House of the Dragon Episode 4

What date and time will episode 4 of House of the Dragon “King of the Narrow Sea” release around the world for online streaming?

And it was a good way of grounding the time jump.” And the only way to do that is to let time pass…We understand that two or three years’ worth of material has happened in those couple of opening scenes.” – Ryan Condal, via - Philippine Time – 9 AM - India Time – 6.30 AM - Pakistan Time – 6 AM - European Time – 3 AM

House of the Dragon returns to screens with another new episode tonight. Here's when you can watch episode 4 of the HBO series in your area.

The HBO and HBO Max series airs/streams on Sundays at 9:00 p.m. Are you excited for House of the Dragon episode 4? With conflict aplenty and time jumps in the mix too, viewers are enthralled as they learn more about the Targaryen dynasty and episode 4 is set to be the biggest installment yet. It was already common knowledge that the Targaryen family had experienced centuries of troubles but House of the Dragon is showing audiences the extent of that. On one hand, its success has been inevitable, but on the other, it proves that there is life left in the Game of Thrones franchise in spite of its predecessor’s highly-divisive ending. House of the Dragon returns to screens with another new episode tonight.

If you haven't seen Episodes 1, 2 and 3 yet, there's some spoilers ahead… This Targaryen family drama – set 200 years before the events depicted in Game of ...

He’s now fighting to rid the realm of pirates at the side of Corlys aka ‘The Sea Snake’, the richest bloke around. Even though he’s soon got a new son, by his daughter’s best friend and new wife no less, Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) remains next in line to the Iron Throne. The King, fresh from losing his wife and newborn son in childbirth, has controversially selected a new heir – his daughter Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy).

It's almost time to watch House of the Dragon episode 4 online. The Game of Thrones prequel is a huge hit for HBO, so much so that the network has already ...

House of the Dragon will focus on a particular part of the Targaryen history: The Dance of Dragons. The beasts remained extinct for a century and a half, until Daenerys Targaryen hatched her three dragons in Game of Thrones. ET House of the Dragon episode 3: Sept. Princess Shireen Baratheon recounted this story in a fifth-season episode of Game of Thrones. House of the Dragon episode 1: August 21 @ 9 p.m. It's almost time to watch House of the Dragon episode 4 online. It's based on Martin's novel "Fire & Blood," which chronicles the rule of House Targaryen from the beginning. ET House of the Dragon episode 2: August 28 @ 9 p.m. Their bloodline is old as House Targaryen, and Velaryon earned his nickname for being the most notorious "nautical adventurer in the history of Westeros." He is a lover (or is he?), a seducer (or is he?), a betrayer (or is he?), a breaker of hearts and a maker of kings … Since Brits also don't get HBO or HBO Max, they will watch House of the Dragon episode 4 on Sky Atlantic and NOW. BST and again at the more reasonable time of 9 p.m.

King Viserys, who is celebrating the pregnancy of his new wife Alicent, wants Rhaenyra to marry Jason Lannister to strengthen the relationship between the two ...

[Lord Corlys](https://www.dualshockers.com/who-is-corlys-velaryon-in-the-upcoming-series-house-of-the-dragon/) continues to fight the forces of the [Crabfeeder ](https://www.dualshockers.com/house-of-the-dragon-crabfeeder-craghas-drahar/)with the help of [Prince Daemon](https://www.dualshockers.com/who-are-viserys-daemon-and-rhaenyra-targaryen-in-house-of-the-dragon/). HBO Max released an official trailer for the fourth chapter to give us a glimpse of the upcoming events. [House of the Dragon](https://www.dualshockers.com/tag/house-of-the-dragon/) finally featured the Lannister family. Fans in the US can watch the show exclusively on HBO Max. Here's the exact release schedule you need to follow for different time zones: Much to everyone's surprise, Daemon and Corlys win the battle, and the Prince kills the Crabfeeder by cutting his body in half.

The third episode of House of the Dragon concluded with Daemon Targaryen winning his battle with the Crabfeeder in the Stepstones. Acting without the King's ...

He has a sickness that is eating away at his body, resulting in the loss of multiple fingers in the third episode. When it comes to a major death in the fourth episode, one character likely comes to mind for all fans: King Viserys. The title of "king," even if used in jest, could put a target on Daemon's back.

Episode 4 of House Of The Dragon (King of the Narrow Sea), lands on HBO Max at 9pm ET (2am BST) on Sunday 11th September 2022 and on Sky TV in the UK at 9pm BST ...

[Binge](https://goto.binge.com.au/c/338476/767630/11099?subId1=whathifi-gb-8706599020677485000&sharedId=whathifi-gb&u=https%3A%2F%2Fbinge.com.au%2F) (opens in new tab) is the streaming service to sign up to in Australia to watch House Of The Dragon episode 4 (King of the Narrow Sea) and the rest of the series. It's $19.99 per month and the show airs at 9pm ET/PT each Sunday, just like in the States. It's $17.99/month for the HD version (or $12.99 for SD) but there's a there's a 7-day free trial to enjoy before you need to pay to continue. (Apple users can use a UK phone number but should head to the [Apple ID website](https://apple.sjv.io/c/221109/435031/7613?subId1=whathifi-gb-3966986942633254000&sharedId=whathifi-gb&u=https%3A%2F%2Fappleid.apple.com%2Faccount) (opens in new tab) to sign up, rather than using an app on their device). [HBO Max](https://www.whathifi.com/features/hbo-max-roku-fire-tv-stick-free-trial-and-how-to-watch-from-abroad-all-explained) on your browser or device and enjoy watching House Of The Dragon episode 3 online. There's 24/7 customer support and three months free when you sign-up You can use it to watch on your mobile, tablet, laptop, TV, games console and more. Open up the VPN app and choose the location of the service you wish to access. [HBO Max](https://www.whathifi.com/features/hbo-max-roku-fire-tv-stick-free-trial-and-how-to-watch-from-abroad-all-explained) (US) Upon his return, the ante of the three-way contest to ascend the Iron Throne will be significantly upped. Episode 3 saw our first exposure to an extended battle sequence as Daemon took on the grisly Crabfeeder. House Of The Dragon episode 4 – King of the Narrow Sea – sees us reach the midpoint of the season, and after last week's action, things are already coming to a head.

HBO's 'House of the Dragon' featured a slower Episode 4, but one that dramatically changed the relationship between Daemon and Rhaenyra.

The two then begin to undress each other with Daemon guiding Rhaenyra to a wall and then turning her around with her pants down. (This fallout from her decision seems to reinforce the idea that Rhaenyra made this choice in order to undermine future marriage.) After Daemon leaves, Rhaenyra returns to the Red Keep where she seduces and then completes her night’s quest with her Kingsguard, Cole. Fed up with everyone telling him what to do, Viserys tells Rhaenyra that she will marry the Sea Snake’s son, Laenor Velaryon. [Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint)](https://www.menshealth.com/entertainment/a40933597/steve-toussaint-house-of-the-dragon-interview/), has not returned to King’s Landing, instead keeping control of the islands and posing to marry his daughter to a noble-born member of the Free Cities—a move that would undermine the power of the Targaryen rule. (This may be an important conviction for the civil war likely to come.) There, disguised as a page, she finds Daemon, and the two of them travel incognito into King’s Landing where a Renaissance-like festival is being held. On her way back to King’s Landing, Daemon’s dragon descends close to her ship, knocking her to the deck and signaling a continued antagonism between her and the King’s brother (although she looks up somewhat smitten by Daemon’s tactic). She then discusses the same fear with Daemon, whose return to King’s Landing she questions. It is clear the episode will hinge on Rhaenyra’s marriage choice—a choice that turns out was never to be a choice at all. Rhaenyra suggests Alicent’s role is simply to produce heirs for the King. Meanwhile, King Viserys I (Padddy Considine) continues to age and develop totally gross-looking legions across his back and arms, an obvious portend for a diseased kingdom on the edge of civil war.

In episode 4 of HBO's 'Game of Thrones' spinoff, Daemon surrenders his crown and spends a night on the town; Rhaenyra's rumspringa doesn't sit well with the ...

He shows her a dagger that once belonged to Aegon the Conqueror, which ties in to the prophecy he mentioned to her back in episode 1. The king refuses to believe it, and accuses Otto of scheming for the throne. This is offered in contrast to the presumptively more erotic goings-on between Daemon and Rhaenyra, who show up to a brothel, ditch their disguises and then proceed to ditch other items of clothing as well. ... and confronts Rhaenyra in the godswood. Otto stammers out the news that Rhaenrya was seen coupling with Daemon "in the bowels of a pleasure den" (Reader, I chuckled). She is then summoned to his bedchamber to lie back and think of Oldtown, as the king makes assiduous, dutiful, yeomanlike love to her. After much to-ing and fro-ing, Daemon can't seem to coax his Caraxes out of the ol' Dragonpit, and abandons Rhaenyra, who makes her way back to the Red Keep. She outfits herself in pageboy drag, skulks through the catacombs and finds her way to Daemon, waiting for her in an inconspicuous hood and cloak that's hilariously conspicuous. Rhaenyra and Alicent get a moment together to admit how much they've missed each other, but not before Rheanyra also suggests that the queen's life of "squeezing out heirs" doesn't interest her. Now that he's conquered the Stepstones, they call him King of the Narrow Sea — but he promptly kneels before Viserys and gives up his crown. But before that, we drop in on what will turn out to be the final date of Rhaenyra: The White-Blonde Ambition Tour. Which is a nice touch, as in the books, Blackwoods and Brackens have hated each other for generations.

Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) and Daemon (Matt Smith) on House of the Dragon Photo: Ollie Upton | HBO. This House of the Dragon review ...

ET on HBO and HBO Max in the U.S. But House of the Dragon has a schedule to stick to. Rhaenyra’s consecutive moments of sexual awakening serve as the climax of the episode as much as Daemon and Corlys’s war in the Stepstones did last week. At the same time though, continually jumping forward in time means that some moments have to be brought to the forefront more quickly rather than being allowed to simmer in the background for episodes at a time. There’s a lot to enjoy in “King of the Narrow Sea” even outside of the exchange of carnal knowledge, but let’s get to that first. And that refinement arrives in episode 4 “King of the Narrow Sea.” A crucial message is imparted on Rhaenyra in the only way it could have been. Truth be told, she still is something of a child, having spent most of her life locked away in the Red Keep, gossipping with Alicent and reading stories about mythical maidens and martyrs. Surprisingly, however, the proclaimed “King of the Narrow Sea” removes his crown, hands it to his brother, and acknowledges him as the one true king. The realm is secure, his wife is dutiful, and most importantly: his brother is back. The issue, however, is that Game of Thrones’ prurient moments were frequently sloppy and unsensual in execution at best and downright exploitative at worst. Not only does the act, you know, feel good, but procreation is kind of a big deal in a political landscape dominated by inherited dynasties.

Most of this week was dedicated to the royal family and its “queer customs.”

We talked last week about the conflict between love and duty as a persistent “Thrones” theme, but what happens when love is the duty required of you? [the premiere](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/21/arts/television/house-of-the-dragon-premiere-recap.html) (more on this in a minute), “House of the Dragon” is ultimately about the decline of a convoluted, deeply inbred clan whose power is enabled by their access to the world’s most fearsome weapons. It was a bitter reminder that even when Rhaenyra isn’t being forced to “squeeze out heirs,” as she put it awkwardly to the heir-squeezer-in-chief, Alicent, her womb still belongs to the realm. That was Jefferson Hall also playing Tyland Lannister, the more conscientious twin of the ridiculous Lord Jason. Rhys Ifans, who first won wide notice as a goofball roommate in “Notting Hill,” has been highly enjoyable as the Machiavellian Otto. (The next family nameday party should be fun.) Which meant that for all her ill-advised sneaking, drinking and fornicating, Rhaenyra survived another week as heir to the Iron Throne. True to the maximalist tendencies of “Thrones” storytelling, the strategy seems to be that if you’re going to make a soap, you might as well make it as operatic as possible. The inbreeding is key to the downfall as probably the primary cause of the Targaryen madness described by the coin-flipping maxim. But “he’s got a strange moral compass of his own,” the actor said. For all the squeamishness the age differentials and so on inspire, we’re all checking modern moral standards at the door, to a certain extent, if we want to go along with this story. That was Alicent on Sunday night, winning the Understatement of the Week award. (“The hour is quite late …” Alicent protested, but the king gets what the king wants.)

Congratulations to House of the Dragon for finding a way to make sex actually further the narrative and character development. A recap of Episode 4 of House ...

• The play Daemon and Rhaenyra witness is a significant nod to the one Arya sees in Braavos that depicts her father’s execution. When Daemon insists that it’s “the tradition of their family,” it’s partly for the audience’s benefit, to remind us that this is a Targaryen thing, and so we should only be slightly (?) appalled. But it’s also a callback to Aegon the Conqueror, the first Targaryen to rule Westeros and the mighty forefather of their clan — who also happened to marry his sisters. And what it says is “From my blood come the prince that was promised, and his will be the song of ice and fire.” We know the end of the dagger’s journey into the [Night King’s belly](https://www.vulture.com/2019/04/game-of-thrones-the-long-night-recap-season-8-episode-3.html), but now we’ll learn its route. [assassin to kill Bran](https://www.vulture.com/2011/04/game_of_thrones_episode_2_a_su.html) in season one of Game of Thrones, the same one that makes its way to Ned, and then back to Littlefinger, and then to Bran, and onto Arya. He manages to put her in her place and seduce her all in one evening, a fitting series of events for a classic asshole like Daemon. It’s in each of their best interests to tell those stories: Rhaenyra to preserve her place as the unsullied heir to the throne, and Daemon to convince Viserys that no one else will have Rhaenyra now, and it makes sense that the two should marry. (Though incest has a way of throwing things a little off balance.) Congratulations to House of the Dragon for finding a way to make sex actually further the narrative and character development, creating the strongest episode so far. Whatever casting director flung her together with Matt Smith hit the jackpot on chemistry; even when they’re enraged at one another, Daemon and Rhaenyra create a dry heat between them and appear on the verge of embrace. Of course, the princess has spent the past several years gawping at Cristan and lingering too long with her uncle Daemon, and these ninnies pale in comparison to either. And a good portion of the screwing and sucking we’ve been subjected to over the series’s decade-plus on TV has just been about showing sex in all its Twister spinner variety. For all its SEX SEX SEX, Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon have mostly been talked about for one particular power dynamic in the bedroom: male domination.

In 'Bachelorette'-esque fashion, Princess Rhaenyra is down to her final two men. Who will win her heart?

In her chambers that night, the princess finds a bag with a change of clothes and a map of her room that leads to a secret staircase. A hungover Daemon is arrested as he returns to the castle, and King Viserys demands to know the truth.”Better her first experience be with me than some whore,” he tells his brother. In the morning, the Hand of the King mulls over the best way to tell Viserys the "discomforting news." She convinces him that Otto is constantly scheming (which he is) and that getting Viserys to marry Alicent was just step one of his master plan to put the Hightowers in power. He says it's because he wants to teach Rhaenyra how to "take what she wants," and the two proceed to make out. It's all part of a weird plan that ends in Daemon bringing his niece to an orgy at the pleasure house. Later, at a party in the garden, Queen Alicent Hightower and Princess Rhaenyra reconcile and admit that they’ve missed each other. Daemon adds that although he wears a crown as "King of the Narrow Sea" following his victory, he acknowledges that his brother is the one true king in Westeros. His [House of the Dragon](https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a36342276/house-of-the-dragon-hbo-game-of-thrones-prequel/) ancestor, however... He offers up Craghas Crabfeeder's hammer (which I guess was his weapon of choice, though we never saw him use it) and says to add it to the Iron Throne. Princess Rhaenyra returns to King's Landing early and is shocked to find her uncle, Daemon, back in front of the king. [go to war with a pirate named the Crabfeeder](https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a40911484/house-of-the-dragon-episode-3-recap/), then immediately transition to an episode all about finding a husband.

Rebecca Onion: Laura! Last week we marveled at the fact that Daemon, despite obviously being the troublemaker on this show (and also being named Daemon), had ...

I think his goal is both to compromise her and to make her want him, laying the groundwork for his pitch to Viserys that he marry her. Daemon knows that Rhaenyra is attracted to him, so he takes her on this educational little tour of how the other half lives and thinks, culminating in a tour of a whorehouse to get her worked up enough to succumb to their mutual attraction. I sense that Daemon, for all that he wants to marry Rhaenyra for her position and to have sex with a niece he thinks is hot, also has some desire to protect her from this scenario, which he thinks may end with her head on a pike, and is trying to give her more evidence that people aren’t with her, to convince her she needs him by her side. And I forgot about the “lying to Alicent” Rhaenyra did!! Clearly, he was willing for plenty of his men to suffer and die rather than share credit for victory over the Crabfeeder. Viserys was pretty mean to Alicent, laughing at her for offering to show Daemon her new tapestries, and then later on that night having sex with her while his open sores were weeping. Her reaction to seeing the play that Daemon takes her to in disguise, where citizens of “the realm” (which, that’s cheesy as hell, I agree) boo her effigy on stage and clearly want her brother to take the throne instead, is to say, basically, “They will have to get used to it.” She has no evidence, except for the fact that she wants it and that her father is still behind her, and by now she should know that Viserys doesn’t make good decisions. Regardless, I do agree that Rhaenyra seducing Ser Criston was extremely selfish and short-sighted, and maybe the worst thing she’s done so far. People go on and on about how ill-suited Viserys is for power, but this made me think that Rhaenyra is equally so, just in a different way. Rhaenyra marrying Daemon would suit him very well, both because he’s attracted to her and because he wants power, and he might be able to get that by making her fall in love with him (or, I guess, just activating the pre-existing chemistry they seem to have with one another—and yes, I know I’m typing that about uncle-niece incest, but I think it’s the show’s fault, not mine). She wants to be queen, but she doesn’t want to accept any of the responsibilities that come with it.

Daemon Targaryen is riding high off of sweet victory in the Stepstones, and Princess Rhaenyra has to figure out who she wants to marry.

I'll take her as she is and wed her in the tradition of our house," Daemon says, adding that he and Rhaenyra can return the House of the Dragon to its proper glory. Viserys breezes in, explaining that it was Aegon "The Conquerer" Targaryen's, and that the last of the Valyrion pyromancers inscribed Aegon's song in the steel. King Viserys thanks Hightower for being a valuable servant to the realm as he plucks the Hand badge off of Hightower's tunic. To save you a Google: Rhaenyra is 18 in the story, and the actress who plays her, Milly Alcock, is 22. Rhaenyra swears on the memory of Queen Aemma that Daemon never touched her, and Alicent buys it. Before the night is over, Otto Hightower receives a report that Rhaenyra and Daemon were seen together at the White Worm pleasure house. A rejected Rhaenyra goes to sit on a bench in the corner of the party. Cloaked in a commoner's garb, the secret path leads her to Daemon, who escorts Rhaenyra out into the streets of King's Landing. Aegon the babe prince might long proclaim, he has two things Rhaenyra cannot: A conqueror's name and a cock." This is apparently a big deal -- big enough to get Hand of the King Otto Hightower sweating. She then realizes the poor taste of saying this to the queen, and winces in embarrassment. "My crown and the Stepstones are yours," he says as he bends the knee.

House of the Dragon's fourth episode drops the battles and politics for a weird family night off for Rhaenyra and Daemon, one that brings the show's ...

[Relationships are reduced to tools](https://www.polygon.com/23322393/house-dragon-houses-characters-explained) and proxy warfare — which makes them all the more volatile, and a family conflict that much more dire. [Game of Thrones](https://www.polygon.com/game-of-thrones), this show is set during a time where people have dragons. This is the paradox every character must wrestle with: Family as a way to fulfill human need, and family as a way to secure power. [House of the Dragon](https://www.polygon.com/house-of-the-dragon) finally starts to bring the compellingly fucked-up family dynamics it has quietly set up to the fore. This isn’t because the king is shooting the messenger (at least not completely), but because Viserys is finally beginning to see that maybe his falling for Alicent was a manipulation, that his loveless nights with his new queen are the product of political gamesmanship. Her father, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) then loses his job as Hand of the King not long after breaking the news of the scandal to Viserys. [House of the Dragon](https://www.polygon.com/23287745/house-of-the-dragon-pilot-game-of-thrones-hbo-fire-and-blood) has a lot of ground to cover, so it’s a bit surprising that it’s able to devote nearly an entire episode to what’s effectively a walkabout. Later, when Viserys receives word of what happened between the two of them, Daemon makes a Hail Mary that may or may not have been the goal all along: Asking for Rhaenyra’s hand in marriage. [House of the Dragon](https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516586&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hbomax.com%2Fseries%2Fhouse-of-the-dragon%3Foffer_id%3D5%26transaction_id%3D102c87c7%255B%25E2%2580%25A6%255D4ed39326beedc6012ca%26utm_source%3DVox%2BMedia%26utm_medium%3Daffiliate&referrer=polygon.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.polygon.com%2F23344676%2Fhouse-dragon-episode-4-review-targaryen) is a family show. (Probably not, though his fondness is likely real.) Was his ultimate goal to seduce her, have her seen in a brothel (mission accomplished), or was he just organically taking her to the place where he spends his days? After [the big spectacle of last week](https://www.polygon.com/23331475/house-dragon-episode-3-daemon-crabfeeder-dragon-battle), and the [kingdom-wide politicking](https://www.polygon.com/23321995/house-dragon-crabfeeder-stepstones-free-cities-explained) of prior episodes, House of the Dragon slows down and narrows its focus to [the three Targaryens at the center](https://www.polygon.com/game-of-thrones/23058669/house-of-the-dragon-cast-characters-story-fire-and-blood-targaryens) of its grand story and the people closest to them. Together the pair wander a mass of humanity where street performers, vendors, and sex workers ply their trades, and what begins as a bit of thrill-seeking fun takes a dark and strange turn when Daemon leads Rhaenyra into a brothel, and the two nearly have sex before Daemon, at the last minute, leaves in

Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) has just returned from a woefully unsuccessful “tour” arranged by her father in which she listens to and rejects an increasingly absurd ...

Whether she realizes it or not, she’ll soon have an even bigger target on her back as heir — and the offense she’s just learned to play, using sex as a pathway to real power, is about to get much more serious. Viserys orders her to marry Laenor Velaryon, who we learned last episode is both an ideal political match, as the son of the Sea Snake Corlys, and a really hot dragon-rider. The former sex worker, now Daemon’s on-again, off-again lover, has gained the nickname of “the white worm” because of her tendency to dress in white and burrow her way into possession of secrets. When she snarks that he’s using her as a prize to assuage his political headaches, he snaps, “You are my political headache!” The revelation that Viserys isn’t as easily manipulated as he’s appeared to be loses its heft, however, given that in this case, Otto is telling the truth: The princess has been dallying with her uncle and has risked tarnishing her reputation. The king, when he’s not using her for sex and childbearing, openly undermines Alicent — a casual slight that becomes much greater when you’re essentially a sexual prisoner who has to behave as though you aren’t. Rhaenyra, self-interested above all else, has a difficult time seeing outside of herself to recognize the way other people are compromised by the political and sexual games they have to play. From the opening moments, where our poor shrimp of a lad has to ask Rhaenyra for her hand despite being far too young for marriage and having never laid eyes on her before, we see sex as a game of politics over desire. Ser Criston (Fabien Frankel) clearly sees her as the annoying brat he has to babysit, and he’s at first extremely reluctant to take what she’s offering. She’s far too young to fully understand how Daemon has manipulated her emotionally, to grasp that he’s spent years grooming her as a pawn for exactly this purpose. Rhaenyra, just as she has done from the start, dismisses their opinions, but Daemon has another lesson to teach her about the way the world works. Daemon has several purposes in introducing her to the dusty peasants of King’s Landing.

Rhaenyra and Daemon enjoy a wild night and harsh morning in King's Landing in the latest episode of the 'Game of Thrones' prequel series.

It continues, as Daemon brings Rhaenyra to one final stop on his tour through King’s Landing: a pleasure house on the Street of Silk, “where people come to take what they want.” Surrounded by dozens of individuals in varying stages of undress (not to mention varying positions and permutations while undressed), Daemon and Rhaenyra take what they want: each other. Alas, even now, the heir of it all hangs heavy in the air, as Rhaenyra and Daemon wind up watching a street performance that crudely conveys the King’s perceived dilemma of who will succeed him on the Iron Throne, his public and private promises regarding Rhaenyra’s ascension notwithstanding. Together, passing drinks back and forth, they go out for a night on the town, free from “the burdens of [their] inheritance,” if only temporarily. For the first time since her father announced his betrothal to her best friend, Rhaenyra sees much of her own plight reflected in Alicent. As Rhaenyra bemoans the proposal process, Alicent points out that not everyone in Westeros has the luxury of choosing their own spouse. But the crown comes off in no time at all, as the prince who breaks promises bends the knee to his brother, King Viserys (Paddy Considine), in a very public display of affection, followed by a celebration held in Daemon’s honor.

Daemon plays some nasty games, as Rhaenyra comes face to face with the double standards of royal patriarchy. NOW STREAMING: ...

Not only that, he turns around and (metaphorically) kills the messenger, recognizing that Otto’s reporting of this incident is, at least in part, fueled by his own desire to see his blood (his grandson Aegon) on the throne. And so it goes that Hoes of the Dragon Episode 4, “King of the Narrow Sea,” uses sex and perception to shake up the dynamics of its central cast. Both parties involved take decidedly different tacks to the accusations: Rhaenyra swears on her mother’s life that nothing happened (a lie, but not a total one, since we pick up on the fact that Daemon couldn’t get himself up to do the deed), while Daemon himself gloats to Viserys in the throne room that he did deflower his niece. This is where we see the full extent of Daemon’s plan: come back with gifts and contrition, then bed Rhaenyra and force Viserys to let him marry her, thus giving him access to the throne. He takes her to a pleasure house, where Alcock’s lips curl upwards at the sight of men and woman taking pleasure in each other’s bodies. For an heir apparent who’s been stuck in procedure and tradition for years, such a move feels like the one thing she’s managed to do for herself. The more the night goes on, the more Daemon’s outing with Rhaenyra feels deliberate — both a chance to free his niece from the confines of her position and a way to undermine his brother’s rule. But the illusion is shattered with a small actor’s troupe, who playact her family story and all but predict Aegon will take the throne as Rhaenyra, being a woman is too “feeble.” Aegon, meanwhile, has two things needed to rule: “A conquerer’s name, and a cock.” By the weirwood tree, the two bond: Daemon purrs at her that “this is a tragic world,” and one must not be afraid of it. They’re too old, or too young, or too impetuous — two of them break out in a fight, and the victor is a boy no older than twelve. [Emily Carey](https://thespool.net/tag/emily-carey)) has given birth to Viserys’ ( [Paddy Considine](https://thespool.net/tag/paddy-considine)) son, Aegon, sure to present a real threat to Rhaenyra’s ( [Milly Alcock](https://thespool.net/tag/milly-alcock)) claim to the throne — despite Viserys’ entreaties otherwise, provided she takes a smart, strategic partner to wed. Just in time, it seems, for Daemon to emerge from his victory, sporting a makeshift crown and a close-cropped haircut (thank god, this wig looks a bit better on him).

A blonde girl and a blonde man in regal dress stand in a garden. Credit: HBO. > Entertainment ...

The boy gives Mysaria a handful of money, and just like that we know who our White Worm is. "I learned that the skin trade could only take me so far in this life." Later we get our answer courtesy of a hungover Daemon, who wakes up in a bed belonging to his former girlfriend, Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno). "Apologies for the late hour, my lord," a soldier says to Hightower. We won't go over all the grisly details from that night, but the sequence of events is still important. Crucially, though, after Daemon abruptly disappears, we see a young boy watching as Rhaenyra leaves the brothel looking for him.

Later, Rhaenyra stands aboard a ship on her way back to King's Landing. Dialogue between the Princess and Criston Cole helpfully informs us that several months ...

Everyone deserves the throne, and everyone deserves not to have the throne. He wanted to put an heir on the throne and hitch his family to royalty for time and all eternity. Before Aegon’s death, his song was engraved in the steel: “From my blood come the Prince That was Promised and his will be the Song of Ice and Fire.” “The Queen wants to have a chat,” he states. Ever the coolheaded cat, Daemon replies, “Give me Rhaenyra to take to wife and we will return the House of the Dragon to its proper glory.” He doesn’t really care about Rhaenyra (or does he?), Daemon just wants the Iron Throne. Daemon doesn’t deny the claim that he “ruined” Rhaenyra — and if he did, so what? She cuts right to the chase: “Did you f**k Daemon in a pleasure house?” Rhaenyra freaks out and calls the vile accusation idle gossip. The next morning, he relays the boy’s info to the King. Well, he sailed home to Driftmark (sure) and left the Stepstones to the sea (uh-huh). He drops the Crabfeeder’s weapon and suggests adding it to the throne. Daemon is giving Rhaenyra a taste if the adult life, or maybe even the life of a commoner. Also, Viserys just told Rhaenyra to follow her heart and choose the suitor she feels will make her happy.

'House of the Dragon' Episode 4: Sex! Deceit! We discuss what happens between Daemon and Rhaenyra in "King of the Narrow Sea."

According to co-showrunner Miguel Sapochnik, in a featurette that aired after the episode: “Ultimately, his impotence in the scene is a reflection of the fact that he knows, deep down, that what he’s doing isn’t right.” It was how unaware she was that the act was all about her uncle messing with his brother, the king, and the line of succession for the Iron Throne. * Was Rhaenyra taking notes during her trip to the pillow house? (Again, not something I expected having to state for the record.) But as someone who covered Game of Thrones throughout its run and who has read plenty of Martins’ work, I’ve made my peace with the fact that It was about how she clearly has an attraction to Daemon, and how he played the long game with that, for his own gain. [House of the Dragon](https://tvline.com/tag/house-of-the-dragon/) depicted the scene that readers of George R.R.

'House of the Dragon' Episode 4 was shocking for nearly everyone but the cast. Here's what star Milly Alcock had to say about it.

[Episode Four](https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a41132598/house-of-the-dragon-episode-4-recap/), the young [Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen](https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a41040403/how-is-rhaenyra-targaryen-related-daenerys-house-of-the-dragon/) (Milly Alcock) and her uncle, Prince Daemon (Matt Smith), get hot and heavy in a brothel. Buckle up, boys and girls, because this was only Episode Four of House of the Dragon. I think that she understands that there’s a feeling here [with Daemon], but she’s not quite sure where it lands, and how to behave with it and navigate it." "So, that was our first time walking through the brothel, and he’s guiding her through the room with all of these other bodies. Well, for fans of the [sex scenes from Game of Thrones ](https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a12223942/best-game-of-thrones-sex-scenes/)between siblings Cersei and Jaime Lannister, or aunt and nephew Daenerys Targaryen and Jon Snow, many are supporting Rhaenyra and Daemon's taboo affair. Otto Hightower informs the King of Daemon and Rhaenyra's "coupling," as he nervously calls it, and the prince is banished from the realm for the second time in just four episodes. "We all were judging the Lannisters for 8 seasons but now rooting for Rhaenyra and Daemon within 4 episodes," one Twitter user [wrote](https://twitter.com/starboisurg29/status/1569178386643419143). So, it was quite comfortable," Milly Alcock told the [New York Post](https://nypost.com/2022/09/11/house-of-the-dragons-milly-alcock-reflects-on-gnarly-incest-scene/). Martin](https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a40966786/george-rr-martin-star-wars/)'s fantasy epic has also become synonymous with its controversial [sex scenes](https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a12223942/best-game-of-thrones-sex-scenes/). Like the royal families of old, incest made up for some of the most important relationships in Game of Thrones—a tradition that the prequel series, [House of the Dragon](https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a40897130/house-of-the-dragon-hbo-release-schedule/), seems hellbent on carrying on. "Clare Kilner, our director, made sure that we hadn’t seen any of the brothel stuff until we were shooting," Alcock continued.

Daemon Targaryen rides high off of sweet victory in the Stepstones, and Princess Rhaenyra has to figure out who she wants to marry.

I'll take her as she is and wed her in the tradition of our house," Daemon says, adding that he and Rhaenyra can return the House of the Dragon to its proper glory. Viserys breezes in, explaining that it was Aegon "The Conqueror" Targaryen's, and that the last of the Valyrion pyromancers inscribed Aegon's song in the steel. King Viserys thanks Hightower for being a valuable servant to the realm as he plucks the Hand badge off of Hightower's tunic. To save you a Google: Rhaenyra is 18 in the story, and the actress who plays her, Milly Alcock, is 22. Rhaenyra swears on the memory of Queen Aemma that Daemon never touched her, and Alicent buys it. Before the night is over, Otto Hightower receives a report that Rhaenyra and Daemon were seen together at the White Worm pleasure house. A rejected Rhaenyra goes to sit on a bench in the corner of the party. Cloaked in a commoner's garb, the secret path leads her to Daemon, who escorts Rhaenyra out into the streets of King's Landing. Aegon the babe prince might long proclaim, he has two things Rhaenyra cannot: A conqueror's name and a cock." This is apparently a big deal -- big enough to get Hand of the King Otto Hightower sweating. She then realizes that saying this to the queen is in poor taste, and she winces in embarrassment. Just look at him: He's married to a lady in the vale, and we haven't even seen her yet.

Daemon Targaryen rides high off of sweet victory in the Stepstones, and Princess Rhaenyra has to figure out who she wants to marry.

I'll take her as she is and wed her in the tradition of our house," Daemon says, adding that he and Rhaenyra can return the House of the Dragon to its proper glory. Viserys breezes in, explaining that it was Aegon "The Conqueror" Targaryen's, and that the last of the Valyrion pyromancers inscribed Aegon's song in the steel. King Viserys thanks Hightower for being a valuable servant to the realm as he plucks the Hand badge off of Hightower's tunic. To save you a Google: Rhaenyra is 18 in the story, and the actress who plays her, Milly Alcock, is 22. Rhaenyra swears on the memory of Queen Aemma that Daemon never touched her, and Alicent buys it. Before the night is over, Otto Hightower receives a report that Rhaenyra and Daemon were seen together at the White Worm pleasure house. A rejected Rhaenyra goes to sit on a bench in the corner of the party. Cloaked in a commoner's garb, the secret path leads her to Daemon, who escorts Rhaenyra out into the streets of King's Landing. Aegon the babe prince might long proclaim, he has two things Rhaenyra cannot: A conqueror's name and a cock." This is apparently a big deal -- big enough to get Hand of the King Otto Hightower sweating. She then realizes that saying this to the queen is in poor taste, and she winces in embarrassment. Just look at him: He's married to a lady in the vale, and we haven't even seen her yet.

In House of the Dragon Episode 4, "King of the Narrow Sea," sex and power prove to be more inextricable than ever.

The king thanks him for his service to the Crown and relieves him of his responsibilities — and then he has a Maester take a morning after potion to Rhaenyra, just for good measure. Though Rhaenyra has sworn to Alicent that nothing has happened between Daemon and her, and though Alicent has assured the king that the prince only said what he said out of spite, Viserys isn’t entirely convinced. [Game of Thrones](https://collider.com/tag/game-of-thrones/) universe, and [House of the Dragon](https://collider.com/tag/house-of-the-dragon/) is no exception to this rule. And so, King Viserys calls Lord Otto to the Small Council room for the last of a series of unpleasant conversations. In true Targaryen fashion, Daemon asks Viserys for Rhaenyra’s hand in marriage, but the king won’t have it, especially since the prince already has a wife waiting for him in the Vale — a wife to whom he should return right away. Will Daemon do as he is told for once or will he pull a completely unexpected stunt just like the last time the king banished him to the Vale? Instead, he bends the knee to Viserys and relinquishes his crown of bones, earning back his place in court [in Episode 1](https://collider.com/house-of-the-dragon-season-1-episode-1-recap-the-heirs-of-the-dragon/) — but then her uncle-turned-lover chickens out at the last minute and runs off on her. Contrary to what the episode’s title suggests, Daemon isn’t holding on to his title of King of the Narrow Sea. She drinks cheap booze, has fun with acrobats and fortune-tellers, and watches a satirical play that reveals a lot about what the people truly think of having an heir as their future queen. [Emilia Clarke](https://collider.com/tag/emilia-clarke/)) and Jon Snow ( [Kit Harington](https://collider.com/tag/kit-harington/)) walked so that their Targaryen ancestors could fly. The topic has been orbiting the show’s main plots ever since Episode 1, insinuating itself through the horror of Queen Aemma’s (Sian Brooke) fate, Lady Alicent’s (Emily Carey) rise to the king’s side, and even Prince Daemon’s ( [Matt Smith](https://collider.com/tag/matt-smith/)) retreat to Dragonstone.

Episode 4 of House of the Dragon starts with Rhaenyra listening to a number of different suitors as they step forward and pitch their claim to be her ...

It’s a way of showing the difference between duty and pleasure, as well as how stifling and passionless some arranged marriages can be. Unlike something like Rings of Power, which repeats the same information repeatedly and sacrifices good storytelling for good visuals, HOTD is easily winning this “fantasy war”. Viserys is conflicted over what to do and eventually brings Rhaenyra in to see him so they can talk. Back inside, Alicent is summoned to see Viserys in the middle of the night, where he ends up having sex with her. He takes the title from the Hand, pointing out he can’t trust Otto’s judgment anymore, leaving the man shocked and incredulous. Viserys calls her his “political headache” and goes on to decide they should set up a wedding to Ser Laenor Velaryon. Viserys kicks him and demands the truth. In the aftermath of this, Daemon and Rhaenyra talk about their changed fates in this world, including the latter’s numerous suitor proposals. Lord Corlys has engaged in negotiations with the Sealord of Braavos. Speaking of power, Viserys gathers the small council in the throne room where they have bigger problems afoot. He drops one of his own, “Add it to the chair.” It’s unclear right now what sort of game he’s playing (if any), and you could cut the tension with a knife.

See the best easter eggs, callbacks, and background details in "King of the Narrow Sea," which features Daemon Targaryen's return to King's Landing.

They are the only two families who survived the Doom of Valyria, and credit for that goes to a young girl named Daenys. "House of the Dragon" airs Sundays on HBO at 9 p.m. Though they don't name it, the scene between Rhaenyra and the Grand Maester makes it clear that he has brewed her a batch of moon tea. The drink is used around Westeros, most frequently in brothels, to prevent pregnancy or abort an early stage pregnancy in women who have had sex recently. Rhaenyra, on the other hand, seems dressed in a way that closely matches her episode one dress. In his brief stint as king (which lasted about six years), Maegor enlisted a bunch of builders and stone masons to create hidden passageways and rooms throughout a holdfast inside the walls of the castle grounds. Now "House of the Dragon" hopped forward a bit in time, so her second baby has been born already. More accurately, Mysaria is a "mistress" of whispers in King's Landing now. But "House of the Dragon" seems to have taken liberties with rearranging the story, making it so the younger Blackwood is the victor. In a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment, you can see that Rhaenyra seems to have eaten the top lemon slice off of multiple cakes. [Valyrian steel necklace](https://www.insider.com/house-of-the-dragon-season-1-episode-1-recap-hbo-2022-8#rhaenyra-also-mentions-dark-sister-which-is-the-name-of-prince-daemons-valyrian-steel-sword-6) that Daemon gave Rhaenyra in episode one (which also serves as her sigil in the show's opening credits). Fall is upon the kingdom, and a restlessness seems to follow.