While Game of Thrones has cemented its legacy among the best fantasy shows in television history, House of the Dragon is seeking to follow in its footsteps. The prequel series inspired by George R. R. Martin's book Fire & Blood takes place almost 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones. It also focuses on events building up to the Dance of the Dragons, a civil war and a blip in the legacy of House Targaryen.
This causes House of the Dragon's timeline to jump forward in controlled skips between each episode. However, many see the gap between episodes five and six as the main time skip, jumping forward nearly a decade. The first five episodes show little combat, instead delving into the political suspense and intrigue surrounding the succession of King Viserys I Targaryen. However, notable characters demonstrated their strength and mastery in battle.
Spoilers ahead for House of the Dragon.
10 Syrax's Strong Presence Was Felt But Not Seen In Combat
Syrax was introduced in the first episode of House of the Dragon, as a quick reminder dragons used to be more common. Rhaenyra's female dragon boasted a formidable figure, allowing the princess to make dramatic entrances. She proved an especially intimidating presence when Rhaenyra traveled to Dragonstone to confront her uncle, Daemon.
Pre-time skip, Syrax was little more than aggressive muscle to establish Rhaenyra's protection. Yet Syrax will become a very active player in the wars to come, as tensions grow to a tipping point, and the Dance of the Dragons commences.
9 Vaemond Proved Himself A Velaryon In The War For The Stepstones
Vaemond Velaryon was properly introduced alongside family members Corlys and Laenor during their efforts at the Stepstones. In the book, Vaemond was Corlys' nephew, but in the series he was his younger brother, and Laenor's uncle.
In the third episode, Laenor named his uncle "The master of complaints" due to his eagerness to rebel against Daemon during the War for the Stepstones. When Daemon offered himself as bait to lure the Crabfeeder out, the rest of the army waited to pounce. Vaemond fought bravely alongside his brother, capably holding his own.
8 Crabfeeder Left An Intimidating Impression Despite Being Defeated By Daemon
On the other side of the War for the Stepstones stood the Crabfeeder. His real name was Craghas Drahar, a prince admiral from Myr who fought against the crown and its allies in the Triarchy's name. As his moniker suggests, he was known for staking foes out by the shore as torture, leaving the sea or the crabs to do the rest.
Drahar proved an intimidating figure as the leader of the opposition, but Daemon and the Velaryons lured him out of the caves and defeated his numbers relatively quickly. Drahar appeared to be a formidable foe, and although Daemon swiftly cut him down, it did more to improve Daemon's reputation than harm the Crabfeeder's overall impact.
7 Laenor Velaryon Showed Signs Of Greatness Early On
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While the show introduced Corlys Velaryon's daughter Laena as a potential wife for King Viserys, Laenor came into his own in the War for the Stepstones. Laenor Velaryon dominated the war council meeting with his strategies, and Daemon even went along with his idea to lure the Crabfeeder out.
Laenor then showcased his worth as a dragonrider atop Seasmoke, turning the tide and winning the war. When Laenor was to marry Rhaenyra Targaryen, he exchanged blows with Criston Cole at the wedding, who'd fatally struck Laenor's lover, Joffrey Lonmouth. Laenor wasn't able to protect Joffrey, but briefly showcased bravery while fighting the dangerous Criston.
6 Seasmoke & Laenor Made A Great Team At The Stepstones
Seasmoke is Laenor Velaryon's dragon, having bonded with Laenor when both were young. Seasmoke and Laenor executed the counterattack at the War of the Stepstones, thanks to Daemon Targaryen first luring out the Crabfeeder's army from the caves and tunnels.
Seasmoke unleashed fire on the archers who'd momentarily subdued Daemon, then the rest of the Velaryon men followed suit. Seasmoke wasn't the most renowned dragon from the Dance of the Dragons, but was one of the few to engage in combat pre-time skip.
5 Corlys Velaryon Justified His Impressive Reputation
Corlys Velaryon has been built up as one of the most intriguing characters in House of the Dragon. He has a storied history and legacy that predates events of the show. His legacy has led others to know and revere him as the Sea Snake, Lord of the Tides, and Master of Driftmark. Corlys' accomplishments, including the nine great voyages, hint toward his skills at sea and on the battlefield, including the nine great voyages.
His only battle before House of the Dragon's major time-skip, Corlys thrived during the War for the Stepstones. He looked like a different man, clad in impressive armor and wielding a mighty axe. While Daemon claimed the glory of killing the Crabfeeder and Laenor used his dragon, Corlys also excelled with his no-nonsense hacking and slashing.
4 Criston Cole Showed Glimpses Of His True Potential
Ser Criston Cole rose from nothing at the start of House of the Dragon, quickly becoming one of the main characters. He debuted at the tournament celebrating the impending birth of Viserys' son, where he impressed and even forced Daemon Targaryen to yield. Criston frustrated Daemon during the joust, then bested him during the ground melee.
Rhaenyra named Criston to the Kingsguard because of his prior battle experience. He would showcase his proficiency once again when protecting Rhaenyra from a wild boar before beating Joffrey Lonmouth to death at Rhaenyra's wedding. Criston will undoubtedly make even more of a name for himself, post-time skip.
3 Harwin Strong's Reputation Was Barely Broken Into Pre-Time Skip
Harwin Strong is the son of Lyonel Strong, the Hand of the King after Viserys fired Otto Hightower. While Harwin has already appeared in multiple scenes from House of the Dragon, future episodes will showcase more of his true character.
Harwin is known as Breakbones and regarded as the strongest man in the Seven Kingdoms. Yet pre-time skip, King Viserys only referenced this once. However, Harwin offered viewers a glimpse of his raw strength at Rhaenyra's wedding, punching his way through a melee with ease, before lifting the princess over his shoulder and carrying her to safety.
2 Daemon Proved His Vicious Capabilities On Many Occasions
Played by Matt Smith, Prince Daemon Targaryen quickly become a fan favorite, despite his questionable decisions and despicable actions. Regardless of opinion, there's no disputing Daemon's talents and strengths as a fighter. While he lost his fighting debut during the jousting tournament, Daemon more than made up for his defeat during the War for the Stepstones.
Daemon became a one-man army and viciously cut through the Crabfeeder's men before proceeding to kill the opposition leader with relative ease. Daemon had a knack for doing whatever he pleased, but he continued to back up his reputation with a vicious streak.
1 Caraxes Unleashed Chaos On The Stepstones
Caraxes is undoubtedly the most uniquely designed dragon to show up pre-time skip. The red, long-necked beast was known as the Blood Wyrm and proved the perfect partner for Daemon Targaryen. While Laenor's dragon Seasmoke got a lot of the action in the final stages of the War for the Stepstones, Caraxes had already done a lot of damage to the Triarchy's armies.
Caraxes decimated everybody, foes and wounded allies alike, in a truly Daemon-like way. The devilish dragon only got to show a glimpse of its capabilities pre-time skip, and will wreak plenty of havoc in future episodes of House of the Dragon.