The prequel series to Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon recently aired its first episode, and it is safe to say that fans were more than satisfied with how the show opened, despite the ending of Game of Thrones leaving a sour taste in many mouths.
House of the Dragon began with quite a strong episode with compelling characters and terrific character arcs. However, that certainly wasn't all that the show delivered in its first episode. Fans were also taken down the memory lane with several nods to the original series.
10 The Catspaw Dagger
One of the most iconic weapons in Game of Thrones was the Catspaw dagger which was introduced in the very first season of the show. The dagger belonged to Petyr Baelish and was made from Valyrian Steel.
In House of the Dragon's first episode, the same Catspaw dagger, made from Valyrian steel, was seen in possession of King Viserys Targaryen.
9 Dark Sister
Valyrian Steel holds great significance in the world of Game of Thrones. In the original series, fans were treated to the likes of Ice, Long Claw, and Heartsbane, among many others. Interestingly, other Valyrian Steel swords were mentioned in Game of Thrones as well.
Arya Stark brought up Dark Sister in one of her conversations with Tywin Lannister about Aegon the Conqueror's sister Visenya, its wielder. In House of the Dragon, fans see Daemon Targaryen gift a necklace made Valyrian Steel to Rhaenyra, who remarks on its similarity to Dark Sister.
8 Dracarys
Perhaps one of the most iconic words to emerge from Game of Thrones was Dracarys. Often used by Daenerys Targaryen to incinerate her enemies, this word is High Valyrian and has been used by those of the Targaryen over the course of history. After the death of Queen Aemma and her son Baelon, Rhaenyra uses this command to light their funeral pyre.
7 Weirwood Tree
Weirwood trees are worshiped as the Old Gods in Game of Thrones, as made clear and the very first season of the show. Usually, it was those in the North who kept faith with the Old Gods, and, later on, in the series, it was revealed that the Andals chopped the Weirwood trees in the South.
In the very first episode of House of the Dragon, A Weirwood tree was apparent in the background in one of Rhaenyra's strolls with Alicent.
6 A Feast For Crows
After the death of Queen Aemma, Viserys is left without an heir to the Iron Throne which sparks the debate of his succession. While some vouch for Daemon Targaryen, the King's own brother, others such as Otto Hightower, push forward Rhaenyra to claim the throne. Meanwhile, Corlys suggests his wife, Rhaenys, be made the heir as she was Jaehaerys' eldest child.
Hearing this, Viserys realizes that the council is circling the throne like hungry crows around a dead body. As many fans realized, this is a nod to A Feast for Crows, the fourth installment in George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series.
5 The Rising Cold Winds
Before naming Rhaenyra as his heir, Viserys brings up the conversation about the cold winds rising in the North. According to him, conquest wasn't the only thing that brought Aegon to Westeros.
Apparently, Aegon dreamed about darkness in the North, and only by uniting the entirety of Westeros under a Targaryen could that war be fought. As fans know, this is one of the central plot points of Game of Thrones, if not the most important one.
4 A Song of Ice And Fire
Aegon's terrible dream about the cold winds rising in the North and bringing terrible darkness over the Seven Kingdoms was named A Song of Ice and Fire. Aegon believed that a Targaryen on the Iron Throne will be the only possible way to fight against this cold entity.
While this doesn't exactly happen in Game of Thrones, as Cersei is the one sitting atop the Throne, it was two Targaryens who lead the war against the Night King and the Army of the Dead. Of course, as diehard fans know already, A Song of Ice and Fire is the series that the story is based on. At the same time, Prince Rhaegar believed that the Song of Ice and Fire was about his son, Aegon.
3 The Doom Of Valyria
The Doom of Valyria is quite possibly one of the biggest events in the world of Game of Thrones. It is believed that the doom consumed the true power of the Dragonlords and all their dragons with it when it came.
The Targaryens, however, survived, thanks to Daenys' dream. In the fifth season of Game of Thrones, the Doom of Valyria is brought up by Jorah and Tyrion when they are passing through the ruins of Valyria on their way to Mereen.
2 Balerions' Skull Size
Balerion the Black Dread was the largest dragon in Westeros and was ridden by Aegon the Conqueror when he lay conquest to the Seven Kingdoms. His skull was seen in the first episode of House of the Dragon when Viserys made Rhaenyra his heir.
In Game of Thrones, Balerion's skull was seen in the dungeons beneath the Red Keep. Curiously, Balerion's skull was much bigger in House of the Dragon than it was in Game Of Thrones.
1 Promise Me
Every fan of the original series knows the significance that the phrase "Promise me" carries. These words were uttered by Lyanna Stark to her brother, Eddard Stark, after her son, Aegon, was born.
Lyanna wanted to protect Aegon from Robert and thus made Eddard hide his true identity. In House of the Dragon's first episode, Viserys utters the same phrase to Rhaenyra when he reveals the secret of the Aegon's dream that had been passed down from King to heir for generations.