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HBO's House of the Dragon began its fifth episode with a bang by immediately answering two major questions that have been hanging over the show since its debut episode in August.
One had to do with Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), the sinister brother of King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine), while the other concerned Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), the recently deposed Hand of the King.
The episode opens with Daemon visiting his estranged wife, Rhea Royce (Rachel Redford). The reunion is not a happy one, and it ends with Royce's death, which Daemon perpetrated but staged to make it appear as if she were killed in a horse-riding mishap.
Before her death, though, Rhea does confirm Daemon has some issues in the bedroom by bitterly asking him if he's visiting her to consummate their marriage. Viewers will remember Daemon seemingly had performance issues during the debut episode when he couldn't perform sexually for his mistress prostitute.
Even more recently, Daemon began seducing his niece Rhaenyra Targaryen (Milly Alcock) in episode four but stopped before going too far. Though he may have broken off the moment because he had reconsidered the incestuous union—or had a longer-term nefarious plan—his late wife's comments suggest he may have an ongoing issue in regard to sex.
Episode five didn't lose any momentum as it went into addressing another persistent mystery regarding Otto Hightower. His daughter, Alicent (Emily Carey), is now Viserys' wife, making her the queen. She's also given birth to two children with the king, including a son, Aegon.
Of course, Viserys made the controversial decision to name his daughter, Rhaenyra, the successor to his throne. (The move instigated Daemon's recent sinister behavior, but it was his general evilness that caused him to be passed over in the first place.) After Viserys first wife died in labor, Otto encouraged his young daughter to provide solace to the king. This left viewers wondering, was Otto pushing Alicent off to Viserys in hopes that he would make her his next bride?
Viserys naming Rhaenyra as his successor has resulted in much debate among the political players in Westeros because a queen has never ruled the kingdom. Rhaenyra has been warned by Daemon and others that the people won't accept a female ruler, and Viserys has been asked to reconsider and name Aegon as the next in line instead.
As Otto is bidding farewell to Alicent before he leaves King's Landing, he reveals that he too believes having Rhaenyra assume the throne will result in war. Instead, he argued Aegon should rule.
When Viserys stripped Otto of his position as King of the Hand, he accused the adviser of plotting against Rhaenyra in favor of placing his grandson on the throne. Otto denied the accusation to the king but now has confirmed it to the queen.
About the writer
Jon Jackson is a News Editor at Newsweek based in New York. His focus is on reporting on the Ukraine ... Read more