Alyn of Hull (Abubakar Salim) became a standout MVP of the most recent episode of House of the Dragon, "Queen's Landing." Alyn first appeared back in season 2's "A Son for a Son" and has since had quite the journey on the show, rising from a lowly sailor to the heir to a great house of Westeros.
Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) first takes interest in Alyn, a sailor in his fleet, after learning that he saved his life after falling overboard. Later, it is revealed that Alyn and his brother Addam (Clinton Liberty) are Corlys' bastard sons. The two have complicated relationships with their father, especially Alyn, who grew up resentful of Corlys for parading around his natural-born children while ignoring his bastards. However, in this most recent episode, everything changes for Alyn and his relationship with Corlys going forward.
After falling overboard in the Battle of the Gullet during the previous episode, most had marked Corlys for dead. Alyn, however, hadn't yet given up on his father and continued the search long after everyone else had given up. Along with Addam, riding atop his dragon Seasmoke, and Baela Targaryen (Bethany Antonia), Alyn finally finds Corlys, saving his life once again.
Corlys seeks to reward his bastard son for his troubles but has little to offer him save for his name. Corlys agrees to legitimize Alyn, allowing him to become a true Velaryon. This type of legitimization of a bastard has only happened on screen once before throughout the franchise, and it plays out far differently for Alyn than it did back in Game of Thrones season 4.
Ramsay Snow becomes Ramsay Bolton
First appearing in Game of Thrones season 3, Ramsay Snow (Iwan Rheon) quickly established himself as one of the cruelest villains throughout the series. The sadistic bastard first posed as a friend to Theon Greyjoy (Alfie Allen), helping him escape captivity, before turning on him in order to torture and castrate him, transforming him from a proud prince into a snivelling servant named "Reek."
Ramsay later proves Reek's loyalty by having him "pose" as Theon Greyjoy in order to drive the Ironborn out of Moat Cailin. Theon promises the Ironborn safe passage home if they surrender, but Ramsay still flays them. This exchange allows Ramsay's father, Roose Bolton (Michael McElhatton), Warden of the North after murdering Robb Stark (Richard Madden), to officially take Moat Cailin.
As a reward for his recapture of Moat Cailin, Roose legitimizes Ramsay. He officially becomes Ramsay Bolton, Roose's trueborn son, and heir to the North. This marks one of few moments throughout Game of Thrones to depict Ramsay as truly happy about something other than murder or torture.
The fate of Ramsay Bolton
Legitimizing Ramsay proved to be a fatal mistake for Roose. When his wife, Walda Bolton (Elizabeth Webster), gives birth to Roose's son, Ramsay worries his position as heir is in jeopardy. He responds in typical Ramsay fashion by murdering his father, stepmother, and half-brother, removing all obstacles to becoming Warden of the North himself.
However, Ramsay's rule of the North ultimately doesn't last long. He eventually faces off against the Stark forces, led by Jon Snow (Kit Harrington), who aim to take back their home in the climactic clash of Game of Thrones season 6 known as the Battle of the Bastards. Despite the Stark side suffering heavy losses, including Rickon Stark (Art Parkinson), Jon's armies ultimately defeat Ramsay's. Shortly thereafter, Ramsay's wife, Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner), feeds him to his own hounds, finally putting an end to his reign of terror.
The future of Alyn Velaryon
In contrast, Alyn's time as a legitimized bastard lasts far longer than Ramsay's. After Coryls' death, Alyn, his heir, becomes Lord of the Tides. Alyn goes on to marry Baela, and eventually serve as lord admiral under King Aegon III Targaryen, then earning his knighthood and becoming master of ships Alyn enjoyed several great voyages, receiving the name "Oakenfist" on his travels. He would eventually die at sea in his late fifties/early sixties, a relatively old age for an A Song of Ice and Fire character. Ultimately, Alyn ends up with one of the happiest endings for anyone involved in the Dance of Dragons.
Had Alyn treated his legitimization like Ramsay, his life would have played out very differently, and ultimately, far more tragically. While Ramsay viewed his new name as a path to further power, Alyn's meant a father and a family for the first time in his life. He even claims to value the Velaryon name more than gold.
By embracing his newfound family and his Velaryon name, Alyn ultimately receives the exact same power that Ramsay had tried to kill for. Ultimately, Ramsay's cruelty proved to be his downfall, while Alyn's familial longing helped him rise through the ranks.
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