Editor's Note: The following contains spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 2.
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House of the Dragon
Rhaenyra and Daemon's argument creates a dangerous rift when war breaks out. - Both characters have valid points about Viserys' choices, but their inability to see eye to eye makes it worse.
- The rift between Rhaenyra and Daemon threatens their alliance as they face an inevitable war.
House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 2, “Rhaenyra the Cruel,” has many critical moments, from Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) dismissing Otto (Rhys Ifans) on the death of the Cargyll twins (Luke i Elliot Tittensor). But one that is hard to ignore is the argument between Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) and Daemon (Matt Smith) that airs out old grudges from season 1 while creating a dangerous rift between the queen and her consort when war breaks out. Daemon and Rhaenyra have had a close relationship since the beginning of the series, always connected despite their claims to the Iron Throne putting them in competition. Although they seem happily married, it's no surprise that these long-held emotions fizzle out in a tense argument.
Learning of the events of Blood and Cheese and feeling blamed, Rhaenyra is understandably angry, especially when she discovers Daemon's involvement. This leaves no chance of clearing her name and puts her in a terrible position, despite Daemon's insistence that it was an accident that the boy got hurt. As he confronts Daemon, harsh words are spoken. Rhaenyra accuses Daemon of being disloyal and untrustworthy, and Daemon reacts by claiming that Rhaenyra was only the heir to the Iron Throne because Viserys (Paddy Considine) was afraid that Daemon would be king. Although their arguments are polar opposites, neither Daemon nor Rhaenyra are completely wrong. Rooted in what they know to be true, neither is willing to budge on their argument, irrevocably dividing the couple when they most need to be united.
Daemon has a point about Viserys
Although it is a harsh view of his brother, Daemon's claim is not entirely false. Viserys' goal was to “protect the Daemon Realm”. as the old king admitted to a young Alicent (Emily Carey) in Season 1, Episode 3. Daemon certainly doesn't have the temperament to rule, and his many positions on Viserys' council proved that, even if Daemon doesn't see it that way. Understandably, Daemon would be bitter about it being taken away from him and try to justify it to himself. His excuse seems like a justification as he says, “Your father was a coward who knew that I was the strongest son, that I was the leader of men, and he was afraid to be seen in my shadow.” The idea that Viserys feared being overshadowed in the stories is not unfounded. Viserys was deeply concerned about the legacy, constantly wondering if he would be remembered as a good king. However, Daemon is so different from Viserys that his rule would have drastically changed what Viserys achieved.
Daemon certainly made bad choices (especially with the “heir for a day” comment, which crossed several lines), but he did love his brother, which is shown in Season 1. Daemon never actively challenged Viserys' leadership, despite its impertinence. Nor did Rhaenyra's role as heir cause her to start a war, even though, as he says, she was raised as a lowly Daemon. But Daemon is still hurt because his brother publicly implied that he is unfit for the crown and chose Rhaenyra over him. He's been carrying this bitterness for years, and the Iron Throne is a great thing to lose, but his view of Viserys is myopic.
Rhaenyra sees a different and equally righteous side of her father
While Daemon makes some good points, Rhaenyra is also right. Viserys' decision to make Rhaenyra heir was more complex than avoiding the Daemon. In the same conversation with Alicent, Viserys acknowledged that there were more reasons why he made Rhaenyra his heir, namely love for her and guilt for her mother's death. Viserys' search for a son killed Aemma (Sian Brooke), the woman he loved, and Rhaenyra is all he has left of her. Although Daemon's actions push Viserys to name Rhaenyra his heir, Viserys continues to choose Rhaenyra over his children time and time again, such as in Season 1, Episode 8, “The Tide Lord”, when he appears to defend Lucerys claim of Driftmark despite her suffering.
Not only does Rhaneyra know that her choice is more than avoiding the Daemon, she points out one of the main points that Viserys never made outright. Viserys never fully trusted Daemon. In Season 1, the Daemon is hurt that Viserys chose Otto Hightower as Hand of the King over him, but Viserys never considers making his brother Hand. However, the biggest sign of the lack of trust between the brothers is the prophecy of ice and fire. Passed from king to heir for a century, Viserys overrode Rhaenyra's secrecy in naming his heir, but in the years that Daemon served as heir, Viserys never told him. All this time, Viserys was still hoping to have a child, but still, he risked the information dying with him instead of telling Daemon. Ryan Condal explained that, to Rhaenyra's understanding, not sharing the prophecy suggests that “Viserys never took him seriously as an heir.”
Rhaenyra and Daemon's Rift does not bode well for Dance of Dragons
Rhaenyra and Daemon have valid arguments, but their conversation goes beyond what matters at the moment, which is the death of young Jaehaerys. Daemon's rash actions threatened Rhaenyra's position, which she never considered. She points out that there is a darkness in him, that he found purpose in opposing the Hightowers, and that is true. Daemon can only defend Blood and Cheese saying that it wasn't supposed to be the boy but Aemond (Ewan Mitchell), which is a weak defense when a child was gruesomely murdered.
However, when Rhaenyra questions his trustworthiness, he has a better argument. Daemon reminds him that he is actively fighting for his claim. Daemon hasn't tried to call himself king and replace Rhaenyra, but he's outdone himself in taking command of his army, which is a valid concern for Rhaenyra. But it's all related to the pain that's been brewing beneath the surface for decades. It's a complicated argument with good points on both sides, though husband and wife are unable to see eye to eye at this point, creating a dangerous situation as they go to war. With enemies out to kill her family and an inevitable war ahead, Rhaenyra needs her allies and her husband should be her strongest. But the fracture calls that into question, adding another danger for the Blacks.
House of the Dragon is available to stream on Max in the US with new episodes on Sundays.
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