House of the Dragon season 2 showed viewers the terrifying visions Daemon Targaryen experienced at Harrenhal. Now, season 3 puts Aemond Targaryen through a similar ordeal.
Harrenhal has one of the darkest histories in Westeros. King Harren the Black built the massive fortress, only to die there when Aegon the Conqueror burned the castle with Balerion. Since then, many believe Harrenhal is cursed. Every major house that has ruled the castle has suffered tragedy.
The curse also seems to affect many characters in House of the Dragon. Harwin Strong and his father, Lyonel Strong, died in a fire at Harrenhal. Although Larys Strong secretly orchestrated their murders, many people in Westeros blamed the castle’s curse. In the current timeline of the series, the castle continues to cast its shadow. After Daemon, Aemond now appears to be experiencing the same haunting visions within Harrenhal’s walls.
Daemon Targaryen’s haunting visions at Harrenhal
In Season 2, Queen Rhaenyra questioned Daemon’s role in Prince Jaehaerys’ murder. Furious, Daemon rode to Harrenhal. Instead of finding peace, he encountered disturbing visions that slowly broke down his confidence.
Add WoT as a preferred source on Google.
He saw his late brother, King Viserys Targaryen and a young Rhaenyra and even witnessed strange visions of his mother, Alyssa Targaryen. The castle seemed determined to force Daemon to confront his past.
His final Weirwood vision, guided by Alys Rivers, reached far beyond his own lifetime. It showed Daenerys Targaryen, the White Walkers, Bloodraven, and the future of Westeros.
Those visions transformed Daemon. Before leaving Harrenhal, he fully committed himself to supporting Rhaenyra’s claim to the Iron Throne.
How Aemond’s journey mirrors Daemon’s
Season 3 now places Aemond Targaryen inside the same cursed castle. Like his uncle before him, Aemond meets Alys Rivers. He begins hearing strange voices and experiencing unsettling visions.
The parallels appear intentional.
Episode 2 showed Aemond seeking Alys’ help after suffering injuries. By the latest episode, he continues recovering while the castle slowly begins haunting him.
In the Inside the Episode featurette, showrunner Ryan Condal explained the creative decision:
“We know that Harrenhal is a strange place. The idea was to give Aemond a parallel experience to Daemon, if not exactly the same. It’s a much more grounded Harrenhal story that still pays homage and service to the history of the castle.”
Even so, Aemond’s relationship with Alys Rivers appears different from Daemon’s. Actor Ewan Mitchell hinted that their connection goes beyond healer and patient.
“At the beginning of episode five, Alys is very much Aemond’s carer. And as we get to know her over the course of the episode, there might be something more.”
Aemond’s stay at Harrenhal is only the beginning. If the castle affects him the way it changed Daemon, viewers can expect even darker visions and unexpected twists in the episodes ahead.
What do you think Harrenhal has planned for Aemond next? Let us know in the comments.
