So Daemon Targaryen — dragonrider, warrior, rogue prince — has impotence issues in the bedroom. What's the big deal? Well, it's a fascinating character choice that doubles as a better, more realistic reflection of sexuality in Game of Thrones's world.
According to co-showrunner Miguel Sapochnik, in a featurette that aired after the episode: “Ultimately, his impotence in the scene is a reflection of the fact that he knows, deep down, that what he's doing isn't right.”
in the books, the affair with Nettles is disputed. Some sources say he had an affair, other sources say Nettles was like a daughter to him.
Daemon shows his genuine care and attention to Rhaenyra several times before the two marry. This doesn't take away from the many destructive and inappropriate parts of their relationship, but the books imply that Daemon does love Rhaenyra.
Despite Rhaenyra and Daemon's excitement over having another child, their daughter will tragically never take a breath of air. Upon hearing the news of King Viserys' death and Aegon seizing the Iron Throne and being crowned King, Rhaenyra goes into dangerously premature labor.
— then Rhaenyra officially loses her virginity to Ser Criston Cole. After Daemon leaves Rhaenyra all horned up and alone, she sneaks back into the castle and lets Ser Criston see her in her page boy disguise.
While House Of The Dragon episode 4 showed Daemon was able to seduce Rhaenyra by kissing and undressing her, he couldn't fulfill the act due to impotence.
So, let's agree that he is (give or take) 16 years older than Rhaenyra. This places him in his early 30s when we first see him meet his niece. Yes, his niece. His teenage niece who we immediately realise he has a bit of a thing for.
The unpredictable Daemon has always been someone who seeks excitement, with the character quickly becoming bored in what he may perceive as monotony. As such, it shouldn't be too surprising that Daemon would stray outside his marriage to find pleasures with women like Mysaria, A.K.A. the White Worm.
He chokes Rhaenyra after she starts telling him The Song of Ice and Fire prophecy and learning that Viserys kept secrets from him.
In the book, it is rumored by the court fool Mushroom that Daemon deflowered Alicent. The show's writers left this story as a rumor and merely hinted at a flirtation in the first episode when Daemon asks for Alicent's favor in the tourney as a way to upset her father, Otto Hightower.
She's clearly a skilled horseback rider and seasoned hunter and even taunts her husband. Although she seems capable of defending herself, Daemon catches her by surprise. She reaches for her bow, but he startles her horse, causing her to fall and break her neck.
We know that while the two came close, they never actually did the deed. Daemon, thrown off by his lack of ability to shock Rhaenyra, left her to get drunk and pass out. While Rhaenyra did go on to sleep with Criston Cole — the big problem of the episode — Viserys (Paddy Considine) was made more cautious of Daemon.
A confused Daemon chokes Rhaenyra and says, “Dreams didn't make us kings. Dragons did,” with Rhaenyra now realizing that Viserys never told Daemon about the Targaryen prophecy. Not only does this prove Rhaenyra's legitimacy to herself, but it also reveals more about the nature of Daemon and Viserys' relationship.
In 120 AC at the age of thirty-nine, Daemon married again, this time to his niece, Rhaenyra Targaryen, the twenty-three-year-old Princess of Dragonstone.
Daemon challenged Aemond, waiting for 13 days at Harrenhal until Aemond stopped burning the Riverlands to come face him. The duel that became known as the Dance over Harrenhal ended in the deaths of both riders and both dragons over the God's Eye. Daemon was 49 when he died.
In the fourth episode of "House of the Dragon," the pair kiss in a brothel, and when rumors that they were intimate together reach the king, Daemon tries to get Viserys to let him marry his niece Rhaenyra. The king refuses, but their story doesn't end there, because by episode eight, they're married.
Rhaenyra's Relationship With Criston Soiled His White Cloak
In "King of the Narrow Sea", Rhaenyra seduced Ser Criston after she herself was denied by her uncle Daemon (Matt Smith). She and her paramour spent the night together, and she was warm towards Ser Criston afterward.
It was clear that Leana and Laenor had a close relationship, and she likely would not appreciate her uncle choosing this moment to make a statement while her brother grieves. Daemon laughs at this moment because Vaemond is choosing this moment to guilt Rhaenyra for having children with Harwin Strong (Ryan Corr).
Rhaenyra was in desperate need of coin, Lord Bartimos Celtigar, her new master of coin placed new taxes on the populace that increased day by day. The smallfolk slowly started to turn against her, and eventually named her "King Maegor with teats."
Otto Hightower had informed the King of Daemon and Rhaenyra's "coupling," as he nervously called it, even though she actually slept with Ser Criston Cole.
Laenor also happens to be black, adding further mystery to the children's appearance. House of the Dragon quickly explains the anomaly, revealing the boys were the result of Rhaenyra's affair with Ser Harwin Strong.
So if one is willing to look past Daemon Targaryen's many transgressions, what makes him so appealing? Looks definitely play a part, but it's his sensitivity that's truly attractive. He's the resident bad boy with a softer edge.
After berating Daemon for “abandoning” her to marry the now-deceased Laena Velaryon, Rhaenyra makes it clear that she has feelings for her uncle and wishes to strengthen her position in Westeros by marrying him. The pair then have sex.