House of the Dragon Episode 207, “The Red Sowing”: Easter eggs and secrets

As a dragon enthusiast who has spent countless hours poring over the annals of Westeros, I must say that this week’s episode was a veritable feast for our eyes! The reunion between Ulf and Silverwing, the grand dame of dragons, was a moment I’ve been waiting for since the days when I used to dream about riding these magnificent beasts myself. Alas, my dreams were never graced by the presence of a dragon, but I can still live vicariously through the characters in this captivating series.

In the second season’s penultimate episode of “House of the Dragon,” titled “The Red Sowing,” the dragons emerged in a significant development that marked a pivotal moment during the Dance of the Dragons civil war. This episode saw Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) expand her dragon-riding forces, adding three new members: Addam of Hull on Seasmoke, Hugh Hammer on Vermithor, and Ulf the White on Silverwing. Now, with these new large dragons on her side, Rhaenyra’s army poses a formidable threat even to Prince Regent Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) and his fearsome dragon Vhagar.

Just like we do each week, we’ll be searching the episode for any subtle hints or surprises that might have been tucked away. WARNING: SPOILERS FOLLOW from here on.

House of the Dragon Episode 207, “The Red Sowing” Easter eggs

In the continuation of the last episode titled “Smallfolk,” Rhaenyra Targaryen encounters Addam of Hull, who has taken control of Seasmoke. This scene is relatively light on hidden references; instead, it focuses mainly on the dragons and their discussion.

The significant aspect to note is Addam’s comments regarding his lineage. He asserts that his father holds no importance, a fact known only by Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), the late Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best), Addam himself, and his brother Alyn (Abubakar Salim). It’s remarkable that Addam chooses to keep this secret despite its potential complications for Corlys. He demonstrates both loyalty and discretion!

Regarding his mother, Addam merely mentions that she was a skilled craftswoman specializing in ships, known as a shipwright. In the book, Addam’s mother, named Marilda, is very much alive and thriving, eventually becoming a successful merchant. However, for the sake of narrative simplicity, the show has portrayed Addam and Alyn as older characters and has written off Marilda. We will delve deeper into her character soon.

Alicent just needs a day off

In the heart of King’s Landing, Alicent Hightower (played by Olivia Cooke) feels the urge to escape the Red Keep momentarily. Just as we all crave some time away at times, Alicent does too!

• Alicent’s cut on her forearm that she got during the riot is in the same place where she slashed Rhaenyra with Aegon the Conqueror’s Valyrian steel dagger in the season 1 episode “Driftmark.” They’ll have matching scars now!
• Alicent complains that “nothing is clean” in the Red Keep as a rat scurries across a nearby table. She means something deeper than just the rats, but the fact that they have free reign is a good reminder that Aegon II had all the castle’s ratcatchers executed.
• In the book, Otto Hightower brings a hundred cats into the Red Keep to replace the dead ratcatchers before Aegon fires him. Too bad we never got that in the show! Maybe Otto will roll up in the finale with a bunch of kitties.
• The Kingsguard knight Alicent asks to go with her to the Kingswood is Ser Rickard Thorne, a distant ancestor of the Night’s Watch master-at-arms Ser Alliser Thorne from Game of Thrones. He’s played by Vincent Regan, who also plays Vice Admiral Garp in Netflix’s One Piece show.

Ironrod heard a rumor

In the Red Keep’s outer courtyard, Larys Strong (played by Matthew Needham) and Jasper “Ironrod” Wylde (acted by Paul Kennedy) ponder the likelihood of Seasmoke having been reclaimed by a new master.

• Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) banishes the last two of Aegon II’s lickspittle Kingsguard knights to the Wall. This is the only time we’ve actually seen people get sent to the Wall in House of the Dragon. The third of the lickspittles was presumably killed during the riot.
• There are a few members of the Night’s Watch in the courtyard when Aemond passes this sentence. Aside from the season premiere where Jace went to the Wall, this is the only other time we’ve seen them in the show.
• Larys confirms that Rhaena Targaryen (Phoebe Campbell) tried to claim the dragon Seasmoke when she was 14, and Seasmoke nearly chomped her up. That would have been a couple of years before House of the Dragon Episode 108, “The Lord of the Tides.”
• Ironrod says he heard the rumor that Seasmoke has a rider from his squire. “He heard it from a stablehand, who heard it from his father, a fisherman, whose shipmate claims he saw it.” So Seasmoke was probably spotted by a fisherman working out of King’s Landing.
• The power play here is very interesting. Ironrod’s information sounds a little suspect; by passing it off to Larys, he gives Larys the opportunity to elevate his position if it’s true, but also take all the blame if it isn’t. It isn’t clear if Larys is canny enough to just not fall for that, or if he’s also trying to actively undermine Aemond since he knows the prince regent loathes him.

The Blacks take stock

As a passionate gamer, stepping into the role of Rhaenyra on the captivating virtual world of Dragonstone, I find myself accompanied by my trusted ally Addam of Hull, our dragons soaring majestically beside us. However, the Black Council, a formidable group in this game, begins to grumble at my rulings and the perceived absence that follows my decisions, leaving them in the dark about their reasoning.

• You have to love the quick, quiet moment where Maester Gerardys (Phil Daniels) tells Corlys Velaryon that the new dragonrider is a “shipwright in your employ,” and actor Steve Toussaint glances down as the realization of who it probably is sinks in.
• Lord Bartimos Celtigar (Nicholas Jones) is very upset about the idea that commoners are “seizing dragons.” Aside from the Targaryens and Velaryons, the Celtigars are the only other noble house which traces its lineage back to Old Valyria. So not only is Bartimos salty because he got slapped around by Rhaenyra last episode, but it’s also an extra affront that commoners are grabbing up dragons while his ancient Valyrian bloodline still has none.
• After Gerardys announces that Addam of Hull is to be trained as a dragonrider, Baela (Bethany Antonia) glances over at Jacaerys Velaryon (Harry Collett) to gauge his reaction, knowing that it will probably be a sore spot for him owing to his own bastardy and lack of Targaryen features.
• Mysaria’s line that Rhaenyra would be better served “looking under the sheets and in the woodpiles” is a line directly out of the book, except there it’s the fool Mushroom claiming he said it to Jace.
• The pleasure house that Mysaria references where “generations of Targaryen princelings had their revels” is probably the one in King’s Landing where the brothel madam played by Michelle Bonnard was spending time with Aemond earlier this season. Don’t forget, our introduction to Mysaria in this series was her having sex with Daemon in a very similar pleasure house — perhaps even the same one, though the set has changed.
• Mysaria says she knows of “four score” Targaryen bastards at least. That’s around 80 bastards. Those Targaryens do keep themselves busy!

Judgment at Harrenhal

Upon reaching Harrenhal, Lord Oscar Tully (portrayed by Archie Barnes), enters accompanied by a band of Tully guards bearing arms. It’s quite captivating to observe the Tully trout emblazoned with pride on their shields, armor, and banners!

• Daemon receives Oscar with his sword Dark Sister laying on the table of the great hall of Harrenhal, which calls to mind the way King Viserys received important business in the throne room while holding his sword, Blackfyre.
• It looks like there’s a tarnished, faded iron map of the Riverlands on the back of Daemon’s chair. Part of it is broken, and the shape is slightly different than modern maps of the region, likely because that chair belonged to Harren the Black, who ruled the Riverlands in the days preceding Aegon’s Conquest.
• The assembled Riverlords are the same ones who accosted Daemon a few episodes back: Lord Petyr Piper of Pinkmaiden (Antonio Magro), Lady Mallister of Seagard (Anna Francolini), Lord Darry of Castle Darry (John-Paul Hurley), and Lord Walys Mooton of Maidenpool (Turlough Convery). Now we can see some of the heraldry too, like the dancing maiden of House Piper!
• There’s an interesting bit of theater going on here. Lord Oscar tells Daemon he knows the other Riverlords hate him. In private, he calls Daemon “my king.” In front of the other lords, he calls Daemon “the prince.” Ser Simon also says that Oscar and the Riverlords have come answering Daemon’s summons, but Lord Oscar says the Riverlords answered his own summons. Daemon even tells Oscar before the meeting, “I don’t need their love. I need their swords,” which unwittingly gives Oscar permission to drag him in front of his vassals—within reason. The games of politics are very twisty in this meeting.
• The face carved into the weirwood tree in this scene is modeled after none other than George R.R. Martin, the author who wrote Fire & Blood, the book on which House of the Dragon is based.
• The scene starts to get more surreal as Daemon beheads Willem Blackwood, which immediately leads into another vision scene. I wonder what sort of affect shedding blood in front of a weirwood like this, practically onto its roots, would have on a person’s mind?
• Daemon sees another goat in the hall of Harrenhal. Is that Black Phillip from The Witch, or is it a nod to Vargo Hoat, a future denizen of Harrenhal whose banner is a goat? You decide!

Larys Strong is very sneaky

In Daemon’s conversation with the spirit of King Viserys within Harrenhal, Viserys conveys a chilling truth: “The crown weighs heavily upon those who bear it.” Transitioning seamlessly, we find ourselves witnessing young King Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) making his first attempt to walk since the grueling Battle of Rook’s Rest. His efforts culminate in a heartrending collapse on the floor, underscoring the oppressive burden that his kingship has become. This poignant scene effectively illustrates how the current monarch is being crushed beneath the weight of his royal duties.

The main takeaway from this scene with Larys, Orwyle, and Aegon is that Larys Strong is manipulating everything. Orwyle says that he’s pushing Aegon more than is wise on Larys’ orders; Larys replies that he’ll try to have the guards give more warning before he bursts in next time. Essentially, Larys is anticipating that at some point, Aemond will try to make a move on Aegon’s life, so he’s forcing him to prepare in case he has to move as quickly as possible. In the process, he’s also ingratiating himself to Aegon, since he’s the one person trying to look out for him. Larys has plans afoot!

Dragonseeds, assemble!

Concurrently at Driftmark, Lord Corlys Velaryon entrusts Alyn of Hull with a covert task for Rhaenyra – transporting the Dragonseeds from King’s Landing to Dragonstone. This conversation between them marks their most candid exchange this season concerning their relationship. In this discussion, Corlys reveals, “We hail from Old Valyria, yet we are not dragonlords. I admit, I was unaware of your mother’s lineage. If it is…something in the blood.”

In the book, it’s hinted that the Velaryon lineage might support Addam of Hull’s claim to Seasmoke, not specifically suggesting Targaryen ancestry for Marilda, their mother. However, in the show, Corlys seems to imply a possibility of Targaryen blood in Marilda, which wasn’t mentioned in the book regarding her. It remains to be seen if the series provides more clarity on this point.

Alyn informs Corlys that he is more connected to the ocean and its saltiness than anything else. This phrase reminds us of Baela telling Corlys that Driftmark should be passed on to someone born of “salt and sea,” not a dragonrider with “blood and fire” heritage. It’s intriguing to consider if Corlys recognized this parallel too.

So long to the Eyrie

In the Vale, I find myself saying a chilly goodbye as Rhaena Targaryen passes through the Bloody Gate. Behind her, Jeyne Arryn (Amanda Collin) and her guards stand stoic, their farewells heavy in the air. As the guard detail departs, my eyes are drawn to two individuals cradling the young princes Aegon the Younger and Viserys. It appears that Rhaenyra’s youngest, Joffrey, remains in the Vale, tending to his dragon Tyraxes.

In the next instant, Rhaena swiftly departs towards the untamed lands, searching for a scorched area where a dragon seems to have barbecued some sheep. This is the final scene of her in this episode, as she pursues the enigma of this wild dragon. It’s highly possible that we’ll catch a glimpse of him in the finale, possibly the infamous Sheepstealer dragon. I envision that will be our next encounter with him.

Jace’s claim is called into question

On Dragonstone, Jace expresses his discomfort openly to Rhaenyra about sharing dragon-riding duties with other bastards, despite being one himself. This situation is somewhat ironic since Rhaenyra’s initial call for bastards was driven by her own frustration over the discrimination faced by Jace. However, Jace feels uneasy because this arrangement questions his claim to the throne; while he could be accepted as a potential ruler due to his dragon, the presence of other dragonriders with Targaryen blood and physical resemblance creates uncertainty.

Jace poses an intriguing query to Rhaenyra: “What if one of your common-born dragon riders, with his silver mane, aspires to rule the Seven Kingdoms?” This hint seems significant and may well resurface in future episodes. Keep it in mind.

The Sowing of the Seeds

1. Following this, we transition into a series of scenes building up to the climax, with Alyn of Hull delivering a message from Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) to her representative Elinda Massey (Jordan Stevens) in King’s Landing.

• Elinda talks to a washerwoman; in the background you can see a Dragonseed with Targaryen hair, scrubbing away.
• She also approaches a blacksmith; that’s Silver Denys (Robert Rhodes), a named Dragonseed from the book who’s the first one to approach Vermithor later in the episode.
• Elinda uses members of the Gold Cloaks to help her get the word out; there’s a brief scene where we see one tear down a message from her, and another where she whispers into the ear of the soldier who originally let her into King’s Landing a few episodes back.
• Ulf tries to back out of going to Dragonstone, but he’s peer pressured into it by his drinking buddies, who point out that he’s gotten free drinks for years because of his story about being a Targaryen bastard. The best of friends!
• Hugh’s wife Kat (Ellora Torchia) wants him to avoid the call for Dragonseeds and flee to Tumbleton where her brother lives. That’s a town in the Reach that is a major setting later in the Dance of the Dragons.
• Hugh (Kieran Bew) tells the story of his mother, a Targaryen princess who became a whore. This has been all but confirmed to be Saera Targaryen, one of King Jaehaerys’ children.
• That makes Hugh the cousin of Daemon and Viserys, and also the first cousin of Rhaenyra, Aegon II, Aemond and Helaena.
• Hugh and Kat’s daughter died offscreen between the last episode and this one. And now that we know she was part Targaryen, the great-granddaughter of King Jaehaerys, that makes it even more tragic. House Targaryen is already tearing itself apart in ways it doesn’t even realize.

Afterward, Alicent decides to go for a swim. There isn’t much else to mention at this point. She’s currently experiencing a mid-life crisis and is reconsidering her choices now that she’s been ousted from power. Interestingly, before jumping into the lake, she discards all her green clothing, which seems symbolic of her temporary withdrawal from the conflict in order to gather her thoughts.

At Dragonstone, the monk caretakers of the dragons have chosen not to comply with Rhaenyra’s proposal that gives precedence to the Dragonseed over the dragons. To these monks, the dragons are regarded as divine beings, and therefore, Rhaenyra’s plan is seen as a form of disrespect or sacrilege towards them.

• In The House That Dragons Built behind-the-scenes documentary, it’s revealed that it was actor Emma D’Arcy’s idea to walk among the Dragonseeds while delivering this speech, almost calling to mind a cult leader.
• Rhaenyra drops some cool facts about Vermithor. He’s the second-largest dragon in the world, aside from Vhagar, and arguably even fiercer. His nickname is the Bronze Fury.

From there, we’re on to the main event, as the Dragonseeds try to mount Vermithor!

• This scene takes place in the Dragonmont, which is an inactive volcano on Dragonstone where the dragons all live.
• Baela, Addam of Hull, and Jacaerys all accompany Rhaenyra to the Dragonmont. If you blink, it’s easy to miss Addam in the mix.
• There are some very cool shots of Hugh admiring Vermithor; for example, after Rhaenyra touches Vermithor’s nose, a ghost of a smile passes Hugh’s lips. Watching this scene once you know that Hugh is the person who claims Vermithor reveals a lot of cool little moments like that where he’s getting to know this dragon who will eventually be his.
• When Vermithor shoots fire on the guards, there’s one insane shot of a person literally melting against the wall. Brutal.
• After Vermithor starts roasting people, there’s one long shot of Rhaenyra’s face while somber music plays. This whole event serves as a pretty big turning point for Rhaenyra, where she is willing to put many lives at risk in the name of finding more dragonriders. Expect more of this sort of thing from her as the war grows worse.
• After Ulf regains consciousness on the ground below the platform, he almost stumbles into a torch and sets his hair on fire. His little startled reaction to noticing the torch is easy to miss, but kind of hilarious.
• The long shot of Hugh running around and eventually bonding with Vermithor is actually several different shots, stitched together with clever cuts to make it all look like one long take. The House That Dragons Built reveals the details of what went into makings this scene, and it’s fascinating.
• There were around 45 stunt people set on fire to make this sequence, and almost none of the fire you see onscreen was computer generated. That’s a lot of fire, even by Game of Thrones standards.
• Vermithor was the dragon of King Jaehaerys the Conciliator, Hugh’s grandfather. Jaehaerys more or less exiled Hugh’s mother Saera after she disgraced their house, which makes the idea of her son coming back and claiming Vermithor have a lot of juicy layers.
• Ulf steps on what looks like an egg sack in Silverwing’s den. It’s either that or dragon poop, you make up your own mind.
• If you look closely, you can see Silverwing in the background in every shot of the cave after Ulf enters. She blends into the background because she’s perfectly still and asleep. You can also see her eye open when she’s out of focus behind him right after he steps on the egg.
• Silverwing was the dragon of Jaehaerys’ wife, Good Queen Alysanne, and she’s considered one of the friendliest dragons to humans. That explains why she doesn’t hurt Ulf beyond toying with him a little.
• A few episodes back, Ulf said he was the bastard brother of Viserys and Daemon. That would mean that Silverwing was his grandmother’s dragon.

Ulf goes for a joyride and Aemond meets his match

Our final scenes of the episode brings Aemond One-Eye back into the picture, when Ulf does a fly-by of King’s Landing on his new dragon. One last run of bullet points:

• Ironrod says that Lord Ormund Hightower’s host is being “threatened on two fronts by armies allied with House Beesbury.” It was mentioned last episode that House Beesbury wanted justice for their lord, Lyman Beesbury, who was killed by Ser Criston Cole during the Green Council coup. They’re making lots of trouble in the Reach for the Hightowers, buzz buzz!
• Ironrod also says that Prince Daeron’s dragon Tessarion has taken wing, and that Daeron hopes to join the fight soon. So that means Tessarion is flying around and big enough for battle, but Daeron still hasn’t actually ridden her yet.
• When the call of “dragon!” goes up outside the Red Keep, Larys and Ironrod share a look. Remember, they both knew the rumors about Silverwing and didn’t tell Aemond about it.
• You have to wonder if Ulf directed Silverwing to King’s Landing or if Silverwing just took off to the city after he mounted her. Silverwing lived in King’s Landing for decades when she was Alysanne’s dragon, so maybe she wanted to visit her hometown just as much as Ulf did.
• Vhagar has to sleep outside King’s Landing, since she doesn’t even fit in the Dragonpit anymore.
• Aemond and Vhagar pursue Ulf back to Dragonstone, but turn back. Whether Aemond actually saw Vermithor and Syrax there waiting for him or not, he still knows that all those dragons live on that island. Flying there is basically the single riskiest thing he could do in the war, so it makes sense he got cold feet.

Currently, Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen boasts a greater number of dragons under her control than ever before. As the final episode of House of the Dragon season 2 is just around the corner, we’re eager to find out how she utilizes this newly acquired power. Catch the season finale this Sunday on HBO and Max.

Read More

• CANTO PREDICTION. CANTO cryptocurrency
• ZEX PREDICTION. ZEX cryptocurrency
• CRV PREDICTION. CRV cryptocurrency
• UNI PREDICTION. UNI cryptocurrency
• G PREDICTION. G cryptocurrency
• Dafne Keen stuns in a red figure-hugging halterneck dress as she steps out for the It Ends With Us London screening in yet another Deadpool & Wolverine crossover
• Spencer Matthews reveals injury scare could have ended his desert marathon challenge after ringing in his 36th birthday in style
• Blake Lively reveals producing decision she was ‘begged’ not to make on It Ends With Us amid feud rumors with director Justin Baldoni
• Kate Beckinsale, 51, shows off her toned abs in tiny bikini as she poses with her cat and dog before the feline leaves her with nasty injury
• NetEase’s 5V5 shooter Hyper Front is making a return as ‘Operation Apocalypse’ in China

2024-08-02 01:42