‘House of the Dragon’ Star Discusses Aemond’s Complex Feelings for Alicent

‘House of the Dragon’ Season 3 kicks off with Aemond Targaryen on the Iron Throne, but his most significant struggle may not be against his foes. The season premiere delves into his intricate relationship with his mother, Alicent Hightower, unveiling a troubling aspect of their connection.

One of the episode’s most discussed scenes occurs when Aemond, portrayed by Ewan Mitchell, kisses Alicent, played by Olivia Cooke. This moment took viewers by surprise due to its unsettling and unexpected nature. While the Targaryen family is infamous for its complex dynamics, the interaction between a mother and son introduced a new level of tension.

In an interview with ComicBook, Mitchell shared that Aemond’s actions stem from a blend of emotions, including his distorted understanding of love and his complicated relationship with Alicent.

“I think maybe a little bit of both, maybe a little bit of an Oedipus complex,” Mitchell remarked when asked if the kiss was driven by attraction or power. “Aemond has a very skewed perception of what love is, lacking it when he was growing up. And so he doesn’t particularly know how to show it.”

Mitchell noted that Alicent has consistently been one of the few individuals who genuinely defended Aemond. He recalled a moment from Season 1 when Aemond lost his eye, and Alicent was the only one who focused on her son’s plight rather than the broader family conflict.

Mitchell emphasized that Aemond has never forgotten that moment. “His mum is actually the only one defending him in that moment,” he stated. “He never forgets going forward that Alicent was the person who stood up for me.”

The complexity of their relationship becomes even more critical as Alicent secretly plots against Aemond. She intends to open the gates of King’s Landing for Rhaenyra Targaryen, jeopardizing Aemond’s position.

To ensure her plan succeeds, Alicent needs Aemond to leave the capital and head to Harrenhal. Initially, he resists, but she persuades him by appealing to his desire to defeat Daemon Targaryen.

Aemond ultimately agrees to depart and vows to host a celebration for Alicent after defeating his uncle. However, the situation is more intricate than he realizes, as Daemon has already moved away from Harrenhal.

As Season 3 progresses, Aemond’s thirst for power is likely to intensify. Mitchell believes the character is not only pursuing victory but also grappling with fear and insecurity.

When asked about Aemond’s primary desire this season, Mitchell explained that the character aims to win the war and discover some semblance of peace. “I think he ultimately just wants to win the war,” Mitchell said. “I think he wants to end up on a Dornish beach with his mother, sipping on Dornish wine.” However, Mitchell also cautioned that a desperate Aemond is a dangerous one.

“A desperate Aemond is one that you don’t want to meet because he’s going to be willing to go to extremities that we didn’t realize he could go to before,” he warned.

This warning could prove significant as the conflict between the Blacks and Greens escalates. Aemond has already demonstrated a willingness to make ruthless decisions, and his need for control may push him even further.

With the Iron Throne now within his grasp, Aemond’s greatest challenge may be mastering his own emotions before they lead to his downfall.

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