Understanding the Curse of Harrenhal | Season 2 | House of the Dragon | HBO 

the scene where's he's just walking through the castle with the rain clinking off his armour was just beautiful

Daemon doing side quests in Luigi's haunted mansion while there's a whole dragon war going on

We were planning a family trip to Harrenhal next year, staying for a few days at one of the towers. But we may now reconsider after learning about this curse …

The actress portraying Alys Rivers delivers an outstanding performance, skillfully embodying the character with depth and nuance. Her ability to match Matt Smith’s on-screen presence is particularly impressive, showcasing her talent and elevating their scenes together. Her portrayal of the mysterious, magical, and eerie witch is captivating, making her a breakout star and a standout in the series.

I'm pleased that HotD is embracing the supernatural elements which is very much present in the books. It's something that GoT omitted when Jaime was at Harrenhal, but now I totally feel compensated. It's clear they are positioning Daemon to be a more sympathetic character, these visions are probably gonna make him try to become a better version of himself. By the time Daemon finally faces that other dude, the wide audience will know who to root for, making the battle at the God's Eye more compelling. Instead of a fight between two despised characters, it will be a clash between a redeemed Daemon and the villainous dude. That will make the fight even more captivating and fascinating.

I know people like to make memes about Daemon in Harrenhal but I’m glad the show is sticking to the haunted , magical and creepy nature of the castle as depicted in the books. The walls of the castle has witnessed so much , i would rather be anywhere else in Westeros 🤷🏽‍♀️

What I also think is worth mentioning, is that Harrenhal is right next to a massive lake called the Gods Eye, which has an island at its center called the Isle of Faces. Anyone who tries to travel there is driven back by either flocks of ravens or strong winds. Only two people in the books have ever traveled there, Addam Velaryon and Howland Reed, who was Ned Starks close friend and Jojen and Meera's father. The island is said to be full of weirwoods and was where the COTF used the Hammer of Waters to flood the Neck to stop the first men from migrating north and destroying the weirwoods of the North. Their is definitely a powerful magical presence on that island, and perhaps that is the source of what is happening to Daemon.

I loved the scene when she leaves daemon because his host, Lord Strong, comes to speak with him and Lord Strongs facial expression when he sees Alys leaving is priceless. I wouldn't be suprised if it's just all kinda in his head, but she is causing it. Like to the rest of the world, she is a mute. But she is somehow speaking into his mind slowley making him go crazy so that she can use him.

Harrenhal is in the dead center of the Riverlands as well as being built on land that was once occupied by the Children of the Forest. They were the first to live in Westeros before the arrival of the First Men and even though they vanished from the realm and headed to the deep North, their magics as well as their legacy with the Weirwoods remain. Having Daemon facing the supernatural forces, something that he always believed to be nonsense even though their entire bloodline stems from their Old Valyria root, is something I didn’t see coming. Harrenhal is making him face his past mistakes as well as the present for example a Young Rhaenyra sowing the head of Young Jaehaerys as she stated she is always cleaning up his messes. As for seeing Laena, he feels guilt for not doing anything to stop her from meeting a Dragon Riders death and his last conversation with Rhaenys kinda added more to this guilt. Westeros is a land that’s no stranger to the supernatural and those of the North an also Riverlands still respect the old gods and know when to not show any form of disrespect. As for the rumors of it being cursed, it’ pretty accurate since every lord who claims it dies a tragic death starting with the Burning of Harrenhal leading to Harren the Black and 40 of his sons roasting alive like an oven. Along with many houses will fall victim to this curse and we witnessed this effect as we saw the demise of Lynol and Harwin Strong. Oh an even though he’s safe in the Red Keep, Larys is marked.

Since reading the book I understand why this is happening and what it's building up to. This is the best time for Daemon to face his demons and show Harrenhal as it's supposed to be as compared to the original series

Jokes aside ,The Haunting of Harrenhal could be really good show.

"She provides him with both the answer and the problem" :D

Ryan saying Daemon is trying to push aside the visions makes me think maybe the only way out is through? Lean into the trip Daemon!

Daemon is high af

It's been a slow season but I've been enjoying the show expanding the world showing us all the spooky places.

I don’t know about the rest of y’all but I want more Daemon/Simon Strong interactions. That guy has quickly become one of my faves this season.

People hating on this plotline saying its dragging is so irritating, as the books establish Daemon doesn't do much for a while and so they feed us this great, creepy horror subplot never before seen in a Game Of Thrones show and you lot are complaining because Daemon isn't leading the war on a dragon slaying all the greens like a cliche plotline. Season 8 provided much of that sort of writing, if thats what makes you happy. Go watch that instead.

Tourists complaining that Harrenhal is boring. Daemons journey within Harrenhal is amazing, absolutely love the fantasy element to this, feels like a horror show. To the creators of the show please take your time and flesh out the characters, don’t rush ANYTHING.

I really like this McBeth-like story.

I appreciate this haunting of Harrenhal element, but do we need so much of it lasting over so many episodes? The only substantial thing that came out of this segment is Ser Simon.

Next week on Trippin Balls at Harrenhal...

Daemon and Alys in wonderland. 😅. down the rabid hole.

0:27 Daemon: “well they certainly didn’t mention that in the brochure”

I dont understand the hate for the Harrenhal elements, I think its cool watching Daemon try to claim and rebuild this important fortress while it seemingly completely claims and is rebuilding him as a character

Im convinced that Harrenhal was destined to have this sort of persona whether it got destroyed or endured simply because of the weerwood trees (probably butchered that). Using them in the construction unleashed what power resides within, I think.

Mike Flanagan, Haunting of Castle Harrenhall next?

Trippin balls in the halls of Harrenhall😅

Has caraxes also this type of dreams, or only humans ?

Since in fire and blood there is very little mention of daemon after he sends a raven to rhaenyra about avenging Luke's death they have to kill time here. He doesn't have any major role till sacking of King's Landing and then too since nettles isn't going to be included in the story there isn't going to be much till battle above the God's eye.

so why didn't Tywin Lannister have any problem at Harrenhal in GoT?

As a book reader and team black member I am pleased with the portrayal of supernatural representation of harrenhal and how it affects Matt smith, lol.

Harren's seat is an Anvil for the soul ....

Please show the Isle of Faces more. I want more than just a glimpse that we got.

One of the reasons why I'd love to see Aegon's conquest on screen is to see this castle in all of its glory! :D

People are so shallow and superficial. This is BY FAR the best plot of the whole Team Black this season. Absolutely amazing. Daemon needs that.

Harrenhal activating Daemon dragon dreamer genes.

As a book reader, I really like the exploration of the mysterious and supernatural aspects of Black Harren's BnB, and I can appreciate how they are expanding on D's character...but it's starting to look like they aren’t doing much with it and taking advantage of the momentum, and making the whole storyline look like filler. Yes, the rancor from a lot of NBRs shouting for MOAR DRGN VIOLENCE is short-sighted, and rushing towards pointless action without proper character development will most definitely give us a repeat of Season 8 GOT, there is some validity to the complaints. For one thing, how far will the adaptations go regarding the Rhaenyra/Daemon storyline? Will it be minor changes necessary for tv, or are the changes going to be so monumental where we are going to be experience a complete breakaway that significantly changes the characters' storylines (or leaves them out entirely)?? Not to spoil it but there's a pretty major character that's a part of Daemon's character arc that we haven't seen yet, but if the show decides to rehabilitate certain characters it will definitely impact the profound realization Daemon has later on in the story. It will behoove the showrunners to find some kind of medium between satisfying committed book readers who have been waiting a very long time to see GRRMs story about how a family destroyed itself from within come to life, and giving casual tv viewers the big GOT-style action they are familiar with and come to expect.

I hope daemond doesn't go insane yet, the show needs him.

I like this plot! Reminds me of the isolation of covid-19

Daemon's Harrenhal DMT trip

It would be amazing if we see Daemon suddenly at a freezing place beyond the wall and he sees glimpse of the army of the dead or night walkers and then snaps back to some dinner or brunch!

Everyone forgets that Daemon is Blood Ravens granpappy

'I think she provides him both with the answer and the problem' well said Matt. I am curious about Alys, like what is she trying to do? She's kind of this Lady Macbeth type character at the moment like she's clearly messin with Daemon.

If this somehow comes to a satisfying conclusion by the end of the season (or the Series), then I will be OK w/what's (supposedly) being set-up here....but honestly, this "plot line", if you can call it that, just comes off as a petty vendetta on behalf of the writer(s) that dislike/abhor Daemon's character. No, I did not find it "funny" to see Daemon all donned up in his Targaryen war armor, only to sit feckless on a rock, bemoaning "I did not think theyd be so eager to die" 🙃 Esp, when in S1 you set him up to be ruthless towards ppl who outwardly challenge him. Using the reverse Uno psychology of "Theyd rather burn than bend the knee, I like that, I need that in [my] men", doesn't excuse why he didnt just have the balls to have Caraxes eat that Bracken Lord to prove a point. It's also annoying bc Book Daemon had NO ISSUES raising an army to their cause. The atrocities in the Riverlands were committed by AEMOND, not Daemon. Why feel the need to tarnish Daemon?? Or did the writer's kinda forget that Daemon ISN'T Aemond? Best faith explanation -- & I am being very generous -- of the "DaeMOM vision", is that just like Alicent/Aegon/Aemond, Daemon too lacked a strong Mother influence in his life & not having it = he's a tortured/fŭçked up person bc of it. Always seeking Love/Acceptance, but never fully receiving it. But tell me, what does that have to do with the current situation? How does him confronting this reality of his childhood/adult persona help them win the war? Will this revelation lead him to make up w/ Rhaenyra? & why does he put up with any of it? He knows Alys is "responsible" or atleast goading it on, why does he let her? Oh, thats right, bc the writers wanted to "deconstruct" Daemon's character & they wanted it to be at the hands of a woman to "put him in his place". & speaking of Alys, if she doesn't do even HALF of this haunted house psychoanalysis on AEMOND...they somehow just fall in love or something cringe, ppl will look back on this "set up" with spite.

There is Face tree "Bran Messing with Jon's Ancestor"

Muy bien todo, pero ¿Era necesario colocar esa escena asquerosa de Daemon con su madre?

For those not from Scotland thinking wow what a very strange accent Gayle has that’s because it is. In Scotland that is what’s known as a uni accent AKA university accent just very odd and hard to listen to gets made fun of very Regularly here 🤢

My theory is that Alys rivers is a ghost 💀👻☠️ / witch 🧙‍♀️ that died in harrenhall when eagon the conquer burned it🔥

Its so fresh to see lord larys' cast

GameofThrones, could you do a video about the official show timeline? When the key events take place.

daemon living the plot of a haunted castle and Westeros in the midst of the dragon civil war

I think this place shows what inside your heart, love, hatred, regrets and etc. remember the avatar cartoon series in the spirit world the place called LOST FOG.... Well if he manage to conquer it. You'll become a better....

Leaked scene from scrapped idea for Daemon's story line: (Daemon flying away from Harrenhal on Caraxes) "To the seven hells with this place. I can't wait to get back to Dragonstone......Where did all this fog come? What are all these small square towers with glass windows? What in the seven hells is on that man's head and why is he carrying that large sword? What's that sign say? Silent Hill? Where the f*** am I?!"

But anyone who holds Harrenhal, their whole line goes extinct... 😢 I don't think Daemon stayed at Harrenhal for that long.

I would like to see more softness between these two. When they show affection toward each other the show is so much better to see a united front.

Ryan Condal messed up with this one...

Werewood is like the shrooms of Westeros

i just hope they do a running burning guy trough the halls of harrenhall in fact couple of them, meanwhile daemon is stoked out of his freakin mind

The fact that they needed to release this video Explaining what they are trying to do with daemon this season speaks volumes about the quality of their writing. No, most fans are not stupid, we are rightfully pissed off about some of the scenes, especially the one with his mother, because this oedipus complex came out of nowhere and it presented itself as a fantasy, when it’s supposed to be a nightmare. And then daemon’s behavior (asking people to call him king and other stupid decisions) takes him back in terms of character development, to the first half of season one, before the two big time jumps. Not to mention that they also kinda shiting on all of his redeeming qualities from the fire & blood book (like the fact that he is very loyal to his loved ones, including his children) and grrm very vividly stated that he suppose to be equal sides a hero and a villain. It also affects Rheanera storyline for the worst, but I’m too tired to add more.😡🤬😡🤬

Funny how no one seems to notice the existence of Simon and the others in Harrenhal except daemon. I'm starting to believe he's a ghost

I would love to visit Harranhel just to knew what were my cursed😂😂😂

Everyone complaining about anything in season 2 don’t realize the books had half these characters do NOTHING for most of the conflict, also the book is like 4 years of battle in 100 or so pages

crazy to think the whole unfolding of HoTD is required for the PtwP

The audience has grown weary of it, showrunner et al!! If it wasn't for Matt Smith's excellent performance, the *whole* thing would have been a dud. When it's over, I hope the moral of this tale is to make Daemon a brilliant military strategist who is consistently loyal to his family as of in the books. Because this iteration of the character is *far* from how I've heard RR Martin speak about his favourite brave Rogue Prince!

Im over it

While I have enjoyed the Harrenhal scenes can we move long. It's be fine if we got more than 8 episodes but we don't. We're missing so much character development between Alicent and this.

I’m not quite convinced with the witch..She doesn’t scare me..The red witch .. she scared me.. The actor who plays the lord of it..He’s a good actor..just wanted to add that. He’s hard to read..

never smoke the gas station kush

Why wasn't the scale or the madness mentioned in Game of Thrones? It's literally just a ruin that people stay at for a while.

I understand that these fillers are what you need to get that 50 minute mark lmao

A plotline so complained about, they felt the need to make a video explaining it. Wow. I didn't have much of an issue with Daemon in Harrenhal, but the fact they felt the need to make a video to explain it to people says a lot for the backlash they actually have received.

The Harenhall arc is running a bit too long Daemon is being wasted this season

Sacred weirwood heart trees were chopped down to make roof beams for this wretched castle. No wonder it is said to be cursed, for the Old Gods are not ones to be crossed lightly.

It’s The Shining.

I'm waiting for the Daemon haunted house crossover with Scooby Doo

Ok but please explain the mom thing

The scene of him having sex with his mother, I think it’s a bit much, exactly what does it add to his story? This whole Daemon being affected in this way by the castle or by Alys, is not in the books. Odiously that doesn’t make it non interesting or unnecessary, but stretching it and letting get too confusing, is not good service to the character or the story. Even if some element of magic stays unclear, we need this experience to have a purpose. So, as long as in the next episode we get some kind of resolution, some explanation, or a glimpse of purpose of all of this, then it could be great. The scenery is fantastic, the way the scenes are shot, flawless; but it needs meaning.

I got a question though, why dont we see this cursed harrenhal either in the books in the timeline of game of thrones when roose bolton is there, or even in the show when the lannisters and Tywin are there?

look how damp it is. it's probably black mold

what is it Ser Simon ? IS THE PUDDING NOW READY ?

Daemon is needed on the war field. Get him outta thereeee

this plotline has dragged longer than it should have

So daemon does Dmt Got it

At first sight..I thought to myself..How are they going to add a haunted.:cursed castle..??..Then I remembered..walking dead, witches..dragons..The children..But at the same time..; It almost looks like the effects of drugs too..

Daemon is in his redemption era. He's paying the Karma for the bad he did. I'm loving this exploration of the character from the inside. His family issues, his regrets, his guilt. Each vision is his conscience speaking and i understand he's fucked up no doubt but this is why he's interesting and compelling cause it's controversial and complex. People who's disappointed is only the ones who misconcepted him badly as loyal malewife devoted husband lmao that Wattpad version do not exist, folks. Not in the books nor in the show. About sassy swaggy and violent attitude, do not doubt he'll be back but it's good thing that he is putting a brake to his blood thirst

cmon it's 4 episode already

Bro went to a rotten castle. He probably ate some shrooms that were growing in there and is still tripping while I’m typing this. Let the man live 🍄🍄❤

Only the daemon sees the witch in I know hahahaha my theory

I’m not understanding why he can’t just leave

I like Alys and the magic but what I don't get is why she's sending him dreams where his mom tells him he should be king if she's then gonna lecture him about how his methods are bad for the people and disloyal to the queen. Like, what exactly is Alys' motivation? What is she trying to achieve by making Daemon see all this insanity? Is she trying to push him to make a claim, or dissuade him from it? At times it feels like both. And frankly, it's hard to know why she even cares.

What is there to understand? It's cursed. The more time you spend in Harrenhal, the worse it gets

Daemon’s side quest, do psychedelics with a goth e-girl.

Don’t care. Waste of script. Extremely boring.

Ah yes- medieval Silent Hill

Its probably just the black mold lol

Daemon hasn't done anything interesting this season, the Harrenhal storyline with him is dragging.

You guys really didn't give me anything of this video looks like no one know what the meaning of daemon and his dreams and when will lead to

Deute. 18:10-14, Deute. 27:22,

So it IS Daemon's shadow self! Especially with young Rhaenyra. The dreams or visions or hauntings, are going straight into his subconscious and being pulled into the conscious mind, (which is almost like his conscience too), and while he thought, or convinced himself that he wanted Young Rhaenyra, something always pulled him back. Older Rhae, has just hit upon it, but it was also in S1, when he almost strangled her, when she assumed he knew but it was clear that Viserys had NEVER really intended to make him the heir, with the whole "Prince that was promised", no matter how many gender neutral pronouns, there were in High Valerian".Mayhaps that was because he was not ready to face the truth that he really wanted something more than her- what he REALLY wanted WAS the Crown but told himself he'd be happy to be the person behind the Queen. Which became blatant every time he berated the poor castellan. From admonishing him calling him "Prince", to "Your Grace", and either just before or just after the slight moment of levity (trying to rally the Blackwoods or was it the Brackens, with "I really didn't think they would be all willing to die"), when he demands they call him "King", and Simon Strong, corrects him (Thank the Gods), with the title of "King Consort". She reminds me a little of Melisandre, (the dark reds in her dress, and the place itself, some otherworldly power, ageless and formless, with the shadow baby), but also there's an undeniable link to the "old Gods", and Weirwoods. She tells him about that, but the first time I thought uh oh was when she told him that she was a barn owl and not a woman. Warging? Like Orell, who went inside his eagle, when Jon Snow tried to run back to Castle Black. And the birds of course. Raven's - "Dark wings, dark words", as Cat used to say. And the 3 eyed Raven. Whether it's Bloodraven, in the show, or in the books isn't he a Stark? Before it passes to Bran in the cave. Or at least AI Bran whom I personally think set a lot of season 8 sh t up, with "I can't be Lord of anywhere", to "why do you think I came all the way here", to become the King. And looking for Drogon. But that's a different story. Eagle- bird of prey, and dangerous I read the first 3 books of ASOIAF. Was there not a scene in book 2, I think, when Jon and Aemon Targaryean, are talking while feeding meat and corn to the Ravens? When they pick up on certain words and mimic/echo it back to Jon? And it was the COTF, who created the white walkers, who are all in the far North. Could it be why they let her Scottish accent remain, rather than the northern accent in GoT even by the Wildlings. And the red hair, the sap, and leaves of the tree- which many people took to be a sign of satanism in the medieval world. Nicely put Matt. From a non book person, (not read "Fire and Blood", and gave up during TSOS, tbh. "She presents him with both the answer and the problem."

We waited 2 years for this?! What a boring season. It's not even about getting more dragon fights and battles, GOT's earlier seasons barely had them and yet they were so good. The story telling and dialogue for this season is just meh. Also, Daemon eating his own mother out? That's just weird, even for targaryens. Good job ruining one of GRRM's favorite and well written character. At least D&D had the excuse of running out of source material. Don't be too creative and just follow the books. No wonder why GRRM's jumping ship from the writers table for season 3.