Small Details You Missed In The Full-Length House Of The Dragon Trailer
San Diego Comic-Con 2022 has finally begun, and with it comes the nail-biting thrill ride that is the new "House of the Dragon" trailer. Prominently featured in the latest look at HBO's follow-up to their massively popular series "Game of Thrones" (which dominated the cabler and the cultural conversation during its eight-season run) are lots of dragons, scowling royals, and gripping battles. "House of the Dragon" takes place centuries before its high fantasy predecessor and focuses primarily on the ancestors of Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), including King Viserys I (Paddy Considine), Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy), and Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith). Joining this group of ice blond politicos are Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), his daughter Alicent (Olivia Cooke), Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), his wife Princess Rhaenys (Eve Best), and Daemon's lover, Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno).
As for the story that will unfold on "House of the Dragon" Season 1, the latest trailer gives us a better idea of what we can expect. A war of succession (later known as the "Dance of the Dragons") is brewing as King Viserys decides to choose who his new heir — the heir to the Iron Throne, mind you — will be once he shuffles off this mortal coil. The announcement causes quite the disruption; Daemon believes he is his brother's heir. Daemon and Rhaenyra will find themselves in opposition to Viserys' wife, Alicent, leading to a war that will transform the Seven Kingdoms in more than one way.
While the new "House of the Dragon" trailer teases many of the big spectacles that will soon fill our screens, there are some intriguing small details worth discussing, too.
The Iron Throne draws royal blood
Now that we've been given a great look into the world-building of "House of the Dragon," keen-eyed fans may have noticed several locations from "Game of Thrones" in the brand new trailer for the upcoming show. One such spot should be immediately recognizable to anyone who spent any amount of time watching "Game of Thrones": the Iron Throne. It is the seat of power in Westeros, forged with dragon fire and 1,000 enemy blades when the Targaryens came to power. The ruler who sits upon it issues decrees and edicts but must also be mindful of who in their court is plotting to take their spot.
As Littlefinger (Aidan Gillen) points out on "Game of Thrones," the then-current Iron Throne does not contain as many swords as the legends suggest, but, as the "House of the Dragon" trailer shows, that hasn't always been the case. This version of the Iron Throne takes up a good part of the Red Keep's throne room, and the melted blades are featured much more prominently. Some decorative blades are seen almost liquified and draped across the stairs leading up to the Iron Throne and, at approximately the 30-second mark, the trailer shows the hand of Viserys I dripping blood, which may elude to the generally unsafe nature of sitting in a seat made of swords. Or, it could be a reference to the way the Iron Throne is described in George R.R. Martin's books (via Wired) and the folklore around it, in the sense that the chair exacts a toll on unworthy kings.
House of the Dragon takes place across two distinct periods of time
Viewers paying close attention — or with existing knowledge of the series' principal characters — will recognize that this latest trailer for "House of the Dragon" showcases Rhaenyra Targaryen at two distinct ages. Milly Alcock portrays the younger version of Rhaenyra we see in standing in front of the Iron Throne, discussing political strategy with her aunt Rhaenys Velaryon, and also praying with young Alicent Hightower. The older Rhaenyra, however, is played by Emma D'Arcy. Similarly, the younger Alicent is played by Emily Carey, and Olivia Cooke plays the character in adulthood. The two timelines will be marked by which pair of actors we see onscreen.
In a wide-ranging preview for "House of the Dragon" published a little over a month prior to its release date, creator Ryan J. Condal explained to Entertainment Weekly just how the show will treat its two timelines. Condal revealed that, unlike the events in the book by George R. R. Martin on which the series is based, the plot of "House of the Dragon" will take place chronologically. Alcock and Carey will appear in the show's pilot episode and for a certain number of episodes afterward (that part is still unclear). After a chronological jump forward at some point early on in the series, D'Arcy and Cooke will take the reins of their respective characters. Meanwhile, it appears that the older characters around them, like, King Viserys I Targaryen, will be played by the same actors throughout the season.
Aemond Targaryen appears for the first time
While many of the major characters showcased in this latest "House of the Dragon" trailer should already appear familiar to those that have kept track of the promotional materials released for the series thus far, one notable character finally appears in the flesh for the first time. At the 2:02 mark are a few quick shots of a blond man sporting an eyepatch mid-combat. These physical characteristics clearly identify him as Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell).
Fans of George R. R. Martin's extended "A Song of Ice and Fire" universe know that Aemond is the child of King Viserys I Targaryen and Alicent Hightower. Notably, Aemond is Viserys' second-oldest male son. The existence of both Aemond and his older brother Aegon Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) ultimately complicates the fact that Viserys picks their elder half-sister, Rhaenyra, to be his successor, dividing members of the royal court into camps supporting both factions. Furthermore, in the show's source material, Aemond's eyepatch is a wound from a fight against Rhaenyra's son, Lucerys — physical evidence of continuing tensions between King Viserys' sons and Rhaenyra's immediate family. Presumably, then, Aemond will be a thorn in Rhaenyra's side over the course of "House of the Dragon."
Alicent brandishes the catspaw dagger
Much like the Iron Throne, another lore-drenched object featured in "Game of Thrones" makes an appearance. Astute fans may have noticed the catspaw dagger in the "House of the Dragon" trailer. Believe it or not (although Entertainment Weekly did confirm it), it is, in fact, the very same blade Arya (Maise Williams) uses to slay the Night King on "Game of Thrones." Before Arya receives the blade, it changes from many hands and is instrumental in setting up many events in the original show. Littlefinger gives this Valyrian Steel dagger to an assassin, who attempts to kill Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead Wright), while Tyrion (Peter Dinklage) is intended to take the blame. However, as "Game of Thrones" is wont to do, the plan does not accordingly, and eventually, it ends up with Arya.
Within the trailer for "House of the Dragon," this unnamed Valyrian Steel dagger is quickly glimpsed as it is brandished by Alicent Hightower, who yells about duty and sacrifice as she approaches Rhaenyra Targaryen. Notably, she holds the blade with murderous intent. According to Game of Thrones Fandom, the blade is in the possession of King Viserys I, which explains how Alicent can access it so easily. Much like "Game of Thrones," it seems like this particular dagger will be important for the plot and will be present at another turning point in the history of Westeros.