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 drama returns on Sunday, June 16, for what looks to be an action-packed sophomore season.Season 1 re-introduced audiences to the world ofGame of Thrones, roughly 200 years before the original series, in an era where the Targaryen dynasty reigns supreme with dragon power. However, theHouse of the Dragonseason 1 endingsaw war become inevitable as a conflict of succession for the Iron Throne turned violent.
House of the Dragonseason 1 covered a lot of ground, using its ten episodes to set the stage for the Dance of the Dragons, a bloody civil war that will run rampant across Westeros. TheHouse of the Dragoncastofcharacters has been divided into two factions, the Blacks and the Greens, representing Rhaenyra Targaryen and Aegon Targaryen, respectively, as the rightful ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. Given the frequent time jumps and recastings, season 1 may have been hard to follow, and certain bits of info are vital 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 covered nearly 20 years, with three major time jumps. There werethree years between episodes 2 & 3, ten years between episodes 5 & 6, and six more years between episodes 7 & 8. Now that the stage has been set, there shouldn’t be any more drastic leaps in season 2, but the jumps in season 1 can already be confusing. Especially given the number of child characters who grew up throughout the season,House of the Dragonhas seen several recastingsof important characters.
Overall,House of the Dragonseason 1 saw the reign of King Viserys I Targaryen, a relatively peaceful period that was essentially the calm before the storm. Early in the season, Viserys and his first wife, Aemma Arryn, struggled to produce a male heir, with Rhaenyra being their eldest child. Believing he had to choose between Rhaenyra and his unpredictable brother Daemon,Viserys selected his daughter as his successor, breaking Westerosi tradition. The proceeding years see the effects of this choice as varying forces attempt to steer the realm in preparation for his death.
10Alicent & Rhaenyra’s Children
Both Alicent & Rhaenyra’s Children Create Issues Surrounding Rhaenyra’s Succession
Matters are made complicated for Rhaenyra Targaryen with the arrival of her children and the children of her childhood 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 heir.Alicent and Viserys have multiple children, Aegon, Helaena, and Aemond, further bolstering the Targaryen lineage but also creating an even bigger question of succession.
Rhaenyra’s children are also a subject of controversy. She’s married to Laenor Velaryon, but it’s abundantly clear that Ser Harwin Strong has fathered all of her children. As Viserys' declared heir,rumors spreading 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 furthers the wedge between Rhaenyra and Alicent, as Alicent is disgruntled by Rhaenyra’s carelessness in having said bastards.
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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 moments, he recounts a prophecy passed down through the Targaryen monarchs from Aegon the Conqueror, referred to as Aegon’s Dream.Alicent hears the name Aegon, thinking that the dying king has changed his mind about his successor, and is instead declaring his son Aegon to be the heir. Alicent acts upon this misunderstanding and helps to plant Aegon on the throne.
This misunderstanding is critical toHouse of the Dragonseason 1. The final two episodes show the fallout of Viserys' death from opposing viewpoints, with the Greens in episode 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 stability in having a male monarch, 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 isn’t officially the queen sitting on the Iron Throne in King’s Landing,Rhaenyra Targaryen declares herself queen, still believing herself to be Viserys' intended heir. In season 1, Viserys calls many of the great lords of Westeros to King’s Landing to swear fealty to Rhaenyra, an oath many of those houses are keen to uphold upon his death. Rhaenyra has a significant number of followers among the Seven Kingdoms, dividing the continent.
House Velaryon is perhaps the most notable ally to Rhaenyra, led by Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen. House Velaryon is an extraordinarily wealthy family known for its massive navy, and their Valyrian roots mean additional dragon power for Rhaenyra. In terms of thedragons inHouse of the Dragon, Rhaenyra’s Black faction has the majority, altogether making them a serious threat despite not having control over the capital.
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 sister-wife Helaena Targaryen as his queen.Throughout season 1, Aegon is characterized as being rather apathetic and irresponsible, having very little care for politicsand instead using his position as a nobleman for various exploits. Season 1’s penultimate episode sees Aegon missing on the day of Viserys' death, and he’s eventually found hungover and with no desire to be named king.
Regardless, Aegon is brought back to the Red Keep and prepared for his coronation. While he still has no responsible interest in statesmanship, Aegon is clearly affected by the new influx of power, and season 2 trailers indicate he’ll quickly become impassioned by his new position in some capacity. On the other hand, Aegon’s young brother, Aemond, craves that responsibility and desires opportunities to demonstrate his strength as a dragonrider, warrior, and leader.
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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 battle and dragonriding experience surpassing everyone in Westeros. Despite this and being King Viserys' original heir, Daemon is not a monarch himself, a thought that seems to trouble him.After Daemon and Rhaenyra’s first spouses die in season 1, they decide to marry each other, making Daemon the King Consort to Rhaenyra’s Queen.
There’s always a bit of self-interest in Daemon’s actions, even when they benefit Rhaenyra as well.
House of the Dragonseason 1 establishes a dynamic between Daemon and Viserys that will continue to define his character. Despite being a bold warrior, Daemon is deeply insecure about being the old monarch’s younger brother, feeling as if he should have been king due to his strength. Though he’ll rarely show it,Daemon is deeply hurt by Viserys' decision to name Rhaenyra heir, and in part, still sees her as a threat to his ego, despite waging war for her. There’s always a bit of self-interest in Daemon’s actions, even when they benefit Rhaenyra as well.
5Aemond & Vhagar Killed Lucerys Velaryon
Aemond Draws First Blood & There’s No Going Back
At the end of season 1, Rhaenyra realizes that she needs to acquire allies to help her claim the throne quickly.Her second-born son, Lucerys Velaryon, is sent to Storm’s End to negotiate with House Baratheon. There, he runs into Aemond Targaryen, who’s already established an alliance with the Baratheons for the Greens. As children, Lucerys was the one who sliced out Aemond’s eye in an altercation, and Aemond never forgot.
Aemond, who rides the largest dragon in Westeros, chases after Lucerys and his dragon following their exit from Storm’s End. While only meaning to scare him,Aemond loses control of his dragon, Vhagar, who goes in for the kill, eliminating Lucerys and his dragon. TheHouse of the Dragonseason 1 finale sees Rhaenyra reacting to the news of her son’s death with a vengeful expression on her face.
4Rhaenys Could Have Killed Aegon In The Dragonpit
Rhaenys Escaped King’s Landing On Dragonback
Rhaenys Targaryen struggles to decide in season 1 which faction she’d like to support, eventually landing on Rhaenyra’s side due to her granddaughters being there. In episode 9, she’s still in King’s Landing upon Viserys' death and knows she must escape or be taken captive and forced to choose between joining the Greens and death.She escapes on her dragon Meleys, destructively interrupting Aegon’s coronation.
Rhaenys crashes Meleys through the dragonpit to escape King’s Landing. There,she has the opportunity to kill Aegon and practically the entire Green faction,but instead, she decides to spare their lives. Rhaenys decides not to do so, believing this would make her a kinslayer, staining the reputation of her and her family.
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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 End to negotiate with House Baratheon, Jacaerys Velaryon was sent to The Vale and Winterfell to bring Houses Arryn and Stark to their side. Jacaerys is Rhaenyra’s eldest son, and he proudly wishes to serve his mother and protect her right to rule and his own right as her heir.
Jacaerys' venture north wasn’t shown in season 1, but given season 2’s promos, it’ll be one of the first orders of business in the new season.House of the Dragonhas shown Starks before, but Cregan Stark will be introduced in season 2 as the first major northern player to take part in the war. 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 concept that doesn’t come from the books is that of Aegon’s Dream. This was previously mentioned as part of the misunderstanding surrounding Viserys' succession, but there’s more to it than that.Viserys shares the prophecy with Rhaenyra in episode 1, revealing that Aegon the Conqueror envisioned the White Walker invasion centuries later inGame of Thronesand hoped to create a unified Westeros under a Targaryen leader. Read the full quote below:
“Aegon foresaw the end of the world of men. It’s to begin with a terrible winter, gusting out of the distant North. Aegon saw absolute darkness riding on those winds, and whatever dwells within will destroy the world of the living. When this great winter comes, Rhaenyra, all of Westeros must stand against it. And if the world of men is to survive, a Targaryen must be seated on the Iron Throne. A King or Queen, strong enough to unite the realm against the cold and the dark. Aegon called his dream ‘The Song of Ice and Fire.'”
There’s specific and broad relevance to this prophecy. As forHouse of the Dragon, it denotes the significant impact of Targaryens and dragons killing each other.By proceeding into a civil war, the realm is directly weakening itself against an existential threatby turning its most powerful defenses against each other. Essentially, when dragons fight dragons, everyone suffers for it. In a broader sense, this ties the prequel series directly toGame of Thrones, establishing familiarity and direct continuity between the two shows.
