This scene was not real | Daemon and Aemond Explained | HOUSE OF THE DRAGON SEASON 2 

I think Daemon’s visions are manifesting the same way Helaena sees her Visions. Which is why Helaena seems completely unaware at times, like Daemon is.

Haelena will tell us soon. She is due to drop the tea.

If Daemon walking around an empty castle, tripping balls, the children of the forest are the true MVPs.

When Alice said that part about “you never got to meet your mother” when she turns around n walks away she basically disappeared behind Simon when he came walking to him.. he even looked her direction as if he was to say “what are you looking at” .. this a dream fam!

9:30 “he just ate the cat he came out of” ☠️ Game of Thrones is about daddy issues House of the Dragon is about mommy issues

Is Caraxes having crazy dreams lol

Yo i think youre spot on. Its all a vision quest to help him kill his ego and save his family. He doesnt actually care about the throne just his family

That idea of daemon getting a spin inside Aemond's head via the weirdwood paste is super interesting.

The visions and dreams are pretty clear to me. No present members of the Harrenhal staff are present during his dreams. And he's clearly having waking visions when he sees people from the past in the present settings.

Alys (The Ghost of Harrenhal?) might just want to scare off these guys through those trippy dreams so that they leave the place alone for the trees to grow freely.

Grey Area is my favorite GOT/HOD content creator next to David Lightbringer. ❤ Anyone else agree? ⏬⬇️⤵️🔽👍🏿👍🏾👍

The spennanite bag is crazy Daemon brought his PS5 with him.😂

aemond idiolizes daemon. he doesnt know him, but he knows all the stories he,s been told. also grayarea you rock girl!!! i always look forward to your videos every week and cant wait to watch them! Keep up the good work!!

I hypothesize that Alys is working with Larys Strong to drive Daemon into acting on his darkest desires and divide team Black.

The hour of the wolf told by Simon Strong refers to the arrival of Cregan Stark

The theory Daemon has just been asleep this whole time is very interesting but I do know there better be a big pay off at the end of this storyline!

I also wondered if anyone else saw Alice, this is all trippy for me

Oh s--t...ever since Daemon left for Harrenhal, the episodes have repeatedly emphasized how he's failed to get in touch with anyone at Dragonstone. What if the reason for that is because he's been asleep?!?!!! Yo...lol that would be crazy. And who knows, maybe Daemon has found himself in a situation with Alys like Tom Hank's son's character in Dexter where he's seeing someone who's not actually there. Now I'll have to rewatch and see if anyone else interacts with Alys or if it's just Daemon. Nice, but trippy, video Gray.

Sorry, I forgot his name, but the man sent by the Queen to find Daemon's reasons for why he cut everyone off will find him sleeping in the limbs of the weir wood tree. It was all a Bob Newhart dream.

Daemon is tripping out at Harrenhal. How much of it is really happening? Not sure, but I do think the last scene with Daemon and the River Lords is a dream.

Daemon is the greenseer before Bloodraven. I'm convinced.

You should say "I'm back with the juice to get you through this Long Fight." 😂

My feeling regarding the situation at Harrenhal at the moment; The scene with the lords of the Riverlands at night did happen. I feel that we have been shown that Daemon believe fully in Targaryen supremacy. That he is (or is supposed to be) a dragonlord, and that this is very important. Daemon like so many of the characters in both season 1 and 2 is living caught up in fantasies and delusions. We also see that through the season that Daemon appears to be motivated by the status and power of his family, and more specifically for the approval of his brother. And he revels in the hero worship from young Rhaenyra. Through his dialogues with Ser Simon we see Daemon flirt with the idea of proclaiming himself king, however he isn't really doing much else to pursue that goal directly. He is sort of throwing his (and his dragons) weight around to muster up troops. He threatens the Brackens with fire, but then backs down when his threats are ineffective. Afterwards he seems almost bemused. Then he delegates violence to the Blackwoods, which I read as a sign that he doesn't really have the stomach for violence and/or that he lacks conviction. Which is what I felt most of all. He is half-heartedly blustering and threatening the lords at the night meeting but without conviction. It felt like someone just going through the motions because this is what he knows, or how he thinks he should act, but then suddenly his dead wife is there asking if he is “taking care of their daughters.” Which I read as being a sort of “what are you doing? Why are you here doing this? What about your children?” So I read the conflict within Daemon being that he does have some guilt lurking in the shadows of his soul, that he plays the part of the dragon prince but he isn't really feeling it. The conflict is that either he has to realize the errors of his ways and try to make some amends, or he has to sort of commit to being the dragonlord with all that entrails. Right now I am leaning towards the former. Which opens the room for Aemond to arrive later and have the opposite reaction.

He is going to spend the entire season High on poppies isnt he 😅😅😅😅😅

These dreams of Daemon are making me question if Ive been dreaming.

So Aemond is what everyone feared Daemon would be

I don’t think it’s all a dream. At one of the dinners, Simon Strong tells Daemon that Larys has taken all the family wealth to King’s Landing. Now, that’s true and it’s not information that Daemon would have likely dreamed up.

I'm actually really enjoying the Harrenhal plotline. It's really exploring dreams/magic in a way that is unraveling some of the mechanics of the system in a very visual way.

The fact that you don't know what's going on and are frustrated by it is the point, they're meant to be disorientating 😉

Aemond is definitely off the rocker, he’s made a fantasy of Daemond in his mind. One he wants to defeat and become. And Daemond is in a dream world, I think. Today’s only Monday and can’t wait for Sunday night. 😆

I’m so glad u covered this because when that lady started talking about how harrenhal was an ancient place watched by the old gods and the new, I was like hmmmmm

Daemon & Rhaenyra Story Arc Season 2 : it's funny how i've saying for MONTHS that this is exactly what would happen, daemon with house bracken on harrenhal was him realizing he completely lacks the patience and the cautiousness needed to be king. rhaenyra at dragonstone is her realizing even her own council does not fear her or truly believe in her capability in times of war, she was too cautious and the enemy is now in advantage. daemon and rhaenyra's plot is basically them changing places, daemon is gonna have to learn to be cautious and rhaenyra will have to learn to be ruthless. daemon is gonna learn that rhaenya has the ability to trade with the common people that he does not. and rhaenyra is gonna learn that he has the commander in the battlefield and the sword ability that she does not. it's what emma said SEVERAL TIMES, daemon and rhaenyra can't show weakness in front of the other, and this is something they'll overcome. Showrunners Plans For Season 2) main goal for season 2. its so unprofessional. they created bullshvt, boring, sexually perverted, and misogynistic plots for the sole purpose of making ppl dislike character just bc they do, and were annoyed by his popularity. Hess replied: "I agree with you. He's become Internet Boyfriend in a way that baffles me. Not that Matt isn't incredibly charismatic and wonderful, and he's incredible in the role. But Daemon himself is ... I don't want him to be my boyfriend! I'm a little baffled how they're all, 'Oh, daddy!' And I'm just like: 'Really?' How - in what way - was he a good partner, father or brother - to anybody? You got me. He ain't Paul Rudd. What do you think, Clare?" 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Will Make Viewers Switch Sides, Ryan Condal Promises 'House of the Dragon' Creator and Showrunner Ryan Condal explains his goal to make fans keep switching sides in season 2 and beyond.

My first thought was that the scene with the River Lords was a dream, but the fact that the Blackwoods committed their war crimes under Targaryen banners seems important plot wise, so idk But everything with Alys is super weird. Why does Daemon put up with her shit? Why did he drink the weirwood paste so easily & not say anything about it afterwards? Why is he the only one who ever interacts with her?

I like the confusion of it, it keeps us on our feet. Everyone thought they knew the story but they're giving the book readers unexpected aspects. I like the parallels between aemond and Daemon as well. I think they're nailing it. I love that idea that he wakes up from a coma and the castle is completely empty. The show creators have us coming up with all sorts of theories and I think that's why the show succeeds

The dream camera colors. That blue/grey filter is what I was trying to follow.

I'm glad somebody else sees that the Riverlords scene isn't real. So many reviewers are taking that as truth even though earlier in the episode Daemon was told that the Brackens bent the knee.

Good god please; I hope it was all just a dream. Otherwise Daemons entire story won't make any sense anymore.

Love you girl! Everything you said in this video I was feeling too!

To me it looked like at dinner the blood was dripping into weirwood paste.

It’s so fun to be back with you. Feels like the old days, when thrones was good. The real old days.

That is what I had been saying, that Cole raised Aemond, of course he a jealous psicopath.

The whole thing reminds me of Avalon in the Authurian myth. When you enter the land of the fey, time doesn't work the same way. A week with the Fey can be a century in the normal world. It could be foreshadowing Daemon's fate.

The only time of clarity he's had was when he was with Caraxes away from Harrenhal. That's the only scene i trusted to be real tbh.

You are the GOAT. Thanks for transcribing the High Valarian; great work, and you're always on point. Thanks for all you do for us.

I definitely think they’re tryna pull a “the sixth sense” on us.

I thought the exact thing when he took that cup from her. She has the effect of the Dune high speech just chatting normal.

And.... in the dreams, Daemon is telling ppl to call him King. Now, Aemond IS King Regent. 😳😳😳

I definitely don't think Alys is real in the show. No one but Daemon has acknowledged her existence. Either she isn't real or Simon Strong and his sons aren't real. When he comes back from a dream and Simon is taking up him, Alys always has a look like who are you talking to.

Lol the spend the night bag.

Aemond is my favorite character.

This whole Daemon/HH is weird and dragging along. This is not like Damon at all. I’m ready for it to end, like yesterday.

i love listening to your input, it fascinates me!

It’s almost like he is being shown what he’s capable of doing so he convinces himself to sacrifice himself. Removing himself from the redwood timeline of events. Imagine an Easter egg of bran whispering or his crow watching lol

Those river lords didn't even say their names.

“Ate the cat that he came out of” was cold blooded! Sheesh 🔥

My man Daemon doing some war crimes

They've made Daemon a toothless character & they've ran this Harrenhal angle into the ground. .

I think the events for deamon being a dream is a good theory. I'm gonna rewatch!

I KNOW you caught Hugh Hammer’s wife talking about taking off to go stay with her family in Tumbleton…… bet anything they use that as his reasoning for turning his cloak, or at least part of it.

It was all a dream. I used to read word up magazine. I see you girl.

ok, this makes way more sense to me. The thing they seem to bring home with these dreamers, is that they can't really control it and they don't necessarily know how to interpret or make sense of what they are seeing. So if Daemons dreams are actually eluding to Aemonds thoughts, feelings and actions because their fate is intertwined, that would make a lot more sense then them insinuating that Daemon wants to usurp the throne. Thanks Gray.

Your videos are fire 🔥

Yes, mama! This is what I was sayiiiiiin. I think so much of what he’s experiencing at HH is illusion, including much of what we think is real. I was clocking all the clues, bizarro situations and weird behavior of everyone there but missed the glowing signal you pointed out. And the supposed Daemon betrayal of Rhaenyra is just Alys messing with him by exploiting his tendencies and it’s really Aemond who’s gonna ultimately be driven mad by Alys/HH. Daemond and Aemond are an example of a particular personality type and the divergent paths possible with that kind of pathology. Only Daemond is solid enough to resist HH/Alys.

One thing thats trippy to me its no one other than Daemon has have interactions with Alice . Im going to have to go back and watch her scenes but i dnt think anybody has

Bear with me, in ⬆️ off my 🌲 … but… as I listen to your analyses of the shows and the books and real life and the way you intermingle with them pulling from this one and connecting it to that one, etc. etc. All I can think of is how beautiful your mind is and how much fun it’d be explore more it it 🤩

Once again, absolutely spot on! I hope the whole Harrenhal dream situation has a worthy payoff!

This channel is highly underrated

I've been wondering if they're going to pull the "it's all a dream". However, if they go this route, they better be damn sure the payoff is worth it.

“Damon is in there dolo TRIPPING” 😂😂😂

Rhaenyra also made mention of Visenya and it's funny that Daemon wields Dark Sister but Aemond rides Vhagar lol definitely can't see Alys, Simon didn't look at her but past her like an odd shadow

Yeah, a marker would be nice. Excellent breakdown!

thanks for spoiling the season for me, much appreciated.

Wow. Never thought it might all be a dream/hallucinations! Very clever. I haven’t read the book yet. Think I will start this weekend. But that’s a cool take.

I agree with every point you make in this one.

Unfortunately this reminds me of season 7 and 8 when people were coming up with all these amazing theories to explain things that were just bad writing

That was my thought as well. It all being a dream. Thought I was wrong for thinking it though. But it makes more sense

Thank you. Thought I was going as mad as Daemon lol...

Girl, you are efficient! These videos are coming! I love your perspective.

They said on one of the behind the scenes they spoke about lighting it differently or using a different types of lenses then they just decided nah we will just do it normal and let people figure it out cause it should be obvious 😅

Haven’t watched the video in full yet, but wanted to answer the question at the beginning concerning how I felt about all this. Apologies in advance for the long comment. I’m not entirely able to discern the purpose of what Daemon’s been going through at Harrenhal. I initially assumed that it was meant to a), reveal to us parts of his psyche that he either struggled to accept and emotions he didn’t want to face or deal with, illustrated through the lense of increasingly disturbing and provoking visions, and b), ultimately lead to him having a more complete sense of himself, what he wants, and what he needs to do. I didn’t think it would change him completely and utterly, and I figured he would struggle against what he was being faced with, but I felt it was ultimately supposed to be transformative as an experience for him, in a manner that could be plainly seen and foil him to Aemond in an interesting way. I’m not sure what the purpose of this is now, especially with this episode, and the next, seeming to really be pushing for the angle of him legitimately wanting to and trying to usurp Rhaenyra, which…I don’t think I have to tell you is contradictory to his character and his established motivations in a number of ways. I felt that during this most recent episode that the visions and dreams must’ve been driving him not a little bit mad, explaining his increasingly more caustic behavior. The scene with him and his mother particularly gave me the vibe of something driving him towards feeling or acting in that manner. But again, I feel it’s quite murky and kind of inconsistent with what we’ve been shown of Daemon’s character. We know he is mercurial, and clearly conflicted, which he has always been to some extent, but for him to do such a harsh heel face turn against Rhaenyra doesn’t feel terribly earned, I suppose. The episode overall was clunky and quite rushed feeling, which I feel can largely be chalked up to having different writers for each episode, and a lack of time to properly flesh out plots like this. The inconsistency in the characterization of not just Daemon, but other major characters, has been immensely distracting for me at times. I’m unsure of what it was they are intending with the Harrenhal storyline, as it is increasingly feeling like a dead end with no foreseeable purpose, besides making Daemon a less interesting and dynamic character. I suppose I’m most bothered by the implication that he is all in now for just usurping Rhaenyra and taking the throne, when I felt like it was always a little more complicated for him than that. Edit: Broke up the paragraphs a bit lol

Re Daemon: As a therapist, I use confrontation to help clients face and work through difficult truths about themselves. During the confrontation, discrepancies, inconsistencies, or defenses in the client's thoughts, feelings, or behaviors are directly addressed. I feel like Daemon's inner struggles are being explored, so when he is out of that haunted castle, he will be healed mentally and at peace with himself.

I think the visions would have made more sense if it were with Viserys. Especially since last he argued with Rhaenyra they spoke about his brother.

I've been thinking on it and I feel like the visions are Daemon's "you need to be better" moment because the monster they say you are, and that you portray yourself as, they are what your nephew is truly turning into. And he learned it from stories about you. You can't be this absolute monarch, unrestrained, unquestionable dragon lord. Sometimes, you need to concede and compromise with the wills of the goverened. But their doing a very clumsy job of portraying it and need to wrap it up. Daemon, sir, you need to return your wife's texts and go home.

Do you think Master of Whispers Strong knows Alys Rivers which is why he is capable of knowing so much, and says things such as "ghost in harrenhal" references?

Thanks!

I thought it was weird that the Lords of the Riverlands We’re not wearing any heraldry.

Daemon entertaining dreams of usurping make sense given his elder brother died just a couple weeks ago in the story. If he had been named heir this would've been his time to ascend the throne. I wish grief was given more airtime, these people could be a bit more relatable.

Damn , I luv your theories!!

Gray it was actually you that turned me on to this… when you said that the Rogue Prince not burning those who rejected his threat to burn them made no sense for his character. That’s when it clicked in my head, maybe the reason for that is because this is all a dream, or mostly a dream… it would redeem this “Harrenhall side quest” and it’s weird turns in my mind. The next episode will be pivotal. Excellent video as always and thanks for the full transcription of what Weirwood dream young Rhaenyra said! Keep the juice coming!

Very interesting… I always thought the glow at the door and the footsteps were the beginning of a dream… or hallucination. So I’m still gonna go with that: if there is a glow under the door, that’s what’s not real…. I think… …

The events of Harrenhal have me intrigued. I never considered the River Lords being part of the dreams till you pointed it out. IMO, the show is going for a supernatural mysterious vision motif that will reshape Daemon. The "Bend the knee to me" scene likely occurred. I'll watch it again to make better sense of it.

I love daemons character I hope he comes out on top

You may be right. I've become so confused I'm waiting for the scene to change and Daemon becomes himself again

I just think we’re not meant to understand some stuff until the story is finished and that is okay. I am very interested to see where Daemon’s story goes

I think you are spot on with this.

Aemond: Omg bro, Im tickled 😂😂😂

Where is the Biggie drop? “It was all a dream”

Yep, you nailed it completely. 👍🏻

Yes,thank you GrayArea for this stream 🙏🔥I am sooo in agreement, this was what I also was saying: it was a dream/weirwoodtrip ? all of it ,yes.and you also notice that Simon stares at Alys(where Daemon stares),Though it seems he(Simon,) doesn't get it ,he can't understand what Daemon sees..and all the talk about the Old Gods ...very interesting 🔥

Simon looked at her when she was leaving 😂she real