'Game of Thrones' prequel 'House of the Dragon': Will the Stark family play a pivotal role in HBO show?
David Hounslow's Rickon Stark may have appeared only for a few seconds in the 'House of the Dragon' Episode 1, but the Stark family introduction will almost surely go a long way in the series. For those familiar with 'Game of Thrones', Rickon will seem familiar as it references the name of Eddard (Ned) and Catelyn Stark’s youngest child who died in the Battle of the Bastards. In the prequel, the ancestor makes an appearance where the Targaryens are ruling perched on the Iron Throne.
“I, Rickon Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North [promise to be faithful to King Viserys and his named heir, Princess Rhaenyra]," Hounslow says. This scene comes after he pledges his allegiance to Rhaenyra after the death of Viserys' (Paddy Considine) wife Aemma and son Baelon. The house Targaryen chooses Milly Alcock's character to ascend the throne and ignore Prince Daemon (Matt Smith) who fancies himself as the man on the throne after Viserys.
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While much of the speculation is that the cameo might just be a fun easter egg, there's every possibility that the prequel might see the Starks in action in the Dance of the Dragon, a civil war that breaks out 30 years after the events that unfold in the season opener. With the threat of the White Walkers imminent, and that the two houses will eventually unite. Perhaps the show will have more of Rickon Stark in the episodes to come and there is also the possibility that we may see Cregan Stark if the series focuses on the Civil War.
There's also the question of whether the Starks will stay loyal to Rhaenyra Targaryen. For now, the show is up and running with some key plotlines taking center stage in the episodes to come. But safe to say, we haven't seen the last of the Starks on the show.
'House of the Dragon' airs Sundays at 9 pm ET on HBO. Episode 1 is available for streaming on HBO Max.