Throughout the two seasons of HBO’s House of the Dragon, Daemon Targaryen has displayed loyalty and love as well as blood and betrayal. More often than not, he has walked the fine line between hero and villain, leaving audiences deeply conflicted. His duality makes him an intriguing and unpredictable character, never ceasing to surprise us with his rogue decisions.
With that in mind, let's explore 10 such unforgettable moments where Daemon's complexity shone through, delivering both chaos and glory. Beware SPOILERS ahead!
1. Daemon decides King's Landing needs a "cleanup"
Under the reign of his brother King Visery Targaryen, Daemon Targaryen was appointed to many posts, but none suited him better than that of the Commander of the City Watch. He took charge by outfitting its men in striking golden cloaks and turning them into a lethal force that would instill fear among the criminals of King's Landing...and probably a lot of innocent civilians too. To maintain law and order, Daemon meted out an extreme version of justice.
Under Daemon's command, his men cleaned the city of any crime in what he saw as a necessary purge. They raided the streets, publicly humiliating and brutally mutilating the common folk in a no-holds-barred crackdown. In his attempt to show authority and power, his "cleanup" directly caused much havoc and unnecessary bloodshed.
While some might say that Daemon's actions were a necessary measure to keep the city's crime under check, others viewed it as sheer tyranny. Sure, his establishment of the Gold Cloaks brought order to the lawless streets of King's Landing and transformed the men of the City Watch. However, the violence it enforced created chaos and distrust. Either way, Daemon made it clear that his idea of order is fierce, merciless, and definitely unforgettable. This incident marked one of the first few glimpses of Daemon's complexity, fueled by his hunger for power and glory.
2. Daemon’s Return as “King of the Narrow Sea”
After his victory at the Stepstones, Daemon returned to King's Landing in triumph with a crown on his head, proclaiming himself " King of the Narrow Sea." His dramatic entry was peak Daemon: unpredictable, audacious, and yet oddly endearing.
In a surprising twist, Daemon humbly knelt before King Veserys, offering his crown and pledging loyalty to his brother, a subtle reminder to everyone that he does value his family and the Targaryen legacy.
Daemon's unpredictable move had everyone holding their breath, wondering if this was a genuine act of respect or yet another one of his schemes to stir chaos. Considering how Daemon and Viserys parted on bad terms the last time they saw each other, it was only natural for everyone, including Viserys' daughter Rhaenyra and his advisor Otto Hightower, to doubt his true motives. Daemon's return and his unexpected gesture left everyone wondering what his next move might be.
3. Daemon luring Rhaenyra into a scandalous night on the Street of Silk
Daemon's return to King's Landing wasn't without drama. On the very night of his triumphant return, he discretely invited his niece Rhaenyra to join him on a late-night escapade into the streets of King's Landing, which turned into more than just frolic. Daemon's framed this night out as an excuse to entertain and educate his niece in the ways of the common people, but really he was trying to get closer to the Iron Throne.
The night took a scandalous turn when Daemon guided Rhaenyra into a brothel on the infamous Street of Silk, where their flirtation escalated into a moment of incestuous intimacy, in true Targaryen fashion. But Daemon abruptly left before things went too far. However, Daemon intentionally exposes Rhaenyra's identity by removing her beanie and revealing her silver hair, allowing the rumors to spread. As anticipated, word got out and reached Otto Hightower, who then reported it to King Viserys, leading to a confrontation Daemon and his brother. But instead of apologizing, Daemon boldly asked Viserys to betroth Rhaenyra to him, with the proposal to "return the House of the Dragon to its proper glory." This reckless act fractured Daemon's relationship with Viserys, who banished him yet again.
Daemon's audacious proposal underscores his manipulative, impulsive, and selfish nature as he sought to leverage this situation to pressure Viserys and ultimately get closer to the crown. While the idea of uniting Daemon and Rhaenyra might seem rational in hindsight, it doesn't take away from the fact that Daemon attempted to trick his family and betray their trust. As much as he cares about his blood, his pursuit of power often leads him down morally ambiguous paths, encapsulating the duality of his nature.
4. The not-so-mysterious demise of Lady Rhea Royce
With the tragic death of his estranged wife, Daemon's volatile and rebellious nature is perfectly unveiled. Daemon was never committed to his relationship with Rhea Royce of the Vale, seeing it as an insult to his sense of identity and legacy as a Targaryen prince.
After being banished, again, and being denied marriage to Rhaenyra (which meant being denied access to the Iron Throne), Daemon decided to put an end to his problem. As his marriage to Rhea became an obstacle in pursuing his ambitions, he ended her life by smashing her head in with a rock after she fell off her horse. Her death freed him from the shackles of an unwanted union, allowing him to pursue his ambitions.
Rhea's death showcased Daemon's ruthlessness nature. This chilling act was equal parts an extreme version of childish rage and a calculated rebellion, proving he would go to any length to reclaim control of his fate.
5. Daemon and Rhaenyra's marriage: a union of love and strategy
Daemon's marriage to Rhaenyra Targaryen wasn’t just a union of love, but also a strategic alliance. Initiated by Rhaenyra, this marriage would strengthen their position amidst growing threats to her claim. This proposal in some ways was everything Daemon wanted: it secured his position of power, gave him access to the Iron Throne and a Targaryen wife. For a long time, Daemon had been pushed to the side or sent away, and this marriage was the perfect opportunity for him to get right back in the game.
By solidifying their alliance, Daemon and Rhaneyra presented a united front against the Greens, reinforcing their legitimacy and Rhaenyra's claim to the Iron Throne. As Daemon's ambitions perfectly aligned with those of Rhaenyra, this marriage ensured they could challenge the Greens. For Daemon, it was a chance to be at the heart of Targaryen power, securing his legacy.
In true Targaryen fashion, this marriage is a fiery blend of passion and political necessity. It was a decision to protect their family, the crown, and the realm, ensuring that the legacy of House Targaryen remained intact. It once again highlighted Daemon's duality and ability to strategize and conspire, only this time for the better.
6. Justice served Daemon's style: Beheading Vaemond Velaryon
This is the day when Daemon's audacity reached new heights. With Lord Corlys Velaryon being unwell, his brother Vaemond Velaryon petitioned to rename himself the true heir to Driftmark, which would be a slight to King Viserys' daughter, who's son Lucerys had that title. The frail King Viserys mustered all his strength to walk up to the Iron Throne and defend his daughter, and the stage was set.
As the matter concerning Corlys Velaryon's true heir was to be discussed, Rhaenys's opinion took precedence and she spoke in support of Lucerys. Unhappy with the verdict, Vaemond openly questioned the legitimacy of Rhaenyra's children, a dangerous move in an already volatile court. But what unfolded next was a testament to Daemon’s unpredictable and fiercely protective nature.
Without waiting for King Viserys’ command, Daemon silenced Vaemond with a single, decisive stroke, beheading him. This wasn’t just a display of Daemon’s lethal skill but also his unflinching loyalty to Rhaenyra, their children, and House Targaryen. With this, he sent a clear message to anyone who dared to speak or question the honor of his family. Marking yet another incident that cemented Daemon's reputation as the rogue prince whose actions always kept the realm on edge.
7. Daemon's take on justice: "A son for a son"
After the devastating death of her son Lucerys, Rhaenyra’s grief manifested in a single, chilling command: “I want Aemond Targaryen.” For Daemon, this was all the permission he needed to act on his long-held desire to serve justice with ‘an eye for an eye.’ Using information provided to him by the spymaster Mysaria, Daemon snuck into King’s Landing and recruited two killers to bring him Aemond, with unclear instructions of bringing him “a son for a son” in case Aemond couldn’t be found.
But in a tragic twist of fate, Helaena Targaryen’s innocent son Jaehaerys became the victim of this vengeful quest, leaving Rhaenyra with blood on her hands. What started as a display of loyalty to Rhaenyra quickly spiraled into a harrowing tragedy, exposing Daemon's impulsive nature and his inability to foresee the consequences of his actions. His reckless plan to strike back at the Greens backfired, leading to collateral damages.
Daemon’s quest for justice, though righteous in intent, led to devastating consequences, earning Rhaenyra the dreaded title of kinslayer. His blind rage proved how his actions come at a cost which no one is truly safe from.
8. Daemon's bitter lesson in diplomacy in the Riverlands
Daemon's fiery temper met their match during his attempt to secure the allegiance of the Lords at the Riverlands. Flying to Harrenhal to raise an army, Daemon wasn't expecting a challenge from the stubborn leaders of the Riverlands. Before he could win them to his side, he first needed to resolve the generations-old conflict between House Bracken and House Blackwood.
His first attempt to scare the members of House Bracken into obeying by threatening them with dragon-fire failed, as the proud men chose to rather die in fire than bend. Frustrated, Daemon sought an alternate route, asking Willem Blackwood to force House Bracken's loyalty by any means necessary. However, the resulting atrocities committed by Blackwood’s men, including harm to women and children, only deepened the feud. Daemon's attempts to mediate between the warring houses failed miserably.
The new Lord of the Riverlands was young Lord Oscar Tully, whose sharp words and sense of justice forced Daemon to confront his shortcomings. Acknowledging the stakes, Daemon swallowed his pride and executed Willem Blackwood to restore order and earn the Riverlords' trust. This bitter experience was a turning point for Daemon. While his actions were brutal, they were necessary to secure an army for the Blacks. It was a humbling experience for Daemon to prioritize the greater good over his prideful tendencies.
9. Daemon raises an army in Harrenhal, but is it for himself or Rhaenyra?
After a heated argument with Rhaenyra, Daemon does as he always does: flees from the problem, in this case to Harrenhal to raise an army in her name...or so he claimed. Daemon’s actions, as always, were layered with conflicting motives. Frustrated with Rhaenyra’s cautious approach to the war with her half-brother Aegon, Daemon took matters into his own hands and set off to raise an army loyal to him.
Daemon, like most, believed that in war, the men of the realm would neither stand behind a woman nor accept being ruled by a Queen. To him, only a man with the willingness to shed blood could lead them to victory and restore peace. However, Daemon overlooked the fact that the realm would rather trust and be led by someone stable than by someone reckless. And above all, it was never about what the realm wanted, but about whom Viserys entrusted with the burden of the crown, whom he believed had the ability to unite the realm against a greater threat and fulfill Aegon's dream of the Song of Ice and Fire.
His intentions were self-serving: to claim the Iron Throne for himself with or without Rhaenyra, rather than to support her own claim. Daemon’s refusal to follow Rhaenyra's plans exposes his reckless tendencies to prioritize his single-minded vision over the collective cause, ultimately risking Rhaenyra her throne and further dividing House Targaryen.
If not for Alys Rivers’ prophetic intervention, Daemon’s desperate moves and ambition could have led to catastrophic consequences, proving once again how his heroics often come with devastating fallout. This event is a testament to Daemon's complex persona, where ambition and desire for power and glory often overshadow familial loyalty and honor for him.
Throughout the first two seasons of House of the Dragon, we've seen many sides of Daemon Targaryen. We've seen him keep his silence, leverage situations to his advantage and charge headlong into battle. We've seen him deliver his brutal brand of justice and face the bitter truth of his shortcomings and resolve situations with diplomacy rather than fear.
Marching to the beat of his own drum, Daemon Targaryen cemented his role as the rogue hero and chaotic villain of House of the Dragon. He has continued to deliver moments of brilliance and chaos in equal measure. He'll continue when House of the Dragon season 3 premieres on HBO and Max sometime next year.
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