‘Game of Thrones’ prequel ‘House of the Dragon’: Breaking down the 'Song of Ice and Fire' prophecy
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: After a long wait, the first pilot episode of the historical war saga ‘House of the Dragon’ got released by makers on August 21, 2022, on both HBO and HBO Max. The prequel is a journey of princess Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) who has to fight against the traditionalist faction of Westeros to become her father King Viserys I Targaryen’s (Paddy Considine) true heir and first female queen to inherit the Iron Throne.
In the first episode of the series, we see that post the death of his wife Queen Aemma (Sian Cooke), and his newborn son’s loss, King Viserys I Targaryen (Paddy Considine) officially names his only daughter Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock / Emma D’Arcy) as his successor and potential ruler to the seven kingdoms within Westeros. This decision angers everyone in Westeros who can’t fathom a female ruler inheriting the iron throne. At the end of the first episode, Viserys talks about a prophecy to his young daughter princess Rhaenyra known as ‘A Song of Ice and Fire.’ This is not just the name of Martin’s iconic book series, but also is the core of the main argument which is seen in the prequel war saga.
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‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ prophecy in depth
‘A Song of Ice and Fire’ is the main conflict and war that is focused upon in the journey of House Targaryen within the prequel that fights it out for their claim on the Iron Throne to rule Westeros. As seen in the first episode, Viserys explains in depth to Rhaenyra the familial conflict that every Targaryen ruler and King has had to learn about from the time of Aegon the Conqueror in regards to what exactly lies ahead for the future of their family. It is true that Aegon had a disturbing prophetic vision where he saw how generations later, an awful winter would begin which could put the Seven Kingdoms into an era of darkness. The only way for Westeros to survive peacefully is to unite under a Targaryen ruler that sits on the Iron Throne.
Aegon is the prominent ruler who helped in creating the way for House Targaryen to lead the seven realms which were seen accurately in ‘Game of Thrones’ universe. In the prequel, we see how King Viserys speaks his words of warning to Rhaenyra underneath the skeleton of Aegon’s dragon which is 'Balerion the Black Dread.'
The prophecy has assigned Rhaenyra with the role of protecting the kingdom from an impending threat. This is not really clear if we will see any signs of the undead in House of the Dragon. But, definitely, 'Game of Thrones' described ‘terrible winter’ as a clear reference to the rise of the ‘Night King’ and the White Walkers within the area of the North that lies beyond the Wall. Whilst the ‘White Walkers’ haven’t been seen in Westeros since a thousand years before the events of House of the Dragon, rumors do indicate that this secretive and vile army of the dead exists even now.
So far in the first episode, we have seen how House of the Dragon seems to be more focused on the line of the prophecy which does refer to a Targaryen leader. However, we do not know which one out of all the Targaryens would end up winning the succession to the Iron Throne in the war saga. Definitely, ardent fans are eager to know if Rhaenyra rises to her father’s throne or will Daemon (Matt Smith) take the role for himself. Will Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) become the next ruler of Westeros cutting off Rhaenyra’s (Emma D’Arcy) chances of succession? Interestingly, there’s a question of whether Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best), who was cut off from the throne when late King Jaehaerys named Viserys I as his heir comes into the picture as the ruler or not post Visery’s death during the bloodied civil war, ‘Dance of the Dragons.’
‘House of the Dragon’ first episode is streaming now on HBO Max and Disney + Hotstar. The second episode titled 'The Rogue Prince' is going to premiere globally on August 28, 2022, Sunday at 9 pm ET on HBO and HBO Max.