House of the Dragon episode 4

Princess Rhaenyra gets the chance to explore life out of the Red Keep in House of the Dragon Season 1, Episode 4. Meanwhile, Otto pushes his luck with Viserys.

We jump forward another year or so in the world of House of the Dragon. These time jumps can get confusing, but it helps with seeing pregnancies and growing children to get an idea. Daemon with shorter hair also makes it clear that there’s been some time since he beat up the messenger—it’s no wonder they use ravens in Game of Thrones!

The episode continues to put a rift between the Targaryens. Rhaenyra has to find a suitor, but she’s just not interested in that. Daemon helps her see another way of life, and she is certainly interested in pursuing her own pleasures. There are certainly signs of where Daenerys got her love for pleasure as she grew into herself. Imagine what Daenerys could have been like had she been given the upbringing Rhaenyra got.

The episode opens with Rhaenyra on a procession to find a husband. There are a few suitors but she’s not impressed with any of them. They’re too young, too old, and just not right for her hand. Of course, she doesn’t want to get married, but something she hasn’t had a chance to experience is love and pleasure.

Daemon, who returns as King of the Narrow Sea but hands over the crown to Viserys, decides to give his niece a chance to see life outside of the Red Keep. It was clear from the start that Daemon was up to something. He wants the Iron Throne. Why would he give up the crown of the Narrow Sea if he didn’t have something up his sleeve? He is willing to play a long game (and he’s not alone).

Daemon and Rhaenyra head outside at night. After watching a performance that mocks the king and his family (and makes it clear to Rhaenyra that people don’t want a Queen), Daemon takes Rhaenyra to a brothel. The two start kissing, which isn’t all that surprising when you consider Targaryens married their own. However, Daemon is the one who holds back. Again, he’s got something up his sleeve, but it’s also clear that he respects his niece and still wants to protect her.

Rhaenyra turning to Ser Criston to gain her pleasure wasn’t all too surprising. There has been some great chemistry between them for a few episodes now. I wonder how well Emma D’Arcy will do with the chemistry moving forward. I’ve got to admit that I loved Criston the next day as he wondered what it meant for them. It’s not like he can marry her after taking the Kingsguard vow.

Of course, none of the brothel moments could go without something getting back to the King. Otto had a spy out there. He tells Viserys about the brothel, although goes further to say that Daemon and Rhaenyra were spotted sleeping together. Otto doesn’t want to believe it, but he knows that it is possible.

Alicent decides to find out the truth from Rhaenyra. Of course, Rhaenyra denies sleeping with her uncle because it didn’t happen. Alicent is stuck in the middle of everything, and it’s clear that she’s not happy. Her night with the King makes it clear that there is no love between them.

It’s Rhaenyra who helps point out everything that is happening. When she meets with her father, who tells her that she is to marry Corlys’s son, she tells Viserys that Otto has manipulated a lot to get his own family on the throne. We all saw that for some time, and now Viserys sees it.

Otto doesn’t manage to convince Viserys that he didn’t manipulate things. Viserys doesn’t trust him, and Otto is stripped of being the Hand of the King. The Hightowers are going down, but this puts Rhaenyra in a more dangerous situation. Otto doesn’t have too much to lose with this.

Back in Rhaenyra’s room, the Maester brings a tea that Viserys ordered. It’s going to help rid her of any “unwanted consequences,” and she realizes what that means. Viserys doesn’t want to find out there’s a baby. Will Rhaenyra drink it?

I was wrong in the live stream for the episode. We have one more episode with Milly Alcock and Emily Carey before Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke take over from House of the Dragon Episode 6. We’ll want to savor that episode as the two have been excellent in their commands of the screen.

House of the Dragon airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and HBO Max.

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