House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 7 - "The Red Sowing"

[Drizzle]

House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 7 - "The Red Sowing"

Directed by Loni Peristere

Written by David Hancock



​

We're in the home stretch for season two. This one was screened at SDCC the other night so spoilers might be flying around out there.

 

[OrbOfConfusion]

You know, I like Rhaenyra's odds. Some great imagery in this episode with Vermithor coming out of the darkness like some great beast summoned from hell.

 

[Drizzle]

I loved the last 15 minutes of this. Pure dragon badassery. The full Vermithor reveal was awesome, he quickly became a favorite of mine just from that scene alone.

 

[KaijuDude1992]

Lawd the second half of this episode was pretty incredible IMO, but I also have to give the kid that plays Oscar Tully a BIG shoutout as well because that scene with Daemon and The Riverlords was great too.

Those designs for Vermithor and Silverwing are just awesome and I already knew I would love Vermithor based on the glimpses we got of him last season but my god is that a badass looking Dragon.

The CGI budget for this episode had to be insane.

 

[squeekness]

The two chosen riders were pretty predictable but yeah, the dragon effects were fantastic.

 

[flickchick85]

My review of this episode:

I LOVE DRAGONS!!!!

That is all.

 

[Stringer]

The two chosen riders were pretty predictable but yeah, the dragon effects were fantastic.

What I liked is their moments seemingly tied in well with their characters

 

[ArmsHeldOut]

The two chosen riders were pretty predictable but yeah, the dragon effects were fantastic.

I hear you. The season in general has been fairly predictable, if we're being honest, but that hasn't made it any less enjoyable for me.

On a side note, considering the recent cancellation of Max's Raised by Wolves and Warrior, the presence of Amanda Collin, Abubakar Salim, and Kieran Bew in this series kind of makes it feel like their old characters have been given a second chance at life.

Spoiler

 

[CB Fan]

Maybe I wasn’t paying attention all the way but I was not expecting there to be another dragon after Seasmoke and vermithor. It was a complete shock and fun to see Ulf and Silverwing meet. Vermithors entrance was so cool.

 

[Drizzle]

Hugh put the old "Jon Snow yelling at a dragon" strategy to the test.

I have to say, I really liked the Daemon plotline in this episode. It was really amusing to see Oscar pull that power move on him.

I also thought that the scene between Jace and Rhaenyra where he acknowledges that he's technically a bastard was great. He really did bring up a good point.

I guess next week will let us know if it was worth trimming the season to 8 episodes from 10 to allocate for all that dragony goodness. I'm thinking...yes? Maybe?

 

[Weather Witch]

I guess next week will let us know if it was worth trimming the season to 8 episodes from 10 to allocate for all that dragony goodness. I'm thinking...yes? Maybe?

Ironically it felt like they were dragging their feet during some episodes even though it was cut down to 8. Can't wait to do the full binge though. I will say that I like Season 1 more than this one so far, but let's see how it pays off next week. All the pieces are in place.

 

[Drizzle]

Vhagar hanging around minding her own business whenever Aemond doesn't need her to commit murder

 

[Mjolnir Reborn]

I really enjoyed this episode. Of course the scenes with the dragons were spectacular but I also really enjoyed the meeting of the lords of the Riverlands. It was great seeing Oscar really taking to his role as Lord Paramount and both putting Daemon in his place as well as carefully navigating the intricacies of ensuring the allegiance of his liege lords. I didn't quite see that coming and it made it all the better.

With Vermithor and Silverwing coming fully into light it's further established that they have done a great job making all the dragons feel unique. Both the appearances and their behaviors make the dragons stand out as actual characters, at least to the point that seems feasible. It was also nice to see how different the two bondings were.

The new dragonriders seem good as characters and I was happy with the different sort of scenes given to Addam this episode. Jacaerys laying out his insecurities was also a good scene and Rhaenyra felt like a proper Targaryen queen both in dealing with her subjects and with Vermithor.

 

[Drizzle]

I'm not ready for another two-year wait. I have to agree that the first season was stronger. I prefer this format, with fewer time jumps, but season 1 had a better batting average for exceptional episodes.

I'm waiting until after the finale to properly judge them but so far I'm kind of torn. I thought the pacing for the first half of season 2 was great and episode 4 just might be the best episode of the series so far (I'm torn between that and S1E8) but there's been a lot of kicking the ball down the field in the back half until the end of episode 7. I've been enjoying it all anyway but to be honest, the first half of season 1 wasn't exactly fast paced either even with the time jumps. I think the major factor that's missing here is Paddy Considine (not counting the cameos). Even when Viserys died in S1 I thought that was a big loss for the show because he did such a great job. To a lesser extent Rhys Ifans has been sorely missed for the most part of this season too but Tom Glynn-Carney in particular stepped up to the plate and has basically stolen the season as Aegon. The cast has still been pretty solid all around this season.

Fully agreed on not being ready for a two year wait until season 3. Part of me hopes that if they start filming at the end of this year then there's a chance it could be out before the end of 2025 but I'm keeping my expectations in check. I hate this new approach of 2 year waits between seasons but it comes with the territory when shows like this are delivering just as much spectacle as your theatrical blockbuster, if not more so. I'm also curious as to what the road map looks like for how many more seasons they have planned for this. I think they could maybe do it in four but I wouldn't be surprised if they stretched it to five.

 

[The Big G]

Syrax finally got Mom and Dad out of the basement to help her avenge her baby

 

[squeekness]

Maybe I wasn’t paying attention all the way but I was not expecting there to be another dragon after Seasmoke and vermithor. It was a complete shock and fun to see Ulf and Silverwing meet. Vermithors entrance was so cool.

I was rooting for Ulf the whole time, I was happy he met Silverwing.

 

[squeekness]

I'm waiting until after the finale to properly judge them but so far I'm kind of torn. I thought the pacing for the first half of season 2 was great and episode 4 just might be the best episode of the series so far (I'm torn between that and S1E8) but there's been a lot of kicking the ball down the field in the back half until the end of episode 7. I've been enjoying it all anyway but to be honest, the first half of season 1 wasn't exactly fast paced either even with the time jumps. I think the major factor that's missing here is Paddy Considine (not counting the cameos). Even when Viserys died in S1 I thought that was a big loss for the show because he did such a great job. To a lesser extent Rhys Ifans has been sorely missed for the most part of this season too but Tom Glynn-Carney in particular stepped up to the plate and has basically stolen the season as Aegon. The cast has still been pretty solid all around this season.

Fully agreed on not being ready for a two year wait until season 3. Part of me hopes that if they start filming at the end of this year then there's a chance it could be out before the end of 2025 but I'm keeping my expectations in check. I hate this new approach of 2 year waits between seasons but it comes with the territory when shows like this are delivering just as much spectacle as your theatrical blockbuster, if not more so. I'm also curious as to what the road map looks like for how many more seasons they have planned for this. I think they could maybe do it in four but I wouldn't be surprised if they stretched it to five.

Two years for season 3?! *faints*

 

[Drizzle]

Two years for season 3?! *faints*

Most likely.

On the bright side, we're lucky we got season two when we did because as far as I can tell, House of the Dragon was one of the only major projects that was able to film through the strikes last year thanks to being a UK production. The scripts were finished before filming started and the actors aren't part of SAG.

 

[#root]

I really wish Seasmoke, Vermax, and Moondancer were also in that one shot. That would’ve been cool as ****.

The claimings were great. Also really liked Oscar Tully’s big scene. Liked Alicent going away to “cleanse” herself. Her saying nothing here is clean made me laugh. Like yeah girl, Cristen Cole’s **** is everywhere . Baela’s one scene was kinda pointless. Could’ve been in the next episode which I’m assuming has more of her. Also did she just totally abandon the kids? I like Addam a lot. I hope we get to see more of him in the future.

I also hate that now there’s going to be another 2 year wait before the next season . And I think there’s very little chance it’s going to be any less than that. We’re getting the Dunk & Egg adaptation next year so they’ll give us that in 2025 and save season 3 for 2026.

 

[OrbOfConfusion]

Well, looks like the finale leaked early, so look out!

 

[Weather Witch]

Well, looks like the finale leaked early, so look out!

Came here to say this as well. Beware the spoilers!

 

[Drizzle]

The same thing happened last season.

I couldn't help myself last time but this time around I'll wait until Sunday.

EDIT: It also seems that only certain scenes have leaked and not the entire episode.

 

[Deck Rickard]

Haven’t chimed in much on this show here but I have to say I’m loving this season. I wasn’t a fan of season 1 at all but this one has pretty much been awesome. I’m a little sad we only have one more episode but the storytelling has been so much tighter this go around, so a shorter season isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Thoughts on this episode…

Hugh Hammer is a BAMF. I love how the contrasted his dragon claiming scene with Ulf’s. Whatever works! Also, it’s just great to see Kieran Bew on this show. I was a huge fan of Warrior and it makes me sad that it will never get a conclusion. I’m glad that at least Big Bill found a new (awesome) role.

Oscar is a little badass too! I really enjoyed how he played Daemon. Wasn’t expecting that.

Addam and Alyn are really cool too and I hope we get to see more of them next season. And hopefully Corlys will say more than two words to them.

I love Rhaenyra but damn, that was pretty evil to just leave nearly all of those people to get dragonroasted. At the very least, she could have tried to prepare them a little bit! Maybe teach them some high Valyrian or something. It was especially horrible that she got her soldiers to prevent them from leaving! Still rooting for her though. That last shot was epic.

It’s interesting that we didn’t see Alys in this episode. I’m thinking the Alys Rivers we all think slipped old Grover some cyanide is actually someone else and the one Daemon is talking to is someone only he can see.

Gwayne is a privileged d-bag but I like how he’s always throwing shade at Criston, since Criston is horrible. I’m curious what finally makes him turn the sword on him next week.

I saw some criticism over Alicent’s Ophelia scene but I really liked it. Olivia Cooke is one of those rare actors who can convey SO much with just her eyes and mannerisms that every scene with her is just a masterclass.

Speaking of the Hightowers, I hope we get Otto’s return next week. Ever since that scene where he verbally eviscerated Aegon, I’ve been wanting to see more of him and it better happen next week.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Rewatching all episodes before the finale, including s1. Watching s1, really emphasizes my issues with this season. It's good television, but the first season was great television, with real drive and focus. Every episode was built to matter from a character, plot, and memorability standpoint.

This episode would've been like episode 3 or 4 of s1. Not the second to last. I think the pacing issues are no more apparent then with Rhaey Rhaey and Daemon. Where their arcs stopped, running into repetition episode after episode.

I wonder if it's their desire to get a 4th season out of this show, then the cold as hell 25 episodes that would've been lean and mean.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

Haven’t chimed in much on this show here but I have to say I’m loving this season. I wasn’t a fan of season 1 at all but this one has pretty much been awesome. I’m a little sad we only have one more episode but the storytelling has been so much tighter this go around, so a shorter season isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Thoughts on this episode…

Hugh Hammer is a BAMF. I love how the contrasted his dragon claiming scene with Ulf’s. Whatever works! Also, it’s just great to see Kieran Bew on this show. I was a huge fan of Warrior and it makes me sad that it will never get a conclusion. I’m glad that at least Big Bill found a new (awesome) role.

Oscar is a little badass too! I really enjoyed how he played Daemon. Wasn’t expecting that.

Addam and Alyn are really cool too and I hope we get to see more of them next season. And hopefully Corlys will say more than two words to them.

I love Rhaenyra but damn, that was pretty evil to just leave nearly all of those people to get dragonroasted. At the very least, she could have tried to prepare them a little bit! Maybe teach them some high Valyrian or something. It was especially horrible that she got her soldiers to prevent them from leaving! Still rooting for her though. That last shot was epic.

It’s interesting that we didn’t see Alys in this episode. I’m thinking the Alys Rivers we all think slipped old Grover some cyanide is actually someone else and the one Daemon is talking to is someone only he can see.

Gwayne is a privileged d-bag but I like how he’s always throwing shade at Criston, since Criston is horrible. I’m curious what finally makes him turn the sword on him next week.

I saw some criticism over Alicent’s Ophelia scene but I really liked it. Olivia Cooke is one of those rare actors who can convey SO much with just her eyes and mannerisms that every scene with her is just a masterclass.

Speaking of the Hightowers, I hope we get Otto’s return next week. Ever since that scene where he verbally eviscerated Aegon, I’ve been wanting to see more of him and it better happen next week.

I think she's amazing and this isn't a criticism. But what do you think she conveying? I like the scene, but I get the vibe that a lot of people don't like it, because it's just her kind of having a pity party for a situation that is literally all her fault.