'This is too far, even for Targaryens'

Fans of all things Westerosi have got used to dealing with some pretty shocking scenes over the years. Whether it's major characters being killed off in all manner of ways or battle scenes that make the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan look like a walk in the park, Game of Thrones has often dared to go where few television shows dare.

House of the Dragon has been no different, with the opening episode of the second season having featured one of the darkest scenes in the history of Game of Thrones.

But even fans of the franchise think House of the Dragon has gone too far after a scene in the latest episode of the show.

The Game of Thrones prequel series is all about the goings on of the Targaryens. There are two things this blonde-haired lot are known for - dragons and having some pretty messed up opinions on how close family members should get.

Yep, those Targaryens have no issue with relatives marrying and getting off with each other.

This has been shown before in Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, with marriages between siblings and cousins pretty commonplace. This includes two of the show's main characters, Queen Rhaenyra (Emma d'Arcy) and Daemon (Matt Smith), who are niece and uncle but have married and have children together.

And it's Daemon who is at the centre of a scene in the latest episode which some fans think has gone "too far."

In episode five of the latest season, Matt Smith's character is continuing his stay at the supposedly cursed castle of Harrenal, where he is trying to raise an army to support his queen/niece/wife.

Daemon starts to have hallucinations after meeting castle resident, Alys Rivers. In previous episodes this has included seeing a young Rhaenyra sewing a child's head back on, and him beheading another version of Rhaenyra after she mocked him for letting her become heir to the Iron Throne.

In his latest hallucination, Daemon dreams of making love to a mysterious Targaryen woman who tells him he should have been named heir. But just as the scene builds to a climax (pardon the pun), she calls Daemon her "favourite son," and he realises he's dreaming of his mother who died when he was just two years old.

She tells him: "You were always the strong one. The finest swordsman. The fearless dragonrider. Your brother had great love in his heart, but he lacked your constitution. Viserys was unsuited for the crown, but you, Daemon, you were made to wear it. If only you’d be born first. My favourite son."

The scene left some viewers horrified, with many taking to social media to voice their shock.

One person wrote: "This is too far, even for Targaryens."

Another said: "Gotta draw the line somewhere."

Another commented: "Wtf Daemon and his mom!!! This Harrenhal arc must end! #HouseOfTheDragon."

But some explained what the scene meant and why it was included in the show. One fan said: "Did Daemon [sleep with] his mom? No, it was a dream and dreams are not real. And secondly, It's not HIS dream. Alys Rivers, the now confirmed greenseer, knows what happened in his dream. Meaning she put Alyssa there, and knows who she is."