House of the Dragon is back with yet another episode, and there have been some interesting happenings. The push and pull of the Greens and the Blacks has been ever present since the very beginning of this season, and things are only getting more intense with every passing moment. As Rhaenyra and the Blacks look to find more Dragonriders, the show is taking a turn towards a point of no return.
The episode has given us some pretty good delicacies to gorge on. From Rhaena discovering an unknown dragon in the Vale to the death of Ser Steffon to Seasmoke finally finding himself a new rider, the episode was not lacking in incorporating more and more to the storyline. But one scene from Smallfolk did take a lot of us by surprise. So let’s talk about it.
Rhaenyra and Mysaria: A Twist to The Tale
Lady Mysaria was Daemon’s ally when we were first introduced to her character back in Season 1 of House of the Dragon. But as we progress, her character has become more present in the storyline, as she makes herself into one of Queen Rhaenyra’s most trusted allies. Their plan to win over the smallfolks at Kings Landing was a success and things are looking up for the Black Queen. And not just in the war front.
At the end of Episode 6, Rhaenyra and Mysaria share an intimate and vulnerable moment, and we are here for it. But it’s not just the fans, even Sonoya Mizuno, who plays the role of Lady Mysaria, is plenty positive with this development. But given George R. R. Martin did imply in Fire and Blood about Rhaenyra liking women, this doesn’t not come as a complete shock to most who have read the books. Talking to The Wrap, Mizuno opened up about the scene between her and Emma D’Arcy, saying:
It wasn’t scripted as a kiss. I think it was scripted as … there’s just breath between them or something, and then whatever happens is interrupted.
It was D’Arcy herself, who insisted that the moment should transcend into a kiss between the two women, as they give and take comfort from one another in that moment. Her, D’Arcy, and showrunner Ryan Condal apparently even had “many conversations” about this scene.
Because we were separate in the room… [and] Mysaria has told this story, [D’Arcy] felt the instinct to hold her, to comfort her. From that, it felt so organic to go into the kiss.
The scene felt very organic and natural rather than a forced bit to appease and excite a section of the audience. And thay is exactly what Mizuno thinks as well. Whether it takes a more romantic turn in the next episodes or not, the scene in itself was handled very well by the actors as well as the director of the episode.
House of the Dragon Is NOT “queer-baity” But Are Mysaria’s Feelings Genuine?
It won’t be surprising if the audiences thought that the scene between Emma D’Arcy’s Queen Rhaenyra and Sonoya Mizuno’s Lady Mysaria was queer-baiting. Given a lot of shows and movies these days try to deliberately including LGBTQ+ characters and moments into the storyline, this would not be the first instance. But Mizuno is adamant in holding her stance about the scene she shared with D’Arcy. Saying the scene was not “queer-baity in any sense,” and felt “emotionally so right,” Mizuno delved deeper into the psyche of Mysaria (and Rhaenyra).
I don’t think either of them have been hugged like that in a long time, if not ever. I think it was the hug — the intimate vulnerability of that hug — which which morphed into this very tender and passionate kiss, which was quite … amazing. I think it’s very thrilling in the moment for both of them.
Speaking of Rhaenyra, and Mysaria’s genuine feelings towards the queen, Mizuno further added:
Rhaenyra is quite amazing. I think it’s hard not to have feelings for Rhaenyra, to be honest. I don’t think it was anything Mysaria had plotted it … how could she not be attracted to Rhaenyra?
We will have to wait a while to see if this moment between Mysaria and Rhaenyra morphs into something more. Until then, you can watch House of the Dragon on Max.
