All-inclusive of House of the Dragon

The war in the Stepstones

The war in the Stepstones between Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) and the Sea Snake (Steve Toussaint) lasted three years. House of the Dragon, on the other hand, only needed one episode and a seven-minute action scene to solve that problem.

Craghas “The Crabfeeder” Drahar, who got an introduction to his name and reputation last week, is no longer alive. He was killed off-screen at the end of the exciting third episode of House of the Dragon, “Second of His Name.” 

Everyone who was looking forward to saying the word “Crabfeeder” for the next seven weeks will be sad to hear this. Still, what happens to him is in line with what happens in Fire & Blood, the fictional history book is HBO’s prequel to Game of Thrones.

George R. R. Martin

In the book by George R. R. Martin, Crabfeeder is only mentioned four times before he disappears. He is the face of the conflict in the Stepstones. He is one of the Triarchy’s many anonymous admirals terrorizing the area. 

Before wrapping up the Crabfeeder’s fate in a single sentence, the book talks about some of their dealings and hints at problems within the group. “When Prince Daemon finally met Craghas Crabfeeder in 108 AC, he killed him with one hand and cut off his head with Dark Sister.”

Crabfeeder’s death in House of the Dragon

The Crabfeeder’s death in House of the Dragon maybe even more shocking because it doesn’t happen on screen. Instead, we see what happened after the battle: Daemon, covered in blood and guts, dragged the top half of his enemy’s crabby body along the bloody beach. 

It’s bloody enough on its own, but anyone who wants more should check out the book, where artist Doug Wheatly shows memorably how Craghas Crabfeeder made his last stand. Fire & Blood readers will remember more than just the first boss battle in House of the Dragon. Here are some more things that happened in Westeros this week that were true to the books:

The Warrior Queen

Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock) asks Samwell (not Tarly) to sing about a woman who “fled with her ships and her people” It’s likely an allusion to Nymeria, a Westeros legend first referenced in the series opener and a prospective Game of Thrones spinoff. 

Nymeria, a righteous warrior queen, founded Dorne and led the Rhoynar to Westeros. It’s the second time we’ve heard her narrative on House of the Dragon—and the second time in the middle of a scene between Rhaenyra and Alicent (Emily Carey). Nymeria’s story may hint at the princess and queen’s destiny.

Swann Song

Rhaenyra overhears a talk concerning Johanna Swann at Kingswood. Lady Swann is a 15-year-old Crabfeeder prisoner they sold to a pillow house, where she became Lys’s, Black Swan and ruler. 

However fascinating, Martin says Swann’s story has no relevance to modern history. Mentioning the Black Swan here sets up her eventual appearance on House of the Dragon. As likely, the show is teasing a rare moment of Martin’s self-control.

The Strong and Silent

In the same scene where Lady Swann is mentioned, Larys Strong, also known as Larys Clubfoot, played by Matthew Needham, sneaks into the story. After three episodes, House of the Dragon doesn’t have a character who can compete with Littlefinger and Varys from Game of Thrones. 

Larys, whose name fits, might be the right person for the job. Even though his first appearance was small—he quietly joined a conversation with strangers—it showed that Larys’s best skill is getting into private rooms almost unnoticed before it’s too late. Even though it’s still early, you should keep an eye on this guy wherever he goes next.

Return of the Twins

In this episode, we meet two more important Fire & Blood characters, Jason and Tyland Lannister, played by the same actor, Jefferson Hall. They are the latest set of twins from Casterly Rock. (If Hall looks familiar, it’s because he played Ser Hugh of the Vale in the first season of Game of Thrones. 

Also Read: What happened to the House of the Dragon showrunner in the HBO series

This makes him one of the few actors in the larger Westeros Cinematic Universe to play three different roles.) Jason and Tyland are important to this story, even though they don’t have the same roles as the other Lannister twins. Also, they aren’t the only twins in the Seven Kingdoms this season. Wait until you meet Ser Erryk and Arryk Cargyll, whose names are confusing, played by Elliott and Luke Tittensor later in the season.

Seasmoke 

After spending two episodes showing how powerful the Targaryens’ dragons are, this week’s episode of “House of the Dragon” finally gave us our first dragon-centered action scene, two of them. First, Daemon sends Caraxes, the Blood Wyrm, to fight the Stepstones by flying him there. Later, Laenor Velaryon (Theo Nate), also riding Seasmoke, gives him some help from the air. Martin called Seasmoke “a splendid grey-and-white beast.” 

It’s the third dragon in the third series and has killed the most people. It won’t last forever, but it’s worth noting while it’s here! Since the book doesn’t say much about the war in the Stepstones, it shouldn’t be surprising that Seasmoke’s part in this week’s episode was made up for the show. So, it’s good that we’re meeting the dragon now because it will make a major event in the future about Seasmoke even sadder.

Vishnumahanthi