5 burning questions for House Of The Dragon episode 5

After last week’s banger of an episode (haha, get it?) things are heating up on House Of The Dragon. Which isn’t surprising, since we’re almost at the halfway point and things are only going to get wilder from here. Wilder than peasant cosplay as foreplay to incest in a steamy brothel? Oh, yes. The show seems to be just about finished laying the groundwork for the next phase of the story. The characters are in place and the subject of succession has been established as a fault line among nobles and the small folk alike (it also happens to be a hot topic in the real world right now). Now the real game begins. The preview for this week teased an upcoming royal wedding, and if we know anything about big weddings in George R.R. Martin’s world, we know they’re usually rather eventful affairs. Here are a few other things we’re pondering as we head into the next new episode.

1. What factions are forming inside the Red Keep and who will back whom?

Although King Viserys seems unwavering in his conviction to keep his daughter Princess Rhaenyra in place as the rightful heir, there aren’t many others in King’s Landing eager to jump in and declare for her when the time comes. That’s one of the reasons why it’s vital that Viserys heal the rift with Lord Corlys Velaryon through Rhaenyra’s marriage to his son, Ser Laenor. Having the rich and powerful House Velaryon on her side will boost Rhaenyra’s claim to the Iron Throne. Meanwhile, despite being connected to young Aegon—the more popular contender for the crown—House Hightower will have less influence at court following Otto’s departure. Will Alicent and Rhaenyra’s already strained relationship be fully broken once people start choosing sides? And where will Daemon, who’s still resentful at being kicked out of line, come down in all of this?