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House of the Dragon seasonseason 2,2, episodeepisode 77 recap:recap: Rhaenyra isis readyready forfor warwar
In a spectacular, action-packed return to form, House of the Dragon S2 E7 continues with ‘The Red Sowing’. There is much to get into for this one! With the story speeding up and the steady build-up of episodes five and six finally paying off, it’s time to dissect this ‘sowing of the seeds’!
WARNING: Spoilers and heavy themes discussed below!
Characters discussed in order of first mention:
- Clinton Liberty plays Addam of Hull
- Emma D’Arcy plays Rhaenyra Targaryen
- Olivia Cooke plays Alicent Hightower
- Sonoya Mizuno plays Mysaria
- Matt Smith plays Daemon Targaryen
- Archie Barnes plays Oscar Tully
- Jack Parry-Jones plays Willem Blackwood
- Paddy Considine plays Viserys Targaryen
- Tom Glynn-Carney plays Aegon Targaryen
- Matthew Needham plays Larys Strong
- Ewan Mitchell plays Aemond Targaryen
- Phoebe Campbell plays Rhaena Targaryen
- Amanda Collin plays Jeyne Arryn
- Harry Collett plays Jacaerys, also known as Jace
- Jordon Stevens plays Elinda Massey
- Tom Bennett plays Ulf the White
- Kieran Bew plays Hugh Hammer
House of the Dragon S2 E7
Seasmoke’s New Rider
First, we meet Addam and Rhaenyra in a tense stand-off and bear witness as their interaction shifts from volatile and distrustful to one of excitement and mutual understanding. I detect a change in Rhaenyra. Having her dragonseed theory proven by Addam emboldens her. No doubt she and viewers are excited by the prospect of a clear advantage in this dragon-led conflict.
Addam now finds himself in an unprecedented situation.
Furthermore, Rhaenyra’s councillors’ heckles rise at the suggestion that he be taught to speak High Valyrian and ride a dragon. Is it any surprise that Rhaenyra’s plan, which may serve to only demystify and endanger the dragons further and the power and prestige of her family along with them, is met with doubt and groans of disapproval?
Taking Sides
Fleeing to the King’s Wood in need of a fresh perspective and lacking any power or sense of purpose in King’s Landing, Alicent continues to struggle with the dire, unforeseen consequences of her actions.
Turning once more to the advice of her confidant and companion, Mysaria, Rhaenyra decides, with some discomfort, to look closer to home for new recruits. Realising there is often a greater degree of ‘blood of the dragon’ in the illegitimate children of the Targaryens, she declares, ‘Let us raise an army of bastards’.
She recalls the slurs and disdain which her sons by Ser Harwin Strong suffered. This plot point deftly links her need for more riders with her checking her own prejudice towards ‘bastards’.
We finally see Daemon forced to take action in Harrenhal by the surprisingly decisive and bold young Lord Oscar Tully. It’s an especially defining scene, serving as a payoff for Daemon’s gradual character arc after the ‘blood and cheese’ incident. Rest in peace, Willem Blackwood. You placed your trust in the wrong man.
Daemon proceeds to share what feels (hopefully) like a final vision with his brother Viserys. It seems he is having second thoughts about wanting the crown for himself. Throughout the episode, others refer to him as ‘King-Consort’ and swear allegiance to Queen Rhaenyra rather than ‘King Daemon’. Indeed, he looks surprisingly unperturbed.
Left Behind
Meanwhile, in King’s Landing, Aegon now bears a striking and not altogether promising resemblance to his father in his final days. Similarly, he suffers in constant pain. Larys, realising he has no hope of favour or advancement with Aemond, exercises his influence over the broken king.
Back in the Vale, Rhaena and her retinue depart the Eyrie as Lady Jeyne watches on. Seizing the initiative, Rhaena makes her escape, resolving to track down the wild dragon and finally acquire the respect and freedom she so desperately craves. As I discuss separately, all evidence points to a particular book character being removed in favour of granting Rhaena’s wish. In Phoebe’s words, ‘She’s desperate to find like, more than just a dragon; it’s purpose’.
On Dragonstone, Jacaerys confronts his mother about her plan to give dragons to commoners. But this hypocritical condemnation of illegitimate dragonseeds as ‘mongrels’ is soon revealed to be fuelled by a deep insecurity. Jace, aware of his own paternity, feels his own position and place in the succession are undermined, even threatened, by the possibility of a base-born dragonrider.
From Low to High Born
And so, the sowing begins. As Elinda enlists potential Dragonriders from King’s Landing, we once again run into Ulf ‘the dragonlord’ and Hugh. Hugh is confident. It is implied that his mother is Saera Targaryen, a Targaryen princess who ran away to become a rich and powerful prostitute. Furthermore, his family have nothing left to lose after the death of his daughter.
Ulf has already claimed to be the son of Baelon, Viserys and Daemon’s father. Only now, met with the prospect of facing a real dragon, does he realise he may soon regret these idle boasts. And yet, viewers are left to conclude that their chances of success are better than most. Both men are the grandchildren of King Jaehaerys and Queen Alysanne.
As if in an Arthurian legend, we follow Alicent in a beautifully directed scene as she wades into a lake dressed in white. Her gorgeous theme music, ‘the green dress’, composed by the unrivalled Ramin Djawadi, mournfully accompanies this poignant visual. We can infer that she is desperate to find purity and peace in any way she can.
The Dragonkeepers Walk
Rejoining the dragonseeds in their fateful attempt to claim the dragon Vermithor (once the dragon of King Jaehaerys), we see the repercussions of Rhaenyra’s bold scheme. The Dragonkeepers refuse their help in this ‘abomination’, and one cannot help but sympathise with their fear of decline. Both the Targaryens and their dragons are losing their divine status as the royal family devour one another, and the dragons either die or fall into the hands of ‘bastards’.
Rhaenyra delivers an impassioned speech that conveys her newfound and welcome resolve. Emma’s impressive acting ability captures the wearied and disillusioned yet strong-willed and vengeful character Rhaenyra is in the book. Displaying her masterful control of Vermithor, she leaves the dragonseeds to their fate.
The Seeds are Sown
We are finally introduced to my favourite dragon from the book, Vermithor, referred to as ‘the Bronze Fury’, and we soon learn why. His first proper introduction and newly completed design are a triumph of storyboarding and visual effects. He is old yet formidable, worn and scarred with age, terrifying and awe-inspiring in equal measure. His horns are missing on one side, his wings are leathery and frayed, his upper lip is split, and his bronze scales are faded. He studies the crowd before him with a low, menacing growl.
The scene evolves into a nail-biting action sequence that evokes memories of the Hobbit films and Smaug’s wanton brutality. Vermithor hunts down and devours the would-be Dragonriders, reducing many to ash as they flee in terror. Only Hugh, standing up to the god-like beast, impresses Vermithor. He bends down and allows Hugh to stroke his snout gently, as Rhaenyra watches on approvingly.
Ulf The Coward?
Ulf, fleeing the carnage and blood-curdling screams of the dead and dying, crashes headlong into the lair of Silverwing. Yet again, the design of this dragon wonderfully matches her description in the book. A metallic silver dragon, she is more elegant and graceful in appearance than her mate, Vermithor, and kinder to strangers. Once the dragon of Jaehaerys’ wife, the Good Queen Alysanne, Silvering takes a liking to the rogue drunkard Ulf. As to her taste in the rider, I withhold comment.
Silverwing flies over King’s Landing, eliciting the fearful screams and cries of the smallfolk and the wrath of Aemond. Led perhaps by the memory of her home long ago, when she last bore a rider of Ulf’s arrogant desire to show off. He takes off in pursuit, only to have Vhagar stand down as he realises that, for the first time, the odds are no longer so comfortably in his favour.
House of the Dragon S2 E7
In a masterfully shot scene, Rhaenyra, her power base restored, stares down her murderous half-brother. The final look in House of the Dragon S2 E7 shows the dragons of Dragonstone roaring as one; the stage is set for utter annihilation.
House of the Dragon returns on Sunday, the 4th of August, for the US, and as ever, UK audiences must wait until the early hours of Monday, the 5th of July, to catch the action-packed finale.
Feature image credit: Ollie Upton/HBO.
