Every thing was wanting fairly grim for Laenor Velaryon in episode 7 of Home of the Dragon. However in a shock remaining twist, the trail of Rhaenyra Targaryen’s husband took a extra lucky path. The precise steps thus far weren’t completely clear, though in hindsight they had been foreshadowed in a number of selection conversations beforehand.
Let’s talk about the precise particulars of what occurred within the spoiler-packed part under.
Warning: Spoilers forward.
Was the plan all alongside for Laenor to flee?
Initially, a number of indicators pointed to Daemon actually desirous to have Laenor killed.
Of their dialog at Driftmark’s port, Daemon and Rhaenyra agree that with a view to be wed to one another, Laenor must be out of the image. “We couldn’t marry until Laenor had been useless,” says Daemon, to which Rhaenyra responds, “I do know.” It appeared as if Rhaenyra was prepared to betray Laenor, regardless of Laenor saying he would absolutely decide to her, what together with his lover Ser Qarl returning to the preventing within the Stepstones.
Earlier than Rhaenyra says the rest, we lower to Daemon apparently planning with Ser Qarl, a “knight of exceptional talent,” to homicide Laenor. Whereas Ser Qarl says Ser Laenor has been “type” to him, it is not 100% clear that Qarl is loyal to Laenor. Daemon seems to be flirty with Qarl, stepping proper into his private area. Qarl may simply betray Laenor in trade for sufficient gold to begin a brand new life throughout the Slender Sea.
When Daemon kills a servant of an identical look to Laenor, it is not instantly clear for what functions. That is all whereas we hear his rationalization on the port to Rhaenyra that, to be really highly effective, she should rule by cultivating concern in her topics.
Minimize to Ser Qarl preventing Laenor as a result of he all the time “appeared down” on him. Solely later can we uncover that is all misdirection. The useless servant is dressed as much as seem like Laenor, his face charred within the hearth in order that he is mistaken for Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen’s son. In the meantime, Qarl and Laenor escape throughout the Slender Sea, the place they will dwell (hopefully) in peace.
Did Daemon and Rhaenyra intend to save lots of Laenor?
Ultimately, it is revealed that Daemon and Rhaenyra had genuinely organized for Laenor to outlive (that is confirmed by co-showrunner Ryan Condal in HBO’s episode 7 behind-the-scenes featurette).
“Fireplace is a jail. The ocean provides an escape,” Rhaenyra says in the identical port dialog. “The Velaryons are of the ocean.”
These statements appear to foreshadow her want to free Laenor from his duties to his household — duties that do not permit him to dwell his true life as a homosexual man. Rhaenyra says she believes Laenor to be an “honorable man with coronary heart … a uncommon factor.” She helps his true identification and seems to need the most effective for him.
By faking his dying, she frees him to be with Ser Qarl, away from the shackles of King’s Touchdown. In the meantime, she corporations up her declare to the Iron Throne by marrying her uncle Daemon — retaining ties sturdy inside the Targaryen household.
