In the seventh episode of House of the Dragon, titled "Driftmark," the
Targaryen family gathers on Driftmark, the ancestral seat of House Velaryon, for
the funeral of Laena Velaryon, Daemon Targaryen's wife. Amidst the somber
occasion, tensions rise, secrets are revealed, and the seeds of future conflicts
are sown.
A Funeral and a Family Divided
The episode opens with the funeral procession of Laena Velaryon, who died giving birth to her third child. Her husband, Daemon Targaryen, appears grief-stricken but also strangely detached, his mind already wandering to other matters. The arrival of Rhaenyra Targaryen and her children, Jacaerys and Lucerys, further complicates the already tense atmosphere. The legitimacy of their parentage, long whispered about in the courts, remains a source of division and suspicion.
Alicent's Accusations and Daemon's Ambitions
Queen Alicent Hightower, ever watchful of Rhaenyra, seizes the opportunity to confront her rival about the rumors surrounding her children's true fathers. The accusation hangs heavy in the air, adding to the growing animosity between the two women. Meanwhile, Daemon, ever the schemer, sees the gathering at Driftmark as an opportunity to advance his own ambitions. He takes a keen interest in Vhagar, the largest and most formidable dragon in the world, which has been riderless since Laena's death.
A Clash of Young Princes
The simmering tensions between the Targaryen children erupt into open conflict when Aemond Targaryen, Alicent's youngest son, attempts to claim Vhagar for himself. His actions provoke Jacaerys and Lucerys, who defend their mother's honor and their own claim to Targaryen blood. The ensuing fight leads to tragedy, as Aemond loses an eye in the scuffle.
A King's Plea and a Queen's Fury
King Viserys Targaryen, weary of the constant strife and turmoil within his family, pleads for peace and unity. However, his words fall on deaf ears, as the rival factions remain entrenched in their grievances and ambitions. Queen Alicent, enraged by the injury inflicted upon her son, demands justice for Aemond. She accuses Rhaenyra's children of attacking her son, further fueling the animosity between the two queens.
The Episode Concludes with Several Unresolved Issues:
Will the conflict between the Targaryen children escalate into open war?
How will King Viserys maintain control amidst the growing divisions within his family?
What will be the fate of Vhagar, the riderless dragon?
As the political landscape grows increasingly unstable, House of the Dragon sets the stage for even more dramatic confrontations and power struggles within the Targaryen family and the realm of Westeros.