House of the Dragon Season 2: Man Who’s Hand Gets Chopped in Episode 6 Could Play a Bigger Role Against Rhaenyra in the Future
- The food shortage stirs hatred in Episode 6 of 'HOTD.'
- The Shepherd (a key figure) could oppose all Targaryens.
- His influence may shift power in the Dance of Dragons.
This article contains spoilers!
In House of the Dragon episode 6, the riot scene takes a shocking turn when a man loses his hand due to the harsh actions of the Kingsguard protecting the ruling Greens. This harsh action might stir even more hatred against the Targaryens. It might also bring into focus a key character from George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood.
The source material for House of the Dragon introduces the Shepherd later in the Dance of the Dragons. He is a one-handed prophet and a strong follower of The Faith of the Seven. Interestingly, the Shepherd in the book also has a missing hand, which is said to be a result of punishment for stealing. So, does this mean he’s the same Shepherd from Fire & Blood?
Is the One-Handed Man the Shepherd From the Fire & Blood?
King’s Landing, the heart of Westeros, is falling into chaos. Princess Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) and Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) have set up a blockade that has stopped food from reaching the city, leaving the common people hungry and desperate. At the same time, rumors say that the city’s rich and powerful are enjoying grand feasts, making the situation even worse.
A huge riot broke out when the anger of the people reached its peak. The crowd (already starving and upset) received small boats arriving with food from Dragonstone, Princess Rhaenyra’s seat of power. The starving crowd, whipped up by Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno), took to the streets and started shouting for blood.
In the midst of the chaos, Queen Alicent (Olivia Cooke) and Princess Helaena (Phia Saban) barely managed to escape the rioters. Things grew even worse when a Kingsguard knight (perhaps too eager to protect the royals) cut off a man’s hand.
Does this mean the man with the chopped hand is the Shepherd? Maybe! Could this be our first hint of a character set to play a crucial role in the upcoming Dance of the Dragons?
The Shepherd’s Impact on the Dance of the Dragon
In House of the Dragon, the Shepherd’s past makes his character more interesting. Unlike in the book, his missing hand is more than just a mark of past troubles — it’s a daily reminder of how harsh the Targaryen rule can be.
Moreover, Rhaenyra’s blockade of King’s Landing, which led to food shortages and increased the suffering of the common people, would only deepen the Shepherd’s resentment. His anger wouldn’t be confined to just the Greens; it would extend to all Targaryens. This could make him an even more dangerous foe for Rhaenyra.
The riot scene in episode 6 might be setting the stage for a key event from Fire & Blood. As the Shepherd gains more influence, he rallies his followers to assault the Targaryen dragonpit. This would lead to a serious outcome.
By showing the Kingsguard’s harshness during the riot, House of the Dragon could be preparing for a dramatic moment where the Shepherd (now at the forefront) targets Rhaenyra. His arrival could dramatically change the power dynamics in the Dance of the Dragons.
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