Matt Smith thinks Daemon and Criston had “a homoerotic tryst” on House of the Dragon

October 21, 2024

Matt Smith thinks Daemon and Criston had "a homoerotic tryst" on House of the Dragon

As a passionate fan of the Game of Thrones universe, I eagerly devour every piece of news about House of the Dragon, the much-anticipated prequel series. The recent appearance of Matt Smith, Tom Glynn-Carney, and Fabien Frankel at New York Comic Con was a delightful treat for me, reminding me of the thrilling journey that lies ahead in Westeros.

Actors from the show “House of the Dragon” made an appearance at New York Comic Con recently, and during a panel discussion, Matt Smith (Daemon Targaryen), Tom Glynn-Carney (Aegon Targaryen) and Fabien Frankel (Criston Cole) shared insights about HBO’s prequel series. However, they didn’t disclose any details regarding the upcoming third season as of yet. Matt Smith clarified that he hasn’t received any scripts for the third season, stating, “I haven’t heard a peep about it.

On a different note, Fabien Frankel hinted at receiving some information without providing specifics. As for now, it’s unclear whether the writing team will respond to George R.R. Martin’s comments about the show’s direction when season 3 begins filming tentatively in early 2025, as confirmed by showrunner Ryan Condal. However, during the panel, this topic was not discussed.

When there were no written scripts provided, the actors began coming up with their own imaginative concepts. “I strongly believe Daemon and Criston have shared a secret, romantic encounter,” Smith shared with the audience. “We’re both dressed in our armor, brandishing swords, he favors one queen while I prefer another…They seem to despise each other, but there’s an underlying affection.

In the series “House of the Dragon,” Daemon and Criston don’t share many scenes, but their encounters are always filled with tension. Their first interaction was a tournament in the premiere, “The Heirs of the Dragon,” where Criston surprisingly bested the more experienced Daemon. They nearly clashed again in the second episode, “The Rogue Prince,” but managed to avoid a fight that time. Furthermore, they both have a shared romantic past with Rhaenyra Targaryen, as she was once involved with Criston when she was younger, and he still holds feelings for her. There may be some romantic tension between them, although it remains unclear. Viewers will likely learn more about their relationship in the third season of “House of the Dragon,” which is expected to air on HBO and Max in 2026.

Matt Smith thinks Daemon and Criston had "a homoerotic tryst" on House of the Dragon

Matt Smith praises House of the Dragon castmate Emma D’Arcy: “I love them”

In another instance, Matt Smith discussed briefly his dynamic with co-star Emma D’Arcy, portraying Rhaenyra Targaryen. Their on-screen connection is one of the series’ standout aspects, so it was disappointing to see less of it in season 2, as Daemon’s storyline often felt dull, focusing largely on his time in the desolate castle of Harrenhal.

Despite spending time apart, Smith’s appreciation for his co-star hasn’t lessened. In fact, they have grown quite close off-camera. “I truly adore them,” Smith shared. “My admiration for them as an actor and a person runs deep…We’re incredibly fortunate to be working with such an exceptional group of young actors who will undoubtedly surpass us all in the future.

It looks like we’ll see more of these two together in season 3.

Matt Smith thinks Daemon and Criston had "a homoerotic tryst" on House of the Dragon

Tom Glynn-Carney on the bond between Aegon and his dragon Sunfyre

Tom Glynn-Carney is part of the youthful acting ensemble that Smith has been discussing. His portrayal of King Aegon II Targaryen in House of the Dragon season 2 was exceptional, making me eager to see his future performances more than anyone else from the cast, given the intriguing cliffhanger: by the end of season 2, Aegon had escaped King’s Landing, leaving behind a charred form and a deceased dragon Sunfyre.

Could it be that Sunfyre is still alive, as he doesn’t seem to perish at this stage in “Fire & Blood”? However, since the writers have deviated significantly from the original source material, it’s challenging to predict with absolute certainty what might happen next.

Glynn-Carney remained tight-lipped about specifics, but he did discuss the connection between humans and dragons during the show, likening dragons to the dæmons in Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials series, which are essentially extensions of oneself. He explained that it makes any harm inflicted on them even more heart-wrenching.

We’re hoping Sunfyre pulls through, but again, we won’t know for a long while yet.

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2024-10-21 05:41