House Of The Dragon Cruelly Used Your Harwin Strong Thirst Against You
Warning: This article contains spoilers for House of the Dragon episode 6.
House of the Dragon knew that audiences would be enamored with Ser Harwin Strong after protecting Rhaenyra Targaryen in episode 5, and cruelly used it to their advantage for the surprise ending in episode 6. House of the Dragon season 1 follows House Targaryen and the drama that unfolds after Rhaenyra Targaryen, daughter of King Viserys I Targaryen, is named heir to the Iron Throne. Throughout this journey, the show introduces Ser Harwin Strong, heir to Harrenhal, and a member of the City Watch.
Through the first five episodes, Harwin’s appearances have been brief, but that hasn’t stopped audiences from thirsting over House of the Dragon’s Harwin Strong. Specifically, in episode 5, Harwin had a few memorable moments. During a brawl started by Ser Criston Cole, Harwin is seen bursting through the crowd, easily discarding and beating anybody between him and Rhaenyra. Harwin then picks Rhaenyra up, throws her over his shoulder, and carries her off to safety from the brawl. People on social media were quick to buzz over the heroic actions of Ser Harwin in episode 5 and were excited to see more of him in episode 6.
Episode 6 capitalizes on the internet’s thirst for Ser Harwin by including much more of him, but turns the viewers’ investment in the character against them by shockingly killing Harwin off. Following a 10-year time jump, the show alludes to, if not flat out admits, that Harwin is the father of Rhaenyra Targaryen’s children. The episode builds Ser Harwin’s character as a kind man and a caring father to the kids. Harwin clashes with Criston Cole while trying to protect Jacaerys Targaryen, the eldest son of Rhaenyra. Harwin’s actions, although noble, cause him to lose his position as Commander of the City Watch and travel back to Harrenhal. However, Alicent Hightower and Larys Strong, Harwin’s brother, use prisoners to set fire to Harrenhal and kill both Harwin and his father.
The shocking death of Ser Harwin is a crushing twist that comes just a week after his popularity grew and happens in the first episode where the character is given any background or meaningful screen time. Immediately after Harwin’s character is given depth and prominence in the plot, Larys Strong betrays Harwin, his own brother. But killing off such a well-liked character is even more impactful when few other characters are noble or likeable. Audiences will likely now rally behind Rhaenyra and how she will respond to Harwin’s death, especially if she ever finds out who is responsible.
His arc demonstrates how quickly a character can rise in popularity only to be killed in the span of one episode. Ser Strong serves as an important reminder that in House of the Dragon, characters, even beloved ones, are never safe. Ser Harwin follows a long list of many in the Game of Thrones universe that had their stories cut short with their growth in their popularity. Audiences, after all, are still not over the death of Jason Momoa’s Khal Drogo on Game of Thrones because of this very reason. The internet may need to be a little warier the next time it thirsts over a character in the spinoff show.
