Unscripted Kiss in House of the Dragon Season 2 Surprises Everyone

In a season dominated by intense dragon battles and tragic character demises, the latest episode of House of the Dragon, titled “Smallfolk,” offers a refreshingly tender glimpse into the emotional depths of its protagonists. Viewers witness Aegon Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) in his most vulnerable state, Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell) overwhelmed by greed and power, and Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) grappling with feelings of loneliness and helplessness. Despite her high social standing, Rhaenyra’s isolation stems from a sense of abandonment and lack of support from her trusted allies.

Enter Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno), also known as the White Worm, who has emerged as one of Rhaenyra’s closest allies this season. Throughout the episode, Mysaria helps the queen win the favor of the King’s Landing populace and demonstrates her unwavering belief in Rhaenyra’s capacity to govern the realm effectively. This mutual trust culminates in a passionate kiss between Rhaenyra and Mysaria, which is unexpectedly interrupted by news of Seasmoke and his new rider. Remarkably, this kiss was not scripted but was an improvised moment that felt emotionally authentic to the actors.

Although the scene starts with Mysaria recounting a traumatic story from her dark past, it ultimately allows Rhaenyra to feel secure enough to express her affection. Rhaenyra’s struggle with trust issues, especially in her relationship with her husband, Daemond Targaryen, has been a recurring theme in the second season. In a recent interview with The Wrap, Sonoya Mizuno revealed that Emma D’Arcy proposed the kiss. Both actors felt it was emotionally appropriate and brought the idea to showrunner Ryan Condal.

According to Mizuno, the script originally called for the two to share a hug and a breath, avoiding any sense of “queer-baiting.” However, the intense emotional vulnerability of the hug naturally evolved into the kiss that made it into the final cut of the episode. This moment serves as a significant step forward for both characters, who have likely been starved of affection and are on their respective journeys of learning to trust those around them.

This improvised kiss is not an isolated instance in the Game of Thrones universe. Both the original series and its prequel, House of the Dragon, have a history of incorporating actor-inspired moments. For instance, in Season 1 of House of the Dragon, the scene where King Viserys Targaryen’s (Paddy Considine) crown slips off his head was an accidental on-set mishap. Matt Smith’s instinct to replace the crown immediately was a spontaneous act that seamlessly fit within the narrative, adding emotional depth to the scene.

Game of Thrones also has its share of iconic improvised moments. Emilia Clarke improvised some of Daenerys Targaryen’s High Valyrian speeches, including her impactful monologue in Season 5’s “Kill the Boy.” During the Battle of the Bastards, Kit Harington’s “rebirthing” scene as Jon Snow was another improvised moment born out of on-set difficulties. These instances showcase the willingness of the actors and showrunners to adapt, enhancing the emotional richness of the story.

Allowing actors to improvise can be risky, especially in a fictional universe with a dedicated fanbase and rich source material. However, these moments often provide a deeper understanding of the characters. Paddy Considine’s improvised line “my love” in Viserys Targaryen’s final moments, for instance, added a poignant layer to his character, making his death scene one of the most memorable moments of the season.

Even though the kiss between Rhaenyra and Mysaria was not in the original script, it adds a nuanced layer of emotion to an already complex season filled with violence and heartbreak. As Rhaenyra faces increasingly challenging times and needs trusted allies more than ever, viewers can expect to see more of this budding romance unfold in the remaining episodes.

New episodes of House of the Dragon air weekly on Sundays on Max.

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Source: Collider