House of the Dragon
SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 1 .
Summary
There are several critical narrative elements to remember going intoHouse of the Dragonseason 2 . The acclaimed HBO fantasy dramatic play returns on Sunday , June 16 , for what appear to be an action - carry sophomore season . Season 1 re - introduced audiences to the world ofGame of Thrones , roughly 200 years before the original serial , in an era where the Targaryen dynasty reigns sovereign with firedrake power . However , theHouse of the Dragonseason 1 endingsaw war become inevitable as a conflict of succession for the Iron Throne wrick violent .
House of the Dragonseason 1 covered a lot of land , using its ten episodes to set the stage for the Dance of the Dragons , a blinking civil state of war that will run rampant across Westeros . TheHouse of the Dragoncastofcharacters has been separate into two factions , the Blacks and the Greens , representing Rhaenyra Targaryen and Aegon Targaryen , respectively , as the rightful swayer of the Seven Kingdoms . render the frequent prison term jumps and rephrasing , time of year 1 may have been strong to follow , and sealed bits of info are critical going into the second season .
11How Much Time House Of The Dragon Season 1 Covered
HOTD Season 1 Covers 20 Years Of King Viserys' Reign
House of the Dragonseason 1 get over near 20 years , with three major meter jumps . There werethree years between episode 2 & 3 , ten geezerhood between episode 5 & 6 , and six more days between episodes 7 & 8 . Now that the stage has been dress , there should n’t be any more drastic leaps in season 2 , but the jumps in season 1 can already be perplexing . Especially present the turn of child characters who grew up throughout the time of year , House of the Dragonhas seen several recastingsof important characters .
Overall , House of the Dragonseason 1 determine the sovereignty of King Viserys I Targaryen , a relatively peaceful period that was basically the calm before the storm . Early in the time of year , Viserys and his first married woman , Aemma Arryn , contend to produce a male heir , with Rhaenyra being their firstborn kid . believe he had to choose between Rhaenyra and his irregular comrade Daemon , Viserys selected his girl as his heir , part Westerosi custom . The proceeding years see the effects of this pick as variegate forces assay to steer the realm in preparation for his expiry .
10Alicent & Rhaenyra’s Children
Both Alicent & Rhaenyra’s Children Create Issues Surrounding Rhaenyra’s Succession
matter are made complicated for Rhaenyra Targaryen with the reaching of her tyke and the kid of her puerility friend , Alicent Hightower . Alicent becomes Rhaenyra ’s stepmother upon her marriage to King Viserys following Aemma Arryn ’s death and helps fulfill the King ’s desire for a male successor . Alicent and Viserys have multiple minor , Aegon , Helaena , and Aemond , further bolstering the Targaryen parentage but also creating an even bigger question of chronological succession .
Rhaenyra ’s kid are also a subject of contention . She ’s married to Laenor Velaryon , but it ’s profusely clear that Ser Harwin Strong has generate all of her child . As Viserys ' declare heritor , rumors circulate regarding Rhaenyra ’s children are an issue , as her eldest son would be next in line to the Iron Throne but he ’s widely perceived as a bastard . This also encourage the wedge between Rhaenyra and Alicent , as Alicent is disgruntled by Rhaenyra ’s nonperformance in having said bastards .
There ’s more to House Targaryen ’s history than what ’s depicted in House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones . Here ’s what we know from the script .
9King Viserys' Death & Misunderstanding Over His Heir
Alicent Hightower Misinterprets Viserys' Final Words
King Viserys ' health declines throughoutHouse of the Dragonseason 1 , leading to his eventual death in episode 8 . In his final here and now , he recount a prognostication passed down through the Targaryen monarchs from Aegon the Conqueror , referred to as Aegon ’s Dream . Alicent hear the name Aegon , believe that the dying king has changed his mind about his replacement , and is alternatively declaring his Logos Aegon to be the heir . Alicent act upon this misunderstanding and facilitate to plant Aegon on the throne .
This misunderstanding is critical toHouse of the Dragonseason 1 . The last two installment show the side effect of Viserys ' death from contradict stand , with the Greens in sequence 9 and the Blacks in episode 10 . While many , including Alicent ’s father , Otto Hightower , had already sought to plant Aegon on the throne for personal gain and realm constancy in have a male crowned head , the misunderstanding in Viserys ' final moments becomes the catalyst to see the decision through .
8Rhaenyra Becomes Queen - And Was Viserys' Heir
Rhaenyra Declares Herself Queen, But She Doesn’t Control The Iron Throne
Though she is n’t officially the queen mole rat sitting on the Iron Throne in King ’s Landing , Rhaenyra Targaryen declares herself queen , still believe herself to be Viserys ' intend heritor . In season 1 , Viserys calls many of the great lords of Westeros to King ’s Landing to swear allegiance to Rhaenyra , an oath many of those houses are dandy to uphold upon his demise . Rhaenyra has a significant figure of following among the Seven Kingdoms , part the continent .
House Velaryon is perhaps the most notable friend to Rhaenyra , led by Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen . House Velaryon is an extraordinarily wealthy family known for its monumental naval forces , and their Valyrian roots intend extra dragon power for Rhaenyra . In terms of thedragons inHouse of the Dragon , Rhaenyra ’s Black faction has the absolute majority , all in all making them a serious terror despite not having ascendance over the Washington .
7Aegon Didn’t Want To Be King - But Is Named It Anyway
Aegon Inherits The Iron Throne Despite Not Wanting It
In King ’s Landing , Aegon II Targaryen has been declared Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm , with his babe - wife Helaena Targaryen as his queen . Throughout season 1 , Aegon is characterise as being rather indifferent and irresponsible , have very little care for politicsand instead using his position as a Lord for various exploit . Season 1 ’s next-to-last installment sees Aegon missing on the day of Viserys ' death , and he ’s finally found hungover and with no desire to be named mogul .
Regardless , Aegon is brought back to the Red Keep and prepared for his coronation . While he still has no responsible stake in diplomacy , Aegon is clearly dissemble by the new influx of power , and season 2 trailers indicate he ’ll quickly become fervid by his Modern position in some electrical capacity . On the other hand , Aegon ’s young sidekick , Aemond , craves that obligation and desires opportunities to demonstrate his strength as a dragonrider , warrior , and loss leader .
House of the Dragon ’s Targaryen Civil War will be split between those who are loyal to the " special K " or the " blacks , " as led by Rhaenyra & Alicent .
Custom image by Debanjana Chowdhury
6Daemon Is Rhaenyra’s Husband - But Isn’t The King
Daemon Acts On Rhaenyra’s Behalf As King Consort
Daemon Targaryen is arguably themost powerfulHouse of the Dragoncharacter , with conflict and dragonriding experience surpassing everyone in Westeros . Despite this and being King Viserys ' original inheritor , Daemon is not a Danaus plexippus himself , a persuasion that seems to trouble him . After Daemon and Rhaenyra ’s first spouse die in season 1 , they decide to conjoin each other , making Daemon the King Consort to Rhaenyra ’s Queen .
There ’s always a bit of ego - interest in Daemon ’s actions , even when they benefit Rhaenyra as well .
House of the Dragonseason 1 install a dynamic between Daemon and Viserys that will continue to limit his character . Despite being a bluff warrior , Daemon is profoundly insecure about being the old monarch ’s younger blood brother , feel as if he should have been B. B. King due to his strength . Though he ’ll rarely show it , Daemon is deeply hurt by Viserys ' determination to name Rhaenyra heir , and in part , still sees her as a threat to his self-importance , despite waging war for her . There ’s always a bit of ego - pursuit in Daemon ’s actions , even when they profit Rhaenyra as well .
5Aemond & Vhagar Killed Lucerys Velaryon
Aemond Draws First Blood & There’s No Going Back
At the last of season 1 , Rhaenyra gain that she needs to acquire friend to help her claim the can promptly . Her second - bear Logos , Lucerys Velaryon , is sent to Storm ’s death to negociate with House Baratheon . There , he runs into Aemond Targaryen , who ’s already established an alliance with the Baratheons for the Greens . As kid , Lucerys was the one who sliced out Aemond ’s eye in an fracas , and Aemond never forgot .
Aemond , who rides the large dragon in Westeros , chases after Lucerys and his dragon be their exit from Storm ’s End . While only signification to daunt him , Aemond lose control of his dragon , Vhagar , who goes in for the kill , carry off Lucerys and his dragon . TheHouse of the Dragonseason 1 finale realize Rhaenyra reacting to the news of her son ’s death with a revengeful expression on her grimace .
4Rhaenys Could Have Killed Aegon In The Dragonpit
Rhaenys Escaped King’s Landing On Dragonback
Rhaenys crashes Meleys through the dragonpit to escape King ’s Landing . There , she has the opportunity to vote out Aegon and practically the integral Green camarilla , but instead , she decides to spare their life . Rhaenys decides not to do so , believe this would make her a kinslayer , staining the report of her and her family .
review are in for House of the Dragon season 2 . Here ’s what experts are saying about the action - packed in style time of year of HBO ’s epic illusion drama .
3Jacaerys Velaryon Was Sent To The Vale & Winterfell
Rhaenyra’s Eldest Son Was Sent To Delegate With The Starks
While Lucerys Velaryon was sent to Storm ’s ending to negotiate with House Baratheon , Jacaerys Velaryon was sent to The Vale and Winterfell to lend Houses Arryn and Stark to their side . Jacaerys is Rhaenyra ’s eldest Logos , and he proudly wishes to serve his female parent and protect her right to rule and his own right as her heir .
Jacaerys ' speculation Union was n’t shown in time of year 1 , but give season 2 ’s promos , it ’ll be one of the first ordering of business in the new season . House of the Dragonhas establish Starks before , but Cregan Stark will be precede in season 2 as the first major northerly player to take part in the warfare . It will also be the show ’s first time visiting Winterfell and the Wall .
2Aegon’s A Song Of Ice & Fire Dream
Aegon’s Dream Ties Into House Of The Dragon’s Targaryen Self-Destruction
An original conception that does n’t come from the books is that of Aegon ’s Dream . This was previously mentioned as part of the misunderstanding environ Viserys ' chronological sequence , but there ’s more to it than that . Viserys partake the prophecy with Rhaenyra in episode 1 , revealing that Aegon the Conqueror envision the White Walker encroachment centuries later on inGame of Thronesand hoped to create a unified Westeros under a Targaryen loss leader . Read the full inverted comma below :
" Aegon anticipate the end of the world of men . It ’s to begin with a atrocious winter , gusting out of the distant North . Aegon see absolute darkness riding on those nothingness , and whatever dwells within will put down the world of the living . When this smashing winter derive , Rhaenyra , all of Westeros must stand against it . And if the mankind of men is to pull through , a Targaryen must be seated on the Iron Throne . A King or Queen , strong enough to unify the realm against the cold and the dark . Aegon called his dream ' The Song of Ice and Fire . ' "
There ’s specific and all-inclusive relevancy to this prophecy . As forHouse of the Dragon , it denotes the substantial impact of Targaryens and dragons kill each other . By proceeding into a civil warfare , the land is directly break itself against an existential threatby turn its most powerful defense against each other . Essentially , when dragon struggle firedrake , everyone suffers for it . In a liberal horse sense , this bind the prequel serial directly toGame of Thrones , establishing indecorum and unmediated persistence between the two show .
