"Driftmark" was a landmark episode for House of the Dragon. Not only did it feature the final split between Princess Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) and Queen Alicent (Olivia Cooke), it also featured young Prince Aemond (Leo Ashton) claiming the largest dragon of all, Vhagar, and losing an eye in the process. In a new behind-the-scenes featurette, Ashton and showrunner Ryan Condal discuss how this turn affects Aemond's character.
House of the Dragon's seventh episode was a rollercoaster of emotions. It began with a quiet, contemplative look at the funeral of Laena Velaryon (Nanna Blondell), who died via dragon fire when she realized she likely would have died from childbirth complications. This left her dragon, Vhagar, the oldest and strongest Targaryen dragon of that age, without a rider. House of the Dragon episode 7 turned chaotic when Prince Aemond sought to claim Vhagar after the funeral, which caused conflict between him and Laena's daughter, Rhaena Targaryen (Eva Ossei-Gerning), who felt that her mother's dragon was destined for her. Facing the angered Rhaena, her sister Baela (Shani Smethurst), Jace Velaryon (Leo Hart), and Luke Velaryon (Harvey Sadler), Aemond fought the four of them and embraced a new persona after having his eye cut out by Luke: he went from a bullied child to a villain.
In a new featurette, showrunner Ryan Condal and Ashton discuss the character's turn. Discussing the events leading up to Aemond's bonding with Vhagar, Condal said, "We really did want to dramatize the claiming of a dragon. And this little kid on the biggest dragon in the world felt like the best way to do that. He is the only kid on that side without a dragon. He desperately wants one, and he’s picked on and bullied for not having one. So I think he finds himself at this funeral, feeling alone and detached, and sees an opportunity, then goes and seizes it." He refers to Aemond's previous encounter with Aegon (Ty Tennant), Luke, and Jace in the Dragonpit back in House of the Dragon episode 6, where the three of them mocked Aemond by dressing up a pig in wings and called it Aemond's mount.
Ashton clarifies Aemond's character motivations by saying, "Aemond is quite an introverted, sad kid who has gone through many hardships. So obviously, when he gets the dragon, his mood changes, and he feels like he can do anything he wants. And that’s where that villain comes into play." Ashton's comments indicate that Aemond's character falls prey to the trappings of power. Earlier scenes in the episode depicted Aemond in a positive light; he protected his sister Helaena (Evie Allen), attempted to comfort Jace over his father's death in House of the Dragon, and he bravely approaching the sleeping dragon, which capped off with an unparalleled flight sequence. Once he claims Vhagar, though, he's firmly shown to be a terror to those he perceives as weaker than him.
Aemond's turn speaks to some of the greater themes of the franchise. The dragons enable much of the Targaryens' bad behavior, and they symbolize the power and 'divine right of kings' that has recurred throughout real-world history. When even an innocent and bullied child can claim such tremendous and terrible power, it can corrupt them into what the audience sees Aemond become.
With one more House of the Dragon time jump left, and actor Ewan Mitchell set to take over the role, audiences will see just how ruthless and power hungry Aemond has grown to be. The character has a pivotal role to play in the Dance of the Dragons yet, and he will surely be a character fans love to hate. But the foundation of that portrayal will be due to Ashton's sympathetic, then complicated, performance as the character - a rare and notable feat for such a young actor.
House of the Dragon airs new episodes every Sunday at 9 PM EST on HBO and HBO Max.
Source: Game of Thrones/YouTube