PG Score: 8.75/10
House of the Dragon is available on HBO Max. New episodes every Sunday at 9 PM ET.
*SOME SPOILERS BELOW*
Plot
If you haven't figured it out by now, episodes of House of the Dragon have time jumps between them. In Episode 4, "King of the Narrow Sea", the drama is building up. Rhaenyra's teenage rebellion does not mesh well with her duties to her family and the Realm. Prince Daemon's return from exile is welcomed by his brother, but does nothing to soothe the turmoil that his presence brings to King's Landing.
Not Losing Any Steam
Fantastic episode. House of the Dragon has been on its A-game all season. The show's creators and actors are doing a tremendous job building the drama and exploring where the characters are emotionally after each time jump. More players in the game, big and small, are starting to play on the main characters' insecurities and doubts. It's excellent writing and television at its best. Episode 4 focuses heavily on Rhaenyra's rebellion and Daemon's divisiveness in the capital, leaving an ailing King Viserys on the outs with his closest advisor. This episode gave us another look at the streets of King's Landing at the height of Targaryen power, showing plays and revelry at its best.
Ripple Effects to Come
"King of the Narrow Sea" is setting up a lot for future episodes. Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) and Queen Alicent (Emily Carey) are terrific in this episode as their characters attempt to make amends being adrift for several years. Book fans are in for a real treat at the beginning of this episode when we meet some of Rhaenyra's suitors, who happen to have familiar names, not to mention witnessing firsthand the bad blood between the Blackwoods and Brackens.