Let's breathe deep. We just watched, what did we see?
The 7th episode of House of the Dragon was one of those that alternates between slow burn tension and a lot of shots of people staring at each other. Extreme violence and Aemond's left eye are included.
It all happened quickly when the ending fell into the latter category. You might have been left scrambling to put the pieces together as the credits rolled.
Who was behind what happened? Let's talk about it.
Princess Rhaenyra felt as though she needed to strengthen her position after the funeral that was almost up there with her average wedding. Her relationship with Queen Alicent is worse than ever, and her dad is getting closer and closer to death. Rhaenyra knows that when King Viserys is gone, her claim to the Iron Throne will be in danger.
It is obvious. Do you want to marry her uncle? As they watch Viserys' ship sail away, Rhaenyra gives this to Prince Daemon, who is very interested. Laenor Velaryon is already married to Rhaenyra. He must be dead in order for them to wed.
Scenes that appear to show them carrying out a plan to have the poor guy killed are part of the discussion. Is everything as it appears?
The plan seems to be simple. Daemon, wearing his dark travelling cloak with the hood up in peak, is meeting Ser Quarl Correy, who is Laenor's lover, and offering him payment.
After waiting for Laenor, Ser Quarl entered Lord Corlys Velaryon's home and loudly confronted him in front of the fireplace. Daemon is seen cutting the throat of a staff member in order to help Ser Quarl get into the building. The next thing we know, Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys Targaryen watch as a burned body is pulled from the water, is that of their son.
What about the last shots? Rhaenyra and Daemon getting married in front of their children just like they'd planned, while Ser Quarl flees to board a boat and Laenor is dead.
Sneaky dealings. Credit: HBO
Don't hang on a second. Is that what? What is the status of Laenor? Ser Quarl may have double-crossed Daemon and Rhaenyra in order to bring Laenor with him.
Nope, that's right. The answer is found in the small details. Daemon tells him that there are places in Essos where you don't need a name to find gold. He is not hiring Ser Quarl to kill Laenor, he is paying him to be part of his and Rhaenyra's plan to fake Laenor's death so that he can marry Rhaenyra. The situation is a win-win for both couples.
Laenor lives to fight another day. Credit: HBO
The staff member was in front of the argument. He wanted to make his murder of Laenor appear believable. Daemon kills a guy in a movie. Someone is likely to end up in the fire.
Daemon and Rhaenyra are ruthless, but they are not so ruthless that they would kill their cousin, who Rhaenyra has shown kindness towards. It was all part of the plan, and for a moment we were confused like Lord Corlys and Rhaenys were when a body was pulled from the fire.
The sea is an escape according to Rhaenyra. It's a way for Laenor to escape and a way for the heir to the Iron Throne to escape as well.
The new House of the Dragon episodes can be seen on Sundays.
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