There is a “Game of Thrones”-sized void in our hearts since the show ended last May. Season eight didn’t have the greatest reception ever—fans citing issues in story pacing and premature character development—but we’d be lying if we said we didn’t miss it.
Don’t fret though because we still have the spin-offs to look forward to. IGN reported last year that a team of writers is looking to release four series focusing on different time periods in the “Song of Ice and Fire” universe. The first one is “House of the Dragon” which will reportedly take place 300 years before the events of “Game of Thrones.”
CNet reported that HBO signed a full-season order for 10 episodes and the prequel might premiere in 2021. This will give producer and writer Ryan Condal and other co-creators enough time to work on the series, as well as find a suitable cast.
For now, we can only guess the events that might take place in “House of the Dragon.” Fortunately, “Song of Ice and Fire” author George R.R. Martin made origin stories for each house. We’re looking at the Targaryen lore to see the possible storylines writers might incorporate into the prequel.
Meeting Aegon the Conqueror
The Targaryens are one of the oldest clans in the universe with roots originating from Dragonstone. Their first ancestors were Aegon the Conqueror and his sister-wives, Rhaenys and Visenya. According to “The World of Ice & Fire,” Aegon led the Wars of Conquest in 2 BC to take over all seven kingdoms of Westeros and was later named the first lord to sit on the throne. (Fun fact: The Iron Throne we know now was made with the swords of Aegon’s enemies.)
It’ll be interesting to see this war play out in the prequel. Elite Daily also suggested that this war can cover the first season of “House of the Dragon” and succeeding seasons can show other Targaryen wars.
A brief Stark appearance
Torrhen Stark might make an appearance during the Wars of Conquest. He’s known as “the king who knelt” after submitting to Aegon the Conqueror during the war. After surrendering, he was named the first lord of Winterfell and warden of the North.
This was the first and last time the Starks and Targaryens faced each other. The next one was when Ned Stark’s father and brother were executed by Mad King Aerys during the War of the Usurper.
Lots of incestuous relationships
Not-so-spoiler alert: Most Targaryens were born from inbreeding, including Daenerys whose grandparents were siblings. It’s believed that they married their siblings to keep the blood of the dragon pure. But because of their incestuous relationships, several members allegedly experienced mental illnesses from paranoid schizophrenia to insanity. This can also flesh out Daenerys’ instability in season eight, which wasn’t explored properly because of the shorter season.
Since we can expect Aegon the Conqueror and his sister-wives to make an appearance, “House of the Dragon” might also introduce other Targaryen characters who engaged in incest. This is also not a farfetched idea considering that twins Jaime Lannister and Cersei Lannister were in a relationship in “Game of Thrones.”
The Dance of the Dragons
Vulture noted that “House of the Dragon” will be based on Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” which is the first part of the expansive Targaryen history. The outlet also theorized that the series would tackle the Dance of the Dragons, a three-year civil war between Aegon II and her half-sister Rhaenyra over their father’s throne. This is said to be the war where majority of the Targaryen dragons died. If it’s true, we hope they can translate this for television because who doesn’t want to see more dragons?
Brush up on your Valyrian
If you took the Duolingo lesson on High Valyrian, you might be able to put it in good use once “House of the Dragon” premieres. The first Targaryens ruled the Valyrian Freehold in Essos and most of them spoke in High Valyrian. Of course, the series will be in English but we can still expect the cast to learn the Targaryen’s language for their roles.
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Do you have your own theories on “House of the Dragon”? Share them with us @preenph on Twitter.
Photo courtesy of “Game of Thrones'” Instagram account
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