'House of the Dragon' shocked fans with an incest scene. Here's Daemon Targaryen's dream about his mother Alyssa explained.
Ollie Upton/HBO
- "House of the Dragon" fans were shocked by an incest scene in season two.
- Daemon Targaryen had a bizarre dream while staying at Harrenhal castle.
- He slept with his mother, Alyssa Targaryen, who died in the book the show is based on.
Warning: Major spoilers ahead for "House of the Dragon" season two, episode five.
Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) dreamed that he slept with his mother, Alyssa Targaryen (Emeline Lambert) in the latest episode of "House of the Dragon" season two, in a surprising incest scene that shocked fans.
In episode five, "Regent," Daemon is still in the haunted castle, Harrenhal, while he tries to rally an army for Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy).
So far, he's endured strange dreams and visions given to him by Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin). Alys is accused of being a witch in the book the series is based on, "Fire and Blood," but she hasn't been identified as one yet in "House of the Dragon."
These dreams are about Daemon facing his own demons, like the guilt of ordering a child's death in the season premiere, and his jealousy that Rhaenyra is the heir to the throne and not him.
In episode five, Daemon dreamed that he slept with an unknown woman with long white hair. The pair enjoyed themselves, and the woman told him, "Viserys was unsuited for the crown, but you, Daemon, you were made to wear it."
She continued: "If only you'd been born first, my favorite son." At that point, Daemon realized that the woman was his mother, Alyssa.
In "Fire and Blood," Daemon was three when Alyssa died giving birth to his brother, Aegon II, who also died several months later.
Although Daemon is obviously struggling with some complicated maternal issues, the dream is mainly about his insecurities regarding his role as a Targaryen prince.
The scene feels like another attempt from the show's writers to capture the controversial spirit that made "Game of Thrones" unique and different when it originally aired in 2011.
This season has already included the murder of a Targaryen toddler, new illegitimate children, raunchy sex scenes, and several brutal deaths.
The tactic seems to be working because fans were completely taken by surprise by the scene, which isn't in the book. And many took aim at the show's recurring theme of "mommy issues."
Some fans are also desperate for Daemon's Harrenhal subplot to end, which is understandable since the main storyline is about the war between the Greens and Blacks.
Meanwhile, Daemon is staying in a haunted castle, like he's in an episode of "Scooby-Doo."
"House of the Dragon" season two airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and is streaming on Max.