The Targaryen Ideal vs. The Targaryen Reality
First and foremost, Daemon appears loyal to an idea: the supremacy of House Targaryen. He believes in 'Fire and Blood' not just as words, but as a governing philosophy. His actions, from conquering the Stepstones to his immediate push for war after Viserys's
death, are framed as efforts to uphold Targaryen strength. He seems to genuinely believe that words did not make them conquerors; dragons did. However, this loyalty to the abstract concept of Targaryen power often clashes with his loyalty to the actual Targaryens in his life. His love for his brother Viserys was a tangled mess of resentment and fierce protectiveness. He wanted to be Viserys's Hand, his iron fist, yet his violent nature often led to his banishment. He loved his brother, but also saw him as weak and manipulated by men like Otto Hightower.
Husband, Protector, or Controller?
Daemon's relationship with Rhaenyra is the central pillar of his arc, but it's built on a foundation of both love and control. For much of the first season, he maneuvered to be near her, culminating in their Valyrian wedding. He sees them as two sides of the same coin, destined to be together. Yet this bond is far from simple. The infamous scene where he chokes Rhaenyra upon learning of Aegon's prophecy reveals a terrifying side. His anger stems from being excluded, from a secret kept from him that gives Rhaenyra power over him. His love for her seems inextricably linked with a desire to possess and guide her, believing he knows best how to secure her throne. This possessiveness can look like loyalty, but it's a loyalty that demands she follow his lead, often towards the most violent path.
The Ambition of a Second Son
It's a common belief that Daemon has always coveted the Iron Throne, but it's more complicated than that. Actor Matt Smith argues that Daemon isn't driven by a simple ambition to rule, as he's ill-suited for governance and knows it. Instead, Smith suggests Daemon's ambition is to "dominate through violence," the arena where he feels most alive and comfortable. His desire isn't for the throne itself, but for the approval and importance that comes with being essential to the person on it. He wants to be seen as worthy. This explains his constant need to prove himself, whether against the Crabfeeder or by demanding a more aggressive war strategy. His loyalty, then, is conditional on him being the tip of the spear. When Rhaenyra’s more measured approach sidelines him, his loyalty is tested not by a desire to betray her, but by his fundamental need to be in the fight.
A Question of Character, Not Plot
Ultimately, the question of Daemon’s loyalty is less about which side he’s on and more about who he is. As one historical account in the books notes, Daemon was “made of light and darkness in equal parts.” He is a man who inspires both admiration and revulsion. The show leans into this ambiguity. At times, he is the only one willing to defend Rhaenyra's children. At others, he orchestrates horrific acts of revenge that create rifts with his own queen. Recent events in the show, where visions at Harrenhal seem to convince him of a larger purpose beyond his own ambition, suggest a potential shift. By bending the knee, he seems to finally accept a role as a servant to a greater cause. But with Daemon, this submission could simply be another phase in his chaotic journey. True loyalty would require him to suppress his own violent instincts for the good of his queen's reign, and that is a test he has yet to truly pass.
