Did Daemon's Brothel Visit Foreshadow a Sinister House of the Dragon Plot Twist?

And often, a character's primary motivation for the way they act fails to come to fruition. As we see when Daemon takes Rhaenyra on a tour of Flea Bottom and into a Pleasure House on the Street of Silk.

While his intentions are never made explicitly clear, one suggestion that makes sense is that Daemon sees this escapade as a way of getting closer to power.

It's clear that Rhaenyra has the hots for Daemon and the delight on her face when she sees him waiting for her is evidence that she is excited about what's to come – even though she has no idea what awaits her.

So, Daemon knew that he would be able to seduce Rhaenyra. But why do it so publicly and in such a sordid environment?

Remember, it was Daemon who removed Rhaenyra's hat as she entered the brothel – and he was happy enough walking around without his own hood up once inside.

It was almost as if he wanted to be seen. And when hauled before Viserys, he actually lied and said he had taken Rhaenyra's virginity – before requesting that she be wed to him. This would have been as close as Daemon could have ever hoped to get to the crown. Viserys, though, saw straight through him.

Daemon had wanted to advance his own standing by his actions. But in truth, it was Rhaenyra who gained the most from the evening.

Whether Daemon actually wanted to have sex with Rhaenyra is unclear. What we did see was that once she took control of the situation, he found himself either unable or unwilling to go through with it.

By that point, it didn't matter. Rhaenyra had had her eyes opened to the world. And was shocked by the way the smallfolk viewed not just her as a princess, but the very idea of a female heir to the Iron Throne.

She had seized power over her uncle in a situation in which he would have been expected to hold all the cards.

It's significant too, that Rhaenyra led Alicent to believe that she and Daemon had had sex. And the way in which she also controlled that conversation with Alicent while still deferentially calling her "Your Grace".

She then went on to challenge Viserys, telling that, were she born a man she could sleep with whoever she wanted. And while she acquiesced and agreed to marry Ser Laenor, she did so on her terms.

Daemon may have set out to increase his own star – but it was Rhaenyra who shone more brightly in the end.