'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Episode 7 Takeaway: Daemon's horrific tryst at Harrenhal holds valuable lesson
Contains spoilers and speculation for 'House of the Dragon'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Episode 7 aired on HBO on Sunday, July 28. The gripping episode advanced the storyline of Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) at Harrenhal, where he confronts his inner demons while seeking support from the Riverlands.
Daemon has been grappling with an internal struggle, questioning whether he should claim the Iron Throne himself or support the declared heir, Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy).
His ambitions have manifested through hallucinations. In the previous episode, he saw his brother, King Viserys I Targaryen (Paddy Considine), appear in a vision, and he reappeared after Daemon made the difficult decision to punish Ser Willem Blackwood (Jack Parry-Jones) for his actions against the Brackens.
Daemon learns that decision-making may not be his forte
Daemon is known for his impulsive nature and sometimes reckless decision-making. When he ordered Willem Blackwood to carry out violence against the Brackens, he did not fully anticipate the potential repercussions of his command, which could end up dividing the Riverlands instead of uniting them
Oscar Tully (Archie Barnes), the Lord Paramount of the Riverlands, now demands that Daemon punish Willem Blackwood if he wishes to secure the support of the Riverlands. Daemon agrees to the demand and proceeds with the punishment.
He had to swallow his pride and concede his position against the Lords of the Riverlands. Typically, with Caraxes by his side, Daemon would not have hesitated to eliminate the lords. However, now that he requires their allegiance, he must navigate the situation with political tact.
Old and weary Viserys's hallucination could be what Daemon needed
Viserys’s reign was deemed peaceful by the realm, but it took a significant toll on him as he became increasingly ill and frail towards the end of his life. The burden of the crown often proved to be more of a curse than a blessing.
Daemon may have realized after the decision to punish Blackwood that he must temper his natural impulsiveness if he is to become King. He will need to set aside his pride and make choices that serve the crown's interests rather than his own.
Daemon may have come to understand that his true calling might be as a soldier in battle rather than a ruler. He might finally be prepared to embrace the role of King Consort, recognizing Rhaenyra as his Queen.
After a prolonged and arduous internal struggle at Harrenhal, this realization could prove invaluable for both Daemon and the Blacks. With Daemon and Caraxes being their greatest assets in war, this shift in understanding may benefit them greatly.
'House of the Dragon' Season 2 is streaming on HBO.