Season 3, Episode 5 of HBO's "House of the Dragon" offers a surprising turn for the relationship between Aemond Targaryen and Alys Rivers, diverging from fan expectations shaped by George R.R. Martin's "Fire & Blood." While the source material hints at a dark, kinky, and magical romance between the one-eyed dragon lord and the mysterious "witch," the series portrays their initial interactions as unexpectedly wholesome.
Stars Ewan Mitchell, who plays Aemond, and Gayle Rankin, who portrays Alys, commented on the unpredictable nature of the season's storylines. Mitchell advised to "expect the unexpected," while Rankin noted that the show deliberately subverts audience preconceptions. "Because I think everybody thinks they know how this is going to go," Rankin said, "And I think that’s what’s so wonderful about the season is that every turn the show tells you, ‘No, you don’t, no, you don’t.’"
The developing dynamic between Aemond and Alys began in Episode 2 when Aemond arrived at Harrenhal, intending violence, only to be wounded. He sought refuge with Alys, whom he had intended to harm.
In the latest episode, Alys has been sheltering the injured prince. The narrative shifts to showcase her comforting Aemond during nightmares and offering solace when his dragon, Vhagar, departs. The bond deepens when sellswords arrive to claim Harrenhal, and Aemond intervenes to protect Alys from sexual assault, killing all four mercenaries. Following the confrontation, Alys remarks that Aemond appears to be the better protector.
Despite the setting within the "Game of Thrones" universe, which inherently involves bloodshed, the interactions between Aemond and Alys thus far have been less extreme than their book reputations might suggest. Their encounters have not involved plotting, love potions, explicit sexual content, or overt blood magic. The "magic" Alys demonstrates involves controlling bats by throwing a stone. Their embrace is depicted as one of comfort, with Alys acting as a nurse to a delirious patient, revealing vulnerabilities that both characters typically keep concealed.
While the potential for a darker, more powerful partnership aligned with the books exists, the current portrayal offers a humanizing element, focusing on their shared moments of vulnerability. "House of the Dragon" airs Sundays on HBO and HBO Max.