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House Of The Dragon Reveals Its First Villain & It's Different From GOT
WARNING! This post contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 1, episode 2!
House of the Dragon’s first big villain is the Crab Feeder, whose position in the series greatly differs from Game of Thrones’ early antagonists. Unlike Game of Thrones, the interpretation of House of the Dragon’s main characters as villains isn’t so black and white. Rather than a Jaime or Joffrey-type figure that has a long-term arc and established control in the realm, House of the Dragon season 1’s first villain crisis is more of an immediate threat.
While House of the Dragon season 1, episode 2 primarily deals with the aftermath of Rhaenyra being named heir and King Viserys needing to remarry, it also sets up the show’s first battle-heavy conflict. After Viserys continues to ignore Lord Corlys Velaryon’s worries about the conflicts in the Stepstones and rejects his proposal to marry Laena Velaryon, the Sea Snake recruits the similarly-spurned Daemon Targaryen to his cause. As the Free Cities wage war in the Stepstones and threaten Velaryon shipping lanes, Corlys and Daemon will shift their focus to attacking House of the Dragon’s first official villain.
Who Is That At The End Of House Of The Dragon Season 1, Episode 2?
After Daemon essentially agrees to go to war with Corlys, House of the Dragon season 1, episode 2 ends with a shot of a mysterious figure with a burned face and mask. This House of the Dragon character is the Crab Feeder, whose real name was revealed to be Craghas Drahar in episode 1. Drahar has named himself Prince of the Triarchy, with House of the Dragon explaining that he kills or injures Westerosi sailors and leaves them in the Stepstones for the crabs to feed on. With the menacing villain also backed by those who wish harm to the crown, the Crab Feeder is House of the Dragon season 1’s first big threat, but his primary foes will be Daemon Targaryen and Corlys Velaryon rather than King Viserys.
What The Crab Feeder Means For House Of The Dragon's Story
Game of Thrones featured some of the greatest villains to ever be seen on television, with their multi-season or series-long arcs either seeing them become increasingly vile or turn into incredibly sympathetic figures. From Jaime to Joffrey Baratheon and Cersei, Game of Thrones’ season 1 villains weren’t immediately dealt with, as their dooms (or major character changes) happened over a long period of time. Even Walder Frey wasn't promptly attacked after the bloody Red Wedding, with the Starks waiting another three seasons before getting revenge. House of the Dragon’s early villain the Crab Feeder, however, is one who will be addressed and taken care of quite quickly.
The Crab Feeder in the Stepstones isn’t a particularly story-important villain who will have a character arc of his own, with his position in House of the Dragon season 1 primarily being a vehicle for Daemon’s growing animosity toward Viserys and closer relationship with Corlys. Since House of the Dragon doesn’t clearly classify its major characters as villains or heroes, with each having their own antagonistic traits and sympathetic stories, the series is apt to produce more unknown villains like the Crab Feeder who pose urgent threats rather than long-term conflicts. The Crab Feeder’s purpose will be served after his rivalry with Daemon, meaning he won’t stick around for a crucial antagonistic role in the Dance of the Dragons.
New episodes of House of the Dragon release Sundays on HBO/HBO Max.
