We recall and discuss what we saw in the fourth episode of 'House of the Dragon': walks through brothels, loss of virginity, conversations about loneliness.
In the previous episode, 'House of the Dragon' treated us to epic battles and scenes with fire-breathing dragons—read: rock 'n' roll. Well, in the new episode, the creators decided to add some sex (still no drugs). There was almost more of it than the show's main feature—conversations. Let's figure out: who's with whom, why, and where these amorous pleasures will lead.
Previous recaps:
Warning: spoilers for Episode 4 of 'House of the Dragon' ahead
Next
If previous recaps had jokes about the show 'The Bachelor,' the new episode forces us to recall another popular reality show—'Next.' The episode starts with Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock) being courted by lords and other noble men of Westeros. Among them, there's everyone: from her grandfather's acquaintance to a boy young enough for the princess to be his aunt.
Guess which word we hear most often in this scene? That's right—'next.' However, the representative of the House of the Dragon never finds an ideal candidate among the suitors. Or rather, she doesn't want to find one.
Family Ties
After his victory at the Stepstones, Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) was named the Sea King. In this status, he unexpectedly ends up right in front of Viserys (Paddy Considine). The surprise here is not only that he takes this step given the accumulated contradictions with his brother, but also in the prince's subsequent actions. He kneels before Viserys and hands him his crown as the only legitimate king of the Seven Kingdoms.
Good-natured Viserys welcomes his brother with open arms. Yes, just like that. As if there had been no quarrels or omissions over the previous 5 years. He allows his brother to peacefully roam the castle and its surroundings, recalls that Daemon was their mother's favorite, and generally shows joy at the family idyll.
Rhaenyra congratulates her uncle on his victory over the Crabfeeder, but reasonably asks why Daemon came to King's Landing at all. He unconvincingly and implausibly claims a desire to 'be home.' You didn't believe this vanilla story right away either, did you? And rightly so—Daemon came for something else.
Loneliness Is a Bitch
And in our recaps, the idea has already surfaced that each of the heroes is a hostage to their position and status, and the characters of 'House of the Dragon' themselves say this out loud. And it's all seasoned with reflections on loneliness in such conditions. For example, Viserys is lonely because he can't trust anyone (not even his daughter). And Rhaenyra faces loneliness regardless of whom she chooses as her partner, because they only need her status and surname.
To escape the grip of these thoughts, Rhaenyra agrees to sneak out of the castle at night for a walk with Daemon, who secretly passed her the invitation. Together, they wander through the colorful narrow streets of the capital, where they see merchants, performers, and other residents. Then they come across a puppet show that transparently lets the princess know that the people would not like to see her on the throne, unlike her little brother Aegon.
The atmospheric walk suddenly (?) leads the Targaryens to a local brothel. Isn't it the perfect place to bring your innocent niece? Succumbing to the charms of universal carnal pleasures and Daemon's charisma, Rhaenyra readily responds to her relative's kisses. At some point, it seems that the incest so familiar to the Targaryens is about to happen, but at the last second, the man still refuses.
The princess herself, in distress, runs to her chambers. At the same time, we see that she is being spied on, and the news of Rhaenyra's potential 'corruption' quickly reaches the castle and, in particular, the Hand of the King, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans).
Why let such a hot evening go to waste? That's exactly what Rhaenyra thought and lost her virginity with her personal guard, Ser Criston. This sex scene contrasts with what almost happened between the Targaryens and the soulless sex of Viserys with Lady Alicent, evoking much more emotion.
Reputation Matters More Than Truth
The Hand does not delay in passing the message about Rhaenyra and Daemon to his ruler. The king pretends not to believe the reports and that these are rumors intended to slander his daughter. Incidentally, it's curious that in this scene, we see an embittered Viserys for almost the first time, not trusting even Hightower.
Viserys himself first has a 'clarifying conversation' with Daemon, who, after parting with Rhaenyra, has gotten thoroughly drunk. What's interesting in this dialogue is that the younger brother offers the king to give him his daughter to strengthen the House of the Dragon. It's clear that Viserys won't go for this, but watching Daemon's various attempts to seize the throne becomes increasingly intriguing.
Rhaenyra also gets her share of moralizing. Viserys again reminds her of the 'song of ice and fire,' of her responsibility as the heir princess, and that reputation in their world matters more than truth, so antics like the girl's night walk are unacceptable. And he announces that she will marry a scion of the Velaryon family to create an alliance that many of the king's advisors have proposed. It will be interesting to see what this alliance might lead to, and what or who might hinder it.
Trailer for Episode 5:
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