House of the Dragon Reuses a Demeaning Insult Against House Stark
In a startling sequence from House of the Dragon season 2, episode 5, "Regent," the show makes use of a devastating insult originally used in Game of Thrones directed against House Stark.
Parading Meleys' Head in King's Landing: A Mirror of Grey Wind's Fate
The first scene of House of the Dragon season 2, episode 5 reflects Game of Thrones's terrible transgression toward House Stark's holy convictions. After Rhaenys Targaryen and her dragon Meleys passed House Of The Dragon season 2, episode 4, the next episode opens with Criston Cole and Gwayne Hightower parading the dragon's dead head across King's Landing. Though Criston expected the commoners' joyful and exciting reaction to the dragon's defeat, their reaction to Team Green's "victory" disappoints him.
Some of the commoners see the Targaryens and their dragons as gods when they discuss the sight of Meleys' head. Seeing Criston Cole mock Meley's death and show her severed head thus leaves one perplexed about the creatures, which are usually viewed with both great respect and terror. The thought that a Targaryen king would honor the death of one of these creatures shocks the commonfolk, who historically represent House Targaryen. Cole commits a disrespectful mistake similar to one House Stark experienced in Game of Thrones by planning the procession.
Calling the Dragonlords: A Red Wedding Comparative Analysis
Celebrating the death of a dragon and marching Meleys' head across King's Landing is thought to be a transgression against the gods and dragonlords. In the end, it denigrates House Targaryen itself by weakening the divine character of their dragons and their impression of great power. This reminds me quite closely House Frey's insult to House Stark following the historic Red Wedding in Game of Thrones. After Robb Stark dies, the Freys kill Grey Wind, their direwolf, cut off the head of the animal and sew it onto Robb's corpse. The Freys then revel as they march the body at the Twins on head-on horseback.
The Relance of Dragons and Direwolves
Considered more potent than other Northern species and linked to the First Men, the direwolves are a great emblem of House Stark, much as the dragons of House Targaryen. Mockingly cutting off the heads of the direwolves is a severe transgression against House Stark, the North's history, and their holy symbols given their ancient lineage and power. As a Northern lord, Roose Bolton's allowing of this insult to the Starks in Game of Thrones is especially heinous.
Mocking Meleys' Death Backfires for House of the Dragon Team Green
While Arya Stark finally exacts revenge against House Frey in the season 6 finale of Game of Thrones, Criston's error with Meleys has more immediate results. Many of the common people try to flee King's Landing out of concern after seeing parading Meleys' head as a bad omen. It's also a bad tactic since weakening Team Black's dragons still helps to undercut Team Green's own dragon strength. The rest of the realm sees itself as in great risk if the godly dragons and Targaryens are killing one another in House of the Dragon.
