WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 5 and George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood book, on which the show is based!
Summary
Daemon’s tale at Harrenhal includes a mention of the “Hour of the Wolf,” which is an exciting nod to House Stark’s most important story inHouse of the Dragon’s future. Largely isolated with only Alys Rivers, Willem Blackwood, and Simon Strong as company, Daemon’s story in season 2 has become increasingly concerning, withmany of his scenes including terrifying confrontations at night. In addition toDaemon’s visions at Harrenhal, which have become a form of psychological torture, he’s also awoken at a late hour by the Riverlords he had the Blackwood forces torture and raid.
Following a disturbingvision Daemon has about his mother, Alyssa Targaryen, his sleep later that night is disrupted by Simon Strong waking him up to confront the angry Riverlords. When Daemon is stirred from sleep inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 5, he asks Simon what “ungodly hour” it is that the lords seek his presence. Simon responds by stating that it’s thehour of “the wolf,” which comes to take on a dual meaning inHouse of the Dragon’s story.
What Time The Hour Of The Wolf Is In House Of The Dragon
The Hour Of The Wolf Is When The Night Is Darkest
Historically, the“Hour of the Wolf” refers to the time between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m., which is said to be when the most deaths and births happen. This means that it’s approximately 3 a.m. when Daemon is woken, at which time he is fittingly made to answer for the deaths and sexualassaults in the Riverlands he ordered the Blackwoodsto carry out. The Hour of the Wolf, known in Westeros as the darkest part of the night, is also associated with restlessness, evil, and a higher potency of nightmares, which describes Daemon’s experience at Harrenhal thus far.
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George R.R. Martin’sThe World of Ice and Firebook also gives some further details on the history of the Hour of the Wolf in the franchise. For instance, it was the Hour of the Wolf when King Maegor “the Cruel” Targaryen was left alone and soon found dead on the Iron Throne. There areseven named hours inGame of Thrones’ world: the hours of the bat, eel, ghosts, owl, wolf, and nightingale. These hours are also associated with different omens and deeper meanings, with the Hour of the Wolf often seeing change, action, and dark events.
The Hour of the Bat is just after sunset, Eel is after the Bat, Ghosts arrives after the Bat, Owl follows the Bat and comes before dawn, Wolf comes after the Owl at the darkest part of night, and the Nightingale comes after the Hour of the Wolf.
“The Hour Of The Wolf” Is The Name For Cregan Stark’s Rule In King’s Landing
Cregan Stark Becomes Hand To King Aegon III Targaryen For A Brief Time
Daemon and Simon Strong mentioning the Hour of the Wolf also works as a subtle tease forLord Cregan Stark’s biggest story inHouse of the Dragon. After the deaths of Queen Rhaenyra and King Aegon II Targaryen, Cregan arrives at King’s Landing and names himself Hand of the King to young King Aegon III Targaryen, the eldest surviving son of Rhaenyra, for about six days. Also referred to inFire & Bloodas the “Judgment of the Wolf,”Cregan’s brief time as the ruling Hand in King’s Landing is better known as the “Hour of the Wolf.”
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The Hour of the Wolf refers to both Cregan Stark and his direwolf sigil, as well as the dark time of uncertainty, grief, and change that comes to Westeros. The Hour of the Wolf is truly whatends the Dance of the Dragons, withCregan exacting his justice on traitors to both Rhaenyra and Aegon in the war, leading to numerous executions with little mercy. Cregan’s time as Hand is late inHouse of the Dragon’s story, and this dark hour is indeed followed by a time of tragedy, beauty, and searching for peace, befitting of the symbolic Hour of the Nightingale.
House of the Dragon
Cast
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
