House Of The Dragon: Is Daemon Targaryen The Hero or The Villain?

Now that we’re back off the deep end with HBO’s Game of Thrones spin-off House of the Dragon, we’re already looking for our next favorite character. Despite it being early in season 1, there are already a few frontrunners. One of the more prominent players in House of the Dragon is Daemon Targaryen, a loose cannon but still one of the strongest characters early on.

Spoilers Ahead through episode 3 of House of the Dragon

Daemon acts of instinct and emotion, but that doesn’t make him the villain just yet. After all, he is a Targaryen and they have a tendency to lash out and act out of thoughtless emotion. When we first see his aggression he and his men are openly punishing criminals in the streets for everyone to witness. He is erratic, defiant, and impulsive. In most cases, he stands to be the agitator or the aggressor bringing the same impulse to bait his enemies. He’s smart and seems to be one step ahead. Everything about him screams villain.

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However, there’s something about him that you can’t help but cheer on. When he takes on the Crabfeeder and his army in episode 3 it’s the same impulse that certain other Targaryens displayed in Game of Thrones in their later seasons. Much like Jon Snow starred down the enemy in Battle of the Bastards, the Targaryen way appears loyal to their duty no matter the odds. When Daemon approaches the Crabfeeder and his army it seems like a suicide mission just the same. We see exactly who Daemon Targaryen is at that moment. With his back up against the wall, it was either make a stand or die trying. He knew as soon as the cavalry arrived, the battle was no longer his to win.

Even as he acts upon impulse, he still does so with tact. He could have rode Caraxis into battle and in a losing effort tried to lure the Crabfeeder and his army out. If his ego was so large, he would’ve rode into battle without any caution much like Daenarys in the end. He might be cold, calculated, and impulsive but he’s not dumb. It’s hard not to like Daemon Targaryen. His bravery is equally matched by his brutality. Being defiant to his king might make him more likeable as Viserys spirals out of control. He and his brother are opposites and if it proves Viserys is the fool then it will only strengthen Daemon as an audience favorite. So … is he the hero, or the villain?