Daemon Targaryen's Story in House of the Dragon Is About Viserys
Almost every decision Daemon Targaryen has made in House Of The Dragon is tied to his feelings toward the late King Viserys Targaryen. Being a second son in Westeros comes with its natural pitfalls, as while the firstborn is set to inherit lands and holdings, the second is left with a far less significant purpose. In many ways, this created an inferiority complex for Daemon, causing him to feel left out and, in turn, begin acting out. During Viserys Targaryen's reign, Daemon continued this behavior, especially when Rhaenyra Targaryen was declared as the king's heir, as Daemon felt even more slighted.
Daemon doesn't know how to handle his emotions in a healthy way, so he becomes frustrated and acts out. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy for Daemon. It's not simply that he wants to be king; it makes more sense that what he wants is to be like his brother and have the things his brother has (internally and externally). He admires Viserys Targaryen, but it's not in his nature to be calm and collected. Rhaenyra Targaryen strikes a cord when she points this dynamic out to him, suggesting that Viserys couldn't trust him, setting up Daemon for his arc in season 2.
Daemon's Story Being About Viserys Makes Him Far More Tragic
Daemon Targaryen has done terrible things, undoubtedly. However, that doesn't stop him from being a riveting character in the world of House of the Dragon, as there's an aspect to him that audiences can resonate with. At his core, Daemon is a child who felt unloved and inferior growing up and who now deeply misses his brother. The most vital aspect of Daemon is understanding that, while there are foundational aspects of him to sympathize with, how he's chosen to act in response is wrong. Daemon is a tragic character in House of the Dragon, but he's still not a hero.
Taking place about 172 years before the events of Game Of Thrones, House of the Dragon tells the tale of the rise of the Targaryens, the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria. The popular HBO spinoff show first starred Milly Alcock and Emily Carey as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower before they were replaced by Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke, who play the older versions of the characters. Also starring in the series is Matt Smith (Prince Daemon Targaryen) and Paddy Considine as Rhaenyra’s father, King Viserys Targaryen.
