House of the Dragon 2x07 "The Red Sowing"

 
    HOUSE OF THE DRAGON 2x07 "The Red Sowing" is a solid episode that demonstrates just why I watch this series every week. This episode deals with the "dragonseeds" of House Targaryen, which are the bastard offspring of the various royals over the past century. All of them possess the potential to claim a dragon but have never had the opportunity until this moment. 

    The premise is Rhaenyra sends out a call to all of the bastards of King's Landing via her acting-Master of Whispers, Mysaria. Notably, despite promoting Corlys Velaryon to the position of Hand, she makes no effort to consult him on her actions. Indeed, Rhaenyra continues to feel like she is not receiving respect from her Small Council but unilaterally makes all of her decisions without consulting them as well as ignores all of their advice. Which means she should probably either replace them or amend her behavior. Despite this close relationship with Mysaria, though, there's no sign of the kiss from last week having any follow-up.

    Daemon Targaryen finally gets the allegiance of the Riverlands armies but the cost of his self-respect as well as his most loyal bannerman. Oscar Tully proceeds to take command of the Tully family and uses the pantomime of bringing Daemon to heel to unite the Riverlands houses behind him. Unfortunately, this results in the head of House Blackwood paying with his life. Given they committed a bunch of atrocities flying the banner of House Targaryen (Black) when Daemon asked them to do so without his leave, I can't say I have much sympathy. Perhaps the most interesting element is that Daemon seems to finally realize he doesn't want to be King of Westeros.

    Aemond Targaryen finds himself increasingly isolated at his own council. He's a lot more demanding of respect than Aegon II but it turns out that being intimidating doesn't necessarily lead to loyalty (as Daemon found out in the Riverlands). Larys and the rest of the Small Council hide crucial details from him as others plot to help Aegon II recover from his horrific injuries (limited as his recovery may be). There's a good scene where the last of Aegon's appointees to the Kingsguard are sent to the Wall for their failures during the riot last week.

    The actual dragon claiming ceremony is a clusterfuck from beginning to end. The dragon keepers ultimately put themselves out of a job by refusing to participate in the claiming. Rhaenyra finally starts showing her proper Targaryen ruthlessness by forcing all of the dragonseeds to participate even if they start getting murdered left and right. Three of them manage to survive, however, with Hugh the Hammer and Ulff managing to claim the dragons Vermithor as well as Silverwing.

    I am still furious about the fact they are replacing Nettles with Raena but they continue this plot with the latter seeking to claim the wild dragon Sheepstealer. They've portrayed Jeyne Arryn so unlikable and bullying of a teenage girl that I hope that Raena burns her alive. It doesn't help that she's committing treason against Queen Rhaenyra. That would perhaps turn my opinion around on Rhaena.

    In conclusion, this was a solid and entertaining episode for HOTD. I feel like the fundamental mistake of this series has always been whitewashing Rhaenyra. Seeing her happily send her bastard cousins, nieces, and nephews to their mass grave is probably when she's at her most interesting.