The world of Game of Thrones deals with material that’s often so dark that humor is the only proper way to react to it. With eight seasons of Game of Thrones and two seasons of House of the Dragon in the books, House Targaryen has found its place in the cultural vernacular as the bizarre, dramatic, silver-haired fictional royal family known for breeding its line through incest. The history of House Targaryen is one of the most storied in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice & Fire book series universe, and it’s also one of the most disparate from modern society.
George R.R. Martin’s novels are credited for redefining the fantasy genre, exploring premises more commonly associated with real-world history than the fantastical stories of J.R.R Tolkien or Terry Brooks. While often celebrated for its gritty nature, the world of Game of Thrones challenges its viewers to follow characters through some insane narratives. Luckily, geniuses on the internet have consistently prepared great meme content to coincide with the shocking nature of HBO’s fantasy TV universe. While waiting for House of the Dragon season 3 and other spinoffs, these memes are a ton of fun to browse through.
10.Targaryen Family Dynamics
Jacaerys’ Betrothal Creates A Complicated Family Web
Anyone who thought the family dynamics in Game of Thrones were absurd has some shocking surprises in store for them in House of the Dragon. The original series shows Jaime and Cersei’s affair and Viserys’ creepy behavior toward Daenerys as if it’s highly taboo, while the prequel show essentially normalizes it. In House of the Dragon’s timeline, marriage between cousins and siblings of the royal family is pretty commonplace.
As for Jace and Baela’s relationship, he’s her nephew, cousin, stepbrother, and future husband
In the case of Jacaerys Velaryon, Rhaenyra’s heir, marrying Baela Targaryen creates some interesting dynamics for him. Daemon is already his stepfather through Rhaenyra, and now he’s also the father of his betrothed, among other things. As for Jace and Baela’s relationship, he’s her nephew, cousin, stepbrother, and future husband, all in one neat little package. House of the Dragon gives its viewers quite a bit to chew on.
9.Targaryen Choices
Rhaenyra Could Literally Marry Anyone She Wants
This meme takes a House of the Dragon season 1 scene slightly out of context, as this moment in the show saw her picking a member for her father’s Kingsguard. However, it applies to another crucial season 1 plotline where she’s deciding on her marriage future and has suitors from prominent houses throughout the realm. While someone like Jason Lannister may not be the most emotionally engaging of candidates, one would think marriage to one of the wealthiest men in Westeros would at least be ideal over their cousin or uncle.
Yet, Rhaenyra’s two marriages before the Dance of the Dragons are to Laenor Velaryon, her second cousin through Princess Rhaenys and other previous Targaryen-Velaryon marriages. After Laenor’s alleged death, Rhaenyra’s next husband choice is her uncle Daemon. To each their own, but surely, there must be some better options out there.
8.Ser Criston Cole: The Kingmaker
The Green Council Meeting Is Perfect For This Meme Format
Applying classic meme formats to the Game of Thrones universe is always hilarious, and the use of the boardroom meeting defenestration meme for the Green Council is hilarious. After the death of King Viserys II Targaryen, Otto Hightower, Alicent Hightower, Tyland Lannister, and other allies decide on how to proceed with the kingdom’s fate, eventually deciding to plant Aegon II on the throne instead of Rhaenyra.
In Fire & Blood, there’s some discrepancy as to how Criston Cole dealt with Lord Lyman Beesbury, the previous Master of Coin, though the main suspicion is that he threw the Rhaenyra supporter out the window of the Red Keep, thus proclaiming Aegon king. In the show, Criston Cole brutally bashes Beesbury’s skull into the attendance ball on the table of the council chamber. Either way, the meme hilariously displays how Aegon’s rule came to be.
7.More Targaryen Family Dynamics
Jon Finds Himself In A Pickle In Game Of Thrones Season 8
Jacaerys Velaryon received many comparisons to Jon Snow in House of the Dragon season 2, so it’s only right that they each have a similarly formatted meme. Jon’s relation to Daenerys isn’t quite as direct as Jace and Baela, given that they didn’t grow up knowing themselves to be related, but it’s still a biologically unorthodox setup for the pair. The hilarious part as it pertains to Game of Thrones is that their relationship actually starts out being rather romantic until Jon’s Targaryen origins are revealed.
Not to mention, unlike Jacaerys, Jon is fairly perturbed by the fact that he’s been sleeping with his aunt. In his case, finding out that his true father, Rhaegar Targaryen, is Daenerys’ brother ultimately changes his trajectory of loyalty in the final season, as he’s never able to look at Daenerys the same way, leading to the Game of Thrones ending.
6.Explaining House Of The Dragon
How Would You Explain HOTD’s Biggest Romance Subplot?
While Game of Thrones has some rather straightforward fantasy elements to mention in a recommendation pitch, trying to explain House of the Dragon adds a layer of difficulty. In this frequently shared X conversation, the original poster adds an image of Rhaenyra and Daemon holding hands, prompting a non-viewer to inquire about their relation, suggesting that they look like siblings. But it’s the chain of subsequent responses that just gets better and better.
When taking a proper, zoomed-out look at what House of the Dragon and George R.R. Martin’s fantasy entails, it’s kind of amazing how culturally prominent it’s all become. The shows could seem somewhat repulsive due to their violence and sexual content, but it speaks to the 21st-century fascination with moral ambiguity, the antihero, and genre subversion that there’s such a profound interest in Martin’s work.
5.Learning High Valyrian
Aegon II Needs To Get On Duolingo Immediately
Given that High Valyrian is available for fans to learn on Duolingo, there are probably some hardcore Game of Thrones fans who know the language better than King Aegon II. It was surprising but fitting to find out that the young Targaryen monarch wasn’t familiar with the language in House of the Dragon season 2, and it was hilarious that Aemond chose to belittle him by speaking to him in the language of their ancestors.
Taking the iconic Duolingo bird and slapping it onto the scene is priceless, prompting the absurd imagery of Aegon trying to learn the language on a smartphone app. Given how aggressive that bird is at getting its users to keep up with their daily streak, it might’ve been exactly what Aegon needed to make himself fit for the Iron Throne. Knowing Valyrian still wouldn’t bring Aegon the respect he wants, but it’d be a step in the right direction.
4.Daemon’s Harrenhal Subplot
Daemon Spent Season 2 In Luigi’s Mansion
Daemon Targaryen’s Harrenhal subplot was one of the most prominent targets for meme creation in House of the Dragon season 2. Due to the nature of Fire & Blood, there are extended periods where certain characters just aren’t heard from, and the series was forced to create a subplot for Daemon. Sadly, giving up the show’s lead cast member for something that felt unrelated for such a long stretch of time received a divisive response, but the memes were hilarious.
Fans constantly connected Daemon’s season 2 arc to the Luigi’s Mansion games, as the Targaryen King Consort found himself struggling to maintain his sanity in the haunted halls. It’s hilarious to see everyone else in the cast navigating the war while Daemon, who’s arguably the most lustful for violence and battle, spent the whole season combating his nightmares and inner demons.
3.Daenerys In The Office
Game Of Thrones Mockumentary Interviews Would Be Iconic
Daenerys Targaryen was one of Game of Thrones’ most iconic characters for years, though the show’s ending made her rather divisive among fans. One thing that’s for sure, however, is that she lived up to the Targaryen words. On several occasions throughout the series, in Qarth, Slaver’s Bay, or Westeros, Daenerys Targaryen took what she needed to with fire and blood. Imagining Game of Thrones with mockumentary interviews, The Office-style, is a hilarious way to envision this.
During the peak of Game of Thrones’ cultural popularity, Daenerys became an icon for strong female characters on television and was easily one of the easiest in the show to root for. Violence is never the answer, but it was the solution in Dany’s story on multiple occasions, and it was hard not to celebrate her successes.
2.Targaryens Over The Years
Targaryens In HOTD Are Truly Living Life To Its Fullest
At the start of Game of Thrones, Viserys Targaryen is ridiculed as the “Beggar King,” drifting around Essos, relying on his family name to gain the support of wealthy nobles. Even in season 2, after Daenerys has brought dragons back to the world and led a khalasar, she’s still relying on the kindness of others to spare her life, using her name and status to keep her alive. On the contrary, Targaryens in House of the Dragon have the world at their fingertips.
The prequel show demonstrates the Targaryen dynasty at its peak power when they ruled the Seven Kingdoms with a massive royal family and several fully-grown dragons. Compared to the Targaryens in Game of Thrones, or even the Baratheon dynasty early in the series, their lifestyle is far more lavish and plentiful. It’s hard to go wrong with a SpongeBob meme format for any subject.
1.The Targaryen Mourning Process
Otto Helps Viserys Mourn The Loss Of His Wife And Son
Much of the Dance of the Dragons begins because of Otto Hightower’s scheming following the death of Queen Aemma and Viserys’ son. Almost instantly, the Hand of the King suggests that his teen daughter, Alicent, go and win over the king’s affection, beginning a long process that would eventually lead to them becoming betrothed. What better to capture the deviousness of this plotting than a meme with Danny DeVito’s Frank Reynolds from It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
While there’s a significant portion of the House of the Dragon fanbase that supports the Greens for one reason or another, it’s undeniable that this was not Ser Otto’s finest act. Decades later, in season 2, it’s still the root of Alicent’s deep emotional struggles. All in all, it does seem like something Frank Reynolds would do with Dee if they were set in a Game of Thrones-like universe.
