A gruesome moment in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 5 could be setting up a future tragedy

House of the Dragon season 2, episode 5 deals with the heartbreaking fallout of Rook's Rest – and one moment in particular could be setting up another tragedy from George R.R. Martin's Fire and Blood.

Now, before we go any further, the following will deal with major spoilers for episode 5 and the book, which means it could also spoil the future of the show. Turn back now if that's not what you want! 

If you're still reading, then you're ready to dive into the horrific display taken through King's Landing in episode 5, and what it might mean for the future.

The Meleys parade

During the episode, the severed head of Rhaenys's dragon Meleys is paraded through King's Landing and branded a traitor. The intent from the greens is to show their power – they say Aegon is responsible for taking down Meleys, even though it was Aemond and Vhagar, and are flexing their perceived strength.

Except, the small folk don't really take it well. They're disgusted and disconcerted by the sight, with one person calling it "a black omen," and another asking in disbelief, "I thought the dragons was gods?" Hugh Hammer then responds ominously: "It's just meat."

What tragedy is Meleys foreshadowing? *Spoilers*

The reaction from the small folk could be foreshadowing a major disaster looming in the future – the storming of the Dragonpit.

This tragedy sees the small folk whipped into a frenzy by a religious leader (who has yet to debut in the show). The people force their way into the Dragonpit, the building that houses the dragons of those in King's Landing, and ruthlessly kill the creatures inside.

At this point in the timeline, Rhaenyra is reigning as queen from King's Landing (though she's forced to flee after this happens). Rhaenyra's son Joffrey is killed in the carnage when he tries to fly out aboard his mother's dragon, Syrax, presumably to try and get to his own dragon. He falls from Syrax to his death.

In the chaos, Heleana's dragon Dreamfyre is killed, along with Shrykos (the former dragon of Jaehaerys, who was killed by Blood and Cheese), Morghul (Jaehaera's dragon), and Tyraxes (Joffrey's dragon). Rhaenyra's Syrax also meets her sad end when she descends to try and attack the mob and is soon overpowered.

It's a cruel, bloodthirsty affair – and it certainly seems possible that the small folk going from respecting the dragons as fearsome, untouchable gods to creatures that can be killed with their own weapons is helped along by seeing Meleys's head so brutally on display. It turns out the dragons are just meat, after all.

House of the Dragon season 2 continues weekly on Sky and NOW in the UK and HBO in the US. For more on the show, check out our pieces on:

• House of the Dragon season 2, episodes 1-4 review

• House of the Dragon season 2 showrunner on why Blood and Cheese is nothing like Game of Thrones' Red Wedding

• House of the Dragon season 2 showrunner doesn't feel the pressure of following the controversial Game of Thrones season 8: "Our challenge comes from within"

• House of the Dragon showrunner teases season 3: "You don't want to end up in that place where you're doing the same thing again and again"

• House of the Dragon season 2 showrunner breaks down the complicated relationship between Daemon and Rhaenyra: "Conflict is the order of the day"

• House of the Dragon season 2 showrunner says Rhaenyra and Alicent's bond is still the heart of the show: "We understand that these two women are connected"

• Aemond Targaryen actor Ewan Mitchell breaks down that House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4 ending: "He very much knew what he was doing"

• House of the Dragon star Ewan Mitchell on why Aemond Targaryen lives to the same code as Robert De Niro in Heat

• House of the Dragon star Ewan Mitchell talks Aemond and Daemon's rivalry: "There's almost a romantic element to it"

• House of the Dragon star Ewan Mitchell explains how Michael Myers inspired Aemond Targaryen

• House of the Dragon season 2, episode 1 recap and Easter eggs

• House of the Dragon season 2, episode 2 recap and Easter eggs

• House of the Dragon season 2, episode 3 recap and Easter eggs

• House of the Dragon season 2, episode 4 recap and Easter eggs

• Cregan Stark explained

• Addam of Hull explained

• Daeron Targaryen explained

• Alys Rivers explained

• The dragonseeds explained

• The House of the Dragon dragons, listed and explained

• Greens vs. Blacks, explained

• The White Worm, explained

• The Targaryen family tree

• The House of the Dragon timeline

• Who wins the Dance of the Dragons?

• The Song of Ice and Fire prophecy

• House of the Dragon season 2 release schedule