Aemond Targaryen's Emotional Rollercoaster in House of the Dragon

Almost every episode of House of the Dragon Season Two has shown some shocking scenes to the audience. Brutal blood and carnage in the first episode, emotional battle between Erryk and Arryk twin brothers in the second episode.

Shocking Moments in House of the Dragon Season 2

In the third episode, however, none of the heartbreaking events of the previous two episodes took place. But Aemond Targaryen, one of the strongest and most important characters in the Fire and Blood book or House of the Dragon series, was presented to us in a way that was shocking and emotional at the same time.

For those who don't understand, I'm talking about the Brothel scene from House of the Dragon Season Two Episode Three.

Episode 3's Brothel Scene: The Psychology of Aemond Targaryen

In which a different version of the cruel Aemond Targaryen emerges, which is presented as the mental reason behind many of One-Eye Targaryen's later actions.

Come on, dear Game of Thrones fans, in this short review we try to uncover the true psychology behind Aemond Targaryen's cruel madness.

Childhood Trauma and Aemond Targaryen's Transformation

For most of the early season of House of the Dragon, we saw Aemond Targaryen being bullied as a child.

In particular, his older brother, the now crippled King Aegon Targaryen, bullied Aemond a lot. Also the dragons meant for Aemond never hatched. So he didn't feel confident in front of his brother and Rhaenyra's children.

As you may remember, Aegon, Jacaerys and Lucerys pranked Aemond in an episode of the first season. They put wings on a boar and asked Aemond to ride it. Since he had no dragons until the end, this shame depressed Aemond so much that the infant Aemond risked his life and bonded to Old Mother Dragon Vhagar, fearing death.

Aemond's Vulnerability and Emotional Exposure in the Brothel Scene

Not only the dragon Vhagar, but Aemond Targaryen has transformed himself into a skilled and ruthless warrior by changing the shape of his hideous body.

But the Brothel scene in House of the Dragon Season Two episode three reveals the terrible emotional pain hidden beneath Aemond's tough exterior.

A small part of the ever refined Aemond, gentle mind and brain is revealed to us through Madame Brothel. Crumpled like a baby in Madame's arms, confessing naked, she didn't want what happened to Lucerys.

Aemond is also very consensual if he faces off against Daemon Targaryen. We see a rare side of emotional vulnerability in Aemond's attitude breaking down in front of Madame.

King Aegon's Humiliation and Aemond's Mental Shift

Only in Madame's arms did Aemond find a safety net where he could shed his cold exterior and be exposed. But this condition does not last long.

The King of the Seven Realms, elder brother Aegon Targaryen, finds her in this state in Madame's arms. Now how many flattering Kingsguard, with Aemond, who scornfully flaunts in Brothel.

Naked Aemond finds no cover in front of Madame. Without listening to brother King Aegon's humiliating words.

But, if you watch Aemond's face, you will see his expression change within a few moments.

Director Geeta Vasant Patel and Actor Ewan Mitchell's Perspectives

Aemond, in an instant, transforms from a traumatized child to the robust One-Eyed Prince.

Aemond, completely naked, stood up straight and faced his brother without any trace of shame. At the laughing Kingsguard.

The director in this episode is Geeta Vasant Patel of Indian origin. Before he lost an eye, he said, Aemond was a wounded child who always bore his pain with a blind eye.

Aemond's Anger and Implications for Future Conflicts

Ewan Mitchell, who plays Aemond, says Aemond is an angry, wounded child who needs someone to fix him, to share his pain.

This little scene in Brothel alone justifies Aemond's future actions. Why he wanted to kill his brother, King Aegon Targaryen himself.

Why did Aemond get so fired up with Rhaenyra's three new dragons that he literally forced his innocent sister Helaena to take Dreamfyre to Harrenhal?

Aemond Targaryen's Isolation in the World of Fire and Blood

In fact, Aemond, despite being so cool on the outside, is a broken child on the inside. Aemond, wounded by the loss of an eye, has long since lost something in his mind.

Always angry, always angry, Aemond's only refuge was Madame's arms. But he loses the place because of Aegon. And Daemon Targaryen became the sole target of his unresolved anger.

Whom Harrenhal is going to capture at the beginning of the third season is Vhagar. But Helaena has already told us what will actually happen there.

Budget Issues in House of the Dragon and Omitted Character Arcs

This scene from the third episode is not just typical nudity with Ewan's unflinching performance. Rather, the scene was a showcase of how serious and terrifying Aemond Targaryen could be without any clothing and just an eye expression.

Aemond's face is clear. He is all alone in this world of Fire and Blood. What Aemond thinks, what he wishes, what he does in the future, he alone must bear.

Indeed, George R.R. Martin and the rest of the show's writers must be commended for how beautifully Aemond's childhood trauma and its repercussions have been presented to us in this dragon-fire epic.

Final Verdict

But sadly HBO can't afford the budget of Properly Makers. That's why four dragon stories from the original book already had to be removed from House of the Dragon.

In addition, the story of Maelor Targaryen, Helaena's third child, is also omitted. Because WB's television industry is in dire straits.