This is part of the fun of a character like Matt Smith’s Rogue Prince, because his fate is not 100% confirmed in the book Fire & Blood (there are even wilder theories that he’s the Night King…). The theory that Daemon is the Three-Eyed Raven mostly comes after a vision he had in House of the Dragon season 2’s ending, which included Brynden Rivers, a character we know does become the Raven. Eventually, the title will pass to Bran Stark, but if HOTD were to give Daemon the role, as wild as it is, it could change that story for the better.
The Problem With Bran In Game Of Thrones’ Ending
The Issue Isn’t Him Becoming Westeros’ King
Bran becoming Westeros’ king in Game of Thrones’ ending is one of the most criticized aspects of the entire show, but I don’t think that decision is the real problem. Instead, the issue lies with what surrounds it, and how much is unexplained about him being the Three-Eyed Raven. Tyrion Lannister says that Bran has the best story, but the series’ mistake was not showing or explaining enough about that journey.
Bran being missing completely from season 5 is a major factor in this, a decision that’s a lot worse with the hindsight of him becoming king…
Bran being missing completely from season 5 is a major factor in this, a decision that’s a lot worse with the hindsight of him becoming king, as it could have devoted more time to his training. Beyond that, Game of Thrones season 8 did tell us a few times that he’s different now, and not really Bran, but didn’t properly detail exactly what being the Three-Eyed Raven entails, what his true purpose is, or how his powers work. It was all kept vague, and that made Bran more unknowable, which meant the story of him becoming king was harder to understand.
Daemon Targaryen Is The Three-Eyed Raven – Theory Explained
There Is Some Compelling Evidence, But Also Some Problems
Daemon’s vision of the Three-Eyed Raven in the House of the Dragon season 2 finale certainly suggests some kind of connection, and that does exist within Martin’s history:
Daemon is the great-grandfather of Brynden Rivers, the Raven before Bran, so the characters are at the very least related.
Brynden eventually inherits Daemon’s Valyrian steel sword, Dark Sister, which later disappears beyond the Wall.
The finale also established Daemon now believes in Aegon the Conqueror’s a song of ice and fire dream, even going as far as saying “Winter is coming” in High Valyrian. The Three-Eyed Raven is the enemy of the Night King, and now, too, Daemon is positioned as someone who is aware of – and wants to stop – the threat posed by the White Walkers. Daemon’s visions at Harrenhal are all notably linked to the weirwood tree, which itself provides a connection to the Three-Eyed Raven’s cave.
Daemon also saw one of the Green Men at Harrenhal, prior to his visions. These are people who guard weirwood trees, and are loyal to the Children of the Forest. That also likely means they’re in support of the Three-Eyed Raven too, and could be carrying out his bidding. The idea for this, then, is that Daemon will be rescued by one of the Green Men, which will then begin his transformation.
That’s because there’s a window for Daemon’s fate to change. In the book, it’s believed he’s killed in the Battle Above the Gods Eye (the lake on the shore of which Harrenhal sits), along with Aemond Targaryen, and the dragons Vhagar and Caraxes. All four of them go crashing down into the lake, but unlike the others, Daemon’s is never found, and there are theories and songs in-universe that he actually survived. Could House of the Dragon be setting up a Green Man pulling him from the lake?
It’s more likely that Daemon dies; even if he doesn’t, the character has no blood of the First Men, as far as we know, which is a contrast to both Brynden and Bran.
It is, admittedly, still a long shot. It’s more likely that Daemon dies; even if he doesn’t, the character has no blood of the First Men, as far as we know, which is a contrast to both Brynden and Bran. That may not rule out him being the Three-Eyed Raven, but it could count against him. Still, the idea that Alys’ visions were serving a higher purpose isn’t without merit, and while I think Daemon’s story is better with him dying and given a real ending, it could still benefit Game of Thrones if it does confirm the theory.
HBO Could Fix The Three-Eyed Raven With Two Upcoming Spinoffs
House Of The Dragon Isn’t The Only One With A Three-Eyed Raven Link
If Daemon were to be the Three-Eyed Raven, then it could at least help fix one of the major issues with Bran’s story, and actually provide a deeper explanation and understanding of what it means. Daemon going down this path would require the prequel showing why and how it happens, and giving more information as to his purpose and powers, which was lacking from Thrones’ ending.
House of the Dragon is confirmed to end with season 4. Season 3 is expected to air on HBO and Max sometime in 2026.
Whether House of the Dragon does this or not, another upcoming Game of Thrones spinoff could do it. Brynden is a character in The Tales of Dunk & Egg novellas, appearing in one of them (and potentially more, as Martin intends to write several others). They will be adapted into A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (season 1 releases in 2025), and so Brynden could be fleshed out more in the HBO show, which could also add more weight and understanding to the Three-Eyed Raven. Bran did say there had been “many,” so it would be nice to know a little bit more about them.
