House of the Dragon 2×07 “The Red Sowing” is, once again, a very good episode in a season that has gotten better and better with each episode. There are still some issues, but it’s hard to argue with the notion that this show has found its footing after a lukewarm start to the season.
Whatever issues the season has had, they mostly have to do with storytelling choices and pacing. Writing-wise, “The Red Sowing,” once again proves that House of the Dragon is very lucky to have the cast it does. Emma D’Arcy has been a force of nature this entire season, and in this episode, they get to play not just the Queen, but the Commander in a performance that allows us to see a different side of Rhaenyra. That D’Arcy can still peel off layers of this character, and make it seem like a discovery, is a testament to how brilliant a performer they are.
But this episode isn’t just a character study. It’s a brilliantly shot hour with a lot of dragons, some philosophical questions about what it means to wage war, and, hopefully, an end to the Harrenhal storyline for Daemon.
THE DRAGONSEEDS + RHAENA
The Dragonseeds, by themselves, aren’t as interesting, so House of the Dragon 2×07 “The Red Sowing” makes the right choice by focusing on them, yes, but framing their introduction on Rhaenyra and Jace and the mixed feelings that them being elevated to this new station brings up in Jace. Because, for Jace, what does it mean that these people who are the same as him, now have dragons? How does he rule if he doesn’t see himself as worthy of the throne?
Of course, this isn’t something he should be putting on them, or even on his mother. This is a Jace issue. His self-doubts have nothing to do with Addam, Hugh, or Ulf. They are about Jace. And ironically, the little we’ve seen of Jace has proven he would be a great King if given the chance. He’s kind, he listens, and though he might not be anywhere near where he needs to be or have anywhere near the knowledge he needs, he isn’t needlessly cruel. And, actually, spending time with people like Adam, Hugh, and Ulf is something that could perhaps make him a better King. You gotta know your subjects to truly care for them.
Then there’s Rhaena, and though we don’t see where this storyline is going, it seems clear to book readers that she is going to take the place of another Dragonseed, Nettles, and claim Sheepstealer. I, for one, am happy. Give Rhaena her moment. And please, let her family, and especially her father, see her atop that dragon. Please.
THE ORDER OF THINGS HAS CHANGED
House of the Dragon 2×07 “The Red Sowing” gets a little philosophical about the so-called “order of things.” But it is fitting, perhaps, that Team Black is the first to understand this undeniable truth. Things have changed. They changed a long time ago, perhaps when Viserys named Rhaenyra heir. Everyone has been trying to go on with old rules, even while that fundamental truth shook the very foundations on which their society was built.
It is better to just tear it down and start from scratch. In that, Mysaria is a great asset, even if Jace doesn’t understand that. Because Mysaria sees the world as it is. She doesn’t see the world as it was or the world as it should be. “Smallfolk” proved that. That’s how Rhaenyra has gone from, arguably, the weakest position, to having the advantage, even without Daemon.
But Daemon is coming back. And the wife he is coming back to isn’t the same one he left, the same one he didn’t communicate with for all this time. So that’s an interesting conversation waiting to happen.
DO YOU WANT IT STILL?
We really need to get Daemon out of Harrenhal, because I cannot take one more hallucination. At least, at this point, the hallucinations have gotten to the meat of the issue with him, which is the throne. Does Daemon want the throne? Did he ever? The show has played a little fast and loose with this subject, though I’d argue it has always come out on the side of no: Daemon wanted love and respect more than he ever wanted the throne.
Or, at least, Daemon would have been happy without the throne, if he had love and respect from the people he cared about. And that’s a very short list, actually: Viserys and Rhaenrya.
The problem with the show is that we have been going around in circles with Daemon in this very question for way too long, and it seems like we never get to an answer. What was the point of the Harrenhal storyline if not to get some sort of resolution, for the viewers or for the character? The question could have been left open-ended without wasting so many episodes on this mad quest that leads absolutely nowhere.
Things I think I think:
- “Let us raise an army of bastards,” is kinda funny, not gonna lie.
- Someone just ask Corlys about Addam!
- Clinton Liberty easily makes Addam of Hull the most interesting of the Dragonseeds, but Addam has been one of the most interesting new characters introduced this season, by far.
- Rhaenyra, you were about to say, hey, you look a looot like my dead husband. You were, right?
- Hilarious that someone was like, nah, Daemon is not going to kill this dude for his army because the dude was helpful. This is Daemon we’re talking about.
- Now you want to talk about daddy dearest, Jace?
- Okay, but am I supposed to believe Ulf isn’t a Targaryen or he is?
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of House of the Dragon 2×07 “The Red Sowing”?
House of the Dragon airs Sundays at 9/8c on HBO.
