3 times Game of Thrones spoiled the events of House of the Dragon

Now that the Game of Thrones prequel show House of the Dragon is airing on HBO, it’s inspired renewed interest in the original series. House of the Dragon is set well over 100 years before Game of Thrones, so there’s little chance of overlap. However, because many of the events of House of the Dragon are settled history by the time Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen and the rest get on the scene, there’s a chance the characters could talk about it…which they do, on multiple occasions.

In fact, sometimes the Game of Thrones drop some pretty big spoilers for the prequel series! I was amused when members of the many House of the Dragon Facebook groups I’m in started rewatching Game of Thrones and realized they had a key part of House of the Dragon spoiled for them. And by no one other than one of the most hated characters in the franchise, no less; of course Joffrey Baratheon would ruin everybody’s fun.

Let’s take a look at three instances on Game of Thrones where the characters discuss the events of House of the Dragon. This is your cue to stop reading if you don’t want any MAJOR SPOILERS for both House of the Dragon and George R. R. Martin’s book Fire & Blood.

Shireen Baratheon educates us on the Dance of the Dragons

Stannis Baratheon’s daughter Shireen was very well-read. In one key scene from season 5 (right before her father burns her at the stake), she tells her dad about a history book she’s reading, one all about the Dance of the Dragons. “It’s the story of the fight between Rhaenyra Targaryen and her half-brother Aegon for control of the Seven Kingdoms,” she says. Hey, that sounds familiar!

Shireen goes on to tell Stannis about how the war divided the kingdoms, how brother fought brother and dragon fought dragon, and how by the end thousands were dead. She says the Targaryen never truly recover.

Shireen leaves out the details, but that is indeed more or less what we’ll see in the seasons to come on House of the Dragon. Rest In peace, sweet Shireen.

Also, while Shireen avoided specific spoilers, our next storyteller will not, so proceed with caution.