A new Game of Thrones featurette offers an animated account of House Targaryen’s history. This video comes at a time when the Targaryens are very much in vogue: following the reveal of Jon Snow’s true name, and his concurrent sex scene with Daenerys, it’s looking highly likely that House Targaryen will finally attempt to reclaim The Iron Throne in the upcoming final block of episodes, Game of Thrones season 8.
With House Lannister effectively tearing itself apart - Jaime has left King’s Landing, “disgusted” by his sister/lover’s latest deceit - the infamous throne room looks ripe for the taking. Cersei will have to hire the Golden Company of Essos if she hopes to hang in there - and hope that The Mountain comes up on top in the inevitable ‘Cleaganebowl’ showdown with his brother, The Hound.
Related: Game of Thrones Filming Multiple Endings to Fight Spoilers
Of course, here in the gap between seasons, it’s as much fun to look back as it is to guess at what lies ahead. This four-minute history of House Targaryen is one segment of the 45-minute Conquest and Rebellion bonus disc, which will be included with the Game of Thrones season 7 Blu-ray and DVD release. This first clip, narrated by Viserys Targaryen actor Harry Lloyd, is highly insightful and entertaining.
It’s rather thrilling to see a visual representation of Valyria, in all its glory, at long last. This golden age of House Targaryen, replete with a glorious homeland and manifold dragons, has oft been cited as a potential era to explore in a spinoff series. The last anyone heard, HBO is developing four prequel shows in the hope that one of them – at least – can jump onto the schedules once Game of Thrones is finished. Perhaps one of those series will cover this curious section of Game of Thrones history. While fans wait to find out, this glimpse at the earlier days of the Targaryen timeline will have to suffice.
However, it’s slightly frustrating that this video cuts out just before proceedings get bloody and brutal: as the clip ends, Aegon Targaryen (Jon’s namesake, and an ancestor to him, Dany and Viserys) is planning his conquest. This flame-filled attack on the houses of Westeros will end with Aegon on The Iron Throne; the first man to rule The Seven Kingdoms from one seat.
Aegeon’s dynasty would remain in control until The Mad King’s insanity caused Robert Baratheon to rebel and take The Iron Throne for himself. You’ll have to wait for season 8 to find out whether the new generation of Targaryens is indeed able to take it back.
NEXT: New Characters That May Appear in Game of Thrones Season 8
Game of Thrones season 8 premieres on HBO in either 2018 or 2019. Season 7 comes to DVD and Blu-ray on December 12.
Source: HBO