The rising tension established in "The Princess and the Queen" began to spill over in House of the Dragon Episode 7. "Driftmark" showcased that the battle for the iron throne isn't about who is more deserving, but the result of House Hightower's declaration of war.
Alicent's personal vendetta against Rhaenyra continues to sow discord among the family, pitting family member against family member. Now, Rhaenyra has more allies and has finally stood up for herself, her family, and her legitimate claim to the iron throne. As Rhaenyra, Alicent, and their respective teams draw their swords, the battle for the throne becomes more deadly.
10 Otto Returned As Hand Of The King
Now that Lyonel Strong is dead, Otto Hightower returned as hand of the king. The audience isn't shown how Otto is reinstated, but he was seen at Laena's funeral wearing the hand's pin. Otto returned to his station proudly and jumped right back into his scheming ways.
Though he doesn't speak while the funeral takes place, his expression spoke volumes. Otto watched Rhaenyra and her children with disdain, just like Alicent and Ser Criston. Otto is ready to push his agenda forward and help his daughter prepare Aegon for the thrown, he even asserted that he is proud of her for her violent outburst later in the episode.
9 Everyone Gathered For Laena's Funeral
After Leana's passing most of the noble houses gathered together for her funeral. This scene provided an interesting blend of characters as it's the first time all the characters assembled at the same place after the time skip. Though it's a devastating setting, most of the crowd is distracted. Rheanyra is nervous surrounded by people who not only hold contempt for her, but are actively plotting against her, including Alicent, Otto, and Ser Criston.
Meanwhile, Larys boldly stared at Alicent while maintaining a creepy smile knowing the secret he has over her, no one really knew how to comfort Rhaena and Baela, and Aegon wasn't shy about the fact that he would rather be anywhere else. It was apparent that everyone was hiding their true thoughts and feelings, and there were several stories happening at one time.
8 Daemon And Viserys Are Reunited
Viserys does his duty as king and as a brother-in-law and attended Laena's funeral. Once the ceremony is complete, he approached Daemon and made an attempt to sympathize with him since he knows Daemon's grief all too well.
Once they break the ice, Viserys suggests that Daemon return to King's Landing and even offers him a place in his court. Daemon immediately rejected his offer. Viserys tried to make amends and suggested they leave their differences in the past, but his plea fell on deaf ears.
7 Aegon Revealed His Betrothal To His Sister Helaena
After the ceremony, Aegon tried to relieve his boredom by getting drunk. While drinking, he stared at his sister Helaena with disgust and disappointment and declared they have nothing in common. When Aemond reminded Aegon that she is their sister, Aegon responded "then you marry her." As the conversation continued, it became obvious that Alicent betrothed Aegon to Helaena.
Though Aegon is less than pleased with the arrangement, Aemond told him that it would strengthen their house. It's clear that Alicent is doing everything she can to legitimize Aegon's claim to the throne, and is forcing them to inherit her hostility under the guise of duty.
6 Aemmmond Stole Vhagar
After enduring endless bullying, Aemond took an interest in Vhagar. He spotted him above the clouds during the funeral and went searching for him that evening. After finding Vhagar he approached her and put the training he was never able to participate in into practice.
This surprisingly worked, and Vhagar allowed Aemond to mount her. After a rocky and terrifying start, Aemond eventually got the hang of things and gleefully enjoyed his first dragon ride. Unfortunately, this experience changed him for the worse.
5 Aemond Lost His Eye
Rhaela and Beala noticed Vhagar was missing and immediately went to seek help from their cousins, Jacaerys and Lucerys. They discovered that Aemond was the culprit, and Aemond proudly and cruelly declared that Vhagar now "has a new rider." Rhaela and Beala were rightfully upset by this, especially Rhaela, as she has yet to claim a dragon.
The exchange instantly became physical, starting with Aemond tossing Rhaela to the ground after she rushed toward him. The five children ended up in a fight, with Aemond initially taking the upper hand and violently overpowering his cousins and nephews. Enraged, Lucerys lashed out with a blade and sliced Aemond over the eye, leaving him with a permanent injury.
4 Rhaenyra And Daemon Meet After Spending Years Apart
After the funeral, Daemon and Rhaenyra took a private walk on the beach. There she admitted her affair with Ser Harwin Strong. She also revealed that she and Leanor attempted to perform their marital duties and produce a legitimate heir but were unsuccessful, and she took comfort in Ser Harwin. She also regretted not preventing Ser Harwin from returning to the Riverlands.
Rhaenyra blamed his death on Harren's curse but Daemon believes Alicent and Otto are responsible. Rhaenyra then turned her resentment toward Daemon and accused him of deserting her, stating that her life became a "droll tragedy" without him. Daemon rejected this notion and pointed out that they have both suffered. Rhaenyra then took the opportunity to confess her feelings for her uncle. They then comforted each other and consummated their relationship.
3 King Viserys Stood Up For Rhaenyra
When everyone learned of the altercation that transpired between Aemond, Jacaerys, Lucerys, Rhaela, and Baela things escalated very quickly. The grand maester declared that while Aemond's wound will heal, he lost his eye. Sadly, Alicent believed her son's version of the event. Viserys attempted to take control of the situation and questioned his sons once Rhaenyra told her father that Aemond called her children bastards.
After learning that his grandchildren's parentage has been the subject of more gossip, Viserys angrily made it known that anyone who questions his grandchildren again will have their tongue removed. He then demanded that everyone put their differences aside and make peace. This didn't satisfy Alicent, who ordered Ser Criston to bring her Lucerys' eye. When Viserys rejected this notion, Alicent attempted to take Lucerys' eye herself. Rhaenyra was able to stop her and told her that everyone now sees Alicent for who she truly is.
2 Otto Started Alicent's Training Again
At her core, it's clear Alicent doesn't know who she is. She married the king at her father's behest, and once considered Rhaenyra a friend and potentially good ruler until she decided to take Rhaenyra's lie about her private indiscretion personally. Furthermore, over the past ten years, Alicent has been operating the way her father has always wanted her to by preparing Aegon for the throne.
After her violent outburst, Alicent felt ashamed that she acted in a way "unbefitting of [her] station." Otto alleviated her guilt by addressing her with pride and announcing that he now knows she has what it takes to fight. He then told her to ask for the king's forgiveness and be patient with him. The next morning when she was approached by Larys Strong, who once frightened her, she rewarded his loyalty. Now that she has been given permission by her father to act callously, Alicent is ready to embrace her more sadistic nature.
1 Daemon And Rhaenyra Get Married
After the previous evening's conflict, Rhaenyra and Daemon watched Viserys and Alicent sail away, and Rhaenyra told him she needed him. She admitted that she can't "face the greens on [her] own," and that her "claim would not be so easily challenged" if Daemon were her husband and Prince consort.
Rhaenyra and Daemon then came up with a plan to "kill" Laenor, a plot that Laenor was thankfully in on. They faked his death and allowed him to escape with his lover, Qarl. Though this devastated Corlys and Rhaenys, it allowed Laenor to escape the duties he never wanted and live freely. With their plan completed, Daemon and Rhaenyra immediately wed.