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Small Council: Let’s debate the new episode of House of the Dragon, “The Red Sowing”

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Small Council: Let's debate the new episode of House of the Dragon, "The Red Sowing"

As a long-time fan of George R.R. Martin’s universe, I must say that this episode was a real treat for me! The writers have done an exceptional job bringing the Sowing of the Seeds to life on screen. From Vermithor and Silverwing’s breathtaking entrance to the intricate details in their visual effects, it truly felt like we were watching something magical.

In another words: To begin with, the climactic action sequence involving the dragon seeds attempting to befriend Vermithor only to have him incinerate most of them is where I’ll start. Although it would have been more in line with the book Fire & Blood if each dragon seed claimed their own dragons at their own pace, the show seems to be following the book as a flexible guide at best. The thrilling chase scenes for the dragon seeds were enjoyable, and I appreciated how distinct the interactions between successful dragon seeds and their dragons were: Addam with Seasmoke, Hugh with Vermithor, and Ulf with Silverwing.

As a gaming enthusiast, let me tell you, Ulf might just earn a spot among my top favorites. This character had me in stitches when he dodged Rhaenyra’s call like a cat avoiding water, especially after boasting about his Targaryen lineage to his mates for eons. And oh, the joy on his face as Silverwing soared over King’s Landing! It was refreshing to see such laughter in this grim series. In fact, it’s been a while since I last saw a genuine smile here.

On the other hand, I found the scene heartwarming when Larys Strong and Archmaester Mellos attempted to aid Aegon in walking; let me tell you, they didn’t skimp on the intense-looking prosthetic makeup! Additionally, I empathized with Jace as he voiced his reservations against Rhaenyra regarding the enlistment of bastards as dragonriders. While I believe he may be overreacting somewhat, given that he has been referred to as a bastard himself for much of his life, it’s understandable why this topic would touch a nerve with him.

It appears that Daemon’s lengthy, monotonous stay at Harrenhal may be nearing its conclusion, given the Riverlords uniting behind his cause and even Oscar Tully offering him crow to eat. I’ve struggled to follow this story, but the grand assembly was quite engaging.

In my opinion, the latest dream sequence featuring Old King Viserys questioning Daemon about his desire for the crown might be the most disappointing one so far. I was under the impression that these dreams were meant to be enigmatic and eerie. Instead, Viserys seems to be straightforwardly revealing Daemon’s internal struggles without any hint of mystery or subtlety. It appears that Game of Thrones nailed this concept; I believe it’s best if they avoid dream sequences moving forward as they no longer seem fitting for the show.

In a less-than-ideal order, allow me to express: Alexandria admits she initially enjoyed the worn cameo and appreciated Viserys, despite growing weary of Daemon’s visions. She concurs with Dan that this vision was particularly distressing. Fortunately, it appears this saga has come to an end. I hope the series will now tap into Matt Smith’s remarkable talent.

Alicent embarking on that walk to ponder and rectify her thoughts was impressive. She had been steadfast for such a long time, but now she recognizes that one error of judgment resulted in the loss of many lives. It appears as though she bears the burden of Luke’s and Jaehaerys’ deaths, which adds a human touch to her character that we haven’t seen before.

Discovering Hugh’s backstory was fascinating. The book didn’t delve into his ancestry, but this extra detail enriched the narrative for me. It provides a hint about his mother’s identity, and it becomes clear why he felt such shame regarding her. Learning about their shared parentage with Ulf (if what Ulf says is true) adds depth to my admiration for their dragons accepting them. Seasmoke picked Addam due to his bond with Laenor, and now the dragons of Hugh and Ulf are accepting the grandchildren of their previous riders.

My only issue is still with Rhaena’s storyline when it comes to dragons. If the show does take Nettles out of the story, I’m going to be disappointed. And I screamed at Rhaena for just rushing into the wild of the Vale. She has zero survival skills, nothing to work with while she’s out there. All this time, she’s shown how smart she is, and in this scene, she was just a pure idiot.

Watching Ulf soar above King’s Landing concluded the episode in a delightful manner. The elation on his face, sharing this spectacular display with his fellow tavern companions, served as a refreshing interlude amidst the impending turmoil. I hadn’t anticipated how essential that carefree moment would be. And to top it off, Aemond trailing Ulf back to Dragonstone on Vhagar, only to have to return, was simply the cherry on top.

Before moving on to the climactic event, let me say that Vermithor is quite the grouchy dragon! Changing things from the original book story doesn’t bother me in the least, as I was thrilled watching Vermithor assert his displeasure towards our group. That is, until Hugh shouted at him – and I must admit, I found it captivating! Hugh risked his life to shield the girl who was meant to be Vermithor’s next meal. This act of courage showcased that he truly deserves to be a dragonrider (despite knowing his fate).

Small Council: Let's debate the new episode of House of the Dragon, "The Red Sowing"

DANIEL: Wow, what an amazing episode! Initially, I had reservations about the Sowing of the Seeds being the main event in House of the Dragon’s penultimate episode, but I must say, it was brilliantly executed. The dragons Vermithor and Silverwing were simply awe-inspiring. This dragon depiction has to be the most intricate we’ve ever witnessed in both House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones, considering sound design, visual effects, and screen time dedicated to these magnificent creatures. Just like the Battle of Rook’s Rest, this was a spectacle never before seen on television, and I found it utterly captivating.

Initially, I felt disappointed not to encounter more dragons in the story, as the book presented various other creatures. However, upon rewatching, I grew fond of it. It created a striking introduction for Vermithor and Silverwing, while keeping room for potential appearances by dragons such as The Cannibal, Grey Ghost, or Sheepstealer in future scenes. Despite my wish to see Alyn of Hull attempting dragon-riding, I appreciated his significant role in Rhaenyra’s scheme, given he delivered her summons to King’s Landing and secretly transported the dragonseeds back to Dragonstone.

Despite my dislike for Jace’s distress over the dragonseeds (an idea he proposed in the book), I must admit that the scene was effectively executed. It’s logical for him to feel resentment towards these issues, especially considering his bastard status, and this tension with Rhaenyra will undoubtedly enrich upcoming events like the Gullet. Moreover, his cryptic remarks about potential power struggles among the bastards gave me goosebumps. I can hardly wait for Season 3!

In my opinion, this recent Daemon episode was one of the best I’ve seen in a while, mainly because the Godswood meeting was exceptional. It reminded me of Game of Thrones when Oscar unexpectedly flipped the situation against Willem Blackwood and demanded Daemon to behead him. I concur with Dan and Alexandria that the Viserys scene could have been omitted. Generally, I’ve found Daemon’s Harrenhal visions engaging, but they’ve been overused so much that they no longer excite me, which is unfortunate. I also felt that Alicent’s camping trip was unnecessary. It seemed like an unusual use of screen time this far into the season, but perhaps it will prove crucial in the finale.

By the way, I mustn’t overlook mentioning Addam from Hull! His encounter with Rhaenyra was simply fantastic. I could have used a bit more of him and Corlys Velaryon, but perhaps we’ll get that in future episodes. The season is setting up for an amazing finale in the next episode!

Small Council: Let's debate the new episode of House of the Dragon, "The Red Sowing"

ALICE: At last! An episode of ‘House of the Dragon’ filled with dragons. A couple of episodes back, we witnessed a large-scale dragon fight, but this time around, we got to experience even more dragons at close range, and it was truly spectacular.

After discovering that Seasmoke, her dragon, might have chosen a rider who appears to be a Velaryon bastard in Addam of Hull, Rhaenyra reconsiders her previous strategy of selecting riders from ancient lineages. With Mysaria’s encouragement, she invites Targaryen bastards residing in King’s Landing to join her search for another dragon rider. She finds two potential candidates, but this move sets the stage for a significant, unconventional decision on Rhaenyra’s part. Given her understanding of the possible consequences when dragons fail to select their riders, this action could be seen as her most questionable behavior yet, leaving one to ponder whether similar actions will follow as the narrative progresses.

Alicent embarks on a solitary trip to escape the drama, perils, and her own feelings of being neglected. This side plot, however, seems to slow down the episodes this season. Yet, it appears significant as she finds a moment of self-discovery while peacefully drifting on a lake. Throughout the season, there has been growing tension around her character, like a simmering pot about to overflow. Let’s hope her storyline reaches a satisfying conclusion in the last episode.

In the end, Daemon achieved his goal: subduing the river lords and integrating them into his domain, but it required an excess of five episodes to achieve this victory. Unlike his liege, Oscar Tully boldly confronted Daemon for his past disrespect. Oscar demanded justice and received it. It was refreshing to witness such courage in the face of Daemon’s actions.

Only one episode remains, and it seems like many plotlines may not receive resolution. Will Rhaenyra’s display of power succeed in deterring Aemond? The previews hint that this might not occur. There’s a possibility of a violent climax in the final episode, but I have a feeling things won’t unfold as anticipated. We can only wait and find out.

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2024-07-31 20:42

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