Liam Daniel/HBO
Warning: Spoilers ahead for "House of the Dragon" season two, episode six.
"House of the Dragon" continues to surprise fans with cameos from beloved actors — particularly those who have played a role in Daemon Targaryen's narrative arc.
Throughout much of season two of the HBO drama, the king consort has been stationed at Harrenhal, a massive castle that's said to be cursed.
The castle's mysterious connection to the old gods and weirwood trees causes Daemon to hallucinate people from his past, which actor Matt Smith has described as "a personal journey of discovery and unraveling."
This storyline has already brought two key players from season one back to our screens: Milly Alcock, who portrayed the younger version of Daemon's niece and wife, Rhaenyra Targaryen; and Nanna Blondell, who portrayed the adult version of Daemon's previous wife, Laena Velaryon. (Daemon also dreams about his mother, marking Emeline Lambert's onscreen debut as the late Alyssa Targaryen.)
In episode six, titled "Smallfolk," Daemon's subconscious mind is visited by a fourth member of his family.
Another trippy vision finds Daemon back in the Red Keep. Seated atop the Iron Throne is his dead brother, King Viserys Targaryen, played by season one star Paddy Considine.
HBO/Max
Daemon relives the moment that Viserys decided to remove him as his heir and banish him from King's Landing. Back in season one, Viserys lost his cherished wife, Aemma, and newborn son, Baelon, from childbirth complications. Viserys was devastated by their deaths. But as the king's only living male relative at the time, Daemon found cause to celebrate. Viserys was told that Daemon was overheard boasting publicly that Baelon was "The Heir for a Day."
In Daemon's vision, Viserys demands to know if Daemon really said such a cruel thing. Daemon replies, "You can't possibly still be angry about this."
"My family was just destroyed," Viserys says. "You should've been at my side."
Their interaction makes it clear that Daemon deserves the blame for his own fate, echoing what Rhaenyra told him four episodes ago. ("You did not lose [the throne], you gave it away. Because you thought ever and only of your own glory, and not of my father in his grief, who needed you.")
When Viserys begins to cry, Daemon makes to reach for his brother — but doesn't follow through. He backs up, tears in his eyes, and tries to flee the throne room.
Like Laena, Viserys died in season one, so fans didn't expect him to return to the show. But the creepy magic of Harrenhal (possibly channeled through Alys Rivers) seems to be forcing Daemon to confront his worst betrayals and excavate long-buried feelings of guilt, shame, and jealousy.
Later in the episode, Daemon sees Viserys again, crumpled and moaning in pain over Aemma's dead body.
This time, Daemon doesn't get defensive or shrink away. Instead, he embraces Viserys, telling him, "I'm sorry. You needed me. I'm here now." He even gives his brother a kiss on the head. Growth!
HBO/Max
Viserys is palpably, movingly heartbroken in both scenes, a welcome reminder of the acting chops that made Considine a fan-favorite presence in season one.
Considine previously said he felt "disappointment" when he realized Viserys had to die so early in the series, largely because he found the role "really interesting."
"But then I saw the character arc and his demise, and I thought he was a gift," Considine told Variety. "Sometimes things just come to you at the right moments. I feel like I was ready for him."
Considine also told The Hollywood Reporter that Viserys was "a really rich, beautiful, and conflicted character," adding, "I've been waiting for a role like this, if I'm being honest."
"House of the Dragon" season two airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and is streaming on Max.
