What did Helaena’s vision mean in House of the Dragon season 2 episode 6? Explained

In Season 2 Episode 6 of House of the Dragon, the vision of Helaena Targaryen gives a clear view of Dragonriders and their dragons in the process of exploration. The scene, with the crickets, wasn't just a day-dreaming time but also its narrative role in pointing to where the Dragonriders, and their mounts stand at the moment was undeniably very important.

The vision, while not obvious, is a great source of understanding the condition of three key dragons-Vermithor, Silverwing and Seasmoke. This episode is pivotal, as it uses these symbols to foreshadow the upcoming events of the Targaryen Civil War.

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Is Helaena Targaryen a dreamer?

In House of the Dragon, Helaena Targaryen possesses the unique ability to predict future events through her prophetic dreams.

Although this trait isn’t present in George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, the show has made her a dreamer. Helaena, portrayed by Phia Saban, is the Queen and sister of Aegon II. Her riddles, often cryptic yet meaningful, foreshadow significant events throughout Season 1.

For instance, During a scene where Aemond was mocked for not having a dragon, Helaena mumbled a prophecy:

“He’ll have to close an eye.”

Later, Aemond lost an eye in a conflict with Rhaenyra's sons. Helaena’s dreams hinted at her son Jaehaerys’ tragic destiny. His death was necessary for Aegon to lose his heir in the Targaryen civil war.

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The cricket scene in House of the Dragon season 2 episode 6

In the vision, Helaena watches three cages, each one containing a cricket. These crickets illustrate the three dragons who have no riders at present: Vermithor, Silverwing and Seasmoke. Each cricket sings, and that represents the dragons being riderless, waiting to be called upon.

The chirping of crickets symbolizes the calls of riders telling dragons to get a new rider or get back to the old one. This picture shows the status and the requirements of new claims.

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The significance of the singing of the crickets

The vision reaches a climax when Haelena notices that one cricket has stopped singing. This detail is a subtle indication that one of the dragons has found a rider.

The singing cricket stopped, which indicates that one of the dragons will soon be claimed. This subtle hint is confirmed later when Addam of Hull is shown claiming Seasmoke in the episode.

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The bonding of Addam and Seasmoke

In House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 6, Seasmoke chooses Addam of Hull as his new dragon rider.

The dragon’s decision is intriguing because Addam is related to Seasmoke’s former rider, Laenor Velaryon. Unlike direct Targaryen lineage, Addam’s ability to ride a dragon highlights the mysterious nature of Dragonriders in Westeros.

In the series House of the Dragon, they have made some changes to Addam’s character compared to the book, but the core connection remains. Seasmoke's acceptance of Addam over other candidates, like Ser Steffon Darklyn, hints at a deeper bond, perhaps reminiscent of Laenor’s influence.

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Helaena Targaryen's vision in House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 6, utilizes the image of crickets to portray the condition of the unclaimed dragons and their future riders.

The abrupt halt of one cricket's chirp is used as a storytelling device that foreshadows that dragon rider alliances will change significantly, particularly, in the case of the introduction of the new rider of Seasmoke later in that episode.

This imaginative and surreal approach enhances the plot by foreboding the coming changes subtly yet profoundly, connecting the characters and their dragons of the series.