If you’re confused about the multiple focus shots on rats in House of the Dragon, you’re not alone. From sitting on a dragon’s skull to licking blood off the floor in the Great Hall, the show certainly has a pest problem.
The rat symbology may not be that obvious to a non-book reader. But don’t worry, I’ve got your back if you’re ready to indulge in some spoiler-filled HOTD knowledge.
The multiple scenes with rats in House of the Dragon point to two possibilities: foreshadowing the Blood and Cheese arc, as well as The Grand Maester Conspiracy theory created by fans.
Each of these is thoroughly interesting and would add great depth and drama to the story. Blood and Cheese is an event that will happen for sure in HOTD, possibly in S2. On the other hand, the Grand Maester Conspiracy is simply a fan theory and may not actually be adapted for the screen.
Nonetheless, let’s explore each of them further.
1. A Song of Blood and Cheese
After Viserys collapses, the shot pans out to show Joffery’s blood being licked by a rat. As mentioned above, this is not the first time rats have been explicitly focused on in the show. But this scene with the elements of both blood and rats can only point to one thing—foreshadowing the Blood and Cheese arc.
When the Dance of the Dragons begins in earnest, there will be a lot of bloodshed. After Alicent’s son Aemond kills Rhaenyra’s son Lucerys Velaryon, Daemon swears revenge for the act.
As such, he and Mysaria send two assassins named Cheese (a rat catcher) and Blood (a butcher) to Alicent’s chamber. There, they tie her up and blackmail Aegon II’s sister-wife Helaena to choose which of their kids to sacrifice in exchange for Lucerys’ life.
A grief-stricken Helaena chose her two-year son Maelor, but Blood and Cheese end up cruelly killing the eldest child, Jaehaerys.
Although this is going to be quite a painful scene to watch, I’m curious about why the show is using so many Easter eggs to reference it—that too this early into the story, when the payoff will only happen late in Season 2.
Could the rats be a reference to something else as well? This brings us to the next theory.
2. The Grand Maester Conspiracy
To begin with, this is not a concept that George R. R. Martin came up with. It was book readers who read between the lines and theorized that it is possible that the maesters may not be who they claim they are.
In short, The Grand Maester Conspiracy is a fan theory that believes the maesters share secrets of the houses they serve, conspire against powerful houses, control communication with their exclusive hold over the raven network, and are key hidden figures in political events.
In Fire & Blood, Lady Barbrey Dustin of Barrowtown questions their motives and calls them “grey rats.”
Another book character (who should’ve appeared in GOT but did not), Marwyn the Mage, believed that the maesters were also responsible for the death of the remaining dragons after the Targaryen civil war.
With all the rat imagery on House of the Dragon, it sure makes sense to be wary of the maesters even if this is just a fan theory (that existed long before the show was even created).
You can’t shake off that the Targaryen’s current Grand Maester Mellos has been acting quite suspiciously. From being unable to treat Viserys’ wounds to refusing new maester Orwyle’s novel treatment, and even handling Aemma’s pregnancy that resulted in both her and her son’s death.
Irrespective of whether the show will adapt both these interpretations of the rat symbology, things are not looking rosy for House of the Dragon. Everyone, watch your backs!
3. About House Of The Dragon
House of the Dragon is the prequel series to HBO’s blockbuster Game of Thrones based on George R. R. Martin’s book Fire & Blood.
Set three hundred years before the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon will show Westeros under the Targaryen family’s rule before the dragons went extinct. It will follow the Dance of the Dragons, the Targaryen civil war between siblings Aegon II and Rhaenyra, who fought for the throne after the death of their father, Viserys I.
Directed by Ryan Condall and Miguel Sapochnik, the show stars Paddy Considine as Viserys I Targaryen, Emma D’Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen, Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower, Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen, Tom Glynn-Craney as Aegon II Targaryen, Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower, Steve Toussaint as Corlys Velaryon, Eve Best as Rhaenys Velaryon, Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria, Fabien Frankel as Criston Cole, and Graham McTavish.
No Comments on Who let the rats out? HOTD Ep 5 Foreshadows Two Crucial Plotlines