Ryan Shoots First: House of the Dragon (S1 Ep4) “King of the Narrow Sea”

This week on House of the Dragon, Rhaenyra learned some very valuable lessons. We didn’t get a whole lot of action but the man did the drama of the story take some big leaps. Rhaenyra abandons her Tinder search pretty quickly but that doesn’t make her life any easier. Her sexual awakening has begun and she’s learned from her creepy uncle that she can do whatever she wants married or not. 

The scenes with Daemon and Rhaenyra were fantastic, we went on a journey this week as they seem happy and fun, having a good time letting off some steam. They even have a cool scene where they only speak valyrian, then spend some time slacking off with the locals, taking in a show, but the scene slowly descendants into discomfort. The music changes the vibe changes and the episode never comes back up from this bleak place. It was dark and beautifully done from a thematic standpoint. This is a very touchy subject and a really gutsy angle to take but it’s done in a sensitive way, not an exploitative way. Matt Smith shines, he shows up at the beginning and even though we know he is up to something he is just to damn charming and we want so bad to think he has changed…. But he never does. The show feels like a powder keg that is ready to blow at any moment. There is a theme in this episode of people seeming to be happy at different moments and if we have learned anything in Game of Thrones it’s that happiness means something even more tragic is on the horizon. 

It looks like next week still will not see the big time jump with new actors but after some of the events this week put in motion I feel like next week will be the last in this time. It’s crazy how enthralling this show is just like Thrones was. Every scene I am encapsulated on every word, not even attempting to start the show until I can give it my undivided attention. It is drama at it’s finest and this week was a masterclass. 

Observations

• Rhaneyra literally swiping left on these fools. 
• Don’t mess with the quiet ones. 
• That crown looks like something my kids would make me for Father’s Day. 
• Otto is never not 10 feet just off to the right. 
• King Viz happy cuttin it up with his younger brother. Completely oblivious. 
• The whole scene being spoke in Valyrian was cool. Also something about a woman speaking it. Yowza. 
• I mean that outfit disguise is essentially what people wear in LA now. 
• As all good uncles do you know. 
• I love how characters in Westeros always get exposition through street theatre. 
• Man really enjoying this moment with these two would like more of this but it’s going to go south quick. 
• Rhanyra learned a very important lesson this week. 
• First-ever POV shot in thrones? 
• I chuckled at the “you are my political headache”