Every part 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 up to now weren’t completely clear, though in hindsight they have been foreshadowed in a number of selection conversations beforehand.
Let’s focus on the precise particulars of what occurred within the spoiler-packed part beneath.
Warning: Spoilers forward.
Was the plan all alongside for Laenor to flee?
Initially, a number of indicators pointed to Daemon actually eager to have Laenor killed.
Of their dialog at Driftmark’s port, Daemon and Rhaenyra agree that as a way to be wed to one another, Laenor needs to be out of the image. “We couldn’t marry except Laenor have been lifeless,” says Daemon, to which Rhaenyra responds, “I do know.” It appeared as if Rhaenyra was keen to betray Laenor, regardless of Laenor saying he would totally decide to her, what along with his lover Ser Qarl returning to the combating within the Stepstones.
Earlier than Rhaenyra says the rest, we lower to Daemon apparently planning with Ser Qarl, a “knight of exceptional ability,” to homicide Laenor. Whereas Ser Qarl says Ser Laenor has been “form” 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 alternate for sufficient gold to start out a brand new life throughout the Slim Sea.
When Daemon kills a servant of an analogous look to Laenor, it is not instantly clear for what functions. That is all whereas we hear his clarification on the port to Rhaenyra that, to be really highly effective, she should rule by cultivating concern in her topics.
Lower to Ser Qarl combating Laenor as a result of he all the time “seemed down” on him. Solely later will we uncover that is all misdirection. The lifeless servant is dressed as much as appear to be Laenor, his face charred within the fireplace in order that he is mistaken for Corlys Velaryon and Rhaenys Targaryen’s son. In the meantime, Qarl and Laenor escape throughout the Slim Sea, the place they will dwell (hopefully) in peace.
Did Daemon and Rhaenyra intend to avoid wasting 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).
“Hearth is a jail. The ocean gives 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 enable him to dwell his true life as a homosexual man. Rhaenyra says she believes Laenor to be an “honorable man with a superb coronary heart … a uncommon factor.” She helps his true id and seems to need one of the best for him.
By faking his demise, she frees him to be with Ser Qarl, away from the shackles of King’s Touchdown. In the meantime, she companies up her declare to the Iron Throne by marrying her uncle Daemon — conserving ties sturdy throughout the Targaryen household.
