After nearly two years of heavy anticipation, ‘House of the Dragon‘ has returned with a spectacular season 2 premiere. Packed with political plots, bloody betrayals, and some interesting Easter eggs, the episode wasted no time in setting the stage for the explosive events to come.
‘House of the Dragon‘ season 2, episode 1, has left the viewers both delighted and shocked. It has proven to be a perfect homage to its predecessor while carving out its own bloody path. Here’s the list of the most exciting Easter Eggs in episode 1 of season 2.
The New Opening Sequence Features The Targaryen History Tapestry
Season 2 of ‘House of the Dragon‘ revamped its title sequence, replacing the Targaryen bloodlines with a richly woven tapestry of the show’s history and future. The medieval tapestry recounts key moments in Targaryen history leading up to the ‘Dance of the Dragons’. It is also a visual feast and holds a promise to evolve with each episode. The sequence will add new elements as the story progresses.
The Stark Theme Makes A Nostalgic Comeback
The score for ‘House of the Dragon’ includes several familiar tunes from its predecessor ‘Game of Thrones’, as Ramin Djawadi has crafted both of them. The premiere episode features ‘Goodbye, Brother’, a theme associated with House Stark, playing right after the credits. The viewers are thus whisked back to Winterfell for the first time in five years.
Episode 1 Titled ‘A Son For A Son’ Was Released On Father’s Day
In a grim twist of timing, season 2 of the show premiered on Father’s Day with a bloody reference to the father-son relationship. Prince Jaehaerys Targaryen, son of King Aegon, gets killed because of a vengeful plot by Daemon. While the release date might not have been intentional, it added an extra layer of cruelty to an already brutal storyline.
The Heinous Duo Blood And Cheese Have Been Mentioned Before
The episode’s climax has two men named Blood and Cheese sneaking into the Red Keep to murder Prince Jaehaerys. Though the moment was lifted straight from George R.R. Martin’s ‘Fire & Blood’, it came with a few show-specific tweaks. Earlier in the episode, two subtle were dropped about the grisly event. When Aegon attempts to take Jaehaerys to the Small Council, Helaena cryptically mentions being afraid of the rats. This is in line with her prophetic visions from season 1, where she mentioned “the beast beneath the boards,” indicating both Rhaenys and Meleys in the Dragonpit and the arrival of Blood and Cheese.
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Aemond Delivers The Familiar Words Of Wisdom
Aemond Targaryen delivers the classic line, “words are wind,” during the premiere episode. The phrase was popularized by George R.R. Martin, and quite aptly asserts the show’s theme that actions speak louder than words. It’s a fitting reminder in a series where broken vows and miscommunications are often the root cause of the most horrendous plot twists.
House Reyne Makes An Appearance On The Show
The noble House Reyne makes a noteworthy appearance in the episode as King Aegon enters the throne room. Just as he does, a member of the Reynes, identifiable by their red lion sigil, stands to his right. Played by Barney Fishwick, this character is Martin Reyne. The Reynes are infamous for their revolt against the Lannisters, immortalized in the song ‘The Rains of Castamere’, which played during the infamous Red Wedding in ‘Game of Thrones’.
King Viserys Is Memorialized
The Red Keep’s throne room features an imposing statue of King Viserys, a tribute to the late monarch. The dramatic addition to the set is a nod to his memorable entrance in season 1, episode 8. The show has honored King Viserys and the statue serves as a poignant reminder of his legacy.
The Wall And The White Walkers Are Mentioned
At the Wall, Lord Cregan Stark tells Jacaerys that “Death” is the reason for its construction. This is nothing but a veiled reference to the White Walkers along with Aegon’s prophetic dream in ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’. Though the White Walkers don’t play a role in ‘House of the Dragon’, their mention may point at an overarching threat in the far North.
New episodes of ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2 release every week on Sundays at 9pm ET on HBO and Max.
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