What to Know About ‘House of the Dragon,’ ‘Game of Thrones’ Prequel

In the final episode of HBO’s Game of Thrones, the deranged Queen Daenerys Targaryen incinerated most of King’s Landing capital. But what was it like when it all still stood and the Targaryen dynasty ruled with an iron fist?

That’s the question explored in the new series House of the Dragons, set in the epic fantasy world of author George RR Martin’s revisionist fantasy. Created by Martin and Ryan Kondall, who serves as showrunner for veteran ‘Thrones’ director Miguel Sapochnik, ‘Dragon’ is a tribute to ‘Thrones’ protagonists Daenerys and Jon Snow, whose Targaryen identities have been revealed. It goes back to the ancestral lineage. later in the original show’s run.

As their ancestors battle for control of the Iron Throne of Westeros, what should we know about the relationship between the new series and the series that came before it, or more precisely, after it? Our cheat sheet has you covered. Read on and get ready to dance with dragons.

throne pregame

Although it is the successor series to “Game of Thrones”, “House of the Dragon” is actually a prequel. Set 172 years before her birth, Daenerys Targaryen chronicles her royal history during a tumultuous time, a disastrous internal war known as “Dance of the Dragon”. During this conflict, numerous Targaryens and their dragonsteeds (these fire-breathing beasts were more abundant at this point in Westeros’ history) fought for the Iron Throne.

That said, “Dragon” shares some key elements with its predecessor series. These include Martin, who wrote the books that formed the basis of both shows. The original series novel A Song of Ice and Fire and the new series prequel Fire and Blood.

Condal, like the entire cast, is new to the franchise. Yet another showrunner, Sapochnik, directed some of the most memorable “Throne” episodes.hard home”, “Battle of Bastards”, “The Bells”. Composer Ramin Djawadi is back, as is the unmistakable element of his ‘Throne’ theme music.

Additionally, the setting of King’s Landing and its throne, the Red Keep, are practically identical to the versions we’ve seen before, as are the symbols or “sigils” of various noble houses, as well as hairstyles. itself could have been enhanced by hundreds more melted blades, but this is pretty much the same Westeros we’ve already occupied for eight seasons.

family affair

‘Game of Thrones’ is famous for depicting the strife between several noble houses. Notably, the Starks and Lannisters came to power after the death of the last Targaryen monarch, Madhis King Aerys II. But most of these houses — Stark, Lannister, Greyjoy, Tyrell, and Martell — recede into the background of the “Dragon House.” The new show will focus almost exclusively on House Targaryen, the dynasty that conquered Westeros over a century before the events that launched “The Dragon.”

As the series begins, a great council of nobles is convened to reveal the son of Old King Jeharrys Targaryen, Viserys (Paddy Considine), over his older female cousin Reynis (Eve Best). Select as heir to the throne for patriarchal reasons. Relatively democratic institutions in these feudal times, councils aim to solve such succession problems.

In Westeros, as in our world, important decisions often have consequences in unexpected directions, leading to unexpected conflicts. and the evil but ineffective King Viserys, and the villainous Prince Damon (Matt Smith), who will inherit the throne if his brother dies. Viserys’ closest advisor is Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), Hand of the King. Hightower is the rival of the richest man in the kingdom, veteran sailor Coryth Bellarion (Steve Toussaint), married to Reynis, and descended from the ancient Valyrian Empire as well as House Targaryen.

Echoing previous succession disputes, another natural claimant to the throne is Viserys’ daughter, Princess Laenira (Millie Alcock in her youth, Emma Darcy in adulthood), his only surviving child. . Also at the center of things is Raenira’s childhood friend Aricent Hightower (played by Emily Carey and Olivia Cooke), the daughter of the ambitious and calculating Otto.

Obviously, problems arise.

unreliable narrator

“Game of Thrones” is based on Martin’s novel “A Song of Ice and Fire”. with dragons. (“Winter Wind” and “Spring’s Dream,” which Martin has been working on for years, are yet to come.) But “Fire and Blood,” the source material for “Dragon,” is written as a fake. A historical book, not as a proper novel. Martin wrote the book in the voice of Archmaester Gildain, the world historian of Westeros. As such, much of the protagonist’s motivations, actions, and dialogue remain a matter of guesswork.

Further complicating matters, Gyldayn’s primary and secondary sources have their own conflicting writing styles, political allegiances, and views. (In fandom, the most popular of these is “The Testimony of Mushroom”, a lewd account of events written by a Targaryen court jester, and at least “Dragon” has They don’t seem to show up at all.) If you change your perspective, you’re left wondering whether they did or didn’t do some key issues, from secret meetings to betrayals.

Given that some of these question marks are driving a supremacy battle that will likely drive “Dragon”, the show has to fall on one side or the other. is likely to be the juiciest and most thrilling section of the story, and will unfold over multiple seasons if the gods are good.

Please light a candle to seven. Let’s learn together who will come out on top.