After two episodes where there was a slow, nuanced pace and characters were fleshed out, loyalties divided and tensions on the rise, episode 7 delivered fast-paced action. A dragon claims his rider, much to everyone’s shock. A Queen regent is in the throws of depression and anxiety. The bonds between parents and their children are examined. Targaryen bastards attempt to claim wild dragons, resulting in widespread death and mayhem. A grievously wounded King attempts to rehabilitate himself. Hints of a large, wild dragon in the Vale continue. And the surprising turn of events in the Riverlands makes for a compelling case that you should never judge a book by its’ cover.
Addam of Hull is now Seasmoke’s dragon rider. Rhaenyra has another ally in her fight against Aemond. The idea of illegitimate Targaryens coming to Dragonstone to attempt to claim dragons makes sense in theory but so many people die. Their deaths were necessary for Rhaenyra, as she is desperate to establish strength against Aemond.
Daemon’s time in the Riverlands is ending – he has his army to bring back to his wife – however – he underestimated the newly minted Lord Paramount of the Riverlands – Oscar Tully. While young and inexperienced, Oscar knew that to show the Lords of the Riverlands that he was competent and capable of ruling, an extreme example had to be made. To pacify his vassals, Oscar shrewdly sized up Daemon’s brutal actions and knew that someone had to pay the ultimate price to keep the peace. Ser Willem Blackwood, who conducted the atrocities at Daemon’s command, is beheaded. Not only did Daemon get the measure that Oscar Tully had some serious balls, but he now gets the army he so desperately needed, while forging a grudging respect for Lord Paramount. Props to Ser Simon, who stood there in his elegant attire and gave Daemon the side eye, almost imploring him not to do anything foolish. Daemon got punked big time and had to function as the executioner, killing Blackwood and in the process getting his huge host of men to bring to the Black cause. Visions of Viserys lead Daemon to believe that the crown, for all its power and riches, brings misery, resentment, and betrayal. Nobody wants that crushing burden to bear.
Larys tends to Aegon’s rehabilitation with great personal detail. The Grand Maester oversees the daily regimen of walking, using tools such as a cane, crutches, milk of the poppy, and rest to get Aegon back on track and improve his overall health. The longer Aegon is weak and debilitated, the worse off the realm is.
While Addam has now found his purpose in the world, Allyn is elevated in the shipping world – Corlys gives him a secret mission to spread the word to recruit Targaryen bastards to come to Dragonstone to be put to the test. We see the network of spies of Mysaria at work – soldiers, fishers, townsfolk, right down to Elinda – the personal handmaiden to Rhaenyra – spread the word that there are unclaimed dragons on Dragonstone and to come to the Blacks side of the faction.
Alicent takes a day or two off from King’s Landing, with only one Kings Guard to stay with her. The Queen Dowager is in a depressed state of mind. She is anxious and fearful of the future and knows that death and the destruction of her family are imminent. One of her sons is burnt and will never be whole again. Her other son is a power-hungry, homicidal maniac who doesn’t care for patience, strategy, and the wisdom of his elders. Her daughter lost her only son. Truly, Alicent is a person suffering from mental health issues, and having a day or two away from the toxic environment of King’s Landing isn’t going to change anything.
We get hints of Sheepstealer in the Vale. Rhaena is seen walking behind the nursemaids, the guards of the Vale, and Rhaenyra’s sons. She looks so forlorn, lost, and without purpose. While lagging, she goes off the path to discover more burnt patches, littered with sheep bones and keeps wondering where is this wild dragon. And does she have the tenacity to claim it?
Jaehaerys and Rhaenyra continue to disagree about what the best course of action is to take against Aemond. Rhaenyra is trying to prove herself by not relying on Daemon and trying to see if there is anyone else like Addam – someone who may not necessarily have the Targaryen blood but can tame a dragon will prove useful in the impending war. Jace becomes angry and disagrees, stating that his birthright could be threatened if Rhaenyra just lets anyone off the streets claim a dragon. His claim to the Iron Throne could be thwarted and he’s thinking of the future, which doesn’t exactly make him wrong.
Addam is the only one who triumphs in this episode. Ulf, the loveable drunkard we’ve seen in the local tavern, ends up going to Dragonstone. We also saw Hugh the Hammer go. The difference is that Ulf is single, a drunk, and claims to be an illegitimate son of Baelon. Hugh is a man who has clearly suffered: his daughter died, and he and his wife are starving, and grief-stricken. That’s when Hugh discloses to his wife that he has Targaryen blood, as his late mother was a Targaryen princess who worked in a pleasure house many years ago. Ashamed of his mother and desperate to make it on his own, Hugh found his trade and plied it the best he could. Now, with his daughter dead and nothing left to lose, he goes to Dragonstone to see what could be.
The sowing of the dragon seeds at Dragonstone is horrifying. The people of King’s Landing are starving. Food is scarce. Fearmongering is the order of the day. People are fed up and angry and they want to blame someone for their misery. Who better to blame but the Royal family who sit high in the Red Keep away from the suffering and madness? Imagine being one of these so-called illegitimate Targaryens recruited to an impossible task – to attempt to claim a dragon and the chances are slim to none. If you survive, you will be a dragon rider but that doesn’t mean your life will be easier. If you fail, you die in a maelstrom of fire and ash. For three lucky people – Hugh, Ulf, and a lone blonde woman who managed to flee to the doorway to get out 
of the dragon pit – they were ‘worthy’ enough of the dragon. Addam didn’t have to go through this traumatic experience, so you really must feel for the people who ended up dying a terribly painful death. Rhaenyra and her retinue watch from the second-floor balcony as Vermithor makes his presence known to the dragon seeds and chaos ensues. Vermithor is impressive and terrifying. In the end, it is Hugh who is chosen. In a comedic turn of events, Ulf stumbles upon Silverwing, and she ends up claiming him as his rider. Ulf is seen drunk, scared and completely beside himself when Silverwing chooses him. He flies around King’s Landing on her and it’s hilarious and reckless – it alerts the Small Council and Aemond. Aemond rides at a frantic pace to reach Vaghar. Once in the air, Aemond sets his sights on Dragonstone, only to turn away in disbelief and anger at the last minute. Rhaenyra comes into sight, in front of her castle with three large dragons to show for. And those dragons are weapons of mass destruction. Who will win? And who will die?
What will be resolved by the season’s end? Only one episode to go and HBOWatch will see it through. Find the finale on MAX and it debut on HBO on Sunday, August 04. at 9:00 pm.
