Matt Smith improvised a line from his best scene of House of the Dragon season 2

As a seasoned gamer and avid fan of both gaming and Game of Thrones prequel series, House of the Dragon, I must say that my heart is still heavy with the aftermath of season 2. While there were certainly some captivating moments that kept me hooked, the overall experience was somewhat lackluster compared to the first season’s grandeur.

After passing a week, it seems fair to say that most people would agree that the second season of “House of the Dragon” was generally impressive, wouldn’t they? Admittedly, not everyone might feel this way, but I’ve found myself looking back with fondness at all the memorable scenes rather than dwelling on its minor flaws.

To put it simply, I was disappointed with Daemon Targaryen’s storyline in season 2, which I’m still not over. He was an enjoyable character during the first season, and transforming him into a character who spent most of season 2 in lengthy, cheesy scenes at Harrenhal was a significant oversight.

It’s quite clear that Daemon shines even brighter upon rewatching select scenes from season 2, especially those at the start and end. He bursts onto the scene at the opening of season 2, employing assassins to infiltrate the Red Keep, and his reunion with Rhaenyra in the finale is truly remarkable. However, his most captivating moment occurs in the second episode when Rhaenyra challenges him over the murder of Jaehaerys, their son. The performances by Matt Smith and Emma D’Arcy are outstanding, and interestingly, Smith improvised a line that stands out. HBO, it seems, should consider inviting him to join your writing team!

Matt Smith added an impactful line to Daemon and Rhaenyra’s big argument

In the episode “Rhaenyra the Cruel,” finding myself enraged, I confront Daemon about his role in Jaehaerys’ demise. I firmly believe this act has undermined my position on the Iron Throne. Beyond that, I’m stunned by his audacity to order the killing of a child. Daemon defends himself, refusing accountability for his actions and instead shifting blame onto the assassins who supposedly disobeyed his instructions. He claims he merely told them to avenge Lucerys Velaryon’s death by taking out Aemond Targaryen, son for son. However, whether this version of events is accurate remains uncertain; when Blood and Cheese inquire about their course of action if they can’t locate Aemond, the scene ends before Daemon reveals his response.

Regardless of the circumstances, the interaction between Daemon and Rhaenyra is remarkably engaging, with Smith spontaneously delivering his final line, as he shared during an interview with NOW. You can catch a brief glimpse of this interview here. As their dialogue concludes, Rhaenyra underscores the central issue by stating, “You killed a child.” Daemon, showing a hint of remorse, whispers back, “It was a blunder.” Rhaenyra has the final say, labeling him as “despicable.” He shoots her a scornful look before departing angrily.

The remarkable connection between Smith and D’Arcy is so captivating that it’s hard to avert your gaze whenever they appear together on screen. However, this chemistry is what makes their prolonged separation throughout the second season all the more disheartening for both the audience and the actors themselves. D’Arcy openly expressed her frustration at being away from Smith, while Smith described the situation as “regrettable,” expressing that he deeply misses them both. With Daemon and Rhaenyra reuniting in the season 2 finale, fans can expect more of their dynamic in the third season, although it’s likely they will be apart again as Daemon takes his army into battle.

In the world of Westeros, I’ve always been known for throwing a curveball or two. Remember when I snatched Viserys’ crown as Daemon escorted him to the Iron Throne in “The Lord of the Tides”? That was all me. And let’s not forget about the revelation of Lucerys’ death in the season 1 finale, “The Black Queen.” That idea was mine too, and D’Arcy wasn’t shy about calling it a stroke of genius.

It’s no real shock that Smith has managed to bring something special to his parts occasionally; after all, he’s been a part of the entertainment industry for quite some time and has worked on large-scale productions like “Doctor Who” and “The Crown.” Here’s hoping that now Daemon is departing Harrenhal to join the war, he’ll get more engaging scenes in the upcoming third season.

The third season of “House of the Dragon” will reportedly start shooting around early 2025, with a release date likely set for no sooner than 2026.

2024-08-12 23:41

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