Warning: Contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 1, episode 2. House of the Dragon season 1, episode 2’s Easter eggs further link the show to Game of Thrones, with references that help to provide connective tissue and deepen its world. House of the Dragon season 1, episode 1 firmly established its place in the Game of Thrones timeline, and started placing its pieces on the board for the chess match that will follow across season 1’s King’s Landing-centric story. It also, of course, ended with the bombshell revelation regarding Aegon the Conqueror’s dream of White Walkers, a prophecy that changes much of how Game of Thrones is perceived, if not what actually happened.
Exactly how much House of the Dragon revisits that dream remains to be seen, but it isn’t present in season 1, episode 2. That’s not altogether surprising though, given there’s a sixth month time jump and more immediate matters for House of the Dragon’s characters to be concerned with. That’s largely a matter of betrothal, of a scorned brother, and of a dragon egg - all of which also leads to a healthy amount of Easter eggs.
House of the Dragon season 1, episode 2's Easter eggs, references, and small Game of Thrones details are, as with the premiere, largely organic in nature. Because the world is already so dense, then it’s easy to weave them in and expand upon elements previously mentioned or teases. Whether that’s dragons, Westeros history even beyond House Targaryen, or some character parallels, there’s a lot to dive into.
The Dead Lord Commander Is Ser Ryam Redwyne, A Hero Of The Starks
House of the Dragon season 1, episode 2 opens with the death of the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Ser Ryam Redwyne. Ryam is mentioned several times in the A Song of Ice and Fire books: Jon Snow pretended to be him in sword fights with Robb Stark as a child; Bran dreamed of being a knight like him; characters ranging from Jaime Lannister to Varys mention him as being an exemplary knight.
The Silent Sisters Prepare Ryam’s Body
It’s mentioned that the Silent Sisters are preparing Ser Ryam’s body for his funeral. The Silent Sisters are an order, part of the Faith of the Seven, responsible for dressing dead bodies: they’re seen several times in Game of Thrones, including preparing Jon Arryn’s body and standing watch over Joffrey Baratheon after his death.
The Stepstones Are An Important Part of Westeros History
House of the Dragon season 1, episode 2 sets up a war at the Stepstones, with Daemon Targaryen and Corlys Velaryon teaming up against the Crab Feeder. The Stepstones are important to Corlys, but also to Westeros history. Myth has it that Westeros and Essos were once joined by a land bridge, known as the Arm of Dorne, which was used by the First Men for their invasion. The Children of the Forest are said to have used magic to break the Arm of Dorne, leaving behind the small islands that would become the Stepstones.
The Free Cities Were Visited Frequently In Game Of Thrones
The power and wealth of the Free Cities looms over King Viserys, who wants to avoiding potential conflict at all cost. The Free Cities of Essos include: Braavos, Lorath, Lys, Myr, Norvos, Pentos, Qohor, Tyrosh, and Volantis, with the first of those featured most prominently in Game of Thrones thanks to Arya Stark’s Faceless Men storyline, as well as dealings with the Iron Bank. Pentos was the first to be seen, appearing in Game of Thrones' first episode as Illyria Mopatis housed Viserys and Daenerys Targaryen, while Volantis was visited by Varys and Tyrion Lannister in season 5.
Houses Mallister & Dondarrion Share A Mountain Connection
A Ser Mallister is among the knights in contention for a spot on the Kingsguard. House Mallister was mentioned a couple of times in Game of Thrones, a house in the Riverlands loyal to the Tullys, and the corpse of Ser Jaremy Mallister was seen at Harrenhal, after the Mountain, Ser Gregor Clegane, killed the prisoners there before abandoning the castle. Seagard, the seat of House Mallister, is also discussed. There’s also a mention of House Dondarrion, which was, of course, seen in Game of Thrones with Beric Dondarrion - whose first death came at the hands of the Mountain. Other houses seen in the Kingsguard selection scene include House Tarly, House Corbray, and what could be the tree sigil of either House Marbrand or Rowan (both of whom play a role in the Dance of the Dragons).
House Crakehall Calls Back To A Tyrion Lannister Joke
When trying to sway Rhaenyra away from choosing Ser Criston Cole, Otto Hightower mentions that Houses such as Mallister and Crakehall are key allies of the crown. Though not an exact match, that may be House Crakehall's sigil in the far right of the room as Rhaenyra looks down upon them (it's described as a black and white boar on brown, but may have changed for the show). House Crakehall is only seen briefly in Game of Thrones, but it's a humorous Tyrion Lannister joke about the head of the house at the time, Lord Desmond Crakehall, saying: "Anyone named Desmond Crakehall must be a pervert."
The Dornish Marshes Highlights Westeros' Seven Kingdoms Aren't Yet Complete
Ser Criston Cole mentions fighting far a year in the Dornish Marshes, an area of land that borders Dorne, the stormlands, and the Reach. Dorne was never conquered by Aegon, and so during House of the Dragon's timeline still isn't part of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros; the Dornish Marshes were frequently battlegrounds, and as House Cole is from the stormlands it makes sense that Ser Criston would have fought in some of those battles.
“Bloodmages” Recalls Khal Drogo's Fate
The mention of “bloodmages” is one of House of the Dragon’s Easter eggs that connects to Daenerys Targaryen. The bloodmages of Valyria were incredibly powerful, practicing the darkest forms of sorcery, though they largely died out with the Doom of Valyria. Still, blood magic is practiced, and Mirri Maz Duur, who was responsible for the death of Daenerys’ child and Khal Drogo’s vegetative state, not only used it but also learned from a bloodmage.
Viserys’ Claim Of “1000 Dragons” In Old Valyria Holds Some Weight
When looking over his model of Valyria, King Viserys mentions that the Valyrian Freehold was home to 1,000 dragons at the height of its power. That’s a startling claim: there will be 17 dragons in House of the Dragon; Aegon conquered Westeros with only three. And yet, it is somewhat plausible. There were 40 noble houses, most believed to be dragon lords; if each had a few dragons each, then it would at least be in the hundreds, and that’s before factoring in wild dragons. During the Rhoynish Wars, the Valyrians are said to have sent 300 dragons: it’s reasonable to assume that wasn’t every dragon at their disposal, so 1,000, while on the high side (and far more than the number of dragons in House of the Dragon), isn’t far-fetched.
Vhagar Is The Last Dragon From Aegon’s Conquest
One of House of the Dragon’s Easter eggs is teasing another of the dragons who’ll be appearing later in the show: Vhagar. Alongside Balerion the Black Dread and Meraxes, Vhagar was one of the three dragons flown by the Targaryens during Aegon’s conquest, with Vhagar ridden by Visenya. The last surviving of that trio, Vhagar is now the biggest dragon left in Westeros. It’s interesting that Laena Velaryon takes such an interest, because she is Vhagar’s dragonrider for a time in the books.
Viserys Talks Of Sending Daemon To The Wall, Or Putting His Head On A Spike
Things with Daemon Targaryen have reached boiling point, but King Viserys is unsure of what action to take. As impossible options, he discusses sending him to the Wall or putting his head on a spike. Both were seen frequently in Game of Thrones: Jon Snow joined the Night’s Watch early, but many other characters were sent there, including from King’s Landing (such as Janos Slynt who, like Daemon, once commanded the City’s Watch). And in terms of heads on spikes, none are more memorable than that of Ned Stark. For now, though, Daemon is spared from such fates.
Dreamfyre May Have A Connection To Daenerys Targaryen
The dragon egg that causes much conflict between Daemon and Rhaenyra in a House of the Dragon season 1, episode 2 belongs to Dreamfyre, who is important in both events past and still to come. Dreamfyre previously belonged to Rhanea Targaryen, granddaughter of Aegon the Conqueror. Her lover, Elissa Farman, stole three of Dreamfyre’s dragon eggs, and it’s theorized they were the very same ones given to Daenerys at the beginning of Game of Thrones. Whether that’s true or not, Dreamfyre will play a role in House of the Dragon’s story, bonding with Helaena Targaryen.
House of the Dragon Returns To Dragonstone
House of the Dragon season 1, episode 2 takes viewers back to Dragonstone, which was last seen in Game of Thrones season 8, with Daenerys deciding to make her attack on King's Landing. The setting on the long walkway up to the castle feels reminiscent of Game of Thrones season 7, where Jon Snow met with Tyrion Lannister before going on to meet Daenerys for the very first time, and there's also some familiar musical notes of the theme typically used for dragons (such as "Dragonstone) in Game of Thrones. This is also a chance to see Dragonstone more in its full House Targaryen glory, serving its purpose as the home of the dragons in more ways than one.
Otto’s “Choose Violence” Line Links Daemon To Cersei
Among House of the Dragon season 1, episode 2’s Easter eggs is a callback to an iconic line from Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones season 6, where she tells the Faith Militant that she will “choose violence.” Such an idea is also mentioned by Otto Hightower, though with a different intonation, as he is alarmed Daemon would “choose violence.” It’s an interesting nod, which fits with the positioning of Daemon as one of the most complicated and powerful of House of the Dragon’s characters. Otto’s faux-shock also calls to mind the High Septon’s surprise that Jaime Lannister would “spill blood” in a holy place, showcasing him as a smart political player who will try to get any advantage he can.
Corlys & Daemon Are The Realm’s “Second Sons” (Like Stannis)
Corlys tells Daemon that they are “the realm’s second sons,” a line that has a couple of Game of Thrones connections. As well as being the name of the sellsword company led by Daario Naharis, “Second Sons” was the title of Game of Thrones season 3, episode 8, which saw Tyrion Lannister (a second son) marry Sansa Stark. But it also calls to mind the link between another second son, Stannis Baratheon: like Daemon, he was brother to a King, never made Hand even though he believed it his position, thought himself the rightful heir to the Iron Throne, and was based (for a time) on Dragonstone. If it’s foreshadowing, then Daemon’s story in House of the Dragon isn’t going to end well.
House of the Dragon releases new episodes Sundays on HBO and HBO Max.
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