'House of the Dragon' Episode 1: From Daenerys Targaryen to White Walkers, all 'GOT' references in premiere
HBO’s highly anticipated series ‘House of the Dragon’ is finally here and if you were a fan of the earlier seasons of ‘Game of Thrones’, then you are definitely in for a treat. So, the first episode showed us how House Targaryen used to rule Westeros and whether people were happy with King Viserys’ reign. Just like ‘GoT’, the prequel series makes it clear that women can’t sit on the Iron Throne and they should fight their battles on “childbed” only. But this is not the only thing that the prequel series has similar to ‘Game of Thrones’.
There are several instances where viewers saw some references to the mother series and took everyone back to the time when the Lannisters used to reign supreme at King’s Landing. So, let’s look at how ‘House of the Dragon’ included some of the most extraordinary references from HBO’s biggest show ever, ‘Game of Thrones’.
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‘172 years before Daenerys’
The episode starts with a voiceover that tells the viewers about the first 100 years of the Targaryen dynasty and how it was ready to welcome a new ruler due to the failing health of King Jaeherys. The aforementioned house stood at the height of its strength and was looking for someone to carry forward the legacy. The Old King lost both his sons and as a result, Viserys was chosen as the new leader. As soon as his name is announced, viewers are treated to the Targaryen sigil as these lines emerge on the screen, “It is now the ninth year of King Viserys I Targaryen’s reign. 172 years before the death of Mad King, Aerys, and the birth of his daughter, Princess Daenerys Targaryen”. As the words fade away, only “172 years before Daenerys Targaryen” remain on the screen.
A subtle reference to the time when another Targaryen ruler was born.
‘The Tourney’
In Season 1 of ‘Game of Thrones’, we saw the Lannisters organizing ‘The Tourney of the Hand’ and welcoming several warriors from different kingdoms. The first episode of ‘House of the Dragon’ sees the Targaryen hosting “The Tourney” as well, with Daemon Targaryen taking a part in the event. In ‘Game of Thrones’, that was the first time we got to see the Mountain and the Hound. During the event, Ser Loras Tyrell was able to unhorse the Mountain and made him angry. Mountain tries killing him, but the Hound intervenes and saves Loras.
Even in the first episode of ‘HOTD’, we see a fight taking place during the tourney, which results in several horse-riding warriors getting brutally injured or killed.
‘The White Walkers’
In the ending moments of Episode 1, King Viserys talks to his daughter Princess Rhaenyra about being the Queen of Westeros. However, he also discussed how Aegon foresaw the end of the world of men and it will begin with a “terrible winter” gusting out of the distant north. He also revealed that Aegon saw absolute darkness riding on those winds and whatever dwells within will destroy the world of the living. The conversation concluded with Viserys telling Rhaenyra that if “the world of men is to survive then a Targaryen must be seated on the Iron Throne”.
So, that was an extraordinary reference to the White Walkers that wreaked havoc throughout the ‘Game of Thrones’, and their terror ended when Daenerys Targaryen embarked on a journey to sit on the throne.
What did you think about these references? Tell us about them in the comments section.
'House of the Dragon' returns to HBO with a new episode every Sunday at 9 pm EST.
