hellbrainrot

[hellbrainrot]

"Don't come again unless you mean to bend your knees, she says. Any man who comes near her walls will die. There's power in them stones, and the widow's woken it. Seven save us all, she has a dragon. I seen it."

—Messenger to Damon Darry

Alys Rivers for one of my dearest friends ♡ One of the most mysterious and charming characters in FaB. Truly, a Witch Queen.

[hellbrainrot]

The writers are crafting Daemon and Aemond's arcs as a Hero's Journey.

Daemon's Season 2 arc was essentially this, and next season once Aemond arrives at Harrenhal he will start his.

Interviewer: "When you're processing House of the Dragon, what are some other big mythologies that you're thinking of when you're making sense of this story?

Ryan responds by naming "The Hero of a Thousand Faces" by Joesph Campbell and Arthiuan Mythology as key influences.

— Ryan Condal on Season 2 of House of the Dragon | House of R

Geeta Patel also references the "Hero Journey" in regards to Daemon:

“When he gets to Harrenhal and all these crazy things start happening, he’s the first guy that’ll say, ‘This is weird. These are crazy.’ He’s that guy. He’s a realist. He’s a scientist. He doesn’t believe in all that stuff,” Patel shares. “In that moment where he’s with Rhaenyra, he is being chosen to be heroic. He’s always thought heroism is violence. I think in that moment, he needed to actually be heroic in a greater way. Ryan and Sara always wanted this to be a moment where he’s humbled by how small he is in the greater scheme of things, and he is called to action. That’s why he becomes a hero. That is the simple definition of a hero’s journey. It’s the first point.”

This type of narrative arc echoes a deeper pyschological theme often discussed in mythology-- the confornation with the "shadow" self

"A key stage in the hero’s journey is the confrontation with the shadow – the dark, repressed aspects of the psyche that we deny or project onto others. Jung believed that facing and integrating the shadow was essential for psychological growth and maturity"

"Carl Jung saw the hero’s journey as a metaphor for the process of individuation and integrating the conscious and unconscious selves"

Ewan has multiple quotes where he talks about his shadow side:

["In season 2, what's been exciting for me to explore is that shadow side, seeing that vulnerability behind the facade, you know, this hard exterior that he manufactured over the years. You know, have a little peek behind it, see if that kid is still the neglected bullied boy, and explore the nuance on the upcoming episodes," he said."] -- Ewan Mitchell

[“I made a very conscious decision to really just push for the villain in season one,” he says. “But now you’re going to see all that shadow side. What I love about Aemond is that he has an ambiguity. He could be looking at someone thinking about how he wants to cook them a meal and take them on a date or he could be looking at someone thinking he wants to make them the meal and take Vhagar [his dragon] on a date.”] -- Ewan Mitchell for Esquire

And lastly the reference to the Season 2 trailer where Larys says the quote  “The enemy without may be fought with swords, the enemy within is more insidious” (he says this directly to Aemond in Season 2 of Episode 6) followed by the scenes of Daemon in Harrenhal and Aemond lying in the brothel madam's lap, seem to emphasize the internal struggles both characters are facing.

The enemy within is often the shadow, the repressed and rejected parts of ourselves that we avoid.

Both Aemond and Daemon are grappling with their shadow sides, which drives them to be act recklessly and become dangerous forces within their respective factions.

The internal enemy is more insidious because it’s subtle and deeply personal. It operates on a level that , in order to overcome it , requires self awareness and introspective growth---a transformation. 

I'll break down each step of the Hero's Journey and explore how it aligns with Daemon's transformation (which I believe is still ongoing):

The Call to Adventure – Blood and Cheese Aftermath

Daemon sets Blood and Cheese in motion, but when it backfires, he flees to Harrenhal. His journey begins with an attempt to escape responsibility, but his stay at Harrenhal forces him to confront it.

First Vision--Young Rhaenyra sewing Jaehaerys’ head -- (Season 2 Episode 3, The Burning Mill)

Instead of facing his mistakes, Daemon isolates himself at Harrenhal, refusing to admit his guilt. The vision shows his subconscious blaming himself for abandoning Rhaenyra and making her clean up his mess.

Refusal of the Call – Daemon resists confronting his past and responsibilities.

He refuses to send a raven to Rhaenyra , too proud to admit his mistakes.

Second Vision – Rhaenyra’s Accusation & Decapitation --(Season 2 Episode 4, The Red Dragon and the Gold)

Rhaenyra Targaryen: It's been said that Targaryens are closer to gods than to men... In my eyes, you were a god, Daemon Targaryen. The Prince of the City, the Lord of Flee Bottom. I was an innocent. You exploited me and abandoned me. You sullied my name at court. You empowered my rivals. You tried to make my ruin. You put me on that throne. And you love me, and you hate me for it. You created me, Daemon. Yet you are now set on destroying me. All because your brother loved me more than he did you."

Rhaenyra in the vision tells Daemon that he “created” her but is now destroying her.

She accuses him of exploiting her and setting her up for ruin.He reacts by killing the vision of Rhaenyra, symbolizing his initial rejection of his guilt.

Instead of reflecting on his role in her suffering, he lashes out, further proving his unwillingness to accept responsibility.

Supernatural Aid – The visions and Alys Rivers guide Daemon through his internal struggles.

["The higher mythologies develop the role in the great figure of the guide, the teacher, the ferryman, the conductor of souls to the afterworld. " ]-- A Hero with a Thousand Faces Chapter I: Departure, Section 3 : Supernatural Aid

["Protective and dangerous, motherly and fatherly at the same time, this supernatural principle of guardianship and direction unites in itself all the ambiguities of the unconscious—thus signifying the support of otir conscious personality by that other, larger system, but also the inscrutability of the guide that we are following, to the peril of all our rational ends" ]-- A Hero with a Thousand Faces Chapter I: Departure, Section 3 : Supernatural Aid

The Supernatural Aid understands that the hero has to go through tough trials and tribulations and will push them to a spot where they are uncomfortable. Though the transformation process may be painful, these figures see comfort and discomfort as essential for growth.

Alys Rivers is a mysterious woman with foresight and is linked to Daemon’s visions. She is a seer with knowledge beyond ordinary understanding.

Third Vision – Aemond’s Manifestation Leads Him to Alys -- (Season 2 Episode 4, The Red Dragon and the Gold)

Daemon follows what appears to be Aemond but finds himself in Alys’ chambers.

Alys gives Daemon a potion, which results in his visions continuing even when he's awake-- blurring the lines between reality and the subconscious. This symbolizes a forced awakening by Alys, making it impossible for Daemon to continue ignoring his struggles.

Symbolism: Aemond serves as a mirror to Daemon (both are ambitious, second sons, and unpredictable warriors).

Crossing the First Threshold / Belly of the Whale– Daemon fully enters his subconscious and past traumas.

This stage of the Hero's Journey often personifies unconscious fears, repressed desires, or unresolved conflicts.

["With the personifications of his destiny to guide and aid him, the hero goes forward in his adventure until he comes to the "threshold guardian" at the entrance to the zone of magnified power. "]

These guardians are often symbolic of the hero’s fears, societal constraints, or unresolved issues that keep them from advancing on their journey or transformation.

Fourth Vision – Laena Confronting Him About Their Daughters-- (Season 2, Episode 4, The Red Dragon and the Gold)

Laena’s ghost asks, “Have you looked after our girls?”

Symbolism: Daemon has neglected his daughters, proving his inability to balance power and family.

His estrangement from his daughters can be seen as Daemon neglecting his familial duties, something that prevents him from fully embracing responsibility.

Road of Trials

So far each vision that Daemon receives is a part of his psyche

Guilt over Jaehaerys.

His role in shaping (and hurting) Rhaenyra.

His failure as a father.

His unresolved need for power and validation.

["ONCE having traversed the threshold, the hero moves in a dream landscape of curiously fluid, ambiguous forms, where he must survive a succession of trials"  --- Hero Journey The hero is covertly aided by the advice, amulets, and secret agents of the supernatural helper whom he met before his entrance into this region. Or it may be that he here discovers for the first time that there is a benign power everywhere supporting him in his superhuman passage."]-- A Hero with a Thousand Faces Chapter II: Initiation, Section 1 : Road of Trials

During this stage is where the supernatural helper (Alys) aids him on his trials.

["But I’ll cross you no further. I’m sure your tactics are, after all, approved by the queen"]-- Alys (Season 2 Episode 5 , Regent )

If Daemon's actions harm the innocent or are seen as overly brutal, it could tarnish Rhaenyra's cause once again and make it more difficult to gather the support he needs.

She is subtly guiding him toward a different tactic, where instead of raising an army through fear and violence, Daemon should focus on a more thoughtful and judicious strategy.

Meeting with the Goddess/ Woman as the Temptress – Daemon's Vision of his "mother" (Season 2 Episode 5 -- Regent)

["The remembered image is not only benign, however; for the "bad" mother too —(1) the absent, unattainable mother, against whom aggressive fantasies are directed, and from whom a counteraggression is feared; (2) the hampering, forbidding, punishing mother; (3) the mother who would hold to herself the growing child trying to push away; and finally (4) the desired but forbidden mother (Oedipus complex) whose presence is a lure to dangerous desire (castration complex)—persists in the hidden land of the adult"]-- Chapter II: Initiation, Section 2: Meeting with the Goddess

["And the testings of the hero, which were preliminary to his ultimate experience and deed, were symbolical of those crises of realization by means of which his consciousness came to be amplified and made capable of enduring the full possession of the mother-destroyer, his inevitable bride. With that he knows that he and the father are one: he is in the father's place."] -- Chapter II: Initiation, Section 3: Woman as the Temptress

["You were always the strong one. The finest swordsman. The fearless dragonrider," he imagines his mom telling him during this twisted encounter. "Your brother had great love in his heart, but he lacked your constitution. Viserys was unsuited for the crown, but you, Daemon, you were made to wear it. If only you’d be born first. My favorite son."]

Symbolism: A disturbing vision where Daemon seeks validation through power and intimacy, exposing his unresolved trauma and ambition. It tempts him with the idea that he was the rightful heir.

But after hearing "My favorite son" Daemon reacts with a look of horror and confusion. Although part of him desires the validation and recognition that the vision provides, another part of him recoils from it.

His reaction could signify that he’s aware, on some level, that the type of validation he’s seeking is unhealthy and unsustainable.

After this scene, in the same epiosde, Daemon says this to Alys:

Daemon Targaryen: "She cannot succeed, Alys. Even if I willed it to be so. The people who support her will not be led by her. They look to a man for strength. Who’s better suited to it? The Hightowers with their scheming? Or Viserys’s first true heir? When I take King’s Landing… Rhaenyra is welcome to join me there and take her place by my side. King and queen… ruling together" ]

Alys Rivers : "It’s a pity, don’t you think, that you never knew your mother?"

Alys knows that Daemon had a vision about his mother and saw how he reacted to it. Her response to his words is a subtle nudge for him to remember the vision and how he responded negatively she knows uggesting that Daemon’s ambition for power and control is tied to his emotional needs.

After her words, there is a brief pause in Daemon's actions, and the expression on his face shifts. Alys uses her understanding of his unconscious to subtly prompt him to reflect more deeply on his words.

Atonement of the father-- (Season 2 Episode 6 -- Smallfolk & Season 2 Episode 7-- The Red Sowing)

Sixth Vision-- Viserys on the throne

Daemon Targaryen: Brother?

Viserys Targaryen: Did you say it?, “The Heir for a Day, " Did you say it?

Daemon Targaryen: You can’t possibly still be angry about this.

Viserys Targaryen: My family was just destroyed.You should’ve been at my side.But instead you chose to celebrate your own rise.Laughing at me… laughing with the whores and lickspittles.And everything I’ve given you, you’ve thrown back in my face!I have decided…

Daemon Targaryen: Don’t.

Viserys Targaryen: …to name a new heir. You are to return to Runestone and your lady wife at once, and you are to do so without quarrel, by order of your king.

Daemon Targaryen: No!Open the door! Open the door. Please. Please. Please

We start to see the further cracks in Daemon's psyche that are pushing him to confront his issues with his brother.

This vision is where Daemon is getting all of his failures thrown back in his face directly from someone who he sees as his father figure; Viserys words expose Daemon's shadow - the darker aspect s he prefers to ignore and run from--his selfishness, the abandonment of his family, and his deep insecurity about being replaced as heir.

Daemon's desperation to return t his brother and explain himself offers a self-realization for Daemon.

Following this vision, we see Daemon go through an emotional breakdown.

Within the same episode,it leads to the this stage where he opens up a bit to Alys about his issues with Rhaenyra.

Daemon Targaryen: She never even wanted it. The crown. She spared it no thought.

Alys Rivers: Well, that's perhaps why your brother gave the crown to her. Perhaps those who strive for it are the least suited to wear it.

Daemon Targaryen: Don't lecture me!

Alys Rivers: Viserys never wanted it himself, if you recall. It came to him, and he did his best. It's not a prize to be won, but a burden to bear

"It is in this ordeal that the hero may derive hope and assurance from the helpful female figure, by whose magic (pollen charms or power of intercession) he is protected through all the frightening experiences of the father's ego-shattering initiation. For if it is impossible to trust the terrifying father-face, then one's faith must be centered elsewhere (Spider Woman, Blessed Mother); and with that reliance for support, one endures the crisis—only to find, in the end, that the father and mother reflect each other, and are in essence the same"-Chapter II: Initiation, Section 5: Atonement of the father

During the Atontment of the Father Stage of the Hero's Journey the hero often receives guidance from a female figure , who aids them through their ego shattering initaiton.

Alys plays this role for Daemon , helping him navigate his inner turmoil.

In this exchange, her words “Viserys never wanted it himself, if you recall” seem to echo his subconcious, touching on parts of him that are still in denial or that haven't been fully confronted.

Deep down Daemon knows that his brother never truly desired the crown.

Aftering their converstation it leads us to his:

Seventh Vision –Where Daemon Comforts Viserys Over Aemma’s Death

Symbolism: Daemon holds Viserys as he cries, a moment where Daemon acknowdgles that he should have been there for his brother.This is a pivotal moment for Daemon, both as a character and in terms of his relationship with Viserys.

He acknowleges his past failures and missed opportunites to be a supportive brother

Eighth Vision – Viserys Telling Him the Crown is a Burden - (Season 2 Episode 7-- The Red Sowing)

Daemon realizes that ruling isn’t the ultimate prize—the burden of the crown destroys those who wear it.

This is a turning point—Daemon no longer resents Viserys but understands the weight of his choices.

"And then that opens the door for Daemon sitting with old Viserys and Viserys literally offering him the Crown. The thing we all think that Daemon has always wanted, although I say its a little more nuanced than that, I think he just wanted Viserys to say "It could be yours" so he could say, "No, no, that's too much responsibility.--(HOTD: Official Podcast: S2 Ep. 8: Ryan Condal on the Season Two Finale )

"Really to us, the major scene is that challenge that Viserys gives him with the crown, "Do you want it still?" Because that's really where he has to make the choice" (HOTD: Official Podcast: S2 Ep. 8: Ryan Condal on the Season Two Finale )

Apotheosis (Enlightenment)/ The Ulimate Boon (The Reward)

"When the envelopment of consciousness has been annihilated, then he becomes free of all fear, beyond the reach of change." --- A Hero with a Thousand Faces Chapter II: Initiation, Section 5 : Apotheosis

The final vision of the prophecy is Daemon’s moment of enlightenment.

"The idea was that [Daemon seeing Aegon’s prophecy] was the reward for the journey he went through." (HOTD: Official Podcast: S2 Ep. 8: Ryan Condal on the Season Two Finale )

Ninth Vision – The Prophecy (His enlightenment and Ultimate Reward ) —(Season 2 Episode 8--The Queen Who Ever Was)

After all his trials, he's rewarded with seeing the vision of the prophecy that Viserys was obessed with.

He realizes that his destiny isn’t to rule, but to serve the greater cause of House Targaryen’s survival.

This moment aligns his purpose with something greater than himself.

 Symbolism: [“He can have a role in this , it’s very important .. even if it's not the top role and he can have a major role in the future of the Targaryen dynasty as Rhaenyra's  king consort and as her justice and as her hand and the leader of her massive dragon host to put her on that throne”] -- HOTD: Official Podcast: S2 Ep. 8: Ryan Condal on the Season Two Finale

["And he now sees something bigger out there , and he wants to be apart of it"]

Final Thoughts:

Daemon was forced to confront the emotional wounds he caused by coming to terms with his role as a father, brother, and husband. A promising aspect of Daemon's upcoming arc in Season 3 is that his journey in the Hero's Journey appears to be ongoing. It seems like we will see more of what he's learned from this experience next season. Ryan has hinted that that Rhaena will have an "impact" on Daemon. Given the direction in the book, it's almost certain that she will get Nettles's role, and they will explore the dynamic between the two.

Also, considering Aemond's character and the fact that he's heading to Harrenhal next season, it makes me think that we will see him undergo a similar process, though I don't think it will have the same story beats as Daemon's. (I will make a separate post about my predictions with the structure of the Hero’s Journey in mind)

[hellbrainrot]

You know, one thing amazes me, I see it all the time, in real life, in books, in movies. I don't understand why people don't realize one simple true. There's a really interesting scene in episode six of season two of House of the Dragon. The scene where Alicent steps up to Aemond after the Small Council meeting and says: “Have the indignities of your childhood not yet sufficiently been avenged? ” She doesn't understand everything that Aemond had in his life, especially in his childhood, made him the person he is now. It's not about whether his indignities were avenged or not.

He is already the person his journey has shaped him into.

In this scene, Alicent kind of asks Aemond to stop, but she doesn't understand he has passed the point where retreat is possible; whether he still wants to or not, turning back is no longer an option. There has to be something so important to Aemond in the balance pan so that he stops from turning Westeros to fire and blood. And that something, I think, is love.

Love could stop Aemond. But no one wants to give it to him. Even worse, no one in his family has thought to measure off Aemond a little bit of love and compassion for years. If we want a man to give up war, offering him something instead is the necessary thing to do. However, Alicent in this scene asks Aemond to stop being a war criminal, but gives him nothing. She provides him no alternative. So he continues to push forward on this destructive way he's taken.

There is a similar scene in Black Sails, only there the character is given a different path, and ultimately, he makes a choice in favor of this proffered alternative. In season four, Silver asks Flint would he trade the war to have Thomas Hamilton back again or not. And this alternative that Silver offers, albeit theoretically – they didn't yet know Thomas is alive, although Silver already guessed it, but wasn't sure of it – this alternative is so significant and serious for Flint that the scales are balanced. On the one hand – war, rage, revenge, destruction and death; on the other – peace, tranquility, love, future and life.

It would seem that for most people, sensible ones, the choice is obvious and simple here, and in the end, Flint abjures violence and chooses love. However, this decision was not easy for him to make, because both he and Aemond are on the same path: he is already the person his journey has shaped him into. Even the theoretical probability of returning to who Flint was, taking into account what kind of person he has become over the past ten years, seems utterly inconceivable to him.

Flint doesn't even answer Silver when he asks. Only after a long while does Flint say: John, you asked me, I gave you no answer then, but I'm telling you now – I don't know, in truth, I have no idea what I would do if I really faced with such a choice. Flint said, in all honesty, he doesn't know would he choose love over war?

When Flint was James McGraw, he would have given up on the war right then and there, without a second thought. But he is not James McGraw anymore. He is Captain Flint, and Flint is a completely different person. It's the same with Aemond. It is totally unimaginable for him to turn back when Alicent asks him if the indignities of his childhood have not yet sufficiently been avenged. We remember, by that time he had already killed Luke and crippled his brother. Aemond has taken his revenge. So why doesn't he stop after that? Whom is he taking revenge on now?

The matter is that at some point Aemond, in exactly the same way as Flint does, begins to avenge every bit of pain that was caused to him not only on his offenders, but on the whole world, on the entire personification of what has been hurting him for so long. It's quite possible, by the way, Aemond takes revenge not only for the insults, but also for the love that was not given to him, I mean, for its absence.

Before Aemond had his eye cut out, he would probably have let go of all his grudges, chosen some kind of peaceful path. I already said in the previous episode that, firstly, Aemond has a heart, and secondly, it is merciful. (I didn't come up with it, Ewan Mitchell talked about mercy himself.) But Aemond had to turn his heart to stone because of everything surrounded him. Joe Abercrombie has a character, Isern-i-Phail, who often repeated to one of the main characters next words: “You must make of your heart a stone”. I think somewhere inside Aemond has a similar Isern-i-Phail, giving to him the same advice. Because Aemond has made of his heart a stone as well.  

His heart was very soft, but it became very black.

Ewan Mitchell even said in one of his interviews Aemond would most likely have become a maester. But Aemond's eye was cut out – just like Flint's heart did when Thomas was taken away – and he became not a maester, but a dangerous and skilled warrior. Aemond chose the path of war and revenge. The same one Flint had been moving along for ten years.

Actually, there are many parallels between Flint and Aemond. They are both extremely tender and vulnerable on the inside, but absolutely bulletproof, stern and explosive on the outside. Both bear an open, constantly bleeding wound in their hearts. Both are without equal in how far they are willing to go for the sake of their goal or their revenge. But the most interesting thing is that both of these characters have enormous potential of doing good works. Only the pain caused to both of them turned out to be so great it has just about blocked all that is good in them completely. Both Aemond and Flint had gotten burned so badly that later they are almost unable to deviate from the path they took because of it, because of this old burn wound.

Perhaps Alicent doesn't understand why Aemond acts the way he does, why he cannot change his course, because she perceives life differently. Easier in a way, although she has many her own overwhelming internal affairs as well. Because again, Aemond, like Flint, takes things that happen to him very personally. So personally, it ultimately leads to wars and catastrophes. This element of resistance inside them both, it is so strong, their rage and inability to leave the dark and ugly road they are walking, at the very end of which there is the gaping mouth of the grave. They didn't want to enter upon this path, Flint didn't want to, Aemond didn't want to, but they did. When it happens, one can't do otherwise. There are things that affect us, and we become who we do. Some people are made of good things, while others consist of unhealed wounds. It's a matter of luck, in a way.

Neither Aemond nor Flint would have chosen this path of their own free will; pain forced them to take this step. Now, turning back to what was before is almost unthinkable for them. Although it is possible. Only for that a powerful alternative is required. In the case of James Flint, we see he pulled round, he got out the dark towards the light. But this happened only because he had an alternative. Aemond has no alternative and never had one, so he began to descend into the darkness lower and lower, and according to the book, he will end up in the darkness. According to the show, most likely, he will too.

That's an excerpt from the new episode of the Tea & Rum podcast 'No one is born to be a villain'.

To find more episodes go to Boosty.

[hellbrainrot]

"She sees much and more, my Alys."

[hellbrainrot]

[hellbrainrot]

They're like that:

Uncle, let go.

No, you're not going to your milf's whorehouse, we're having a family photo shoot. Come on, say “Eye of the Gods.”

[hellbrainrot]

BTS — ewan mitchell as prince aemond targaryen in episode 4, season 2.

[hellbrainrot]

"They need a big bad villain anyway." It seems like, even though it's so dumb and simplistic, but this show is dumb so what do I expect. Meanwhile an article from 2022: "Unlike “Game of Thrones” which had White Walkers as well as tyrannical rulers like Joffrey, “House of the Dragon” lacks a clear cut villain, and that’s something Martin was excited to delve into. “We’re not gonna have anyone who’s called the word evil or Mr. Atrocity or anything like that,” he said. “We don’t have orcs or trollics or anything like that. But there’s certainly evil. I’ve always believed the most interesting characters are gray characters.”"

Yeah Ryan is constantly saying that House of the Dragon is a Greek tragedy, so I’m not expecting any of the main cast to be 100% evil & comparable to characters like Joffrey or Ramsay.

[hellbrainrot]

“I actually think that Aemond will get more screen time. Multiple characters on-screen at once make efficient use of time. (i.e Rhaenyra/Alicent, Criston/Gwayne/Aemond/Alys). Criston and Aemond will be in the same location (Harrenhal) the set isn't as expansive as the Red Keep. I think that just makes it easier for the writers to build on the relationships that will at the very least move the plot forward.”

Yes, I agree, having same characters in one place is better for screentime. But also there will be Daeron and more dragonseeds scenes, other places and they won’t cut from Alicent’s screentime either. There will be so many things in season 3 too, so I still think he won’t have too much screentime.

Rhaenyra and Alicent will have more scenes together since they're in the same proximity so there will be less spread out individual scenes between the two. Daeron is coming and jace is leaving but he will probably be further down the list of screentime . This can give Aemond more focus and I think they will also bc of the buildup to the God’s eye

[hellbrainrot]

“I have many reasons on why they didn't do anything romantic but this is not one of them... they literally had Rhaenyra swapping spit with mysaria.”

Do you really think Daemon and Rhaenyra have same rights in the show? Daemon has to be the loyal one, they even reduced Laena and Daemon. The show’s math is simple. Meanwhile Rhaenyra has something with Alicent too. Writers didn’t write Rhaesaria kiss scene at first, actors wanted and the kiss didn’t affect anything (for now at least). I think writers didn’t mind it because of showing bisexual Rhaenyra and Mysaria is also Daemon’s ex. Rhaenyra Mysaria and Alicent will have yuri triangle in season 3 though.

we can speculate all we want but the end result will remain the same him and alys didn't do anything romantically nor was there any hint that he wanted too.

[hellbrainrot]

I am not trying to oversimplificate really. This is how show it goes. Aemond is already villain and he will be even worse because they want to make Daemon a hero. They need a big bad villain anyway.

Yes, Alys tries to make the prophecy happen but she didn’t have to be friends with Daemon for that. I remember one comment before season 2, it was like “Daemon and Alys’ will opposite of Aemond and Alys.” Yes I agree I think they’re opposites but it’s happening other way. She has already talked about innocents and we know Aemond’s actions.

Honestly I don’t know what they’re gonna write because the show is really going a different direction. He already knows his death, maybe she gives him fake visions to make him stay there, I really don’t know. Criston can have visions like Daemon maybe because of Alicent. Aemond can have so many visions like Daemon actually but that would be redemption so no, I don’t think he will have same kind of visions.

Of course she will be part of his plot but I don’t think it will be positive. I don’t take cast interviews too seriously, they talk from different perspectives. Gayle read the book so she talks according to that probably.

I am not trying to oversimplificate really. This is how show it goes. Aemond is already villain and he will be even worse because they want to make Daemon a hero. They need a big bad villain anyway.

Whyyy do you think they want to make Daemon a hero??? They're already setting up Rhaenyra as this cult leader who thinks she has a divine purpose .. It won't be as simple as hero vs villian on either side

"Yes, Alys tries to make the prophecy happen but she didn’t have to be friends with Daemon for that."

Why not? Both the actor and writers have said Alys is lonely why is it so suprising that she will hone in on Daemon ? It doesn't seem like anyone else in that castle pays her any mind. She is doing what is needed but she is also desperate for companionship.

"Honestly I don’t know what they’re gonna write because the show is really going a different direction"

The ground work for the direction they're taking is there that ties into Aemond and Alys story in Fire & Blood.

She has her own goal and ambitions that go beyond the prophecy

Do you now plan to make your own claim? --she says this while holding a hand over her womb

2. The Freys wanting Harrenhal

the freys will try to come and claim harrenhal only for aemond to come swooping in.

3. https://www.tumblr.com/maxanor/756033320684568576/house-of-the-dragon-2022-season-2-episode-5?source=share

Daemon is literally trying to warn alys of Aemond but her saying "I'd heard the same thing about you" is showing you that she will not be intimidated in the least. She has the tools to handle someone like Aemond.

4. Aemond's brothel scenes

Yes his brothel scenes because this is how alys will have her hooks in him. And why even with aemond's downward trajectory it won't be ooc if he does end up finding love with Alys because we know deep down what he craves and what he is seeking.

5. The writers have given hints as well

“Alys is a very tortured character and we are not done with her. We love Gayle Rankin and her performance, and we have much more to explore with her. There's a very interesting story that's yet to come to the surface..."...with her that we're excited about. She's working through something as well, trying to find her way through, sort of, her existence there at Harrenhal and her own place in the world. And frankly, on a very simple level, Sara Hess always says, "Alys is just very lonely."

“Daemon and Alys’ will opposite of Aemond and Alys.”

I just don't know what you mean by opposites like I'm sure they will have conflict but it will be more nuance then what you're making it seem. We will get to know more about Alys . She and Aemond have the potential to develop a connection that goes beyond her relationship with Daemon offering emotional fulfillment for both of them.

Aemond can have so many visions like Daemon actually but that would be redemption so no, I don’t think he will have same kind of visions.

If there is one thing we can agree about on this show is that they 100% will continue to have parallels between Daemon and Aemond . I wouldn't be suprise if he went through a similar experience with a different twist. I think whatever is weighing on aemond will come more to the fore front and whichever way aemond act towards it will be interesting to see

[hellbrainrot]

You guys don’t understand that Daemon is superior. He had redemption but Aemond is the main villain of this show. He won’t be better. He won’t find love nor be happy. Alys is siding with Team Black and Daemon, women, Rhaenyra, innocents whatever… (Don’t say Daemon is not better, according to the show if you support Rhaenyra you are honorable, look at Alicent.) They have also added some feelings in their relationship too. It doesn’t matter Alys and Daemon aren’t romantic, they didn’t do anything romantic because of Daemyra, they didn’t want him to cheat on her. It isn’t about Alysmond. I think they made them like that because they cut Nettles. So they’re giving Nettles’ traits to other characters (Addam has dark hair, Rhaena will ride Sheepstealer and have a dad daughter arc with Daemon very likely and Alys is the friend he made along the way.)

You also forgot about Criston. Criston’s screentime won’t be lesser than Aemond. He had 38 minutes with seven episodes. Because he is one of the main characters, his name is written before in credits. “It doesn’t make sense for the plot!” Yes, it doesn’t. But they don’t write according to that, if they did Alicent wouldn’t have one hour screentime, Daemon wouldn’t have that long Harrenhal arc.

Shortly, Daemon will be always better than Aemond. He will have everything Aemond can’t have. I am not a Daemon stan, I am opposite but both book and show, Daemon will be superior than him. They both know their deaths but Daemon will be content and peaceful because he will be killing Aemond for Rhaenyra. He is dying for good. But Aemond… I have some thoughts about this but it’s a different topic. But it will be giving up and punishing himself most likely.

You guys don’t understand that Daemon is superior. He had redemption but Aemond is the main villain of this show. He won’t be better. He won’t find love nor be happy. Alys is siding with Team Black and Daemon, women, Rhaenyra, innocents whatever… (Don’t say Daemon is not better, according to the show if you support Rhaenyra you are honorable, look at Alicent.)

What an oversimplification. I'm not saying that aemond will be better I'm saying that he could go through catharsis something that will give him character depth and explore his psyche.. The writers going the prophecy route with Alys character + Gayle’s quote about Alys holding power over the men in the story emphasizes her agency and intelligence; she is not on anyone's side , she is above that. My reading of her is that she is making sure these pieces are getting to where they need to be in order for the story to play out as it should . She is a character that will drive the plot by influencing promiment characters (Aemond and Daemon). whichever way the writers will potray Aemond & Alys relationship the end result is that she will need to have some influence on Aemond especially if they are going down the path of him trying to resist his fate. Aemond finding love/being in love ties into that.

“They didn’t do anything romantic because of Daemyra”

I have many reasons on why they didn't do anything romantic but this is not one of them... they literally had Rhaenyra swapping spit with mysaria.

"I think they made them like that because they cut Nettles. So they’re giving Nettles’ traits to other characters (Addam has dark hair, Rhaena will ride Sheepstealer and have a dad daughter arc with Daemon very likely and Alys is the friend he made along the way.)"

Yes Ryan stated that Rhaena will be the one to have a direct impact on daemon just like nettles did in the book as I said in my post alys was more of a background to daemon's story.

"You also forgot about Criston. Criston’s screentime won’t be lesser than Aemond. He had 38 minutes with seven episodes. Because he is one of the main characters, his name is written before in credits. “It doesn’t make sense for the plot!” Yes, it doesn’t. But they don’t write according to that, if they did Alicent wouldn’t have one hour screentime, Daemon wouldn’t have that long Harrenhal arc."

I actually think that Aemond will get more screen time. Multiple characters on-screen at once make efficient use of time. (i.e Rhaenyra/Alicent, Criston/Gwayne/Aemond/Alys). Criston and Aemond will be in the same location (Harrenhal) the set isn't as expansive as the Red Keep. I think that just makes it easier for the writers to build on the relationships that will at the very least move the plot forward.

Shortly, Daemon will be always better than Aemond. He will have everything Aemond can’t have. I am not a Daemon stan, I am opposite but both book and show, Daemon will be superior than him. They both know their deaths but Daemon will be content and peaceful because he will be killing Aemond for Rhaenyra. He is dying for good. But Aemond… I have some thoughts about this but it’s a different topic. But it will be giving up and punishing himself most likely.

The show can go in either direction tbh aemond has done horrible things that he can not come back from , everyone and their mother already views aemond as a monster ---Rhaenyra, Daemon, even his own family members. This is largely the persona Aemond projects but we know that there is more underneath that. Given his reputation in the history book , it’s not surprising how he’s perceived and no matter what he does he will always be perceived that way but the writers can take liberties with this (as they already have) by trying to bring more to his character I don't think he will continue to be this outright villian but we'll see.

[hellbrainrot]

Daemon/Alys vs Aemond/Alys dynamics

Another long post..... (I barely proofread this sorry)

The writers have intergrated the procephy throughout the narrative so from a broader viewpoint it makes sense that the show has framed Daemon and Alys as having a mutual friendship as it is needed for alys to have some sort of influence in his life because as she said he is just a piece on the board and her influence is essentially her guiding him--making sure he will stay the course and play his role in the story that has been set in stone.

Which gets me to my main point-- I’m confused on why a lot people are saying Alysmond will be a repeat of Daemon and Alys or that it will be the complete opposite. I don't think it will be the same because Daemon’s introspection was done through visions and daemon didn’t know that alys was the one psychologically torturing him he just think she is this strange woman. Alys did have an effect on him but it was really only by proxy as it was the visions of seeing Rhaenyra , Viserys and Laena that truly opended him on a emotional level there wasn’t really any personal or deep conversations between alys & daemon it was more of a kinship .

People like to do a lot of comparison that they ignore the possibility that alys can potentially have a positive influence on both of them it doesn’t have to be one or the other. Just because she was cordial with Daemon doesn’t negate the possibility that she might treat Aemond in a similar fashion.  She will need to get close with Aemond as she did with Daemon to get him to where he needs to be which is their final battle at the God's Eye. This aligns with Gayle’s quote about Alys, where she says, "She's going to hold a lot of power for the men inside of this story. Alys is portrayed as someone who understands the bigger picture and she will use her power to guide Daemon and Aemond toward their destined roles.

I don't think aemond's dynamic with alys will be a cookie-cutter romance but out of all the characters in the show Aemond is the most emotionally closed off which is why I am excited with his potential dynamic with alys as she could be the one who he can open him up in a way that he hasn’t done with anyone in his family . 

Aemond’s relationship with his family is shaped by his desire to be a stoic warrior and protector. However, this has left him emotionally incapable of allowing his family to see his true self. He isn’t even able to be honest with them, though we know he is capable of expressing himself and telling the truth. The only time he has done so was with the madam—someone outside of his family. As the story progresses, I think we have the opportunity to see much more of Aemond’s “true” self, not just glimpses. Alys will likely be the only person he can connect with on a level that is not bound by duty nor purely transactional.

A quote from Ryan Condal: "Alys is a very tortured character and we are not done with her. We love Gayle Rankin and her performance, and we have much more to explore with her. There's a very interesting story that's yet to come to the surface…" --- I'm hoping the reasons behind why she is tortured will be explored more throughout s3 and yes with Aemond as it will allow for both of these characters to connect with each other on a pure emotionally intimate level.

In the end, I believe Alys’s character will play an integral role in both Aemond’s and Daemon’s stories. However, while Alys had a more background role in Daemon’s arc, she will likely take on a central role in Aemond’s.

[hellbrainrot]

HOUSE OF THE DRAGON 2.06

[hellbrainrot]

EWAN MITCHELL as AEMOND TARGARYEN 2.08 "The Queen Who Ever Was"

[hellbrainrot]

Buckle up this is a long post Im bored so I decided to make predictions on how I think Aemond s3 arc could play out based on Ewan’s interview’s  + Fire&Blood + the show. Ewan is very much a cinephile and as I was writing this analysis and reading his interviews I notice that a lot of the movies that he references have similar arcs to him . 

Since season 1 I feel like ewan gives certain hints about his arc and the direction they’re taking Aemond’s character . This is what he said back in December 2022 before he even got the season 2 scripts—  “That was one of the first things [showrunners] Ryan Condal and Miguel Sapochnik wanted to think about: the legend of The Cyclops in Greek mythology, and how he ultimately traded one of his eyes to Hades in order to see the day he would die,” Mitchell told The Face. “What does that do to a person, to possess that extreme degree of self-certainty? To know the day you’re going to go down, and feel bulletproof to a point. I’m not saying Aemond is a seer, but he’s scary perceptive.” Now after watching season 2 we know that  Aemond is aware  of his fate he knows how he’s going to die.  

From that same article he also says "that "A character like Aemond never really felt that unconditional love from his family". I remember a lot of people where confused because based on Season 1  it seemed like Alicent was the child who she most doted on but I feel like he was saying that more in reference to season 2 where now we see that Alicent's love is not unconditional and was only based on that fact that he was her “dutiful” son. 

Here is another quote from ewan that makes me think he knows more even though he hasn’t got the season 3 scripts  : “Before I embarked on season one, I did sit down with Ryan Condal and he gave me the story beats of Aemond’s complete journey, so to speak - maybe not the beats in-between, just to keep me on my toes, but certainly the key story beats.”

So here are some hints I think he has been giving out that might give us some insight on the direction where they’re taking his character in Season 3.

Now Aemond /Alys is a pairing that I think a lot of people are interested in seeing how it’s going to be portrayed. Here are some insights where I think the writers will go. 

Ewan references the “Heat (1995)” movie a lot and someone noticed that the main character arc in that movie mirrors Aemond where they both have a code where they can up and leave anyone in 30 seconds flat until they end up meeting someone who goes against that code .. here is the article that goes more in depth 

2. In Fire & Blood he unexpectedly returns to Harrenhal to save alys from being Sabitha Fray hostage

I do think they will include this scene in the show since they added in a scene of the Frey's explicitly telling Jace that they want harrenhal.

+ the infamous quote "It was Aemond alone who had become besotted with the Rivers woman, to such an extent that he could not bear the thought of leaving her"

3. I read a post on Twitter the said Alys’s will probably be a sort of weird mother-lover hybrid to Aemond and honestly … I can definitely see that 

I’m basing this on the brothel scene with the madam + ewan constantly bringing up surrogates —He felt despair, so he found a surrogate in Vhagar, so to speak an older lady, and kind of filled that void," he continued. "But is a dragon enough, or is there something else that could maybe help him? He needs help, he's a broken boy." https://www.businessinsider.com/house-of-the-dragon-aemond-nude-scene-ewan-mitchell-mommy-issues-2024-7?amp

+ him referring to alicent as his kyropnite  + the quote “In a way, he’s just a broken boy. He needs to be fixed. Someone’s going to help him” I wonder if this is a wink wink hint ? Either way I’m including it ..

I feel like all these insights is ewan hinting that alys will be his mommy domme ;)

Prediction : I think Aemond 100% is going to be down bad for alys and I do think she is going to end up having some sort of feelings as well. I think , like Daemon, Aemond will go through a somewhat similar experience at this time at Harrenhal .. I don’t think it will be 100% visions I’m with the theory that he is essentially going to work through his psyche with Alys I’m mainly basing this off of the brothel scenes though .. it seems like the show is trying to frame Aemond as someone who is CAPABLE of expressing his feelings he just needs a strict controlled environment to be able to do so .. and by this I mean a space where he can be nutured and cuddled like a baby? hopefully no redundant vision storyline 

Moving on …..

Ewan in another article mentioned that he saw a reporter with a “Rutger Hauer T shirt on from Blade Runner and might use it as inspiration going into season 3 https://www.polygon.com/24214846/house-dragon-ewan-mitchell-interview-season-2-finale (This is so specfic though I can't help but to think that he really didn't see anyone and was just giving a hint to the fans lol)

In Blade Runner there is a character named Roy Batty who’s known for his ruthlessness and is a cold driven leader with violent tendencies, sounds familiar ? Roy’s character theme is centered around humanity and morality —“Batty is prone to emotional outbursts due to his close-to-end lifespan. He is seen going through all phases of grief before reaching acceptance.” as Roy moves closer and closer to his inevitable end , he begins to experience a range of emotions from love and sorrow to anger and ultimately acceptance of his own morality .

In Roy’s this monologue he says "All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in the rain." Here, Roy is reflecting on his violent actions, realizing that everything he has experienced will ultimately fade away and be forgotten.

Prediction: I believe Aemond's story is likely to reach the same tragic conclusion, mirroring the end described in both the book and the show, where Helaena says, 'You were swallowed along the God's Eye, never to be seen again.'. This could shape his end, Aemond’s conviction in committing the 'necessary evil' of burning his brother resulted in all of his relationships with his family being fracturered. His warped view of duty and acting on his own personal ambitions lead to this. In the end, he will probably realize that all of it was meaningless and that he won’t be remembered as a 'war hero in the history books, but rather a cursed kinslayer.

In both of these movies both characters Neil from Heat (1995) and Ray from Blade Runner continue to resist or try to fight their fate up until the very end — I feel like this is much in line with how Aemond will be framed in the show , we have Daemon who based on season 2 has somewhat accepted  his fate i think it makes sense that Aemond throughout season 3 will try to resist it until eventually he comes to terms with it … in a bittersweet kind of way 

Finally to wrap this up here’s what I am expecting (hoping to see) from aemonds character arc 

Him completely disregarding duty  

Him being more emotional and erratic 

Him coming to terms with his misdeeds

Him burning shit 

[hellbrainrot]