Daemon Targaryen is undoubtedly one of the most enigmatic and intriguing characters introduced in HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel series House of the Dragon. By the end of Season 1, he changes from a boisterous jerk who revels in violence, debauchery and deceit into a battle-hardened, respected, fearless warrior and devoted husband. Iron Throne, Daemon decides to go to Dragonstone (Targaryen’s ancestral home) and call himself Lord of Dragonstone, even though Viserys had promised the castle to Rhaenyra.
During House of the Dragon Season 1, Daemon has been a man of few words. He usually lets his actions speak for themselves. When Daemon speaks, he does so with a purpose and delivers some of the best and most in-depth dialogue on the show. In addition, Daemon has succeeded in one of the most complex characters In the series. Both the audience and the characters are never quite sure of their love or hate for him; he constantly surprises, for better or for worse. In light of the season 1 finale of the series, here’s a look back at Daemon’s best moments in House of the Dragon.
7/7 royal tomcat
After his victory in The Stepstones, Daemon returns to King’s Landing with a crown. He walks to the Iron Throne and gives King Viserys the weapon of the Crab Feeder and hands him the crown he received after being proclaimed King of the Narrow Sea. He offers it to Viserys and acknowledges his brother’s rule after being estranged for several years. Later in the episode, Daemon Rhaenyra sneaks out of the castle and takes her to the Street of Silk. He and Rhaenyra get close to intercourse, per screen frenzybut Daemon suddenly flees, leaving Rhaenyra alone.
The next day, Daemon, with a huge hangover, is dragged before the king and questioned about his and Rhaenyra’s nighttime excursion. Daemon does not deny having sexual relations with his niece; he doubles down and asks Viserys to approve his and Rhaenyra’s marriage in the tradition of House Targaryen. Viserys is furious and demands that Daemon leave King’s Landing. Viserys washes his hands of his troublesome younger brother.
6/7 A trip to the Vale
Daemon appears early in the Vale House of the Dragon season 1, where his wife Lady Rhea Royce lives. Not much is known about their relationship, except that it was an arranged marriage in which Daemon had no interest. He approaches Lady Rhea, hooded, while she is on horseback. Daemon never says a word, but she senses what he’s about to do, and she moves too fast, frightening her horse and falling, as her horse lands right on her. Daemon walks up to her to see if she can move, and he seems to walk away contentedly until Lady Rhea spits out some insults at him. Daemon then grabs a large rock and the scene ends. Later reports say Lady Royce was found with her head and neck completely crushed. This scene shows how ruthless Daemon is in the face of his own ambition.
5/7 Choose a side
In an instant and you’ll miss it, when Alicent attacks Rhaenyra with a dagger in her hand, Ser Criston Cole, the Queen’s sworn protector, tries to follow her but is stopped by Prince Daemon.
After a skirmish, Daemon plants himself firmly on Rhaenyra’s side, showing where he stands as the battle lines begin to emerge for the impending civil war.
4/7 Challenge accepted
In another blink-and-you-will-it moment, during the dinner scene in episode eight of House of the Dragon, Viserys desperately begs his family to make peace – and then things seem to go well for a while. Rhaenyra and Alicent toast to each other, and everything seems fine. Then the kids start to bully each other. A scuffle naturally ensues, and Jacaerys rushes to Aemond to be easily pushed away. Aemond and Daemon stare at each other for a moment, and anyone who has read the books on which the series is based will know that this is the catalyst for the great rivalry between Prince Aemond fighting for the ‘Greens’ and Prince Daemon fighting for the ‘Blacks’. ‘.
3/7 The blood of ancient Valyria shed
Vaemond Velaryon (brother of the sea serpent) requests Driftmark’s succession when the sea serpent is wounded in battle. Viserys is currently king in name only, with Otto Hightower and Queen Alicent in his place. Viserys is bedridden and takes large amounts of milk from the poppy, leaving him in a misty haze. When Rhaenyra and Daemon arrive and Viserys explain the situation, he decides to intervene (a scene we’ll get to in a moment). Viserys overhears Vaemond’s request and denies it.
Vaemond is so angry that he lashes out and slanders Rhaenrya and her sons. Viserys takes out his dagger and says, “I’ve got your tongue for that.” Daemon, in perhaps the most shocking moment of… House of the Dragon season 1, cuts right through Vaemond’s head like butter, adding, “He can hold his tongue.” This is another important scene for Daemon, as it confirms his loyalty to his family and his speed to use violence when he feels it is justified.
2/7 Brothers to the end
After hearing the petition mentioned above regarding succession, Rhaenyra and Daemon come to King’s Landing. They find Viserys bedridden and high on the poppy’s milk. Daemon suspects that the Hightowers poisoned Viserys (although that has never been confirmed). Rhaenyra explains to her father the gravity of the situation as best she can, and it’s touching to see Daemon’s devotion to his long-estranged brother.
In by far the best scene and performance of season 1 of House of the Dragon, the king enters the hall, barely able to walk, using a cane as he struggles to reach the throne. He falls once, but refuses to be helped by his Kingsguard. He stumbles again, his crown falls from his head and it is Daemon reaching out his hand to help him to his feet. Daemon’s estrangement from his brother throughout most of the season makes this scene even more powerful as he helps his brother move to his seat on the Iron Throne and places the crown on his head. This tender scene shows that while Daemon can be a ruthless killer with a short temper, he is also a loyal brother.
1/7 Killing the Crabfeeder
After receiving word that his brother would send an assistant to Prince Daemon to help him against the Triarchy in The Stepstones, Daemon decides to go on what his generals call a suicide mission, rowing alone to the island of the Crabfeeder. Once ashore, he waves a white flag and holds out his sword. The Crabfeeder sends a few men out to take Daemon’s sword and possibly his life. Daemon defeats the soldiers, then cuts through 16 men as arrows rain down from the sky. Daemon sprints across the sand, dodging arrows and taking down Triarchy soldiers.
This gives the Sea Snake enough time to gather his troops to the beach. At the same time, the Sea Snake’s son, Laenor Velaryon, rains fire on the soldiers of the Triarchy, destroying their archers and giving Daemon the chance he needs to fight the Crabfeeder (leader of the Triarchy) in one-on-one combat. to involve. After being pierced by two arrows, Daemon sprints after the Crabfeeder and chases it into a cave. When Daemon comes out of the cave, he holds onto the Crabfeeder’s upper body after cutting it in half.
This scene establishes Prince Daemon as a battle-hardened warrior. It shows off its courage (or stubbornness), depending on how one looks at it. This scene also inspires newfound respect for Prince Daemon, as in the first two episodes he comes across as a total jerk with no redeeming qualities. Daemon would rather enter enemy territory alone than accept help from his brother, King Viserys.