What’s Up with the Crabfeeder in ‘House of the Dragon’?
We’ve seen the savagely cruel actions of the Crabfeeder in the first two episodes, but who is he and what does he want?
Episode 2 of House of the Dragon ended with a really gnarly scene on the beaches of the Disputed Lands, which are in Essos. The area has been fought over by various powers for years. The territory was connected to Westeros by a land bridge, which shattered and created the Stepstones in the Narrow Sea. The sea lanes among its many islands are strategically important, and keeping them safe for trade is vital.
The Triarchy (the united Free Cities of Lys, Myr, and Tyrosh in Essos) pushed the powerful and rich free city of Volantis from the Disputed Lands. To give a sense of time, this was a year before Princess (and briefly Queen) Rhaenyra Targaryen was born. They went on to take the Stepstones and rid them of pirates and other criminals. In exchange, the Triarchy charged a toll to use the waterway. Everyone got what they wanted.
Now that we have some history, what’s up with the crabs?
Minor Spoilers for the Episodes Ahead
via HBO
The Crabfeeder
Craghas Drahar, a prince admiral from Myr, served the Triarchy during this time. Drahar got his nickname ‘Crabfeeder’ because he staked hundreds of pirates to posts on the beaches of the Stepstones so they’d drown in the rising tide. Making them food for the scavengers of the sea.
This isn’t really about the fact that he’s depraved and keeps crabs fed, though. He likes to turn people into crustacean food in very cruel ways, but this is Westeros. This is really about money.
The lords of Westeros were pleased with the fact that the pirates were being dealt with, and the toll arrangement was acceptable until it wasn’t. The avarice of the Triarchy and Craghas became outrageous and it was cutting into profits. This especially pissed off Corlys Velaryon, Lord of the Tides.
Photograph by Ollie Upton via HBO
This, added to King Viserys’ choice of Alicent Hightower over his daughter Laena, pushed the lord into striking a deal with Prince Daemon Targaryen. The Prince is hell-bent on showing his power and his claim. He’s been refused the throne, he might as well go to war when his king brother does not want to.
Daemon used his forces, including his dragon Caraxes, to take on the Triarchy over the next two years in a private war. Many enemies were made, massive fleets were involved, and Dorne got pulled in (again).
I’m not going to tell you how it ended – you’ll have to watch the show to see how they handle the War for the Stepstones and the Carbefeeder’s fate.
New Episodes of ‘House of the Dragon’ air on Sundays on HBO and HBOMax.
Daemon and Rhaenyra Targaryen, photograph by Ollie Upton via HBO
