While book readers certainly knew what was coming, many fans were left surprised by the shocking developments of tonight's installment of House of the Dragon, as Daemon (Matt Smith) and Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) took their relationship to a different level. The princess and her uncle had their first romantic encounter, which was ultimately cut short by Daemon, but unfortunately for the pair, the damage was already done.
With the seed planted for their future relationship, chaos began to ensue in the realm as eyewitnesses started to spread the word about the tryst. When Viserys (Paddy Considine) found out, he quickly arranged for his rebellious daughter to marry Laenor Velaryon (Theo Nate), a political move that would unite the two most powerful houses and presumably strengthen her claim to the throne.
The episode also revealed something previously unknown to Fire and Blood readers as it confirmed the true nature of the relationship between Rhaenyra and Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel), who ends up taking the Princess' virginity. The moment may seem insignificant for now, but it's something that will have ramifications in a few years following her marriage to Laenor.
However, thanks to the promo, we know a lot of pain and destruction is on the horizon and the succession plan of a dying Viserys is going to be heavily challenged by Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), who wants his own grandson Aegon II on the throne and will do anything in his power to make it happen. So buckle up, because it's about to get very, very messy.
Check out the new preview for episode five, titled "We Light The Way," below:
Season One features Paddy Considine, Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Fabien Frankel, Sonoya Mizuno, and Rhys Ifans, with Milly Alcock, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Emily Carey, Harry Collett, Ryan Corr, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jefferson Hall, David Horovitch, Wil Johnson, John Macmillan, Graham McTavish, Ewan Mitchell, Theo Nate, Matthew Needham, Bill Paterson, Phia Saban, Gavin Spokes, and Savannah Steyn.
Based on George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” the series, set 200 years before the events of “Game of Thrones,” tells the story of House Targaryen.