Spoiler Warning: House of the Dragon Season 1, Episodes 1-2

It is difficult to pinpoint a character who manages to make it through the original Game of Thrones series without compromising their morals to some extent. As such, the show is filled with countless intriguing villains. Among the Lannister clan alone, audiences were able to watch the nefarious deeds of Nikolaj Coster-Waldau’s Jaime Lannister, the scheming of his sister Cersei Lannister, portrayed by Lena Headey, and the impetuous kingship of their sniveling little illegitimate love child, Jack Gleeson’s Joffrey Baratheon.

Though Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) does not become a true villain in the series until its poorly-reviewed finale, her constantly growing army and dragons are the source of constant consternation for the other armies of Westeros. However, there is much talk about the Targaryens throughout the series, as they were the long-time rules of Westeros and left a trail of death in destruction in their wake.

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In the recently released Game of Thrones spin-off series, House of the Dragon, which has already drawn a lot of eyes, the Targaryens will serve as both protagonist and antagonist, as it is set during the family’s reign almost 200 years before the events of the original show. Here’s why Matt Smith’s Daemon Targaryen will be a great villain in House of the Dragon.

A Cold-Hearted ‘Heir for a Day’

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At the beginning of the series’ first episode, “The Heirs of Dragon,” audiences are introduced to Paddy Considine’s King Viserys I Targaryen. He is not well-respected throughout the kingdom, as he is deemed by many to be too soft-hearted for the throne. Additionally, he is getting on the older side, and when his wife dies in childbirth, quickly followed by his newborn son (his only male child), he is forced to decide on an heir.

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The most obvious choice to succeed King Viserys is his brother, Prince Daemon Targaryen. However, some members of the Great Council feel that Daemon is unfit to rule, and Viserys has his fair share of issues with his violent, arrogant brother. When Viserys’ newborn son dies, the king learns from a spy that Daemon celebrated the death in a brothel and described his brother’s dead child as “Heir for a day.”

The king is justifiably outraged, and decides to assign his brother to a job in a remote corner of Westeros, instead choosing his daughter, Emma D’Arcy’s Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen, to be his heir. Though this happens at the end of the episode, it is readily apparent that Daemon will not take this decision lying down. This internal familial struggle will make the villain all the more compelling.

Crushing His Enemies With Caraxes, AKA Blood Wyrm

Though audiences only got a brief glimpse character’s winged companion, it is well known by Game of Thrones fans that Daemon Targaryen is a formidable dragon rider. He and his blood-red dragon Caraxes are among the most powerful human-dragon pairings currently circling the skies of Westeros.

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Caraxes is considered one of the most violent dragons that the King’s Landing dragon keepers had ever raised, which earned him, along with his red hue, the nickname “Blood Wyrm.” Caraxes was previously commanded by Daemon’s uncle before his death. Daemon’s dragon will definitely make him difficult to deal with.

Daemon’s Brutal Reign as City Watch Commander

Before being effectively exiled by his brother, Daemon Targaryen serves as Commander of the City Watch in King’s Landing. He raids the impoverished communities surrounding the castle, brutally murdering criminals and innocents alike in order to rid the streets of what he feels to be evidence of a failing kingdom. Though he was relieved of his post, this scene proves that Daemon is not averse to using force in order to establish his worldview.

Furthermore, the City Watch seems to stand behind him, and they represent one of the most powerful small armies in King’s Landing. With a brigade of soldiers at his back, Daemon is unlikely to allow his brother to disrespect him so easily.

Despite the fact that only two episodes of the series have been released, House of the Dragon has already been renewed for a second season. So far, it appears that Daemon Targaryen will be the primary villain of the series, though if the original Game of Thrones taught us anything, it is that no character is safe from a grisly death.

In upcoming episodes, as well as any and all future seasons, audiences will be on the edge of their seats to watch the violent retribution Daemon carries out to avenge the loss of what he feels to be his rightful place on the Iron Throne.