'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Episode 3's full frontal scene crossed crosses boundaries that 'GoT' didn't dare
Contains spoilers for 'House of the Dragon' Season 2
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Episode 3 aired on HBO on Sunday, June 30, 2024.
The episode was filled with stunning moments, but one in particular left the audience with jaws dropped to the floor.
Viewers of 'Game of Thrones' and 'House of the Dragon' are familiar with explicit scenes as integral parts of the narrative. 'Game of Thrones' famously introduced the term 'Sexposition,' using sexual content to advance its exposition.
However, even viewers accustomed to such scenes were shocked in the third episode of 'House of the Dragon,' as the series pushed beyond the boundaries set by 'Game of Thrones.
In one scene, Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) makes a bold appearance completely naked, discovered by his brother Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney), alongside Madam Sylvi (Michelle Bonnard), at a brothel in King's Landing.
Why did Aegon make fun of his brother Aemond?
Aegon has a history of teasing and bullying Aemond, often leaving him feeling isolated. Aemond is a far more skilled warrior than Aegon, yet he endures Aegon's antics out of loyalty to his older brother.
In one scene, a drunken Aegon takes one of his Kingsguard members to Madam Sylvi's establishment. Unable to control himself, he mocks his brother's infatuation with the older Sylvi.
Aemond walks out completely naked in front of everyone, exiting the tavern as the smallfolk witness his humiliation. Actor Ewan Mitchell boldly committed to the scene, fully exposing himself for the shot.
The scene not only shocked the audience but also resonated deeply with those who were present during filming.
Actor Ewan Mitchell wanted to shock the audience with his nude scene in 'House of the Dragon' Season 2
In an interview with Vulture, actor Ewan Mitchell discussed the scene, revealing his intention to shock the audience.
He said, "Scenes like this start with a conversation about how far you’re prepared to go. It wasn’t a choice we made lightly. But it’s true to Aemond that he shocks the audience. Weakness is not part of Aemond’s vocabulary."
He further commented on Aegon's bullying, stating, "Aegon catches Aemond in a vulnerable spot. Picking up the script for the first time and seeing those brothel scenes in episode two and three, I saw a brilliant opportunity to offer a rare glimpse of his vulnerability. You only ever see him in his Targaryen blacks, so to see him in that world — not only that, but then humiliated by his brother — is quite shocking."
It's fair to say that the moment was the highlight of the episode, offering a rare glimpse into the vulnerability of the character and the lengths actors are willing to go for their craft.
How to stream 'House of the Dragon' Season 2?
'House of the Dragon' Season 2 premiered on HBO Max on Sunday, June 16, 2024, with new episodes dropping every Sunday. 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' Season 2 Trailer
'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Episode 3 aired on HBO on June 30, 2024.