House of the Dragon crosses one line that it has never crossed before with an inc*st scene in the latest episode

House of the Dragon dropped its fifth episode of Season 2 and fans got to see some intense politicking and family drama in this episode. The episode came right after the shocking death of Princess Rhaenys and her dragon Meleys. While the episode shows the aftermath of the battle at Rook’s Rest, the most shocking scene happens at Harrenhal.

Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon | HBO

The cursed castle is now occupied by Daemon Targaryen, who is on a mission to renovate Harrenhal himself. Daemon’s hallucinations worsen in this episode, as he has an inc*stuous s*x dream with his own mother Alyssa Targaryen. It is the first time viewers see the character in the show.

Daemon Targaryen’s Incestuous S*x Dream Has A Connection To Rhaenys’ Death In House of the Dragon

The dream scene involving Alyssa Targaryen and Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon | HBO

Fans have got past the point where inc*st in the Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon, shocks them anymore. However, Sunday’s episode was a little too difficult to digest even for regular viewers. It is the first time that the show crosses the parent-child line.

After a young Rhaenyra, played by Milly Alcock, and Lady Laena Velaryon appear in his visions, fans get to see Daemon with a Targaryen woman in this episode. Daemon kisses and caresses this woman, who has only words of comfort rather than Rhaenya and Laena’s haunting words. She tells him:

You were always the strong one. The finest swordsman. The fearless dragonrider. Your brother had great love in his heart, but he lacked your constitution. Viserys was unsuited for the crown, but you, Daemon, you were made to wear it. If only you’d been born first.

– House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 5

Those who haven’t figured out who the woman is until now are in for a shock when she calls Daemon, “My favorite son”. The woman is Alyssa Targaryen, daughter of King Jaehaerys I and the sister-wife of Prince Baelon Targaryen. She is the mother of Viserys I and Daemon.

Daemon’s visions are suspected to be caused by the powers of Alys Rivers, the mysterious healer at Harrenhal. The vision carries particular weight in this episode, especially after the death of Rhaenys and Meleys. Rhaenys is Alyssa’s niece and Meleys was previously bonded to Alyssa. In Daemon’s dream, he sees blood on his fingers and smeared across Alyssa’s breast.

The blood hints that Matt Smith‘s character is haunted by all the violent acts that he either committed or was responsible for. It may also indicate that he blames himself for the events that led to Rhaenys’ death.

Does Daemon Targaryen Have Mommy Issues In House of the Dragon?

Gayle Rankin as Alys Rivers and Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen in House of the Dragon | HBO

While the show hasn’t gone deep into Daemon’s childhood and the death of Alyssa Targaryen, George R.R. Martin‘s Fire & Blood gives some context to this matter. According to the book, she gave birth to her third child, Aegon, after a difficult labor. Viserys was six and Daemon was two at this point.

She and the baby both died from the complications a little while later. Daemon has no memory of her mother, a fact that Alys Rivers taunts him about. After Alyssa boosts Daemon’s ego in the dream, he lays out his plans to conquer King’s Landing and sideline Rhaenyra to Alys. However, Alys replies, “It’s a pity, don’t you think, that you never knew your mother?”

It is a clear indication that Alys might be behind whatever’s happening to Daemon at Harrenhal. Later, the Riverlords confront him and tell him that they shall not raise their banners for a tyrant like him. Daemon seems nowhere near succeeding in his mission there, as things get uglier at King’s Landing and Dragonstone.

House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 5 is now available for streaming on Max.