‘House Of The Dragon’ Viewers Will ‘Never Get Used To Seeing’ This Targaryen Custom

Fans of House of the Dragon can largely agree that the dragons deserve better than being collateral damage of their riders’ war. Following the Battle at Rook’s Rest, that sentiment stayed alive as Team Green returned to parade the head of “traitor” dragon Meleyes in King’s Landing. Additionally, the procession bore the (barely alive) burnt body of King Aegon II before the council handed Aemond the regency over Queen Alicent, and yep, there might be mommy issues that motivated Aemond to take this path of (attempted) fratricide.

Aemond is arguably a product (as indefensible as his actions are) of his upbringing (endless bullying, being blinded, a distant mother). And that he took out his own brother and pushed past his mother to take power is only one display of the mommy issues at work this week. (Also, did Aegon really say “mommy” when Alicent left his bedside? Too many layers here.)

Meanwhile, Daemon spends this episode being haunted at Harrenhal, where his latest dream might have revealed his own unresolved issues: he’s shown having carnal relations with a blonde woman who is revealed to be his own mother (and that of Viserys), Queen Alyssa Targaryen. Of course, Daemon is already married to his niece, so what transpires here should not be entirely surprising to viewers. After all, fans are already very familiar with how Targaryens have engaged in their customs over the centuries. However, the act of incest continues to (justifiably) give fans the ick.

As a result, viewers recoiled on social media, and “I’ll never get used to seeing incest on this show” was only the beginning.

HBO’s House of the Dragon airs on Sunday nights and streams on Max.