House of the Dragon episode 4
The fourth episode of House of the Dragon delivered a bunch of shocking twists and turns, but the one that has most set the Internet on fire is when Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) took his niece Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) on a field trip to a brothel. The sexual tension was through the roof as they came about as close to doing the deed as they possibly could have before Daemon suddenly broke it off, leaving Rhaenyra to her own devices on King’s Landing’s Street of Silk.
However, Daemon and Rhaenyra were observed by a child who passed on the gossip to the White Worm, an informant who sells secrets to the Hand of the King Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans). Recognizing an opportunity to advance his own interests, Otto brings the matter up with King Viserys (Paddy Considine). He dances around saying exactly what Daemon and Rhaenyra did that was so bad, until Viserys demands that Otto speak plainly. He then confesses that the two Targaryens were seen “coupling.”
If you haven’t read a lot of fantasy books or keep a dictionary of Ye Olde English next to you at all times, this word might have tripped you up. Fret not, we’ll tell you what it means.
Photograph by Ollie Upton / HBO
According to Meriam Webster’s dictionary, “coupling” has a few different meanings, but the one that’s relevant to us is: “the act of bringing or coming together; pairing. Specifically: sexual union.”
Basically, coupling is a colloquial term for having sex. Online Eytmology Dictionary pins this usage of the phrase as dating back to the 14th century, where it could be used either to denote that two people united in marriage, embraced sexually, or copulated. I think we can all guess which meaning Otto is implying.
When Otto Hightower tells King Vierys that Rhaenyra and Daemon were seen “coupling,” what he means is that they were seen having sex. Which we know isn’t quite true. But what is the truth anyway, in the game of thrones?
House of the Dragon premieres new episodes every Sunday at 9:00 p.m. EST on HBO and HBO Max.
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