Summary
House of the Dragonis no stranger to magic.
Daemon has never been a believer of the magic or the mystical.
Anything to make his feckless reign appear to have purpose.
Image via HBO
What should be a victory ultimately has become a political quagmire, and his creepy dreams aren’t helping.
Daemon walks into the throne room in the Red Keep and approaches the Iron Throne.
There, a young Rhaenyra sits with Jaehaerys' crown on her head, speaking High Valyrian to him.
The reign of House Targaryen begins with this prequel to the popular HBO seriesGame of Thrones.Based on George R.R. Martin’sFire & Blood,House of the Dragonis set nearly 200 years beforeGame of Thrones, telling the story of the Targaryen civil war with King Viserys.
This isa nearly identical scene to when we first meet Daemonin the pilot episode of the show.
The second scene digs into the complicated dynamic under the surface.
What Is Rhaenyra Saying to Daemon in High Valyrian When He Walks In?
In my eyes, you were a god.
The Prince of the City.
The Lord of Flea Bottom.
I was an innocent.
You exploited me and abandoned me.
You sullied my name at court.
Image via HBO
You empowered my rivals.
You tried to make my ruin.
You put me on that throne.
Image via HBO
And you love me, and you hate me for it.
You created me, Daemon.
Yet you are now set on destroying me.
All because your brother loved me more than he did you.
In the scene, we only see Rhaenyra say, “You created me, Daemon.
Yet you are now set on destroying me.
Image via HBO
All because your brother loved me more than he did you.”
before Daemon is awakened bySer Simon Strong(Simon Russell Beale).
But examining Peterson’s translation, Rhaenyra’s condemnation becomes clearer.
Image via HBO
What Does Daemon’s Dream Actually Mean?
Earlier this season, Daemon and Rhaenyra had a blowout fight that aired out all of their issues.
At the core of Daemon’s development as a character is his relationship with his brother.
Rhaenyra is heavily influenced by Daemon, especially when growing up.
Viserys noted that the two were very similar.
He did, in some respects, create her.
But,this manifestation of Rhaenyra in Daemon’s dream exposes Daemon’s fears.
Series co-creator Ryan Condal explains the meaning behind Daemon’s vision and THAT cameo!
Does Daemon Want the Throne?
No, Not Really.
As showrunnerRyan Condalexplains during an after-the-episode featurette in Season 1, “Everybody thinks that Daemon wanted the crown.
And maybe he did.
Maybe he toyed with the idea of it.
But really, deep down,what he wanted was to be Viserys' Hand.
He wanted to be his brother’s guy, to help and protect him.”
Even Viserys mentions in Season 1 that Daemon doesn’t want the throne, despite his council’s fears.
Daemon’s desire to be needed and essential to Viserys has passed down to Rhaenyra.
But, the resulting tragedy not only undermines Rhaenyra but alsoshatters the trust they have in each other.
It seems obvious to us who it is because we’re familiar with this silhouette.
And a woman too.
A girlchild you bounced on your knee."
His conflict with Rhaenyra is very much unresolved, and his feelings about her are equally complicated.
He might have regretted cutting off her head, but he still did it, didn’t he?
It’s clear thatDaemon hasn’t decided for himself how he ultimately feels about Rhaenyra as his queen.
WatchHouse of the DragonSeason 1 and 2 on Max in the U.S.
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