Spoiler Warning: House of the Dragon Season One, Episodes 1-4

The Game of Thrones universe has never been shy about exposing audiences to all manner of shocking moments. The original series saw folks sliced open from stem to stern, a spear-swinging prince have his face squeezed in by a gargantuan swordsman, countless combatants skinned alive (later, their skinner was devoured by dogs), and on the less macabre but equally disturbing side of things, a pair of twin siblings who, after sharing a womb, decided to share a bed.

Despite these shocking scenes, fans’ love for Game of Thrones was almost unparalleled in the contemporary entertainment landscape. In fact, it may be the excess of sultry scenes and violent moments that made the series so fun to watch. As such, it stands to reason that the new HBO spinoff series, House of the Dragon, would continue in this tradition of raunch and gore. We’ve already been privy to a lot of violence this season. In the third episode, “Second of His Name,” Daemon Targaryen slaughters an island full of rebels in the Stepstones with the assistance of his dragon. However, it wasn’t until the most recent episode of the series, “King of the Narrow Sea,” that audiences got a taste of the show’s smuttier side.

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A Marriage in the Targaryen Tradition

     HBO

To put it in the most polite way possible, the Targaryen family tree has a lot of interlocking branches. To put it in a less polite way, the Targaryen regal lineage has been maintained by incestuous relationships for hundreds of years. Knowledge of this fact did little to quell audiences’ discomfort at seeing Daemon and Rhaenyra aggressively “coupling” (as Ser Hightower puts it to King Viserys). Still, this theme is not entirely unheard of in the Game of Thrones universe.

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However, the practice of having relations with one’s relatives is apparently not commonplace in the universe of House of the Dragon, as evidenced by Lady Alicent Hightower’s disgust at hearing news of Daemon and Rhaenyra’s steamy make-out session. Still, later in the episode, Daemon suggests to his brother, King Viserys, that he should simply marry his niece.

At the end of the episode, the King demands that Rhaenyra marry Ser Laenor Velaryon, and it appears she will have to comply with this command. Nevertheless, it seems likely that Daemon will ultimately get what he wants, and classic Targaryen marriage between uncle and niece might be on the horizon.

Where Do Rhaenyra’s Loyalties Lie?

Rhaenyra, at the moment, is next in line to the throne. If what we know about Targaryen queens holds true, she will not take that responsibility lightly and will almost certainly be a capable ruler. Though how just her reign will be is yet unclear.

It will be compelling to watch how Rhaenyra’s affinities will evolve throughout the series. Clearly, she is in love with her uncle, who has consistently been in opposition to the King. If King Viserys chooses to make his newborn son his new heir, it’s possible that Rhenyra could completely abandon the loyalty she has to her father, instead supporting her brother’s claim to the throne.

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Additionally, Rhaenyra is a talented dragon rider. In addition to her position in the regal hierarchy, she will be a powerful ally in any potential wars, making her allegiances all the more important.

Who Will Replace Ser Otto Hightower

Were it not for Ser Otto Hightower, King Viserys Targaryen would not have ever known about the sordid fling between his daughter Rhaenyra and brother Daemon. Initially, the King doesn’t believe that claim and assumes that Ser Hightower is attempting to slander his daughter in order to cause turmoil within the royal family. Though it seems as if the King ends the episode believing that Rhaenyra did get freaky with her family, he really only cares about the public perception surrounding his daughter’s virtue and fires Ser Hightower for having spies follow the princess in the first place.

Hand of the King is an incredibly important position, and there are no immediate characters that come to mind as options to fill the role. It is vital that King Viserys finds someone that he can trust and also make the right political decision. Furthermore, firing Ser Hightower may have devastating effects on House Targaryen’s relationship with House Hightower.

Viewers with a strange fascination with the budding relationship between Rhaenyra and Daemon are in luck. Six episodes are yet to be released for season one, but it has already been renewed for a second season. Despite the efforts of King Viserys to marry off his daughter, this incestuous relationship will undoubtedly rear its ugly head again. It will be interesting to see what results from this Targaryen tryst.