The Dance of the Dragons is fully underway on House of the Dragon, and the show’s main characters are feeling the horrors of war hit home. There’s been death, agonizing injuries, and (possibly even more agonizing) major betrayals and power shifts. But in amid all the bleakness, there are a few lights—including a new couple that emerged in last night’s episode, “Smallfolk.”
Since their first, contentious meeting this season on House of the Dragon—following a very brief encounter in season one—Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) and Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) have seen their relationship evolve from “queen in exile begrudgingly asking her husband’s ex for assistance” to “queen in exile realizing her most valuable confidante has been right under her nose this whole time.”
Mysaria has consistently impressed the head of Team Black with her honesty, wisdom, and fresh perspective. She helped set in motion a plan to get the citizens of King’s Landing on Rhaenyra’s side—using the power of rumors and some bribes in the form of much-needed food supplies. That plan is helping turn the tide of public opinion, but as Rhaenyra confessed to Mysaria late in last night’s episode, she’s still not sure she can lead her side to victory. After Mysaria gave her a heartfelt pep talk, Rhaenyra gave her a hug, and their lingering embrace soon became a passionate kiss.
Sure, it was interrupted by war stuff—but it marked a huge turning point for the characters. Speaking to Variety, D’Arcy talked about how the two women found common ground that then became something more. “Initially, they don’t like each other at all. And I think there’s something interesting about seeing two women within such a patriarchal system who have both developed mechanisms for navigating, manipulating the systems of power. Those skill sets were not built to be used on other women so much,” D’Arcy said. “But as the as the series progresses, Mysaria … has a powerful impact on Rhaenyra’s ability to see how a kingdom and its citizens are affected in the case of civil war.”
As for that smooch, “Initially, there’s huge feelings of empathy and gratitude toward this person. Rhaenyra is hugely affected by the life that Mysaria has lived so bravely. Then, they are two bodies completely overrun by touch. As soon as they embrace and their bodies are touching, I think it’s pure bodily desire.”
How will the moment affect things going forward—including Rhaenyra’s relationship with Daemon? We’ll find out, presumably, in House of the Dragon‘s final two episodes of the season, the first of which arrives Sunday on HBO and Max.
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