Warning! This article contains spoilers for House of the Dragon.
Summary
House of the Dragonhas teased future events with the same trick twice in as many weeks with two different characters. As was often the same withGame of Thrones,House of the Dragonis expertly teasing future events, namely the brewingTargaryen Civil War between dragonsand their riders. As ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2 episode 4’s ending, this civil war finally burst into explosive life that saw Aegon aboard Sunfyre, Aemond riding Vhagar, and Rhaenys mounting Meleys, colliding in the Battle at Rook’s Rest.
Despite the Battle at Rook’s Rest officially beginning open combat in the Dance of Dragons, there are plenty more wars to come. The HBO show’s multiple upcoming seasons will detail the escalating civil war between the Targaryens, with recent events foreshadowing the future ofHouse of the Dragon’s cast of characters. In the two most recent episodes, the same foreshadowing trick has been used for two different characters, teasing several storylines forHouse of the Dragonseason 3and beyond.
Young Aegon’s Toy Dragon Foreshadows His Story After The Civil War
Rhaenyra’s Son Aegon Was Shown Playing With A Toy Dragon
The foreshadowing trick in question refers to the scenes involving small figurines of dragons inHouse of the Dragonseason 2. The first time a toy dragon was shown was inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 3, in which young Aegon - Rhaenyra’s son with Daemon - was shown being handed one. Rhaenyra gives Aegon the toy before he immediately sets the dragon down and begins playing with another toy in the vicinity. While this could seem like an inconsequential scene, it actually includes hints at his story after the end of the Dance of Dragons.
The dragons die out during Aegon’s reign, earning him the moniker of “The Dragonbane…”
Much later in the Dance of Dragons, the many deaths and tragedies that befall House Targaryen see young Aegon inherit the Iron Throne. InFire and Blood, the prequel to theA Song of Ice and Firebook serieson whichHouse of the Dragonis based, it is explained that Aegon dislikes dragons due to the horrors he experienced as a child during the civil war. Eventually, the dragons die out during Aegon’s reign, earning him the moniker of “The Dragonbane.” Aegon instantly disregarding the toy dragon inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 3 teases this future.
Alicent’s Dragon Model Foreshadows What Happens With King Aegon II
Alicent’s Foreshadowing Scene Teases Aegon’s Injuries
InHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 4, Alicent is also shown playing with a dragon figurine from Viserys' model. After being startled by the Grand Maester, Alicent drops the dragon to the floor and it breaks, its wing snapping off. This foreshadows what happened later in the episode with Aegon and Sunfyre at the Battle at Rook’s Rest. While it is not made abundantly clear in the show, it is distinctly written inFire and Bloodthat Sunfyre’s wing is torn from his body during the battle as he and Aegon fall to the ground.
The following paragraphs contain spoilers for Fire and Blood and likely House of the Dragon’s future seasons.
Furthermore, Alicent’s dragon scene inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 4 actually foreshadows another scene in which Aegon and Sunfyre are injured later in the Dance of Dragons. Eventually, Daemon and Rhaenyra succeed in taking King’s Landing, with Aegon and the other surviving Targaryen smuggled out of the city to Dragonstone. Upon taking Dragonstone, Baela Velaryon escapes to her dragon Moondancer, only to be met by Aegon and recovering Sunfyre.The dragons battle above Dragonstone before an injury befalls Sunfyre and Aegon, which links to Alicent’s dragon figurine scene.
Every Dragon In House Of The Dragon Explained
As war erupts in Westeros, dragons will be sent to battle. Here’s a description of every dragon in HBO’s House of the Dragon, heading into season 2.
During the battle, Moondancer targets Sunfyre’s injured wing. While Sunfyre is shown to be on the mend after the Battle at Rook’s Rest, Moondancer drastically injures the dragon once more and the two fall to the ground. Eventually, Sunfyre kills Moondancer. However,the dragon is rendered completely flightless afterward, again connecting to Alicent damaging the toy dragon’s wing. Similarly, Aegon jumps from the dragon’s back during the battle, breaking both of his legs.
Both Dragon Moments Foreshadow The Fall Of The Dragons
The Broader Downfall Of House Targaryen Is Represented By The Broken Dragon Toys
Finally, the twoHouse of the Dragonscenes link to the broader story the show is exploring.House of the Dragonis about the downfall of House Targaryen, and how the Dance of Dragons severely weakened the noble family and led to its eventual downfall in Robert’s Rebellion. One of the defining aspects of the Dance of Dragons that saw House Targaryen incredibly weakened was the extinction of dragons.
All 8 Major Houses In House Of The Dragon Explained
House of the Dragon may focus primarily on the Targaryen dynasty, but there are many prominent families at play in the Dance of the Dragons.
As mentioned, Aegon III’s reign eventually sees the dragons completely die out. This drastically weakens the military prowess of House Targaryen, with the dragon’s becoming extinct attributed to both the Targaryens' eventual downfall and the Dance of Dragons. It is only whenDaenerys' dragon eggs fromGame of Thronesare hatched almost two centuries later that the creatures are once again restored to the world.House of the Dragonshowing both Alicent and Aegon disregarding or damaging dragon figures symbolizes the creatures' eventual extinction, truly driving home the tragedy of the Dance of Dragons.
House of the Dragon
Cast
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
