WARNING: This article contains spoilers for House of the Dragon episode 2.Daemon's defense of Viserys in House of the Dragon episode 2 repeats a classic trick from Game of Thrones. Based on the best-selling novels by George R.R. Martin, Game of Thrones was undeniably one of the most important and influential TV shows of the last decade. The HBO show popularized long-form fantasy storytelling, and in doing so prepared the way for so many successors. It was also known for tremendous character-work.
Some of Game of Thrones' villains were truly irredeemable - nobody believed there was a good side to Joffrey or Lord Walder Frey, for example. But the best were much more complex, encouraging viewers to care about the antagonists as well as the protagonists. The best example is Jaime Lannister, the Kingslayer, introduced through his incestuous relationship with Cersei. Viewers first experienced him as a man who would try to kill a child to conceal his forbidden love, and yet over the course of time he evolved into a complex character in his own right. There was something almost Shakespearean about Jaime Lannister's story, especially its tragic ending, as he fought to regain his honor and yet could not deny the love that still beat within his heart.
House of the Dragon is already following the same kind of format. The prequel TV series focuses more squarely and purely on the politics of the House Targaryen family tree thus far, establishing its main villain as Matt Smith's Daemon Targaryen. House of the Dragon episode 2 featured a surprising scene in which Corlys attempted to push Daemon one step closer towards treason and civil war; surprisingly, not only was Daemon reluctant, he also intervened to insist Corlys should not speak ill of his brother, King Viserys. It was a striking moment, perfectly portraying a conflict running through Daemon's heart. As much as he longs for power, as much as he desires the Iron Throne, there is another longing that burns within him; a desperate craving for love and approval, especially from his brother. The scene is important in humanizing him, in making it possible to emphasize with Daemon's journey.
Why Daemon Defends Viserys & What It Means For House Of The Dragon
Corlys criticizes Daemon as part of an emotional appeal in which he portrays them both as "second sons" in Westeros, establishing another thematic parallel between House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones. This criticism is one step too far for Daemon, however; as much as he may resent Viserys, he will allow nobody else to criticize the king in his presence. Daemon is clearly set upon a course that will lead towards civil war, but it will not be easy for him, and he will pay a fearful price for his ambition. The Targaryen family will be torn apart, and Daemon will be forced to battle (and likely kill) those whose love and approval he most longs for. He is an unwilling conspirator.
It is also likely that Daemon is intelligent enough to sense he is being manipulated. Corlys is engineering a clash between Daemon and the Crabfeeder precisely because he seeks to dethrone Viserys. Daemon may be many things, but he is nobody's pawn, and his rejection of Corlys is a subtle way of reminding his co-conspirator of the balance of power between them. No doubt Daemon is well aware that a man who would work to overthrow one king cannot be trusted by the next, proving House of the Dragon really is as politically complex as Game of Thrones itself.
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New episodes of House of the Dragon release Sundays on HBO/HBO Max.