Aemond and Alicent’s Shocking Kiss on ‘House of the Dragon’ Explained
The most discussed moment from the ‘House of the Dragon’ season three premiere revolved around an unsettling interaction between Aemond Targaryen and his mother, Alicent Hightower. This scene, which was devoid of dragonfire or battles, captivated fans during a quiet, character-driven exchange.
Ewan Mitchell, who portrays Aemond, has shared insights into his character’s mindset during this moment, revealing layers to an already uncomfortable scene.
The kiss occurs amid a tense conversation where Alicent attempts to persuade Aemond to fly to Harrenhal on Vhagar. As she compliments his bravery and draws closer, Aemond leans down to kiss her, leaving her visibly horrified, though she manages to regain her composure once he pulls away.
Mitchell has provided insight into Aemond’s thoughts during the kiss, suggesting he is trying to discern any ulterior motives behind his mother’s sudden affection.
The actor admitted that the scene felt “out there” when he first read the script, though he sensed it was a natural progression given Aemond’s complex relationship with Alicent.
Mitchell also pointed out the power dynamics at play, suggesting Aemond was asserting control over the family. He raised questions about how this kiss might alter the relationship between mother and son in the future.
When asked if Aemond’s actions were driven by genuine attraction or a power play, Mitchell offered a nuanced perspective. He indicated that it was likely a mix of both, describing it as akin to an Oedipus complex, stemming from Aemond’s distorted understanding of love.
According to Mitchell, this skewed perception originates from Aemond’s childhood experiences. He noted that Aemond has never truly received unconditional love from his mother or anyone else, leading to his confusion in expressing affection.
Mitchell elaborated on this further, linking it to the age gap and family dynamics. He pointed out that Alicent was quite young when she had Aemond, and watching her navigate a male-dominated world made him feel a sense of obligation to support her.
He candidly discussed how uncomfortable the scene was to film and watch, joking about his surprise that Alicent didn’t react more violently. He also connected Aemond’s behavior to his history of being bullied for not having a dragon, arguing that this rejection has influenced his understanding of love and his tendency to seek maternal figures.
Alicent’s reaction to the kiss is equally significant. Showrunner and cast commentary suggest her horrified yet restrained response was closely tied to her fragile plan with Rhaenyra.
At that moment, Alicent’s primary goal was to send Aemond to Harrenhal with Vhagar, leaving King’s Landing vulnerable and allowing Rhaenyra to reclaim the throne as part of their previous arrangement.
Given this delicate situation, rejecting Aemond was not an option for her. Any protest could have jeopardized Aemond’s mission, making the kiss her only semblance of control in a scenario where she felt powerless.
Olivia Cooke, who portrays Alicent, has also discussed the deliberate construction of the scene from Aemond’s perspective. According to Wiki of Thrones, the team aimed to make the kiss feel like Aemond was uncertain, almost like a first kiss, while Alicent had always sensed something troubling in Aemond’s feelings without expecting it to manifest.
For those curious if this moment is found in the source material, the answer is no. George R.R. Martin’s ‘Fire and Blood,’ the book that ‘House of the Dragon’ is based on, does not include such an interaction between Aemond and Alicent.
However, the nature of the source material leaves room for interpretation. Since ‘Fire and Blood’ reads more like a historical account than a traditional narrative, it would be unusual for such an intimate moment to be documented, suggesting it could have occurred off-page.
This isn’t the first instance of the show introducing uncomfortable mother-son moments. Season two featured a similarly bizarre scene where Daemon kissed his mother during a fever dream, which also did not occur in Martin’s book.
With Aemond’s complicated feelings for Alicent and the show’s willingness to explore unsettling family dynamics beyond the books, it’s evident that this storyline is far from over. What do you think Aemond’s kiss signifies for his and Alicent’s relationship as the battle for the Iron Throne intensifies?