Top 10 Things You Missed In House Of The Dragon Episode 2
#10: Ryam Redwyne
Though a minor character in the first episode, the second begins with the revelation that Lord Commander of the Kingsguard Ser Ryam Redwyne has passed away. While he fails to get mentioned in “Game of Thrones,” the novels make it well known that he was a knight of great esteem. In fact, he’s a major idol of the Stark children. As a child, Jon Snow would pretend to be Ser Ryam when sparring with Robb; Bran dreams of being in the Kingsguard like Ser Ryam before he gets crippled; and Sansa even fantasizes about being saved by Ser Ryam during the Riot of King’s Landing. While he didn’t have much screen time on “House of the Dragon,” it’s clear that Ser Ryam’s legacy lives on.
#9: The Silent Sisters
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Speaking of Ser Ryam, it’s mentioned that his body is being worked on by the Silent Sisters. Though it’s been a while, fans may remember the Silent Sisters appearing on the first few seasons of “Game of Thrones.” Essentially morticians, the Sisters are responsible for preparing the deceased for funeral rites. They’ve worked on such notable figures as Jon Arryn and Joffrey Baratheon, but one person who’s decidedly not a fan is the Red Priestess herself, Melisandre. In any case, it’s a small nod. But now that we’re on the subject, we do wonder who the Silent Sisters will be working on next… Who knows, maybe the person’s name rhymes with Schmaemon Shmargaryen.
#8: Desmond & Crakehall
Tyrion Lannister is one character whose vast knowledge extends beyond Westeros. Seriously, you can’t really introduce something he hasn’t brought up once or twice. In the scene where Princess Rhaenyra selects a knight to join the Kingsguard, several names are mentioned, including Ser Desmond Caron and one from House Crakehall. While it’s not a direct reference, if you do a little name swapping you get one Desmond Crakehall, who does appear very briefly on “Game of Thrones.” After Desmond snickers at Tyrion’s stature, Tyrion and Sansa discuss ways he could get back at him, leading to Tyrion’s Crakehall crack. Honestly, anything “House of the Dragon” does to remind us of a Tyrion quote is A-OK with us.
#7: Wall or Spike?
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Prince Daemon Targaryen is quickly establishing himself to be “House of the Dragon’s” most hateable character. So much so, that even his brother King Viserys feels compelled to mention some severe methods of punishment. Viserys may not be serious here, but he does bring up two popular solutions for dealing with riffraff, ones that were especially employed on the first few seasons of “Game of Thrones.” Of course, everybody knows the Wall, where the likes of Jon Snow and other undesirables are sent to carry out their days. But once Joffrey takes the throne, he’s much more keen on the second option. Honestly, we wouldn’t mind seeing Daemon getting either of these commupances.
#6: Bloodmages
While one could pore over Viserys’s recreation of Old Valyria, the word he uses that will probably most resonate with fans is “bloodmages.” As old as Old Valyria itself, the bloodmages have virtually disappeared from the world at large, though their blood magic has lingered on. As fans will remember, Season 1 of “Game of Thrones” featured a godswife by the name of Mirri Maz Duur. Essentially the first great source of pain for Daenerys Targaryen on the show, Duur repays Dany’s kindness by killing her first love Khal Drogo and their unborn child. Honestly, just thinking of this woman makes us angry, but boy are we glad to be reminded that the bloodmages are no longer an issue.
#5: The Dornish Marches
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The one region that most can agree was underdeveloped in “Game of Thrones” is Dorne. Unfortunately for those watching “House of the Dragon,” however, that’s unlikely to change anytime soon. During the Kingsguard selection scene, Ser Criston Cole mentions fighting against the Dornish. This is because at the time of this show, Dorne is yet to join the Seven Kingdoms. In fact, it was the only region not to be taken over during Aegon’s Conquest, retaining its independence. Seeing as there’s still conflicts going on in the Marches, it seems we’re still a century or so away from Dorne marrying into the Seven Kingdoms.
#4: Vhagar’s Next Dragonrider?
Even though we haven’t seen them all yet, “House of the Dragon” has name-dropped several Targaryen dragons. Of the three dragons utilized in Aegon’s War of Conquest, one is still alive: Visenya Targaryen’s Vhagar. Now the largest known living dragon, Vhagar will likely have a big impact on the show’s events. In one scene of Episode 2, Viserys entertains the young Laena Velaryon, whom he’s been advised to marry in the wake of the Queen’s death. Politics aside, Laena begins the conversation by asking about dragons, particularly Vhagar and her current location. While this can be read simply as a kid being curious, the fact that Laena actually rides Vhagar in the books makes us wonder if she will on the show, too.
#3: “Choose Violence”
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We’ve already mentioned that “House of the Dragon” has taken to lifting some of “Game of Thrones’” dialogue, or at least, reorienting it. When Ser Otto Hightower goes to confront Daemon at Dragonstone, he balks at Daemon’s threat to “choose violence” against the King’s men. While the context is different, these two words harken us back to a standout Cersei moment on “Game of Thrones.” In the episode “No One,” Lancel Lannister and the Faith Militant give Cersei an ultimatum: comply or choose violence. Of course, Cersei chooses the latter and Ser Gregor promptly removes the head of a Militant member. This time, though, Daemon thankfully does not choose violence.
#2: Second Sons
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The last scene portends of major things to come, as the spurned Corlys Velaryon conspires with Daemon. Both feel as though they’re in the shadow of King Viserys, with Corlys calling them “second sons.” Of course, any “Game of Thrones” fan will make the connection to the literal Second Sons, the group of sellswords led by Daario Naharis and employed by Daenerys. However, this reference may go deeper. Another figurative “second son” on the show is Stannis Baratheon, who holds a lot in common with Daemon. He’s the brother of a King who believes himself the rightful heir to the throne and even comes to operate at Dragonstone for a time. However, considering Stannis’s fate, that’s probably where Daemon would like the similarities to end.
#1: Dreamfyre’s Daenerys Connection
The great McGuffin in Episode 2 is that of the dragon egg Daemon spirits away to Dragonstone. As mentioned, the egg is that of the dragon Dreamfyre, who has a connection to “Game of Thrones’” Daenerys. Or not. Maybe. In the books, Dreamfyre is ridden by Aegon the Conqueror’s granddaughter Rhaena Targaryen. At one point, Rhaena’s sister-in-law / lover Elissa similarly steals some of Dreamfyre’s eggs. While not confirmed, it’s been speculated that these eggs are the ones that eventually end up in Daenerys’s possession at the very beginning of “A Song of Ice and Fire.” That’s right, the egg causing all of the hullabaloo in this episode could just be a brother or sister to Drogon, Rhaegal and Viserion.
