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. He transforms from being a loudmouth jerk who revels in violence, debauchery, and deceit to a battle-hardened, respected, fearless warrior and dedicated husband by the end of season 1. After being spurned by his brother Viserys, who unnamed as heir to the Iron Throne, Daemon decides to go to Dragonstone (the Targaryen ancestral home) and name himself Lord of Dragonstone even though Viserys had promised the castle to Rhaenyra.
Throughout House of the Dragon season 1, Daemon has been a man of few words. He typically lets his actions speak for themselves. When Daemon does speak, he does so with purpose and delivers some of the show’s best and most profound dialogue of the show. What’s more, Daemon has succeeded in becoming one of the most complex characters in the series. Audiences and characters alike are never entirely secure in either their love or hatred for him; he continually surprises, for better and worse. In light of the series’ season 1 finale, here’s a look back at Daemon’s best moments in House of the Dragon.
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7 Royal Hangover
HBO
On the heels of his victory in The Stepstones, Daemon returns to King’s Landing wearing a crown. He walks up to the Iron Throne and gives King Viserys the Crabfeeder’s weapon, and presents him with the crown he was given after being named King of the Narrow Sea. He offers it to Viserys, acknowledging his brother’s rule after being estranged for several years. Later in the episode, Daemon sneaks Rhaenyra out of the castle and takes her to the Street of Silk. He and Rhaenyra come close to intercourse, per Screen Rant, but Daemon suddenly flees, leaving Rhaenyra alone.
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The following day, Daemon, extremely hungover, is dragged in front of the King and questioned about his and Rhaenyra’s nighttime field trip. Daemon does not deny engaging in 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 Daemon leave King’s Landing. Viserys washes his hands of his troublesome younger brother.
6 A Trip to the Vale
Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution
Daemon shows up in the Vale early on in House of the Dragon season 1, where his wife Lady Rhea Royce resides. 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 is about to do, and she moves too quickly, scaring her horse and falling, with her horse landing directly on top of her. Daemon walks over to check if she can move, and he seems contented to walk away until Lady Rhea hurls a few insults at him. Daemon then grabs a large rock, and the scene ends. Later, reports say that Lady Royce was found with her head and neck completely crushed. This scene demonstrates how ruthless Daemon is in the face of his own ambition.
5 Choosing a Side
In a blink-and-you-’ll-miss-it moment, when Alicent charges at Rhaenyra with a dagger in her hand, Ser Criston Cole, the queen’s sworn protector, attempts to follow her, only to be blocked by Prince Daemon.
After a skirmish, Daemon plants himself firmly on Rhaenyra’s side, showing where he stands as the battle lines start to appear for the looming civil war.
4 Challenge Accepted
In another blink-and-you-’ll-miss-it moment, during the dinner scene in episode eight of House of the Dragon, Viserys desperately pleads with his family to make peace — and things seem to go well for a few moments after that. Rhaenyra and Alicent toast one another, and all appears well. Then, the children start taunting one another. A scuffle naturally ensues, and Jacaerys runs at Aemond only to be shoved away with ease. Aemond and Daemon briefly stare each other down, and anyone who has read the books the series is based on knows this is the catalyst for the great rivalry between Prince Aemond fighting for the “Greens” and Prince Daemon fighting for the “Blacks.”
3 Spilling the Blood of Old Valyria
Vaemond Velaryon (brother of the Sea Snake) petitions the succession of Driftmark when the Sea Snake suffers a wound in battle. Viserys is King in name only at this point, with Otto Hightower and Queen Alicent ruling in his stead. Viserys is bedridden and taking copious amounts of milk of the poppy, leaving him in a foggy haze. When Rhaenyra and Daemon arrive and explain the situation to Viserys, he decides to intercede (a scene we will get to in just a moment). Viserys hears Vaemond’s petition and denies it.
Vaemond is so angry that he lashes out and defames Rhaenrya and her sons. Viserys pulls out his dagger and says, “I will have 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 keep his tongue.” This is another key scene for Daemon as it establishes his loyalty to his family and his quickness to turn to violence when he feels it is justified.
2 Brothers to the End
Upon hearing of the petition mentioned above regarding succession, Rhaenyra and Daemon come to King’s Landing. They find Viserys bedridden and high on milk of the poppy. Daemon suspects that the Hightowers have been poisoning Viserys (although that is never confirmed). Rhaenyra explains the gravity of the situation to her father the best she can, and it is 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 make it to the throne. He falls once, but refuses to let his Kingsguard assist him. He stumbles again, with his crown falling off his head, and it is Daemon who reaches out to help him up. Daemon’s estrangement from his brother for most of the season makes this scene even more powerful as he helps his brother to his seat on the Iron Throne and places the crown on his head. This tender scene highlights that while Daemon can be a ruthless killer with a quick temper, he is also a loyal brother.
1 Slaying the Crabfeeder
Upon receiving word that his brother would be sending aide to Prince Daemon to help him against the Triarchy in The Stepstones, Daemon chooses to go on what his generals call a suicide mission, where he rows, alone, to the Crabfeeder’s island. Once ashore, he waves a white flag and holds out his sword. The Crabfeeder sends out a few men to take Daemon’s sword and potentially his life. Daemon bates the soldiers out, then cuts through 16 men as arrows rain down from the sky. Daemon sprints across the sand, dodging arrows and cutting down Triarchy soldiers.
This gives the Sea Snake enough time to rally his forces to the beach. At the same time, the Sea Snake’s son Laenor Velaryon rains fire down on the Triarchy soldiers, obliterating their archers, and giving Daemon the opportunity he needs to engage the Crabfeeder (leader of the Triarchy) in one-on-one combat. Having being pierced by two arrows, Daemon sprints after the Crabfeeder, chasing him into a cave. When Daemon emerges from the cave, he is holding the upper torso of the Crabfeeder after cutting him in half.
This scene establishes Prince Daemon as a battle-hardened warrior. It shows off his courage (or stubbornness), depending on how one looks at it. This scene also creates newfound respect for Prince Daemon, whereas, in the first two episodes, he comes off as a total jerk with no redeeming qualities. Daemon would rather walk into enemy territory alone than accept assistance from his brother, King Viserys.
