House of the Dragon paces the affairs of King Viserys' household with various time jumps between its episodes. The cold opening features King Jaehaerys Targaryen's Great Council Of 101 AC and jumps straight into Viserys' rule. Similarly, there's pacing between Aemma Arryn's death and Alicent Hightower and Viserys' marriage, and them having their first child.

The time jumps in House of the Dragon are crucial to get to the main parts of the story, whilst providing adequate information on the key events that lead to the present. Though House of the Dragon season 1 is told through various time jumps, not once does it neglect character development. The show focuses on significant events and here is the timeline of when and how the story unfolds.

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Detailed Timeline Of Key Events In George R. R. Martin's Fire & Blood

Note: The above-mentioned events count up from Aegon's Conquest. AC is an abbreviation for - After the Conquest.

A Brief Overview Of Time Jumps In House Of The Dragon

In contrast to its predecessor, Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon adapts major events that lead up to the civil war and scraps the rest. The HBO adaptation is home only to the significant events between Viserys' succession and his death. The storytelling is done through time jumps and with every new episode, the events progress for better or worse.

The hours after Viserys' death are about the Small Council Meeting at the Red Keep, Aegon II's Coronation, the Coronation of Rhaenyra on Dragonstone, the Black Council, and the Fight Above Shipbreaker Bay. The said events are covered in House of the Dragon episodes 9 and 10, namely "The Green Council," and "The Black Queen."

The Assault On Harrenhal Marks The Opening Of Hostilities In Lore

Prince Daemon leads the charge and captures the castle of Harrenhal in the name of his wife, Queen Rhaenyra, before Lucerys' assassination above Shipbreaker Bay. Known as the Assault on Harrenhal, Daemon is absent from Dragonstone when Prince Lucerys is killed. He writes to his wife from Harrenhal, promising to avenge his stepson's death:

An eye for an eye, a son for a son. Lucerys shall be avenged.

The Brackens yield in the aftermath of the Blacks' victory in the Battle of the Burning Mill, and at Stone Hedge. The Riverlords, more notably, the Blackwoods, rally around Daemon at Harrenhal, while he approves the clandestine Blood and Cheese plot. House of the Dragon's canon is yet to shine a light on the fall of Harrenhal, Burning Mill, and Stone Hedge. But by the looks of the Final Trailer, Daemon should capture Harrenhal at the beginning of Season 2. He brings Queen Rhaenyra the news of Lucerys' assassination in Season 1 and she gives a stare into the camera as the curtains close.

Note: Martin has written Fire & Blood as an in-world history book by Archmaester Gyldayn.

First Time Jump In House of the Dragon

Rhaenyra's voiceover in the cold opening explains that the Old King called a council in the year 101 to empower the lords paramount and lords vassal of the Seven Kingdoms to choose an heir. The prologue is on-brand with Fire & Blood, but the rest of the events are moved around.

House of the Dragon season 1, episode 1 "The Heirs of the Dragon" picks pace nine years into Viserys' rule over the Seven Six Kingdoms. The title card says that House of the Dragon starts in the ninth year of King Viserys I Targaryen's reign. It's 172 years before the Mad King's death, and the birth of his daughter, Princess Daenerys Targaryen. Viserys ascended the throne in 103 AC while House of the Dragon starts in 112 AC.

Second Time Jump In House of the Dragon

Towards the beginning of House of the Dragon season 1, episode 2 "The Rogue Prince," Rhaenyra tells Alicent that it's been half a year since her mother died and that the lords are conniving to marry her father and have her replaced. Corlys also mentions that Daemon and his army of Gold Cloaks have occupied Dragonstone for "over half a year," which is in harmony with Rhaenyra's statement. Viserys convenes a Small Council meeting at the episode's end and announces his plan to marry Alicent Hightower before spring's end. Corlys storms off to secure the Stepstones. He invites Daemon to Driftmark to ask for his support in the War for the Stepstones against the Myrish Prince, aka the Crabfeeder.

Third Time Jump In House Of The Dragon

House of the Dragon season 1, episode 3 "Second of His Name," opens on Prince Aegon's second nameday. It's been three years since Viserys' wedding to Alicent. She is pregnant with Helaena. When Tyland Lannister brings Viserys the news of the Crabfeeder amassing on Bloodstone, the latter replies:

It's been three years. It can wait another three days.

Fourth And Fifth Time Jump In House Of The Dragon

In House of the Dragon season 1, episode 4 "King of the Narrow Sea," Alicent has given birth to Helaena, while Daemon returns home from winning the war against the Crabfeeder and the Triarchy in the Stepstones. Not a lot of time has passed between Episodes 3 and 4, but Alicent has delivered her baby girl. Similarly, House of the Dragon season 1, episode 5 "We Light the Way" is in a linear narrative with younger iterations of Daemon's second wife, Lady Laena Velaryon, Queen Alicent, Princess Rhaenyra, and her husband, Ser Laenor Velaryon on the screen.

Sixth Time Jump In House Of The Dragon

House of the Dragon season 1, episode 6 "The Princess and the Queen," moves the board dramatically by ten years. Rhaenyra, Alicent, Laenor, and Laena have older iterations now. Rhaenyra's third son, Prince Joffrey, arrives at the beginning while Alicent's secondborn son, Aemond wants to claim a dragon.

Daemon has married Laena, and they live with their daughters, Baela and Rhaena in Pentos. Towards the episode's end, Laena chooses to die a Dragonrider's death by commanding Vhagar to burn her when her labor fails to progress. Her funeral is held at Driftmark in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 7 "Driftmark." It is here that Prince Aemond claims Vhagar and postures the balance of power in favor of the Greens.

Seventh Time Jump In House Of The Dragon

House of the Dragon season 1, episode 8 "The Lord of the Tides," features the final time jump. Six years later, Daemon and Rhaenyra are married and live on Dragonstone with their children; Jacaerys, Lucerys, Joffrey, Rhaena, Aegon, and Viserys. Rhaenyra's children and Alicent's children, viz, Aegon the Elder, Helaena, and Aemond have grown. Laena's mother, Princess Rhaenys has taken Baela as a ward while Rhaenyra is pregnant with Visenya. House of the Dragon episodes 9 and 10 have a linear plot. The finale concludes with Lucerys' assassination and the onset of war.

House of the Dragon Season 2 premieres June 16 at 9/8c on HBO and Max.

House of the Dragon

House of the Dragon is HBO's prequel series to Game of Thrones. Set hundreds of years earlier, the show follows the inner machinations and rivalries of the Targaryen royal family. The show was created by Ryan Condal and George R.R. Martin, and stars Matt Smith, Emma D'Arcy, Rhys Ifans, and Olivia Cooke.

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