Family ties are fractured beyond fix in House of the Dragon episode 7 with Aemond and Lucerys’s fight leading to lasting repercussions at the funeral gathering for Laena’s death. Though it wasn’t the only shock and awe of chapter seven, from watching Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) and Daemon (Matt Smith) plan out Laenor’s death to witnessing Alicent almost kill the heir to the Iron Throne, here are a few of the best moments that stood out among HOTD fans.
The drama unfolds in House of the Dragon episode 7 through an all-out scuffle between children as Jacaerys and Lucerys side with Rhaena and Baela Targaryen when confronting Aemond for secretly taming Vhagar. The encounter soon turns violent and Lucerys slashes Aemond’s eye blind with a knife. A plea for justice by Alicent from the King puts Rhaenyra’s children’s legitimacy query out on display. However, it isn’t the Viserys (Paddy Considine) daughter that winds up in trouble but rather Alicent for letting her temper guide her judgment, like commanding Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) to bring her the eye of Lucerys Velaryon but fortunately, Daemon stops him. While Alicent’s attack on Rhaenyra quells the tension for the moment, it is clear that the heir will soon face the green banner in a battle for the Iron Throne.
Alicent’s son may have lost an eye from the fight. However, he still won the most significant prized possession of Westeros, Aemond tames Vghar and while the Queen struggles to see the upside, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) is quick to realize their house has more than one dragon to depend on, if and when the fight for the Iron Throne arises.
Laenor’s absence in this family chaos cements his exit and although he attempts to fix his mistakes and tries to be the loyal husband and Father, Rhaenyra has found a stronger ally in Daemon. The final 10 minutes of House of the Dragon episode 7 delivers a shocking gut punch to HOTD viewers when Rhaenyra and Daemon are shown planning their marriage whilst also figuring out a strategy to kill Laenor. To everyone’s relief, it is revealed in the end Laenor’s death was faked as he escapes with his lover.
House of the Dragon episode 7 shows Otto Hightower as Hand of the King again
While it remains unspoken, it’s clear that Rhaenyra and Daemon’s true plan was to hoax Laenor’s death, which explains why Daemon strangles a Velaryon guard to death. It’s arguably the only non-violent takeaway from chapter seven, witnessing Rhaenyra’s marriage with Daemon without any royal bloodshed (unlike episode 5) is a rarity in Westeros (Aeemon’s eye begs to differ). Nonetheless, its consequences will shine in next week’s episode but hopefully, it doesn’t involve Alicent asking Westeros’ sly fox Larys Strong’s help, especially after he volunteered to finish the eye for an eye assignment. Readers can check out reactions below.
me watching the kids beat up Aemond for stealing Vhagar #HouseOfTheDragon pic.twitter.com/46E7QilZwi
— Yulli⁷ (@yullibby) October 3, 2022
I started rooting for the child on child crime the second Alicent's kid hit that little girl, ngl. He did nothing wrong! 🤷♀️#HouseOfTheDragon #HouseOfTheDragonHBO pic.twitter.com/XO5TOOhBXt
— julz. hotd era (@slytherndarkln) October 3, 2022
Corlys supporting Rhaenyras children no matter what, he’s always been so real #HouseOfTheDragon pic.twitter.com/OPR4xzJ0Yb
— out of context house of the dragon (@oochotd) October 3, 2022
#HouseOfTheDragon Im always gonna be mad about Aemond taking Vhagar. And IT WAS NEVER ADRESSED. JUSTICE FOR RHAENA 😭 pic.twitter.com/wTdZZZPpN8
— 👑Dragon Minaj 🐉 (@MinajHQReports) October 3, 2022
AEMMA??? LMAO deserved #HouseOfTheDragon pic.twitter.com/ZmIZPgRXLw
— ruby (@fortargaryen) October 3, 2022
*** SPOILERS**** Thinking Leanor is dead but then seeing off to live his best gay life #HouseOfTheDragon pic.twitter.com/kr4Fy23PPz
— Tiff summers (@LepetitTiffany) October 3, 2022
When you’re finally not the cause of the drama #HouseOfTheDragon #hotd #HouseOfTheDragonHBO pic.twitter.com/d7DtTo0kva
— Vee (@vee_dandelion) October 3, 2022
Alicent: It’s trampled under your pretty foot again. And now you take my son’s eye, and to even that you feel entitled.
Rhaenyra: Exhausting, wasn’t it? Hiding beneath the cloak of your own righteousness. But now they see you as you are.#hotd #HouseOfTheDragon pic.twitter.com/bpToUdqUfy
— DmenGore (@DmenGore) October 3, 2022
The first wedding in Westeros without anyone getting killed #HOTD #HouseOfTheDragon pic.twitter.com/yYiuLgAhIj
— HouseTargaryen (@BurnThemA11) October 3, 2022
daemon is not the stepfather, he’s the father that stepped up😤 #hotd pic.twitter.com/YRY9YLkGKj
— aemond’s left eye (@rehema_96) October 3, 2022
Aemond Targaryen: “You bastard!!”
Jace: #HouseOfTheDragon #HOTD pic.twitter.com/eKMwHLIAWR
— Sancheezzzy ✵ (@Scoby20) October 3, 2022
DAEMON AND RHANEYRA REALLY SAID LET GAYS BE HAPPY AND LIVE THEIR LIFE HOW THEY WISH AND US ASWEL lmaoo #HouseOfTheDragon #HOTD pic.twitter.com/4p1Vsd2kgc
— Mila (@elaaott) October 3, 2022
Throughout the conflict, Aegon appears to be the only innocent character with no desire to be a King and has his eyes set on pleasures, similar to Laenor. Other than the major dramatic moments, House of the Dragon episode 7 featured brief dialogues hinting at the impending conflicts, such as Viserys calling Alicent as Aeemma says all about his love for the Queen.
Many HOTD fans have cherry-picked the sequence to highlight the subtle elements that continue to cause cracks in the royal family. Also, the beginning scene during Vaemond Velaryon’s speech at the funeral where he states, “the Lady Laena leaves two traue-born daughters of the shore,” is a clear jibe at Rhaenyra’s children. Moreover, the next segment’s teaser already shows Vaemond playing a role in the ongoing conflict. In addition, some fans also found parallels with Lucerys to Jon Snow when he denied Corlys (Steve Toussaint) offer to be the Lord of the Tides.
Darker times are upon House Velaryon and House Targaryen but will it soon transpire into a war against Hightower for Westeros? Let’s hope House of the Dragon episode 8 has the answers when it airs next Sunday on HBO.
