Rhaenyra and Mysaria’s unexpected kiss<\/strong><\/p>\n In the latest episode of HBO’s “House of the Dragon,” titled “Smallfolk,” viewers were treated to a surprising and intimate moment between Rhaenyra (Emma D\u2019Arcy) and Mysaria, also known as The White Worm (Sonoya Mizuno). The episode culminates in a passionate kiss between the two characters, marking a significant turn in their relationship. However, the kiss is abruptly interrupted, leaving Rhaenyra to take off on dragonback to investigate a mysterious dragon rider in Westeros. This cliffhanger leaves fans with numerous questions about the implications of this intimate moment for the rest of Season 2.<\/p>\n The kiss: A spontaneous act of intimacy<\/strong><\/p>\n Emma D\u2019Arcy, who portrays Rhaenyra, shared her insights on the kiss, emphasizing that it was not a calculated move. “Honestly, I think initially there was just such a desire to connect,” D\u2019Arcy told Variety. “What you see initially is intimacy, and an intimacy that Rhaenyra shares so rarely. Even in some of her other romantic relationships, there\u2019s a lot of presentation, there\u2019s a lot of bravado, often from both sides.”<\/p>\n D\u2019Arcy further elaborated on the unique nature of Rhaenyra’s relationship with Mysaria. “With Mysaria, in this growing relationship \u2014 it\u2019s remarkably honest. Initially, there\u2019s 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\u2019s pure bodily desire.”<\/p>\n Mysaria’s perspective: A tender surprise<\/strong><\/p>\n Sonoya Mizuno, who plays Mysaria, also shared her thoughts on the kiss, noting that it took both characters by surprise. “There\u2019s nothing Machiavellian in it, as far as I\u2019m concerned,” Mizuno said. “It\u2019s a really beautiful, tender kiss, and it would be impossible not to feel something as Mysaria in that moment. I don\u2019t think she has had that kind of kiss \u2014 maybe ever.”<\/p>\n Mizuno also discussed the complexity of Mysaria’s feelings, given her tumultuous past. “Sex and sexuality is very complicated for her, given her history as a young woman with her father, and then going into her professional work life. So to have that such a tender, loving and passionate moment would have woken something up.”<\/p>\n The evolving relationship between Rhaenyra and Mysaria<\/strong><\/p>\n The relationship between Rhaenyra and Mysaria has evolved significantly since the start of the season. Initially, the two characters did not like each other, but over time, they have developed a deep trust. “It\u2019s quite a new type of relationship for Rhaenyra,” D\u2019Arcy explained. “She is such a volatile person that she often allows herself to be led by her emotions \u2014 especially in the case of relationships. I think this marks something of a change. Their trust is one that grows creepingly.”<\/p>\n Mysaria has also had a powerful impact on Rhaenyra’s politics. “Mysaria really affects Rhaenyra\u2019s politics. She has a powerful impact on Rhaenyra\u2019s ability to see how a kingdom and its citizens are affected in the case of civil war. That was slightly abstract to Rhaenyra \u2014 until Mysaria somehow makes that more concrete.”<\/p>\n The implications for Rhaenyra and Daemon’s relationship<\/strong><\/p>\n The kiss between Rhaenyra and Mysaria is bound to have significant implications for Rhaenyra’s already strained relationship with Daemon (Matt Smith). Daemon has been absent from Dragonstone for half the season, communicating with Rhaenyra only through unsettling hallucinations and dreams while building up an army at Harrenhal. If Daemon finds out about Rhaenyra’s intimate moment with Mysaria, it could lead to further complications.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s going to be a bit of a shit show, isn\u2019t it?” Mizuno remarked. “But I\u2019m looking forward to it, whatever it\u2019s going to be.”<\/p>\n Rhaenyra’s decision to take to the skies<\/strong><\/p>\n In this episode, Rhaenyra makes the bold decision to take to the skies on her dragon, Syrax, after hearing about an unknown dragon rider. This decision comes after weeks of being advised by her council and family not to go out on her own dragon. D\u2019Arcy explained Rhaenyra’s motivation: “I feel that this is one of those moments in the escalating civil war that, depending on who is riding that dragon, it could mark the end of their campaign.”<\/p>\n A new type of power<\/strong><\/p>\n Rhaenyra’s relationship with Mysaria has also influenced her understanding of power. “Gaining the will, and the belief of the people \u2014 I don\u2019t know how much that was part of her political consciousness prior to Mysaria,” D\u2019Arcy noted. This new perspective on power could play a crucial role in the unfolding civil war.<\/p>\n A kiss not found in the history books<\/strong><\/p>\n The kiss between Rhaenyra and Mysaria is not included in George R.R. Martin’s “Fire & Blood,” which serves as the source material for the series. D\u2019Arcy reflected on this addition to the show: “I think there\u2019s humor to be found that \u2014 also in our real written histories \u2014 so often women fall out of the history books. Partly from a lack of care: like, people are not concerned about what they\u2019re up to. And I like trying to investigate what happened between the forgotten pages.”<\/p>\n Rhaenyra’s sexuality<\/strong><\/p>\n When asked if Rhaenyra has always been a queer character, D\u2019Arcy responded, “It\u2019s hard, because I don\u2019t think the word ‘queer’ is a word that is in any way within Rhaenyra\u2019s lexicon. There are so few images or stories within that world that she has access to that allow one to identify in that way. What I do think is that she is really sexual. Maybe that\u2019s one of the real joys of playing her, is that I think she\u2019s a super-embodied character, who knows when her body is sort of saying something.”<\/p>\n The future of Rhaenyra and Daemon<\/strong><\/p>\n As for the future of Rhaenyra and Daemon’s relationship, D\u2019Arcy hinted at the challenges ahead. “I don\u2019t expect that she will have any intention of telling him. But I imagine that she feels quite proud, and feels quite emboldened. I imagine she quite likes the idea of him finding out. There\u2019s such a power struggle in their relationship, that hooking up with his ex, I can only think, would feel like a useful point on the board.”<\/p>\n A reflective closure<\/strong><\/p>\n The kiss between Rhaenyra and Mysaria has undoubtedly added a new layer of complexity to “House of the Dragon.” As the civil war continues to escalate, the relationships and power dynamics among the characters will be tested in ways that are both unexpected and profound. The future remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the journey ahead will be filled with intrigue, passion, and conflict.<\/p>\n