Home of the Dragon primarily issues itself with who will sit on the Iron Throne, however one other royal competitors is brewing beneath this primary battle: Who will likely be topped the true drama king of the Seven Kingdoms?There are a number of conditions to being a drama king. First, and most clearly, you should have a aptitude for the dramatic. Second, you should be enjoyable to look at. And third, you should decide to wringing each ounce of drama out of each second you are on display. A well-known instance of a Home of the Dragon drama king is the Crabfeeder (Daniel Scott-Smith), whose hanging gold masks and carnivorous crabs scream Westerosi Bond villain.Then there’s the unique drama king, Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith). All through the present Daemon has stolen a dragon egg, charged alone into enemy territory, named himself King of the Slim Sea, romanced his niece at her personal wedding ceremony, and murdered his spouse whereas rocking a sinister homicide cloak. He is been racking up drama factors left and proper, however as of episode 8, “The Lord of the Tides,” a brand new challenger has made himself identified.
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That challenger is Prince Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell), who combines the volatility of a younger Daemon with excessive pettiness and the aesthetic of an anime character. The result’s appropriately unhinged, and, as is the case with many villains, extraordinarily enjoyable to look at.After we first meet Aemond as a toddler (performed by Leo Ashton), he is bullied by his brother and nephews for not having a dragon. A scene the place they present him with a pig with wings is genuinely unhappy — you’ll be able to’t assist however really feel for him! Nonetheless, Aemond approach overcompensates by claiming and taming Vhagar, the biggest and oldest of the dwelling dragons. A battle together with his Velaryon nephews and cousins ensues, throughout which he loses a watch. Though Aemond triumphantly factors out that he is gained a dragon, the eye-gouging nonetheless stays a wound between Rhaenyra’s (Emma D’Arcy) and Alicent’s (Olivia Cooke) households.
He misplaced a watch, however gained a dragon.
Credit score: Ollie Upton / HBO
Within the six years between episodes 7 and eight, that wound lingers and festers, and Aemond grows from dragon-obsessed baby to grownup menace. Immediately, he is beating Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) in fights. He is giving Jacaerys and Lucerys Velaryon (Harry Collett and Elliot Grihault) a piercing blue stare of demise. He is accessorizing with a classy leather-based eye patch. Briefly, he is committing to the demeanor and the look of being a drama king.Do your self a favor and watch again by “The Lord of the Tides,” this time paying further particular consideration to Aemond at any time when he is onscreen — even within the background. He’s simply oozing excessive drama. Mitchell is pursing his lips and smirking like his life depends upon it, and it’s superb villainous enjoyable. Critically, the look of admiration and pleasure on his face after Daemon slices Vaemond Velaryon’s (Wil Johnson) head in half is one thing to behold. Aemond sees what dramatic legend Daemon is delivering, and he takes notes! When these two drama kings face off… Worlds will change.Aemond’s finest second in “The Lord of the Tides” comes when he provides a toast insulting his nephews. He calls them “good-looking, sensible… Sturdy” in a in no way refined jab at their illegitimate father, Harwin Sturdy (Ryan Corr). All the pieces about this second is drama king perfection: seizing the second to make a toast, beginning with compliments, pausing oh-so-intensely earlier than delivering the killing blow. It is like Aemond was studying my thoughts and located the whole lot I would like in a chaotic aspect villain.
The excellence would not cease there: Jace (rightly) punches Aemond within the face, however does Aemond appear fazed? Hell no. As a substitute, he shoves Jace proper again, all with out spilling a drop of his wine. Cersei Lannister, well-known lover of wine, would certainly be impressed.Remember the fact that Aemond’s toast spoils the conciliatory feast King Viserys (Paddy Considine) fought so laborious for in his final hours alive. Issues had been trying tentatively respectable for Rhaenyra and Alicent’s households earlier than he went forward and mocked his nephews. I would not blame you when you yelled at him to close up whereas watching the episode — I definitely did. Now, due to him, tensions between the Targaryen kids are larger than ever headed into the Dance of the Dragons. But to sow that a lot discord with only a few well-placed phrases? I’ve to admire it. Preserve doing you, Aemond: You are a bastard (figuratively; I might by no means query your parentage), however I am unable to wait to see what you do subsequent.New Home of the Dragon episodes can be found each Sunday at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.(opens in a brand new tab)