Summary
- House of the Dragon
‘s latest episodes showcase political intrigue and shocking deaths amidst the Dance of the Dragons. - The Hour of the Wolf hints at dark events in Westeros, potentially leading to mass killings and unrest in the Targaryen civil war.
- The Hour of the Wolf may foreshadow the end of the war in
House of the Dragon
, mirroring events from George R.R. Martin’s novel
Fire & Blood
.
As a longtime fan of George R.R. Martin’s intricately woven tales, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation as I watch HBO’s House of the Dragon unfold. With each new episode, I find myself drawn deeper into this richly detailed world, where every character and event holds the potential for great significance.
As an avid fan of House of the Dragon, I’m both thrilled and surprised that we’ve already reached the midpoint of this magnificent season. After enduring a lengthy hiatus, it’s a relief to be immersed once again in the rich tapestry of Westeros politics and intrigue. The episodes so far have been nothing short of captivating, delivering on spectacle, unexpected twists, and the slow-burning tension that made Game of Thrones truly great. With the Dance of the Dragons now in full swing and these magnificent beasts taking center stage, I can hardly contain my excitement to see how the rest of this season unfolds.
As a dedicated fan of “Game of Thrones,” I’ve spent countless hours immersed in the intricate world George R.R. Martin has created. With each episode, I eagerly anticipate new revelations and hidden meanings that add depth to the storyline. So when this week’s episode dropped a seemingly insignificant detail about “the Hour of the Wolf,” my curiosity was piqued.
What Happens During the ‘Hour of the Wolf’ in the GoT Universe?
In the culture of Westeros, every day is divided into seven distinct hours, each labeled after an animal. Among these is the “Hour of the Wolf,” which usually signifies the timeframe between 3 am and 5 am – the darkest part of the night. Notably, significant occurrences in George R.R. Martin’s tales that transpire during this hour are more likely to involve massacres, nightmares, sinister happenings, and widespread turmoil.
In this week’s episode titled “Regent,” Prince Daemon tries to strengthen his position by giving the order to House Blackwood’s soldiers to massacre innocent civilians from House Bracken and destroy their livestock, aiming to pressure them into joining his alliance. As Daemon stays longer at Harrenhal, he becomes increasingly erratic, as shown in his frequent nightmares (a recurring phenomenon during the Hour of the Wolf) and hallucinations hinting at his potential demise. Poetically enough, Daemon is confronted by the Riverlords to denounce him as a despot just as the darkness of the Hour of the Wolf descends.
Intriguingly, the term “Hour of the Wolf” didn’t stem from George R.R. Martin. Instead, it gained prominence through Ingmar Bergman’s 1968 psychological horror film, “Hour of the Wolf,” in which Bergman, a renowned filmmaker, wrote in a film note: “This is the time when many people pass away, during deep sleep when nightmares feel most real. It is also the hour when those who cannot sleep are tormented by their greatest fears. The Hour of the Wolf is additionally the hour of birth for most children.”
George R.R. Martin often includes allusions to real-life historical events and other literature in his writing, such as England’s “War of the Roses,” which significantly influenced “A Song of Ice and Fire” (George R.R. Martin has not been reticent about incorporating references to actual historical events or other works of genre fiction in his work, with England’s succession crisis, famously known as the “War of the Roses,” serving as a notable inspiration for “A Song of Ice and Fire”). Consequently, it is reasonable to assume that Martin took inspiration from Ingmar Bergman’s film to help readers grasp Westeros’ rich lore more easily. The recent episodes have hinted that Daemon’s dramatic ending in Bergman’s film, where the protagonist loses his sanity, might be a harbinger of ominous events for Prince Daemon as well.
Does the Hour of the Wolf Foreshadow the War’s End in House of the Dragon?
In simpler terms, for those who have read Martin’s novel “Fire & Blood,” the Hour of the Wolf is not just an element used to build the world, but a significant event during the Targaryen civil war. Lord Cregan Stark, currently the Lord of Winterfell, made his first appearance in the premiere of Season 2, offering some experienced Northerners to support Rhaenyra’s campaign. Although viewers have only seen him briefly up until now, he plays a crucial role in the upcoming conflict and is actually the focal point of the Hour of the Wolf.
In “Fire & Blood,” Rhaenyra captures King’s Landing, but she is forced to leave barely a few months later. Upon her return to Dragonstone, Ser Alfred Boone betrayes her, pledging allegiance to Aegon II instead. Using Sunfyre, Aegon’s dragon, Boone mortally burns and consumes Rhaenyra. Despite her demise, her supporters persist in their fight. Eventually, Aegon II prepares to yield, but before he can do so, his own men secretly kill him. Rhaenyra’s son, Aegon III, ascends the throne, and shortly after, Lord Cregan takes up the position of Hand of the King at King’s Landing.
After taking charge, Lord Cregan plans to carry on with the ongoing war. However, his intentions are hindered when Lord Corlys Velayron initiates peace talks with the leading families. Nevertheless, this setback doesn’t deter Lord Cregan from seeking retribution against those he believes are responsible for Aegon II’s demise, including those who stood idly by. In all, he apprehends 22 individuals and brings them before a tribunal. By manipulating Aegon III into presiding over the trial, Lord Cregan eventually convicts 19 of the accused and dispatches them to the Night’s Watch. He metes out capital punishment for the remaining two offenders. Later on, Aegon III grants amnesty to Lord Corlys and reinstates him in his previous role.
The Hour of the Wolf signifies the conclusion of the Dance of the Dragons, after which Cregan relinquishes his duties and journeys back to the North. This occurs the day following the executions, as his desire for bloodshed is satiated. At once, Aegon III ascends the Iron Throne, wedding his cousin Jaehaera. During his minority (he was 11 years old), a council of regents manages the kingdom’s affairs.
House of the Dragon Has a Long Way Before the Endgame
It’s unlikely that all this will unfold towards the end of “House of the Dragon” or even in its final season, which is still several years off. The brief reference to the Hour of the Wolf in the show may not hold any major significance for the rest of Season 2.
Despite this addition, it’s clear that the creators of House of the Dragon have skillfully built their world. It’s intriguing to catch a glimpse of what’s to come, the finale. Here’s to hoping they manage a more satisfying conclusion than Game of Thrones did. Stream House of the Dragon Season 2 on Max now.
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2024-07-19 02:01