Key Points:
- In House of the Dragon, Criston Cole parades Meleys’ head in King’s Landing, mocking House Targaryen’s godly image.
- The smallfolk’s reaction signals fear and bad omens, weakening Team Green’s position.
- Celebrating a dragon’s death backfires, undermining Team Green’s power and sparking fear.
House of the Dragon has stirred controversy by reusing a significant insult reminiscent of one from Game of Thrones. Criston Cole’s act of parading Meleys’ severed head in King’s Landing is a direct affront to House Targaryen. This article explores how this act mirrors an infamous insult to House Stark and its implications for the show’s narrative.
How Does Parading Meleys’ Head Mock House Targaryen in House of the Dragon?
In House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 5, Criston Cole and Gwayne Hightower parade the severed head of Meleys through the streets of King’s Landing. This act was meant to celebrate their victory over Rhaenys Targaryen and her dragon, Meleys. Criston hoped this display would be met with cheers and excitement from the smallfolk, seeing it as a triumph for Team Green. However, the reaction he received was far from what he expected.
The smallfolk in King’s Landing are deeply shocked and confused by the sight. To them, the Targaryens and their dragons are almost god-like. Seeing the severed head of a dragon, a symbol of Targaryen power and mystique, paraded through the streets feels like an affront to their beliefs. This act undermines the godly image of House Targaryen, showing that even their dragons can be defeated and humiliated. This parallels a significant moment in Game of Thrones where a similar insult was made against House Stark.
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How Does This Compare to the Insult Against House Stark?
The act of parading Meleys’ head through King’s Landing is reminiscent of the insult to House Stark during the Red Wedding in Game of Thrones. After the brutal massacre at the Red Wedding, the Freys killed Robb Stark’s direwolf, Grey Wind. They then decapitated Grey Wind and sewed his head onto Robb’s body, mocking him and his house. The Freys paraded this gruesome sight as a symbol of their victory over the Starks.
Direwolves, like dragons, are powerful symbols for their respective houses. For the Starks, the direwolves represent strength, loyalty, and a deep connection to their Northern heritage. By desecrating Grey Wind’s body, the Freys showed utter disrespect for House Stark and everything it stood for. This insult was a devastating blow to the Stark family and their supporters, much like how the parading of Meleys’ head insults House Targaryen.
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What Are the Consequences of Mocking Meleys’ Death?
The immediate reaction from the smallfolk in King’s Landing to the sight of Meleys’ head is fear and a sense of bad omen. Instead of celebrating, many try to flee the city, seeing the procession as a sign that worse things are to come. This fear weakens Team Green’s position, as their own dragons’ power is also perceived to be diminished when dragons fight and kill each other.
The celebration of a dragon’s death backfires for Team Green, as it creates unrest and undermines their strength. The smallfolk see the Targaryens and their dragons killing one another, which makes them feel that the realm is in grave danger. Criston Cole’s decision to parade Meleys’ head, intended to showcase a victory, instead sparks fear and shows the fragility of the dragons’ godly image.
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House of the Dragon continues to deliver intense drama and complex character dynamics. New episodes air Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.
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