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Based on George R. R. Martin’s historically-inspired book “Fire & Blood,” the series “House of the Dragon” serves as a gripping prequel to the renowned HBO fantasy saga, “Game of Thrones.” This series transports viewers to over a century before the era of Daenerys Targaryen, chronicling the tumultuous and bloody power struggle among her forebears after the demise of King Viserys I.
HBO
Upon its 2022 debut, “House of the Dragon” received widespread praise from critics. However, fans might find it interesting that the show’s standout scene wasn’t originally in Martin’s text—it was an impromptu moment crafted by actor Matt Smith. In the eighth episode of the first season, titled “The Lord of the Tides,” a frail King Viserys, portrayed by Paddy Considine, makes a valiant effort to attend a court session where the legitimacy of his daughter Princess Rhaenyra’s sons is being contested. Struggling with illness and physical decline, Viserys falters as his crown falls. In a poignant moment, his brother, Prince Daemon, played by Matt Smith, steps forward to assist him. Daemon helps Viserys to his throne and places the crown back on his head.
This emotionally charged scene, largely devoid of dialogue, was a fortunate outcome of an unexpected event. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, director Geeta Patel disclosed that during rehearsal, the crown inadvertently slipped from Considine’s head, and Smith instinctively picked it up, prompting Patel to capture this unscripted moment for the final version of the episode.
Although Matt Smith has embraced challenging roles throughout his career, viewers owe the emotional depth of this scene to his quick thinking. From his introduction in the first episode, where Daemon is seen arrogantly perched on his brother’s throne, he is depicted as a cunning and rebellious figure with an insatiable hunger for power.
King Viserys ultimately disinherits Daemon, overturning long-standing traditions by designating his daughter Rhaenyra as his successor. However, in the seventh episode, “Driftmark,” Rhaenyra marries Daemon. The palpable tension between the uncle and niece reflects a longstanding Targaryen custom, leaving audiences to ponder whether Daemon’s motives were to bolster Rhaenyra’s claim to the throne or to undermine Viserys in a bid for power.
This small change brought Viserys and Daemon full-circle
HBO
While Matt Smith has done some uncomfortable things for the sake of his roles, audiences can thank him for this heartbreaking scene between Daemon and Viserys. Beginning with Daemon’s introduction in the first episode of “House of the Dragon” as he’s smugly sitting atop his brother’s throne, he is repeatedly shown to be a cynical and rebellious warrior with a deadly thirst for power.
Viserys disinherits Daemon and breaks centuries of tradition by naming his daughter Rhaenyra as his heir — only for Rhaenyra to marry Daemon in the seventh episode, “Driftmark.” While the strange sparks between uncle and niece are undeniable (and part of a long Targaryen family tradition), the question lingered whether Daemon married Rhaenyra to strengthen her claim to the throne, or to hurt Viserys and grab power for himself.
This decades-long tension is resolved when Daemon gives Viserys his crown, proving his loyalty and love for his brother. The moment proved to be so remarkable that it replaced a speech intended for Daemon later in the episode. As Patel explained, “I was so thankful that accident happened, that the crown fell off because it proved to be, at least for me, quite a heavy moment and quite a turning point for a storyline that had started in the pilot: Hey, I want your crown and by the end here I’m gonna put the crown back on your head and I’m gonna help you to your throne” (via EW).
