'House of the Dragon' Season 2: Why this cold-blooded dragon rider is one of the grayest characters
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 will be streaming on HBO from June 16, 2024. The fascinating show is known for its deep character arcs and epic battle sequences featuring large-scale production and heavy computer-generated graphics.
'House of the Dragon' is a prequel to 'Game of Thrones' and much like its predecessor, the epic action-adventure series is full of characters and moments that keep the audiences on the edge of their seats. A character who has caught everyone by surprise on multiple occasions in the series so far is Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith).
Daemon is the brother of King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine) and is known for being unpredictable. He is the quintessential gray character who shows both good and bad traits. He has a romantic arc with Laena Velaryon (Nanna Blondell) and later with his niece Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy).
Daemon is also a skilled dragon rider and rides Caraxes, one of the fiercest dragons. Here's a look at what makes Daemon the grayest character in 'House of the Dragon.
Daemon Targaryen instituted the Gold Cloaks
Typical of his unconventional nature, Daemon Targaryen instituted the Gold Cloaks who dished out their brand of justice to criminals. The punishments were brutal and involved criminals being subjected to dragonfire.
He had a questionable reputation as he used to visit brothels and frequent the areas that a man of his royal stature would stay away from. His actions made the city crime-free but did not go down well with the King who considered him too unpredictable to be made heir to the throne.
Daemon started a war in Stepstones
Eager to make a name for himself after being abandoned as the heir to the throne, Daemon starts a war in Stepstones and unwillingly becomes a savior.
The man known as the rogue prince displays extraordinary valor to kill Crabfeeder (Daniel Scott-Smith) and become an unlikely savior for those being attacked by Crabfeeder.
Daemon killed his wife Rhea Royce
Just when people were beginning to like him, he took the most unexpected step ever. He kills his first wife, Lady Rhea Royce (Rachel Redford) and stages it as an accident.
He begins to get close to Laena Velaryon who he later marries and has two daughters with. Laena died while delivering the third child leaving Daemon guilty about his wife's death.
Daemon has real affection for Rhaenyra
Daemon and Rhaenyra have romantic exchanges all through the season. After Laena's death, Daemon and Rhaenyra decide to get married. To clear the way for this marriage, Daemon schemes with Rhaenyra's husband Laenor Velaryon (John Macmillan).
Daemon stages Laenor's death and helps him escape to Essos where he could live a free life as a homosexual. Daemon has real affection for Rhaenyra and acknowledges her as his queen.
Daemon is abusive with Rhaenyra
True to his unpredictable nature, Daemon chokes Rhaenyra when she tells him about knowing about Aegon's dream and the fact that his brother never told him.
The gray character still is a member of the Black faction and will be instrumental to Rhaenyra's quest to claim the throne once again.
How to stream 'House of the Dragon' Season 2?
'House of the Dragon' will be streaming on HBO Max from Sunday, June 16, 2024. To watch the series, you will need a Max Subscription. The streaming platform typically offers three packages that you can choose from depending on your budget.
The low-cost plan that supports advertising costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 annually. The second package, which does not support advertising, costs $15.99 per month or $149.99 annually.
Meanwhile, the third package, titled Ultimate Ad-Free, costs $19.99 per month or $199.99 annually.
'House of the Dragon' trailer
'House of the Dragon' Season 2 will be streaming on HBO on June 16, 2024