House of the Dragon: Summary and explanation of episode 7 and what will happen in episode 8

This Sunday, October 2, the seventh episode of the first season of ‘House of the Dragon,’ the spin-off and prequel to ‘Game of Thrones, aired on HBO. We will walk you through the episode entitled ‘Driftmark,’ as well as what can be expected for next week.

From here on, this note contains spoilers.

House of the Dragon: Summary and explanation of chapter 7 and what will happen in episode 8

This eventful episode brought the drama that many fans of the Game of Thrones of the universe were looking for. The episode began with the Targaryens and Velaryons gathering at Driftmark for the funeral of Lady Laena (Nanna Blondell), Daemon’s (Matt Smith) late wife.

Daemon and Rhaenyra meet again

Daemon and Princess Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) sneak off and speak of their relationships - each having married the siblings and children of Lord Corlys Velaryon and Princess Rhaenys Targaryen. The uncle and niece duo confess their true feelings and end up spending the evening together.

Rhaenyra confesses to Daemon her potential vulnerabilities that Queen Alicent is likely to exploit regarding the birth of her sons. The pair admits that they never truly loved their spouses, and Rhaenyra reminds her uncle that she is no longer a child.

Viewers struggle with the relationship as the characters are both very likable, and the chemistry is clear, but the fact that they are so closely related is obviously unsettling. What this episode showed the viewer is that Daemon’s candle has always burned for Rhaenyra, and at last that they have a chance of turning their relationship into a marriage. Still alarming.

The conflict in the Great Hall

The couple’s happy ending was overshadowed by Rhaenyra’s younger brother, Aemond (Leo Ashton), who took custody of Vhagar, the deceased Laena’s dragon, causing a brutal fight with his cousins, in which he lost an eye. Initially, the fight is over the fact that one of the daughters of Laena was supposed to inherit the dragon - now impossible, thanks to Aemond’s move. However, Rhaenyra’s sons soon come to their cousin’s defense, which is when they are threatened by Aemond, who calls the status of their birth into question.

In the Great Hall, the families are gathered, and when Rhaenyra enters, her sons tell her that their cousin, Aemond, called them bastards. Rhaenyra stands up for her children, claiming that it is they who were attacked and were only defending themselves after vial treasonous insults were thrown at them. When Aemond is asked who he heard these rumors from, he blames his older brother, who then says that everyone talks about the fact that the two boys are bastards.

King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine), who has a clear soft spot for his daughter and heir, says that anyone who continues to spread these rumors shall have their tongue removed. Queen Alicent does not see the King’s words and actions as just and demands that a debt be paid for her son’s eye; calling on Ser Criston Cole, she asks him to cut the eye of one of Rhaenyra’s sons, an order which is blocked by the Viserys.

When Alicent says that she will have to take matters into her own hands, she steals Viserys’ knife and begins to longe at Rhaenyra, who manages to hold her arm.

“You’ve gone too far,” says Rhaenyra, to which Alicent replies, “I? What have I done, but what was expected of me? Forever upholding the kingdom, the family, the law. While you flout all to do as you please. Where is duty? Where is sacrifice? It is trampled under your pretty foot. Now you take my son’s eye and even to that you feel entitled.”

Rhaenyra stays very calm, and as the knife points at her, she responds, “Exhausting wasn’t it, hiding beneath the clock of your own righteousness?”

“But now they see you as you are,” and at the same moment, Alicent cuts her friend-turned-foe’s wrist and drops the blade.

It is at that moment that Aemond tells his mother not to fret because while he lost an eye, he gained a dragon. Later hand of the King, Otto Hightower, Alicent’s father, tells his daughter that her son is right - the price he paid is nothing compared to what their family has gained.

Rhaenyra’s second wedding and Laenor’s escape

“With you as my husband and prince consort, my claim would not be so easily challenged,” said Rhaenyra when explaining her new plan to Daemon after the events in the Great Hall. The new couple come up with a plan, which includes Laenor faking his own death to travel with his lover across the narrow sea, where they will be able to live openly as gay men.

The prince and princess were married in an intimate ceremony attended by their children.

What will happen in episode 8 of 'House of the Dragon'?

Episode 8 of ‘House of the Dragon’, entitled ‘The Lord of the Tides’, will premiere on October 9 at 9:00 pm ET.

The episode features an aged Aemond and Aegon, which shows that we are inching closer to the death of King Viserys. The promo, which can be seen below, indicates that the episode will be action-packed.

Otto Hightower is seen on the Iron Throne, and Daemon and Rhaenyra return to King’s Landing. Conflict between the cousins is seen briefly and towards the end we hear the hand of the king warn that the threat of war looms.