Paddy Considine recently talked about the dynamic differences between Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) and King Viserys I Targaryen. The new spinoff series is based on George R.R. Martin’s well-known fantasy book Fire & Blood, which details the history of House Targaryen and is set roughly 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones. The main focus of “House of the Dragon“ is the royal Targaryen family, who ride dragons, and the events leading up to the Dance of the Dragons, the family’s great civil conflict.
Viserys is expecting a kid in the first episode of “House of the Dragon,” which he hopes will be the long-awaited male heir to the kingdom. In the meantime, King’s Landing is demolished by Daemon, the King’s brother and likely heir, as he gallops about the neighborhood brothel. Ser Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King (Rhys Ifans), and other members of the King’s Small Council are offended by his hunger for murder and prostitution. In retaliation for Daemon being found celebrating in a brothel after Viserys’ wife and child were killed, Viserys excommunicated Daemon from the Small Council and King’s Landing.
Considine recently talked on Viserys and Daemon’s special dynamic in “House of the Dragon” in an interview with Collider. The King and the Prince are brothers, but the actor emphasized that they are “total opposites.” Considine thinks Viserys is the more reliable of the two siblings, but she thinks the King loves Daemon but sees him as a liability. Below, you can read what the actor had to say regarding Viserys and Daemon’s connection.
“Yeah. They’re complete opposites. They’re different creatures. Even though they’re they’re brothers and they’re the same blood, they’re so such polar opposites of each other. In Viserys’ eyes, Daemon is just an irresponsible, attention-seeking younger brother, and a troublesome guy. As long as Daemon’s occupied and Viserys is not hearing his name mentioned, he’s happy. He’s always having to defend him against the council and make excuses for him. He gets away with behavior that other people would be sentenced to death for. So, in Viserys’ eyes, Daemon’s a bit of a liability. He loves his brother, but it’s not the relationship they once had. He loves his brother, but secretly, there’s a part of Viserys that doesn’t like Daemon. That was my secret playing it. I think you always have to have a little secret. If Viserys heard that, in some battle, Daemon actually lost his life, there might be sadness, but also a bit of relief.”
“Viserys is definitely trustworthy, but I think Daemon would die for Viserys. That’s the difference. Daemon would die for Viserys, but Viserys wouldn’t die for Daemon. That’s a fact. But he’s loyal. Daemon wants his brother’s love. He wants to be by his side. He wants to be respected. But he has that gene where he can’t be trusted with the duties that Viserys would bestow upon him. He can’t do the simplest of tasks without fucking it up. So he can’t have him there.”
Considine’s account of Viserys and Daemon’s connection corresponds with the events in the first episode of “House of the Dragon.” The Prince wasn’t there for all of the Small Council meetings the King called, though. Hightower raised worries about Daemon’s careless behavior at those sessions, but Viserys opted to support him. Despite their clear affection for one another, Viserys frequently had to take responsibility for his selfish brother. But Daemon’s purported celebration of his nephew’s passing went too far, which is what caused him to be expelled.
The two brothers’ personalities offer a captivating dynamic for the rest of the series. As is well known, Daemon will experience a great deal of emotional upheaval as a result of Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) replacing him as Viserys’ daughter’s heir. Daemon loves his brother and his niece dearly, yet he still finds it difficult to let go of being overlooked. Viewers will observe how Viserys and Daemon’s relationship develops as Season 1 of “House of the Dragon” progresses and how it affects the realm’s destiny.
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