The Witcher's Brilliant Twist Exposes House of the Dragon S2's Shocking Casting Woes
The Witcher's brilliant storytelling highlights the importance of Graham McTavish's character in House of the Dragon A lesson that HOTD can't afford to overlook
Spoiler Alert: The Witcher season 3, part 1 contains an unexpected twist that impacts the Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon. Both The Witcher and Game of Thrones have often been compared, with The Witcher being seen as a potential successor to the iconic fantasy series. Now, with House of the Dragon existing in the same universe, the comparisons between the two shows are even more prominent.
These shows share similarities in terms of being epic fantasy stories that delve into the complex political dynamics and power struggles within their respective fictional worlds. However, the inclusion of actor Graham McTavish in The Witcher's cast creates a direct connection between the two shows. McTavish portrays Sigismund Dijkstra, the chief of Redanian Intelligence in The Witcher, and also gained recognition for his role as Ser Harrold Westerling in House of the Dragon season 1. As a result, The Witcher season 3 introduces a surprising twist that reverses a House of the Dragon storyline.
The Witcher Season 3 Flips Graham McTavish's House Of The Dragon Role
In House of the Dragon, McTavish's character, Harrold Westerling, stands out as a genuinely noble and trustworthy figure. He possesses the qualities of a chivalrous knight from a different era, with a firm understanding of justice and righteousness. Harrold's unwavering loyalty extends to his protection of Rhaenyra, the princess, even when commanded by Otto Hightower to assassinate her. Outraged by this order, Harrold makes the difficult decision to resign from the Kingsguard, an institution he has faithfully served for years, rather than carrying out the unjust act of killing the woman who rightfully deserves to be Queen.
In contrast, The Witcher portrays a stark absence of loyalty or protection towards the Queen. Queen Hedwig, the wife of King Vizimir II, meets a tragic demise in season 3. Although Nilfgaard forces are blamed for her death, it is revealed that Dijkstra and Phillipa Eilhart conspired to orchestrate the Queen's murder. Dijkstra's motive behind this deceitful act was to prevent Vizimir's proposed alliance with Nilfgaard, a decision that would spell doom for Redania and other Northern Kingdoms. In this plot twist, McTavish's character once again acts according to their own beliefs, but instead of refusing to commit an act of violence, they take the life of a Queen, embodying deceitfulness rather than Harrold's honorable nature.
The Witcher Shows Graham McTavish's Harrold Westerling Needs To Return In HOTD
McTavish is currently not included in the cast list for House of the Dragon season 2, which is surprising considering the effort taken to change his character's role from the Fire & Blood book. This change opens up more potential for Ser Harold's story and allows McTavish to showcase his talent, as evidenced by his impressive portrayal of Dijkstra in The Witcher. While Harrold is a different character, it would be beneficial for McTavish to have more screen time and opportunities to explore the complexities of the former Lord Commander, similar to how he does with the Redanian spymaster. With the Dance of the Dragons set to commence in season 2, all characters will face greater challenges and make more morally questionable choices.
The way Harrold handles the atrocities from his own side if he were to join Rhaenyra's forces, and whether he has to abandon her or compromise his own ethics, could be just as captivating as watching Dijkstra's plotting. Harrold has the potential to play a crucial role in Rhaenyra's upcoming war, whether it's in Season 2 of House of the Dragon or in future seasons if McTavish makes a return. The Witcher also highlights the necessity for his eventual comeback.
