In House of The Dragon, where dragons are soaring in the skies, and the family’s lineage is a web of secrets and scandals, one character’s journey is complexly linked to his physical appearance. And that character is Jacaerys Velaryon, the bastard son whose existence threatens to complicate Westeros’ fragile balance of power. Because of his dark hair, Jace constantly reminded of the questionable parentage that has haunted him since birth. In a world where bloodlines are everything, Jace’s story complicates what it means to be a true heir.
The fear of legitimacy
Jace can’t shake off the feeling that his bastard status is a constant hindrance around his neck. No matter how hard he tries to outrun it, the truth lingers, a nagging voice that whispers, “You’re not good enough.” He dreams of sitting on the Iron Throne, but only if he can guarantee his claim won’t be contested. The thought of being lumped in with all the other bastard sons, just another face in the crowd, is a bitter pill to swallow. People’s perception of him is a doubt gnawing away at his confidence. Harry Collett, in an interview with Esquire, said,
“There’s a little bit of fear within him,” Collett says of Jace. “All of his life, he’s tried to get away from the fact that he is a bastard, but he knows it deep down. He wants to ensure that everything is perfect and going his way by the time he sits on the Iron Throne.” Namely, he doesn’t want his claim questioned. “How would people see him?” Collett muses. “In the future, when it’s him and a load of bastards, it’s kind of insulting to him.”
Credits: Max
Jacaerys’ eagerness to prove himself
As the season 3 approaches, Jace’s frustration grows. He’s eager to prove himself in battle, but his inexperience holds him back. Despite this, he’s desperate for a fight, and his restlessness is palpable. Jace feels trapped as if he’s being held back from reaching his true potential. He’s sick of being treated like a child and is ready to take matters into his own hands. His impatience is building, and he’s eager to break free from the constraints holding him back.
“It’s just a classic thing of a sixteen-year-old being like, ‘Mom, I’m old enough to do this now.’ And your mom going, ‘No, you’re too young,’ ” says Collett. “He’s slowly getting sick of it and just wants something to be done.”
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