George R.R. Martin’s Latest ‘Game of Thrones’ Update Proves ‘House of the Dragon’ Right

The Game of Thrones universe is rapidly expanding, as House of the Dragon wrapped up Season 3 and, in the same week, the franchise’s first stage show opened in Stratford-upon-Avon. Performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company, Game of Thrones: The Mad King explores the era when Daenerys’ (Emilia Clarke) father, King Aerys II, ruled Westeros and features many crucial events such as the infamous Tourney at Harrenhal and the lead-up to Robert’s Rebellion. However, House of the Dragon and The Mad King have more in common than timing because one important element of the franchise appears in both stories: the prophecy known as the Song of Ice and Fire.

Game of Thrones fans remember the prophecy that echoed throughout the show. But House of the Dragon gave it even more weight, as an added storyline explains that it came from Aegon the Conqueror and foretells the Targaryens’ legacy. The recent Season 3 finale, in particular, explores Rhaenyra’s (Emma D’Arcy) obsession with fulfilling the prophecy, as she declares herself the Prince That Was Promised. However, Rhaenyra is just one of the many Targaryens to wrestle with those words. The Mad King explores another as Rhaegar (played by Noah Ritter) hopes to fulfill the prophecy. This idea forges a deeper connection between the play and the wider franchise that will only continue to grow.

‘The Mad King’ Goes Deeper into ‘Game of Thrones’ Famous Prophecy

The prediction about the Long Night and the threat of the White Walkers may not come true until the events of Game of Thrones, but long before it is fulfilled, it shapes Westeros. George R.R. Martin‘s books heavily hint at Rhaegar’s interest in the prophecy, though he is dead before the story begins, and the play builds on that. In fact, based on audience reports, both Rhaegar and Aerys (Michael Shaeffer) focus on the words: Aerys, as part of his madness, and Rhaegar as a Targaryen dreamer who has visions of the prophecy himself. Though he fears it could be a sign of his family’s madness, he cannot ignore it. Rhaegar believes himself to be the prophesied figure, because family legend claims he was conceived under a red star, as the prophecy predicts. However, when Aerys reveals that to be propaganda, Rhaegar must find another answer.

The story also features Lyanna Stark (Harmony Rose-Bremner), who has her own opinions about the prophecy. Seemingly possessing Greenseer abilities, like her nephew, Bran (Isaac Hempstead Wright), she also dreams of the prophecy and gives a different interpretation. Lyanna believes that the reference to the “Song of Ice and Fire” is not about dragons and White Walkers, but about the Targaryens and the Starks, who must join their lines. This thought process leads her and Rhaegar to have a child, Jon Snow (Kit Harington), whom they expect to fulfill the prophecy. However, he isn’t the only one the play positions to potentially take that role. Like Rhaegar and Lyanna, Aerys intends to father the Prince That Was Promised, so when a red star appears in the skies, both couples conceive a child, Jon and Daenerys, respectively. This storyline, which seems to be a central focus of the stage show, proves the prophecy’s significance throughout Westeros’ history.

‘The Mad King’ Proves This Prophecy Is the Most Consistent Part of the Franchise

As it proves central to yet another story, the prophecy is quickly becoming the through line of the entire franchise. From being fulfilled in Game of Thrones, to House of the Dragon explaining its origins, to The Mad King highlighting another attempt to interpret the words, this prophecy connects each story, and upcoming spin-offs can continue this tradition. So far, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms has not referenced it, but later in Martin’s story, Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell) becomes fascinated by magic and hopes to revive the dragons, which could lend itself to a tie-in of the prophecy. More directly, the upcoming film about Aegon’s Conquest can explore the prophecy’s origin, making it even more prevalent in the franchise.

The inclusion in The Mad King is fitting, but it seemingly shifts importance away from the events of House of the Dragon. While the prequel’s addition of the prophecy initially intensified the stakes of the war by risking the loss of the message, The Mad King suggests it will survive regardless, since Rhaegar has the same dream (as many other Targaryens might over the years). However, the play emphasizes the idea that the Targaryens have long worked to understand these words and ensure that the Prince That Was Promised is born, further justifying the House of the Dragon‘s change and tying the franchise together even more closely.

House of the Dragon is streaming on HBO Max in the U.S.