When you follow up a show like Game of Thrones that even at its worst moment — the series finale, The Iron Throne — drew a viewership of 19.3 million viewers and created HBO history, it is but natural to want to litter the new show with crumbs from the past (or, in this case, the future) for fans. And eagle-eyed fans will have noticed several GoT references in the first two episodes of House of the Dragon, and not just the big reveal about Aegon’s real reason for conquering Westeros — the vision of the looming threat of a long winter and the need for a Targaryen on the throne when it happens (which actually is not the reason mentioned in George RR Martin’s books). Here are some more references we have noticed.
The Catspaw Dagger
Remember Littlefinger's dagger from the very first season of GoT? The Valyrian steel dagger that Arya Stark finally used to kill the Night King? Fans spotted the dagger strapped to King Viserys’ chest when he was sitting on the throne. Fans had also noticed it in the hands of Alicent Hightower in the teaser for House of the Dragon when it first came out, but we are yet to see that scene in an episode.
The Dark Sister
Another Valyrian steel weapon of legend referred to in GoT finds a mention and appears in episode one of House of the Dragon — Dark Sister. The sword which once belonged to Visenya, Aegon the Conqueror’s sister, was mentioned by Arya Stark to Tywin Lannister when she was pretending to be a servant. In episode one of House of the Dragon, Daemon Targaryen presents a trinket to Rhaenyra saying that it is like Dark Sister. We also see Daemon wielding Dark Sister during the jousting tournament against Ser Criston Cole.
Dark Sister used by Daemon in HOTD Twitter
Balerion Skull
The Black Dread’s skull was seen in the dungeons below Red Keep in GoT. We see the skull of the largest dragon, ridden by Aegon the Conqueror, in the first episode of House of the Dragon when Viserys tells Rhaenyra that she would be his heir to the throne. Except Balerion’s skull looks much larger and more imposing in House of the Dragon than it did in GoT.
The Free Cities
The Free Cities loomed as a threat in the two episodes of House of the Dragon aired so far. The Free Cities of Essos include Braavos, Lorath, Lys, Myr, Norvos, Pentos, Qohor, Tyrosh and Volantis. Three of these cities featured in GoT, most notably Braavos where Arya goes to train with the Faceless Men and where the Iron Bank is situated. Pentos is the city shown in the very first episode of GoT, where Illyrio Mopatis hides Viserys (the other one, the second son of the Mad King) and Daenerys Targaryen. Later in the show, Tyrion Lannister and Varys also visit Volantis. Myr is where the Red Priest Thoros is from, who we see with the Brotherhood Without Banners in GoT.
Balerion's skull as seen in HOTD Twitter
The Houses
There are mentions of many Houses and House members in the first two episodes of House of the Dragon that have been part of GoT, from Rickon Stark (Ned Stark’s son Rickon was probably named after him), Lord of Winterfell to House Mallister (they were loyal to the Tullys in the Riverlands). The mention of House Dondarrion during the selection for a place in the Kingsguard also made fans sit up. We met a Dondarrion in GoT, Beric of the flaming sword and the Brotherhood Without Banners, someone many fans cheered for.
The Second Sons
While Corlys Velaryon and DaemonTargaryen talk about joining hands in a show of strength to the Seven Kingdoms, Corlys mentions their struggle as ‘second sons’ of the kingdom. GoT had an episode called the Second Sons in Season 3 where Tyrion (the second son) marries Sansa Stark. But it is the other second son in that episode that has a lot of similarities with the one in House of the Dragon. Stannis Baratheon was the second son, brother of the King, just like Daemon. He believes he is the rightful heir to the Iron Throne after Robert, just like Daemon. And he spends a bit of time on Dragonstone, again, just like Daemon. Will their trajectories be similar in other ways too?
