In the first House of the Dragon teaser, we get our best look yet at the narrative and characters of the Game of Thrones prequel focused on the Targaryen family. While the last season of HBO’s hit show Game of Thrones concluded in 2019 amid controversy, it was far from the last time fans will go to Westeros. Game of Thrones was one of the most popular TV series of all time during its almost ten-year run. As a result, several spinoffs have been announced, the first of which being House of the Dragon.

The Targaryens are the center of House of the Dragon, which takes place two centuries before the events of Game of Thrones. The Targaryens will appear in their prime, as opposed to the fading dynasty they were shown as being in the first season of Game of Thrones. The Targaryen King will continue to govern Westeros for the foreseeable future, and the House of the Dragon will have 17 dragons, as opposed to the three that Daenerys Targaryen had.

Even yet, something doesn’t seem quite right in this world. When it comes to the Targaryens, you should expect a lot of violence, especially inside the family. The first House of the Dragon teaser teases a civil war known as the Dance of the Dragon in Westeros while also establishing the show’s premise and storyline.

Matt Smith’s Daemon Targaryen

One of the cast’s most well-known members appears early in the House of the Dragon trailer: Matt Smith. In the Dance of the Dragons, he plays Daemon Targaryen, one of the most important characters. Daemon is Viserys’ younger brother and the intended spouse of Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (who also happens to be his niece) in the future. Daemon is a legendary fighter in Westeros at this point in time, but he also has a terrible temper and a tendency to snap at random. Daemon’s relationship with his brother and the Hand of the King, Otto Hightower, is strained, and this rivalry will last for years and play a role in the next civil war.

Rhaenyra & Daemon Targaryen

In the House of the Dragon teaser, Daemon is once again shown, this time with his niece Rhaenyra, who is also his future bride. It is unknown where Rhaenyra and Arya are, but considering that Rhaenyra’s a Princess of Dragonstone and that Blackwater Bay in front of them is the seat of House Targaryen since Aegon the Conqueror, it’s probable that they’re on Dragonstone. There will be a lot of scenes in the Dance of the Dragons centered on Daemon and Rhaenyra’s relationship, not just sexually but also politically and militarily as a plan and scheme to war against those who oppose them.

The 200 Years Timeline

Preliminary loglines for the Game of Thrones prequel indicated it was set 300 years before the main show, which didn’t make sense for the Dance of the Dragons. In the House of the Dragon teaser, HBO makes it plain that it’s “200 years before the fall of the throne. ” It’s not clear whether this refers to the collapse of the Targaryen dynasty, which is 283 years after Aegon’s Conquest, or the destruction of the Iron Throne in the last episode of the show’s first season, in which Aerys II Targaryen defeated the Mad King in 305 AC. Considering that The Dance of the Dragons takes place about 129-131 A.D. or around 170-years before the Game of Thrones, it puts it closer to 200 years.

The Targaryen Dragon Is possibly Balerion The Black Dread

There isn’t much in the way of dragon action in the House of the Dragon trailer, for a variety of reasons. Due to the need for significant CGI, the dragons from House of the Dragon have yet to appear.  To begin with, if the first season is mostly set up, the focus will shift to dragons in the following seasons. However, dragons will feature in the show, and the trailer does provide a glimpse of one – if just its skull.

While it’s impossible to know for sure, it’s possible that this is the skull of Aegon the Conqueror’s finest Targaryen dragon, Balerion the Black Dread. However, King Viserys is linked to Balerion’s death, which occurred in 94 AC before the occurrences of House of the Dragon. To honor Balerion, he should be shown to be the only surviving dragonrider prince. Another connection may be seen in the skull of Balerion, which is featured in Game of Thrones.

The Hand Of The King, Otto Hightower

The Hand of the King, Otto Hightower, appears next in the House of the Dragon trailer. Otto was Jaehaerys I’s Hand of the King and remained on the Iron Throne after Viserys took over. Arrogant yet brilliant at the same time, Otto wants to exploit his position to help his family’s standing in society. Especially that of his daughter Alicent. It will be Otto’s antics that bring him into conflict with Daemon. However, he will also come to blows with Viserys at times, making him an important participant in the events leading up to and during the Dance of the Dragons.

Paddy Considine’s King Viserys I Targaryen & A Valyrian Steel Sword

The footage of King Viserys I Targaryen appears in the House of the Dragon trailer as Daemon’s narrative progresses to “Kings”. Viserys is usually seen as a nice guy who has a successful and peaceful reign in most parts. It’s his proclamation of the succession line, designating his daughter Rhaenyra as his successor and refusing to change it even after the birth of a son with Queen Alicent. This eventually leads to his death and the Dance of the Dragons. Aegon the Conqueror carried Blackfyre, one of the great Valyrian steel swords of House Targaryen, which seems to be Viserys’ weapon in this image. Aegon II inevitably gets the sword. Although Viserys doesn’t mention wielding it, having it in his hands wouldn’t be out of the question.

Young Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen

The casting of women to portray younger versions of Rhaenyra and Alicent indicates that the chronology of House of the Dragon will seem to stretch over a decade. In the trailer, Milly Alcock appears as a young Rhaenyra, with the Iron Throne in the background. It will be possible to depict important events that occurred long before the civil war. Furthermore, this will have an impact on Rhaenyra and Alicent’s growing rivalry in the prequel.

Rhaenyra, Daemon And The Ominous Targaryens

The trailer suggests that Daemon and Rhaenyra will spend a significant amount of time together, looking ominous, in House of the Dragon. It seems like they’ve returned to Dragonstone, although what they’re gazing at isn’t quite apparent. Rhaenyra and Daemon are probably together at this point in the chronology, thus it seems to be later. As things heat up in King’s Landing, the duo will be on the lookout. Followed by anticipating attacks on them while hatching countermeasures.

A Battle Between Daemon Vs Criston Cole?

Seeing more of the House Targaryen in action is one of the best parts of the House of the Dragon teaser. The faces of the combatants aren’t visible in this trailer. Nonetheless. it seems to be a duel between Daemon Targaryen and Criston Cole. The latter is known for being one of Westeros’ best swordsmen who would also become Viserys’ Kingsguard’s, Lord Commander. What we can deduce from this is that the person wearing Targaryen armor is wielding the Valyrian steel sword Dark Sister. This weapon formerly belonged to Aegon’s sister-wife Visenya and is now in Daemon’s possession. This is a significant hint. The opponent is holding a morningstar, and Criston beat Daemon with a morningstar during the tournament to commemorate Viserys’ ascension, while the latter was wielding Dark Sister.

The Sea Snake

Corlys Velaryon, aka the Sea Snake, is an important character in House of the Dragon who isn’t a Targaryen. Like the Targaryens, the Velaryons hail from Valyria but now reside in Westeros. His great voyages will be the stuff of legend for centuries to come. They may also even inspire another Game of Thrones spinoff. HBO is reportedly developing one based on Corlys’ Great Voyages. Here, he sets sail around the world and returns with incredible wealth. As his nickname suggests, Corlys is a well-known sailor. He is a wealthy and influential man who marries Rhaenys, the granddaughter of Jaehaerys. He is also the same character that many believed should have succeeded as queen. His son Rhaenyra will marry one of his sons, and he will work closely with Daemon in the future as well.

A Targaryen Banquet & House Velaryon

Much of House Velaryon shows up at King’s Landing, apparently for a feast hosted by King Viserys. The offspring of Corlys, such as Lenor, and Laela, are likely to be with him. Immediately behind him stands Rhaenys Targaryen, as the Queen Who Was Never. In the Dance of the Dragons, both Corlys and Rhaenys will have major roles. However, their influence and loyalty will be seen long before the event.

Mysaria, Mistress Of Whisperers

Lady Mysaria, Daemon Targaryen’s mistress of whisperers and lover from Lys, appears next in the House of the Dragon trailer. Mysaria may end up being one of House of the Dragon’s most intriguing characters because of this. It’s worth remembering that the show’s greatest strength was its plotting and scheming. Even more so with characters like Varys, the Master of Whisperers, playing a crucial role. Mysaria may play a similar role in this narrative. However, she has a deeper connection to it due to her relationship with Daemon.

Queen Alicent Hightower & The Catspaw Dagger

Queen Alicent Hightower, played by Olivia Cooke, interrupts the meeting, rushing into the room with a look of utter terror. The fact that she is carrying a firearm suggests that someone has just committed a crime with it, perhaps against one of her sons. Her son Aemond loses an eye as a result of a dagger cut during the rivalry between his siblings and Rhaenyra’s. However, the dagger’s jewel-encrusted hilt is even more fascinating, since it closely resembles the catspaw dagger from Game of Thrones. They used it to try to murder Bran Stark, and Arya used it to slay the Night King. The dagger’s presence in a book Sam Tarly read at the Citadel connected it to the Valyrians. Thus viewers may see more of its narrative here. It features a Valyrian steel blade and a dragonbone hilt.

House Tarly’s Tournament

In Westeros, a grand tournament takes place, in which many houses compete. Despite the fact that tournaments are frequent, both Queen Alicent and Princess Rhaenyra seem to be taking part. It’s possible that this is the 111 AC Tourney, conducted to commemorate Alicent and Viserys’ fifth wedding anniversary. Here, seeds of mistrust and even hate were planted. Furthermore, the Dance of the Dragons’ fighting groups, the greens, and blacks, were given their names as a result. Rhaenyra donned the crimson and black of House Stark, while Alicent wore the green of House Targaryen.

The Tarly House has the most prominent flag. This indicates that this tournament would take place at Horn Hill, a departure from the last one, which was held at King’s Landing. Like Alicent’s clothing, it seems to be a different tournament since it’s more blue than green. As seen in the trailer, it seemed like Criston Cole and Daemon Targaryen were going to be at Viserys’ Ascension Tourney in 104 AC. As the joust progresses, we see representatives of House Cole and House Tarly participating, which suggests Criston is there.

House Stark In House Of The Dragon

As opposed to Game of Thrones, House Stark will play a minor role in House of the Dragon. The Starks are the most prominent family in the narrative at the beginning of the series. However, their participation doesn’t really take off until later on, when the Ice and Fire Pact joins them with their neighbors the Targaraynes in time for the Dance of Dragons. A glimpse of the famous direwolf emblem seen during the tournament confirms the Starks’ presence in House Of The Dragon.

Rhaenyra & Alicent’s Children Battle It Out

An altercation erupts in King’s Landing during the House of the Dragon teaser, but it’s not clear who’s involved. It seems that this is a conflict between Rhaenyra and Alicent’s children, based on their age and physical appearance. All of Alicent’s children have the classic Targaryen characteristics, including distinctive blonde hair, which matches the individual on the right. They don’t even look Targaryen, which is kind of the point. It’s widely believed, but not yet proven, that Rhaenyra’s children weren’t fathered by Laenor Velaryon, but rather by Harwin Strong. Because he was Rhaenyra’s knight and had a stronger build and dark hair, he’d be a better father figure for her children.

The Iron Throne That Looks Different

House of the Dragon is certainly a distinct show from Game of Thrones. However, the ultimate aim is still to sit on top of it all. Rhaenyra considers herself to be the legitimate successor to the seat of power in Westeros. She can be shown admiring it as a treasure to be desired and battled for. This version of the Iron Throne seems a lot closer to George R.R. Martin’s novels; it’s still not as massive as in the books. But it’s still larger, spikier, and more frightening than it was in the original show. It indicates a more accurate interpretation.