'House of the Dragon' Season 1: A look at 5 major references to 'Game of Thrones'

'House of the Dragon' is a prequel to 'Game of Thrones' that focuses on the history of House Targaryen
'House of the Dragon' events take place 200 years before 'Game of Thrones' (@hbo)
'House of the Dragon' events take place 200 years before 'Game of Thrones' (@hbo)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 will stream on HBO on June 16, 2024. The action-packed series features extravagant battle sequences and nerve-wracking plot twists. The anticipation for the show is at its fever pitch with observant fans glued to their screens looking for the tiniest bit of detail in the show. 

'House of the Dragon' is the prequel to 'Game of Thrones' and events in the show take place about two centuries before 'Game of Thrones'. While the show centers on House Targaryen, there are few references to 'Game of Thrones' that caught the audience by surprise and made them take notice of just how deep George R R Martin's literature is. 

Here is a look at some of those references that reminded fans of 'Game of Thrones'.

A Song of Ice and Fire

Aegon's prophecy was the reason behind Viserys choosing Rhaenyra as his successor (@hbo)
Aegon's prophecy was the reason behind Viserys Targaryen choosing Rhaenyra Targaryen as his successor (@hbo)

'A Song of Ice and Fire' is the book on which 'Game of Thrones' is based. King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine) also refers to it as the dream of Aegon the Conqueror. 

The prophecy mentioned by Viserys talks about a dangerous long winter that will pose a threat to the realm. 'Game of Thrones' is about the threat and how the houses unite to fight against the White Walkers. 

'A Song of Ice and Fire' is a prophecy that gets passed on through generations of rulers until it reaches the events of 'Game of Thrones'.

Nymeria

Alicent Hightower and Rhaenyra Targaryen are involved in a conflict for the Iron Throne in 'House of the Dragon' (@hbo)
Alicent Hightower and Rhaenyra Targaryen reading about the Westeros History in 'House of the Dragon' (@hbo)

In the early exchanges between friends Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) and Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy), we see them discussing history and a name that caught the attention of every 'Game of Thrones' fan was Nymeria. 

As 'Game of Thrones' fans would recollect, Nymeria was the name given to Arya Stark's (Massie Williams) wolf in 'Game of Thrones'. Alicent and Rhaenyra discuss the name in multiple episodes as a warrior who shaped the rule of House Martell. 

Dagger

A still from 'House of the Dragon' (@hbo)
A still from 'House of the Dragon' (@hbo)

Another Arya Stark reference here as fans would recollect Arya Stark using a dagger to ultimately kill the Night King. The dagger appears multiple times in 'House of the Dragon'.

The dagger is used by Alicent Hightower as a threat to take Rhaenyra's son's eye when her son injures Alicent's son Prince Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell).

Dracarys

A still from the series 'House of the Dragon' (@hbo)
A still from the series 'House of the Dragon' (@hbo)

Dracarys is a term every 'Game of Thrones' fan became accustomed to as it was used by Queen Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) to unleash dragon fire on her opponents. 

It is a term that is used again and this time there are many more dragons. Season 2 will feature dragons fighting with each other and you can be rest assured that the term will be used many times as the Dance of the Dragons begins. 

Curse of Harrenhall

Lord Lyonel Strong is the lord of Harrenhall and is a member of King Viserys' small council (@hbo)
Lord Lyonel Strong is the lord of Harrenhall and is a member of King Viserys' small council (@hbo)

The curse of Harrenhall is mentioned by Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) in 'Game of Thrones' and is again mentioned in 'House of the Dragon' when the castle of Harrenhall catches fire. 

Harrenhall has a castle that is said to be cursed due to the happenings there during Aegon's conquest. In 'Game of Thrones', Petyr Baelish (Aiden Gillen) is the Lord of Harrenhall. 

How to stream 'House of the Dragon' Season 2?

A still from the trailer of 'House of the Dragon' (YouTube/@Max)
A still from the trailer of 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 (YouTube/@max)

'House of the Dragon' Season 2 is streaming on HBO Max on Sunday, June 16, 2024. To watch the series, you will need a Max Subscription. The streaming platform typically offers three packages that you can choose from depending on your budget.

The low-cost plan that supports advertising costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 annually.

The second package, which does not support advertising, costs $15.99 per month or $149.99 annually.

Meanwhile, the third package, titled Ultimate Ad-Free, costs $19.99 per month or $199.99 annually.

'House of the Dragon' Season 2 trailer 



 

'House of the Dragon' Season 2 is streaming on HBO Max on Sunday, June 16, 2024.

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