House of the Dragon writer Sara Hess recently explained that season 2 will explore Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) and Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen’s (Emma D’Arcy) relationship. Set approximately 200 years before the events of the hit HBO series Game of Thrones, the prequel show centers on the strife at the heart of House Targaryen following King Viserys I Targaryen’s (Paddy Considine) decision to name Rhaenyra his heir apparent. However, with several members of the king’s court seeing the selection as an affront to honored patriarchal tradition, Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) organizes a successful coup and places his grandson, Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney), on the Iron Throne.
After Ser Laenor Velaryon (John Macmillan) faked his death and departed Westeros, Rhaenyra and Daemon quickly marry in the old Dragonlord tradition to continue the purity of the Targaryen bloodline. They subsequently move to Dragonstone and gave birth to two children, Aegon II Targaryen and Viserys II Targaryen. Although Daemon understands that all three of Rhaenyra’s first children, Jacaerys Velaryon, Lucerys Velaryon, and Joffrey Velaryon, are bastards, he has remained loyal to her and defended her when her legitimacy is challenged, as evidenced by Daemon’s brutal decapitation of Ser Vaemond Velaryon (Wil Johnson) after he calls into question her children’s lineage.
In a recent interview with THR, Hess teases that House of the Dragon season 2 will explore more of Daemon and Rhaenyra’s relationship. With the two married at the end of episode 7 and not at all included in episode 9, only two episodes of season 1 feature the two after they had wed. The writer admits that they are currently working on the upcoming season and using George R.R. Martin’s book, Fire & Blood, to help them dissect the partner’s relationship. Read what Hess said below.
“And right now, we’re writing season two and figuring out, what is the nature of his relationship with Rhaenyra? There are many interpretations [in George R.R. Martin’s book Fire & Blood] to that.”
What Daemon & Rhaenyra’s Marriage Means For The Dance Of Dragons
As Rhaenyra continued to give birth to dark-haired children, rumors began to spread regarding Ser Harwin Strong (Ryan Corr), the suspected father. If Rhaenyra took the throne, many would not see Jacerys, Lucerys, and Joffrey as rightful heirs. Daemon’s marriage to Rhaenyra, a bold but acceptable incestuous union, potentially corrects the bloodline with both Aegon III and Viserys II. Their Targaryen lineage no longer comes into question, but with Otto seizing control of the crown, the damage has been done and war has become inevitable.
Daemon has proved himself a more than capable warrior while fighting in the Stepstones as well as a competent dragon rider. Having him in Rhaenyra’s corner only helps her chances at claiming the Iron Throne. But with House of the Dragon season 2 featuring the Targaryen couple in the midst of the Dance of the Dragons, their relationship will be put to the test in unimaginable ways.
Source: THR
