Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) has nearly bitten the dust on multiple occasions throughout the events of House of the Dragon. Back in the first season of the acclaimed HBO show, it was established that the Sea Snake spent years fighting in a war for the fate of the Stepstones until he was critically injured. To make things more complicated, he developed blood fever as a result of these battles, and his family couldn't help but fear the worst. While Corlys eventually recovered from such an illness, he nearly died once more, except this time at the hands of the Triarchy captain Sharako Lohar (Abigail Thorn) during the Battle of the Gullet.
These close encounters have not only changed Corlys but also pushed audiences to the very edge of their seats. But as nerve-wracking as these situations have been, the very first one could've been much more graphic. During an interview with Variety, actor Steve Toussaint revealed that fans were meant to witness his character's near demise at the Stepstones back in season 1.
The Sea Snake would've been thrown into the sea, with his armor weighing him down. To make matters worse, he was going to be shown with a cut on his throat and blood spilling from the wound. After fighting for his life for a bit, Corlys would've simply accepted the fact that he would die in turbulent waters (an ending that would've been very fitting for his character). However, a hand would've suddenly reached out to grab him and get him to safety.
The first season of House of the Dragon made it very clear that Corlys nearly died at the Stepstones through dialogue, but it would've been much more impactful to graphically show us what he had to endure. After all, Steve Toussaint himself recalled this deleted scene in preparation to film a key scene in House of the Dragon season 3, episode 3.
How Corlys' near-death scene would've set up the events of House of the Dragon season 3
Having aspirations of sitting on the Iron Throne is one thing, but ruling over the Seven Kingdoms is a different beast altogether. Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) learned this lesson the hard way, as she now has to rule over a kingdom with no money, starving folk, and countless rats on the loose. To make matters more complicated, Corlys asks her to legitimize his bastard sons, Alyn (Abubakar Salim) and Addam (Clinton Liberty).
Rhaenyra eventually declines this petition and argues that she cannot be seen legitimizing other people's bastards during her first days as a queen, especially considering how she herself was once accused of having bastard sons. Needless to say, things go out of control very quickly.
Corlys snaps at that very moment and reminds the queen how much his family has sacrificed to put her on the Iron Throne. Furthermore, he tells her that Lucerys Velaryon (Elliot Grihault) and Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collett) were actually bastards—a very grave "accusation" that has, historically, led to death. After all, in the first season of House of the Dragon, Corlys' brother, Vaemond Velaryon, lost his head for this very same reason.
Toussaint revealed that, since Corlys has nearly bitten the dust before, he isn't afraid to look death in the face and tell Rhaenyra that she also has bastards.
"He's completely at the end of his tether. In that moment, he doesn't care, which, again, is why he raises his voice," Toussaint stated. "He screamed it out. He doesn't care. And it's very defiant: 'I dare you to prove me wrong, because the world has suspected this anyway, and I've kept a secret. It's not careless abandonment; that's not quite what it is. I think it's like, 'Do your worst. I don't care. There's nothing you can do that will make the truth any different to what it is.'"
Toussaint recalled Corlys' near-death deleted scene from season 1 to explain how such a tragic moment set his character up for his confrontation with Rhaenyra:
"That [scene] always stayed with me for these last few years, because it meant to me that he wasn't afraid to die and that death was always near him, but he always had reasons to live: his children, his wife, and so forth. But at this stage now, those people don't exist anymore. The only thing that he's got going, the only thing that's keeping him going is, 'I need to set up these two boys.'"
House Velaryon may not be the powerhouse it once was after the Battle of the Gullet. Many members of its naval army died, and High Tide was set aflame along with all its riches. Still, Rhaenyra wouldn't want Corlys as an enemy, especially considering his son, Addam, is a dragonrider. As such, it will be interesting to see whether she eventually legitimizes Corlys' bastards or whether she will stand firm on her decision.
New episodes of House of the Dragon air every Sunday on HBO and HBO Max.
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