That ‘House of the Dragon’ Full-Frontal Scene Has a Deeper Meaning

Editor's Note: The following contains spoilers for Season 2 of House of the Dragon.

The big picture

• House of the Dragon
  Aemond Targaryen shows vulnerability and emotional depth in Season 2, exploring his past insecurities and the impact of bullying.
• Aemond's head-on scene in the brothel serves as both a shock to viewers and a warning to his brother Aegon and others who underestimate him.
• Aemond's growing isolation and inability to show his emotional vulnerability could have dangerous consequences as the civil war continues.

HBO House of the Dragon it's the gift that keeps on giving when it comes to shock value. Of the violent death of Lucerys (Elliot Grihault) in Season 1 to the disturbing murder of Jaehaerys in the Season 2 premiere, House of the Dragon has not shied away from eliciting a reaction from viewers. This continues in the third episode of Season 2, “The Burning Mill,” which featured a full-frontal nudity scene with Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell).

As shocking as it was, the franchise is no stranger to nudity. Its liberal use in the early seasons of game of thrones It seemed to be used almost strategically to get people talking, but these moments were rarely used as an opportunity to explore a character's internal motivations. Although the scene is probably dead by now, House of the Dragon Star Mitchell himself has spoken about the motivation behind the scene and as it could mean more than viewers might expect.

Old wounds still haunt Aemond in “House of the Dragon” Season 2.

House of the Dragon sets up Aemond as an outcast from the sixth episode of season 1, “The Princess and the Queen”. While all the Targaryen children and Velaryon are fighting, Aemond (Leo Ashton) in particular bears the brunt of bullying, especially from his brother Aegon (Ty Tennant). Her biggest insecurity in the first season stems from the fact that the dragon egg she claimed to be hers from birth never hatched, and a defining moment in Aemond's childhood is the prank played on him by his brother and uncles.when he is presented with a pig dressed in wings instead of a dragon.

This exploitation of his greater insecurity is probably what causes Aemond to begin building a tough exterior. It is this exterior that begins the fight in Driftmark and eventually costs Aemond the eye when he confronts him after claiming Vhagar, and these individual events are crucial to the Aemond viewers see in Season 2. Speaking to Vulture, Ewan Mitchell commented on Aemond's view of himself:

“Between episodes seven and eight of the first season, he's made himself into a weapon. He has this code that prevents him from hurting her again, like he did as a child.
has
to be seen as this ethereal, untouchable, bulletproof presence that no one can capture.”

'House of the Dragon' Season 2 features more surprising revelations about Aemond

Season 2 offers a deeper insight into Aemond's psyche than viewers might have expected. Episode 2, “Rhaenyra the Cruel”exposes the more contemplative and remorseful side. In the arms of a lady he frequents, Aemond admits his true feelings about the Dance of Dragons. He admits that Daemon's assassination attempt makes him proud, and even expresses his sorrow for Lucerys' death. Gone is the quiet stoicism and defensiveness that Aemond usually displays, replaced by a surprising sense of emotional vulnerability.

This is more than viewers have ever seen from Aemond, and it's clear he's found it a place where you can let your guard down. Unfortunately, this doesn't last long as Episode 3 sees Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) stumble upon Aemond at another time engaged to the same lady. Aegon taunts Aemond in front of the lady and her Kingsguard friends, and Aemond is forced to put up with it.

Aegon's imposition on his brother's only place of refuge provokes a bold response from Aemond. This is the scene that caused groans all over the world, as Aemond stands up, completely naked, and walks away from the lady as she downplays her significance. It is both a defensive and an offensive playas Mitchell told Vulture, “Scenes like this start with a conversation about how far you're willing to go. It wasn't a choice we made lightly. But it's true that Aemond surprised the audience. The weakness not part of Aemond's vocabulary.”

Old habits die hard for Aegon in 'Dragon's House'

Aegon, protected by his current status as king, interacts with Aemond as if they were still children, teasing him for showing vulnerability. But Aemond is no longer a boy without a dragon — is a skilled fighter and strategist, riding the greatest dragon in Westeros. Aegon has been Aemond's first bully, and the loneliness and isolation he felt as a result of this bullying will affect the decisions Aemond makes in the future.

This sense of isolation is incredibly dangerous for an emotionally unstable victim of bullying in the midst of a gigantic civil war. Aemond is capable of showing it all physically, but has never been able to become emotionally vulnerable with anyone outside of the lady he frequents. Aegon took the only safe space that Aemond has where he can engage in reflection and openness, and this could have dire consequences.

Aemond's head-on scene in the King's Landing brothel is not only intended as a shock to the audience, but a major intimidation tactic for Aegon and anyone else who decides to laugh at him. As Aemond withdraws further into himself, it becomes more and more dangerous, incapable of empathy, and more likely to act and respond with cruelty. This brothel incident may not have been the straw that broke the camel's back, but we're not sure how much longer the sibling relationship will last in the coming weeks.

House of the Dragon is available to stream on Max in the US, with new episodes airing on Sundays.

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