Season one of ‘House of the Dragon’

The highly anticipated ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel draws to a close 

Jessica Mills / Arts & Culture Editor / The USD Vista

From dragons, battles, political schemes and romance, the “Game of Thrones” (GOT) prequel, “House of the Dragon” (HOTD), was highly anticipated by many. Based on George R. R. Martin’s books “Fire and Blood”, “The Princess and the Queen” and “The Rogue Prince,” HOTD is set nearly two centuries prior to the birth of Daenerys Targareyen — one of the prominent characters in GOT — and depicts the internal war between siblings, Rhaenyra and Aegon II Targaryen, over the iron throne and death of their father King Viserys I. 

For those who have not watched the series, there are spoilers below for all ten episodes and for GOT. 

The high-fantasy prequel kicks off with a tense history lesson on the Targareyens and their rule over the seven kingdoms of Westeros through their ancestor, “Aegon the Conqueror.” Aegon’s grandson, Jaehaerys I, became king and was forced to choose between his granddaughter Rhaenys and grandson Viserys I, after unsuccessfully producing an heir. Jaehaerys ultimately names Viserys as heir to the iron throne — based on his male status.

In GOT and HOTD, the highly-coveted iron throne, located in the Great Hall of the city of King’s Landing, acts as a symbol of immense power and danger. The throne was originally forged at the order of “Aegon the Conqueror” and is said to be made of over 1,000 swords from those who surrendered and pledged their loyalty. 

Rulers unfit to sit upon the throne and rule over Westeros are known to cut themselves on the iron: a sign of rejection and unworthiness for the position.

After not having a male heir of his own, King Viserys names his daughter, Princess Rhaenyra as heir to the iron throne, angering many powerful people, including his brother and original heir, Prince Daemon Targaryen. Viserys receives a cut from the throne after making this decision, foreshadowing future political turmoil. 

In true GOT fashion, relationships between the characters overlap, fade and turn spiteful. Alicent Hightower, one of the series’ main characters, is the daughter of the Hand of the King, who advises and guides Viserys, without personal bias. 

Alicent and Rhaenyra start as childhood friends. But, their friendship sours after the death of Rhaenrya’s mother and Viserys’ announcement to take Alicent as his second wife and Queen consort, a scheme manipulated by Alicent’s father, the Hand. 

GOT is famous for its inclusion of incest to maintain and strengthen bloodlines among those in power. This is true of HOTD as well — primarily between Princess Rhaenyra and her uncle Prince Daemon. 

Rhaenyra and Alicent’s relationship worsens in episode four, when Rhaenyra and her uncle Daemon are discovered kissing in a brothel. After he abandons her, Rhaenyra sleeps with Sir Criston Cole, a knight and close friend at the time. The Queen is outraged by rumors that follow Rhaenyra’s reputation and questions her virtue, which Rhaenyra claims is still intact. 

While some found the relationship between Rhaenyra and Daemon uncomfortable, many swooned over the budding romance when Daemon said to the King, “Wed [Rhaenyra] to me. When I offered up my crown you said I could have anything. I want Rhaenyra.”

The king refuses and maintains Daemon’s  banishment, marrying Rhaenyra off to her cousin Laenor Velaryon, who also happens to be gay. The two are unsuccessful in producing an heir, so Rhaenyra takes matters into her own hands and has three children with Ser Harwin Strong, heir to Harrenhal, the largest castle in Westeros. 

It is clear that Rhaenyra’s children were not fathered by her husband, who has darker skin and silver hair. Instead, they have pale skin and brown hair. Noticing these features, Queen Alicent is suspicious of Rhaenyra’s transgressions and urges the King to instead name their eldest son Aegon II as heir instead. Viserys, blinded by his love for his daughter, refuses. 

In episode six, the young actresses are replaced with older actors, due to a major time jump in the plot. During this time, Alicent becomes close friends with Larys Strong — younger brother to Harwin Strong — and turns to him for counsel regarding Rhaenyra and her children. Larys decides to kill Harwin after learning of the Queen’s distress.  

During this time, Deamon returns to King’s Landing after the death of his second wife. After major plot twists, Rhaenyra and Daemon secretly marry, causing more scandal, and strengthen her claim to the throne. 

Despite the twists and turns, USD junior Madison Kalahui enjoyed the cinematography, time jump and relationship between Rhaenyra and Daemon. 

“I think in terms of looks the casting is spot-on,” Kahului said. “But, for me with Daemon and Rhaenyra, I do like the younger actress better. Their chemistry was just a lot better than the older Rhaenyra.”

USD senior and GOT fan Kate Roberts plans on watching HOTD in the near future.

“The interweaving of every storyline and kingdom [in GOT] is so brilliant,” Roberts said. “I’m really curious to watch HOTD and see how it plays out. I’m expecting a lot of drama and trauma in the episodes.” 

On his deathbed, King Viserys tells Alicent he wishes Aegon to be king, rather than Rhaenyra. Alicent, unaware that Rhaenyra also named one of her son’s Aegon, believes he is referring to her and Viserys’ eldest son, Aegon II, and secretly crowns him as king. 

This past Sunday, the first season of HOTD drew to a close with its final episode. A pregnant Rhaenyra learns of Aegon II’s succession — resulting in a premature labor and still-birth —  and begins her plot to take back the iron throne. She then sends her two oldest sons — Jacaerys goes to the North and Lucerys goes to Storm’s End — to reaffirm their allies. While Jacaerys’ fate is unknown, Lucerys and his dragon Arrax face a shocking death. 

Hearing of her son’s death, the episode concludes on a cliffhanger, zooming into Rhaenyra’s face, a promise of war and revenge in her eyes, leaving many in suspense for the confirmed second season, likely to air in 2024.

While HOTD is the first GOT spin-off, it is not likely to be the last. According to various media outlets such as TV Insider and EW News, seven rumored spin-off shows are set for the future. 

“I think it depends on who [the show] is about, but I’ll most likely watch other spin-offs too,” Kalahui said. 

With an average of 29 million viewers per episode, according to Variety Magazine, it is clear many enjoyed watching the GOT prequel. 

From backstabbing, revenge and unexpected plot twists, “House of the Dragon” is a memorable addition to this high-fantasy universe.