House of The Dragon – Season 2, Episode 7

The episode starts at Driftmark. After Rhaenyra hears of Seasmoke’s new rider she flys on Syrax to confront this supposed imposter (assumed to be apart of Team Green) but instead she is met with a bastard bearing the name Addam of Hull, a former shipwright in the service of Lord Corlys Velaryon. With both dragons circling over their riders Rhaenyra approaches, ‘You stand with a dragon of House Targaryen, what do you want?’ She is fierce, with the loyalty of Seasmoke and his new rider not yet established she must enforce her authority ‘The Queen of The Seven Kingdom’s’, met with what she deemed an impossible task. In answer to her question Addam replies ‘To learn the ways of dragon riders, and to serve my Queen’. He has spent his life bleeding for House Velaryon, he knows the meaning of service and now the God’s have called him for greater things, so who is he to refuse? Seasmoke has chosen him as his rider and now Addam understands that his role in this war will succeed past his former life. Rhaenyra proceeds to invite Addam to Dragonstone.

Kings Landing and the Kingswood

Following the attack by The Great Sept, Alicent has returned to The Red Keep. She sits in silence and stares at the wound bound to her skin, a scar to match the terrors of this war, a scar that binds her to all that has happened and all she has done. ‘All my life I have endeavoured to serve my House and The Realm, but somehow none of it matters’ – Alicent is now forced to reflect upon her actions; what did ‘serving The Realm’ mean? Did it mean ensuring Aegon succeed’s the throne? Did it mean bloodshed, betrayal? Did it mean disregarding Rhaenyra, humiliating her? Now Alicent will be left with the same scar she inflicted upon Rhaenyra years ago, constantly reminded of the truth of who she is. The room is dark, the curtains drawn, the door closed. Alicent is confined within her own mind and surrounded by memories, you can hear the water dripping, the rats scavenging (referring back to Blood and Cheese) ‘Nothing is clean’. She now wishes to go out to the Kingswood alone. Upon nightfall, Alicent leaves the company of Ser Rickard and retires to her tent ‘When does you Grace mean to return to the city?’ to which Alicent says ‘I’m not yet certain I do’. Alicent is no longer sure of her role, with the intentions of ensuing peace she has initiated a sequence of tragedies and now she wishes to walk away. Later we see her walking among the fields and towards the lake; here she unburdens herself from her house, abandoning the green cloak that has protected her all these years and leaves herself exposed amongst nature, amongst the gods. She allows water to consume her, with her eyes drifted amongst the sky Alicent comes to realise that the survival of her house, her family, the realm is no longer secure.

Aegon still continues to struggle with his recovery, with the help of the maester he is learning to walk though during so he experiences large amounts of pain and must quickly return abed to relieve himself. Lord Larys continues to linger around him and now Aegon has gained consciousness he is able to pursue his plan, using him for his own benefit. Given the secrecy he has already shown towards Aemond by not informing him of the news that Seasmoke has a new rider, Larys must act quickly if he is able to fasten his position.

The Sowing of Seeds

Back on Dragonstone Seasmoke’s return with a new rider is not welcomed by the council, yet Rhaenyra herself believes it to be a blessing. This goes against centuries of history, Targaryen’s are the blood of the dragon and hence only they as true born members can claim this gift from the Gods. Rhaenyra must now overthrow this notion and sets out for other’s with Targaryen lineage, regardless if they’re bastards to find riders for Vermithor and Silverwing. This is known as ‘The Sowing of the Seeds’. But for Jace this plan is a threat, one that stems from the struggles he faced as a child with his parentage. It was known amongst court that his farther wasn’t Ser Laenor, he has dark hair counter to both his parents and others in his family who had silver hair (a known attribute of Targaryen’s) and is judged since a bastard. And while before he was able to see past this fact, now that his Mother is Queen he is now heir to the Iron Throne. He can only defend his legitimacy through him having a dragon but if this plan succeeds, if anyone can seize a dragon his claim can again be challenged. He feels betrayed by his Mother, however Rhaenyra must look past this if she is too strengthen her forces and Jace is left feeling broken.

Upon the arrival of everyone, Rhaenyra is confronted by Dragonkeepers objecting upon what they believe to be an ‘abomination’. They recognise the dragons as sacred; the last remaining magic of Old Valyria and not play things for the games of men. While Rhaenyra may not be intentionally trying to misuse the dragons, her motives end at obtaining new dragonriders for war and actions such as this endangers their existence. It could be argued that its this behaviour that causes the downfall of House Targaryen. Further, she warns all those before her of the danger they face and for those who stay she proceeds to call Vermithor, the Bronze Fury. ‘Come forward Vermithor’ and heavy footsteps approach, ‘Be calm Vermithor, be calm!’ ‘Serve!’ – Rhaenyra stands strong before Vermithor and reaches her hands towards him, closing her eyes and embraces him. Rhaenyra has already bonded with another dragon, she cannot claim Vermithor however he answers her call, listens to her and even allows her to stroke him; dragons are intelligent and can recognise the true blood of the dragon. I think this parallels a scene in Season 1, Episode 3 when Rhaenyra is approached by a White hart in the Kingswood, both creatures are symbols of the God’s and in this way the writers can show that Rhaenyra is recognised as the true heir. She now leaves the fate of everyone to Vermithor.

Amongst chaos and fire while attempting to escape and save the life of a women trapped within a dragons grasp, Hugh the Hammer confronts Vermithor and Vermithor, impressed by Hughs bravery and courage accepts him as his rider. Ulf who has fled from the scene finds himself lost within the caves of Dragonstone and frantically stumbles among rocks into what appears to be Silverwing’s layer. He falls into a clutch of eggs, breaking them and awakening Silverwing. However Silverwing doesn’t appear to be vexed by Ulf’s action, instead she approaches him gently and engages with him in a playful manor, curious by the creature that lays in front of her. Contradictory to Vermithor, in the books Silverwing is described as a docile and friendly dragon and hence it makes sense that she would accept Ulf as her rider. While Ulf breaking the dragon eggs may not be significant in this moment, I think it foreshadows how his character will unfold throughout the Dance of Dragons – he will betray Rhaenyra in spite of winning the crown and in doing so he will undermine the value of dragons, using them for his own rise.

Harrenhal

Following the death of Lord Grover of House Tully, Daemon is again visited by Lord Oscar now the named Lord of The Riverlands. Though young, Lord Oscar is presented as a strong hearted and astute man, summoning his banners to war in respect to the oath his grandsire swore to King Viserys; he recognises Rhaenyra as Queen on The Seven Kingdoms and has no wish to abandon the words of his house and loyalty to the crown. Despite the shared hate among all of the Riverlords against Daemon, Lord Oscar sets aside his intolerences and declares his army for his Queen. However concluding this business, Lord Oscar is met with a dilemma based upon the hatred shared amongst The Blackwood’s and Blackens; both houses declared for opposite sides in the war and in the name of his Queen, Lord Wilem Blackwood seeks revenge and slaughters The Blackens. People are declaring justice for The Brackens for the crimes they suffered at the hand’s of the Blackwood’s and while Lord Wilem pledges his sworn sword to Lord Oscar, he is obliged by the old ways to punish him for his crimes. Lord Wilem is then beheaded by Daemon. While this action may have been necessary, I don’t think Lord Oscar was wise to do it; a large force of Lord Bracken has already been lost and now by killing the Lord of Blackwood he would have lost another one of his Bannerman. What will the consequences be for his actions? and has he put his position in jeopardy?

When Daemon returns to his chambers he is met by his brother Viserys. He lingers upon his bed and Daemon sits beside him ‘What is this?’ he says ‘I never wanted it, I was right not to’. Viserys describes the crown to Daemon as a burden ‘it crushes whoever wears it’, he knows Daemon always wanted the crown, resented him for having it but now looking upon his brother, both frail and weak Daemon understands he must let go of his desires for his own good.

Attack on Kings Landing

Back in Kings Landing and following The Sowing of the Seeds, Aemond and the council gather. Commotion arises outside as people shout ‘dragon’ and Aemond looks beyond the balcony to see a dragon circling around the city – Silverwing and Ulf have taken flight. Still new to the way of dragon riding, Ulf clings to Silverwing, fright has turned to excitement and they lead Aemond away from the city. On Vhagar, Aemond flys to Dragonstone but to his surprise he sees his half-sister Rhaenyra standing amongst three dragons. Aemond now realises he has underestimated his sister and retreats back to Kings Landing fearful of the threat he now faces.

This concludes my review on Episode 7 of Season 2. Let me know what you think!