HBO’s House of the Dragon season one episode four tests fans loyalty to #TeamRhaenyra and finally allows Alicent to show a little personality. Airing on September 11, 2022, “King of the Narrow Sea” focuses on key relationships and the politics of sitting on the Iron Throne. Episode four also serves to confirm what’s going on between Princess Rhaenyra and her uncle isn’t PG-rated.
Episode four begins with Princess Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) listening to speeches delivered by elderly men and boys who are seeking her hand. She’s unimpressed, fidgety, and barely conceals a laugh as a young boy from House Blackwood attempts to win her over while being heckled by another potential suitor, a lord from House Bracken. (There’s no love lost between those two Houses.)
Swords are drawn and Rhaenyra leaves the room, all pretense at patience over as a fight breaks out between suitors. Blackwood emerges victorious.
Rhaenyra orders Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) to send instructions to ready the ship. She’s eager to return to King’s Landing and end this ridiculous pageant early.
On the ship, she seeks Criston’s opinion about how her father will take her dismissing all suitors and returning two months early. He declines to answer just as Daemon’s dragon, Caraxes, deliberately hits the ship before flying on to King’s Landing.
King Viserys (Paddy Considine) is seated on the Iron Throne as everyone gathers for the dramatic return of Prince Daemon. Princess Rhaenyra shadows Daemon (Matt Smith) as he approaches the King, and Daemon’s stopped by Lord Commander Ser Harrold Westerling (Graham McTavish) before he gets too close. Daemon presents his brother with a weapon to add to the throne.
Viserys wonders why he’s wearing a crown and Daemon explains he’s been named King of the Narrow Sea. “But I know that there is only one true King, Your Grace,” he says, kneeling. He gives his crown and the Stepstones to King Viserys.
Daemon confirms Lord Corlys Velaryon has returned home and there’s no one guarding the Stepstones.
Viserys accepts the crown and commands his brother to rise. They hug and all assembled applaud. Viserys admits the realm owes Daemon a great debt.
Later, a feast is laid out outside and the mood is festive. Viserys and Daemon joke about who was their mother’s favorite, with Viserys conceding he was never a great warrior. Princess Rhaenyra congratulates her uncle as Viserys and Daemon laugh at the Queen’s suggestion Daemon should view the new tapestries.
A few stern looks and a quick exchange indicate King Viserys isn’t happy Rhaenyra cut her tour short.
Rhaenyra separates herself from the celebration and Queen Alicent (Emily Carey) joins her for a quiet chat. They discuss the “tour” and Alicent reminds her that it’s rare for women to get a choice of who to marry. Rhaenyra says these men aren’t wooing her; they simply want her name and Valyrian blood. Still, Alicent thinks it’s romantic. Rhaenyra is cruel when she suggests it’s not romantic to be imprisoned in a castle and forced to squeeze out heirs.
Rhaenyra realizes her words have struck their mark and lightens the tone. She asks how angry her father is and Alicent admits he’s upset she shunned everyone after he arranged such a lengthy tour. Alicent confesses she doesn’t have many friends now, and Rhaenyra takes her hand and assures her she’s missed her too.
Next, Rhaenyra has a private chat with Daemon and wonders about his real motivation for returning to King’s Landing. Daemon claims he needs the comforts of home, but Rhaenyra isn’t convinced that’s why he’s back. They compliment each other on maturing over the last four years, and Rhaenyra confesses she doesn’t like the idea of being sold off to whatever lord has the biggest castle.
Daemon smiles and reminds her there are worse things to be sold for. Plus, once she weds, she can do as she likes. It’s strictly a political arrangement. “You cannot live your life in fear, or you will forsake the best parts of it,” says Daemon.
Daemon comments on his dislike for his own wife and has no intention of impregnating her, noting a child probably wouldn’t grow in such a hostile environment.
The small council meets and Princess Rhaenyra is seated at the table with the men, a promotion from being just the king’s cupbearer. The topic is the Sea Snake’s continuing wounded pride over Lady Laena being passed over for Alicent. Grand Maester Mellos (David Horovitz) describes Lord Corlys as an overly proud man and thinks they should try to fix the slight. The Hand, Ser Otto Hightower (Rhy Ifans), interjects to reveal Corlys is working with the Sealord of Braavos. Corlys is offering a marriage between Lady Laena and the Sealord’s son.
If they wed, then that alliance with the Free Cities would mean King Viserys would need to seek his own marriage pact.
Elsewhere, Alicent tries to soothe her crying baby while Rhaenyra heads to bed, with her door guarded by Ser Criston.
Rhaenyra goes through a bag of clothes that have been left in her room and discovers a rolled-up note. It’s a map of her room with an X marking a spot on the wall next to her bed. She moves the furniture away and pushes open a secret door. She smiles and then disguises herself in the shabby clothes and a beanie from the bag.
She explores the secret passageway and discovers Daemon waiting for her. He’s wearing a cloak as they head off into the city. They walk among the townsfolk, some playing music, others having sex, and all having a good time. They’re unrecognizable and one man even calls Rhaenyra a boy as they make their way down the streets.
Meanwhile, Viserys bathes as Alicent orders his attendants to leave so she can see to her husband. He’s missing two fingers now and has other sores on his body that need caring for.
Back out on the streets, Daemon and Rhaenyra watch a play and hear the crowd boo when her name is mentioned as the heir. The crowd roars at the reenactment of Prince Aegon’s birth. An actress playing Rhaenyra sits on the throne (a toilet) as the narrator asks the crowd if they believe Rhaenyra would be a powerful queen or if she’d be feeble. Of course, the crowd answers feeble, and the narrator points out Aegon has two things Rhaenyra doesn’t: a conqueror’s name and a cock.
Daemon’s been observing Rhaenyra during this show. She claims not to care how the people feel, and her uncle advises her that she should if she expects to rule them someday.
They continue their stroll and Rhaenyra takes food without paying and runs off, enjoying the thrill of being incognito. Daemon follows, not bothering to run but at a good pace. Rhaenyra bumps into a member of the City Watch who recognizes her as the princess. He sends her on her way but not before advising her that next time she won’t be so lucky.
Daemon and Rhaenyra share a laugh as they continue to walk the streets.
The hour’s late when Viserys sends for Alicent. It’s apparent she doesn’t want to join him in bed. However, she does his bidding as an obedient queen.
Daemon takes Rhaenyra into a brothel, and she looks intrigued by all the naked people. He leads her into a room full of men and women having sex and explains this place is where people come to take what they want.
They continue to watch these strangers engaging in sex as Daemon says, “F**king is a pleasure, you see, for the woman as it is the man.” Daemon’s pleasure at the moment it seems would be to have sex with his niece.
They kiss as Daemon tells his beautiful niece that marriage is a duty, but “that doesn’t stop us from doing what we want and f**king who we want.” (Remember, the Targaryens have a history of incest, believing they need to keep their bloodline pure.)
The “marriage is a duty” point’s driven home by a shot of Alicent smiling at Viserys when he meets her eyes while having sex. When he looks away her smile quickly disappears, and her face becomes a blank slate once again.
Lust overpowers both Daemon and Rhaenyra, and they move into each other’s bodies. Daemon has his niece against the wall, back to him, as they give themselves over to their carnal feelings. (We all knew this was coming, right?) She turns around and stares into his eyes, playfully attempting to kiss him. Suddenly Daemon pulls away, pounds the wall next to Rhaenyra’s head, and leaves.
Rhaenyra’s confused as she clutches her shirt closed in front of her.
She hurries home, running past a young boy who falls into step behind her.
Alicent lies in bed staring at a rat on the bedpost while Viserys sleeps. The sheets are pulled back and the open sores on his back look painful and grotesque.
Rhaenyra makes it back to the castle and storms through the bedroom door past Ser Criston. He’s shocked to see her looking disheveled and she steals his helmet to keep him from alerting the lord commander. After she lures him into her room to retrieve his helmet, she shuts the door and kisses him. Criston stops her from taking off her shirt but allows her to lead him toward her bed.
Rhaenyra begins to remove his armor, starting with his arms. He won’t meet her eyes until she forces him to by bending down and staring into them, inches from his face. They kiss, and this time he remains still.
Rhaenyra continues to strip him of his armor. He’s conflicted and uncertain whether he should give in but, ultimately, the temptation and his urges are too strong to deny.
Criston stands before her naked, and Rhaenyra quickly loses her own minimal clothing. He’s gentle and slow as he places her on the bed. She rolls on top and is in ecstasy, and they continue making love while sitting up.
Ser Otto’s awakened by a messenger sent by the White Worm. The boy who followed Rhaenyra speaks to Otto.
Daemon wakes in a bed in the brothel, with Mysaria standing above him. He asks if he’s her prisoner and she claims she’s his protector and that she’s not a common whore. The messenger boy interrupts and hands Mysaria (aka White Worm) money from Otto.
She tells Daemon to pay for the room on his way out.
The following morning Otto meets with King Viserys to share “discomforting” news about Rhaenyra. He reports the princess was in a pleasure house “engaged in behaviors unbecoming of a maiden” with her uncle. Viserys demands specifics and Otto spits out that they were seen coupling.
Viserys refuses to believe it and orders the messenger to be brought to him. Otto refuses to reveal his source and adds that several servants saw her leaving disguised as a page in the dark of night. Viserys is upset he had Rhaenyra spied upon and believes Otto so wants his own heir on the throne that he’s willing to destroy Rhaenyra’s reputation.
It’s only after Otto leaves that Alicent makes her presence known.
Ser Criston is uneasy in Rhaenyra’s presence as he explains he has a message from Queen Alicent.
Rhaenyra meets Alicent in the godswoods and Alicent demands to know what happened the previous evening. Alicent reveals her father accused Rhaenyra of f**king Daemon in a pleasure house.
Rhaenyra pauses and her lip quivers before responding, “That is a vile accusation.” (Rhaenyra’s quite the little actress.)
Alicent believes it’s possible since the Targaryens have queer customs. Rhaenyra begs her to believe she’s innocent and that she shouldn’t believe this gossip. Alicent reveals her father was told it happened and Rhaenyra is shocked. “To question my virtue is an act of treason,” says Rhaenyra.
Alicent admits she doesn’t know who told her dad and that she only overheard her father telling the King about what happened.
Rhaenyra explains she drank in several taverns and that although it was late, she remained with Daemon because he was her escort. They watched a show and went to a brothel, but Rhaenyra claims she was only a spectator. She adds that Daemon continued drinking and left her for a whore.
“I should have known better,” says Rhaenyra, adding, “Daemon never touched me.” Rhaenyra’s really laying it on thick and even swears upon the memory of her mother that nothing happened.
Alicent reminds her she needs to be careful with her reputation so that she doesn’t ruin everything. Rhaenyra claims she regrets what happened.
The Lord Commander and two members of the Kingsguard drag Daemon before King Viserys. Alone, Viserys asks about Rhaenyra and then delivers a swift kick while claiming Daemon defiled Rhaenyra. Daemon doesn’t think it matters since they did the same thing at Rhaenyra’s age.
Viserys doesn’t see it that way and Daemon, who should have kept his mouth shut, further enrages his brother by adding, “Better her first experience be with me than some whore.”
Viserys can’t believe Daemon ruined Rhaenyra. No lord will want her now, and Viserys suggests he should just disinherit her – just as he did Daemon. “I have spent a lifetime defending you, but your heart is even blacker than I thought,” growls Viserys.
Daemon reminds Viserys that when he offered up his crown, he promised he could have what he wants. He wants to marry Rhaenyra, in the tradition of their House. It doesn’t matter that he’s already wed; Aegon the Conqueror had two wives.
“You are no conqueror! You are a plague sent to destroy me!” says Viserys, holding his brother pinned to the floor and placing a blade to his neck.
Daemon promises to restore their House to its proper glory with Rhaenyra as his wife. Viserys believes Daemon lusts for the Iron Throne, not Rhaenyra. He orders Daemon to return to his wife and the Vale, and to be gone from his sight for good.
“As you wish, brother,” says Daemon to Viserys’ retreating back.
Later, Alicent asks if Viserys has talked to Rhaenyra and he admits he hasn’t. Alicent doesn’t think Rhaenyra is a liar but does believe Daemon lies more often than he speaks the truth. Viserys asks why Daemon would confess to this and Alicent believes he did so to further degrade his brother.
Whatever happened, Viserys is sure Rhaenyra isn’t innocent. Both she and Daemon are restless and chaotic. However, Alicent believes that because Rhaenyra swore to her that she’s still a maiden, then she is in fact still a virgin.
Rhaenyra’s the next to be brought before the King. (Ser Criston and Rhaenyra exchange a look before he shuts the door.) The conversation starts off calm and friendly, and they discuss Aegon the Conqueror’s dagger. It was Aenar’s before it was Aegon’s, and before that Viserys doesn’t know whose it was.
Before Aegon’s death, the Valyrian pyromancer hid his song in the steel. The fire makes the inscription appear and it reads: “From my blood come the prince that was promised. And his will be the song of ice and fire.”
Viserys reminds Rhaenyra that as his heir he’s given her the burden of this knowledge. That knowledge is larger than the throne, larger than her desires. Viserys doesn’t care about the truth; he cares that she’s damaged her reputation. Rhaenyra can’t believe that if she was a male, she could father bastards and no one would care. But as a woman, she’s not allowed to do what she pleases.
Despite what happened, King Viserys is not going to remove her as heir. He doesn’t want to sew further division. Instead, she’s to marry Laenor Velaryon, the son of the Sea Snake. Viserys calls her his political headache and with her wedding to Velaryon, the power of their Houses will be too strong for any force to want to take on.
Rhaenyra wonders what he’ll do about Ser Otto since he will do whatever it takes to put Aegon on the throne. Unity can’t be accomplished when The Hand is so self-interested. Viserys must know his daughter’s speaking the truth but seems blind to what The Hand is doing behind the scenes.
Rhaenyra agrees to marry Laenor Velaryon but first, he must deal with Ser Otto.
Viserys summons Ser Otto and recalls the death of his healthy father, Baelon the Brave, Rider of Vhagar, Heir to the Iron Throne, five days after being named The Hand to King Jaehaerys. Baelon’s swift death opened up the position and Ser Otto stepped in.
Otto claims it was his duty to take on the position. Viserys’ tone turns accusatory as he acknowledges Otto taught him how to be king, but those five days are eating at him. In those five days, Otto went from being just another man in King Jaehaerys’ court to the second most powerful man.
“I wonder, how long did it take you to choose yourself over your King?” asks Viserys.
Viserys calls Alicent a calculated distraction placed there by Otto. Viserys describes Otto’s judgment as compromised and no longer aligning with the realm. Otto insists he’s loyal, but Viserys strips him of his title while saying, “The Crown and the realm both owe you a debt that can never be repaid.”
Viserys no longer trusts his judgment. Otto looks stunned.
The episode ends with Grand Maester Mellos paying Rhaenyra a visit to deliver a tea that will rid her of any unwanted consequences. The tea was brewed at King Viserys’ instruction.
- House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 1 “The Heirs of the Dragon” Recap and Review
- House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 2 “The Rogue Prince” Recap
- House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 3 “Second of His Name” Recap
- House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 5 “We Light the Way” Recap
- House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 6 “The Princess and the Queen” Recap
- House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 7 “Driftmark” Recap
- House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 8 “The Lord of the Tides” Recap
- House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 9 “The Green Council” Recap
- House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 10 “The Black Queen” Finale Recap
- HBO Awards House of the Dragon with an Early Season 2 Renewal Order
