House of the Dragon Episode 9 saw the return of a character called White Worm, pivotal in the story’s development.
The first season of the highly-appreciated Game of Thrones prequel is almost in the books. As often happened with the mothership series, the ninth installment was full of surprises and drama. Here’s a quick explanation of how the White Worm fits into this scenario. As always, do not keep reading unless you have already watched House of the Dragon Episode 9.
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Who Is the White Worm?
The character known as “The White Worm” from House of the Dragon Episode 9 is none other than Mysaria. The character portrayed by Sonoya Mizuno made her debut in the House of the Dragon premiere, where she appeared as Daemon Targaryen’s mistress. Daemon used to visit her whenever he needed solace while serving in King Viserys I’s small council in King’s Landing. After fleeing the capital, Mysaria followed him to Dragonstone. The relationship between the two had its ups and downs, but ultimately Mysaria wasn’t happy to be just a pawn in Daemon’s game to seek power. Following the confrontation between Daemon and Otto Hightower, where the Targaryen prince falsely stated that Mysaria was pregnant, Mysaria left Daemon and returned to King’s Landing.
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Mysaria and Daemon met years after that incident, as seen in House of the Dragon Episode 4. On that occasion, the Targaryen prince was unconscious and hungover after spending the night in brothels in the company of his niece Rhaenyra Targaryen. That was the first time Mysaria introduced herself as “the White Worm,” the head of a network of spies. It was also the first time Mysaria and Otto Hightower worked together, a business relationship reinforced in the latest installment. After all, Mysaria provided Otto with the information that Daemon and Rhaenyra were attracted to each other.
In George R.R. Martin’s Fire and Blood is revealed that Mysaria is called “Lady Misery” or “the White Worm” by her enemies and rivals. Introduced as a slave from Lys, Mysaria made her way up to becoming one of the most informed — and thus, powerful — people in King’s Landing during the Dance of the Dragons. Pretty much, her influence and power resemble the one Varys had in Game of Thrones.
In House of the Dragon Episode 9, Mysaria kidnapped Aegon The Elder Targaryen shortly after finding out about Viserys’ death. The White Worm wanted to be the true kingmaker, as she explained to Otto when the King’s Hand had to pay to find out about his grandchild’s whereabouts. But the relationship between the crown and Mysaria is far from being amicable. The installment ended with Larys Strong apparently setting Mysaria’s house on fire. There is no trace of this incident in the books, where Mysaria lives to become one of the most trusted allies of Daemon and Rhaenyra in their attempt to reconquer the Iron Throne.
The Game of Thrones franchise features another character who goes by “worm” in his name, Grey Worm, who has nothing to do with “The White Worm.” In the mothership series, Grey Worm commanded the Unsullied, Daenerys Targaryen’s elite warrior-eunuchs from Astapor. Grey Worm was one of the most trusted allies of Daenerys, following his queen until her conquest of the Seven Kingdoms.
