FIRE AND BLOOD
House of the Dragon takes place nearly two centuries before the events of Game of Thrones. The first season covers about 20-30 years, and it centers around the Targaryen dynasty and its bloody politicking over the Iron Throne.
At this point in Westeros, the Targaryens are at the peak of their power. They’re a royal family of silver-haired dragon-riders who conquered the continent about a century ago. But after decades of peace, their main threat has become… themselves.
Season 1 kicks off with a council of Westerosi lords assisting the sickly King Jaehaerys Targaryen in selecting a new heir after the tragic death of his son. Though Jaehaerys’s granddaughter Rhaenys has the stronger claim to succession, misogyny wins the day and Jaehaerys’s grandson Viserys becomes king. (Read a full recap.)