House of the Dragon: 1.04 - King of the Narrow Sea

[ctg]

After conquering all but two of the islands, Daemon declared himself King of the Stepstones and the Narrow Sea, being crowned by Corlys the Sea Snake.

IMDB score: 9.0 Runtime: ~62 minutes.

 

[ctg]

It is so interesting that this show seems to draw in people, while the other one rebels them. And this one has equally female and coloured cast, and on top of that coloured people in main roles wearing a blond hairpiece. To be honest, when I first saw it, I thought 'what this world has become.' But I accept it as GRRM thing. The Targarian people were nuts on keeping the "blood pure," as we've seen from Corlys family line.

I just don't get why, when we know what incest does eventually. And in the GoT history, there is a chapter of the Mad King as the ultimate expression of their madness of keeping the bloodlines pure. It's just when I watch that title post shot and I know it's a PR, but it's also a PR for their family all the time they go out and show themselves to the public. The weirdest thing is that they don't seem to have any other abnormalities. Why is that ... or is the case of the GRRMs universe, where the bad things get hidden from the public to save the face?

Also thank you, HBO, for altering the title again and showing all the bloodlines getting together at the DragonStone.

I get that Regent's Council Meetings can be boring and mind-numbing to a degree of hell, but it's part of the job. You get to hear one side of the picture that is concerning the whole Seven Kingdom's business. And you have to a chance to act before things become problematic, while you hear the story from the horse's mouth.

It is also interesting that there is no press, no media, even though they have extensive libraries and people can read. What I don't get is why the Council Meeting, including part of the Royal Court, were all reviewing Rhae's suitor contenders? Their whole charade around the King's request seemed so foolish in my eyes. Bloody waste of time, but it was surprising how fast they got on the Narrow Sea.

When Daemon did a close flyby to her ship, she wasn't offended or hurt by the act. Instead, Rhea was visibly excited to see Uncle Daemon. Almost as if she was in love. Is she?

The Old King had to put his hat, err crown, on for Uncle Daemon's visit, while the whole Royal Court gathered together in the Throne Room for the hero's entrance. It's just there was absolute silence, when he marched in wearing a crown made from reefs, while carrying Crabfeeder's hammer in hand. The whole entrance was so intimidating that I thought someone was going to spill blood. Yet, at the end, he was welcomed with a sword tip and not cheers.

Daemon extended the hammer, and said, "Add it to the chair," before it dropped it at the feet of the Iron Throne.

The Old King looked at him and snided, "You wear a crown. And you also call yourself a 'king'?"

"Once we mashed Triachy," Daemon claimed, "They named me 'King of the Narrow Sea.' But I know there's only one true king, Your Grace," before he bent the knee. My jaw dropped because there was really nothing Viz could have done than accept the play, that had been put at front of the whole Court and it'd made them gossiping. The cherry on top of the cake was Daemon yielding the reef crown and Step Stones to the Old King. The cruelty in his message was, "...the two thousand dead corsairs staked to the ground, to warn those who might follow."

It is as if the Cruel Prince has a small-dictator-of-the-worst-kind living inside him. Still, the clever ploy win Daemon King's approval and Court's blessing.

In the after party I couldn't but notice the Hand carefully observing the whole scene as if he was the summoning his inside Little Finger.
Is he one? I don't know. It still doesn't lessen the fact that he's there lurking and not engaging. The biggest thing was his daughter having a chat with Rhae and suggesting that any suitor is a good suitor. To which Rhae exhaled, "Those boys and men don't fawn over me. All they want me is my name and Valyrian blood for their offspring."

When she conversed with the Cruel Prince, Rhae revealed that she is planning on not having her mother's fate as a baby-factory. And therefore the life in solitude is something she desired without ever experiencing the loneliness of the life in solitude.

Small Council wasn't happy for trading the Crabfeeder to a Sea Snake. But that wasn't the bomb. It was the Corlys's marriage pact with the ruling dynasty of the Free Cities that seemed to break the bank. "We would have to react with our own marriage pact," the Hand said to deliver the package, without explaining all the filth that comes with it. Do you see why I think he's this story's version of the Little Finger?

As the evening was growing late, Rhea retired to her bed chambers to only find a package, a note that revealed a secret entrance, leading straight into the dungeons that she knew nothing about and a bundle of normal clothes? Man, is that the life of solitude calling, because it led her straight to the arms of Uncle Daemon. And an adventure to corruption filled streets of the Old Town.

It was eye-opening to hear the public's opinion on the Royal Problems in regard to the Iron Throne. Just as much as exposing the Rhae to the pleasure of the flesh in the middle of the whore house. It's just she wasn't shocked, but actually intrigued by all banging that she did not said no, without thinking about what she's doing and where. I hated the whole scene, but I was delighted when Daemon could go on with his plan. Instead, he left her in the middle of the orgy with her knickers hanging around her knees.

That didn't stop her from being horny as Ser Cristos was the next bed warmer in the list. I loved that the knight could not handle the responsibility. Going above his duty and honour to become Rhae's lover. It was visibly making him uncomfortable.

All that time they were making love, I thought that Daemon was lurking somewhere, like a peeping tom. At least the whole thing was her choice. So I was glad to find out that instead of being a perv, the Cruel Prince went to sleep in her wife's quarter in the pleasure palace. And it put a big smile on my face, when she uttered, "You can pay your room in your way."

Wife, but not a wife. What a pleasure.

The Hand however didn't waste no time on telling, "the uncomforting news" about "the princess's exploits," to the Old King. The old man could not even get a breakfast first, before he was twisting the knife in old man's wound. The Old King didn't took well the news of her daughter's sighting. He could not accept it, just deny it without understanding what is really going on in the mind of the young woman.

Big surprise was with the Queen not accepting that Rhae cannot do nothing about her hormones. Instead she accused Rhae of "f*cking Uncle," in public. Then again Rhae denied the whole act, while defending her "virtues." Man, does her virginity really matter that much? All she could say at the end was, "I should have known better."

The consequences of one's actions. Morning comes to everyone, including the Cruel Prince. Getting thrown out from a pleasure castle, getting picked up by King's Guard and then beaten up by the King, and he didn't even dip in the sausage. Sometimes the bad plans are terrible, and they have consequences.

"Which lord will now marry her?" The Old King growled. "In this condition?"

Daemon smiled. "Who gives a f*ck what some lord thinks? You are the dragon. Your word is truth and law." Touche.

Just the Old King still couldn't understand the suggestion and the solution to his problems. If he abdicated the crown, he could just live happily as an old man. And then it wouldn't really matter who warms the Young Queen's bed in the night, because it's none of his business. Uncle's suggestion was a wedding between him and Rhae. That the Old King couldn't take well either, as he pulled a knife.

When Rhae was summoned to King's Champers later on, I could not but shake my head and feel guilty on her behalf. The consequence of her action was the order to marry Ser Leanor from the House of Sea Snakes and accept it. All so Targ's could claim the military might of the united houses. As a last act, it was time to see the Hand demoted, strip of his rank, but not sent to the Wall before Rhae got served Maester's tea.

Man, I cannot stop shaking my head. One night. One adventure. And a lifetime of consequences.

 

[Mon0Zer0]

Blimey, that was a dramatic episode. All the dominos are being lined up for an explosive storyline!

I just don't get why, when we know what incest does eventually.

Apparently, after a few generations something kicks in that eradicates the harmful effects - it's how tiny islands that are cut off for Millenia can have perfectly healthy individuals despite being related. There's a word for the process but I can't remember what it is.

It is also interesting that there is no press, no media, even though they have extensive libraries and people can read.

The only people we've seen read are clerics, admin or royalty. Prior to the invention of the Gutenberg press there was no method for distributing written words fast.

 

[ctg]

Prior to the invention of the Gutenberg press there was no method for distributing written words fast.

Yeah, but the Seven Kingdom's in my eyes is advanced enough to have a printing press. It does not require a steam engine.

 

[Dave]

There's a word for the process but I can't remember what it is.

Was the word "death"?

The problem with inbreeding, in general (which incest would result in) is that the genepool is much more limited and recessive genes are expressed. The expression of recessive genes isn't necessarily a bad thing in itself, but if they've never been expressed before then you really don't know. It might give her son golden eyes, or a greater control over the dragons, but it might also give him a terminal genetic disease. Usually, first generation hybrids from one genetically uniform parent crossed with another genetically uniform parent result in the most successful and healthy offspring. That's why we buy F1 plant varieties, encourage pollinators around our crops, bring a bull from another farm to service your cows, and race-winning stallions to service your mares.

I'm afraid this series isn't doing much for me. It's far too slow, and there is only one story. Game of Thrones worked because their were multiple storylines going on and you had no idea how they would connect, or if they ever would. If this was Game of Thrones, the King, his Hand, and Daemon would already have been murdered in some horrible way. Rhae would have learnt sword fencing and probably killed the Hand herself, would drink everyone else under the table, and would have already married Ser Cristos while bedding the rest of the court first.

 

[svalbard]

Was the word "death"?

The problem with inbreeding, in general (which incest would result in) is that the genepool is much more limited and recessive genes are expressed. The expression of recessive genes isn't necessarily a bad thing in itself, but if they've never been expressed before then you really don't know. It might give her son golden eyes, or a greater control over the dragons, but it might also give him a terminal genetic disease. Usually, first generation hybrids from one genetically uniform parent crossed with another genetically uniform parent result in the most successful and healthy offspring. That's why we buy F1 plant varieties, encourage pollinators around our crops, bring a bull from another farm to service your cows, and race-winning stallions to service your mares.

I'm afraid this series isn't doing much for me. It's far too slow, and there is only one story. Game of Thrones worked because their were multiple storylines going on and you had no idea how they would connect, or if they ever would. If this was Game of Thrones, the King, his Hand, and Daemon would already have been murdered in some horrible way. Rhae would have learnt sword fencing and probably killed the Hand herself, would drink everyone else under the table, and would have already married Ser Cristos while bedding the rest of the court first.

Don't worry Dave. There is plenty of death around the corner. Next episode jumps about 15 years I think and the Dance is about to commence.

 

[ctg]

Next episode jumps about 15 years I think and the Dance is about to commence.

If they're going to advance 15 years, are they going to age the characters as well? If the Aegon is the one that we'll see later on in the GoT then they have extraordinary long lifespans. And yet, they are still living in medieval settings, with normal life-expectancy of less than fifty years. At least for the humans, if they get into that old age.

So I assume that is going to be as well the Old King's death scene and start of the clash on who'll get to the Iron Throne. Aegon or Rhae?

Also what dance?

 

[svalbard]

It is a different Aegon to one in GOT. New actors taking over the roles of Rhaenyra and Alicent. We will see two of Alicents sons Aegon and Aemmond.

 

[BAYLOR]

Was the word "death"?

The problem with inbreeding, in general (which incest would result in) is that the genepool is much more limited and recessive genes are expressed. The expression of recessive genes isn't necessarily a bad thing in itself, but if they've never been expressed before then you really don't know. It might give her son golden eyes, or a greater control over the dragons, but it might also give him a terminal genetic disease. Usually, first generation hybrids from one genetically uniform parent crossed with another genetically uniform parent result in the most successful and healthy offspring. That's why we buy F1 plant varieties, encourage pollinators around our crops, bring a bull from another farm to service your cows, and race-winning stallions to service your mares.

I'm afraid this series isn't doing much for me. It's far too slow, and there is only one story. Game of Thrones worked because their were multiple storylines going on and you had no idea how they would connect, or if they ever would. If this was Game of Thrones, the King, his Hand, and Daemon would already have been murdered in some horrible way. Rhae would have learnt sword fencing and probably killed the Hand herself, would drink everyone else under the table, and would have already married Ser Cristos while bedding the rest of the court first.

The Spanish branch of the Hapsburg Family went extinct because of inbreading. If you look at picture of the portraits of those who ruled you can see progression of decline culminating which in Charles II who series had physical deformities and mental issues and , was sterile . The Dynasty ends with his death in 1700.

 

[Mon0Zer0]

One thing House of the Dragon has over Rings of Power is dialogue. People talk like human beings. I can buy into the events of HoD because the characters aren't paper thin. I'm not seeing much of that in RoP at all.

 

[Judderman]

So far House of the Dragon proving a fun watch! Better than expected.

 

[svalbard]

One thing House of the Dragon has over Rings of Power is dialogue. People talk like human beings. I can buy into the events of HoD because the characters aren't paper thin. I'm not seeing much of that in RoP at all.

I have seen this commented upon elsewhere. My thought is that they are different fantasy settings and drawing off a different culture so to speak. The Rings is attempting to stay true to Tolkien's works and hence the dialogue should reflect that. For me it would seem strange if they changed that.

Same with HOTD, this reflects Martin's writings. I am cool with both. I would be disappointed if TROP went down a grimdark route. As a 50 year old I am happy to straddle both worlds.

To the episode itself. This was very good. We saw a different side to Daemon, but it was a just a different side of the same coin. His ambition is destroying him and his absolute belief that he is a better man than Viserys.

Viserys, although considered weak has kept the peace and adding his reign to Jaeharys it is the longest period of peace in the 7 Kingdoms. What is the measure of a kings rule? The peace and prosperity he brings to his people? That said Otto has played a big part of that and getting rid of him may not be the smartest move. Paddy Considine was excellent again as Viserys.

I will miss Milly Alcock as Rhaenrya. She must be the breakout star of the series so far.