Television

Fans react to horrific queer death in latest House of the Dragon episode

By Kira Richards

20th September 2022

Game of Thrones spinoff House of the Dragon has received backlash following the approach to the shows only queer couple.

The latest episode of the record-breaking series introduced a new LGBTQ+ pairing to the show.

Laenor Velaryon (played by Theo Nate) and Ser Joffrey Lonmouth (Solly McLeod), were ripped away from each other due to a violent death.

The show went under fire for tackling queer narratives in a similar way to main series, Game of Thrones, which was said to adopt the “bury your gays” trope.

This is when shows kill off their LGBTQ+ characters instead of giving them developed storylines.

Laenor made a dramatic entrance to the show via dragon in episode three.

The fifth episode saw him and Joffrey caught in heated encounters, which featured copious kissing and romantic moments.

However, their loved-up phase did not last long, as Laenor was matchmade with Princess Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) in a politically aligned marriage.

The wedding turned to carnage when Joffrey told his fellow knight Ser Criston Cole (portrayed by Fabien Frankel) that he knew of Criston’s affair with Rhaenyra.

In turn, Criston mercilessly beat Joffrey to death, showing audiences a sorrowful shot of Laenor crying over his lover’s body.

Fans felt betrayed by the series for its lack of sensitivity to queer stories and noted how short the storyline between the couple had lasted.

They took to Twitter to share their thoughts: