It’s pretty historically accurate I believe. Monarchs and noblemen often were approached like this in open court by suitors.
Daemon and Rhaenyra did not actually have sex, if anyone watched the little Inside the Episode bit after the credits, they were very clear on that. When Rhaenyra showed that she was into it and started being the dominant one, Daemon was unable to perform.
The scene was pretty dark but the fact that she went back still horny and immediately banged her kingsguard made that clear.
I’m watching HOTD, and will keep watching it, but have to say I’ve been underwhelmed so far. Just hasn’t grabbed me the way GOT did. I read Fire & Blood when it first came out, but have fortunately forgotten all but the broad outlines of the story.
I don’t mind the re-use of the GOT theme myself. It’s an appropriate musical link to the earlier show; the orchestration is also different, which sets it apart a bit.
Thank you! That helps a lot.
Ha - yes, me too!
I hadn’t thought of that before you posted it, but you’re absolutely right. We need a smartass like Tyrion or a gruff snarker like Bronn to liven things up.
This is very true - and a good point.
I had not much considered the symbolism in the opening credits. Although it makes more sense after watching the first 2/3 of that video (thanks for posting, I’m being sincere, but stopped it when they got into current characters since the suspense is more interesting than the meaning of the credits…)
IIRC the GoT credits won an Emmy. They were visually interesting, quite beautiful, meaningful and informative. I think reusing the same music makes good thematic and commercial sense. But IMHO these credits are merely meaningful, and without the video I would have not even said that since I picked up on little of what the video explains. I gather it is an extra bone for those who read the source material.
I am loving this show. While some of the scenes (particularly Daemon’s suicidal attack to win the battle against the Crab Man) are a stretch, the show is quite distinct from GOT, but also provides the comfort that we are still in the same place that we all loved for so many years. So far after 4 episodes, I’d place it behind the the first 4 seasons of GOT, but above every season from Dorne and onward.
The biggest distinguishing feature (so far) is that no main character is “good” or “bad”. Each have shown tendencies to sacrifice others for their own gains. As much as Daemon plays the role of the antagonist, he is shown to have genuinely likable qualities, and also a rather unfortunate weakness (imagine how Westeros would have been different if they had Blue Chew back then) that anyone with a heart must sympathize with.
Question: when Rhaenerys was given that tea by the maester, didn’t he say that it’s “from the king”? So in that case, doesn’t it seem that Viserys still thinks she did the act with her uncle? He certainly couldn’t have suspected the bodyguard.
I think the maester did say it was from the King. I assumed it was on the basis of “better safe than sorry.”
Here are two of HOTD’s stars in earlier, funnier roles.
The King: Hot Fuzz - Detectives Wainwright & Cartwright - YouTube
And his Hand: Best Of Spike (World's Best Wingman) - Notting Hill | RomComs - YouTube
My thought is that it is a test by the king to see if she was lying to him. If she does not drink the tea then she is still a maiden (maybe). If she drinks it, it confirms that she is not. Am I off base?
Viserys does not know if she has had sex or not, but it is a possibility, and therefore so is pregnancy. If pregnant, her value in a marriage compact is greatly damaged. So he is taking a non-judgmental “better safe than sorry” approach to preserving her value to the family. That’s my reading of it.
Plan B, if you will. But I guess it could also be a test.
I like the thought of it being a test (sneaky sneaky), but not sure it really works with no one there to watch her drink it or not. Maybe she would just dump it in the chamber pot or completely hide/destroy the vessel.
May be it makes you break in hives or something like that?
That seems right to me too. Publicly, he won’t entertain even the implication that his princess engaged in such debauchery, and as a father he’s probably in denial, too. But he’s still king; can’t have yet more upheaval.
Feels like we’re deliberately meant to notemphasized text witness her drinking it. Maybe they’re banking on ( some) viewers assuming she did and that’s the end of it. I might be overthinking but I feel it will come up again.
Hey its Sams Arch-maester.
“The truth does not matter, Rhaenyra. Only perception.”
It was clear from episode 1 that Rhaenyra had a thing for her uncle. He was able to alert her that he snuck back into the castle, and she quickly snuck away to meet him. Then she removed her necklace for the Valerian Steel one he got for her. I thought the way that she immediately turned around when he asked her was interesting, even if it was just to place the gift on her neck. Foreshadowing that she would easily give into his advances when the time came.
Another distinction that HOTD has vs. GOT is the acceptance that randomness drives outcomes. Daemon’s ED issues are hinted at very early on, and at the risk of belaboring the point, if Daemon completed the act with her (and there was nothing stopping him), the entire future of Westeros could have changed. I have no insight into Episode 5 and beyond, but that seems to have been a very impactful failure.
Maybe the GrandMaester did it of his own accord. Uff, another Princess who was fucking someone she shouldn’t have been. Time to mix the abortifant
I thought if it as backup. I didn’t think of it as a test, not that smart, but agree this is quite likely.
And Walder Frey!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cun-LZvOTdw
If it’s still there the next morning when the maids come in he’ll know she didn’t drink it and assume she’s still a virgin. If it’s empty or gone he’ll assume she isn’t. Or maybe he just doesn’t want to be told either way.