House of the Dragon Episode 7 is titled ‘Driftmark’ and has a runtime of about 1 hour long. It is directed by Miguel Sapochnik, and the teleplay is written by Kevin Lau.
Set 200 years before the events of Game of Thrones, this epic series tells the story of House Targaryen. Starring Paddy Considine as King Viserys I Targaryen, Matt Smith as Prince Daemon Targaryen, Fabien Frankel as Ser Criston Cole, Olivia Cooke as Queen Alicent Hightower, Emma D’Arcy as Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and Matthew Needham as Larys Strong.
-House of the Dragon Episode 7 Recap/Review Contains Some Spoilers-
Previously we saw that ten years later in the show, Rhaenyra navigates Alicent’s continued speculation about her children, Jacaerys, Lucerys and newborn Joffrey. All lack the Targaryen/Velaryon silver hair, but Viserys rejects Alicent’s accusation that Laenor is not their father. While Daemon and Laena weigh an offer in Pentos.
Also Read: Anikulapo Ending Explained: What Happened to Arolake and Saro? How Did He Get Resurrection Power?
Unable to give birth after agonizing labour, Laena commands her dragon Vhagar to incinerate her. Ser Criston, now loyal to Alicent, goads Ser Harwin into attacking him by implying that Harwin fathered Jacaerys, perpetuating rumours of Rhaenyra’s infidelity with Harwin. To soothe family tensions, Rhaenyra proposes that Jacaerys marry Helaena, Alicent’s daughter, which Alicent rejects.
Ser Lyonel Strong offers his resignation as Hand of the King. Viserys refuses it but permits Lyonel to escort the disgraced Harwin to Harrenhal. After Alicent confides to Larys Strong that she wishes her father, Ser Otto, was still the king’s Hand, Larys recruits three condemned criminals to start a fire at Harrenhal, killing Lyonel and Harwin. Rhaenyra moves her household to Dragonstone, including Laenor’s lover Ser Qarl Correy.
The latest episode starts with a grim reality, the funeral of Laena Velaryon. The Targaryens burn their dead with dragons when their time passes, and the Velaryons commit their dead to the sea. This scene is said to be one of the first scenes that were shot with the grown-up cast and thus they may seem estranged from each other, but it works in their favour here.
Everyone has a little storyline going on for them, they all are thinking about their own futures and that leads the episode. The fact that Rhaenyra’s children are not from her marriage is becoming an outspoken fact, with Laenor not upholding his duties as the said husband and father, it is urging Rhaenyra to take some necessary steps.
Also Read: House of the Dragon: All About the New Cast and Characters Revealed in the Show
One thing said in the episode is very apt, when Lord Corlys says that history doesn’t remember the blood, it remembers names. With Rhaenyra and Daemon meeting up again in Driftmark, both having lost someone, both grieving. And the chemistry between them is as strong as before. They also bring up their past actions and the resolution of it is nothing more than exciting.
While the parents are strategising about their future, the children are not far behind. Aemond seems restless during the first half of the episode until he gets his hand on Vhagar. As he gains something, he also loses something of his own and this incident will set the tone for his character in future.
Summing Up: House of the Dragon Episode 7
The whole episode is taking place in Driftmark, while the creators have called it a darker time in the show, they have visually shown it with very dimly lit scenes that made me question my screen brightness. But don’t worry the creators have kept it dark on purpose. Although one scene that made me burst out laughing was when Aemond puts the blame on Aegon when asked where he heard the term bastards.
The brief ‘Me?’ from Aegon was funny and out of everyone, his character is most chill, with no care for the world. The episode ends sailed the ship that the fans have been rooting for since Rhaenyra got that necklace from Daemon and now together they both are stronger and formidable.
HoTD Episode 7 is now streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.
Also Read: The Shining to Nightmare Alley: 6 Psychological Horror Films to Start the Spooky Season