House of the Dragon — and the Game of Thrones universe — does not have the best (or even decent) queer representation.
Several queer characters have cycled through the shows in the past ten or so years. However, none have stuck around long enough to make an impact.
Granted that most characters meet their end after a while in the show, but still, can not one single queer survive? That’s beside the point.
When House of the Dragon returns for Season 2, a glowed-up Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collet) is in Winterfell, campaigning support for his mother. There, he meets Cregan Stark (Tom Taylor), and from the scene they share, the chemistry and tension are above the roof.
Now, look, this writer cannot claim to be an expert on everything Game of Thrones, but I know starcrossed lovers when I see them.
Much of the conversation they have about the night watch and the danger that lies beyond those walls almost flies over my head because I’m busy dissecting their words and behaviors.
Meetings of a political nature are usually tense between the parties involved. However, it turns out to be the smoothest of affairs with Jace and Cregan.
They talk about their current environment and their shared history.
The elevator ride to the top of the wall finds them stealing glances at each other with the occasional smile from Jace. Cregan points out that Jace did not compel him to bend the knee using his dragon.
The negotiations heat up as they watch the deserted world beyond the walls. Jace tries to drum up support for Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy).
They come to an agreement when Cregan offers some of his men, much to Jace’s happiness. The moment doesn’t last long when news from Dragonstone arrives with information about Lucerys’ (Elliot Grihault) death.
The Jacegan Connection in ‘House of the Dragon’
The circumstances behind this meeting and how it happens are enough to draw two people together.
Jacaerys finds support from Cregan when they need it the most. Both men prove their decency when Jacaerys makes the call himself and doesn’t flex his dragon muscles.
Cregan can very well tell that the Targeryans are in dire straights, and he could have broken the oath his family made, but honor and loyalty would not let him do that.
Their actions set them apart in a world where the fittest survive by any means necessary. Everyone approaches situations combatively, and loyalty can be offered but never guaranteed.
Cregan is also the first person to share a vulnerable moment with Jace when the news first arrives.
House of the Dragon is adapted from George RR Martin‘s Fire & Blood books.
The books have established canon, and since this writer has not read them, it would not be fair to comment on what they say.
However, readers claim that Jace and Cregan’s relationship was not just that of “best buddies.”
According to a character’s report of their story in the books, “They drank together, hunted together, trained together, and swore an oath of brotherhood, sealed in blood.”
This is heteronormative code for “they were so in love they only lacked their Brokeback Mountain.”
A rundown of their story and theories by TV Line paints a clearer picture from the books.
But from House of the Dragon, Jace and Cregan (#Jacegan, if you will) have the signs of star-crossed lovers.
Whether the show goes in that direction remains to be seen.
House of the Dragon Season 2 airs on Sundays on HBO and streams on Max.