea Snake.
A long time coming
Corlys’ journey toward acknowledging his sons is not sudden. It stems from years of avoidance, amplified by Rhaenys’ honesty and her tragic death. By asking Rhaenyra to legitimize Alyn and Addam, Corlys is not only securing their future but also attempting to correct past wrongs and fulfill his late wife’s wishes.
