House of the Dragon director struggled shooting Daemon sex dream scene

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As a long-time fan of George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series and a dedicated viewer of HBO’s Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, I have grown accustomed to the unexpected twists and turns that define the world of Westeros. However, this season of House of the Dragon has left me feeling underwhelmed by the treatment of one of its most intriguing characters: Daemon Targaryen.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but notice the unpredictable nature of this current season of “House of the Dragon.” And let me tell you, when it comes to Daemon Targaryen, the surprises have been in short supply. It seems to me that the writers are missing an opportunity to fully explore and showcase Daemon’s potential on the small screen.

After arriving at Harrenhal, Daemon has been experiencing peculiar dreams, with each one focusing on significant females from his past. Re-encountering Milly Alcock as young Rhaenyra in these dream scenes was enjoyable. However, the latest episode’s dream sequence, which included a visit from Daemon’s deceased mother Alyssa Targaryen, could have been omitted.

In Episode 5, titled “Regent,” Daemon remained at Harrenhal, leaving us anticipating a dream sequence. However, an unexpected and graphic sex scene between Daemon and his mother ensued in his dreams. Though incest is not unheard of among the Targaryens, this explicit scene proved to be disturbing, even for the audience of “House of the Dragon.” Fans weren’t the only ones taken aback by it.

Clare Kilner, the director of “House of the Dragon,” explained to The Wrap her initial challenges in portraying Daemon’s latest Harrenhal nightmare. She didn’t want it to appear voyeuristic and desired a meaningful connection between Daemon and the woman involved. Inspired by Emily Lambert’s intelligence and thoughtful acting, Kilner began envisioning it as an artistic poem. The team aimed to present this scene in a way that transcended mere amusement and revealed the emotional depth affecting Daemon profoundly.

The creative team managed to prevent the scene from being overly voyeuristic, but some viewers question its necessity. The show could have handled Alyssa’s involvement more subtly without pushing the boundaries as extensively. This scene seemed designed to elicit a strong reaction and generate buzz among fans. However, there were alternative ways for the writers to introduce the “favorite child” theme without having Daemon sleep with his mother.

Instead of: As important as it could have been for building character and providing backstory, we’ll be relieved when the writers stop focusing on Daemon’s nightmares in Harrenhal and bring him back into the main storyline. It’s become difficult to care about his scenes this season, and they seem to detract from the larger narrative rather than contributing to it. Let’s hope the show finds a better use for Daemon’s character before the end of the season.

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2024-07-15 20:41