What happens in: Season 2, Episode 7 – ‘The Red Sowing’?
WARNING: Major spoilers for: Season 2, Episode 7 – ‘The Red Sowing’ ahead.
After flying out of Dragonstone on the back of Syrax in episode six, Queen Rhaenyra tracks down Seasmoke and his new rider, Addam of Hull. Addam quickly bends the knee to the Queen, explaining he was found by Seasmoke and claimed, not the other way around. Delighted at this development, Rhaenyra invites Addam to join her back at Dragonstone.
When The Black Council gets word of who now has Seasmoke, Corlys realizes it’s one of his illegitimate sons. However, this fact remains unsaid to anyone, with neither Corlys nor Addam acknowledging the secret.
Larys later passes on Addam’s new position to Alyn, saying Rhaenyra is looking for more dragonriders, but Alyn dismisses the idea, explaining he has no desire to be anything but ‘salt and sea’ and work on the ships.
As Rhaenyra prepares to build up an Army of Bastards, Jacaerys confronts his mother about his own parentage, acknowledging that he knows Laenor Velaryon is not his true father, but Harwin Strong was. He fears that by giving bastards recognition, his claim to the throne may be under threat at some point in the future.
In King’s Landing, after getting caught up in the uprising, a solemn Alicent has had enough of the castle walls and demands to go into the woods.
Lord Jasper Wylde gets word of there being a new dragonrider and shares the news with Lord Larys, who is hesitant to pass on word to Prince Aemond and warns not to.
The Grand Maester continues to rehabilitate a struggling King Aegon, whose leg is badly damaged from the Battle of Rook’s Rest. Larys later visits and gives Aegon a pep talk, encouraging the Grand Maester to work harder at getting him back on his feet.
Over in Harrenhal, Daemon speaks to the new Lord Oscar Tully, trying to gain favor. But while he affirms to keep his family’s oath to stand by Queen Rhaenyra, he notes Daemon is hated and considered barbaric by those in the Riverlands, with other noble houses may not fall in line.
Despite his young age, Oscar proves to be no pushover, and publicly condemns Daemon, forcing him to humble himself in front of the Lords. Lord Oscar also makes Daemon behead his former ally Lord Blackwood for the war crimes he committed in his name in order to secure the Riverlands army.
Later that evening, Daemon imagines his decrepit brother Viserys on the edge of his bed, who tells him he never wanted the crown that has caused such a fight, warning it will “crush” whoever wears it and asking if he still wants it.
Rhaena, who is being moved on from the Vale, evades her minders and begins her hunt for the wild dragon.
Using Mysaria’s connection, Rhaenyra passes word to the smallfolk of King’s Landing that she’s gathering Targaryen bastards to claim dragons. Despite his bravado in the taverns, Ulf looks terrified at the prospect and admits his stories may not have been true, but is encouraged by others to go.
Meanwhile, blacksmith Hugh decides he has to go for the sake of his family – especially now his daughter has died. He reveals to his wife that his mother is the aunt of Viserys and Daemon.
Dozens of men and women arrive at Dragonstone to make their claim, much to the anger of the Maesters, who consider it an abomination. Warning them of what’s to come, she leads them to the dragonpit and introduces them to Vermithor - the second largest dragon in the realm after Vhagar - who begins to blast them all with fire. However, he eventually chooses Hugh.
Ulf, who is knocked into the pit during the fray, tries to make his escape, but in doing so runs into Silverwing who – to his shock – claims him as her rider. Delighted at his heritage being recognized at last, he rides the dragon over King’s Landing, alerting Prince Aemond to this new development.
Initially chasing after him on Vhagar, Aemond retreats when he realizes Rhaenyra now has four dragonriders on her side, giving her a significant advantage in the war for the Iron Throne.
Read more about the dragons and their riders here.
Addam of Hull – Seasmoke’s new rider
By the end of the episode there are three new dragonriders in Westeros.
Addam of Hull is a secret Velaryon bastard. A product of an ‘indiscretion’ by Corlys Velaryon while at sea, he has never been recognized for his heritage.
Steve Toussaint, who plays Corlys, says Addam becoming a dragonrider is a major moment for how their dynamic will change.
He said: “Being initially shocked, Corlys is then very proud. It's because ‘that's my son’. Off his own back, he's made something of himself, and I think that's very important for Corlys, because that's how he sees himself.”
Corlys barely speaks to Addam in the episode, simply telling him “well done” as the newcomer arrives at Dragonstone.
Clinton Liberty, who plays Addam, said: “Two words, but they mean just more than well done, dude. They mean I see you.”
Addam’s brother, Alyn, works as a seafarer alongside Corlys, though his ambitions remain with the sea.
For Rhaenyra, Addam’s arrival proves to be a bit of a game changer, with her mindset falling more into God’s Will.
Speaking on the official podcast, showrunner Ryan Condal explained: “You're starting to hear these kinds of Messianic words, and her talking to Mysaria about Addam coming to her, being delivered to her as if a divine messenger.
“You're going to see her kind of leaning into Addam in that way, seeing him as if there is some divine providence at work here, maybe Addam is the symbol for that. He was, almost literally, dropped in my lap on a dragon. And on a day when I was trying to have a dragon claimed by my best knight, and that failed, and then this common sailor was delivered to me as a loyal dragon rider, there must be something at work.”
Hugh - Vermithor’s new rider
Hugh, a blacksmith, is a fearless man who will do anything for his family, but never acknowledged his own heritage until this episode.
His mother worked at a pleasure house prior to having him and is the sister of Viserys and Daemon’s father.
Hugh grew to resent his mother for her line of work and decisions in life.
Kieran Bew, who plays Hugh, explained: “They call Vermithor ‘The Bronze Fury’, and I think that's really fitting for Hugh. He's quite angry inside.”
Speaking on the podcast, showrunner Condal said: “Hugh survives because he does this incredibly brave or stupid act in daring the dragon to take him down.
“Where everybody else is fearful and running, Hugh stares the beast in the eye and faces him, and then the Bronze Fury says, ‘Okay, you will do’. People can read into it what they want to read into it.”
Ulf White – Silverwing’s new rider
Ulf White has been seen around Flea Bottom bragging of his “secret” Targaryen blood in taverns in a bid to get free drinks.
But it emerges this episode he did not quite believe it himself.
However, his own rumors were put to bed when he was chosen by Silverwing to be his rider.
Speaking about the moment his character Ulf came face to face with Silverwing, actor Tom Bennett, who plays him, said: “Every fiber of Ulf's body wants out. Close my eyes, pray for a quick death, which doesn't come.”
“I've said I'm a Targaryen. Turns out, I’m a Targaryen!”
Condal added: “Silverwing is known as a more gentle Dragon, as far as ‘gentle’ and ‘dragons’ go together. But Ulf was supplicant. He didn't show fear, but he was supplicant.
“I think that, in our mind, that was the thing that we kind of wanted to show there. We know in the canine world, you know, there's sort of alphas and omegas, and sometimes you show your belly, and sometimes that's how you fit into the pack.”