Of all the Targaryens that kept viewers talking during season 1 of HBO's House of the Dragon, rogue prince Daemon (Matt Smith) is perhaps the most hotly discussed. Daemon has plenty of ardent ers and haters both, owing to his morally gray nature as a character, but even those who don't care for the second Targaryen son have to it that he has quite the way with words.
Whether in showing his legendarily short temper, in sweet-talking his way into one relationship after another, or in waxing philosophical about the Targaryen legacy, Daemon's dialogue is some of the show's best written to date, and he has no shortage of incredible quotes that prove why his character is so popular.
"Who Are You?"
Daemon Is Never Fazed By Accusations (Episode 5)
Even though some viewers laud Daemon as a romantic hero, the series doesn't shy away from showing his ugly, violent, and even murderous behavior he is capable of, even in his marriages. His first marriage to Lady Rhea Royce is an unhappy one, and is scarcely a marriage at all since they spend hardly any time together.
But Daemon puts a violent end to that when he kills her in order to open himself up as a potential suitor for Princess Rhaenyra. When confronted about her mysterious ing by her cousin, Ser Gerold, Daemon is completely unfazed, merely coldly asking, "Who are you?"
"Has Anybody Ever Told You You're Nearly As Pretty As Your Brother?"
Daemon's Always Finds The Opportunity To Flirt (Episode 5)
Daemon has many romantic entanglements over the course of the series' season 1, including three marriages and possible extramarital flirtations with both women and men (as some eagle-eyed viewers pick up on in episode 6).
Some fans may have spotted it much earlier when he also introduces himself to his second wife, Laena Velaryon, during the wedding proceedings for Rhaenyra and Laenor, he jokes, "Has anybody ever told you you're nearly as pretty as your brother?" Even though he has his sights set on Laena at this moment, it's clear that he's also had his eyes on her brother, Laenor, too.
"He Doesn't Protect You. I Would."
Daemon Understands His Brother's Failings (Episode 1)
Viserys: "From What?"
Daemon: "Yourself. You're Weak, Viserys."
Though he may have been king of the Seven Kingdoms, Viserys was a man with many failings; as a father, as a husband, and as a leader. Daemon always sees Viserys for who he is, and he is honest about this ability to a fault.
He rightly points out, time and again, Viserys' inability to see how corrupt Otto Hightower is, and, furthermore, Viserys' tendency to give into his worst impulses. "He doesn't protect you. I would," he tells his brother, and when asked what Viserys needs protecting from, Daemon remarks, "Yourself. You're weak, Viserys."
"I Want Rhaenyra. I'll Take Her As She Is."
Even When He's In The Wrong, He's Still A Romantic? (Episode 4)
Fans continue to debate the nature of Daemon's feelings for Rhaenyra. The two have always had chemistry, but some have wondered about whether there is true love there or if it is about gaining power. One particular incident in the series' fourth episode, in which he nearly sullies Rhaenyra's reputation by taking her to a brothel, potentially tips the scales in favor that Daemon is power hungry.
By making Rhaenyra "tainted" and no longer innocent, Daemon is able to present himself as her only suitable option for marriage. But even in this dastardly scheme, he finds a way to come off sounding like a romantic hero. "I want Rhaenyra," he proclaims to Viserys. "I'll take her as she is."
"Dreams Didn't Make Us Kings. Dragons Did."
Daemon Understands The True Source Of Targaryen Power (Episode 10)
As House of the Dragon is building up to the infamous Dance of Dragons, the series has never shied away from exploring the complex nature of the Targaryen legacy and their relationship with dragons. The finale, in particular, shows that the relationship between dragon rider and dragon is not nearly as symbiotic as the Targaryens may think.
But Daemon is nonetheless right when he cruelly informs Rhaenyra that "Dreams didn't make [Targaryens] kings. Dragons did." Daemon has no use for the prophecy of ice and fire, and the events of the series continue to show that such prophecies only lead to pain and misunderstanding, while dragons remain powerful allies (so long as they behave).
"Add It To The Chair."
He's Not Above Making A Dramatic Entrance (Episode 4)
As the so-called "spare heir," Daemon has the luxury of acting more or less without repercussion, even if that means being overly dramatic and attention-seeking whenever he feels like it.
When he returns to Viserys' court after slaying the Crabfeeder, he does so in truly memorable fashion, strutting in with a new haircut and the Crabfeeder's sword in hand. As soon as he reaches the front of the court and has Viserys' attention, he throws the sword in front of the Iron Throne and quips, "Add it to the chair." Dramatics run in the Targaryen family, it seems.
"Because I Am Your Brother, And The Blood Of The Dragon Runs Thick."
Daemon Has Really Bought Into The Dragon Propaganda (Episode 1)
Across season 1, Daemon and Viserys don't actually share that many scenes together (even though their relationship is arguably one of the season's most important). It is Viserys not seeing Daemon as a suitable heir that necessitates him establishing Rhaenyra as his heir in the first place, which suggests the depth of the conflict that exists between brothers.
But even though the two stubborn men rarely agree, Daemon has a fairly straightforward view of his relationship with his older brother: "I am your brother, and the blood of the dragon runs deep." Sometimes it really is that simple.
"I Would Rather Feed My Sons To The Dragons..."
Daemon's Team Black, Through And Through (Episode 10)
...Than Have Them Carry Shields And Cups For Your Drunken, Usurper C--- Of A King."
As should be clear by now, even if Daemon's actions and intentions aren't always the best, it is impossible to make the claim that he does not care about his family and their legacy. While he may be desirous of power above all else, Daemon is a man willing to make plenty of enemies in the name of his family.
One such enemy he is always transparent about his hatred of is Otto Hightower. In the finale, he memorably sums up his feelings about the Green uprising: "I would rather feed my sons to the dragons than have them carry shields and cups for your drunken, usurper c--- of a king." Say no more.
"I Will Speak Of My Brother As I Wish. You Will Not."
Despite Their Differences, Daemon Loves Viserys Dearly (Episode 2)
Daemon's loyalty to his family knows no bounds, even when they don't necessarily regard him in the same way. When called to meet with the Sea Snake, Corlys Velaryon, in secret, Daemon is quick to defend his brother through a mixture of a somewhat veiled insult and threat.
"I will speak of my brother as I wish," Daemon informs him, referencing to the fraught relationship he shares with the elder Targaryen. "You will not," he adds, menacing and serious as ever, showing that even in their periods of disagreement, he will not let anyone insult his brother's name.
"He Can Keep His Tongue."
Daemon Knows How To End A Conversation (Episode 8)
Viewers of Game of Thrones are no strangers to the brutal nature of the world of Westeros, but the graphic deaths in House of the Dragon are still some of the franchise's most shocking to date. Daemon is the cause of one particularly memorable death, when he abruptly slices Vaemond Velaryon's head in half mid-speech for daring to call out Rhaenyra's children as "bastards."
The scene would have been memorable for fans based on the suddenness of the move alone, but it is Daemon's cold, brutally honest quip after committing the act that cements the moment as one for the books: "He can keep his tongue."
Season 1 Of House Of The Dragon Is Available To Stream On HBO Max