Is Rhaenyra Bisexual In 'House Of The Dragon'? That Mysaria Scene, Explained
Remember House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 6? If not, let me refresh you. While in Dragonstone, Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) opens up to Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) about her past trauma. However, what starts as a comforting hug from Rhaenyra ends up escalating to a kiss. The scene went viral for multiple reasons. One, it didn't happen in George R. R. Martin's source material, Fire & Blood. And two, Mizuno and D'Arcy improvised the scene because it felt right in the moment.
Come House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 7, Rhaenyra and Mysaria—who haven't acknowledged the kiss since—have another romantic encounter, and this time, it's even more heated. Bad idea? Most certainly, but there's clearly a complicated, ongoing tension with them. That said, the moment also has us audiences wondering whether Rhaenyra is bisexual, or if her tryst with Mysaria stems from a different place.
'House Of The Dragon' Makes Rhaenyra's Sexuality More Fluid Than 'Fire & Blood'
To label Rhaenyra firmly bisexual in House of the Dragon is tricky because she hasn't openly talked about her sexuality. Her kiss and even more intimate encounter with Mysaria confirm she has an attraction to women—or at least one woman in this case. Still, whether Rhaenyra identifies as or contemplates her bisexuality isn't fully clear in the series.
Season 1 of House of the Dragon also seemed to tease more intimate feelings between Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) and Alicent (Emily Carey). However, whether that was the result of true feelings or just strong chemistry between Alcock and Carey is up for debate.
If we look to Martin's Fire & Blood, Rhaenyra's relationships all point to her identifying as straight. She marries three men, Ser Laenor Velaryon, Ser Harwin Strong, and Daemon Targaryen, with Daemon, in particular, having a strong hold on her. Whether that's because of political ambition or actual feelings is somewhat ambiguous, which House of the Dragon does a pretty decent job of capturing.
Some people suspect Rhaenyra's relationship with Lady Laena Velaryon could have been romantic. However, there is no documentation that it went beyond a close friendship in Fire & Blood.
Rhaenyra & Mysaria's Encounter Carries Symbolic Meaning
Whether Rhaenyra is bisexual or not, her coupling with Mysaria carries a deeper meaning. Earlier in House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 7, Mysaria brings Sylvi (Michelle Bonnard), one of the town's brothel owners, to the throne room where she lays down a bold pitch. With Rhaenyra being too overwhelmed to hear petitions, Mysaria offers to become the queen's proxy, without Rhaenyra's permission, mind you, and become the middleman between the smallfolk and the crown.
Sylvi tells Mysaria what most of us audiences were probably already thinking: Mysaria is power-hungry. Of course, this isn't the first time Mysaria's loyalty has come under question. Like many who work for the highborn, it seems Mysaria's goal is to keep her position and perhaps even climb higher.
That's where the symbolism in Rhaenyra and Mysaria's sex scene comes in. Mysaria stands above a seated Rhaenyra. While Rhaenyra isn't literally on her knees, the implication is there. The power dynamic is shifted, at least in this moment. Mysaria has all the power—sexually and perhaps even emotionally.
Rhaenyra & Mysaria's Relationship Is Risky For Both Women
Daemon (Matt Smith) and Mysaria's past relationship further complicates things. Once sexual partners, the two are now heavily at odds. Daemon doesn't trust Mysaria, and Mysaria doesn't seem to trust Daemon. However, as Season 3 continues, it's becoming more apparent that Mysaria wants to drive a wedge between Rhaenyra and Daemon for her own selfish reasons.
Rhaenyra even accuses Mysaria of doing this very thing, only to end up on her knees in front of Mysaria that night. From Mysaria's perspective, it's a bold, dangerous move to get sexually entangled with Rhaenyra, but it could pay off in gaining influence. From Rhaenyra's perspective, it's equally dangerous.
Since taking King's Landing, Rhaenyra has been overwhelmed and underestimated. Daemon pushes back, while Mysaria knows how to make Rhaenyra feel heard. In that sense, it makes sense why Rhaenyra feels drawn to her. Daemon might be able to fulfill Rhaenyra romantically, but he continuously struggles to fulfill her emotionally. Still, Mysaria stands a chance of losing her head should Daemon discover the affair, just like Rhaenyra stands the chance of losing her grip on power if Mysaria keeps whispering in her ear with her own motives in mind.
