House of the Dragon Episode 7 Review
by Chelsea House “Targaryen,” GGR Chief Media Correspondent
House of the Dragon episode 7, or should I say the episode of many stares, is our last episode with the children cast as they are. Episode 8 will contain yet another time jump, so it was important for 7 to really begin to lay the groundwork concerning the younger members of House Targaryen and Velaryon. It certainly acts as an appetite, if nothing else. Our episode opens appropriately with Laena’s funeral. The Velaryons and Targaryens stand by the majestic seashore, castle Driftmark in the background, while Corlys’s brother says their parting words. As the camera pans over various attendees, it stops on a proud Otto who is now wearing the pin of the King’s Hand.
“Salt courses through Velaryon blood. Ours runs thick.” Ser Vaemond says in High Valyrian. He is looking right at Rhaenyra and her boys. “Ours runs true.”
Viserys seems to notice his steady gaze as well. “And ours must never thin.” Daemon chuckles aloud. It’s sharp against the somber silence. The audience isn’t sure if he finds the subtle accusation truly funny, or if he’s simply trying to divert Vaemond’s attention from the young boys. Regardless - it works - and Jacaerys seems to notice and appreciate it. Leanor shows himself to be the more openly emotional adult out of the group as a tears streak his distraught face. Meanwhile, Alicent deems this moment the right time to give Rhaenyra a side eye which causes her to hold her children closer.
At the reception after the funeral there’s a lot of side eyes that aren’t incredibly worth going into. Basically, Rhaenyra and Daemond lock eyes a few times under the ever-watchful eye of Alicent and her sidekick Ser Criston Cole. When the Princess urges her eldest to comfort his cousins, he states that he should be mourning Harwin and Lyonel in Harrenhal. She tells him they’re not family, the Velaryons are, and thus it would not be appropriate. He does go over to Rhaena and Baela, and Baela grabs his hand tenderly. Aegon stands with Aemond while their weirdo sister is playing with yet another insect. Aegon confirms that he is betrothed to Helaena, yet they have nothing in common. Cole notices Larys staring intently at Queen Alicent, which she nervously dismisses as pride. Corlys talks with young Lucerys about being the heir to Driftmark which the young boy say he doesn’t want it, because if he is the Lord of Driftmark, that means everyone is dead. Rhaenys shows the cold shoulder to both Rhaenyra AND her boys and lovingly comforts her grandaughters. Aegon enjoys his wine, Daemon and the Princess share a sly smile while dragons purr in the sky, Laenor needs to be brought back from the ocean which he has waded waist deep in, weeping for his lost sister. Viserys tries to comfort Daemon but doesn’t quite get it right and causes him to storm off. When Otto also tries to offer condolences, Daemon calls him a leech and heads to the beach. Rhaenyra notices and is quick to follow after telling her boys they have an early bedtime. Viserys calls Alicent Aemma, Ser Harrold corrects him, and Alicent looks like she’s just ready for him to die already.
Phew! Family gatherings, am I right? Laenor honestly breaks my heart in these scenes. He’s the only one openly grieving his sister, other than his nieces. I do wish he offered more comfort to his immediate family - nieces, sons, etc. It’s as if he felt like he had to be alone, yet Baela grabbing her cousin’s hand reminds us the strength in togetherness during times of great loss. It’s also frustrating that Rhaenyra seems completely unbothered by her husband’s broken heart. I understand this is her first time seeing Daemon in a while, and she has alluded to Laenor being absent, but she doesn’t even offer him a hug or anything. Alicent for sure has too much time on her hands to be constantly staring Rhaenyra down. She did not take her eyes off of her the whole freaking reception which is incredibly childish. It’s also another telltale that she just can’t let things go - wrapping it in her ideas of what decency is. As a mother, I also am completely distraught at how poor Rhaenyra’s sons are treated. Yea, everyone knows they’re bastards, but they’re human beings as well, and it sucks to see them treated that way because of the Princess’s choices. Baela grabbing Jacaerys’s hand was legit the sweetest, but also so sad because that was really the only warmth he was shown at the time. I’m sure it will fortify and bolster him as he grows - but it’s just so unnecessary.
Otto sees Aegon collapsed on the stairs and decides the best way to fix this situation is to kick his grandson and roughly send him to bed which makes me hate him more. Aemond hears Vhagar in the distance, and we are for sure that this dragon less boy is bound to either end the night happy or die trying. Rhaenys and Corlys sit by the fire and discuss their daughter’s death. She is mourning and blames Daemon for not bringing her home sooner. Corlys says to blame it on the gods. She says that perhaps the gods are looking down on them due to their pride. He then decides to bring up the crown again - she puts him in his place by saying that it had nothing to do with her – it had to do with his own ambition... even at the cost of their children. Ouch. She wants Driftmark to pass to Baela and Rhaena, true Velaryons. Corlys empathizes with his son and Rhaenyra’s boys. Rhaenys states that they are not his blood, but the girls are. This seems to have little effect as he states that “History doesn’t remember blood – it remembers names.” and he angrily walks away.
Rhaenys is a little disappointing to me in regards to her son and daughter in law. She has never been the warm and fuzzy character, true, but this is now the second time she has had an opportunity to be there for her daughter-in-law and completely missed out because of stubborn, skewed ideas. She knew Laenor’s “preferences”, (as everyone in the show says) and waved her husbands suggestion that he would “grow out of it” away. So she had to have known that he and Rhaenyra were going to have super slim chances of having biological children together. 10 years have gone by, so we have no clue if she gave her son a stern “do your duty” conversation or not, but the way she speaks of Rhaenyra and the boys indicates she puts all the blame on Rhaenyra for their children being illegitimate which is super lopsided. If Rhaenyra didn’t conceive at all - we have no idea what that would have meant for her or Laenor, especially since there were already rumors of his sexuality. I’m not saying she did a good thing by having babies with Harwin, but in a way - it was “keeping up appearances” as Rhaenyra later states. Meanwhile - Rhaenys hasn’t even bothered to talk to her son about the loss of his sister when he is so obviously struggling, so maybe she is just a really cold person. Both Rhaenyra and Laenor were given a rough hand to play, it only seems fair that both should be guided and directed instead of just disregarded- especially from a woman who was so concerned about her son’s future when Viserys originally offered the proposal, and then liked to rub the outcome in her husband’s face.
Rhaenyra and Daemon have a nice romantic walk on the beach, and I’m gonna pause here to say that St. Michael's Mount, where they filmed Driftmark, is a breathtaking place. Each scene was filled with beautiful sky, rolling white sand, and gorgeous waters ebbing waters. So of course, it’s the perfect place for the Princess to admit that Harwin was indeed the father of her children. She says that Laenor and her tried, but there was no joy in it. She does express her frustration that her marriage is a farce, but she at least tried to keep up appearances. She doesn’t speak harshly of Laenor, from the way they both have interacted - you know they love each other. Daemon is comforting, he knows she has more to lose. He also tells her he believes that Alicent and Otto had something to do with Harwin’s death – which we know is correct. Rhaenyra, oddly enough, defends the Queen saying she doesn’t believe her capable of killing. “Each of us is capable of depravity.” Daemon says. This turns the conversation, and she blames him for leaving her. She asks if he loved Laena. He replies they were happy enough. She says she’s sorry. He says don’t be – at least he’s allowed to mourn his losses. Both are vulnerable at this moment. Rhaenyra reaches out a hand, Daemon weakly protests, and she tells him she’s not a child anymore. She wants him. In their grief and brokeness, they are both able to comfort each other to the sound of lulling waves and the beginnings of a crystal-clear night sky.
Meanwhile, Aemond runs along the beach until he finds his prize – sleeping Vhagar. He approaches and with a shaky hand tries to reach for the ropes to climb her back. She wakes up and gives him a warning growl. He tries again and this time she opens her mouth, throat glowing orange, until he yells “Dohaeras, Vhagar! Lykiri.” which makes her stop and stare for a moment before letting him climb her back. I did some digging, and he basically told her to serve and calm in High Valyrian because as a Targaryen, it was his right to do so. Once on her massive back, he yells “Soves!” (Fly), and she obeys. Her size compared to his tiny body is something to behold. He barely holds on but does so with sheer determination knowing he’s still being tested. She playfully flies him through a flock of birds and dips her wings into the water. After a dazzling display of her silhouette gliding across the moon, we are sure that he has been accepted as her rider. Baela and Rhaena see Vhagar flying off and wake Jace up to let him know. Rhaenyra and Daemon hear the dragon’s call, but when she asks him “who is it?”, Daemon seems conflicted and unsure.
Baela, Rhaena, Jace, and Luke meet Aemond after he lands back at the castle. It’s a little West Side Story as Rhaena claims Vhagar was her’s to claim to which Aemond says she should have claimed her then. They all get into a fight and Aemond seems a lot cockier now that he has the biggest dragon in the world. He calls Jace and Luke bastards which causes the elder of the boys to pull a knife, although he’s unsuccessful at defending himself, Luke gets the winning stroke and slashes Aemond across the face. A couple of things from this scene – the girls obviously like Rhaenyra’s children way better than Alicent’s. You gotta give Aemond props for fighting off all four of those kids at the same time, because they were putting up quite the fight. It was impressive, and also perhaps another foreshadows the strength of Alicent’s family versus Rhaenyra’s? Ser Herrald finds them, puts the fight to a stop, and brings them to the King.
In the next scene Viserys goes off on his knights asking them how they could let this happen. Alicent fusses over her son asking the Maester if it will heal. The flesh will, the eye won’t. Alicent gets up and roughs her older son up saying he should’ve been there for his brother. Sheesh. Aegon can’t catch a freaking break. Slowly, everyone else comes in the room and it erupts with Rhaenyra and Alicent arguing whose children causes what, and somehow Baela and Rhaena are completely left off the hook even though if they hadn’t woken Jace up – he would have still been sound asleep in his bed. After Viserys yells for them to stop, Jace whispers to his mother that Aemond called them bastards. Rhaenyra states this, Aemond gives a sly smile with his swollen, sewn up eye. Rhaenyra prods him to question him as to who told him this information to which the King obliges. Alicent tries to go back to the fact that her son lost an eye for an insult and asks where Laenor is. Viserys agrees – where is their father? The Princess does not know – she was taking a walk on the beach. “Entertaining his young squires, I’d venture” Alicent quips.
Viserys makes Aemond tell him, and the boy stares at his mother long enough to cause a bit of a commotion before saying it was Aegon. Aegon looks shocked as his father now comes to him to ask the same question.
He simply answers, “We know. Everyone knows. Just look at them.” Rhaenyra holds her boys even closer to her.
Viserys loses it and tells them all to stop freaking fighting. That they’re family and need to act like it. They need to make apologies. Alicent doesn’t want an apology. She wants an eye for an eye. Literally. Aemon is obviously Mommy’s boy. When the King won’t allow her, she demands Criston to do it. He also refuses. When the King feels like everything is over, he threatens that anyone else who questions the legitimacy of the boys will have their tongue cut out. He turns to go and Alicent grabs his dagger rushing after her grandkids. Rhaenyra steps in front of them, Daemon blocks Ser Cole. Alicent complains that she’s followed duty her whole life while Rhaenyra rubs it in her face that she doesn’t have to. Rhaenyra says that she’s gone too far, and now everyone sees her for who she really is which causes Alicent to slice the Princess’s arm. When she sees the blood dripping, she drops the dagger in horror- suddenly brought back to reality.
Aemon speaks up, “Do not mourn me mother. It was a fair exchange. I may have lost an eye, but I gained a dragon.” He rests his head on his mother’s shoulder and Viserys dismisses everyone. It’s hard to tell if it’s the throne rejecting him that is causing him his ailments, or if it’s just the fact that he’s constantly having to put fires out from his very own family. Forget ruling the kingdom, he doesn’t have the time for it after dealing with all of their crap. It’s absolutely mind boggling that so much of what we know will come could have been avoided by a simple apology here, thoughtful action here, etc. Or if they had just listened to the poor guy and acted like family. Not that he’s perfect, he made mistakes that set the very foundation for this tension and rivalry. His favoritism of his daughter doesn’t help, either. But he at least is always reaching for peace whereas everyone else seems so desperate for blood.
Otto visits his daughter in her bedchamber. She admits that she messed up and lost her composure. He agrees but is also proud of her because it’s the first time that she has shown grit. She isn’t proud of it; she thinks it was ugly and has caused rumors. He reminds her that the game they play is an ugly game – together they can win it.
Rhaenyra gets stitched up. Laenor comes in, apologetic that he was not there for them. The Princess dismisses everyone so they can speak. He explains that he has been mourning his sister. She doesn’t seem overly sympathetic. She tells him that Aemond called their children bastards. Laenor apologizes to her. He says that he loves the boys, but perhaps not enough. She tells him that she wanted to have his kids – things would have been different. He confesses he hates the way he is; she replies she doesn’t. He’s a good and honorable man - and my heart is so sad for both of them. Laenor tells Rhaenyra that he wants to be what she deserves – a husband. He wants to recommit himself to her. She knows this would mean him giving up his dreams and says nothing.
Alicent and Viserys head off in carriages. She tries to apologize to the King, but he wants nothing to do with it, and honestly, I don’t blame him. The man probably has a permanent headache. As they sail away on their Targaryen ship, 3 dragons fly after them. Aegon on Sunfyre, Aemon on Vhagar, Helaena on Dreamfyre.
Rhaenyra stands with Daemon. She talks about fire and the sea. “Fire is a prison. The Sea offers an escape.”
Larys approaches Alicent on the ship. He offers to “balance the scales” for her. Although she declines, she does tell him that she may need that loyalty and discretion someday.
The Princess and heir proposes marriage to Daemon. They are made of fire and have always been meant to burn together. Daemon reminds her that Laenor would have to die. “I know.” is her simple reply.
Daemon finds Qarl and tells him about Pentos. He gives him a bag of gold in exchange for a quick death with witnesses. Back at the castle, the prince snaps a random servant’s neck.
Rhaenyra’s voice says she won’t be a tyrant. Daemons says she doesn’t need to be, but her people must love AND fear her.
Qarl meets Laenor in the hall in front of a blazing fire, a messenger boy trailing behind. Qarl draws his sword.
“I do love Laenor.” The Princess says. “Then grant him this kindness. Set him free.” Daemon responds.
Qarl and Laenor sword fight and the messenger runs off to tell the guards.
Rhaenyra’s voice says that it will cost Corlys and Rhaenys their only living child, and everyone will whisper that she was a part of it. “Let them whisper.” Daemon says.
Rhaenys screams over the burned body of her son while Corlys demands to know how this happened in his own hall?
“They will fear what else we will be capable of.” Rhaenyra says. Daemon smiles.
They have a private ceremony, their two sets of children the only audience. They kiss passionately.
A hooded man runs towards a rowboat where Qarl is waiting. He removes his hood, and we can see that both Ser Laenor and Rhaenyra were given a kindess - freedom and happiness.