WARNING! This article contains major SPOILERS for House of the Dragon’s season 2 finale & George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood book, on which the show is based!
Summary
After previously revealing his intentions to take King’s Landing for himself, Daemon Targaryen backtracks and bends the knee to Rhaenyra inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 8. Ever sinceHouse of the Dragon’s series premiere, Daemon has maintained the belief that it should be him, not Rhaenyra or Aegon, who succeeds Viserys on the Iron Throne. The Rogue Prince has always desired the acceptance, power, and admiration that comes with that rule, butDaemon’s visions at Harrenhalreminded himself that what he really wanted was to be deemed worthy by his brother.
After amassing a loyal, sizable army in the Riverlands inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 7, Daemon finally had all the tools he needed to take the Iron Throne as he had – consciously or not – set out to accomplish. However, now revealing Alys Rivers’ true intentions at Harrenhal,Daemon’s visions ultimately compel him to drop any striving he has for the crownand completely pledge himself to Rhaenyra as the rightful Queen. ByHouse of the Dragonseason 2’s ending, a changed Daemon is genuinely acting in the interests of the realm and his house rather than himself.
Daemon Bends The Knee To Rhaenyra Because Of His Visions
Daemon Sees The Future & How Desperately It Requires Rhaenyra On The Iron Throne
Daemon Targaryen came to Harrenhal with a mindset of still wanting the crown for himself, and he marches out of the castle with a huge army of loyal Rivermen, no self-interest in the Iron Throne, complete dedication to Rhaenyra’s cause, and a new understanding of his purpose in House Targaryen’s “story.” This is all due to his visions and, arguably, psychological torture induced by Alys Rivers, whose role in this story requiredmaking Daemon see the importance of putting Rhaenyra on the Iron Throneand putting an end to his selfish, power-hungry rebellion.
Daemon’s Vision Explained: Daenerys Targaryen, White Walker & More Game Of Thrones Connections
Daemon Targaryen has more visions at Harrenhal in House of the Dragon’s season 2 finale, connecting to his story, Rhaenyra, and even Game of Thrones.
Daemon had already begun seeing the error of his ways when envisioning Viserys telling him about the crushing weight and burden of the crown. However, his decision to propel Rhaenyra’s cause was officially sealed by his visions inHouse of the Dragon’s season 2 finale. Fully realizing a story bigger than himself, Daemon saw that the only way to secure House Targaryen’s future, bring about theThree-Eyed Raven/Bloodravenand the Prince(ss) That Was Promised, andsave humanity from the White Walkers is for Rhaenyra to unite the realm on the Iron Throne – just as Viserys had wished.
Both Bloodraven/Brynden Rivers and Daenerys Targaryen directly descend from Daemon and Rhaenyra Targaryen’s bloodline.
Daemon Needed To Support Rhaenyra For Their Book Story To Work
Daemon Helps Rhaenyra Take King’s Landing & Sit On The Iron Throne In Fire & Blood
When Daemon told Alys that he intended to take the Iron Throne for himself, it seemed as ifHouse of the Dragonwas setting up a massive departure from George R.R. Martin’sFire & Bloodbook. The book didn’t have any record of Daemon betraying Rhaenyra and striving to take King’s Landing on his own. In fact, the book suggests that Daemon was always loyal to Rhaenyra’s cause throughout the Dance of the Dragons, and evenjoined her to take the Iron Throne from the Greens during the Fall of King’s Landing.
Regardless of how it’s accomplished, Daemon still raises a huge army, spends substantial time in the Riverlands, and upholds Rhaenyra’s claim before she takes King’s Landing.
As such, to follow the book’s record of Daemon helpingRhaenyra take King’s Landing, he had to not only come back to her side but also be a fervent supporter of her rule. Thankfully, the show finally merged with the book’s depiction of Daemon backing Rhaenyra duringHouse of the Dragon’s season 2 finale. Ultimately, it also means that Daemon’s earlier betrayal technically isn’t a big change fromFire & Blood. Regardless of how it’s accomplished, Daemon still raises a huge army, spends substantial time in the Riverlands, and upholds Rhaenyra’s claim before she takes King’s Landing.
House of the Dragon
Cast
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
