Why Did Aemond Kiss His Own Mother?

Aemond does not give his mother a peck on the cheek — he kisses Alicent Hightower on the mouth, and the moment leaves her visibly horrified. This breakdown traces exactly why it happens: Aemond's established loneliness since losing his virginity to the sex worker Sylvie, Alicent running the same manipulation tactic her own father Otto once used on her, and a near-execution of Grand Maester Orwell minutes earlier that shows the same volatility boiling over twice in one episode. We connect it to Helaena's earlier warning that Aemond will die at the God's Eye, and to the Targaryen family's long-running pattern of incest going back to Season 1. Spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 1, "Salt and Sea, Fire and Blood." New breakdowns go up after every episode — subscribe so you do not miss the next one. #HouseOfTheDragon #HotD #Aemond #Alicent #GameOfThrones #DanceOfTheDragons #Targaryen #HBO #HBOMax #TeamGreen