Warning: The article contains major spoilers from House of the Dragon’s episode 8.
House of the Dragon’s latest episode brings the relationship between Viserys and Daemon to a surprising and emotional climax. Though they highly valued their Targaryen family name, the two brothers clashed heads throughout the series. The latest episode may show them finally reconciling, but the path to that point was riddled with controversy.
“Family” has always been an overarching theme in House of the Dragon, albeit with tension around the Targaryens. As the patriarch, the soft-headed Viserys silently resented the crown but did what he thought was best for the family, even if it meant pushing Daemon away. Daemon, capable and ambitious, has no higher position in life as a second-born son, never truly a contender for the throne unless he takes it. Though their bickering affects the realm, they’re still family at the end of the day.
Viserys Appoints Daemon As The Lord Commander Of The City Watch
At the start of the series, Daemon Targaryen has been given the role of Lord Commander of the City Watch. King Viserys clearly gave it to his brother not just out of nepotism, but for his clear ability to lead the greatest Westerosi military. The two share a rapport, and given the interactions with the Council, the King always excuses Daemon’s extreme tendencies.
It’s also indicative of King Viserys’ wants to keep things “in the family.” This is the first sign audiences see of how much importance Viserys puts on a family. Daemon, for his part, does his job well, although his ways often give Viserys headaches in council meetings.
Daemon Tells Rhaenyra Not To Think Too Harshly Of Viserys
When Rhaenyra vents to Daemon about the worries she has about her father, Daemon doesn’t use it as an opportunity to cause a rift between them. Instead, he quietly tells her to support her father in his time of need. Whatever their differences, Daemon values his brother’s well-being.
In a twisted way, this is also the start of Daemon’s seduction of his niece. Though he knows how much it hurts his brother, he clearly has the belief that Rhaenyra being betrothed to him is the best way to protect her. As audiences see in “The Lord of the Tides,” he’s made good on that promise for the six years they’ve been married.
Daemon Takes Dragonstone Out Of Spite
The relationship between the brother grows tense, with Daemon taking Dragonstone for himself after his banishment. This happened after Viserys heard about Daemon mocking his deceased wife and son, and the confrontation led to Daemon expressing harsh words toward him for being a weak king under his current council. Daemon also steals Dreamfyre’s egg — the one meant for Viserys’ stillborn son Baelon. In Targaryen culture, this would have been a massive insult, and Daemon knew this well.
Dragonstone and the stealing of Dreamfyre’s egg was nothing more than a tantrum to seek his brother’s attention. Daemon resents Viserys for choosing Otto’s counsel over him despite warning him about Otto’s scheming. Nevertheless, Daemon rallies his resources and power on his own because he knows Viserys won’t do anything. As evidenced by Viserys allowing Otto to go in his stead to Dragonstone, Daemon was right.
The Sea Snake’s Insults
Though one of the least trustworthy characters in House of the Dragon, the Sea Snake, Lord Corlys, invites Daemon to discuss the possibility of war with the Triarchy. Lord Corlys clearly has a higher respect for Daemon than he does for Viserys. They are both like-minded individuals, preferring to take what is theirs than wait for it to fall on their laps.
Still, when Lord Corlys says one too many harsh words about Viserys, Daemon coldly tells him to stop. This small moment shows that despite everything, even in the presence of people with similar motivations, he allows no disrespect to his brother. With only a few words, Lord Corlys certainly felt the dragon’s wrath.
The Victory At The Stepstones
When the king hears word that the Battle of the Stepstones is going poorly, Viserys finally decides to show support to his brother. Upon reading this message, Daemon goes into a rage. This moment isn’t just Daemon’s pride hurt, although that’s certainly part of it. Daemon is frustrated at his own bout of incompetence.
Viserys clearly does see the logic in Daemon’s actions, but his natural pacifism made him take too long to help. Yet, with all this time, the proud Daemon ended up being the one Viserys protected. This is what led to his desperate gambit, to prove to his brother he doesn’t need saving.
A Brief Reunion Between Viserys & Daemon
At this point, Daemon wasn’t as bad as he perceived himself to be and walks right up to the throne room wearing a crown of his own after his victory at the Stepstones. In a shocking twist, he does not use this to leverage his own claim to the throne, but further cement Viserys’ rule by kneeling. Viserys, for once, is overjoyed and hugs his brother, which would be a brief union between them.
The celebration afterward shows Viserys the happiest he’s ever been. He jokes with Daemon openly, reminiscing on their childhood together. Even Rhaneyra, who is suspicious of Daemon, finds nothing but sincerity in her uncle. This makes Daemon’s banishment for attempting to seduce his niece later that much more painful, which causes another fallout between the brothers.
Daemon’s Fascination with History
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In one of his serene moments in the series, Daemon has spent time away from Westeros with his new wife, Laena Velaryon. Laena misses her home, but for some reason, Daemon refuses to return to Westeros. While he doesn’t show it, Daemon clearly doesn’t want to see his family – particularly his brother and niece – and wanted to live his life peacefully away from that trouble, so he spends most of his time immersed in books.
Only two characters are shown to have an active interest in history, and they’re the two brothers, Viserys and Daemon. Viserys’ miniatures and Daemon’s surprising bookishness show that both of them value the glory of Old Valyria. They treasured their family’s legacy and had different ways on how they wanted to preserve it, especially with the lengths that Viserys went to unite his family. And while Daemon had caused much stress on Viserys, Daemon’s past made more sense, which was to make his family strong.
Daemon’s Marriage To Rhaenyra
Upon Laena’s death, Daemon finally returns to Westeros, and the years apart have softened Viserys’ heart toward his brother. He once again offers Daemon a place in court to reunite his family, especially as Viserys’ health declines. It’s a continuation of Viserys’ love for his family, no matter how far they push him.
Although Daemon marries Rhaenyra and becomes the Queen’s Consort, he makes good on his promise to protect her. For six years, Daemon dutifully fulfilled his role as husband to Rhaenyra, and when the time to visit King’s Landing came, he did so without complaint. Of course, this went against Viserys’ wishes in the past regarding Daemon and Rhaenyra’s relationship, although it is unclear how he felt about the marriage at that point.
Daemon’s Grief For An Ailing Viserys
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This is perhaps the most blatant show of concern that Daemon shows for his brother up to this point. While he said platitudes about his brother, he did love and care for him, even if he didn’t express it too often. He always did so with a mask of guile, so that foes never quite know what he was up to.
However, viewers saw a different side to Daemon when he saw what had happened to his brother. Viserys was a visage of death, and even the usually cool Daemon found himself looking away heartbroken. He couldn’t bear to see his brother in such pain and even checked the medicine he was taking out of concern. Daemon never says any of these worries outright, but his actions speak plainly.
Viserys’ Ascension
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In perhaps one of the most heartwarming moments in a series so full of pain and suffering, King Viserys rises from his sickness to right the conflicts in his house. Despite practically looking like a White Walker at this point, he bravely makes his way up his throne, shooing away guards who try to help him.
When his crown falls, Daemon quickly comes to help his brother. Silently, Viserys nods and allows his brother to help him up the throne. There was no politics involved in this move. Daemon’s gentleness and Viserys swallowing his kingly pride are against both their images, but they do not care. Even after Viserys made shocking decisions to punish Daemon in the past, the brothers found forgiveness in this tender moment, which at least put some closure to their strained relationship.
