Daemon’s Stepstones Victory Is Even More Important Than You Realize

Warning: SPOILERS for House of the Dragon Episode 3 – “Second Of His Name”Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) won the greatest victory seen in House of the Dragon so far, and the Prince’s conquest of the Stepstones is even more important than it appears. House of the Dragon episode 3, “Second Of His Name,” picks up 3 years after the previous episode, which ended with Daemon forming an alliance with Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steven Toussaint) to win back the Stepstones. The disputed islands in the southeast of Westeros were under siege by the Triarchy, an alliance of great houses from Essos led by Prince Craghas Drahar AKA the Crabfeeder (Daniel Scott-Smith). Daemon’s dramatic slaying of the Crabfeeder is a major turning point in his House of the Dragon story.

Thus far, Prince Daemon has been a problem for his brother, King Viserys I (Paddy Considine), who banished Daemon to secure the line of succession to the Iron Throne for his daughter, Princess Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock). Daemon believed himself as Viserys’ rightful heir, but he is a headstrong troublemaker who feuded with the Hand of the King, Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans). Revolutionizing the City Watch of King’s Landing wasn’t enough for Daemon, and he laid claim to Rhaenyra’s seat at Dragonstone after Daemon was banished from King’s Landing. Daemon forged a pact with Lord Corlys, whose own seat at Driftmark was threatened by the Triarchy and the Crabfeeder. But as House of the Dragon episode 3 revealed, not even Daemon and his dragon could win the war against the Triarchy, and the Velaryon fleet was in danger of losing until Rhaenyra convinced Viserys to send aid to his brother.

Daemon’s reaction upon learning that King’s Landing was sending troops to help the Sea Snake’s forces win the war was shocking: the Prince attacked the King’s messenger before assaulting the Crabfeeder’s army all alone under the guise of surrender. But Daemon heroically slew the Crabfeeder’s men and held his ground until the Velaryon army appeared, supported by Laenor Velaryon (Theo Nate) riding his dragon, Seasmoke. Daemon then chased the Crabfeeder into his cave and the Targaryen warrior triumphantly emerged with the severed torso of Prince Drahar. Daemon’s victory not only secures the Stepstones for House Velaryon and the Crown, but it ends the threat of the Triarchy. Most importantly, Daemon silenced his doubters, including his brother Viserys, and proved he is the greatest fighter of House Targaryen. This gives Daemon a greater status as a hero of the realm, but ironically, it also turns the Prince into a bigger problem for King Viserys.

What Happens To Daemon Now That He’s Won The Stepstones

The trailer for House of the Dragon episode 4 shows Daemon welcomed back to King’s Landing after he’s been crowned as King of the Narrow Sea. This won’t please Viserys, which, in turn, delights Daemon. But the Prince also finds that he’s now even further down the line of succession to the Iron Throne than when he left. Rhaenyra remains Viserys’ named heir, but he now has a firstborn son, Prince Aegon Targaryen, who the realm (as well as his grandfather Ser Otto), prefers as Viserys’ successor to become the next King. Daemon has more political power now because of his triumph at the Stepstones, but he has the same enemies in King’s Landing as well, especially the Hand of the King. Meanwhile, Rhaenyra was given permission to choose the man she wishes to marry, and Prince Daemon could strategically worm his way into marrying his niece, which would consolidate both of their claims to the Iron Throne.

Daemon Targaryen’s thrilling action hero moment in House of the Dragon episode 3 harkened back to the victories Jon Snow (Kit Harington) won in Game of Thrones. Daemon’s battle prowess actually helps explain Jon’s own fighting skills when one remembers the Bastard of Winterfell is actually Aegon Targaryen. Daemon’s bloodline flows into Jon Snow, and House of the Dragon establishes that Targaryens are great warriors in the battlefield even without their dragons.

House of the Dragon airs Sundays @ 9pm ET on HBO and streams on HBO Max.