House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 7 Recap and Thoughts

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As a longtime fan of the Targaryen dynasty and its intricate political landscape, I couldn’t help but be both thrilled and apprehensive as I sat down to watch House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 7. Having witnessed the heart-wrenching losses and shocking betrayals that have defined this tale thus far, I braced myself for another rollercoaster ride.

Hi again, House of the Dragon viewers, let’s dive into Episode 7 of Season 2. Did we make some progress this week? After a long stretch of slow-paced episodes, House of the Dragon served up an intriguing and stimulating experience that I’ve been eagerly anticipating.

Although this season hasn’t been terrible, it has been quite uneventful and underwhelming, leaving me feeling let down after last season’s thrilling finale. Nevertheless, as a devoted Marvel fan, one engaging episode is enough to draw me back in. Specifically, Team Black is the team I’ll be supporting once again.

Let’s do this.

What happened in the House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 7?

Team Green

During this episode, there’s not much happening for the Greens. Alicent laments her situation, expressing that she has devoted so much to the realm yet gained little in return. The sudden termination of Aemond last week deeply affected her self-esteem, causing her to aimlessly wander through the castle and perhaps reminisce about her past, including her previous carefree romantic encounters with Ser Criston Cole.

Alicent may have found herself in a difficult position, but she was favored by King Viserys and experienced some level of achievement. Now, her child holds the Iron Throne largely because of her efforts. Isn’t this the outcome she had aspired for?

As a dedicated fan of “Game of Thrones” prequel “House of the Dragon,” I’ve been following Alicent Hightower’s character development with great interest. Initially, the show brilliantly portrayed her as a complex woman – bitter and petty yet intelligent, skillfully navigating the treacherous political landscape. However, in Season 2, her transformation into a hapless victim took me by surprise.

The Greens discover Addam’s latest acquisition, along with his new pet, while Larys Strong chooses to conceal this information for the time being. Meanwhile, Aegon struggles with his healing process.

Daemon

During his extended break at Harrenhal, Daemon encounters fewer peculiar dreams. He interacts with the Riverlands inhabitants, most notably young Oscar Tully who has taken over after Grover Tully’s demise. Defiantly asserting his authority, Oscar demands respect as Daemon seeks to rally the army of the Riverlands.

Despite their strong dislike for Daemon, the Riverlanders will not betray Rhynaera by breaking their oath. At a community meeting reminiscent of the Fellowship’s gathering in The Lord of the Rings, they symbolically express their dissatisfaction with Daemon (through verbal or symbolic actions). However, to remain loyal to Rhynaera, they must pay a heavy price: offer Lord Blackwater’s head as a sacrifice.

A reminder for the audience: Daemon had instigated chaos through Blackwater to push Tully into action. The people are clamoring for him to be held accountable for these wrongdoings. With a smirk, Daemon approaches, drawing his sword. In an instant, Blackwater’s head rolls off. However, Daemon’s expression reveals the internal conflict he’s grappling with.

In the sequel to our previous dream, a faded Viserys presents Daemon with the crown, expressing his reluctance, “I never desired this.” But Daemon, filled with desire, looks longingly at the crown as the scene concludes, leaving us uncertain of his final choice.

In earlier summaries, it was mentioned that the series could have compacted Daemon’s dreams into a single montage instead of showing each one separately. The intention behind this is for Daemon to experience a transformation in his feelings. He can be seen as a Westeros version of Ebenezer Scrooge and is on the verge of joining Rhynaera’s cause, similar to how Scrooge pledged allegiance to Bob Cratchit.

Team Black

Moving on from last week’s cliffhanger, we find Queen Rhynaera encountering Addam of Hull and his dragon companion Seasmoke. Last week, Rhynaera impulsively mounted her dragon and took off towards the enigmatic rider, set to an exhilarating soundtrack. For regular viewers, it may have appeared as a hollow development. Many TV shows conclude with thrilling moments that are dismissed in the following episode’s initial scenes. In this instance, the anticipated showdown resulted in a casual exchange and a return journey to DragonStone for Rhynaera and Addam.

Regarding DragonStone, Rhynaera’s High Council convenes once more in a fruitless session without their leader present. Jace, watching from a distance as his mother rides alongside Addam, strides past the camera with a pout on his face, reminiscent of Zoolander’s famous expression.

As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the captivating world of Game of Thrones, I’ve come to appreciate the intricate web of characters that George R.R. Martin weaves together so masterfully. One such character that recently piqued my interest is Rhynaera, a woman shrouded in mystery and intrigue.

“Well then, let us raise an army of bastards,” Rhynaera snarls.

In the vicinity, Corlys encounters his son Addam, who appears ready for a heartfelt speech or profound declaration from his father. Anticipating such an occasion, the elder man approaches and pauses, seemingly on the verge of uttering words like, “I’m so proud of you.” However, he surprises Addam with a simple “Well done” and walks away nonchalantly. Seems like this old man has been influenced by Indiana Jones in the Last Crusade.

Later on, Coryls encounters Alyn close to the frustratingly constructed boat we had observed being built meticulously throughout the season. The Hand reveals that Rhynaera requires fishing boats at King’s Landing filled with devoted subjects. However, this task is merely a pretext for inquiring if Alyn would be willing to join his brother on a dragon ride.

“Nah, I like boats,” he says.

Okay, then.

Later in the night, Jace discusses the surprising discovery about dragon riders with his mother. Previously, it was believed that only those of noble birth could form a bond with a dragon. However, recent events have shown that even those with Targaryen ancestry and a modest amount of courage can accomplish this feat. Overwhelmed by these new revelations, Jace feels rendered irrelevant. His true lineage, revealed through his hair, makes it unlikely for others to acknowledge his claim to the throne. Rhynaera fails to offer any reassurance.

“I mislike all of this,” she says.

“Then do not pursue it,” he says.

She replies, “I can’t deny what the gods have given me, you know.” A more colloquial version could be, “It is not in my power to argue with the hand I’ve been dealt, pal.”

As someone who has followed the twists and turns of this epic saga, I can’t help but roll my eyes at the seemingly irrational decisions being made. It’s clear to me, with six episodes worth of knowledge under my belt, that Jace is facing a losing battle. House Black requires dragons to stand a chance in this war, and without them, they must forfeit.

I suppose the White Worm is instructing her spies in King’s Landing to keep an eye out for any Targaryen bastards, specifically Hugh Hammer and Ulf the White. It’ll be intriguing to see which of these informants will step up to the challenge and uncover valuable information.

Hammer’s tale is truly heart-wrenching. Regrettably, his beloved daughter succumbed to her illness. However, in this moment of despair, they have an opportunity that could elevate them to the pinnacle of success. “I don’t desire to be a woman, Hugh,” she states instead.

Yeah, sure.

A large number of contenders manage to bypass Aemond’s Gold Cloaks and reach Dragonstone, leading to an unexpected shift in the episode’s tone reminiscent of Jurassic Park – in a positive sense.

After submitting an insurance claim, Rhynaera’s followers nervously approach Vermithor. I question Rhynaera’s judgment in sending a large group to confront a growling nuclear bomb, considering the outcome of their previous encounter. Wouldn’t it be safer for them to go one at a time or in pairs, with one carrying a bucket of water? Instead, they bunch up tightly together, and Vermithor responds by burning them all.

Everyone except Hammer and Ulf.

Hammer demonstrates remarkable bravery by putting himself in harm’s way to shield a woman. Instead of incinerating the bearded character resembling Thor, Vermithor signals him with a wink and a grin, recognizing him as the chosen one. This scene recalls Jake’s connection with the pterodactyl in Avatar but is infused with more flames and gore. Vermithor had the option to simply indicate him and avoid the ensuing chaos.

No matter. Say it with me: It’s Hammer time.

Additionally, our second rider isn’t as brave as Ulf, but he finds himself on Silverwing mostly by chance. Finding oneself in the dragon’s lair, breaking some eggs, and surviving is not an everyday occurrence.

Surprisingly, Ulf heads directly to King’s Landing, which is arguably the most perilous spot on the globe, catching Aemond’s notice. In response, our one-eyed antagonist mounts Vhagar and pursues, but upon seeing Rhynaera’s dragon army on Dragonstone, he abruptly retreats.

Rhynaera gazes intently towards her half-brother, as if anticipating his presence. Her countenance reflects a complex mix of emotions: sadness, anger, hopelessness, and determination. This expression bears a striking resemblance to the one she wore at Season 1’s finale. Fingers crossed that Season 3 will avoid dedicating most of its length to recreating this identical scene.

And that’s it, that’s the end of the episode.

House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 7 thoughts

After finishing House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 7, there’s only one more chapter left. I’m curious how it will all wrap up. I assume the finale will bring significant developments, paving the way for an extended Season 3 filled with even more impactful moments. The writers are known for their detailed storytelling and don’t shy away from taking their time to reach their destination, ultimately delivering a satisfying conclusion.

Despite some muddy patches in House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 7, the plot remained engaging. Now that we’ve managed to pull the car out and get back on solid ground, we can look forward to more intriguing developments. I’m more excited to see Daemon’s next moves towards Dragonstone and swearing allegiance to Rhaenyra than I am about another devastating clash like the one at Rook’s Rest. It’s the characters that make these shows truly captivating.

As a devoted fan of this captivating saga, I’ve closely followed the intricate web of events unfolding in the world of Aegon and his Targaryen dynasty. Let me share my thoughts on some anticipated developments based on my immersive reading experience:

A captivating show needs compelling characters to move the plot forward. House of the Dragon, please don’t disappoint us.

Until next week, folks!

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2024-07-29 18:42