The highly anticipated third season of HBO's 'House of the Dragon' returned to UK screens on Friday, June 21, airing on Sky Atlantic and NOW. However, the premiere episode quickly became a major talking point among fans, not for its epic dragon battles, but for a controversial mother-son kiss that left many viewers feeling deeply uneasy.
The scene in question occurred amidst the chaos following the sudden disappearance of King Aegon. During a tense discussion, Aemond Targaryen, portrayed by Ewan Mitchell, unexpectedly kissed his mother, Queen Alicent Hightower, played by Olivia Cooke, on the lips. This moment immediately ignited a flurry of reactions across social media platforms, with many fans expressing their discomfort and shock.
Online discussions saw numerous viewers describe the kiss as "the most uncomfortable" they had ever witnessed on television. While the 'Game of Thrones' prequel series, based on George R.R. Martin's 'Fire & Blood', is known for its depictions of incest within the Targaryen lineage, this particular mother-son interaction appeared to push the boundaries for many. Some fans questioned the narrative justification, suggesting it "did nothing for the storyline or for his character," implying it was solely for shock value.
Conversely, a minority of viewers interpreted the act as a further illustration of the morally dubious and often extreme nature of the Targaryen family, commenting, "He’s a Targaryen, what do you expect." Nevertheless, the prevailing sentiment online pointed to widespread revulsion, with many social media users sharing memes and GIFs to convey their disgust.
Beyond the controversial kiss, the season premiere also featured the much-anticipated "Battle of the Gullet," an epic sea confrontation that showrunner Ryan Condal had previously described as "arguably the craziest episode of television ever made." This significant battle included multiple dragons and ships, and culminated in the death of a major character, Jacaerys Velaryon, played by Harry Collett, whose filming experiences included being repeatedly submerged in cold water.