Two days on, viewers are still talking about that shocking House of the Dragon moment.
The HBO fantasy drama returned for its third season on Sunday, June 21, 2026, and one scene in particular immediately set off a wave of reactions online.
Instead of a routine family confrontation, audiences watched Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) kiss Alicent (Olivia Cooke) in a moment that left many fans stunned. Alicent was clearly rattled, but she did not pull away.
As expected, social media quickly filled with horrified responses.
One viewer wrote:
“This is definitely the most disturbing scene in House of the Dragon..,”
Another added:
“that was f*****g gross and unnecessary.”
The backlash has not just come from the audience. Mitchell and Cooke have both addressed the scene as well.
Speaking to PEOPLE, Mitchell said the moment could:
“kind of makes you want to throw up in your mouth a little bit.”
He also said:
“Yeah, it’s kind of shocking,”
Mitchell continued:
“But then also, I just recognized a tremendous challenge and an opportunity to show Aemond in a new light.”
His explanation was that Aemond’s warped understanding of love comes from a childhood where affection was lacking and emotional damage ran deep.
Showrunner Ryan Condal has also responded to the criticism, arguing that the scene was designed to reveal more about Aemond’s damaged state of mind rather than suggest a straightforward romantic motive.
Condal explained:
“He’s somebody that was traumatized at an early age by his brother by taking him to a brothel long before his brain could probably process what was happening,”
According to Condal, Aemond is not in love with his mother, but is instead unable to untangle his trauma from the emotions he feels around her.
The same complexity applies to Alicent, whose own past in the series includes manipulation by her father and being pushed into marriage while still very young.
Condal’s broader view is that the kiss reflects Aemond trying to seize power within the family.
Even so, in a dynasty already known for deeply troubling relationships, this scene still managed to stand out. That is saying something in a family where Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) and Helaena (Phia Saban) are also siblings raising children together.
For now, fans are left waiting to see what the next episode brings.
House of the Dragon airs Sundays at 9pm ET on HBO.