Shows set in rich universes are usually filled to the brim with easter eggs and references.House of the Dragonis among these shows. These easter eggs are a treat to eagle-eyed viewers, as well as to those who have read the source materialHouse of the Dragonis based on.
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While some easter eggs don’t add or remove to the show’s plot, some of them are integral to its lore. They can hint at what’s to come or an event that happened in the past. On top of these, the existence of well-placed easter eggs indicates the level of care the showrunners and creators have for the show. This list will not cover the first two episodes of the show. Interested readers can instead head to separate lists made foreaster eggs from episode oneandeaster eggs from episode two.
10The Bard’s Song - Episode 3
In episode 3, Rhaenyra can be seen sitting under a weirwood tree, reading, while a bard sings a song for her. The song the bard is singing tells the tale of Princess Nymeria and her 10,000 ships.
Princess Nymeria and the events that led to her departing her homeland is a well-remembered event in thehistory of Westeros. When her land, Rhoyne, was invaded by the dragonlords of Valyria, Princess Nymeria had to muster up over 10,000 ships to evacuate her surviving people. This event eventually came to be simply as “10,000 ships.”
9Rhaenyra’s Fate - Episode 4
This easter egg foreshadows and outright hintsRhaenyra Targaryen’s fate. With that in mind, those who haven’t read the books should skip out on reading about this easter egg. The easter egg doesn’t say what’s going to happen to Rhaenyra, but the visual cues provide a clear reference.
During the scene where Rhaenyra follows Daemon as they walk through the alleys of King’s Landing, Rhaenyra comes across a blind woman who asks her if she “wishes to know her death.” This scene is immediately followed by a mouth of a metallic dragon that’s spewing fire. This is visual storytelling that references Rhaenyra’s fate.
8Lady Jeyne - Episode 5
Episode 5 finally introduces Daemon’s first wife, Rhea Royce, but her appearance is ultimately short-lived. Viewers know her death was caused by Daemon, but the characters in the show don’t truly know this. Despite that, Gerold Royce, the cousin of Rhea, openly accuses Daemon during Rhaenyra and Laenor’s wedding feast.
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The accusation doesn’t at all faze Daemon. Instead, he tells Ser Gerold that he plans to fly to the Eyrie and petition Lady Jeyne. Lady Jeyne is a character that haveyet to appear in the showbut will play a significant role in the coming Targaryen civil war. The book also mentions Daemon following through his plan to appeal to Lady Jeyne, but she dismissed his claims and sent him away from the Vale.
7He’ll Have To Close An Eye - Episode 6
Episode 6 introduces multiple characters that will be central to the Dance of the Dragons conflict, including Rhaenyra’s children and Alicent’s children. One of them is a youngAemond Targaryenwho, unlike his siblings and nephews, have yet to claim a dragon for himself.
After sneaking into the Dragonpit, Aemond is sent to his mother who then reassures him that he will have a dragon one day. Right after saying this, Helaena, Alicent’s daughter and Aemond’s sister, says “he will have to close an eye.” Helaena foreshadows the fact that when Aemond finally claims a dragon for himself, he’ll lose an eye in the process.
6Dominion Of The Merling King - Episode 7
During Laena’s funeral, Vaemond mentions the Merling King while conducting the funeral rites. While not as popular as some gods ofthe Seven Kingdoms, the Merling King is known to those living near the Narrow Sea.
This god is especially important to the Velaryons. According to their legends, it was the Merling King who bestowed on the Velaryons the Driftwood Throne, the high seat of Driftmark.
5Beware The Beast Beneath The Boards - Episode 8
Helaena blurts out another prophetic and cryptic line in episode 8 that bears fruit in the next episode. During the dinner scene with Viserys along with the rest of his family, Helaena, from out of nowhere, says “beware the beast beneath the boards.”
This line foreshadows what happens in the next episode. Helaena even says this again during said episode. During Aegon’s crowning in episode 9, Rhaenys on Melys surfaces from the floors of Dragonpit, killing multiple civilians, and allowing her the advantage to wipe out the greens then and there. However, Rhaenys would fly away instead of killing the greens where they stood.
4I’ll Return On Dragonback - Episode 8
After the scuffle that happened between Alicent’s sons and Rhaenyra’s sons, the dinner ends with both mothers peacefully speaking with one another. While Alicent wants Rhaenyra to stay a bit longer, the latter says she’ll have to send her children to Dragonstone, but that she’ll return on dragonback.
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While the coming episodes do not fulfill this promise, she eventually will according to the events of the book. The next time Rhaenyra returns to King’s Landing after this departure, it will be on Syrax.
3Gaemon Palehair - Episode 9
While looking for Aegon, Ser Arryk and Erryk Cargyll happen upon a fighting pit where children are pitted against each other. In this terrible place, they find a young white-haired child which they believe to be one of Aegon’s many bastard children.
This child was heavily featured in the episode’s promotional material which indicates the character’s importance. It is highly likely that this child is Gaemon Palehair, a supposed Targaryen bastard who will reluctantly become involved in the coming war.
2Rhaenyra’s Miscarriage - Episode 10
After hearing of her father’s death and how her half-brother has usurped her throne, Rhaenyra suffers from a miscarriage. The scene where she is shown to be in pain from the labor is interlaced with a scene of a dragon roaring.
This scene is significant because it calls to how Rhaenyra’s stillborn child appears in the book. It’s described, albeit by an unreliable narrator, that Rhaenyra’s stillborn child had scales and a tail, emulating the appearance of a dragon.
1Cregan Stark - Episode 10
In an effort to rally allies for the coming war, Rhaenyra sends her sons, at Jace’s advice, to fly to certain notable locations. One of these is Winterfell, the home of the famed House Stark. During this time, the head of Winterfell is Cregan Stark, which is mentioned by name in this episode.
Cregan Stark is likely to appear during the show’s second season. Cregan and Jace develop a very strong bond, and the former becomes a key player in the Dance of the Dragons.
