Aemond’s Twisted Alicent Vision In House Of The Dragon Season 3 Episode 7 Clarified By Alys Rivers Star
WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 3, episode 7!A familiar, twisted vision returns for the Targaryen prince at Harrenhal in House of the Dragon season 3, episode 7.
After saving his life, beginning a romance, and offering him dragon eggs and sons to begin his own dynasty, Alys Rivers becomes involved in one of the series' most shocking visions yet from Aemond. Early in House of the Dragon season 3, episode 7, Aemond's mother Alicent arrives at Harrenhal and kisses him before the two have sex, only for the episode to reveal it was a vision and Aemond was actually in bed with Alys Rivers. While Aemond abruptly stops after seeing the woman is Alys and not Alicent, House of the Dragon doesn't reveal how much Alys is aware of what Aemond saw in his vision or if she caused it.
In an interview with ScreenRant's Liam Crowley, Alys Rivers actor Gayle Rankin clarified the returning House of the Dragon season 3 character's role in Aemond's visions and her knowledge of Alicent's part in them. Rankin confirmed that while Alys isn't implanting these visions of Alicent into Aemond's mind, she is aware that he's "working through some stuff," referring to his complex emotional feelings for his mother. Therefore, while Alys couldn't see Aemond's visions of Alicent, she could read between the lines of why he became so startled, especially upon seeing the real Alicent later in episode 7:
ScreenRant: Does Alys have any insight into what Aemond is seeing in his visions? Basically asking, does she have any idea that Aemond was envisioning her as Alicent when they were in bed together in episode seven?
Gayle Rankin: "It's really interesting. I think it's the thing that is most interesting in terms of conversation about the female power and the presumption that women can control men or the reverse of that: it's Aemond actually just having this vision, and she has no idea. I think it might be a little bit of a combo of both. I think she has a sense that he is working through some stuff, but also I don't believe that she's implanting this in him."
Drawing further parallels between Aemond and Daemon's stories in House of the Dragon, the younger Targaryen's sexual vision of Alicent mirrors Aemond's startling vision of his own mother, Alyssa, while he was at Harrenhal in season 2. However, though Daemon truly was his mother's favorite child, Aemond is the child Alicent fears the most and sees as the most disturbed. Regardless, both visions leave the Targaryen princes startled upon snapping out of them, awakening their subconscious desires that are twisted with the family's historical practice of incest.
While Alys' powers and the environment of Harrenhal facilitate more visions in the Targaryens, she isn't forcing what they see in them. That said, Alys might be subliminally pushing Aemond toward certain visions in order for him to confront these issues and move forward with their life together. Given Alys is intent on giving Aemond sons, she may be eager to bring his infatuation with Alicent to an end and instead prioritize herself as his future queen.
Of course, that dynamic will only become more complicated after Alicent's attempted poisoning of Aemond in House of the Dragon season 3, episode 7. While Alys immediately sensed that Alicent intended to harm Aemond upon arriving at the castle, Aemond ignored her warnings due to his unyielding love for his mother. Alys will almost certainly make a concoction to heal Aemond of his poisoning, simply calling him an idiot when he stumbles into the kitchen nearly dying, but this betrayal will also likely fully turn Aemond against Alicent.
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01
King Viserys I names his heir early in the series, defying tradition that would favor his firstborn son. Who does he name as his successor?
✓ Correct! Viserys named his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne after the death of his first wife, Aemma, and their infant son. He forced the lords of the realm to swear oaths of fealty to her — oaths many would later break.
✗ Dracarys! The answer is Rhaenyra Targaryen. Viserys defied Westerosi precedent by naming his daughter over his brother Daemon. Even after fathering sons with Alicent Hightower, Viserys never changed his decree.
02
Alicent Hightower’s faction is known as “the Greens.” Who is her father, the cunning Hand of the King who orchestrates much of their political strategy?
✓ Correct! Otto Hightower served as Hand of the King and was the mastermind behind the Green faction. He strategically positioned his daughter Alicent to marry Viserys, and spent decades maneuvering to place Alicent’s son Aegon on the throne.
✗ Dracarys! The answer is Otto Hightower. He served as Hand to both Jaehaerys I and Viserys I, and engineered the marriage between Alicent and the King. Corlys Velaryon sided with the Blacks, and Lyonel Strong served as Hand before Otto’s return.
03
Daemon Targaryen rides a fierce, battle-scarred dragon known for its Blood Wyrm nickname. What is the name of his fearsome mount?
✓ Correct! Caraxes, known as “the Blood Wyrm,” is Daemon’s dragon — a lean, red, battle-scarred beast. While Vhagar is the largest and oldest dragon alive, Caraxes is the most experienced in combat and fiercely loyal to Daemon.
✗ Dracarys! The answer is Caraxes. Syrax is Rhaenyra’s dragon, Vhagar is the oldest dragon (ridden by Aemond), and Meleys “the Red Queen” is Rhaenys’s mount. Caraxes the Blood Wyrm is Daemon’s partner in the skies.
04
Princess Rhaenys Targaryen is known by a nickname reflecting the fact she was passed over for the throne in favor of Viserys. What is she called?
✓ Correct! Rhaenys was dubbed “The Queen Who Never Was” after the Great Council of 101 AC chose Viserys over her, despite her strong claim. Married to Corlys Velaryon, she became one of the most formidable figures in the Dance, riding Meleys the Red Queen.
✗ Dracarys! The answer is The Queen Who Never Was. “The Realm’s Delight” is actually young Rhaenyra’s nickname. Rhaenys earned her title when the lords of the realm chose Viserys over her at the Great Council, setting the precedent that later fueled the Dance.
05
Vhagar is the largest living dragon during the Dance. Which Targaryen prince claims her — dramatically shifting the balance of power to the Greens?
✓ Correct! Aemond Targaryen claimed Vhagar at Driftmark after the funeral of Laena Velaryon — Vhagar’s previous rider. This bold act gave the Greens their most devastating weapon and sparked the confrontation that cost Aemond his eye.
✗ Dracarys! The answer is Aemond Targaryen. Aegon II rides Sunfyre, Jacaerys rides Vermax, and Daeron rides Tessarion. Aemond’s daring claim of Vhagar at Driftmark was a pivotal moment that made him the Greens’ most dangerous warrior.
06
Viserys shares a secret Targaryen prophecy with Rhaenyra about a threat from the North and a promised prince. What is this prophecy called?
✓ Correct! Aegon the Conqueror had a prophetic dream he called “A Song of Ice and Fire” — a vision of a terrible winter coming from the North that would destroy the world of the living. This secret was passed from king to heir, and Viserys shared it with Rhaenyra on the night he named her heir.
✗ Dracarys! The answer is A Song of Ice and Fire. Aegon the Conqueror’s dream foretold a great threat from the North requiring a Targaryen on the Iron Throne to unite the realm. Viserys revealed this to Rhaenyra, connecting House of the Dragon directly to the events of Game of Thrones.
07
Corlys Velaryon is one of the richest and most powerful men in Westeros, famous for his legendary voyages. What is his well-known title?
✓ Correct! Corlys Velaryon earned the name “The Sea Snake” through his legendary nine voyages across the known world aboard his ship. He amassed a fortune that made House Velaryon wealthier than even the Lannisters, and his naval power proved crucial in the Dance.
✗ Dracarys! The answer is The Sea Snake. While Corlys did serve on the Small Council, his legendary title comes from his nine great voyages. “Lord of the Tides” is the formal title of the head of House Velaryon, but “The Sea Snake” is his personal epithet.
08
The Season 1 finale ends with a devastating loss for Rhaenyra when one of her sons is killed in a dragonback confrontation. Which son does she lose, and who kills him?
✓ Correct! Lucerys Velaryon, riding his young dragon Arrax, was pursued and killed by Aemond on the colossal Vhagar above Shipbreaker Bay near Storm’s End. The show portrays this as partly accidental — Vhagar acted on her own — but the result ignited the Dance of the Dragons into open war.
✗ Dracarys! The answer is Lucerys, killed by Aemond and Vhagar. Luke was sent as an envoy to Storm’s End but was confronted by Aemond. The massive Vhagar devoured young Arrax and his rider above Shipbreaker Bay — the act that turned a succession dispute into a full-scale civil war.
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Did you ride to glory — or fall from the sky?
With only one episode remaining in House of the Dragon season 3, Alicent's attempted murder of Aemond is expected to culminate in more shocking twists at Harrenhal in episode 8. The final episode will set up the final arc in Aemond's story as House of the Dragon season 4 aims to wrap up the series, drawing the catastrophic Targaryen civil war to a close.
House of the Dragon's season 3 finale releases on Sunday, August 9 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.