WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 1, episode 8!The leader of King’s Landing’s successful spy network is back in House of the Dragon episode 8, with Mysaria’s return setting up more twists for the Targaryens. Mysaria has been positioned as House of the Dragon’s version of Game of Thrones’ Lord Varys, the clever Master of Whisperers and espionage organizer. The White Worm hasn’t been seen since House of the Dragon episode 4 when she informed Otto Hightower of Daemon and Rhaenyra’s sexual encounter in a pleasure house, but episode 8 reveals that she’s still been keeping tabs on the secrets of the Targaryen greens over the past 16 years.
Mysaria’s return coincides with the arrival of Rhaenyra’s family and the claimants to Driftmark at King’s Landing, which exposes many of the skeletons in the Targaryen family’s closet. While Rhaenyra and Alicent may have thought that they were keeping low profiles and carefully covering up any secrets, Mysaria’s appearance in House of the Dragon episode 8’s ending proves this isn’t the case. Rather, Mysaria has employed Alicent’s personal handmaiden as one of her most trusted informants, meaning House of the Dragon's White Worm is aware of each fault, cover-up, and crime committed by the Targaryen green party. Not only was the handmaiden Talya present when Alicent gave Dyana the moon tea after Aegon sexually assaulted her, but she would also have integral knowledge of the personal arguments that took place during the Targaryen family’s chaotic feast. King Viserys’ death brings all of these familial grievances, secrets, and crimes to the surface, with Mysaria now having key insight into the conspiracies that will follow.
Why Alicent’s Servant Is Working For Mysaria
Over the past several time jumps in House of the Dragon season 1, Mysaria has built herself a vast empire within King’s Landing, with her notability for obtaining critical information earning her big clients. In House of the Dragon episode 4, Mysaria was being paid by Hand of the King Otto Hightower for her intel, suggesting she’s accumulated enough wealth to hire servants and discreetly infiltrate the Red Keep. It seems that Mysaria either arranged for Talya to be placed on Alicent’s staff, or bribed Talya to give her information after discovering her proximity to the crown. Talya is apparently Mysaria’s most high-stakes informant, but House of the Dragon teases that she isn’t the White Worm’s only eye and ear in the Red Keep.
What Mysaria’s Return Means For House Of The Dragon
WARNING! Spoilers ahead for George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood!It’s no coincidence that Mysaria returns to House of the Dragon in the same episode that King Viserys Targaryen finally dies, meaning she and her spy network will have to subtly pledge loyalty to either the greens or blacks. While Varys’ loyalties were more ambiguous in Game of Thrones, the mysterious Lady Mysaria’s former romance with Daemon Targaryen means she’s apt to be partial to the blacks – despite having previously worked with Otto Hightower. Ultimately, Mysaria will be working for the side that benefits her the most, but her established relationship with Daemon allows the blacks to be more trusting of her spy network and skillful criminal enterprise.
Similar to the espionage rivalries between Varys and Littlefinger in Game of Thrones, Mysaria’s competition in House of the Dragon will be Lord Larys Strong. Considering Larys has already pledged his skills to the greens through his demonstrated partnership with Queen Alicent Hightower, the blacks will be employing Mysaria as the unofficial Mistress of Whisperers to Rhaenyra Targaryen. With Rhaenyra back on Dragonstone at the time of King Viserys’ death, she and Daemon will no doubt require Mysaria’s intel from the Red Keep in order to learn of the circumstances behind the greens usurping the Iron Throne.
New episodes of House of the Dragon release Sundays on HBO/HBO Max.