“Rhaenyra’s Brave Stand: A Dragon-Filled Highlight”
Been late to the party, but what kind of madness did I just witness in this seventh episode of House of the Dragon? It lifted the season once again after a couple of not-so-great episodes. It begins with an intriguing move between Princess Rhaenyra and Adam of Hull, along with their dragons, Syrax and Seasmoke. The conversation and the way these scenes were shot blew our minds. It would be a treat to see this on the big screen. The bravery and maturity the Princess displays, with a hint of fear always in mind, combined with Emma D’Arcy’s top-class performance, was remarkable.
The episode later shifts towards Daemon, which unfortunately takes a backstep. Once a fearless ruler from Season 1, he is now making us bored. His plotline is quite similar to Arya Stark’s “God of Death” track from Game of Thrones, but whereas that storyline became interesting as she sought revenge, here it is more of a slow burner. This drains energy after witnessing the highs that come before and after these scenes.
While Seasmoke finding its rider was a highlight of previous episodes, Vermithor’s scenes were brilliant. All the scenes from Dragonstone gave us goosebumps. Vermithor finding its rider drew a parallel to a cinematic experience, and Silverwing finding its rider was an unexpected bonus on its journey.
The motivational scenes leading up to Vermithor’s part were also a treat, showcasing how crucial Emma D’Arcy’s presence as Princess Rhaenyra is. She pulled it off very well.
The final shot of Princess Rhaenyra stepping forward with the backdrop of several dragons is one of the most iconic shots of the series and will continue to be. It’s absolute madness and a treat for fans. With two more episodes to wrap up the season, I’m excited to see how things unfold now that the princess has achieved what she wanted.
