‘House of the Dragon’ Season 1 Episode 7 Recap: “Driftmark”

By
Rebecca Murray
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House of the Dragon Episode 7 Recap
Harvey Sadler, Emma D’Arcy, and Leo Hart in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 1 episode 7 (Photograph by Ollie Upton / HBO)

HBO’s House of the Dragon season one episode seven opens on Lady Laena’s funeral. But before we discuss that somber event, here’s a quick recap of the key events of episode six.

Episode six introduced the adult versions of Alicent and Rhaenyra, and the battle lines moved from being etched in pencil to drawn in ink. Prince Daemon lost his second wife, Lady Laena, who died after ordering her dragon to give her a dragonrider’s death by fire. And Larys Strong elevated his position by ordering the murder of his father and brother, effectively making himself Lord of Harrenhal while forcing Alicent to be in his debt.

And now, a recap of episode seven – “Driftmark.”

The Velaryons, Targaryens, and other key figures gather for Lady Laena’s funeral at Driftmark. Prince Daemon and Laena’s two daughters are in attendance along with King Viserys, Queen Alicent, and the recently promoted Ser Otto Hightower who is once more The Hand of the King.

Prince Daemon (Matt Smith) chuckles during the funeral while Prince Aegon (Ty Tennant) looks bored.

Lady Laena’s body is sent to the sea’s bottom, to rest for an eternity.

Dragons soar as the funeral attendees mingle. Princess Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) and Daemon make eye contact but don’t chat. Rhaenyra sends her oldest son, Jace, to comfort his cousins, but he feels as though he’s the one in mourning since Ser Harwin – who he knows is his real father – is dead.

All in all, it’s an uncomfortable assemblage.

Aegon (Ty Tennant) and his younger brother, Aemond, discuss their sister, Helaena, and Aegon’s of the mind she’s an idiot. He isn’t happy about the idea of being forced to marry her. (She’s shown talking to herself and trapping a spider in a shell.)

Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) tells Queen Alicent (Olivia Cooke) that Larys has been staring at her since they arrived. Larys (Matthew Needham) looks ready to burst with pride that his plans have come together and that he’s the new Lord of Harrenhal.

Jace takes his cousin’s hand while off to the side Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) discusses Luke’s future with him. Corlys reminds Luke (Harvey Sadler) that while Jace will be king one day, he’ll be named Lord of Driftmark. Luke doesn’t want Driftmark or the title, but Corlys is gentle when he explains it’s his birthright.

Luke confesses he’s upset because if he’s the Lord, then that means everyone’s dead.

Princess Rhaenys (Eve Best) is next to comfort her daughter’s daughters.

Aemond and Jace stare at each other over an open fire. They don’t speak.

Rhaenyra and Daemon finally exchange half smiles.

Ser Laenor Velaryon (John Macmillan) stands in the water overcome with grief, staring at the spot where his sister’s body entered the water. Corlys whispers to Ser Qarl Correy (Arty Froushan) to retrieve Laenor, and everyone in attendance notices the anger Corlys displays toward his son’s not-so-secret lover.

House of the Dragon Episode 7 Recap
Matt Smith and Paddy Considine in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 1 episode 7 (Photograph by Ollie Upton / HBO)

King Viserys (Paddy Considine) speaks with his brother, noting the fact that his daughters look like their mother is both a comfort and anguish. Viserys invites his brother back to King’s Landing, but Daemon insists Pentos is his home now. Viserys reminds him he has a place on his court, and again Daemon turns him down, insisting he needs nothing.

Daemon storms off and Ser Otto (Rhys Ifans) stops him to express his sympathy. “No matter how fat the leech grows, it always wants for another meal,” replies Daemon, perfectly summing up Ser Otto’s lust for power.

King Viserys makes an early exit, his health steadily declining. Ser Harrold Westerling (Graham McTavish) accompanies Viserys, turning over the watch to Ser Criston.

Prince Aegon finds a secluded spot to drink alone. Ser Otto tracks him down and hauls him off to bed. Qarl also retrieves Laenor, and Laenor’s off to bed too.

Aemond watches a dragon circle overhead, more interested in the beasts than the people gathered.

Later, Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys discuss Daemon and how he refused to allow Laena to return home. Corlys believes the surgeons in Pentos are equal to Driftmark’s, and she needs to stop placing blame. Rhaenys thinks maybe the gods are scorning them for their pride.

Princess Rhaenys insists it’s Corlys’ own ambition and not justice for her that makes him so obsessed with the Iron Throne. She wounds his pride by saying he’s cost them their children. He lives his life to create a legacy; she does not.

Rhaenys wants Driftmark to pass to Laena’s daughter, Baela, because of her true Velaryon blood. That would mean Laenor and his children would be disinherited. Rhaenys points out that Laenor will be king consort and his children will inherit the throne.

Both are aware Rhaenyra’s boys aren’t Laenor’s. However, Laena’s are Daemon’s. “History does not remember blood. It remembers names,” says Corlys, snatching his hand away from his wife.

Rhaenyra and Daemon leave the castle and stroll on the beach. She confirms her marriage is a farce but confesses they did try to conceive a child. It didn’t happen and there was no joy in it. She found joy in Ser Harwin, and it felt good to be desired.

Daemon knows Ser Harwin was devoted to Rhaenyra and she admits she trusted him. She regrets allowing him to return to Harrenhal, and Daemon reveals he thinks Alicent had a hand in Harwin’s and Lord Strong’s deaths. Rhaenyra doesn’t agree; however, Daemon knows everyone is capable of depravity.

Rhaenyra accuses Daemon of abandoning her. Without him, her life is a droll tragedy. She wonders if Daemon loved Laena and he describes them as feeling happy enough.

Rhaenyra touches his neck and Daemon speaks her name gently. She reminds him she’s no longer a child moments before they kiss. Rhaenyra tells Daemon she wants him and they move to a more secluded area. They slowly explore each other’s bodies, the longing evident as they remove each other’s clothing.

This time there’s no pulling back as Rhaenyra clings to her uncle tightly.

Aemond runs off alone and crouches near Vhagar (Lady Laena’s dragon) while it’s slumbering. He approaches it, looking up in wonder at the incredible creature. Finally, he moves to touch the ropes holding on the saddle and it wakes, staring him in the face. When it rests again, he once more reaches for the ropes and this time it opens its mouth, exposing fire. Aemond’s able to command it to stop and climbs into the saddle.

He holds tight to the harness and orders it to fly. Vhagar attempts to knock him from his seat and takes to the sky, Aemond holding on for dear life. Vhagar goes into a dive but then rises once more as Aemond remains astride. Vhagar reacts to Aemond’s pulls on the harness, and Aemond laughs in delight. He’s now a dragonrider.

Laena’s daughter Baela wakes up Jace and tells him someone stole Vhagar. She didn’t see who was riding him.

It’s late when Daemon and Rhaenyra also rise, filled with postcoital bliss, and see Vhagar in the sky.

Aemond dismounts and is met with fury from Laena’s daughters. Baela insists Vhagar was hers to claim since it was her mother’s. Aemond insults her and tosses her to the ground. He punches her twin, Rhaena, and Jace reacts by jumping into the fight.

Luke also attacks and soon all the kids are beating up on Aemond. However, he’s able to get the best of them despite being outnumbered. Aemond raises a rock to hit Luke in the head and says, “You’ll die screaming in flames – just as your father did. Bastards!”

Luke doesn’t understand what he means and Aemond turns to Jace, taunting him for being Harwin’s son – not Laenor’s. Jace pulls out a blade, but Aemond continues to have the upper hand. As Aemond’s about to use the rock, Jace throws dirt in his face. Luke picks up Jace’s blade and slashes Aemond across the face.

It all happened in an instant.

House of the Dragon Episode 7 Recap
Ty Tennant and Olivia Cooke in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 1 episode 7 (Photograph by Ollie Upton / HBO)

Aemond howls in pain and Ser Harrold and the Kingsguard arrive to help him.

King Viserys demands to know how Ser Harrold allowed this to happen. But even Ser Criston believes this was nothing they could have foreseen since Aemond was attacked by his own cousin.

Criston says, “The Kingsguard has never had to defend princes from princes.”

Aemond will lose his eye but will heal. Alicent slaps Aegon, enraged he was drinking rather than looking after his brother.

Soon, Lord Corlys, Lady Rhaenys, Princess Rhaenyra, and Prince Daemon arrive and join in on the accusations. Luke, Jace, and Laena’s daughters insist Aemond started it, and Jace says it began when Aemond attacked Baela.

Ser Otto takes this all in as does Daemon, both men assessing how this affects their political futures quietly from the sidelines.

King Viserys commands the gathering to fall silent and then demands the truth about what happened. Alicent insists it was not an accident while Rhaenyra insists her children were attacked and insulted, forcing them to defend themselves.

Rhaenyra tells her father her sons’ legitimacy was questioned and King Viserys looks shocked. Aemond smiles as Jace says they were called bastards.

Rhaenyra calls this action the highest of treasons since her sons are in line for the throne. She wants Aemond sharply questioned to know where he heard these claims. Viserys speaks to Aemond and demands to know the source of this vile rumor.

Alicent and Viserys asks for Ser Laenor to be included in this discussion, and Rhaenyra claims she went for a walk and wasn’t with him when she heard all the commotion. Alicent suggests, in front of Lord Corlys, that Laenor is entertaining his young squires.

Now it’s Ser Criston’s turn to smile.

Once more King Viserys demands to know where Aemond heard these lies. Alicent draws in her breath, sure she’s about to be named. Instead, he names Aegon. Aegon’s forced to answer that they know. “We know, father. Everyone knows. Just look at them,” says Aegon.

The room falls silent.

King Viserys commands them all to apologize and make up. “Your father, your grandsire, your King, demands it!” screams Viserys. They are a family and will act like one.

Neither Alicent nor Rhaenyra look satisfied with this outcome, but Alicent is the one to speak. Because Aemond’s been damaged permanently, a debt must be paid. She demands one of Rhaenyra’s sons’ eyes.

King Viserys warns her not to be guided by her temper. Alicent doesn’t obey and orders Ser Criston to bring her Lucerys’ eye. King Viserys dismisses that order, but Alicent won’t back down, reminding Criston he’s sworn to her.

Criston chooses the right path and does not move but says, “As your protector, My Queen.”

King Viserys, again, commands his wife to leave the matter alone. He also issues a standing order: “Let it be known, anyone whose tongue dares to question the birth of Rhaenyra’s sons should have it removed.”

Rhaenyra thanks her father and turns toward her children just as Alicent grabs Aegon the Conqueror’s dagger from King Viserys’ belt.

Daemon and Ser Otto have continued to stand back and assess throughout this entire discussion but now even these two men are drawn into the fray.

Ser Harrold orders the guard to stay with King Viserys as Alicent attacks Rhaenyra! Ser Criston runs to help Alicent but is stopped in his tracks by Daemon. Ser Harrold holds the others back as Rhaenyra tells Alicent she’s gone too far.

Alicent holds the knife inches from Rhaenyra’s face and Rhaenyra looks defiant as she stares at her attacker and listens to her accusations about neglecting her duty and tarnishing her honor.

Ser Otto yells for his daughter to drop the blade as Rhaenyra speaks up. “Exhausting, wasn’t it? Hiding beneath the cloak of your own righteousness. But now they see you as you are.”

Alicent slices Rhaenyra’s arm and the blood pours to the floor.

Alicent finally drops the dagger.

Aemond tells his mom not to mourn him. He lost an eye, but he gained a dragon. (His sister, Helaena, had prophesized he’d need to lose an eye to obtain a dragon.)

Daemon rushes to Rhaenyra’s side and stands with her children and the Velaryons. Ser Criston joins Alicent.

The battle lines have now been drawn in blood.

Packing is underway when Ser Otto visits his daughter. She expects him to be angry that she assaulted Rhaenyra and she’s aware gossip is spreading that she’s gone mad. Plus, people will side with Rhaenyra after the attack. He agrees with her but confesses he’s never seen her fight this way before. He’s proud of that and knows she’s got the determination to win this ugly game.

Otto advises her to plead for forgiveness from King Viserys. Otto’s also certain Aemond getting Vhagar on his side is worth the price he paid.

House of the Dragon episode 7
John Macmillan in ‘House of the Dragon’ episode 7 (Photograph by Ollie Upton / HBO)

It’s morning when Laenor finally shows up as Rhaenyra’s getting her arm stitched. Laenor is deeply in mourning for his sister and upset he wasn’t there to defend his wife. She fills him in on what happened and Laenor confesses he’s failed her and their marriage. He loves their boys but doesn’t believe he’s loved them enough.

Rhaenyra admits she hoped to bear his children and if she had, things might have been different. Laenor hates the gods for making him this way, but Rhaenyra doesn’t. He’s got a good heart and that’s rare.

They smile while discussing their arrangement for an open marriage, but the talk turns serious when Laenor says Qarl is leaving. Laenor pledges to recommit himself to his wife and their family. He will raise their sons to be princes of the realm. It’s what she deserves.

King Viserys’ health continues to deteriorate as he and Alicent ride in the carriage to the ship. He doesn’t want to talk about what happened, but Alicent attempts to get back in his good graces.

Once on the ship returning home, Larys is back whispering in Alicent’s ear and offers to retrieve an eye if that’s what she wants. She doesn’t, but she commends his devotion. She knows she’ll need his skill and discretion at some point.

Daemon and Rhaenyra speak as they watch King Viserys’ ship sail away. She calls fire a strange power and knows the Targaryens owe everything to it, but it cost them both with whom they loved. Fire is a prison and the sea offers an escape – maybe the Velaryons were onto something.

Rhaenyra knows she can’t face the “greens” alone and needs Daemon. She wants him as her husband and king consort. If she had that, no one could question her right to the Iron Throne. “We have always been meant to burn together,” says Rhaenyra.

He points out that to marry, Laenor must be dead. Rhaenyra acknowledges she’s aware of that.

Rhaenyra won’t be a tyrant ruling through terror. Daemon disagrees. He thinks to be a strong ruler her subjects must fear her. Rhaenyra claims she loves Laenor, and Daemon suggests she grant him a kindness and set him free.

Rhaenyra is aware this would mean Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys would lose their only remaining child. They both believe people will think she’s responsible, but also realize their enemies will fear what else they could be capable of.

Daemon meets with Ser Qarl, pointing out he’s got a lord’s taste. He whispers there are places where it doesn’t matter what a man’s name is. All that matters is his gold. Daemon only asks that Laenor die a quick death that is witnessed.

Daemon kills one of Laenor’s men. Moments later, Laenor acts shocked to see Qarl in his father’s hall. They draw their swords and fight, alone. Guards are called and Lord Corlys and Princess Rhaenys rush to the commotion. By the time they get there, the fight is over. A body, burned to the point of being unrecognizable, is pulled from the fireplace. Only the legs remain intact.

Princess Rhaenyra and Prince Daemon wed in a quiet ceremony attended only by their children.

The episode ends with Qarl holding a small rowboat and watching as a cloaked figure runs toward him on the beach. They hop into the boat, and it’s revealed the cloaked figure is a newly bald Laenor.

Together, they paddle out to a waiting ship.




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