HBO’sGame of Throneswas a global phenomenon like no other. And though it can’t be said that it ended with a bang, it did dominate pop culture untilits series finaleaired in May 2019. An explosive show likeGOTwas almost destined to have follow-up installments in the form of prequels or sequels. Thanks to author George R.R.Martin’s excruciatingly slow writing, a sequel was largely impossible, seeing as he hasn’t even finished theA Song of Ice and Fireseries.RELATED:Great TV Shows That Botched Their EndingsSo a prequel it had to be. After multiple pitches spanning the thousands-of-years history of Westeros, it wasHouse of the Dragonthat was finally green-lit and now we have our first teaser for the much-anticipatedHBOproduction. The just-over-a-minute teaser ofHouse of the Dragonwas scarce in terms of information but there still were a few important things fans might have missed.
10The Time Period - We’re Not Going Too Far Back
As the teaser prominently proclaims, the show’s events will be set 200 years before the end of the Targaryen rule in Westeros – 193 years, to be precise. The Targaryens at this point are already a well-established dynasty in Westeros, with Aegon’s Conquest more than 100 years in the past.
Some fans might be disappointed that the show is not featuring the momentous arrival of the dragon-riders in Westeros. ButHouse of the Dragonwill depict a relatively bloodier and more contested event in Westerosi history.
9Targaryen Civil War - You Win Or You Die
Many fans ofGame of Thronesmight be unfamiliar with ‘The Dance of the Dragons’ – a violent blood feud that rocked the Targaryens to the core and nearly vanquished all of their realm-conquering dragons.
This civil war will form the meat of the show and will showcase siblings fighting one another and all that juicy drama that fans associate withGOT. The story will derive most of its elements from Martin’s bookFire & Blood.But it’s fair to expect a lot of deviations from the source material.
8Daemon Targaryen - The Antihero
Matt Smith’s Daemon Targaryen will be a major force in the conflict that will ensue once his older brother and the present king, Viserys I, decides to name his daughter Rhaenyra as the next in line. This controversial step by the king will no doubt ruffle some powerful feathers and add to the tensions brewing within the Targaryen family.
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Though Daemon is not one to hold regal ambitions, he’s not one to bow out of the conflict either. A supremely skilled swordsman, he’s equal parts deplorable and heroic and could becomethe next Jamie Lannisterfor fans of the series.
7The Return of the Dagger - The Surprising Cameo
One of the teaser’s scenes shows Alicent Hightower, married to the king, visibly agitated and running through a feast with the infamous dagger in hand. Fans would remember the dagger used in the attempted slaying of Bran Stark and later used by Arya to successfully end ‘The Long Night’ bykilling the Night King.
The storied dagger showing up almost 200 years before viewers first saw it inGOTis an intriguing callback and promises some more feats at the hands of the beloved weapon.
6The Blackfyre Sword - Aegon I Represent
There’s a shot in the teaser that lingers on the sword held by Viserys I, the present king on the iron throne. That sword is no ordinary one. It belonged to Aegon I and was wielded by every Targaryen king through Aegon IV, after which it belonged to House Blackfyre, named after the sword.
Though fans probably won’t be seeing Aegon I and his conquest of Westeros (at least, outside of flashbacks) in the show, his sword ‘Blackfyre’ is sure to offer some mild comfort.
5The Iron Throne - Grander & More Blades
Some fans might not have noticed the iconic Iron Throne’s changed appearance in the teaser. Instead of the more toned-down version featured inGOT,the newer (or older) incarnation of the seat of power is more faithful to Martin’s text.The Iron Throneis said to be forged from a thousand blades of Aegon’s enemies.
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But as Petyr Baelish remarked in the original show, the throne didn’t even feature 200 swords. This time around, the chair is set to remedy that.
4House Velaryon - Blood of Old Valyria
House Targaryen was not the only old and powerful house hailing from Valyria. In fact, House Velaryon arrived in Westeros even before the Targaryens, if history is to be believed. And it was the Velaryons who provided the ships used to ferry Aegon’s soldiers across Blackwater Bay.
One of the closest allies to the Targaryens, House Velaryon claims the sea as its domain, and their most famous explorer – Corlys ‘The Sea Snake’ Velaryon – is set to have a major role in the show.
3House Lannister - Ancient Debts
One of the most influential houses in Westeros, House Lannister will get its due in the prequel as well. The show has already cast Jefferson Hall to play the twins Jason and Ser Tyland Lannister. Fans would remember Hall as Ser Hugh of the Vale from the original series.
Jason Lannister will reside as Lord of Casterly Rock while Ser Tyland will be seen as Hand of the King for Aegon III. It will be interesting to see the place Lannisters hold 200 years before the events ofGOT.
2Timeline Sorcery - Not A Linear Road
House of the Dragonmade it clear that itwill feature multiple timelines, with actors being confirmed to play younger and older versions of the same characters. The teaser even showed both young and old Rhaenyra during multiple scenes.
For now, it seems that the show will span at least 10 years in the lives of its main characters. Whether it will be through flashbacks or a non-linear approach to the story, fans will have to wait and watch.
1Adapting the Source - More than a Season
It is a given that the show will run for several seasons in order to successfully adapt the source material in its entirety. Even the teaser only seems to cover a fraction of the scope of events occurring inFire & Blood.
The first season will have to deliver on its promise in order to get back wary fans after thefinal season debacle ofGOT.As more details and teasers surface, things will get clearer and the hype for the show will most certainly grow.
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