Warning: Contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon's season 1 premiere.Despite being set long before it, there are a lot of House Targaryen dynasty, which won't fall for another 172 years, and is populated by differing characters and a lot more dragons.
House of the Dragon's season 1 premiere sets its stall out immediately in this regard. It establishes its timeline and major players, and while it clearly nods to Game of Thrones and realizes that it's building upon the foundations that show provided, it also intends to carve out its own legacy. George R.R. Martin created a dense world with A Song of Ice and Fire, and even just from season 1, episode 1 you can sense more of that in House of the Dragon, which has a slightly richer feel and more resplendent look that's fitting with House Targaryen being in its pomp.
Still, there are some clear connections between the two. This is, after all, a story that revolves around power and the major seat of it, the Iron Throne. There may be no Game of Thrones characters in the prequel, but there are references and connective tissue - some expected, some more surprising. Here are all of House of the Dragon season 1, episode 1's Easter eggs.
House Of The Dragon Begins With A Great Council... Like How Game Of Thrones Ended
House of the Dragon begins with the Great Council of 101 AC, held by King Jaehaerys I Targaryen to determine his heir (with Viserys the ultimate winner). It's a fitting place to begin this story, not only because it kicks off so much of what happens but because of how it connects to Game of Thrones' ending, as it starts how that finished. Bran Stark was elected King of Westeros at a Great Council, held in the Dragonpit rather than at Harrenhal, although it played out differently: with far fewer nobles involved, and a voting process in which he was the only true contender, rather than various claimants being whittled down and then a final choice being made.
House Of The Dragon's Timeline Is 172 Years Before The Mad King's Death
After the Great Council, House of the Dragon's timeline jumps forward into the ninth year of King Viserys' reign. At this point, text on the screen references this is 172 years before the Mad King's death. It's an easy House of the Dragon reference, allowing it to both place itself firmly in the same world and establish when it itself is set more clearly. In the books, Viserys became King in 103 AC; being in his ninth year would place the timeline around 111-12 AC, depending on the month; Aerys II died in 283 AC according to the books' timeline, and 280 AC in Game of Thrones, so the timeline more or less checks out, give or take a year or two (and given Martin's greater involvement, it'd make sense to stick closer to the source material).
House Of The Dragon's Opening Text References Daenerys Stormborn
The Mad King isn't the only Targaryen referenced in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 1's opening text, as there's also a mention of Daenerys' birth. Though she is the Mad King's daughter, she wouldn't be born until after he had been killed, with her mother having gone back to Dragonstone; Dany was born during a great storm, hence the name Daenerys Stormborn. It's an important connection that goes beyond just being a House of the Dragon Easter egg, as Dany is the last Targaryen ruler viewers will see, so the mention allows a clearer sight line from House Targaryen's heyday to its end.
Valyrian Steel Swords In House Of The Dragon: Blackfyre & Dark Sister
House of the Dragon references Valyrian steel on a few occasions - it's also what the necklace Daemon Targaryen gives to Rhaenyra is made from - but two of the biggest Easter eggs come with the swords owned by Viserys and Daemon respectively: Blackfyre and Dark Sister. These Three-Eyed Raven in Game of Thrones). The fates of both swords are unknown.
Rhaenyra & Alicent Discuss Nymeria (Teasing Another GOT Prequel)
One of House of the Dragon season 1, episode 1's Easter eggs is concerned with an even deeper part of its history, as Rhaenyra and Alicent discuss Nymeria, the fabled warrior who led the Rhoynar to Dorne and helped to establish the rule of House Martell, which lasts through to Game of Thrones (Arya Stark's direwolf is even named after Nymeria). This isn't just history, though, but perhaps planting further seeds for what might come to screens: among the many Game of Thrones spinoffs in various stages of development is 10,000 Ships, centered around Nymeria's story.
Aemma Takes A Bath... And Dragons Needs Heat (Like Daenerys)
Another reference to Daenerys among House of the Dragon's Easter eggs comes in a more subtle way than her name on screen, with Queen Aemma taking a bath to help provide comfort during the latter stages of her pregnancy. Daenerys was frequently shown bathing during Game of Thrones' early seasons, and House of the Dragon's reference serves to highlight a key distinction: Aemma can only stand the water being lukewarm, but as Viserys notes, a dragon needs heat. Daenerys' baths were always visibly scalding hot and the temperature never bothered her; while Targaryens are more resistant to heat, Game of Thrones went further in making Daenerys fireproof (whereas in A Song of Ice and Fire, her emergence from Khal Drogo's funeral pyre was a one-off magical event). This could be House of the Dragon quietly addressing that.
Daemon Targaryen Is Commander of The City's Watch
exiled to the Night's Watch. Daemon, however, would seemingly have no such qualms.
Various House Sigils Can Be Seen In The Tourney Of The Heir
The Tourney of the Heir is a good place for some of House of the Dragon season 1, episode 1's Easter eggs and Game of Thrones references. It feels rather reminiscent of the Tourney of the Hand from Game of Thrones season 1, held in honor of Ned Stark. In the books, the tournament where Ser Criston Cole defeats Daemon Targaryen is held at Maidenpool, rather than King's Landing, and is celebrating Viserys becoming King instead, but it's a relatively minor change that works within House of the Dragon's story. There tourney also contains a lot of houses both noble and minor, whose sigils can be seen, including:
- The red dragon on black that is House Targaryen's sigil, though with a slight change (with four feet instead of two)
- The direwolf of House Stark, whose only appearance is Lord Rickon Stark briefly declaring his allegiance to Rhaenyra Targaryen
- The golden lion of House Lannister
- The black stag on yellow of House Baratheon
- The black pellets on a red background of House Cole
- A red archer on a green background, signifying House Tarly
- The flaming tower of House Hightower
- The silver seahorse on sea-green belonging to House Velaryon
- A leaping trout above water, that appears to be a version of House Tully's sigil
- The spread eagle of House Mallister
- A yellow sun and triangle shape on blue, which could be a variation on House Lefford's sigil
- Three ravens carrying hearts, the sigil of House Corbray
House Of The Dragon Begins With An Arryn Dying - Like Game Of Thrones
Unfortunately, with this being Game of Thrones' Westeros, that does mean there's a high chance of death, and it comes in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 1, with Aemma Arryn, Viserys' wife. Aemma dies in childbirth - with her son dying shortly afterwards - in a moment both brutal and sad, but that also has a Game of Thrones connection. That show started with Jon Arryn's death as a key instigator for the events that would follow, and similar House of the Dragon starts with an Arryn dying and having major ramifications upon the realm.
"Dracarys"
The most iconic of all High Valyrian words appears in House of the Dragon, as Rhaenyra uses it in order to light her mother's funeral pyre. More than just a House of the Dragon Easter egg, though, the "dracarys" in the prequel also highlights a difference with Daenerys: when she used the word, though it was often empowering, it was typically for an attack. Rhaenyra's use shows a different side to it and to dragons, showing more of their bonds with humans.
