Episode 6 of House of the Dragon, “The Princess and the Queen,” features a significant time jump and, with it, the inevitable demise of several characters. The primary deaths in this episode are those of Lady Laena Velaryon, by her own dragon’s fire, and Ser Harwin ‘Breakbones’ Strong and his father, Lord Lyonel Strong, who are murdered in a fire orchestrated at Harrenhal.
Laena Velaryon’s Tragic End: A Dragonrider’s Choice
Laena Velaryon, now the wife of Prince Daemon Targaryen, grapples with a difficult childbirth. After a prolonged and unsuccessful labor, she realizes that she will likely die on the birthing bed. In a powerful and heartbreaking scene, Laena chooses to die as a dragonrider. She commands her dragon, Vhagar, the largest and oldest dragon in Westeros, to incinerate her with dragonfire. This is a far cry from the book version, where Laena died after giving birth to a malformed son in Driftmark.
The Significance of Laena’s Dragonfire Death
Laena’s choice is a testament to her strong will and her connection to her dragon. It reflects a desire to control her own destiny, even in the face of death. Dying by dragonfire is seen as a noble and worthy end for a dragonrider, ensuring her legend lives on. It also highlights the bond between Targaryens and their dragons.
The Deaths at Harrenhal: Conspiracy and Power Plays
The most shocking deaths in Episode 6 are those of Ser Harwin Strong, the rumored true father of Rhaenyra’s children, and his father, Lord Lyonel Strong, the Hand of the King. They are burned alive in a suspicious fire at Harrenhal. The order is given by Larys Strong, Lyonel’s other son, who manipulates events to ingratiate himself with Queen Alicent Hightower.
Larys Strong’s Masterplan: Serving Alicent’s Ambition
Larys’s actions are motivated by his unwavering loyalty to Alicent. He sees Harwin’s relationship with Rhaenyra as a threat to Aegon’s claim to the Iron Throne and orchestrates the fire to eliminate both Harwin and Lyonel. Lyonel’s death also conveniently opens the position of Hand of the King, allowing Alicent to influence the appointment of someone more aligned with her agenda.
The Impact on Rhaenyra: Loss and Realization
Harwin’s death is a profound blow to Rhaenyra. While she can’t openly grieve, it’s clear that she harbors deep affection for him. Lyonel’s death also removes a moderating influence from the King’s council, making Rhaenyra’s position even more precarious. These losses push Rhaenyra to fully grasp the threat Alicent poses and prompt her to take action to secure her claim to the throne.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Deaths in House of the Dragon Episode 6
Q1: Why did Laena choose to die by dragonfire?
Laena’s choice was driven by her desire to control her own death and to die as a dragonrider. Faced with a prolonged and agonizing labor that would likely result in her demise, she opted for a swift and arguably more honorable death by dragonfire. It also showcased her strong bond with Vhagar.
Q2: Who ordered the fire at Harrenhal?
The fire at Harrenhal was orchestrated by Larys Strong. He used criminals with their tongues cut out to carry out the arson, making it difficult to trace back to him directly.
Q3: What was Larys Strong’s motive for killing his father and brother?
Larys aimed to eliminate Harwin Strong, who he perceived as a threat to Aegon’s claim to the throne due to his relationship with Rhaenyra. He also killed his father, Lyonel Strong, to open the position of Hand of the King for someone more aligned with Alicent’s interests, thereby increasing her influence over King Viserys.
Q4: Did Alicent know about Larys’s plan to kill the Strongs?
While Alicent didn’t explicitly order Larys to kill them, she expressed her desire for a solution to Harwin’s connection to Rhaenyra and the lack of a Hand who truly supports her. Larys interpreted this as an implicit order and acted accordingly, solidifying his position as her loyal and ruthless servant.
Q5: How does Harwin Strong’s death affect Rhaenyra?
Harwin’s death is a significant personal loss for Rhaenyra, as he was the rumored father of her children. It also removes a valuable protector and ally from her life, leaving her more vulnerable to Alicent’s machinations. This loss contributes to her growing paranoia and determination to secure her claim to the throne.
Q6: How does Lyonel Strong’s death affect King Viserys?
Lyonel’s death leaves King Viserys without his most trusted advisor and Hand. This makes him more susceptible to being influenced by Alicent and her supporters, further exacerbating the tensions between Rhaenyra and Alicent’s factions. The loss also shows Viserys increasingly losing control of events.
Q7: Was Laena’s death similar to how she died in the book Fire & Blood?
No, Laena’s death in Fire & Blood differs significantly. In the book, she dies in childbirth after giving birth to a malformed son. The show’s depiction of her choosing to be burned by Vhagar is a major departure from the source material.
Q8: What impact will Laena’s death have on Daemon?
Laena’s death, although Daemon may appear outwardly unaffected, likely stirs internal turmoil. While their relationship wasn’t explicitly passionate, they had a level of mutual respect and shared the bond of dragonriders. Her death, particularly in such a dramatic fashion, is bound to have a lasting impact on him and potentially influence his future actions.
Q9: How does Larys benefit from eliminating Harwin and Lyonel Strong?
Larys benefits in several ways. He earns Alicent’s favor by solving her “problem” regarding Harwin and Rhaenyra. He also eliminates his father, potentially removing him from his line of inheritance, and positions himself as a powerful and influential figure in the court, capable of carrying out the Queen’s will.
Q10: What does the use of tongueless criminals signify in the context of the murder?
The use of criminals with their tongues cut out highlights the ruthlessness and secrecy surrounding Larys’s actions. By silencing these individuals, he ensures that they cannot reveal his involvement in the murders, making it more difficult to connect him to the crime.
Q11: Will Rhaenyra suspect Alicent’s involvement in Harwin and Lyonel’s deaths?
While Rhaenyra might not have concrete proof, the timing of the deaths and the political climate suggest Alicent’s involvement. Rhaenyra is intelligent and perceptive, and she likely suspects that Alicent is behind the conspiracy, further fueling the animosity between them. This contributes to the growing tension and the inevitable Dance of the Dragons.
Q12: How do these deaths set the stage for the Dance of the Dragons?
The deaths in Episode 6 serve as crucial turning points, escalating the tensions between Rhaenyra and Alicent. They eliminate key figures who could have potentially served as moderating influences and highlight the lengths to which both sides are willing to go to secure their claim to the Iron Throne. This sets the stage for the upcoming war, the Dance of the Dragons, as alliances solidify and the battle for succession intensifies. The removal of Lyonel as Hand removes the last strong advocate for peace.