Daemon and Rhaenyra Targaryen Explained | Does he love her? | House of the Dragon Season 2

The relationship between Rhaenyra Targaryen and Daemon Targaryen is difficult to understand. but you know I only deal in facts and logic! and someone asked me the other day Does Daemon loves Rhaenyra? It's not that simple. The simple answer would be Yes. They why is where it get's dark! Rhaenyra and Daemon both have the dark history of valyria that looms over them, it's a burden they both share and are proud of, but don't quite understand. Rhaenyra and Daemon are both blood of the dragon and the blood of the dragon runs thick!
House of the Dragon Season 2 Aftershow I will be LIVE at 10PM EST
kzbin.infoO4nuTjDP...
*Free Trial For Audible* Your First Audio Book is Free!!!
www.audibletrial.com/GrayArea
* Get your Sweet summer Family Shirts and Merch here!*
teespring.com/stores/grayarea
***Support Me on Patreon***
/ grayarea
Follow Me on Instagram: / thisgrayarea
Follow Me on Twitter: / thisgrayarea
Sources Used! ASOIAF Novels, GRRM's works HBO Series Game of Thrones, A **Knight of the Seven Kingdoms and A World of Ice and Fire, The Princess and The Queen (Dangerous Women) , The Rouge Prince (Rouges), The World of Ice and Fire App, Sons of the Dragon (Book of Swords)
**A Song of Ice and Fire amzn.to/2kySWt4
**Dangerous Women amzn.to/2waMd38
**Rouges amzn.to/2FDUJH7
**The Book of Swords amzn.to/2KvPq02
**A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms amzn.to/2ja60IZ
**A World of Ice and Fire amzn.to/2kz6uJ8
**Fire and Blood amzn.to/2ri1hpG
**Game of Thrones Season 7 amzn.to/2jpy20N
** Links with (**) are sponsored/affiliate links which means, if you use those links to purchase a product I am compensated. However, I will never recommend you anything that I would NOT buy myself or that I do not currently own. Your Support is much appreciated!

[@Rhaelle]

"If Daemon wanted the throne, he could have taken it." This.

[@HisameArtwork]

yeah I always found it funny ppl say he wanted the throne...bruh, he could have poisoned Viserys before he got disinherited. even an idiot could have done that. who was gonna say no? otto had no dragons then.

[@thatoneblackdude3333]

​@@HisameArtwork exactly daemon had a million and 1 chances to take the throne if he really wanted it , what he wants is for house Targaryen to thrive and get rid of any enemies that threaten it .

[@user-np4gr2je2q]

​@@thatoneblackdude3333couldn't have said it better myself 🙌

[@grumpynoodlejen5616]

Exactly 💯

[@trevorwinn5012]

Bugs me so bad when people say he wanted the throne ! He wanted to be by his brothers side , all he cared about was the strength of house Targaryen

[@CW-rx2js]

“Princess Rhaenyra was a different matter. Daemon spent long hours in her company, enthralling her with tales of his journeys and battles. He gave her pearls and silks and books and a jade tiara said once to have belonged to the Empress of Leng, read poems to her, dined with her, hawked with her, sailed with her, entertained her by making mock of the greens at court, the “lickspittles” fawning over Queen Alicent and her children. He praised her beauty, declaring her to be the fairest maid in all the seven Kingdoms.” - fire and blood

[@sherayperry7435]

What people have to remember is that it is in their lineage and seen as holy and beautiful for them to be together. He loved her unfortunately in a way in our traditional society could never understand. He loved her with fire and blood

[@micheleadennis2339]

@@CW-rx2js This is so true and he is a true Man , personally I found him to be very funny in the last episode. 😘❤️💯

[@christypassy]

I completely agree with this. The conflict between Daemon and Rhaenyra is not love because that’s indisputable, the issue is on how to approach the war. When Otto brings Alicent’s message, Daemon is ready to be done with everything right there and then, but when Rhaenyra arrives she says no and Daemon’s look is one of a hell of frustration and that reticence to get bloody early and swiftly is what will ultimately cost Rhaenyra in the end. All tragic!😢

[@tiathompson6674]

Him and Raenyra had chemistry before she was made the heir. He loved her.

[@Birgit_marie]

She was 14 and he in his 30’s 🤡

[@Hulachowdown]

@@Birgit_marieunfortunately that seems to track in the world or this story. They offered to marry the old king to a young girl when Rhaenyra’s mother died . But ya.. gross to most people today.

[@Birgit_marie]

@@Hulachowdown just cause it ‘tracks in this world’ doesn’t mean it’s not grooming and pedo???? Like what. She was a LITERAL child. Jeez men just love to find excuses to find the abuse of women on their screen perfectly acceptable.

[@curtthechameleon]

Daemon is the most interesting character. Can't wait to see him on Caraxes again.

[@DeviantMoonLove]

Daemon expresses and copes with all of his emotions with violence

[@micheleadennis2339]

He’s a man they don’t all cry. But no one enters the castle with Visery’s on the throne. Why lmao

[@micheleadennis2339]

Team black 💯

[@piaauman9020]

i really, REALLY love how deeply they are both attached and attracted to the history and culture of their house.. it is so cool and natural for them to be that way

[@user-np4gr2je2q]

Thank you finally someone with the brain capacity to understand a complex character. Couldn't have said it better myself the whole fandom should watch this video.🥰

[@abhishekdas2352]

Well the simple answer is the right answer. Daemon loved Rhaenyra. Book Daemon never abused Her. Book Daemon stood by Her till His last breath. He crowned Her as her Queen. Daemon also loved his late wife Laena and her kids especially Baela as She was as wild/mercurial as her father. Baela was tomboyish, quick to anger, provocative like Daemon so naturally loved his eldest child most. Daemon was a father figure to Jace Luke and joff as well so daddy Daemon is clearly misrepresented in the show.

[@CW-rx2js]

“Princess Rhaenyra was a different matter. Daemon spent long hours in her company, enthralling her with tales of his journeys and battles. He gave her pearls and silks and books and a jade tiara said once to have belonged to the Empress of Leng, read poems to her, dined with her, hawked with her, sailed with her, entertained her by making mock of the greens at court, the “lickspittles” fawning over Queen Alicent and her children. He praised her beauty, declaring her to be the fairest maid in all the seven Kingdoms.” - fire and blood

[@Muggle1983]

This! They went out of their way to make him seem like a bad husband and father in season 1. I will never understand why they felt they needed him to be worse than he is to make him an "interesting character" or like they thought viewers are too stupid to understand AND appreciate the nuance of his complicated character?

[@fightingmedialounge519]

Not quite to that simple for book daemon.

[@abhishekdas2352]

​@@fightingmedialounge519 Yes Book Daemon was a whore or playboy. He married thrice and had a physical relationship with God knows how many women. Daemon was a very handsome and charming guy even in his later years. But He never harmed any of his spouses physically that includes Rhea (book Daemon didn't murdered Rhea). He loved both Laena and Rhaenyra. Even though He wasn't a faithful person, he never betrayed Rhaenyra or any of his kin. His sacrifice ultimately resulted in a posthumous Blacks victory as his son Aegon was crowned as king in fact both of his sons became kings. By the end of dance Rhaenyra's mental state gradually declined as personal losses mounted a heavy toll on her subconscious. That caused a temporary rift between Daemon and Rhaenyra but it was not something that couldn't be healed. But Rhaenyra was making various irrational decisions that made her allies become enemies. Out of sheer jealousy that Her lord husband's affection towards Nettles, She ordered to kill Nettles but Lord Manfryd knew If he tries to follow the queen's order then Daemon will burn and feed him to Carexes so out of desperation He joined The greens.

[@fightingmedialounge519]

@@abhishekdas2352 the books imply he was cheating rhaenyra with nettles. That would be a form of betrayal.

[@brooke5258]

Daemon is absolutely batshit. And that's something you can always count on. When it's time to go to war, he's the one you want on your team. Targaryen to the end.

[@tanyawilliams1887]

No other channel breaks it down like you do! I enjoyed this!

[@strawberriesandcandy]

Idk why this keeps being brought up as a question. Anyone who’s read the books knows that he literally went full kamikaze to take out what he saw as the biggest challenge to her throne. If that’s not (slightly toxic and codependent) love idk what is

[@marcglenn]

What you’ve describe is possessiveness, not love. And I haven’t gotten what I would describe as love from the show or books. That’s not to suggest that he doesn’t care for her, but he’s such a conflicted, insecure driven man, that he isn’t capable of real love. What he does loves in Rhaenyra is what he loves in himself, the idea of the Targaryen lineage. What he’s protecting isn’t her honor, but the honor of their family. None of that is actual love for her, just what she can be for him.

[@chrismason6857]

Glad to see you back making content. Thanks from uk. 🇬🇧

[@erikadixon8341]

Great insight as usual @GrayArea always informative and thorough with the complex dynamics of the character as portrayed while weaving in book references. Glad you’re back!!!

[@ryanbell7646]

Excellent content as usual - glad to see ya back queeeennnnn

[@veronicadavanzo2064]

Your analyses are so good! And I appreciate that you speak like a real person and don’t sound like a robot. Your channel is a gem - keep it coming!

[@babushka_OG]

This was so spot on! Loved it. Ty!

[@Deltadivaix]

Girl I absolutely adore you and the way you say stuff. You say it exactly the way we want to say it. LOL can't wait for the pre-show tonight on Teflon TV channel.

[@angeladaniels5581]

Thank you!!!! Finally, an accurate assessment of their relationship. So many people misunderstood their relationship and project their insecurities onto Daemon, not to mention applying 21st century standards. Grooming??? Was it not the custom for that time to marry young brides😂

[@blurpledragon2779]

Spot on Gray !!!You got Daemon's name , number and address !!! I have a pretty good handle of who he is myself and I just love him , he is one of my favorite characters in this whole SOIAF !!!! Great video !!!!!!!!!

[@tribalbassist5227]

🎉🎉🎉So glad you're back!

[@emilyisable]

You do a great job. Love your content.

[@christinestevenson4304]

This is the first of your hotd videos i've seen! I love your got ones! I hope they put them back into the algorithm!

[@tammyharden-morris6780]

I love your commentary! Girl! you are 🔥

[@sweetbrownsuga504]

Ahhh I finally received a notification 🔥🐉

[@donnajenkins4721]

Very good analysis.

[@user-zq1gs7nt5d]

These two... bedroom dynamics. I can't even imagine. Rhaenyra is glowing like crazy in Ep 8 for a reason. Dracarys 🔥

[@IDKtheBand]

Hi! love the content as usual :) Cant wait to hear if youre doing rice novels- I'm gonna re read asap just in case ;)

[@cornishpixie9096]

Oh yesss 😍 I've missed your voice x

[@areebariz1639]

GRAY! I LOVE your insight on Daemon btw! No downplaying how bad he is and also not just making him a villain. Your takes on him are SO GOOD!

[@musicandmascara_]

Best explanation ever!!!!! ❤ I think they have both been in love with each other from the get go and I completely agree with everything you said!

[@lizcastcollaz1432]

Thank you for the input and making me realized…

[@J_Mock92]

Girl, you posting a video just moments after The Disputed Lands!?! Agh, I gotta finish watching her video before I come back to watch this, but wanted to check in and comment for my support! Love you both! I was gonna try to get some more sleep before work today, but I guess y'all fucked that up... Totally worth it though! 😂

[@julieloucalcote1368]

lol! Same!

[@eflyz4880]

I’m soooooo ready!!!

[@thseed7]

It's good to have you back on the Throne ma'am

[@vanessalore9942]

Perfect! Matt and Emma having a close friendship doesn’t hurt

[@Faded.Illuminated]

First😅 Hi Gray. Welcome back

[@ivoneray1472]

Daemon is my favorite character in House of the Dragon. The hot blood of the Dragon runs in his veins. He uses violence because his voice is not heard. I have a weakness for flawed or even ambiguous love stories. This is one of them.

[@viralshorts9596]

he obviously loves her. but daemon is also strong willed he's always gonna assert his dominance, she might be his queen but he's gonna do what he wants.

[@_BlackSummer]

Once again I’m wit chu when you right girllll!!!!

[@bobbydrake07017]

Man Grey....you went full blown Deamon apologist and enabler😮whole A+ Defense Lawyer in a Rico Trial😂😂😂 I love it when we are able to mix it up like this. Watching interview with a vampire and Deamon reminds me of my boi Lastat😂😂😂 messy af

[@lordofthehouseofstormcrows8615]

He loves her but hates himself. He loves the blood of the dragon sooooo much he'd do anything to have it survive, even if it meant his and Rhaenyra's death Keep up the great work Gray, you sexy momma

[@LauraGS564]

wrong, Daemon does not hate himself

[@cherylbaxter8986]

Great video Gray I'm a daemon fan an know what he is an can be but I wouldn't want anyone else on my side

[@ellieameli]

I truly believe that what Daemon wanted was acceptance. He was seen as a wayward prince with a hot temper, to be handled cautiously and from a distance. He was not upset that he was passed over as heir, he was upset that his brother never even considered him as an option. Despite this, he chose to support his niece, because she was the only one to accept him as he was.

[@hypatiakovalevskayasklodow9195]

“If Daemon wanted the throne, he could have taken it” I never thought about that before. So true!

[@icamfam7080]

This video is straight facts!!!

[@micheleadennis2339]

Right on gray area now I’m giving you all thumbs up

[@OneAngryDragon]

Summer's almost here! Juice time!!!!

[@MoschinoAmore]

It seems that Daemon derives his sense of self worth from a feeling of Valyrian and Targaryen supremacy. Not hard to see why based on how he was raised.

[@gracewulansari8907]

he definitely love her, just because all the episode didn't show this love expression based on today expression. never mean the opposite way. Man go to war for his wife seems like daemon love expression

[@naemontargaryen7348]

amazing video! finally someone who understand our favorite boy Daemon Targaryen

[@cathylanders6377]

Me too😊

[@candicedurante9722]

Your Exactly correct in my opinion

[@targlife2979]

A perfect explanation of their relationship and one that completely falls in line with everything Matt Smith has ever said about their relationship. Matt's even doubled down on how much he believes daemon loves Rhaenyra because he knows certain people are gonna want to pick apart every disagreement they have moving forward. It's not a "perfect" relationship, it's toxic and chaotic af, but none of that changes the fact that at the end of the day they do love each other. Even the writers who constantly go out of their way to make daemon look bad have said as much. Could honestly go down as one of the best and most tragic (this is game of thrones after all) love stories if they stick the landing.

[@victoriabeck2357]

Yet he refused to answer her when she demands an answer of her “ Do you accept me as your queen?

[@carolbriscoe9337]

All I know for sure is, there is great pain and loss in their future. It's all so tragic

[@adenalss5503]

YASSSSSS TELL ITTTTT!!!!

[@JayHaram]

Man with no money: “guess we can’t love anybody according to this channel”

[@micheleadennis2339]

She is the best actor I’ve ever seen on any season of anything to do with Game of Thrones

[@evew5966]

That’s so true❤

[@susanmartin3762]

Oh I loved last night!! Didn't special effects do a wonderful job? Rhaenyra looked HORRIBLE!! OH I Almost didn't recognize her. I can't wait to hear your take on this first episode of season 2!

[@t.goodlookin9241]

I love ❤️ your reviews and I think Daemon love Rhaenyra ..🖤🐉

[@robstewartstewart98]

With everything about Daemon….particularly his motivations…..it kinda feels like the answer “all of the above” fits him to a T.

[@g.town-troy4035]

I love you grey ♥️

[@tikolopez8884]

I don't know if I could be in an actual relationship with Daemon, but he can get it ! I love that he is like "Damn what you say ! I am a dragon lord, don't give me what I eat to sleep with !" He is all the things women want a man to be, but he is also all that toxic masculinity can bring. great in a story, terrible in RL. I just wanted to add, girl you are spot on with your analysis ! I joined immediately.

[@rrsiiipineal]

I actually like Daemon's character.

[@benb1014]

“-couldve had it in a fortnight.” Goofy asl🤣🤣🤣

[@Hochspitz]

The show runners/writers always had a very hard task to bring a less than 200 pages of obtuse, often conflicting versions of history into the screen and make the audience connect with the characters. HOTD can never be anything like GoT S1-S4. It is hard to have the emotional connection in HOTD characters that we felt in GoT. All the same, I enjoyed mostly what Condal did but hope he learned from very bad writing (dragon bursting forth, killing hundreds of peasants) as an example that he has done better in S2.

[@jessjess23brooks89]

We will see in episode one. It's "A son for a son." If they muck that up, I don't know how they can handle the rest of the story. I'm hella nervous.

[@ninaxwings]

I think he loves her as much as someone like him can love anyone

[@ashmaz400]

I think people ask that because its not coming off on screen that he loves her deeply just that he likes that she has the crown

[@crystalgee7885]

OMG!!! I thinks daemon is the hand that Raenyra needs to help her win this war!! I also think the war of avoiding killing so many innocents could have been avoided if rhaenyres would have killed Aegon when he was taking the throne or if aemond was killed or even when sir Otto was killed when he bought terms to rhaenyris !?? Also when daemons daughter killed sir Criston Cole !! Anyway I’m looking 👀 forward to upcoming episodes for season 2 of house of dragons hopefully it won’t be as disappointing as season 8 of Games of Thrones!!😊

[@loliver9660]

As soon as the showrunners said they didn't understand why Daemon was so popular with fans because he is a "bad guy," I knew they were going to try to butcher his character for the sake of added drama.

[@tylermonsanto2322]

Why did daemon and Raenyra’s conversations stop being in high valyrian like the first half of season 1?

[@leiana_yt]

Daemon & Rhaenyra loved eachother absolutely. It's as you say tho, it's NOT a fairytale love. For me, it's a Soulmate/Destiny thing... They are after all the great-grandparents (however many times over, 6x?) of Daenerys, who IS the Prince(ss) That Was Promised & a part of the "Song" of Ice/Fire with Jon.

[@Fierce-s8h]

raduire du texte avec votre appareil photo Laena was also Daemon's niece and 2 years younger than Rhaenyra so why would it be weird for Daemon to be with Rhaenyra but it's good and he has to be with Laena???? I think that Laena should never have married Daemon because given her young age and her innocence, she could not stand up to Daemon who could impose everything on her, such as isolating herself in her house in the depths of the desert and refusing to let her see his brother Laenor. and frankly I think he didn't want to go back there because of Rhaenyra.

[@Ladyv41]

I believe Laena was Dameon’s cousin not his niece and we have to approach these relationships with the mindset of the times, females married right after they began menstruating (childbearing was the most important thing)

[@dorianpruitt2132]

@GrayArea 😂😂😂 Stop it lol what you know bout standing ten toes down lol 😂😂 I appreciate that

[@Kmorlandhy16]

Agreed with 99%, but what about Nettles?

[@LarisaBayaMomo]

Rhaenyra is to Daemon like looking in a Mirror. However, Laena is also very head strong he could not bend her, he knew he could bend Rhaenyra and she would do as he says, well, so he thought. Turns out Rhaenyra is very strong minded as an adult.

[@LaffingTreeLady]

❤❤❤

[@swanhookheart]

"Daemon is crazy as hell. Fr. Daemon is batsh*t." We love a mad Targaryen man

[@TheMarlinlask]

Daemon didn't kill his first wife that was done for the show.

[@GrayArea]

I know

[@lawrencereid2767]

First to take the Black 🖤 And HI gray I missed you!!!!

[@ronny4513]

Thanks for pointing out that Otto is stealing the throne away Rhaenyra as he did with Daemon - I hadn't joined the dots like that but it's so true. "No matter how fat the leech grows, it always wants for another meal."

[@sulaimanshakirat5178]

Hii Please don't tell me you've stopped the intro😢😢

[@GrayArea]

No I didn’t I just had to get str8 to business

[@aurealara]

Team Daemon!!!

[@blutifulblacc5623]

1st here! 🔥🔥🔥

[@latj16x]

People think they will break up this season they won’t they will go thru shit but even Matt said himself in the interview he don’t think the daemon and rhaenyra is done

[@micheleadennis2339]

He is more loyal than anyone the in that group ❤

[@angelmelendez2468]

Right on point … like always ! Damon is a fierce lover of his family . Remembering him putting that crown 👑 on his brother . In fact , his aim ( during episode 1 season 2) was to appease his queen. I’m glad they added that spin where Damon requested Aemon as being the target of blood and cheese. Damon heard the queens request and took action .

[@user-kp8kx7ee6h]

It,s actually Rheanyera that was obsessed with Deamon from the start not the other way

[@micheleadennis2339]

Dameon is a true and strong 💪🏼. What about wedding sister and brother grey area? .

[@haymaker710]

Rhaenyra just likes Daemon's bad boy side.

[@echelongirl9685]

I think everything about the character is and will always remain vague. I've never been certain of his feelings for her in the book as well. The fact people is romanticizing the time spent when they were uncle and niece is weird, cause it's undoubtedly true the relationship is problematic. I think Daemon doesn't want the throne to the point of usurping his family and this is what make him grey, but he still having regret and frustration of been replaced by his brother. He loved his bro more than anything and has been that love who pushed him on accepting to marry Rhaenyra, he took her as his extension and that's messed up cause he doesn't see her as her own persona and Rhaenyra just wanted him cause wanted to be special for him as she says i took it as challenge, she thought she would have changed him, but she realizes that Daemon will always choose himself his way, his ideas his logic that's why his loyalty is questionable and not wholly, and makes him a double edged weapon.

[@paigeshelton5028]

High Valyrian is their love language ❤

[@JustaMomThatSims]

Great video. He's backing her all the way.

[@carmenchavez9803]

He loves her

[@queenxx1690]

B&Ch did not hit because we should be not wondering why Helaena pointed her so to die but are Tb really all good ?

[@jaylove5555]

Grey Area-Targeryan.

[@pendragonsxskywalkers9518]

Rhaenyra always reminded me of Cleopatra the Great ❤❤❤🖤🖤🖤(both were favourite daughters of their fathers, both went to war with their younger brothers, both had bastard children). I have no doubt Cleopatra and Mark Antony loved each other - buy they also both used each other to political gains. And same with Daemon and Rhaenyra - there is love, but it first and foremost political alliance.

[@Ladyv41]

@GrayArea how are you feeling about Nettles role possibly being given to Baela? I really feel some type of way about that because she plays an important part in the story, especially the way she tames Sheep Stealer and her relationship with Daemon.