The Game of Thrones spinoff series House of the Dragon will feature House Targaryen’s rule 200 years before the events of the original series that ended in 2019. While focusing on the Targaryens, the series set to release in 2022 will likely explore many past themes and lore from various Game of Thrones episodes.
For majority of the original series, the only character within the Targaryen bloodline was Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke). She was a young woman who’s goal was to liberate slaves of the world and claim the Iron Throne to rule Westeros.
Game of Thrones Episodes To Watch
These Game of Thrones episodes we feel are most essential to watch before House of the Dragon are the ones with key moments displaying Dani’s rise and fall.
Cripples, Bastards, And Broken Things (Season 1, Episode 4)
Daenerys Targaryen’s story in Game of Thrones begins as a young timid and submissive woman to her brother, Viserys. Once they begin their interaction with Khal Drogo (Jason Momoa), her brother starts to lose control of her and Daenerys finally stands up for herself during an altercation. These scene is to show how dominating those within the Targaryen bloodline can be.
Fire And Blood (Season 1, Episode 10)
In Game of Thrones season 1 finale, when Kahl Drogo dies at the hands of Mirri Max Duur, Daenerys sentences Duur to die at the funeral pyre. She has her dragon eggs in the flames. As the fire grows, in one of the most pivotal moments in GoT, Dani walks into the flames. As the fire subsides, she emerges unburnt with the three dragon eggs.
This episode shows the birth of the first dragons in the world in over 200 years and also a turning point for Daenerys’ quest for the Iron Throne. It is a crucial episode to watch before House of the Dragon as it shows the existence of dragons gives Daenerys an advantage over her adversaries.
Valar Morghulis (Season 2, Episode 10)
After the first season where Daenerys pretty much experience some traumatizing events, her luck in season 2 starts to change as se finally gets her dragons back after being stolen from her. She faced Pyat Pree who held her dragons captive in chains. She says, “dracarys,” and her three dragons burn Pyat Pree to death.
The scene shows how dangerous dragons can be even at a small size. It’s important in the lore of the series because it shows how dragons are loyal to their mother’s (or father’s) bidding.
And Now His Watch Is Ended (Season 3, Episode 4)
In Game of Thrones season 3 episode 4, Daenerys pretends to sell Drogon to the Masters of Astapor. That move was only to double-cross them to gain control of their Unsullied army. The slave owners eventually get burnt to death.
This may hint at the power and threat used from previous Targaryen rule. A theme that will likely be explored a lot in the House of the Dragon series.
Mhysa (Season 3, Episode 10)
In the Game of Thrones season 3 finale, Daenerys continues to liberate cities with slavery and dispose the world of slave owners. The city of Yunkai falls, but its inhabitants like the free slaves declare Daenerys as their “mhysa” — their mother.
The Dance Of Dragons (Season 5, Episode 9)
In Game of Thrones season 5, following a period of time when the dragons became violent and would attack the innocent, Daenerys had to chain Rhaegal and Vision in the catacombs after losing Drogon. As the season gets closer to the end, Daenerys faces danger against the Sons of the Harpy, Drogon returns.
Drogon protects her and her people while withstanding attacks. Daenerys climbs atop Drogon and they fly away making her the first dragon rider in centuries. Dragon riding is a significant aspect of the Targaryen’s history in Westeros. The scene proves the bond between Daenerys and her dragons.
Book Of The Stranger (Season 6, Episode 4)
The sixth season of Game of Thrones explores more of the conflict between Daenerys and the Khals of the Dothraki. Daenerys is not allowed to return to Meereen after capturing her, which prompts her to make a plan to take their power. She accuses them of not being fit to lead and burns them to death. Along with her three dragons, Daenerys becomes an unstoppable force against her enemies.
The Spoils Of War (Season 7, Episode 4)
Game of Thrones season 7 has Daenerys acquiring new allies and she grows closer to her goal of ruling the Iron Throne of Westeros. The Lannisters destroy her allies, the Tyrells, but she unleashes the forces of 100,000 Dothraki along with a full-grown menacing Drogon.
This would again show Daenerys is becoming unstoppable with her forces and dragons, sending a strong message to her enemies that a new Targaryen reign will eventually come.
Beyond The Wall (Season 7, Episode 6)
Daenerys flies beyond The Wall riding Drogon in season 7’s episode 6. Rhaegal and Viserion fly by their side. They rescue Jon Snow (Kit Harington) and his group. But the Night King throws a spear at Viserion killing him. This episode is essential to watch as it shows a weakness of the dragons and reveals they are not as unstoppable as people thought.
The Bells (Season 8, Episode 5)
In the final season of Game of Thrones, Daenerys reaches the end of her quest to rule the Iron Throne. In the HBO’s shows penultimate episode, she destroys King’s Landing and murders the very people she swore to protect.
This reveals the Targaryen bloodline’s well-documented turn to insanity. In House of the Dragon, it is possible that the Targaryen’s trait to turning to madness will be explored and would make Daenerys turning into the “Mad Queen” in season 8 make more sense.
House of the Dragon is scheduled to premiere in 2022 on HBO and HBO Max.
