Before House of the Dragon's season finale, fans were buzzing with theories linking Daemon Targaryen to the Night King. These speculations suggest that Daemon would eventually transform into the Night King seen in Game of Thrones, set roughly two centuries after House of the Dragon.
Much of the evidence stems from similarities in appearance between Daemon and the Night King from Game of Thrones. Daemon's attire and style have drawn comparisons to the Night King's iconic look. Additionally, the uncertainty surrounding Daemon's ultimate fate has been used to support this theory.
Screen Rant reports that House of the Dragon's finale surprised viewers with a glimpse of a White Walker, reigniting discussions about the Night King's identity. This isn't the first time the show has referenced the Night King and White Walkers. King Viserys previously mentioned Aegon the Conqueror's dream and the threat of another Long Night. Season 2 also introduced Cregan Stark of Winterfell, who warned Jacaerys about the danger of "death" beyond the Wall.
Although House of the Dragon has diverged from George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood book, it's unlikely that an army of White Walkers and wights will play a significant role in the show's current timeline.
Could Daemon Be The Night King?
Fans of Game of Thrones and those familiar with Aegon's prophecy understand the significance of White Walkers in House Targaryen's destiny. This connection has led many to draw parallels between Daemon Targaryen and the Night King.
The Night King theory gained traction partly due to his ability to withstand dragonfire in Game of Thrones season 8. This trait, shared with Daenerys, led some to believe it was common among Targaryens.
However, only Daenerys possessed this power in the show. This misunderstanding and Daemon's appearance fueled the theory's popularity.
Daemon's uncertain fate has also been used to support the Night King theory. While Daemon will eventually perish during the Dance of the Dragons, it's unlikely to occur in House of the Dragon season 3. The book describes Daemon and his Dragon, Caraxes, battling Aemond and Vhagar above Harrenhal, known as the Battle Above the Gods Eye. All four die in the conflict, but Daemon's body is never recovered.
Daemon's Visions In HOTD Season 2 Finale Support The Theory
Despite the theory's implausibility, House of the Dragon season 2's conclusion added fuel to the fire regarding Daemon. "The Queen Who Ever Was" featured Daemon experiencing visions linked to Game of Thrones. These included glimpses of the Three-Eyed Raven, Daenerys after her dragons' birth, and a White Walker, seemingly depicting key future events.
The White Walker in House of the Dragon season 2 wasn't the Night King, as its appearance differed significantly from the Game of Thrones version.
The White Walker leading an army in Daemon's vision resembled a Targaryen with its facial structure and long white hair. While intended to warn of Aegon's dream, the White Walker's inclusion in Daemon's vision led some to believe it represented Daemon's destiny.
In House of the Dragon finale, Daemon Targaryen experiences additional visions at Harrenhal that connect to his story, Rhaenyra, and even Game of Thrones.
Why Daemon Cannot Be The Night King
The Night King theory involving Daemon Targaryen has polarized viewers. However, there's no logical way for Daemon to become the Night King after the events of House of the Dragon. Firstly, we directly witnessed the creation of the Night King by the Children of the Forest in Game of Thrones.
The Night King's origins began thousands of years before Aegon's Conquest, long before Daemon's time. This fact alone disproves the theory, as the Night King existed well before Daemon was born. The Night King was also created from a First Man, not a Targaryen, further invalidating the connection to Daemon.
While the theory is intriguing, it contradicts established lore and timeline. Daemon's visions and the White Walker's appearance in House of the Dragon likely serve to foreshadow future events and connect the series to Game of Thrones rather than suggest a direct link between Daemon and the Night King.
As shown in Game of Thrones season 6, the Night King's creation predates House of the Dragon by millennia. Even if the prequel series were to alter this origin, it wouldn't change the fact that the Night King existed long before the Targaryen era. While the theory linking Daemon to the Night King is impossible, it doesn't negate the White Walkers' connection to House Targaryen and their future impact on Westeros.
Daemon's fate remains uncertain in the books, as his body is never found. Could this mean he somehow becomes the Night King seen in Game of Thrones? While it's entertaining to consider while watching House of the Dragon, it doesn't hold up under scrutiny, even with the show's surprising twists.
The Night King theory may be debunked. However, the White Walkers' link to House Targaryen and their role in Westeros's future remains significant, especially considering the Night King's ultimate defeat in Game of Thrones. It's possible Daemon could be one of the White Walkers. We'll have to watch Season 3 to see how it plays out.
HOTD fans, do you think Daemon could be the Night King? Watch House of Dragon on HBO and streaming on Max. Please share your thoughts with me in the comments section below. Remember to follow me to read more of my content.
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency:
Our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. As a platform hosting over 100,000 pieces of content published daily, we cannot pre-vet content, but we strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation.
Most Popular
Comments / 0