Movies News Talk
One could argue Hugh Hammer's actions in the scene where Vermithor chooses him were transparent. Hugh's actor Kieran Bew says that rather than pure bravery, Hugh's drive was motivated by survival and pragmatism. Hugh is struggling to defend himself within the turmoil of the dragon's approach. Obstacle to his own escape and safety, the woman behind the rock is
Hugh underlines the lack of dragons and the profusion of people fighting for a chance to ride one. He likens the circumstances to purchasing a lottery ticket: should only one individual be lucky, it is in their best advantage to make sure none other wins before them. He notes that he was well aware of the competitive character of the matter as he did not first go forward to claim Vermithor. This implies that rather than a pure act of valor, his waving at Vermithor was a deliberate attempt to raise his own prospects of becoming the dragonrider.
Although Hugh's deed of rescuing the woman seems heroic on first glance, his later remarks expose a more deliberate and self-serving attitude. His citation of the lottery ticket example emphasizes his awareness of the power relations and the competitive character of the dragonrider choice. Waiting to see if someone else would claim Vermithor first shows a deliberate attitude that gives his own survival and chances of becoming a dragonrider first priority. This runs against his first impression as a selfless hero.
Hugh's actions as seen by Kieran Bew point to a possible lack of heroism compared to first impression. Combining self-preservation with a strategic awareness of the circumstances drives his activities. Although he might have saved the woman's life, his ultimate goal was self-serving—that of raising his own chances of being a dragonrider. This begs problems regarding Hugh's actual nature and goals.
Hugh's deeds might not be quite heroic, but they do not automatically make him a villain either. In a highly competitive and risky environment, survival and self-preservation drive his motivation mainly. Though somewhat reasonable, his actions reflect the hard reality of the world of "House of the Dragon," where resources are few and the stakes are great.
Hugh's deliberate activities add to the intricate and multifarious story of "House of the Dragon." They draw attention to the individualistic goals of the characters and the competitive character of the dragonrider choice process. The scene questions morality, ambition, and the actual nature of heroism in a society where authority is sought after and resources are limited by showing the possibility for self-serving goals in the face of apparently heroic deeds.