'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Episode 7: Why Jacerys's warning foreshadows harrowing betrayal
Contains spoilers and speculation
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Episode 7 aired on HBO on Sunday, July 28. The captivating episode saw the Blacks re-enter the battle for the Iron Throne after successfully finding Dragonriders for their previously unclaimed dragons.
The idea to find Dragonriders came from Jacerys Velaryon (Harry Collett). However, in this episode, he appeared disgruntled with the choice of Dragonriders and Mysaria's (Sonoya Mizuno) advice to seek out lowborn illegitimate children of Targaryens to claim the unclaimed dragons.
Jacerys's biological father is Harwin Strong (Ryan Corr). Despite being the declared heir of Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy), Jacerys is aware that his succession to the Iron Throne will eventually be challenged.
Jacerys questions his mother's strategy in 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Episode 7
When Jacerys suggested the idea of using people with Targaryen blood, he meant high-born individuals who would later become Lords of their Kingdoms. For instance, Ser Steffon Darklyn (Anthony Flanagan) would have been the heir to Duskendale.
When Addam of Hull (Clinton Liberty) claims a dragon, he questions the strategy of allowing lowborn people to claim dragons.
Jacerys argues that this approach would diminish the mystique of the Targaryens, who were considered special because of their unique ability to ride dragons.
The Targaryens have ruled for centuries because of their dragons, as anyone challenging their might would have to contend with these formidable creatures.
However, if lowborn individuals were to possess dragons, it would undermine the Targaryens' natural claim to power, making it seem fragile.
Jacerys's warning comes true later in the show
Jacerys's warning may seem innocuous right now, but if 'Fire and Blood' by George RR Martin is to be believed, his warning does come true. He cautions Rhaenyra against one of the Dragonseeds potentially becoming a challenge for the Throne.
As it turns out, the two people Rhaenyra is currently trusting, Ulf (Tom Bennett) and Hugh (Kieran Bew), will betray her and turn to the Greens.
After Vhagar and Caraxes die in the Battle Above the Gods Eye, Hugh, who rides Vermithor, becomes greedy and aspires to claim the Iron Throne.
Addam of Hull, who is legitimized as Addam Velaryon, will be the only one to remain loyal to Rhaenyra despite her doubts about his loyalty. He will play a crucial role in the death of Vermithor and Hugh during the second Battle of Tumbleton.
Jacerys will die in the Battle of the Gullet along with his dragon Vermax, but his words will play an important role in sowing seeds of distrust in Rhaenyra's mind.
How to watch 'House of the Dragon' Season 2?
'House of the Dragon' Season 2 is streaming on HBO with new episodes dropping every Sunday till August 4.
The streaming platform typically offers three packages that you can choose from depending on your budget.
The low-cost plan that supports advertising costs $9.99 per month or $99.99 annually.
The second package, which does not support advertising, costs $15.99 per month or $149.99 annually.
Meanwhile, the third package, titled Ultimate Ad-Free, costs $19.99 per month or $199.99 annually.
'House of the Dragon' Season 2 Trailer
'House of the Dragon' Season 2 is streaming on HBO.