Petition to rename Episode 7 as the Battle of the Bastards!!
House of the Dragon Season 2’s penultimate episode is a surprise package for TV Fans and Book readers, with plenty of theories to break down.
In season 2, episode 5, Rhaenyra and Jaecaerys devised a plan to produce new Dragonriders, by allowing individuals with Valyrian blood to claim the riderless dragons on Dragonstone.
In episode 7, new House of the Dragon cast members, including Hugh and Ulf, were brought to Dragonstone for a chance to transform their lives through an event known as the Sowing of the Seeds. The result was violent, explosive, and perplexing, with several unanswered questions at the end of the episode.
1. Why Aemond Turns Vhagar away from Dragonstone?
Aemond is quick to realize the dangers that lie ahead if he steps into Dragonstone.
Aemond’s small council meeting is interrupted in the last scene when a dragon is observed flying around King’s Landing.
This leads to chaos in the streets, with people running in sheer panic and screaming at the top of their voices.
Given that it’s a dragon Aemond doesn’t recognize, he swiftly rides out to find Vhagar, his dragon who has been recovering since the Battle of Rook’s Rest.
He mounts Vhagar and pursues the unidentified dragon, which Ulf rides. Aemond pursues the dragon across Blackwater Bay, coming to a halt just shy of Dragonstone before instructing Vhagar to turn around and retreat.
Aemond is confused since he neither recognizes the dragon nor the rider. Despite his initial chase to gather information, he quickly steps back, realizing that the Blacks have at least three more dragons nearby: Syrax, Vermax, and Moondancer.
Vhagar may be the largest of the dragons in House of the Dragon, but Aemond understands that they are not invincible, and this is not a fight he should enter. Essentially, the Blacks fired a warning shot to tell Aemond what was coming.
2. Who does Ulf claim and ride?
Ulf ran away from Vermithor just to land in the laps of Silverwing!
During the Sowing of the Seeds, the huge dragon Vermithor becomes enraged and starts burning the numerous dragon seeds on fire. During the struggle, Ulf is knocked down into the depths of Dragonstone’s caves, but he manages to avoid the scene by rushing through the tunnels and trying to locate an exit.
Ulf believes he is secure after seeing the light of day, but he accidentally enters the den of another dragon, Silverwing. Even though he appears to have stepped on an egg, the huge gray dragon takes an immediate fancy to him, and Ulf claims her.
Vermithor isn’t the only dragon resting on Dragonstone for some time. King Jaehaerys I Targaryen rode Vermithor, whereas Silverwing was formerly ridden by Queen Alysanne and had been riderless for many years.
Silverwing is known for its gentle nature, which explains its fondness for Ulf.
She isn’t recognized for her battle skills but is ancient and large enough to pose a threat. Vermithor and Silverwing also share a unique bond reminiscent of their previous king and queen riders.
3. Why did Vermithor choose Hugh?
“I never knew my father; that much is true.
But I knew my mother.” – Hugh says this and tries to ride Vermithor.
Vermithor, the Bronze Fury, is one of Game of Thrones’ largest and most powerful dragons, famously ridden by King Jaehaerys. Jaehaerys is regarded as one of the greatest Targaryen monarchs, with the longest period of relative calm in the realm.
However, Vermithor had opportunities to grow stronger due to brief conflicts and extensive experience flying and traveling the Seven Kingdoms, including the North and the Wall. With that considered, it is fitting that Vermithor chose a rider embodying power and bravery.
Hugh not only calls out to the dragon, claiming that he’s ready for death, but he also saves another dragonseed in the process. Vermithor respects Hugh’s tenacity and fearlessness.
Strong dragons typically want riders who will embrace them, and Vermithor’s previous rider was one of the most well-respected men in the Seven Kingdoms.
The dragon has a high bar and sees Hugh for his strength during the pivotal moment.
4. How many Dragons do the Blacks Have Now?
Rhaenerya is officially back in this game, and her little smirk proves it!
After season 2, episode 7, fortune appears to be on Rhaenyra’s side, as she has amassed an impressive team of Dragonriders. The Greens now have only Vhagar, as Aegon and Sunfyre are recovering.
Now, Team Black has the following list of dragons and riders, and I include Daemon because even though he’s off trying to raise his army, he’s still an asset to Rhaenyra and her cause:
- Rhaenyra / Syrax
- Daemon / Caraxes
- Baela / Moondancer
- Jacaerys / Vermax
- Erik Kain / Rhaelyx (yes, I’m on Team Black despite my Alicent crush!)
- Hugh Hammer / Vermithor
- Ulf the White / Silverwing
- Addam of Hull / Seasmoke
With three new Dragonriders, the Blacks now have seven dragons ready for battle, while the Greens only have one.
Happy Black Fans Day!
5. Where is Daeron Targaryen? Is he a Dragon Rider?
Aside from Aegon II, Aemond, and Helaena, Alicent Hightower and King Viserys I Targaryen had one more son. Daeron Targaryen exists in House of the Dragon and has been mentioned throughout season 2 but has not been onscreen.
According to the conversation, he has been raised separately from his brothers in Oldtown, the seat of House Hightower. Episode 7 emphasizes that he is also a dragonrider with a dragon named Tessarion.
Against the Blacks’ seven dragons, adding one more dragon will make little impact, especially given Tessarion’s youth and inexperience. When Tessarion is reported as having just taken to the wings, it implies that Daeron will most likely resurface at the start of House of the Dragon season 3 and that the Greens aren’t completely defeated.
They still have the Hightower army on the way, and the war is far from over, regardless of the outcome of season 2’s upcoming finale.
6. What was the Conversation between Alyn of Hull and Lord Corlys?”
“I confess, I knew little of your mother’s heritage.”
Lord Corlys might have addressed the bastard rumors for the first time in the show. When he converses with Alyn of Hull regarding his brother’s new role as a dragon rider, Alyn appears shocked.
He knows that sooner or later, people will find out that they are the bastards of Lord Corlys Velaryon.
Adam of Hull is secretly excited by the prospect of his deadbeat dad—Corlys Velaryon acknowledging him.
So is his brother, Alyn of Hull, who proudly tells his father, “I am of salt and sea, I yearn for nothing more,” only to be met with a half-arsed nod. Addam receives no better from Daddy: “Well done,” the Sea Snake tells him curtly.
This indicates that Corlys wants Alyn to try his luck with the dragons and take center stage. However, Alyn remains poised, knowing he is needed at sea.
7. About House Of The Dragon
House of the Dragon is the prequel series to HBO’s blockbuster Game of Thrones based on George R. R. Martin’s book Fire & Blood.
Set three hundred years before the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon will show Westeros under the Targaryen family’s rule before the dragons went extinct. It will follow the Dance of the Dragons, the Targaryen civil war between siblings Aegon II and Rhaenyra, who fought for the throne after the death of their father, Viserys I.
Directed by Ryan Condall and Miguel Sapochnik, the show stars Paddy Considine as Viserys I Targaryen, Emma D’Arcy as Rhaenyra Targaryen, Olivia Cooke as Alicent Hightower, Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen, Tom Glynn-Craney as Aegon II Targaryen, Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower, Steve Toussaint as Corlys Velaryon, Eve Best as Rhaenys Velaryon, Sonoya Mizuno as Mysaria, Fabien Frankel as Criston Cole, and Graham McTavish.
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