George RR Martin Criticizes Major Plot Change in House of the Dragon Season 2: “Toxic Butterflies to Come”

Author George RR Martin, co-creator and executive producer of HBO’s House of the Dragon, has voiced strong concerns over a significant plot change in the upcoming second season. In a since-deleted blog post, Martin expressed disappointment with the decision to remove Prince Maelor, a key character, from the storyline—warning it would cause a “butterfly effect” with lasting consequences for future seasons.

Martin revealed that he initially “argued against” the omission, which alters the dynamic between Aegon and Helaena Targaryen. In his book Fire & Blood, the couple has three children: twins Jaehaera and Jaehaerys, along with a younger son, Maelor. The show, however, only portrays the twins, leaving Maelor out entirely.

“The prince’s birth was no longer just being postponed—it was being erased,” Martin wrote, emphasizing that this small change could have large-scale implications for the plot in series three and four. He criticized the decision, noting that while budget and practical constraints may have played a role, simplifying the story doesn’t necessarily make it better.

Despite Martin’s concerns, HBO defended showrunner Ryan Condal’s creative direction. In a statement, the network explained that adapting a book to a series often requires difficult choices, and praised Condal for his handling of the project, which has garnered millions of fans.

Condal, addressing the change in a podcast, acknowledged the ripple effect caused by eliminating Maelor’s character, but stressed that they aimed to turn the challenge into a strength rather than a weakness.

Martin, however, hinted at deeper issues ahead for the show. “There are larger and more toxic butterflies to come,” he warned, cryptically suggesting that further plot changes could disrupt the carefully woven narrative of future seasons.