‘House of the Dragon‘ has always been about twisted family dynamics, but the Season 3 premiere was one of the most uncomfortable moments in the series’ history.
The Battle of the Gullet was the star of the episode, but a private moment between the Prince of House Targaryen, Aemond, and his mother, Alicent Hightower, was what got viewers’ attention.
Aemond’s Desire For Control Reaches A Breaking Point
When Alicent convinces Aemond to abandon King’s Landing and join Criston Cole at Harrenhal, the discussion takes a turn for the worse. Misreading the emotional moment, Aemond leans in and kisses his mother, leaving Alicent visibly shocked.
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However, actor Ewan Mitchell says the scene was not just for shock value. Aemond comes into the story believing that he is the unquestioned leader of the family. “Aemond’s trying to read between the lines, see if there is an ulterior motive there,” Mitchell told EW.
The prince, who is now at the heart of the Greens’ war drive, believes he is the most important person in the family. “In Aemond’s head, it’s like he’s assuming control of the family.” It is a kiss that is the culmination of years of emotional confusion and unresolved trauma.
Aemond has been feeling isolated, rejected, and desperately seeking affection throughout the entire series. Though the scene is disturbing, Mitchell feels that it is accurate for a character who has never known how to express love or vulnerability in an appropriate manner. Under the shock is a tragic realization. The audience is seeing a person who is confused about emotional dependency and real intimacy.
The Trauma That Shaped Westeros’ Most Dangerous Prince
Showrunner Ryan Condal explained that Aemond’s actions were a direct result of his actions in Season 1. Bullying, losing an eye, and being exposed to adult situations at an early age have all left emotional scars on Aemond’s life. Condal stressed that the character isn’t necessarily in love with Alicent.
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“He’s somebody that was traumatized at an early age by his brother by taking him to a brothel long before his brain could probably process what was happening.” Due to his traumatic experiences, Aemond has a hard time distinguishing maternal love from other emotional requirements.
“While I don’t think that Aemond is necessarily in love with his mother, I don’t think he’s able to separate the feelings that he has for her from these other male feelings that he experiences.” The outcome is a character that can seem self-assured and on top of things, but is actually severely wounded in the soul.
The controversial scene is a reminder that some of ‘House of the Dragon‘s most broken characters are also the most dangerous. In Aemond’s case, that mix could be more terrifying than any dragon.
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