“House of the Dragon” S1 Episode 4 Review: The King’s Most Dangerous Night
In “House of the Dragon” season one, episode four, we get an idea of Daemon’s depravity. The episode starts with Rhaenyra listening to various suitors, but soon Daemon swaggers into the room, following his dramatic victory over the Crabfeeder, and declares himself, basically, the king of the Narrow Sea. Once Daemon is crowned, he drops the crown and lowers himself to his knees, claiming that Viserys is the true King.
Rhaenyra, in a growing problem in “House of the Dragon,” does not like any of her potential suitors. She rejects them all as either too young, too old, or just plain too comely. This relationship between Rhaenyra and Daemon is one key story in this episode, and several more no doubt. The other is Rhaenyra’s wandering heart. Did you think, at this point, these two stories would come to dominate the series?
House of the Dragon Season One Episode Four
There are again two big stories in season 1 episode 4 of “House of the Dragon.” They both have big reverberations through the first season and beyond. The first story is Daemon’s brave victory over the Crabfeeder. We learn he is capable and megalomaniacal. The second big story, which also has a long reach, is Rhaenyra trying to choose a suitor/husband.
A Big Victory for Daemon over the Crabfeeder
After his victory, Daemon swaggers into the throne room. He is quite happy with his victory. After he drops the crown, he declares his brother, King Viserys, the true king. Viserys tells Daemon the realm, and he owes him a great debt. This scene runs counter to the previous episodes where there was tension between the two brothers.
The two stories intertwine, as flush with his victory, Daemon bonds with Rhaenyra. They discuss their shared changed fates in this world, including the latter’s numerous suitor proposals. It seems the two have quite a bit in common. None of Rhaenyra’s courtship is in the name of love; it is all about power and titles. Her father tries to marry her off against her will.
That night, Rhaenyra sneaks out with Daemon. The pair wander through the bustling streets near the Red Keep, eventually stumbling upon a stage play re-enacting the birth of Rhaenyra’s brother, Aegon. The two eventually end up in Daemon’s favorite local haunt, a brothel. Soft moans echo through the hallways of the brothel, as Daemon tells Rhaenyra, “fucking is as much a pleasure for the woman as it is a man.” He speaks with experienced confidence.
And with that, we see the true Targaryen destiny come into focus. The two have much in common, including their power, confusion, and dragon riding. As Daemon and Rhaenyra kiss, he leaves her. It seems, however, her passions have been ignited; she ends up back at the palace again sleeping with Ser Criston Cole
How to Wed, or Bed, a Queen
We see Rhaenyra decline a long list of potential suitors. Finding a mate for her is a major preoccupation of her father, King Viserys. he seems upset with his own failure to produce a male heir, and he projects his desire on Rhaenyra. Eventually, she will wed and produce several children, many of whom are male. However, at this time, it is important to remember she starts the episode as a virgin.
She does not end up that way. This episode is an important way point in her journey from virginal heir to the throne to independent woman. Ser Criston Cole himself is very important. He ends up sleeping with Alicent after the King dies. He even becomes the Hand of the King. Alicent, for her part, gets into the action in this episode of “House of the Dragon” as she sleeps with her husband, the King.
Final Verdict: Is Daemon Crazy and Does Sex Sell?
However, the two storylines persist in this episode of “House of the Dragon” and are thus important. First, Daemon had a big victory in this episode of “House of the Dragon.” He is crowned King of the Narrow Sea after his victory and quickly gives up the crown. Then kisses Rhaenyra and leaves her in a whorehouse. The next morning, he is carried into the throne room and is kicked out of the Kingdom by King Viserys. Rhaenyra has sex with Ser Criston Cole after returning from the whorehouse, and Alicent has sex with the king. This is as graphic as the series has gotten thus far. Maybe it was a ploy to increase viewership?
Watch this and other episodes of “House of the Dragons” on HBO Max.
