Rejoice, Game of Thrones fans! After much speculation and debate, House of the Dragon is officially here to take you back to Westeros, and the Red Keep has never looked better.
The first episode didn’t disappoint and it was absolutely filled to the brim with Easter Eggs (dragon’s eggs?). Now, have a look below and check out every last important detail that even diehard GoT fans likely missed in the first episode.
1. You probably noticed a great domed structure as Rhaenyra Targaryen flies over King’s Landing.
This building was most definitely not around by the time Game of Thrones begins — at least not entirely. In House of the Dragon , this is the famed dragon pit.
In the final two episodes of ‘Game Of Thrones’, several important meetings are held at the ruins.
This is also the location where Queen Cersei is made to see the truth of the White Walkers’ existence, by Jon Snow and Ser Davos.
2. Rhaenyra’s flight with Syrax at the beginning of the episode calls to mind another infamous Targaryen.
The last time that audiences saw a Targaryen on dragon-back, flying over King’s Landing, was when Daenerys Targaryen stormed the Red Keep.
3. While in the king’s council, Corlys Velaryon may have dropped a huge hint of things to come.
Without getting into too much detail, Corlys mentions a rebellion known to history as the “Triarchy Alliance” forming in the free cities.
Corlys also talks about an army building strength in the Stepstones, led by Craghas “Crabfeeder” Drahar.
While the scene is brief and fleeting, these two pieces of information could become increasingly significant as time goes on — especially if House of the Dragon remains true to George R.R. Martin’s book, “Fire and Blood.”
4. The opening scene where King Jaehaerys announces the succession may look familiar to some eagle-eyed ‘GoT’ fans.
Jaehaerys announces that Viserys will become his heir at Harrenhal. You may recall that Harrenhal is the ruined castle where Arya Stark meets Tywin Lannister and becomes his cupbearer.
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5. The throne room in ‘House Of The Dragon’ looks much more intimidating than we’re used to seeing.
The original Iron Throne was forged with a thousand swords surrendered to Aegon I during his conquest of Westeros. The blades were melted down by the fire of Aegon’s dragon, Balerion the Black Dread.
By the time that we see the Iron Throne in ‘Game Of Thrones’, it’s a far less menacing sight.
Not only have hundreds of swords been seemingly swept away, but the blades and barbs that remain are far less sharp, making the sitting monarch less likely to cut themself and contract an infection.
6. Aemma’s throwaway joke may allude to the circumstances that took place during the birth of Daenerys Targaryen’s stillborn son.
While soaking in the bath, Aemma jests with her husband about how she wouldn’t be surprised if she were to hatch an actual living dragon.
Fans may recall that this is the exact fate that befalls “The Mother of Dragons.”
The sorceress Mirri Maz Duur tells Danaerys that her child was born with scales and wings . It might also be a metaphor for when Daenerys walked into the fire and birthed three living dragons.
7. Aemma also subtly foreshadows her own tragic fate.
When Aemma is visited by her daughter, Rhaenyra, she informs her spirited daughter that a woman’s battlefield is the birthing bed. The brutal and graphic birth of her son, Baelon, and consequently her own death affirms this fact.
8. Rhaenyra and Alicent discuss a very important chapter in Westeros’ history.
While studying outside on the castle grounds, Rhaenyra and Alicent mention a woman named Nymeria — a warrior princess who led the Roynar refugees to freedom during the expansion of the Valyrian Freehold.
While this tale has little to do with the events of ‘House Of The Dragon’, it is one of several ‘GoT’ spinoff series currently in development.
Also, Nymeria is the same warrior princess whom Arya Stark names her direwolf after in Season 1 of Game of Thrones.
9. The crown of Viserys I is a symbol of peace.
If you look carefully, you’ll be able to see that all the sigils of the prominent houses of Westeros are displayed — reiterating the fact that all Seven Kingdoms are unified.
10. The fact that Otto Hightower refers to Daemon as “A second Maegor, or worse” is incredibly damning.
Maegor I was better known as “Maegor the Cruel” and was one of the most bloodthirsty Targaryen kings to ever sit upon the Iron Throne.
11. Viserys I is kind of a huge nerd — in a good way.
When Alicent enters Viserys I’s bed chamber, she sees him puttering away with a stone model. This to-scale structure is a model of Old Valyria, before the Doom .
12. Viserys I has the blood of the dragon inside him.
Deep beneath the Red Keep, Viserys I is seen waving his hand over a candle’s flame. As Game of Thrones fans will likely recall — ” Fire cannot kill a dragon .”
13. Balerion the Black Dread’s skull is in its usual spot, beneath the Red Keep.
In House of the Dragon , this is where Viserys I announces his intention to make Rhaenyra queen. We also see Balerion’s skull several times in Game of Thrones , most memorably when Cersei tests her anti-dragon weapon .
14. Viserys I’s knife should look immediately familiar.
The knife that Viserys I keeps in his belt is made from dragon bone and Valeryian steel. It’s the same one that the assassin uses when he attempts to kill Bran Stark and the very same which Arya eventually wields to kill the Night King.
15. Aegon I’s dream is “A Song Of Ice And Fire.”
Viserys I informs Rhaenyra of the prophecy passed down from Targaryen kings since the time of Aegon’s conquest. It foretells of an eternal winter, where the dead rise to conquer the living.
16. When Viserys I makes his daughter promise to protect the realm, it feels oddly familiar.
This is an allusion to Lyanna Stark’s dying wish, wherein she makes Ned Stark swear to protect her son , Aegon aka Jon Snow — whom many believe is “The Song of Ice and Fire.”
