House of the Dragon has kicked off in true Game of Throne style, bringing plenty of the gore, drama and some problematic themes that its predecessor was so known for.
The prequel series, which covers an earlier part of House Targaryen’s history, has already been renewed for a second season based on the reception to its first episode alone.
However, with the second episode now available to watch, fans are trying to properly get to grips with some of the new characters and how they relate (and are related) to Game of Thrones’ figures.
House of The Dragon revolves primarily around King Viserys Targaryen (the brilliant Paddy Considine) and his rocky reign as he tries to protect his kingdom and secure his line with heirs.
So how does Daemon Targaryen fit into the story so far?
Who is Daemon Targaryen?
Prince Daemon is turning out to be a bit of a troublemaker (Picture: HBO Max via AP)
Prince Daemon Targaryen (Doctor Who star Matt Smith) is King Viserys’ brother and now-spurned heir, following the events of the first episode of House of the Dragon, which saw Viserys lose his wife Aemma (Sian Brooke) in labour, shortly before the death of their newborn son.
Viserys then opted to break with tradition and name his daughter Princess Rhaenyra (currently played by Milly Alcock) heir to the Iron Throne.
Daemon, who boats his own dragon Caraxes, a chain of brothels, and command of the City Watch, has not taken this well, and is banished from the capital after seemingly mocking the King’s dead son.
He and his brother, King Viserys, are not seeing eye to eye (Picture: HBO Max via AP)
In the second episode he caused trouble after stealing a dragon egg and announcing that he was marrying a second wife, provoking a visit from Viserys’ Hand, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), and armoured men.
However, Rhaenyra was able to diffuse the situation and claim back the egg without bloodshed, after flying in on her dragon, Syrax.
How is Daemon Targaryen related to Daenerys?
Daenerys was a major player in Game of Thrones, right up until the bitter end (Picture: HBO/BSkyB/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)
Like Daemon, Game of Thrones’ doomed Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) is, of course, a Targaryen.
However, she is not going to come into play during the new series as it begins roughly 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones.
However, she is a direct relation of Daemon’s.
Having been chased out of Westeros after her father King Aerys (‘The Mad King’) was overthrown by a combination of armies commanded by Ned Stark, Robert Baratheon, and Tywin Lannister, we know things might not end so well for the Targaryens.
However, as it stands now, they are still in power.
They’re all connected, in the great circle of House Targaryen life (Picture: HBO Max via AP)
Daenerys’ grandfather we know was Jaehaerys II, and the 16th House Targaryen king. House of the Dragon’s King Viserys is still only the fifth.
So, doing the maths, Viserys Targaryen is Daenerys’ great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather.
Therefore Daemon, as Viserys’ brother, is Daenerys’ great-great-great-great-great-great-great uncle.
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Let’s not forget the Targaryens’ obsession with ‘pure’ bloodlines though – as already seen with Viserys’ cousin Rhaenys Targaryen and husband Corlys Velaryon putting forward their young daughter as a candidate for the king’s second wife.
Therefore you can expect things might get a little… complicated.
House of the Dragon next airs on Monday from 2am on Sky Atlantic and NOW. Previous episodes are available on NOW.
