The penultimate episode of House of the Dragon Season 2 was excellent from top to bottom.
Episode: “The Red Sowing”
Runtime: 64 minutes
Original Air Date: July 28, 2024
Written by: David Hancock
Directed by: Loni Peristere
Plot (via HBO)
As Rhaenyra looks to gain an advantage by unusual means, Daemon pressures a young liege lord to raise up his bannermen.
Best Moment: The Red Sowing
The entire episode was strong, but the best moment was the Red Sowing—from Rhaenyra Targaryen giving an emphatic speech to the ultimate claiming of Vermithor and Silverwing by Hugh and Ulf. Rhaenyra showed that she can be a very compelling leader, eventually leading all the hopeful dragonriders that came to Dragonstone into Dragonmont. However, being so desperate to find riders for the two dragons, the Queen essentially locked them all in the lair to see if anyone could emerge. The moment was very well done, with Vermithor totally wreaking havoc and destroying people in an intense and chaotic scene where Hugh built up his courage and emerged to claim “The Bronze Fury”. Almost by accident, Ulf was able to claim Silverwing before riding out to King’s Landing and drawing Aemond Targaryen out to Dragonstone—where the prince regent saw that the dragon math has changed in a major way. This was essentially Rhaenyra’s last chance, and the massive gamble—which went against the advice of just about everyone—paid off, leaving viewers with an epic shot to end the episode.
Best Quote
“And… may the gods bless you.” – Rhaenyra Targaryen
Notable Character Deaths
-Ser Willem Blackwood
-Targaryen bastards/hopefuls
MVP: Hugh
After Hugh and Kat lost their daughter, Hugh made the decision to reveal his background as a Targaryen bastard—the apparent first cousin of King Viserys and Daemon Targaryen—and take the chance of going to Dragonstone upon Queen Rhaenyra’s call. With such a close relation to the royal bloodline, it was obvious Hugh would have a very real chance to claim a dragon like Vermithor—but, as we know in Game of Thrones world, anything can happen and might not go as you expect. Yet he came through, and the look on a vindicated Rhaenyra’s face when Hugh made his claim makes her unknown uncle the clear MVP choice of the episode.
Everything Else:
-It’s noteworthy that Queen Rhaenyra has the respect and trust of Vermithor, which doesn’t necessarily have to be the case just because she’s a Targaryen.
-Prince Jacaerys Velaryon was not happy with his mother’s decision to bring in a bunch of supposed Targaryen bastards, and the reasoning is transparent: He knows he himself is not a trueborn Targaryen—something he brought up with Rhaenyra for the first time since he was a boy when he asked if the bastard talk was true—and having Vermax is something the differentiates himself as her heir. If anyone with some Targaryen blood can claim a dragon and become a lord, he’s wondering where that can leave him in the future—including, as he stated plainly, when his mother dies.
-Summoned to Harrenhal by Daemon Targaryen, Oscar Tully—recently thrust into his new leadership position over the river lords after the death of his grandsire—showed great command and ability at a young age. Daemon thought he was going to run roughshod over Oscar, but instead he was totally disrespected and couldn’t do anything about it if he wanted to raise an army. The king consort had no choice but to execute Ser Willem Blackwood for his actions against the rival Brackens. You could see in Daemon’s reaction that it went against what he stands for, turning on someone he essentially had a pact with and was for his cause when others weren’t.
-You have to wonder what Daemon thinks of others claiming dragons—particularly given his interest in Vermithor in Season 1.
-Addam of Hull quickly rose to a high status at Dragonstone, and the “well done” from his father Corlys Velaryon was very meaningful. Meanwhile, his brother Alyn of Hull seems content to help at sea—which The Sea Snake also appears proud of.
-Perhaps it’s as simple as being able to control him much easier than he can Aemond, but Larys Strong is pushing King Aegon to gain strength as quick as possible against Grand Maester Orwyle’s guidance. While in clear pain, Aegon is at least showing that he can get around—and it’s interesting that his damaged appearance is somewhat reminiscent of his father Viserys, who was in another of Daemon’s dreams.
-Alicent Hightower was just booted off the Small Council and attacked by the people of King’s Landing, so she just wanted to get away. Queen Alicent appeared to come to some type of realization while floating in the water, so we’ll see what that is.
-Aemond’s response to hearing Seasmoke flying over King’s Landing was not thought out, and we saw fear in his eyes for the first time in a while when encountering a few large dragons at Dragonstone and turning back with Vhagar. At the advice of Larys, Jasper Wylde holding back the report of Seasmoke being claimed turned out to be an unwise decision.
-We still haven’t seen or heard from Otto Hightower since he left King’s Landing, but the Green Council received word that Daeron Targaryen and his dragon might soon be ready to join the Greens.
-Rhaena Targaryen is totally on a mission to claim a dragon, and she’s venturing out for the wild one at the Vale. Meanwhile, babies Aegon “The Younger” and Viserys Targaryen are now on their way to Pentos.
-The difference between Hugh and Ulf as they considered the call to Dragonstone was interesting—with both eventually claiming dragons despite difference mindsets heading into the dangerous situation. Despite having very strong Targaryen bloodlines, Hugh kept his background secret. While Ulf—despite sounding genuinely unsure if it was true before being convinced to make the trip—bragged about being a Targaryen and almost seemed content to live off that.
-It should be noted that before encountering Silverwing, Ulf stumbled into a dragon nest where we could see eggs—so there are more potential dragons to be hatched at some point.