House of the Dragon Episode 3 finally introduces us to a third fully grown dragon in this era of Game of Thrones. While the episode opens with Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) and Caraxes lighting up Crabfeeder cronies (and stomping on his own men), it is young Laenor Velaryon (Theo Nate) and his trusty dragon Seasmoke who turn the tide of the final battle in the War of the Stepstones. If you found yourself thinking that Laenor was randomly riding Daemon’s dragon Caraxes, that’s okay! HBO’s House of the Dragon doesn’t officially introduce us to Seasmoke. But honestly coming out of nowhere is kind of what Seasmoke does best in the books…
In House of the Dragon Episode 3, we learn that three years have passed since Episode 2, “The Rogue Prince.” Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey) has given King Viserys I (Paddy Considine) a healthy two-year-old male heir named Aegon, Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) is fuming that her dad wants her to potentially marry the preening Jason Lannister (Jefferson Hall), and Daemon, Corlys (Steve Toussaint) and company are losing their war against Craghas Drahar, aka the Crabfeeder (Daniel Scott-Smith). Alicent finally convinces Viserys to send his brother aid for the good of the realm, but Daemon takes news of his big brother’s incoming help as an insult. He beats the messenger out of fury and volunteers for what is likely a suicide mission to coax the Crabfeeder out of his cave.
Jokes on the Crabfeeder, though, because it’s a trap. Daemon pretends to surrender his sword Dark Sister only to turn on his would be captors. He single-handedly holds his own against the Crabfeeder’s soldiers until Corlys charges in with full force. However it is the arrival of a dragon that truly cinches the battle. While Laenor Velaryon gleefully burns the Crabfeeder’s men, Daemon follows the villain into his cave to literally chop the man in half.
So what’s the deal with House of the Dragon‘s newest dragon Seasmoke? Who is Laenor Velaryon? And how does Daemon’s takedown of the Crabfeeder differ from what we’re told in George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood? Here’s everything you need to know about the end of House of the Dragon Episode 3…
HOUSE OF THE DRAGON EPISODE 3 ENDING, EXPLAINED: WHO IS LAENOR VELARYON AND WHO IS HIS DRAGON SEASMOKE?
Laenor Velaryon is the son of Coryls Velaryon and his wife Rhaenys Targaryen. Last week’s episode concerned the court’s creepy plan to marry Laenor’s little sister Laena (Nova Foueillis-Mosé) to Viserys. This week, it’s suggested that Rhaenyra’s best political match would be Laenor. We also see that the teenaged Laenor has joined Corlys and Daemon on the front lines of their war against the Crabfeeder. Besides showing an aptitude for strategy in the one war council scene we saw, Laenor plays a pivotal role in the final battle by riding his dragon Seasmoke into combat.
We’re told that Seasmoke is a relatively young dragon in Fire & Blood, which means he is smaller, but more nimble than some of the other dragons we’ll meet. Seasmoke is described in the book as “a pale grey beast,” though he seems to also have some brown and red tinges to his scales in Fire & Blood. Like his name suggests, he’s very good at hiding in clouds and taking soldiers unawares! Spoilers, but Seasmoke will have a part to play in the big civil war to come and he will eventually have another rider named Addam of Hull.
Young Laenor Velaryon is played by actor Theo Nate. In Episode 6, John MacMillan will be introduced as adult Laenor Velaryon.
DOES DAEMON TARGARYEN KILL CRAGHAS CRABFEEDER IN HOUSE OF THE DRAGON EPISODE 3?
He does indeed! Hell hath no fury like a Targaryen who has spent three years fighting a losing war only to get a raven from his big brother saying, “That’s okay, little brother. I will help you not fail.” Or, at least, Daemon is extremely pissed by the end of House of the Dragon Episode 3.
When Seasmoke arrives and the battle turns, Craghas Crabfeeder retreats back into his cave. Daemon boldly follows the greyscale-afflicted warlord in. When he emerges bloody and victorious, Daemon is carrying the hacked off top part of Crabfeeder’s body. He has hewn the man in two with his Valyrian steel sword Dark Sister.
While Daemon does kill Crabfeeder in Fire & Blood, the book merely states he beheads the pirate. Chopping the dude in half is an extra gnarly step that fits in well with House of the Dragon‘s metal ethos.
Note: Daemon Targaryen doesn’t seem afraid to touch the Crabfeeder’s corpse, lending credence to the lore that Targaryens don’t get sick as easily or as often as normal Westerosi. But try telling Viserys and his flesh wounds that.
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