House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 7 brings us the least surprising twist in this franchise’s history, with the betrayal of Ulf the White, which the show had been telegraphing for a while. It also brings back Sunfyre, who wasn’t dead; he was just out partying. And on top of it, not content with basically leaving Team Black and Team Green on pretty even terms for a while, the show throws a few curveballs at us that feel like they add absolutely nothing to the plot.
The Rhaena storyline felt a little justified when it seemed like her taking Nettle’s place was about explaining the Rhaenyra and Daemon rift. Even that was a stretch considering we all expected Rhaenyra to react like she did this episode, with anger but with a level of understanding. However, with that storyline now pretty much over, it seems like it was all for nothing.
Even more baffling is the Mysaria of it all, mostly because she doesn’t seem to be the same character we saw at the beginning of this show, and the explanation for her change is something we basically have to make up in our heads. That makes her another character we don’t care enough about, which in turn leads to her questioning every one of her actions, whether we like them or not.
But hey, at least the show set up Tumbleton for the season finale. Maybe we’ll spend enough time in action sequences that we don’t get to worry about how little this show seems to understand its own characters.
MORE: Read our review of House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 6 and House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 5
THE LOVE TRIANGLE NO ONE ASKED FOR
The thing with Rhaenyra and Mysaria is that I very much could have rooted for it, if it had felt like something grounded in real respect. The problem with this show is, once again, that so much is happening and they don’t seem to have time or be any good at setting up the big character moments, so we go from one kiss in Season 2 to an intimate scene in Season 3, with nothing in between for these two characters.
In fact, a few seconds before, Rhaenyra was still standing in front of Mysaria defending Daemon.
What does Rhaenyra want? Only to be validated, and whoever does so at any given time will gain her favor? What does Mysaria want? Does she actually care about Rhaenyra, or is this about proximity to power, or worse, revenge on Daemon? At this point, the only character we seem to understand is Daemon, which is absurd because he is supposed to be the character who is chaos incarnate.
Rhaenyra being bisexual isn’t a problem; it’s an opportunity. But queer relationships aren’t just something you can or should throw in to check a box or get social media clout. And if this is only about making the rift between Rhaenyra and Daemon her fault instead of his, then that’s just adding insult to injury.
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AEMOND’S MOMMY ISSUES
Aemond’s mommy issues come out to play in this hour, and yet this is another thing that the show has leaned heavily into this season that doesn’t entirely fit into the idea we had of him before. Sure, it’s not that hard to believe. But it’s not like we had all that much setup for that scene where Alys is Alicent, and they’re having sex. Or for the fact that Alicent knows to kiss him as a way to convince him to do what she wants.
I think it’s obvious at this point that Alicent hasn’t been a good mother. She knows it, we know it. She’s trying to do better by the one kid she thinks she’s in a place to save, Helaena, and she’s put her all into it. I don’t love it, but considering the show has indeed spent more time with her, this is somewhat believable for the arc of the character. Aemond’s lust for his mother is a harder leap.
Storylines don’t have to be morally good to be believable; they just have to be constructed in a way that makes viewers able to understand how things got from A to B. We don’t here. And, in fact, it’s a bit ironic that House of the Dragon Episode 7 is willing to go there with the incest, but unwilling to make Aemond the bad guy with Alys in the way Fire & Blood does. Incest is aokay, but Aemond taking advantage of Alys instead of the other way around? Nah, that’s a bridge too far.
MORE: Here are the House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 4 and Episode 3 reviews
BETRAYAL, WHATEVER
There isn’t even much to say about Ulf’s betrayal, because absolutely everyone saw it coming. This was always the problem with giving dragons to people who have no personal loyalty to you, especially when you cannot deliver on the riches you promised them in the first place. Those who’ve read the book know what else is coming in the Battle of Tumbleton. And it’s not good.
Ironically, after a season where Team Black seemed firmly in control, we come to the end of Season 3 with both sides more or less equal. That’s a problem in a war like this, because it means what comes next is going to be even sadder. War is never an easy thing, and wars between families are even worse. There are no winners and losers in any game of thrones.
We’ve learned that the hard way.
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Things I think I think:
- The opening convo between Rhaenyra and Helaena is very uncomfortable, and it’s meant to be! It showcases how far Rhaenyra has come into fanaticism, because it’s the one thing she can hold onto. She’s gotta believe she’s destined for this; otherwise, what’s the point of all she’s lost?
- “As the gods must surely intend.”
- Daemon, if you don’t tell your wife where you’re going, she’ll come looking for you.
- The Aemond/Alicent but really Alys scene was as disturbing a thing as this show has given us. I threw up a little in my mouth.
- Daemon saying please was a highlight of the episode, I swear. Matt Smith makes him such a fun character.
- I knew Addam also liked Baela. Oh, joy.
- Yeah, Corlys couldn’t be dead. But he makes a pretty good hostage.
- “I would like to return to my cell.” Honestly, I would have said the same.
- Gwayne and Daeron are a good combo; too bad Ormund is around to ruin everything.
- Mysaria is like a jealous girlfriend, and it’s hard to know who she’s jealous of.
- Is a new dawn coming, though?
- “My designs for our future did not include your mother.” Every woman ever.
- Larys is a rat. Consistency in that is good, though.
- Rhaena, baby, I would like to give you a hug. Then smack you.
- Listen to your father! He’s acting like a father! He’s also speaking sense, because Rhaena keeps acting like she’s the first Targaryen ever who didn’t have a dragon since she was little.
- He offered to help!
- “All this time, you knew.”
- She was never going to hurt Rhaena.
- Nooo, Sheepstealer. Nooo.
- “A whore will always remain a whore.” Ouch.
- “I tried to kill Aegon.” WE KNOW. I’m shocked you admit it, though.
- “You are my wife.”
- “She is my daughter, one I have long neglected.”
- I’d say the show did that to set up this, but that would be giving them too much credit.
- He really did not scheme against her!
- “You will begin anew.”
- Oh, a finger from Corlys. Yay.
- That Helaena dream makes me wonder if they’ll change her story going forward.
- “You have sworn to turn me from him,” is probably true.
- And yes, Viserys ’ whole life was a dream.
- “Do you think I’m worthy?”
- Again, no idea what I’m supposed to believe Rhaenyra is thinking here, which is a big problem.
- Sunfyre was in deep hibernation sleep or something because dang.
- Eh, Ulf, I expected nothing better from you.
- “They will burn.” They being EVERYONE.
Agree? Disagree? What did you think of House of the Dragon Season 3, Episode 7? Share with us in the comments below!
House of the Dragon airs Sundays at 9/8c on HBO.
