History Recap / HouseOfTheDragonS1E4KingOfTheNarrowSea

* HonorableMarriageProposal: Daemon tries to {{Invoke|dTrope}} this. He first creates the situation by allegedly taking Rhaenyra's virginity, and then tries to resolve it by asking to marry her. Unfortunately for him, rather than giving them a free pass to marry, Viserys sends Daemon away and makes Rhaenyra drink FantasyContraception to make sure she's not pregnant.

* FantasyContraception: Maester Mellos brings Rhaenyra a tea to be taken in the style of a morning-after pill. If Rhaenyra drinks it, that's an admission she had sex. If she doesn't, that would bolster her innocence but risks pregnancy. The scene ends there without seeing what she decides. In the books, it's called "moon tea". It's implied to be a very early-term abortifacient to be taken preemptively weeks before a period or lack thereof denies or confirms pregnancy. While in ''this case'' it's handwaved, there's some acknowledgement of the idea that it's not perfect when Mellos says it has to be prepared ''very'' carefully and otherwise it can be either ineffective or dangerous.

* {{Foreshadowing}}: While Rhaenyra receives all her uninspiring suitors, she fingers her necklace from Daemon.

* GoodIsNotDumb: Zig-zagged. Viserys again shows that contrary to the beliefs at court, he is ''not'' blind to the obvious political scheming that surrounds him. When Otto informs Viserys about Rhaenyra and Daemon's night out in the hopes of souring both reputations, it backfires when Viserys quickly sees the play for what it is. However, despite this, Viserys still allows himself to get played when he uses the info to exile Daemon again and force a Velaryon marriage onto Rhaenyra, and STILL is willing to keep Otto on the council. It ultimately takes Rhaenyra's insistence to get Viserys to finally rip the band-aid off and dismiss his "loyal" Hand.
-->'''Viserys:''' "Are you so sick with ambition that you would have my daughter stalked? Spied upon? Awaiting your best chance to destroy her reputation? ... You think yourself a cunning man... your designs are obvious. Do you wish to have your blood on the Iron Throne so badly that you are willing to ''destroy'' mine own?"

* BrokenAesop: Daemon tries to impart to Rhaenyra his perspective that SexIsLiberation. He does this by telling her sex is pleasurable for women too... and taking her to a brothel, where women have sex for money -- not pleasure -- and are payed to fulfill men's desires and pretend they like it. JustifiedTrope because as a wealthy nobleman, it makes sense that ''Daemon'' would experience a brothel as the pinnacle of SexIsLiberation -- it's set up to cater ''to him''. And Daemon being so self-centered that he never gave the prostitutes' perspective any thought is very in-character.

-->'''Viserys:''' I will never recover from Aemma's death. But Alicent... she took me through the worst of my grief. She was a calculated distraction. I only now realize how well-calculated it was.
-->'''Otto:''' That is an absurdity. The Queen loves you... as I know you love her.

* ContrastMontage: Alicent having [[LieBackAndThinkOfEngland reluctant]], [[LousyLoversAreLosers dispassionate sex]] with Viserys is intercut with the licentious sex that goes on in the brothel. Viserys's back is covered in wounds, while everyone at the brothel is beautiful. The former is seen through Alicent's eyes, with the focus on how she doesn't want this and is doing it out of duty, while the latter is seen through Rhaenyra's eyes, who's being shown this by Daemon and thus sees it as he sees it: as a symbol of SexIsLiberation. (The FridgeHorror is how similar both scenes actually are. Viserys and Daemon are both powerful royals who act out their desire on women who don't reciprocate and have to be convinced by other means--Alicent compelled by duty, and the prostitutes compelled by money. Daemon is teaching Rhaenyra that ''this is what Targaryens do''. She learns the lesson well, and proceeds to strong-arm Criston--yet another reluctant person of much lower status--into sex.)

** Most would consider stabbing someone to death for calling you a craven a [[DisproportionateRetribution tad excessive]] but if you live in a feudal society obsessed with martial valor, accepting the characterization of coward from your family's worst rival would make you seem weak.[[labelnote:From the books...]]The Blackwoods and Brackens are two prominent Riverlands houses who have been FeudingFamilies since long before the Conquest - for over a thousand years, according to some. While numerous attempts to make lasting peace between them have failed, there was one attempt which succeeded for 50 years and it was brokered by Jaehaerys, which helps to cement his status as ''the'' best Targaryen monarch.[[/labelnote]]

* FemaleGaze: This is the first episode in the franchise with a female director since ''Season 4'' of the original series (which only ever had one female director). New director Clare Kilner discusses in the Inside the Episode video how she was actively trying to implement female gaze, in contrast to how prior sex scenes were handled. As a result, Rhaenyra's and Daemon's time in the brothel is seen through her point of view, as she witnesses both men and women equally enjoying sex, while her tryst with Daemon is focused on the way he touches her, their kisses, and Rhaenyra experiencing sexual pleasure for the first time.

* HonorableMarriageProposal: Daemon hopes that allegedly taking Rhaenyra's virginity will get them a free pass to marry. Unfortunately for him, Viserys sends Daemon away and makes Rhaenyra drink FantasyContraception to make sure she's not pregnant.

-->'''Lord Dondarrion:''' The view across the Marches is inspiring, so said Queen Alysanne herself when she honored my father and I...
-->'''Rhaenyra:''' And tell me, Lord Dondarrion, did you think my great-grandmother as beautiful as they say?

* ParentalFavoritism: Viserys claims that Daemon was their mother Alyssa's favorite as she was a TomboyPrincess and Daemon was clearly the better warrior. Viserys says this quite jovially while the brothers laugh together, meaning they don't take it that seriously.

* QuestionableConsent: When Rhaenyra propositions Ser Criston, it's MortonsFork for him. If he turns down the princess, she could have him sent away or killed. If he accepts her overtures and they are caught, he could be sent to the Wall or killed. It's a parallel to what Mysaria said to Daemon in episode 2: Criston is lowborn, so if he were in trouble he'd have no connections to call upon to protect him. For all the DoubleStandard stuff about Rhaenyra's sexuality as a woman in other parts of the episode, in ''this'' situation Criston is risking much more than she is. With all that on the line, his ability to really choose is severely compromised, to say the least.

* SleepingSingle: Alicent is shown to only share the king's bed when he has his servants summon her there for sex, otherwise she is granted her own chambers. TruthInTelevision, as separate bedrooms are a centuries-old custom in European monarchies.

* UnequalPairing: Ser Criston Cole as a Kingsguardsman of low birth selected by Rhaenyra to be her knight doesn't have much in the way of options in refusing her advances.

* ContrastMontage: Alicent having [[LieBackAndThinkOfEngland reluctant]], [[LousyLoversAreLosers dispassionate sex]] with Viserys is contrasted with the licentious sex that goes on in the brothel. Viserys's back is covered in wounds, while everyone at the brothel is beautiful. The former is seen through Alicent's eyes, with the focus on how she doesn't want this and is doing it out of duty, while the latter is seen through Rhaenyra's eyes, who's being shown this by Daemon and thus sees it as he sees it: as a symbol of SexIsLiberation. (The irony is that they're ''both'' examples of men acting out their desire on women who don't reciprocate and have to be convinced by other means--Alicent compelled by duty, and the prostitutes compelled by money. The only woman acting out of true desire in this montage is Rhaenyra.)

** A man of House Mooton of Maidenpool, with a sigil featuring a salmon leaping to the right;[[labelnote: From the books...]]This is in contrast to the more popular House Tully sigil, a trout leaping to the left.[[/labelnote]]

* DefiledForever: Both Alicent and Viserys point out to Rhaenyra that she'll be seen as "ruined" just for being seen in the pleasure house with Daemon regardless of whether she actually had sex with him. InvokedTrope by Daemon, since his motivation for taking Rhaenyra to the pleasure house was to force an HonorableMarriageProposal between the two of them.[labelnote:From the books...]]If you're wondering why they don't just have a maester check if Rhaenyra's hymen is still physically intact, the books state that most noblewomen break their hymen at a young age due to all of the horseback riding they do. When Cersei is looking for any scrap of information to use against Margaery Tyrell, her maester reports that Margaery doesn't have an intact hymen - but ''Cersei'' of all people dismisses this out of hand, because it's so common for noblewomen to break it riding. In Westeros, when a bride says she is a virgin on her wedding night the groom pretty much just has to take her word for it.[[/labelnote]]

* DefiledForever: Both Alicent and Viserys point out to Rhaenyra that she'll be seen as "ruined" just for being seen in the pleasure house with Daemon regardless of whether she actually had sex with him. InvokedTrope by Daemon, since his motivation for taking Rhaenyra to the pleasure house was to force an HonorableMarriageProposal between the two of them.

** Most would consider stabbing someone to death for calling you a craven a [[DisproportionateRetribution tad excessive]] but if you live in a feudal society obsessed with martial valor, accepting the characterization of coward from your family's worst rival would make you seem weak.[[labelnote:From the books...]]The Blackwoods and Brackens are two prominent Riverlands houses who have been FeudingFamilies since long before the Conquest. While numerous attempts to make lasting peace between them have failed, there was one attempt which succeeded for 50 years and it was brokered by Jaehaerys, which helps to cement his status as ''the'' best Targaryen monarch.[[/labelnote]]

** Viserys is upset with Daemon for possibly taking Rhaenyra's virginity and because Daemon is already married, but the fact he's also Rhaenyra's uncle is in no way problem. The showrunners directly point out in the "Inside the Episode" video that they actively avoided presenting this as CreepyUncle incestuous abuse, because this is just how Targaryens roll.

** Viserys is upset with Daemon for possibly taking Rhaenyra's virginity and because Daemon is already married, but the fact he's also Rhaenyra's uncle isn't the specific problem. The showrunners directly point out in the "Inside the Episode" video that they actively avoided presenting this as CreepyUncle incestuous abuse.

** During the conversation between Alicent and Rhaenyra, Alicent names the allegation: "That you fucked Daemon in a pleasure house." Rhaenyra truthfully denies it--she didn't, Daemon blue-balled her. But as the conversation goes on and Alicent keeps pressing, Rhaenyra eventually goes so far as to say "Daemon never touched me"--which is untrue. Rhaenyra then doubles down on this lie, adding, "I swear this to you upon the memory of my mother!"

-->'''Rhaenyra:''' Daemon never touched me. Okay, I swear this to you upon the memory of my mother.

Viserys is initially pleased to have his brother back at court and throws him a soiree. At this event, Alicent and Rhaenyra discuss the prospect of Rhaenyra's marriage, their first friendly overture in some time. After the party Rhaenyra talks about marriage with Daemon, who considers it a political arrangement; Rhaenyra points out that her mother was killed by the need for an heir, and states her intentions to be single and childless to avoid such a fate.

Later that night, the small council reports that Corlys Velaryon is weighing an alliance with Braavos, and cite the need to smooth things over with him.

Rhaenyra sneaks out of the Red Keep with Daemon, [[KingIncognito disguised as smallfolk]]. He takes her to the underbelly of King's Landing. The two watch a show about the matter of Viserys' succession, and Rhaenyra sees that the smallfolk are not receptive to the idea of a queen and prefer her half-brother Aegon merely for being male. The two go to a brothel, where Daemon points out the importance of pleasure. He kisses his niece and the two get more and more intimate, only for Daemon to abruptly stop. This is intercut with a ContrastMontage of Alicent being summoned for unsatisfying intercourse with Viserys.

Early the next day, a hungover Daemon snubs Mysaria. Otto Hightower reports Daemon and Rhaenyra's unseemly behavior to the King, who is enraged. Alicent overhears this and confronts Rhaenyra, who swears that Daemon did not deflower her.

Viserys has his brother forcibly summoned to the throne room and confronts him about his behavior. Daemon asks for Rhaenyra's hand. Viserys realizes that Daemon's plan all along was to make a play for the Iron Throne, and once again banishes him from the Red Keep.

Viserys summons Rhaenyra to his quarters, where he stresses that the Targaryen duty includes not only holding the realm together, but also eventually spawning the Prince That Was Promised. He tells her that disinheriting her would cause instability and so he plans to kill two birds with one stone by wedding her to Corlys' son Laenor. Rhaenyra agrees, but points out Otto's self-serving actions in turn. Viserys relieves Otto of his position as Hand.

* AwfulWeddedLife: The marriage of Viserys and Alicent is revealed to be a downplayed example of this. He mocks her for thinking Daemon would be interested in tapestries when he's drunk at Daemon's welcome home party. Alicent is dutiful and loyal, but during their [[LieBackAndThinkOfEngland sex scene]], she has a depressed ThousandYardStare until she makes herself smile at the end. And while it's more subtle on Viserys's end, when he's firing Otto he does bring up his marriage in less-than-favorable terms, calling it a political machination of Otto's.

* BabyFactory: When Alicent calls suitors fawning over her romantic, Rhaenyra tells her that they only want her name and Valyrian blood for their offspring. When Rhaenyra mocks how "romantic" it is to be imprisoned in a castle to squeeze out heirs it understandably makes Alicent visibly upset, with Rhaenyra apologizing shortly after realizing she hurt her feelings given that she just described Alicent's own situation.
* BaitAndSwitch: After one too many insults from a rival suitor for Rhaenyra's hand, Willem Blackwood (who's barely hit puberty) impulsively draws his sword on him. As Rhaenyra and Criston prepare to leave the fight goes on in the background, and it seems like Blackwood is about to get thrashed -- only for him to stab his opponent in the chest and leave him to choke on his own blood.

* CompressedAdaptation: In the book Daemon spends 6 months back at court before being banished again for screwing around with Rhaenyra. In the show he lasts all of ''one day''.
* ConfessToALesserCrime: When Alicent confronts her, Rhaenyra admits that she snuck out with Daemon and went to a brothel, but convincingly denies that anything happened between them.

* ContrastMontage: Alicent having [[LieBackAndThinkOfEngland reluctant]], [[LousyLoversAreLosers dispassionate sex]] with Viserys is contrasted with the licentious sex that goes on in the brothel. Viserys' back is covered in wounds, while everyone at the brothel is beautiful. The former is seen through Alicent's eyes, with the focus on how she doesn't want this and is doing it out of duty, while the later is seen through Rhaenyra's eyes, who's being shown this by Daemon and thus sees it as he sees it: as a symbol of SexIsLiberation. (The irony is that they're ''both'' examples of men acting out their desire on women who don't reciprocate and have to be convinced by other means--Alicent compelled by duty, and the prostitutes compelled by money. The only woman acting out of true desire in this montage is Rhaenyra.)

** Viserys is upset with Daemon for possibly taking Rhaenyra's virginity, and because Daemon is already married, but the fact he's also Rhaenyra's uncle isn't the specific problem. The showrunners directly point out in the "Inside the Episode" video that they actively avoided presenting this as CreepyUncle incestuous abuse.
** Based on their reactions to the street play, it's very clear that even the common folk of King's Landing believe firmly in the HeirClubForMen, and regard Rhaenyra as a usurper in the making for still being her father's heir when she has a younger brother who by tradition should rightfully inherit the crown. Also, they assume she will not be a strong ruler because she is female, which in addition to the values dissonance highlights how none of them actually know her beyond her decorative role as "the Realm's Delight".

* DidntThinkThisThrough: Rhaenyra--who we are reminded is uniquely afraid of pregnancy after what happened to her mother--has sex. While their universe ''does'' have FantasyContraception she doesn't find out about that until ''afterwards''.
* DoubleStandard: As Rhaenyra says, a man in her position could go to as many brothels as he liked without fear of anything but potentially siring some bastards, and would not suffer politically even if that happened. Daemon even points out to Viserys earlier in the episode that they both used to go slumming in the city all the time when they were younger. As a woman, however, if it were widely known Rhaenyra's virginity had been taken outside of wedlock, she would be considered DefiledForever and lose much of her power and standing because it would [[MamasBabyPapasMaybe call into question the true parentage of any of her future children]]. Rhaenyra is angry at society and everyone about this. This makes the final scene of the episode very sobering for her, as it begins to {{Deconstruct|edTrope}} this double standard. When the maester brings her FantasyContraception, it's a harsh reminder that the consequences of sex are ''biologically'' asymmetrical and that's intractable in a way that's much harder to rail against.

** The scene of Daemon and Rhaenyra getting a little frisky, already undercut by the grim direction and the fact they are [[CreepyUncle related]], is made even less sexy when cut back and forth with the [[LousyLoversAreLosers cold dispassionate sex]] between the royal couple, with Alicent's ThousandYardStare and a full view of Viserys' disgustingly rotted back.

* FantasyContraception: Maester Mellos brings Rhaenyra a tea to be taken in the style of a morning-after pill. If Rhaenyra drinks it, that's an admission she had sex. If she doesn't that would bolster her innocence but risks pregnancy. The scene ends there without seeing what she decides. In the books it's called "moon tea". It's implied to be a very early-term abortifacient to be taken preemptively, weeks before a period or lack thereof confirms or denies pregnancy. While in ''this case'' it's handwaved, there's some acknowledgement of the idea that it's not perfect when Mellos says it has to be prepared ''very'' carefully, and otherwise it can be either ineffective or dangerous.

* FemaleGaze: This is the first episode in the franchise with a female director since ''Season 4'' of the original series (which only ever had one female director). New director Clare Kilner discusses in the Inside the Episode video how she was actively trying to implement female gaze, in contrast to how prior sex scenes were handled. As a result, Rhaenyra and Daemon's time in the brothel is seen through her point of view, as she witnesses both men and women equally enjoying sex, while her tryst with Daemon is focused on the way he touches her, their kisses, and Rhaenyra experiencing sexual pleasure for the first time.

** A man of House Mooton of Maidenpool, with a sigil featuring a salmon leaping to the right;[[labelnote:From the books...]]This is in contrast to the more popular House Tully sigil, a trout leaping to the left.[[/labelnote]]

* HopeSpot: For Viserys and Daemon's relationship. After being estranged for years, Daemon returns, swears fealty to Viserys, the two share a ManHug, and fondly reminisce about their past and relationship with their mother. Unfortunately, their reconciliation goes out the window when Daemon enacts his scheme to force an HonorableMarriageProposal with Rhaenyra, causing Viserys to have his brother banished from the capital once again, straining their relationship even more.
* HormoneAddledTeenager: Rhaenyra is keenly aware of the dangers of childbirth thanks to her mother, and opens the episode by saying she wishes to be single out of fear of that. This all promptly goes out the window after she's turned on. It's not quite a GilliganCut, but it's close. Daemon almost deflowers Rhaenyra, something she is very receptive to, but he ultimately doesn't go through with it. Left stirred up and unsatisfied, she returns to the Red Keep and [[RetargetedLust redirects her attentions]] to her Kingsguard Criston Cole, an impulsive decision she knows could have catastrophic consequences.
* {{Hypocrite}}: Rhaenyra was angry at her BestFriend Alicent for years because Alicent had lied about having conversations with her father for six months after Aemma's death but has no issues covering up sex with Criston Cole and what really happened with Daemon.

** The scene of Alicent trying to soothe her fussy younger baby and holding back tears as she does so. In the real world, this wouldn't be a big deal or mean anything alarming. Many new parents have moments like this. It doesn't mean the parent isn't overall happy with their life with their new baby--it just means they're worn out, likely sleep deprived, and having a rough day. In Alicent's case, however, this is the one and only scene of her with her kids in the whole episode--followed later by her dispassionate sex with King Viserys. Hence, it ''is'' a sign she's genuinely unhappy with her life.

* WarriorPrince: For claiming victory against the Triarchy in the War of the Stepstones, some begin to call Prince Daemon "King of the Narrow Sea" and he was even crowned.[[labelnote:From the books...]]It was specifically Corlys Velaryon who placed the crown on his head.[[/labelnote]]

* TooDumbToLive: The Bracken lordling who [[NeverBringAKnifeToAGunFight brings a dagger to a sword fight]], confident because his opponent is little more than a child. He is promptly run through before even getting in range to use the dagger.

* DoubleStandard: As Rhaenyra says, a man in her position could go to as many brothels as he liked without fear of anything but potentially siring some unwanted bastards, and would not suffer politically even if that happened. Daemon even points out to Viserys earlier in the episode that they both used to go slumming in the city all the time when they were younger. As a woman, however, if it were widely known Rhaenyra's virginity had been taken outside of wedlock, she would be considered DefiledForever and lose much of her power and standing because it would [[MamasBabyPapasMaybe call into question the true parentage of any of her future children]]. Rhaenyra is angry at society and everyone about this. This makes the final scene of the episode very sobering for her, as it begins to {{Deconstruct|edTrope}} this double standard. When the maester brings her FantasyContraception, it's a harsh reminder that the consequences of sex are ''biologically'' asymmetrical and that's intractable in a way that's much harder to rail against.

** First, the scene of Alicent trying to soothe her fussy younger baby and holding back tears as she does so. In the real world, this wouldn't be a big deal or mean anything alarming. Many new parents have moments like this. It doesn't mean the parent isn't overall happy with their life with their new baby--it just means they're worn out, likely sleep deprived, and having a rough day. In Alicent's case, however, this is the one and only scene of her with her kids in the whole episode--followed later by her [[LousyLoversAreLosers dispassionate sex with King Viserys]]. Hence, it ''is'' a sign she's [[AwfulWeddedLife genuinely unhappy with her life]].

* OneNightStandPregnancy: DefiedTrope by Viserys. The episode ends with a scene where Rhaenyra receives FantasyContraception from Grand Maester Mellos to avoid an unwanted pregnancy, commanded by her own father.

* QuestionableConsent: When Rhaenyra propositions Ser Criston, it's MortonsFork for him. If he turns down the princess, she could have him sent away or killed. If he accepts her overtures and they are caught, he could be sent to the Wall or killed. In a parallel to what Mysaria said to Daemon in episode 2, Criston is lowborn--if he were in trouble, he'd have no connections to call upon to protect him. For all the DoubleStandard stuff about Rhaenyra's sexuality as a woman in other parts of the episode, in ''this'' situation Criston is risking more than she is. With all that on the line, his ability to really choose is severely compromised, to say the least.

* DoubleStandard: As Rhaenyra says, a man in her position could go to as many brothels as he liked without fear of anything but potentially siring some unwanted bastards, and would not suffer politically even if that happened. Daemon even points out to Viserys earlier in the episode that they both used to go slumming in the city all the time when they were younger. As a woman, however, if it were widely known Rhaenyra's virginity had been taken outside of wedlock, she would be considered DefiledForever and lose much of her power and standing because it would [[MamasBabyPapasMaybe call into question the true parentage of any of her future children]]. Rhaenyra is angry at society and everyone about this. This makes the final scene of the episode very sobering for her, as it begins to {{Deconstruct|edTrope}} this double-standard. When the maester brings her FantasyContraception, a harsh reminder that the consequences of sex are ''biologically'' asymmetrical and that's intractable in a way that's much harder to rail against.

** When Otto reports to Viserys, he initially says, "They were engaged in behaviors unbecoming of a maiden"--a phrase that ''could'' reasonably describe what actually happened (making out while Daemon begins to undress Rhaenyra). However, Viserys keeps pushing, insisting Otto dispense with the euphemisms and say ''exactly'' what happened. Under pressure, Otto then says they were seen "coupling"--which is not true.
** During the conversation between Alicent and Rhaenyra, Alicent names the allegation: "That you fucked Daemon in a pleasure house." Rhaenyra truthfully denies it--she didn't, Daemon blue-balled her. But as the conversation goes on and Alicent keeps pressing, Rhaenyra eventually goes so far as to say "Daemon never touched me"--which is untrue. Rhaenyra then doubles-down on this lie, adding, "I swear this to you upon the memory of my mother!"

** The scene of Daemon and Rhaenyra getting a little frisky, already undercut by the grim direction and the fact they are [[CreepyUncle related]], is made even less sexy when cut back with the [[LousyLoversAreLosers cold dispassionate sex]] between the royal couple with Alicent's ThousandYardStare and a full view of Viserys' disgustingly rotted back.

* FantasyContraception: Maester Mellos brings Rhaenyra a tea to be taken in the style of a morning-after pill. If Rhaenyra drinks it, that's an admission she had sex. If she doesn't that would bolster her innocence but risks pregnancy. The scene ends there without seeing what she decides. In the books it's called "moon tea". It's implied to be a very early-term abortifacient to be taken preemptively, weeks before a period of lack thereof confirms or denies pregnancy. While in ''this case'' it's handwaved, there's some acknowledgement of the idea that it's not perfect when Mellos says it has to be prepared ''very'' carefully, and otherwise it can be either ineffective or dangerous.

* AwfulWeddedLife: The marriage of Viserys and Alicent is revealed to be a downplayed example of this. He mocks her for thinking Daemon would be interested in tapestries when when he's drunk at Daemon's welcome home party. Alicent is dutiful and loyal, but during their [[LieBackAndThinkOfEngland sex scene]], she has a depressed ThousandYardStare until she makes herself smile at the end. And while it's more subtle on Viserys's end, when he's firing Otto he does bring up his marriage in less-than-favorable terms, calling it a political machination of Otto's.

* BaitAndSwitch: After one too many insults from a rival suitor for Rhaenyra's hand, Lord Samwell Blackwood (who's barely hit puberty) impulsively draws his sword on him. As Rhaenyra and Criston prepare to leave the fight goes on in the background, and it seems like Blackwood is about to get thrashed -- only for him to stab his opponent in the chest and leave him to choke on his own blood.