House of the Dragon’s Weirdest Storyline Still Makes No Sense (Even for Daemon)

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I’m so incredibly excited for Season 3! After the groundwork laid in Season 1 and the slightly slower pace of Season 2 – though it did give us some great moments like Aegon’s brush with death and the introduction of Rhaenyra’s dragonseeds – I’m really hoping Season 3 delivers on the promise of a full-blown war between the Greens and Blacks. It feels like everything’s been building to this, and I can’t wait to see Rhaenyra and Alicent finally clash in an all-out battle for the throne!

Many fans were disappointed with Daemon Targaryen’s story in House of the Dragon Season 2. While his betrayal of Rhaenyra felt consistent with his character, his time spent at Harrenhal felt pointless and confusing. He was plagued by odd visions and dreams, and ultimately, his storyline didn’t make much sense, frustrating viewers who remembered him as a proactive and decisive character in Season 1.

Season 2 of House of The Dragon Stopped Daemon’s Growth

Similar to Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon is driven by political maneuvering. The story centers on a fierce struggle for power, with Daemon Targaryen, formerly the leading contender for the Iron Throne, at the heart of it all. While his brother, Viserys, reluctantly inherited power, Daemon actively sought it, as demonstrated throughout the first season. Daemon is a compelling and unpredictable character, torn between his ambition, romantic relationships, and a self-destructive streak, and his actions significantly propel the plot forward.

Let me tell you, Daemon Targaryen absolutely carried the first season of House of the Dragon. This guy was a whirlwind – capable of incredible violence, strategic brilliance, and even moments of genuine tenderness. What made him so compelling wasn’t just his power, but his unpredictability and the way he seemed to be constantly evolving. Seeing him so fiercely support Rhaenyra, crowning her despite the risks, was a powerful moment, and honestly, even his shocking, violent reaction to the prophecy about her felt in character. He was a mess, yes, but a fascinating one. That’s why it was so frustrating to see him largely pushed to the sidelines in Season 2. It felt like a huge missed opportunity, and a real letdown for many viewers, myself included. He’s easily one of the show’s biggest strengths, and they didn’t use him nearly enough.

In the first season of House of the Dragon, Daemon found direction by backing Rhaenyra, which initially brought him into the fold. However, his storyline quickly stalled. After turning against the Queen, he retreated to Harrenhal, where he acted as if he should be king despite only being the consort. While there, Daemon didn’t accomplish much, aimlessly wandering the castle and experiencing visions that didn’t impact his character development. He became disconnected from the central conflict between the Greens and Blacks, essentially becoming a sidelined figure. It felt like the writers weren’t sure how to use him. Meanwhile, characters like Rhaenyra, Aemond, Alicent, Aegon, and even Criston Cole continued to develop and advance their stories, while Daemon remained on the periphery. It was a strange choice to keep him away from the main political and military events, leaving him to try and assert his power in a place where it felt insignificant.

Daemon’s Visions At Harrenhal Were Absurd

Daemon traveled to Harrenhal to confirm the Blacks’ power over the Riverlands. The castle was rumored to be haunted, and the experience triggered disturbing hallucinations for Daemon, though these visions didn’t advance the story. He imagined seeing Rhaenyra caring for the body of young Jaehaerys, who had died in the Blood and Cheese attack, and she confronted him about his constant departures and returns. Daemon then awoke, finding himself back in the godswood at Harrenhal.

His relationship with Rhaenyra was strained, and this was showing up in his dreams. Influenced by Alys Rivers and being near the ancient Weirwood trees, Daemon’s subconscious was taking over these visions – he even saw his late wife, Laena Velaryon, again. These illusions were driving him mad, turning him into a weakened version of his former self. He wasn’t the fierce warrior who battled the Crabfeeder, or the cunning schemer he once was. He was just a haunted man lost in his own thoughts, which might have been bearable if it meant something. But his next vision was terrifying: a younger Rhaenyra, sitting on the Iron Throne at the Red Keep, whom he impulsively killed.

Viserys reappeared in Daemon’s memories, specifically during Daemon’s grief over Aemma’s death, repeating the phrase “heir for a day.” However, much of this felt like a rehash of the first season, and showing Daemon’s remorse didn’t add anything new. While Daemon’s past actions were clearly weighing on him, the show spent an entire season dwelling on it. The strangest moment was a dream where Daemon was romantically involved with a Targaryen woman who turned out to be his mother, Alyssa. She told him he should have been king, which was odd considering she died when he was very young.

It was clear the character was struggling with feelings of being unloved and unfulfilled, but the addition of incestuous feelings for his mother felt forced and unnecessary. It seemed intended purely for shock value and didn’t advance the story, making it uncomfortable to watch. Daemon’s emotional state was already well-established in House of the Dragon, and having a major character lost in visions and hallucinations wasn’t a compelling direction. While initially intriguing, focusing solely on this mental state for the character quickly felt strange and out of place.

The Weirwood Vision Reminded Fans How Much Game of Thrones Messed Up

The most disturbing vision for viewers was the final one, showing a young, nude Targaryen woman with three dragons – clearly Daenerys Targaryen. This reinforced the ancient prophecy of Aegon the Conqueror. It suggested that either Jon Snow or Daenerys was destined to unite the Seven Kingdoms against the White Walkers, and this vision seemed to confirm it was Daenerys. Daemon’s vision even included the Night King, though he looked different than in Game of Thrones. Seeing both Rhaenyra on the Iron Throne and Daenerys with her dragons made Daemon realize he was just a piece in a larger plan. He understood his role was to support Rhaenyra as she ruled. However, the reappearance of Daenerys wasn’t well-received by the audience.

The final season of Game of Thrones was widely criticized for its disappointing conclusion. Daenerys Targaryen’s sudden turn to violence, burning innocent people, felt unearned, and long-established prophecies were disregarded. The choice of Bran Stark as king was also unpopular with many viewers. The White Walkers, who had been built up as a major threat for years, were defeated too easily, diminishing the impact of the ‘long winter.’ Jon Snow killed Daenerys and was exiled, but the Night’s Watch had lost its original purpose. This effectively dismantled the show’s core foundations, making the prequel, House of the Dragon, feel somewhat pointless, as everyone already knew the fate of the original series. Including Daenerys in visions within House of the Dragon didn’t make sense unless the original ending was retconned, and it only served to frustrate dedicated Game of Thrones fans.

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2025-10-24 04:07