The Part Jacaerys Played in House of the Dragon Season 2
Following a fleeting visit in the first season, Jacaerys Velaryon makes a highly regarded comeback in the critically praised second season of House of the Dragon and takes on a more central part in the developing drama. Following the terrible events of the Battle at Rook's Rest, season 2, episode 5 picks up where Jacaerys takes the initiative to meet with House Frey at The Twins to guarantee their allegiance to Rhaenyra Targaryen. Jacaerys gains the respect of his mother, Rhaenyra, and apparently finds a spot on her war-planning council at the end of the episode.
Episode 5's Jacaerys' Development
Harry Collett, who plays Jacaerys, explores the arc of his character in episode 5 in an interview with TheWrap. He says Jacaerys is driven by a need for retribution over the death of his younger brother, Luke. After the war, Jacaerys's perspective changes from one of wrath and a need to prove himself by battle to a more strategic and diplomatic one. Collett notes that when Rhaenyra shows pride in his actions, Jacaerys gets validation and feels like he belongs in the council—a feeling he never had.
The ascent of Jacaerys as a strategic ally
Rook's Rest's events place Rhaenyra in a vulnerable state. Meleys suffers a critical void in her ranks after Rhaenys Targaryen and her dragon die. Her husband Daemon Targaryen is also performing his own power play at Harrenhal, apparently trying to claim the throne for himself. Now enter Jacaerys, ready to be the fresh, essential friend Rhaenyra needs.
Jacaerys's Potential as a Dragon Rider Recruiter
Rhaenyra notes Jacaerys's initiative and strategic thinking, which changes their relationship from mother and son to allies in the war that is still under progress. Leveraging the presence of several riderless dragons in Westeros, Jacerys and Rhaenyra develop a strategy to enlist more dragon riders to their cause in the last minutes of episode five.
Two well-known examples are Vermithor, a huge dragon, and Silverwing, another dragon that is quite important for the Dance of the Dragons. As the conflict gets more intense, the last episodes of season 2 could see Jacaerys actively recruiting Velaryons and other possible dragon riders, maybe also becoming a fighter himself. Although the exact part Jacaerys will play in the rest of the season is yet unknown, his climb to a more important post in the war effort is obvious.
