‘House of the Dragon’ Ewan Mitchell Discusses Aemond’s Awkward Moment With Alicent

‘House of the Dragon’ season 3 kicked off with intense violence, political intrigue, and family turmoil, but one particular scene between Aemond Targaryen and Alicent Hightower quickly emerged as a focal point of discussion following the premiere.

In this unexpected moment, Aemond, portrayed by Ewan Mitchell, shares a kiss with his mother Alicent, played by Olivia Cooke. The kiss leaves Alicent visibly unsettled, while Aemond seems to interpret the encounter quite differently. For many viewers, this scene serves as a stark reminder of the complex and fractured relationships within the Targaryen family.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Mitchell reflected on his initial reaction to reading the scene in the script. He acknowledged that he anticipated it would spark controversy but believed it accurately represented the intricate relationship between Aemond and Alicent.

“When I read it in the script for the first time, I just thought, ‘Oh, that’s something. Quite out there,’” Mitchell shared. He further explained that after delving into Aemond’s history with his mother, the scene made sense from his character’s viewpoint.

According to Mitchell, Aemond perceives the moment differently than Alicent. He views the kiss as a symbol of power and control, believing he has assumed responsibility for his family.

“In Aemond’s head, it’s like he’s assuming control of the family,” Mitchell elaborated. “He’s the new leader.”

The actor also commended Olivia Cooke for her performance during this challenging scene, noting that she contributed to creating a powerful dynamic between the two characters. Mitchell revealed that they filmed multiple versions of the scene to determine which portrayal resonated best, focusing on their expressions and reactions.

While the moment surprised fans, ‘House of the Dragon’ showrunner Ryan Condal clarified that it was not merely included for shock value. He explained that the scene ties back to Aemond’s childhood experiences and the trauma that has shaped him.

Condal emphasized Aemond’s difficult upbringing, marked by bullying, the loss of his eye, and years of striving to prove himself. He believes these experiences have influenced Aemond’s understanding of love and affection.

“He’s somebody that was traumatized at an early age,” Condal stated. “As these things do, that trauma then manifests a certain way in his behavior as an adult.”

Mitchell also discussed how Aemond’s emotional struggles stem from a lack of support. He explained that Aemond never learned to express his feelings healthily due to the absence of love and acceptance in his upbringing.

“Growing up, [kids] need that unconditional love from people to develop a balanced view of themselves,” Mitchell said. “And Aemond’s never really felt like he ever had that love from anyone, really.”

This scene also highlights Alicent’s struggles as a mother. Condal noted that Alicent was thrust into adulthood at a young age and was ill-prepared for her responsibilities.

“We all know that Alicent didn’t do a great job as a mom, but who would have in that situation where you got groomed by your father and married off to a much older man at such an early age?” Condal remarked.

For the creators and cast, the kiss is intended to reveal another dimension of Aemond. Beneath his confident and intimidating exterior lies a character deeply impacted by his past. As season 3 progresses, the intricate relationship between Aemond and Alicent may emerge as a pivotal element of the narrative.

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