Warning: SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 1, episode 4House of the Dragon season 1, episode 4 features a trio of sex scenes that hold a particular significance for the characters involved. In "King of the Narrow Sea," Daemon (Matt Smith) returns to King's Landing after his victory over the Crabfeeder and swears his allegiance to his brother King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine). Under pressure to choose a husband, Princess Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) embarks on a nighttime adventure with her uncle, during which they visit a brothel. Meanwhile, Alicent Hightower (Emily Carey) sustains her duties as queen. House of the Dragon episode 4's three sex scenes that transpire in a span of nine minutes further illustrate Alicent and Rhaenyra's diverging paths and offer insight into where the series' narrative is headed.

Game of Thrones frequently depicted graphic sex scenes that more often revolved around characters manipulating or asserting power over others than expressing love. Sexual violence was a common occurrence, with characters like Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) and Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) having been used as political pawns in marriage and sexually abused by their spouses early in their lives. House of the Dragon, which takes place two centuries before Game of Thrones, emulates this representation of politics and power dynamics through sex, though the show's writers have vowed to dial down the sexual violence that was so prevalent in its predecessor.

Related: What The Maester Gives Rhaenyra In House Of The Dragon

House of the Dragon season 1, episode 4's "coupling" sequences begin with Alicent and Viserys, who dispassionately have sex in bed. Concurrently, while perusing the brothel, Daemon and Rhaenyra kiss and begin to undress, but Daemon leaves before taking further action. Upon returning to the Red Keep, Rhaenyra encounters Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel), whom she seduces by snatching his helmet and leading him into her room, where they kiss before making love. Each of these scenes demonstrates the roles marriage and sex play in House of the Dragon's universe and how Alicent and Rhaenyra experience Westeros's expectations of women differently.

Alicent & Viserys' Sex Scene Makes Her Far More Tragic

Emily Carey as Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 4

It's fitting that Alicent's emotionless sex scene with Viserys follows the former's conversation with Rhaenyra in which the Targeryen princess sarcastically remarks on the romanticism of getting "imprisoned in a castle and made to squeeze out heirs" once she's married. Rhaenyra identifies the tragedy of her friend's story and aspires to avoid the same fate. Leading a complicated existence, Alicent does not truly love Viserys and does desire to sleep with him, but for her, having sex with her husband remains a duty. Alicent's father, Ser Otto (Rhys Ifans) encouraged her to accompany Viserys, and now that they're married, her path is decided before she has surpassed her teenage years.

At the same time, serving as queen is a lofty and privileged position, but being a woman comes with the inability to make decisions for oneself. Thus, Alicent experiences isolation, as she tells Rhaenyra, "I find I have few friends lately. I'd like to believe that I'm still the Lady Alicent, but all anyone sees when they look at me now is the queen." House of the Dragon illustrates the tragic reality of women's lives in Westeros primarily through Alicent and Rhaenyra, though the former appears to have the more tragic story at the moment.

Why Daemon Seduces Rhaenyra But Doesn't Actually Have Sex With Her

Daemon holding Rhaenyra's face

House of the Dragon season 1, episode 4, "King of the Narrow Sea," juxtaposes Alicent's isolation with Daemon's indulgence, as the prince tells his niece in the brothel as they kiss, "A marriage is a duty, yes. But that doesn't stop us from doing what we want, from f**king who we want." Unsurprisingly, Daemon's return to King's Landing carries a hidden agenda. As the Targaryen prince expresses to Viserys near episode 4's conclusion, he aspires to marry Rhaenyra, who currently stands as heir to the Iron Throne. Daemon's outing with the princess and subsequent intimacy with her indicates his aim to turn her against her father.

There are two different interpretations of how the scene between Daemon and Rhaenyra ends. One perceived by viewers is that Daemon limits their sexual encounter to seduction, thereby manipulating Rhaenyra by granting her the illusion of choice. Instead of striving to convince Viserys to allow him to marry the princess, Daemon will hurt the king more if his daughter willingly leaves him. By exposing her to the sexual agency that almost exclusively applies to men, Daemon shows Rhaenyra the freedom she could have if she abandons her father's side.

The other explanation, offered by the creative team behind House of the Dragon season 1, episode 4, adds another element to Daemon's retreat. In HBO's post-episode interviews, co-showrunner Miguel Sapochnik said, "Ultimately, his impotence in this scene is a reflection of the fact that he knows, deep down, what he's doing isn't right." Director Clare Kilner added, "He thinks it's shocking to her, but she doesn't just get shocked, she gets excited by it. And when that happens, he has nothing. And basically, he can't handle not being in charge or being in control."

What Rhaenyra Sleeping With Ser Criston Cole Really Means

Milly Alcock as Rhaenyra and Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole in House of the Dragon season 1 episode 4

In House of the Dragon episode 4's final sex scene, Rhaenyra capitalizes on Daemon's encouragement when she approaches Ser Criston. The sequence stands out because Rhaenyra is young and a woman, yet she instigates their sexual encounter, completely subverting the show's established power dynamics. By sleeping with the knight, rather than waiting for the man she marries, Rhaenyra asserts her agency and rebels against a double standard that has plagued her existence.

In Westeros, a princess such as Rhaenyra is meant to remain a virgin for her eventual suitor, though the young Targaryen has reiterated her disdain for marriage and the expectations that have been forced upon her. Rhaenyra even declares to Viserys in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 4, "Were I born a man, I could bed whomever I wanted. I could father a dozen bastards and no one in your court would blink an eye." Her awareness of this double standard, coupled with her observation of Alicent's life and Daemon's words, compel her to act on desire rather than duty. Thus, Rhaenyra's sex scene with Ser Criston is less about her love for her partner and more about her liberation.

House of the Dragon's first four episodes address Rhaenyra rejection of the destiny to which so many women before her have fallen victim. She refuses the idea of being married off to a man for her family's political gain and serving as a factory for heirs. Making love to a man with no true political standing, whom she desires, reflects Rhaenyra's growth and the path she will follow. This night represents Rhaenyra's renaissance and the start of her revolution against her father.

House of the Dragon airs new episodes on Sundays on HBO.

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