Remember all those “Game of Thrones” spinoffs breathlessly revealed some time ago? Only one made it to a full series order, obviously, but another such project that remains in early development was called “Sea Snake.” Well, here you can see the namesake behind that intriguing title. House Velaryon, a close relation to the Targaryens, provides one of the few true challengers to Targaryen rule. Unfathomably rich and having harnessed the power of the seas, Lord Corlys plays an integral role in the events to come. But in a refreshing change of pace, he’s also defined by his love for Rhaenys. As Toussaint puts it, “Sea Snake and his wife are the ones you most root for because they’re actually about love.” Together, they form a powerful pair that could either remain a staunch ally of the Targaryen cause … or something much messier.

Speaking of messy, Rhaenyra and Alicent’s dynamic fits that description. We’ll actually first meet the two as young teens (portrayed by Milly Alcock and Emily Carey, respectively), back when they were inseparable best friends in the nation’s capital of King’s Landing. In many ways, they’ll prove to be the central figures in the entire show and in the civil war that threatens to break out. According to co-creator and co-showrunner Ryan Condal,

“These two women are at once credited and also blamed with this particular war. Because the history is written by men, we were really interested in the dynamic forces that a certain medieval level of innate chauvinism puts on the two women.”

Consider this the gist of what you need to know going into “House of the Dragon,” but be sure to check the full EW breakdown for even nerdier details. “House of the Dragon” premieres on August 21, 2022 on HBO.