For nearly a decade, Game of Thrones was the most popular show on the planet, which is surprising since it is set in a medieval world with magic, zombies, and dragons. Aside from season 8, the story was fantastic, and the acting was incredible. When a show becomes a global phenomenon, the network will try to expand upon it with spin-offs, sequels, or even prequels, and that is why audiences now have House of the Dragon.
This prequel is set more than 150 years before the events of Game of Thrones, and it follows House Targaryen when it was at the height of its power. So far, the series is following the source material. The second episode recently aired, and it has a few Easter eggs that connect it to both Game of Thrones and the books.
8 Vhagar, The Last Of The Great Dragons
Aegon's conquest is one of the most important moments in Westeros' history as it unified six kingdoms under one ruler. Aegon and his two sisters were able to do this with the help of their dragons, and only one of those dragons is supposed to still be alive during the events of House of the Dragon.
The dragon's name is Vhagar, and she was brought up by Laena Velaryon while she was meeting with the king. They mentioned that no one really knew where Vhagar was. She was ridden by Queen Visenya Targaryen, Aegon the Conqueror's older sister, and she participated in a number of historic battles and conflicts.
7 The Bloodmages Of Valyria
While meeting with Alicent in his chambers in King's Landing, King Viserys mentions the bloodmages of Valyria, who use blood to perform powerful sorcery. The majority of these mages died out along with Valyria, but some survived, and their sorcery continued to live on up until Daenerys' time.
Mirri Maz Duur was the woman who tended to Khal Drogo's wound in the first season of Game of Thrones. She used her knowledge of blood magic to kill Daenerys' son and leave Drogo in a vegetative state.
6 Ser Ryam Redwyne Influenced The Stark Boys
Episode 2 begins with the death of Ser Ryam Redwyne, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. He may have not participated in the Dance of Dragons, but he did have a long and storied career as a knight, so much so that he is mentioned quite a few times in the main A Song of Ice and Fire books.
More than a century after his death, Redwyne's legend still lives on, and he influenced the young men of House Stark. As a child, Jon Snow pretended to be him when he sparred with Robb, and when Bran could walk, he dreamt of becoming a knight who was just as honorable as Redwyne.
5 House Crakehall Is A Callback To An Early Tyrion Joke
Princess Rhaenyra was set on appointing Ser Criston Cole to the Kingsguard, but Otto Hightower tried to change her mind. He wanted her to look towards other knights who belonged to Houses that were staunch allies of the crown, and he referenced House Crakehall specifically.
Most Game of Thrones fans have probably never heard of this House before, but it was briefly mentioned in season 3. While walking with Sansa, Tyrion joked about Lord Desmond Crakehall being a pervert because of his name, and Sansa suggested putting sheep dung in his bed. This was arguably one of the more kindhearted scenes that Tyrion and Sansa shared.
4 House Dondarrion & Mallister Share A Common Thread
Both House Mallister and House Dondarrion were mentioned in the second episode of House of the Dragon, and both these Houses are linked in the future thanks to Gregor Clegane, otherwise known as The Mountain. Ser Jaremy Mallister was an ally of House Tully, and he was killed in Harrenhal when Ser Gregor had prisoners executed.
Ser Beric Dondaririon was ordered by Ned Stark to bring Ser Gregor to justice in season 1, and he ends up helping both Jon and Arya later on while battling the undead. He was killed by Ser Gregor as well, but Thoros of Myr was able to resurrect him.
3 Corlys' "Second Sons" Remark Has Several Meanings
In the final moments of the episode, Lord Corlys Velaryon meets with Prince Daemon Targaryen, and during their little chat, Corlys mentions that the two are “the realm’s second sons.” This line has more connections to GOT than people realize. The episode which saw Tyrion, a second son, marry Sansa was called "Second Sons."
Like Daemon, Stannis Baratheon was a second son, and his kingly brother never appointed him Hand either. Daario Naharis was one of Daenerys' best fighters and her one-time lover, and he belonged to a sellsword company known as the Second Sons.
2 The Stepstones Have A Place In Westeros Lore
The second episode placed a heavy emphasis on the ongoing conflict at the Stepstones, a chain of disputed islands that lie between Westeros and Essos. Corlys wants to end the conflict because the Stepstones are a major trade route, but book readers know how significant the islands are to Westeros' history.
The Stepstones were once part of a land bridge that connected Westeros with Essos, and the First Men used it when they invaded the former. The Children of the Forest were the first inhabitants of Westeros, and they used their magic to destroy the bridge, creating the islands in the process.
1 Dreamfyre, The Dragon With A Possible Connection To Daenerys
Episode 2 saw Daemon in conflict with the crown because he stole an egg that belonged to the dragon Dreamfyre. This dragon belonged to Rhaena, Aegon the Conqueror's granddaughter, who had a relationship with Lady Elissa Farman. Elissa wanted to go on a grand voyage, and when Rhaena did not fund it, she stole three of Dreamfyre's eggs.
These eggs were never seen again, and the number is quite interesting. Daenerys received three dragon eggs as a wedding gift, and those eggs hatched into Drogon, Viserion, and Rhaegal. It is believed that Daenerys' "children" were in fact Dreamfyre's actual children.
House of the Dragon is currently streaming on HBO Max.