‘House of the Dragon:’ Laenor Velaryon’s Surprising Twist, Explained

Instances ended up hunting rather grim for Laenor Velaryon about 99% by way of episode 7 of Property of the Dragon. But in a shock twist, the partner of Rhaenyra Targaryen took a additional privileged path. The exact actions to this stage weren’t completely obvious, whilst in hindsight they were foreshadowed in numerous alternative conversations beforehand.

Let us focus on the exact specifics of what took place in the spoiler-packed segment underneath.

Warning: Spoilers in advance.

Was the system all alongside for Laenor to escape?

In the beginning, a number of symptoms pointed to Daemon really seeking to have Laenor killed.

In their dialogue at Driftmark’s port, Daemon and Rhaenyra agree that, in get to be wed to every other, Laenor has to be out of the image. “We could not marry except Laenor ended up dead,” suggests Daemon, to which Rhaenyra responds, “I know.” It appeared as while Rhaenyra was keen to betray Laenor, regardless of Laenor saying he would totally commit to her, what with his lover Ser Qarl returning to the battling in the Stepstones.

In advance of Rhaenyra claims something else, we lower away to Daemon apparently building plans with Ser Qarl, a “knight of extraordinary skill,” to murder Laenor. Whilst Ser Qarl claims Ser Laenor has been “sort” to him, it is not 100% apparent that Qarl is faithful to Laenor. Daemon seems to be flirty with Qarl, stepping suitable into his individual house. Qarl may just betray Laenor in exchange for adequate gold to get started a new life throughout the Slim Sea.

When Daemon kills a servant of a equivalent visual appearance to Laenor, it isn’t quickly very clear for what needs. This is all though we listen to his clarification at the port to Rhaenyra that, to be actually highly effective, she should rule by cultivating worry in her subjects. 

Slash to Ser Qarl combating Laenor since he generally “appeared down” on him. Only afterwards do we find out this is all misdirection. The lifeless servant is dressed up to appear like Laenor, his encounter charred in the hearth so that he is mistaken for Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen’s son. Meanwhile, Qarl and Laenor escape throughout the Narrow Sea, where they can live (with any luck ,) in peace.

Did Daemon and Rhaenyra intend to help you save Laenor?

In the end, it really is disclosed that Daemon and Rhaenyra experienced genuinely organized for Laenor to endure (this is verified by co-showrunner Miguel Sapochnik in HBO’s episode 7 at the rear of-the-scenes featurette).

“Fire is a prison. The sea gives an escape,” Rhaenyra claims in the similar port dialogue. “The Velaryons are of the sea.”

These statements appear to be to foreshadow her wish to cost-free Laenor from his obligations to his spouse and children — duties which will not permit him to reside his real everyday living as a gay male. Rhaenyra suggests she believes Laenor to be an “honorable man with a excellent coronary heart … a unusual issue.” She supports his legitimate identity and seems to want the best for him. 

By faking his dying, she frees him to be with Ser Qarl, away from the shackles of King’s Landing. Meanwhile, she firms up her claim to the Iron Throne by marrying her uncle Daemon — keeping ties potent within just the Targaryen family.

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