10 House Of The Dragon Theories (From Someone Who Hasn’t Read The Books)

Spoilers are ahead for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 5, “Regent.”

Summary

• The future of House Targaryen in
  House of the Dragon
  is unpredictable, with deviations from the book’s storyline.
• Characters like Rhaenyra, Alicent, and Aemond face internal conflicts and betrayals that could shape the outcome of the war.
• The show’s ending is seemingly revealed in
  Game of Thrones
  , but it might be a partial truth.

As House of the Dragon nears its sophomore outing’s finale, viewers are putting forth theories about how, exactly, the devastating war of succession will unfold. Although the Game of Thrones prequel series is based on George R. R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, a pseudo-historical account of the so-called “Dance of the Dragons,” the future of House Targaryen isn’t set in stone. After all, House of the Dragon has already differed from the book, suggesting that almost anything could happen before Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) or her half-brother, Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney), claim the Iron Throne.

Even House of the Dragon season 2 viewers who haven’t read Fire & Blood are likely aware of just how significant the “Dance of the Dragons” is to Westeros’ history. Although it’s set 172 years before the birth of Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke), House of the Dragon has a massive role in shaping the story of Game of Thrones. In fact, it’s no secret that HBO’s Game of Thrones‘ characters mentioned the ill-fated conflict one or twice. Jack Gleeson’s King Joffrey even spoils House of Dragon‘s ending to his future wife. Still, Martin’s characters aren’t always reliable narrators.

10 Rhaenyra & Syrax Join The Fray

The Targaryen Queen Refuses To “Do Nothing”

Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, King Viserys I Targaryen’s heir apparent from his first marriage, has continually lamented her inability to join the fight. Rhaenrya even admits to Mysaria, her trusted advisor, that her father trained her to know the names of royals, but didn’t teach her how to use a sword. She fears that her enemies know this — and that it makes her look weak. Time and again, various advisors assure their queen that there’s more than one way to fight a war, but Rhaenyra doesn’t seem content with waiting in the wings as House of the Dragon forges on.

…a victory claimed, at least in part, by Rhaenyra and Syrax would hold huge symbolic power for their side.

Based on some shots from the show’s season-two trailer as well as the apparent trajectory of Rhaenyra’s story, it seems likely that she’ll head into battle with Syrax, her loyal dragon. Of course, Rhaenyra’s desire to join the fray is a gravely serious matter. If she dies, the blacks’ cause is lost. Needless to say, the queen’s insistence on riding Syrax into battle may be the root of her downfall. On the other hand, a victory claimed, at least in part, by Rhaenyra and Syrax would hold huge symbolic power for their side.

9 Alicent Betrays Aemond

After Aegon’s Fate In Episode 5, Alicent Seems Ready To Act

Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) is primed to go against Aemond (Ewan Mitchell), especially in the wake of House of the Dragon season 2, episode 5, “Regent.” It’s revealed that Aegon survived episode 4’s battle, but is both comatose and severely burned, while his dragon, Sunfure, is near death. Although Ser Criston (Fabien Frankel) doesn’t tell Alicent the whole truth about what happened, it doesn’t really matter. Alicent, who suggests she act as regent while her son is incapacitated, is denied by the Small Council, which elects Aemond instead. Plus, Alicent looks at Aemond with (rightful) suspicion throughout the episode.

8 Aemond & Helaena’s Illicit Affair Will Be Revealed

If Aemond Is The Father Of Helaena’s Children, More Internal Conflict Will Unfold

For a while, House of the Dragon viewers have wondered if there was more to be revealed about Aemond’s relationship with his sister, Helaena (Phia Saban). In true Game of Thrones fashion, Helaena is the sister-wife of Aegon, so it isn’t too much of a stretch that there’s a different incestuous affair unfolding behind the scenes — especially in a world that gave viewers Jamie and Cersei Lannister. Some fans have pointed out that Aemond seems uncharacteristically protective of Helaena, especially during the coronation, and that there are subtle hints that he’s actually the twins’ biological father.

7 Larys Is A Warg Like Game Of Thrones’ Bran Stark

The Rats Of King’s Landing Know Things

Lord Larys Strong (Matthew Needham), the Master of Whisperers on King Aegon II’s Small Council, seems to know all too well what’s going on in King’s Landing. This has given rise to a compelling fan theory that Larys, like Bran Stark in Game of Thrones, is a Warg — someone who is able to possess animals. Given just how many rats are crawling around King’s Landing, warging into the rodents would give Larys some key insight. Since Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno), Rhaenyra’s advisor, leads a network of spies, Larys having some supernatural ability to best her would be quite the twist.

6 Daemon & Aemond Form A Covert Alliance

The Two House Of The Dragon Characters Are More Alike Than They Think

Daemon’s Harrenhal visions had viewers wondering why Daemon looked like Aemond in his dream. The more obvious answer is that the two characters parallel each other; both Targaryen princes are so close to laying claim to the throne, but are unable to see that ambition realized without committing terrible acts. Ultimately, Daemon and Aemond — both sides best remaining dragonriders — will probably face off on the battlefield. On the other hand, the vision could suggest an uneasy alliance between the two. Although it likely wouldn’t last, both characters are conniving enough to try it.

5 Alicent Eventually Tries To Aid Rhaenyra’s Cause

The Ties Of Childhood Friendship Are Stronger Than Blood

As children, Alicent and Rhaenyra were incredibly close — until Alicent married Rhaenyra’s father, giving rise to a second line of would-be heirs. In many ways, the former friends are at the heart of the conflict, even if Alicent herself isn’t fighting to be on the Iron Throne. In season 2, Rhaenyra tries to appeal to Alicent, suggesting they remember their friendship and avoid more bloodshed. Ultimately, both characters are too stubborn to agree, but it could still happen. As Alicent’s children destroy each other, maybe she’ll put her friendship with Rhaenyra first once again.

4 Jace’s Fate Is Tied To The Wall

The Prince Learns About A Threat Greater Than Any War For The Iron Throne

In House of the Dragon season 2, episode 1, Prince Jace (Harry Collett) visits the Wall with Cregan Stark. Since the Game of Thrones prequel is so mired in the “Dance of the Dragons,” the scene is a reminder of the larger threat that looms just beyond the northern battlement. It’s possible that Jace will carry the lessons learned at the Wall with him. Although Cregan doesn’t get into it too deeply, he does allude to the White Walkers. It would make sense for Jace’s TV fate to be tied to the threat beyond the Wall — something that’s greater than any political strife that’s fracturing House Targaryen.

3 Alicent Is Actually Game Of Thrones’ Melisandre

Alicent Awaits The Prince That Was Promised

In GoT, Melisandre is a centuries-old witch who follows a diety that’s worshipped in Essos and searches for decades for the “Prince who was Promised” — the prophesied savior of Westeros. As of season 2, Alicent doesn’t know all the specifics of the Song of Ice and Fire, but she does seem to be weakening in her resolve. For starters, she seems to sense that Aemond had something to do with Aegon’s life-threatening injurie. Plus, she’s clearly shaken by her part in the war. Alicent transforming her grief into purpose by becoming Melisandre is definitely a compelling twist.

2 Daemon Goes Into Exile & Becomes The Night King

House Of The Dragon May Retcon Some Game Of Thrones Lore

Although it would contradict the canon presented in Game of Thrones‘ final season, viewers have theorized that one of the characters in House of the Dragon will become the Night King, the ruthless undead leader of the White Walkers who lurk beyond the Wall. It’s definitely a stretch, but it would also tie together the various threads that become important in Game of Thrones. If anyone seems poised to exile himself to the North and, somehow, become a zombie warlord, it’s Daemon. Ultimately, he’s a royal without a throne, and one made of ice might do in the end.

1 Rhaenyra Fakes Her Death But Loses The Dance Of The Dragons

Aegon II Will Sit On The Iron Throne

Based on what Joffrey tells his bethrothed in Game of Thrones, Rhaenyra is brutally killed by Aegon’s dragon. What little remained of her was stowed at King’s Landing as a kind of memorial to the Dance of the Dragons. It’s very possible Rhaenyra will pull a full-on Dany and go mad before House of the Dragon ends, leading to severe miscalculations and a bloody death-by-dragon. On the other hand, it would be much more exciting if the story told in Game of Thrones was only a partial truth. After weathering great loss, an outmaneuvered Rhaenyra​​​​​​​ could stage her death and flee to Essos.

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New episodes of House of the Dragon season 2 stream on Max through August 4, 2024.