WARNING: This review contains spoilers for Episode 7 of ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2.
Called “The Red Sowing,” the episode opens with a jaw-dropping wide shot featuring Rhaenyra, Syrax, Addam of Hull, and Seasmoke. Addam, now officially Seasmoke’s rider, is a revelation that Rhaenyra could hardly have anticipated. While she could have guessed, Addam has chosen to withhold the fact that he is Corlys Velaryon’s bastard, thereby concealing his potential Valyrian heritage.
He bends his knee as fast as he can, a gesture reminiscent of an earlier scene where a character has swiftly pledged their loyalty under dramatic circumstances — of course, I am talking about Ser Simon Strong and his rapid allegiance to Daemon in Episode 3. While Addam’s loyalty to Rhaenyra is understandable given his background, I expected that someone who has just tamed a dragon might be less impressionable.
“Me” time
Feeling overwhelmed after being removed from the Small Council by her own son, Alicent retreats to the Kingswood, a forest in central Westeros. This is the same place where, in Season 1, the royal court went for a grand hunt to celebrate Aegon’s second nameday. She brings along only her Kingsguard, Ser Rickard Thorne, for protection and support. As they set up camp, Alicent hints that she might not return to King’s Landing. She spends her time floating in a lake, lost in thought. While the Internet might call it her version of a spa day, I’d say it’s more like a retreat to reflect on the fallout of her actions, which all stem from her own jealousy toward her former BFF, Rhaenyra.
Larys’ whispers
In the courtyard, Larys watches with a calculating eye as Aemond condemns two Kingsguards to a lifetime of servitude at the Wall. Officially, they’re being punished for their alleged role in escalating the riot in last week’s episode that nearly killed Alicent and Helaena. However, it’s evident that Aemond’s true motive is their association with Aegon, whom he despises and wishes dead.
Meanwhile, Larys continues to plot against Aemond. When Lord Jasper mentions that Seasmoke has a new rider, Larys instructs him to withhold the information from the Prince Regent. Larys’ urgency to hasten Aegon’s recovery is clear; he’s pushing for a quicker healing process, defying the Grand Maester’s advice, in an effort to help Aegon reclaim the throne from his wily brother.
Wild pursuit
As Rhaena escorts Rhaenyra’s sons, Aegon and Viserys, from the Eyrie toward their journey to Pentos, she subtly breaks away from the group. While they head to the seaside to catch their boat, Rhaena veers into the countryside, determined to track down the wild dragon living in the Vale of Arryn.
Oscar Tully ate
Daemon has always considered dealing with Oscar Tully to be child’s play — literally and figuratively. But in Episode 7, he finds himself outsmarted by the very child he underestimated. This scene — likely the season’s funniest — is truly one for the ages.
A bit of backstory: We first met Oscar in Episode 4 when Daemon tried to convince him to kill his grandfather, an idea that didn’t sit well with Oscar. Fast forward to the previous episode, and we learned that Grover Tully is dead, making Oscar the new Lord Paramount of the Trident.
In Episode 7, Oscar arrives at Harrenhal with the Riverlords and promises to support Rhaenyra, honoring his grandfather’s loyalty, and offers his allegiance to Daemon. However, the Riverlords doubt his leadership because he’s young, and they are also angry at Daemon for the past violence he had committed.
To win their trust, Oscar takes a jab at Ser Willem Blackwood for his brutal behavior, despite Willem’s excuse of merely following Daemon’s orders. In a move that is both predictable and surprisingly entertaining, Oscar demands that Daemon prove himself deserving of the Riverlords’ banners by denouncing his crimes and dispensing justice. Daemon ends up agreeing to execute Willem, which proves that even the literally smallest player can deliver a knockout punch.
Later, Daemon has another vision of a frail Viserys, who confesses he never wanted the crown. “It crushes whoever wears it,” Viserys says, and then asks Daemon if he still desires the crown he has always coveted.
Legitimate bastards
Rhaenyra returns to Dragonstone with Addam, who does not impress her council because of his low-born status as a dragonrider. Nevertheless, she decides to have Addam trained in dragonriding and given lessons in High Valyrian.
Mysaria advises Rhaenyra to look for Targaryen descendants with stronger blood ties in King’s Landing rather than in noble houses. Jacaerys opposes this plan, believing that the dragonseeds could threaten his own claim to succession. He then reveals to Rhaenyra that he knows Ser Harwin Strong was his biological father.
Just like Addam, Corlys keeps their connection a secret. He congratulates Addam and releases him from his duties as shipwright, allowing him to pursue his new role as a dragonrider.
Mysaria’s tip-off about potential Targaryen bastards who might make good dragonriders makes its way to King’s Landing. This leads to a number of dragonseeds stepping forward, including Ulf, who’s notorious for flaunting his Targaryen lineage, and Hugh, who we learn has Targaryen blood through his mother, claiming to be related to both Viserys and Daemon.
The bastards arrive at Dragonstone, and Rhaenyra offers them reassurance, even as the dragonkeepers protest her decision to hand dragons over to common folk. The situation takes a dramatic turn when Vermithor unleashes a deadly rampage, claiming the lives of dozens of dragonseeds. Every time a dragon kills someone during Rhaenyra’s tryouts, it makes me reflect on whether her ambition is truly worth the heavy cost. It’s hard not to notice the dark irony of her lofty goals coming with such a brutal price.
Vermithor chooses Hugh as his new rider after he faces the dragon head-on with bravery. Meanwhile, Ulf narrowly avoids Vermithor’s wrath and finds refuge in the caverns, where he stumbles into a dragon’s lair and accidentally steps on a dragon egg. In a dramatic twist, Silverwing awakens and, sensing Ulf’s presence, chooses him as its new rider.
In King’s Landing, Aemond’s council meeting is thrown into disarray when Ulf, taking Silverwing on a joyride, causes a stir by flying over the city like a child flaunting a new toy. Aemond quickly mounts Vhagar and races after them, but he’s forced to retreat when he arrives at Dragonstone to find Rhaenyra accompanied by Syrax, Vermithor, and Silverwing.
Episode 7 serves up the high-stakes drama and intensity that’s a hallmark of a penultimate season installment. With a fanbase that’s been hard to please and growing impatient throughout the season, this episode strikes the perfect balance by bridging the gap between those who crave thrilling dragon drama and those who appreciate the show’s subtler, more intricate political maneuvering.