Gayle Rankin, who portrays Alys Rivers in HBO's "House of the Dragon," described the experience of filming a particularly disorienting scene in Season 3, Episode 7. The episode featured a dream sequence where Aemond Targaryen, played by Ewan Mitchell, appears to be engaging in sexual activity with his mother, Alicent Hightower, portrayed by Olivia Cooke, but is actually with Alys.
Rankin told Decider that the scene, which was intended to depict Aemond's Oedipal fixation and his burgeoning relationship with Alys, was both "fun and funny" to shoot, despite its absurdity. "It was a very absurd scene," Rankin said, noting that she and her co-stars aimed to keep the atmosphere lighthearted and professional. She described these scenes as having elements of stunts, emphasizing the need for respect and professionalism.
The episode's plot revealed Aemond practicing sword fighting at Harrenhal when Alicent arrives, claiming she fled King's Landing to reunite with him. This leads to a scene where Aemond and Alicent begin to become intimate. However, the narrative then shifts, clarifying that Aemond is, in fact, with Alys, while his mind is under the impression he is with Alicent. This hallucination occurs as the real Alicent is part of a plan to assassinate her own son on behalf of Rhaenyra.
Regarding the progression of Aemond and Alys's relationship, Rankin confirmed that their romance is in its early stages. "Have they consummated this relationship?" Rankin mused. "I mean, I think, yeah, we’re seeing it. I mean, we’re seeing it happen in front of our eyes." She characterized their connection as still "vulnerable."
At the close of the episode, Alys calls Aemond an "idiot" for allowing himself to be poisoned by his mother, highlighting their precarious situation. The Season 3 finale of "House of the Dragon" is scheduled to premiere on HBO and HBO Max on Sunday, August 9, at 9 PM ET.