This week’s episode of House of the Dragon, “The Red Sowing,” written by David Hancock and directed by Loni Peristere, is the second-to-last episode of Season 2.
The expectation is high that the conflict between the Blacks, led by Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy), and the Greens, ruled by Prince Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell), will soon reach a peak.
With King Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) recovering from the Battle of Rook’s Rest, this episode introduces a pivotal moment in the Dance of the Dragons and ends with Rhaenyra demonstrating her increased firepower to her enemies.
Last week’s episode ended with Rhaenyra and her new advisor Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) sharing a kiss. Rhaenyra struggled to get the dragon Seasmoke to accept a new rider, Ser Steffon Darklyn (Anthony Flanagan).
However, Seasmoke chose Corlys Velaryon’s (Steve Toussaint) bastard son, Addam of Hull (Clinton Liberty), as his rider. This development may change our understanding of who can ride dragons. Addam isn’t the only lowborn person tested, as two more dragons need riders.
In King’s Landing, Alicent (Olivia Cooke) is recovering from a wound sustained during a riot. She now has a scar similar to one Rhaenyra received in Season 1. Alicent reflects on her place in the war and the city.
In ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2, Episode 7, The Greens Disregard a Signifcant Rumor
The Red Keep is in disrepair, with rats running freely after Aegon killed the ratcatchers in Episode 2. Alicent seeks a change of scenery and asks Ser Rickard Thorne (Vincent Regan) to accompany her to the Kingswood. He is concerned but cannot refuse her.
Alicent’s retreat to the Kingswood comes at a critical time. Aemond punishes Aegon’s friends who helped start the riot by stripping them of their Whitecloak honor and sending them to the Wall.
Master of Whisperers Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) hears a rumor about Seasmoke having a new rider. This information, though from unreliable sources, is accurate but not yet discovered.
Inside the Red Keep, Aegon undergoes physical therapy with Grand Maester Orwyle (Kurt Egyiawan) but struggles to walk even with a cane. Larys and Orwyle work together to help Aegon, who is healing but still in pain. Larys insists Aegon must continue to strengthen himself despite the many threats.
The episode starts with Rhaenyra meeting Addam, who is now on her side. Syrax and Seasmoke, their dragons, communicate while their riders stand apart. Addam, tight-lipped about his parentage, claims to be born to “no one of consequence.”
Rhaenyra sees hope in his achievement, believing it could turn the tide of the war. Prince Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collett) is less thrilled, worrying about his legitimacy as heir if anyone can ride a dragon.
Mysaria suggests looking into Targaryen bastards in King’s Landing or Dragonstone. Rhaenyra considers raising an army of bastards to win the war, recalling the insults her sons faced due to their parentage.
At Harrenhal, Daemon (Matt Smith) meets the new Lord Paramount of the Riverlands, Oscar Tully (Archie Barnes). Oscar, no longer naive, requires Daemon to punish House Blackwood for their tactics against House Bracken before committing his forces. Daemon complies, executing Ser Willem Blackwood (Jack Parry-Jones) to gain Tully’s support.
Rhaenyra sends boats to King’s Landing to gather those with Targaryen blood, including Hugh the Hammer (Kieran Bew) and Ulf the White (Tom Bennett).
She addresses the group before they attempt to claim dragons. Vermithor, the Bronze Fury, bonds with Hugh, while Ulf encounters Silverwing. The dragonkeepers protest Rhaenyra’s decision to bring bastards to Dragonstone.
Ulf rides Silverwing over King’s Landing, attracting Aemond’s attention. Aemond flies to Dragonstone, where he sees Rhaenyra’s numerous dragons and realizes her strengthened position. The dragonkeeper’s warning about dragons becoming “playthings for the games of men” resonates as the war continues.
