It may not be too directly connected, but there are some key Game of Thrones episodes to watch before House of the Dragon. The main show may have ended in 2019, but the world of Westeros will live on for a long time on the small screen - or at least that’s HBO’s hope and aim. House of the Dragon is the first of many planned Game of Thrones spinoffs, despite its controversial ending, there’ll likely be a lot of need to rewatch Game of Thrones episodes over the coming years.
That begins, though, with House of the Dragon. The Game of Thrones prequel will share much of that show’s DNA, both in its story (Westeros at war! Political machinations! Dragons!) and behind-the-scenes (director Miguel Sapochnik serves as co-showrunner, alongside Ryan Condal), and yet also be very different too. House of the Dragon’s timeline begins around 200 years before Game of Thrones; it’s a different Westeros, still ruled by the Targaryen dynasty that will live on for over a century more. It’s a different kind of war; there are no five kings, but two half-siblings who begin a civil war that will tear the country in two. And while Game of Thrones had three dragons, House of the Dragon will have 17.
Of course, there’s also the matter of the backlash to Game of Thrones. House of the Dragon is in the position of serving as a prequel to that show and thus building upon its legacy, while at the same time looking to win back fans who were left disappointed by its final episodes. But that itself makes rewatching Game of Thrones episodes before House of the Dragon an interesting prospect, as a chance to both give a fresh perspective on the old show and to help inform the new one.
Game Of Thrones Season 1, Episode 1, "Winter Is Coming"
Yes, the best starting point for rewatching Game of Thrones before House of the Dragon is with the show's very first episode. Things may change a lot over the 72 episodes that follow, but the Game of Thrones pilot remains the perfect way to get acquainted (or reacquainted) with this world. It's almost no surprise the original, unaired Game of Thrones pilot failed; this packs in a lot of characters, locations, worldbuilding, and exposition, and yet the hour that did make it to air handles it all extremely well. It sets the stage for the Starks as the main heroes, immediately establishes just how cruel and twisted Targaryens and their relationships can be (and how good others can seem), and gives hints both tantalizing (Daenerys receives three dragon eggs) and terrifying (the White Walkers attack) of the magic that lies at the corners of this world.
Game Of Thrones Season 1, Episode 5, "The Wolf and the Lion"
Game of Thrones season 1 is the show's smallest in terms of budget, which also means the quietest when it comes to things like big battles, but that's not to its detriment and could be a positive for rewatching before the prequel. House of the Dragon's budget is bigger, yes, but season 1 should follow a similar pattern that's more about establishing the world, the political landscape, the rivalries, and where the highlights are not on the battlefield, but the conversations in dark rooms (always Game of Thrones' real strength, despite the increased spectacle). Game of Thrones season 1, episode 5, "The Wolf and the Lion" is perhaps a good example of what House of the Dragon season 1 should aim for: mostly centered around King's Landing, the Tourney of the Hand provides some compelling action (and there will be similar tourneys held in the prequel), there's discussion of killing Targaryens, and audiences get a good look inside the machinations and differing power plays for the right to rule. All of those elements should be prominent in House of the Dragon.
Game Of Thrones Season 1, Episode 10, "Fire & Blood"
There will be 17 dragons in House of the Dragon, several of them fully grown. It's a world away from Daenerys' dragons in Game of Thrones, but it's also good to remember their re-birth into the world. Game of Thrones season 1, episode 10 is a strong finale in a lot of ways - Robb Stark being named King in the North is a highlight - but it's best remembered, and rightly so, for Dany stepping into Khal Drogo's funeral pyre, and emerging with three baby dragons. It remains one of the most powerful and special moments in the show, and rewatching before House of the Dragon is a timely reminder of just how incredible these creatures are. It's worth noting that not all Targaryens are totally immune to fire - Game of Thrones made Daenerys fireproof, whereas George R.R. Martin intended this to be a one-off magical event - but it's still a clear sign of their bonds with dragons and how awe-inspiring they can be.
Game Of Thrones Season 2, Episode 9, "Blackwater"
The first of Game of Thrones' battle episodes as viewers would really come to know them is also an important one to rewatch before House of the Dragon. The prize is King's Landing, which will again be key in House of the Dragon, and Blackwater Bay will likewise be an important location. Unlike some later fights, the Battle of the Blackwater doesn't have one obvious side to root for: Joffrey Baratheon is loathesome, but Tyrion Lannister is at the peak of his popularity; Stannis Baratheon, a figure with some similarities to House of the Dragon's Rhaenyra in terms of his firm belief in his right to rule that sends him down an increasingly dark path, is not someone to love, but Davos Seaworth established himself as a great supporting character. The visuals and action of Game of Thrones' "Blackwater" are undoubtedly stunning, but it's the character work within the battle that makes it so great; if House of the Dragon's battles - which are similarly fought between sides where there's no easy side to cheer, and both believe the Iron Throne is theirs - can pair the spectacle, story, and character development of this, it'll be doing something very right.
Game Of Thrones Season 2, Episode 10, "Valar Morghulis"
One thing the House of the Dragon trailer referenced was King Viserys' dream of placing his heir upon the Iron Throne, which is setup to be a key motivation for his declaring an heir so early into his reign. This runs deeper than just that one instance though, because the Targaryens have long been fascinated and driven by dreams, visions, and prophecies, and some have even theorized Aegon the Conqueror foresaw the threat of the White Walkers and that was a factor in his conquering Westeros. No installment better shows that than season 2, episode 10, as Daenerys makes it to the House of the Undying and has a series of visions that foretell aspects of her future. There's a similar case on Dragonstone, where Stannis Baratheon is swayed by the flames of Melisandre, buying into his own destiny. It's also worth rewatching this Game of Thrones episode for the dragons, too, which grow a little stronger, and for the fallout from the Battle of the Blackwater: people are rewarded with key positions and political marriages are made between houses, a good example of how things will go during House of the Dragon's civil war and that wars aren't just won on the battlefield.
Game Of Thrones Season 3, Episode 4, "And Now His Watch Is Ended"
A Game of Thrones episode that is best known for a single word: "Dracarys." This was the episode that turned Daenerys into the Breaker of Chains, and is important to watch before House of the Dragon for a couple of reasons. It's the first real sign of what a Targaryen is capable of with a dragon at their disposal; given the Dance of the Dragons will not only feature dragon vs. dragon conflict but people killed by the creatures in a variety of other ways, it's a pertinent (if slightly obvious) point. There's also how Daenerys fools Kraznys thanks to her knowledge of High Valyrian, a language that should again be featured by the Targaryens in House of the Dragon. Elsewhere, there's even a mention of Rhaenyra amid a brief discussion of House Targaryen's history, which is a nice nod for knowing where the prequel's characters are referenced and how they fit into Westeros lore (though spoilers for anyone who wants to avoid knowing her fate).
Game Of Thrones Season 5, Episode 9, "The Dance Of Dragons"
Sandwiched between the shocking massacre of "Hardhome" and Jon Snow's death in "Mother's Mercy," "The Dance of Dragons" is the first Game of Thrones episode 9 of any season to not be the biggest or most jaw-dropping event, but there's still a lot here that makes it valuable on rewatch before House of the Dragon, and not just because it shares its name (a definite article aside) with the Targaryen civil war that will define the prequel's story. The main element here that lends itself to the spinoff is, of course, Daenerys riding her dragon, Drogon, for the first time. Dragonriding is a key part of Targaryen history, and will be something seen a lot in House of the Dragon. This really establishes the bond between a dragon and its rider, as well as again showing just how ferocious they are. This is also the best primer for House of the Dragon's story found within Game of Thrones itself, as Shireen Baratheon tells both Davos and Stannis about it, including telling lines such as: "It's all the choosing sides that made everything so horrible." Shireen was burned alive shortly after this, a reminder of how shocking this story can be, and of how those who believe ruling is their destiny will do unspeakable things to achieve it.
Game Of Thrones Season 6, Episode 9, "Battle Of The Bastards"
Rewatching Game of Thrones season 6's "Battle of the Bastards" will give viewers a taste of the spectacle to expect from House of the Dragon in two different ways. The episode is largely remembered for its eponymous battle, but before it gets there there's also the Battle of Meereen. This is the first time all three of Daenerys' dragons are fully unleashed, soaring above the skies and raining fire down on those below them, destroying everything in their wake. It's one of the few examples in Game of Thrones of multiple dragons all fighting all at once and, while they're not fighting each other like they will be in House of the Dragon, it's still a great sign of what's to come. When the action does move to Winterfell, it's even better: one of the most brutal, stunning choreographed action scenes in TV history. The Dance of the Dragons has plenty of battles fought on land without dragons, and this is the kind of standard it needs to aim for - it helps that this was directed by Miguel Sapochnik, co-showrunner of House of the Dragon.
Game Of Thrones Season 7, Episode 4, "The Spoils Of War"
Yet another excellent example of just what a dragon is capable of, rewatching Game of Thrones season 7, episode 4, "The Spoils of War" prior to House of the Dragon should further whet the appetite for the Dance of the Dragons to come: this suggests Dany is an unstoppable force, and the sheer amount of casualties is horrifying - and yet House of the Dragon's dragons will be capable of so much more destruction. It's the biggest sign of how far in particular Daenerys is willing to go, but there's more to it than just destruction. Jon Snow reminds Daenerys that if she destroys King's Landing, she'll just be another tyrant; words that may ring true again as House of the Dragon's characters leave such devastation in their wake. There are also dealings between Cersei and the Iron Bank here, a reminder that there is more to ruling than fighting wars: that will be an important reminder for House of the Dragon, especially as Rhaenyra herself has struggles with empty coffers in King's Landing.
Game Of Thrones Season 8, Episode 5, "The Bells"
It may be Daenerys' most controversial Game of Thrones episode, but it's also one that is more than worth rewatching before House of the Dragon. Daenerys' story could have been told better, and certainly more time would have helped, but the story of a ruler who turns against the people she seeks to rule, who destroys so much with fire and blood, and with discussions of that Targaryen "madness" in play, makes "The Bells" a microcosm of House of the Dragon's story in some ways. Story issues aside, the spectacle here is again incredible (and led by a dragon), but it's also one of the episodes that best shows the true horrors of war, and the horrific impact upon not only the noble houses and great warriors, but the smallfolk - something that will again be pertinent in House of the Dragon.
Where To Watch Game Of Thrones Before House Of The Dragon
If looking to rewatch Game of Thrones before House of the Dragon, then fortunately the entire series is available online. Game of Thrones seasons 1-8 are streaming on HBO Max, HBO Now, DirecTV, and Spectrum on Demand. It's also available to buy or rent on a number of platforms, such as Google Play and iTunes. In the UK, Game of Thrones is streaming on Sky Go and NOW.
House of the Dragon releases August 21, 2022 on HBO.