Summary
House of the Dragonseason 2, episode 1 is full of important little details, Easter eggs, and foreshadowing of things to come. After almost two years away, theGame of Thronesprequel wasted little time in establishing the stakes for the new season. There’s political scheming, machinations a-plenty, sordid affairs, and the not-so-small matter of a child being murdered.
There is also, excitingly, a return to Winterfell and the Wall, thanks to the introduction ofLord Cregan Stark. By the very nature ofHouse of the Dragon’s timeline, it is more self-contained than many prequels, but it still finds room for some references and nods to its predecessor. At the same time, thanks to George R.R. Martin’sFire & Blood, there are also a lot of smaller details and characters that will be very important later on.
I Can’t Believe How House Of The Dragon Changed THAT Scene After 6 Years Of Hype
House of the Dragon season 2, episode 1 has a very significant scene from George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, but the show’s version is disappointing.
21The New Opening Title Sequence Is A Targaryen History Tapestry
The House Of The Dragon Opening Credits Have Been Changed
House of the Dragonseason 2’s title sequencehas had a makeover from season 1.Instead of the Targaryen bloodlines, it’s now a tapestry, showing key moments throughout the house’s history, which builds up to the Dance of the Dragons. Like howGame of Thrones' credits would change with new locations and sigils, it’s expected the prequel’s tapestry will be added to over time as well. As it stands, there are several key events that can be seen, including:
20The House Stark Theme Plays
Ramin Djawadi Brings Back A Familiar Musical Cue
SinceHouse of the Dragonis scored by Ramin Djawadi, likeGame of Thronesbefore it, there are some familiar musical moments throughout the show. Hell, even the theme tune is the same. One in particular that stands out inHouse of the Dragonseason 2’s premiere, though, isthe use of one of House Stark’s themes - “Goodbye, Brother” - right after the credits, as audiences are returned to Winterfell for the first time in five years. It’s a fitting, comforting choice that nicely re-establishes the location and the return of the Starks.
19Cregan Stark Has Ice
The Valyrian Steel Greatsword Is Back
Cregan Stark is a long way removed from Ned - his great-great-great-great grandfather - but does have one clear connection to him: Ice. The Valyrian steel greatsword is carried by Cregan across his back inHouse of the Dragon. It was, of course, the same sword used to behead Ned, and was then melted down to make two smaller swords, Oathkeeper and Widow’s Wail.
House Stark Family Tree In Game Of Thrones History Explained
House Stark has governed the North for thousands of years. Here are the vital members of the family from Game of Thrones, HOTD, and beyond.
18Torrhen Stark & Aegon’s Conquest
House Of The Dragon References The King Who Knelt
Cregan mentions Torrhen Stark when discussing the house’s tradition of sending new recruits to the Night’s Watch, and again in conversation with Jace. He’s an incredibly important figure in the Stark family tree, as he was the last King in the North for almost 300 years, until Robb Stark. Torrhen bent the knee to Aegon the Conqueror, realizing there was no chance of defeating him and his dragons, and became known as the King Who Knelt. That story should be seen inGame of Thrones' Aegon’s Conquest spinoff, if it happens.
17Queen Alysanne’s Dragons Not Flying Over The Wall
The Story Raises A Question About Daenerys Targaryen
Cregan also briefly mentions the story of King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne visiting the Wall, and how their dragons refused to fly beyond it. This took place around 70 years beforeHouse of the Dragon, though according toFire & Bloodit was only Alysanne who visited the Wall, along with her dragon Silverwing. It’s said that three times she tried to convince Silverwing to go beyond the Wall, and three times the dragon refused. In show canon, the introduction of Jaehaerys to the story would mean his dragon, Vermithor, also refused. Both dragons will be involved in the Dance.
Every Dragon In House Of The Dragon Explained
As war erupts in Westeros, dragons will be sent to battle. Here’s a description of every dragon in HBO’s House of the Dragon, heading into season 2.
It’s interesting that the show specifically chose to include this story, because it does raise questions aboutGame of Thrones. In season 7,Daenerys’ dragons had no qualms about flying over the Wall, despite the obvious presence of the White Walkers. It’s unclear why they did it, when Alysanne’s (and now Jaehaerys’) dragon either refused or was magically unable to.
16Cregan Stark Says That “Duty Is Sacrifice”
The Line Has An Important Connection To Game Of Thrones
Aside from stories of the past, Cregan also has some words of wisdom inHouse of the Dragon’s season 2 premiere:
“Duty is sacrifice. It eclipses all things, even blood. All men of honor must pay its price.”
This quote works as a callback in two different ways. Firstly, it echoes words spoken by Alicent Hightower when confronting Rhaenyra inHouse of the Dragonseason 1, episode 7:“Where is duty? Where is sacrifice? It’s trampled under your pretty foot again.”
Even more fittingly, given the location, is that it also reverses words spoken by Maester Aemon to Jon Snow, which Jon repeated inGame of Thrones’ ending:“Love is the death of duty.”Both men, however, speak about the same thing: the cost of duty, the difficulty of it, and it makes it a great way to introduce Cregan and take viewers back to the Wall.
15The House Stark Words Return In House Of The Dragon
“Winter Is Coming”
Of course, it wouldn’t feel right to have the Starks appear and not hear their house words.Cregan states that“Winter is coming,”but is sure to note that it’s not arrived yet. Despite the snow falling around them at the Wall, it is still just late Summer in Westeros. All the same, there’s something oddly comforting about hearing a Stark say those words again after several years.
14Cregan’s “Greybeards” Are The Winter Wolves
They’ll Fight In Several Important Battles
Cregan pledges to send men to fight for Rhaenyra’s cause, saying he has“greybeards,”who can take up arms and join the effort. In the books, this army of some 2,000 grizzled Northmen are known as the Winter Wolves.The reason for sending greybeards is to do with an old North custom: the older men would go off to battle, expecting to die an honourable death, and in turn putting less of a strain upon the valuable supplies and rations the North needs for Winter.
13The White Walkers Are Referenced At The Wall
Cregan Stark Explains Why The Wall Was Built
“Death”is the reason the Wall was built thousands of years ago, Cregan explains to Jacaerys. And, yes, this means the White Walkers. There aren’tWhite Walkers inHouse of the Dragon’s story, but it is possible they remain active in the Lands of Always Winter, in the farthest reaches of the North beyond the Wall. It’s also a reminder ofAegon’s A Song of Ice and Fire dream, which prophesied their coming and is a key motivating factor (knowingly or not) in the Dance of the Dragons.
12Scorpions Are On The Walls Of King’s Landing
The Dragon-Killing Weapon Returns
With Team Green wary of a possible dragon attack from the Blacks, scorpions can be seen on the walls of King’s Landing, primed to attack any threat from above. The weapon was first seen inGame of Thronesseason 7, but notably lined the walls of the city in season 8, while one was also used to kill one of Dany’s dragons, Rhaegal. They have a long history in Westeros, anda scorpion bolt was actually used by the Dornish to kill Meraxes, one of the three dragons who flew in Aegon’s Conquestalongside Balerion and Vhagar.
