This Week's "House Of The Dragon" Had A Huge Twist Everyone Is Talking About
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Warning: This post contains spoilers for House of the Dragon Episode 7 — as well as some spoilers for Fire & Blood by George R. R. Martin, the book the show is based on.
This week's House of the Dragon saw the death of Laenor Velaryon at the hands of his lover, Qarl Correy, as a result of a scheme from Rhaenyra and Daemon to free the pair up to marry.
Except PLOT TWIST, the end of the episode revealed that Laenor isn't really dead, and that he instead is running off to Essos to have adventures with Qarl — and some random servant was killed and burned in his place.
This was not only a surprise for show viewers, but also anyone who has read Fire & Blood — it's quite a departure from the book, in which it's stated that Laenor is actually killed by Qarl (with some speculation it was at the instigation of Daemon).
It's exciting to see the show offering a fresh perspective, especially where it allows them to avoid killing yet another queer character after Joffrey Lonmouth's brutal death two episodes earlier. It does raise questions about how certain plot points will be handled in the future, but that also offers up more opportunities for the show to surprise viewers.
It also casts Rhaenyra in a better light than she was looking for a hot minute there when it seemed like she was going to HAVE LAENOR MURDERED, although your mileage may vary on how "good" it is to let Rhaenys and Corlys believe they lost yet another child so soon after Laena's death — not to mention the poor random servant who Daemon murdered to have a fresh body to use as "Laenor's."
On Laenor's part, he's abandoned his parents to horrible grief, and left his beloved dragon Seasmoke as well as the sons he's raised as his own. But considering his options, his history and trauma, his frustration with his life, and his general hopelessness at the role he was supposed to be playing, you can kind of understand why he chose to escape.
With such a huge twist, there are a lot of fan reactions, ranging from the funny to the emotional. Here are some of the best tweets...
1.
I’m so happy they get to live their gay fantasy away from Westeros and all it’s mess 😭 #HouseOfTheDragon
2.
Rhaenyra’s allyship so strong even the show couldn’t kill Laenor. A welcome change from the books #HouseOfTheDragon
3.
laenor after getting to fake his own death for the drama #HouseOfTheDragon #HouseOfTheDragonHBO
4.
Rhaenyra and Daemon really said “This is for the gays!” At the ending of episode 7. #HouseOfTheDragon #hotd
5.
#HotD I liked the Laenor change because I’m not sure gay people would love watching another gay man brutally murdered (by his lover no less) within the space of a couple of episodes
6.
*** SPOILERS**** Thinking Leanor is dead but then seeing off to live his best gay life #HouseOfTheDragon
7.
Rhaenyra: we can’t get married if Laenor is still around so I’d like to—Daemon: kill himRhaenyra:—fake his dea—w-whatDaemon: whatRhaenyra: Daemon: I said fake his death what did you say
8.
my only emotions the last 10 minutes of #HouseOfTheDragon
9.
Daemon and Laenor after they discussed the plan where they both end up with the people they love #HOTD #HouseOfTheDragon
10.
#HouseOfTheDragonHBO#HouseOfTheDragonRhaenyra: I want to marry DaemonLaenor, my supportive king:
11.
Laenor listening to Rhaenyra and Daemon’s plan for faking his own death. #Houseofthedragon
12.
shoutout to laenor velaryon for escaping the bury your gays trope #HouseOfTheDragon #hotd
13.
Laenor Velaryon giving up dick to become a good father to Harwin's kidsvsLaenor Velaryon a few minutes later after Daemon offers to let him elope to medieval Vegas with Ser Qarl#HouseOfTheDragonHBO #HoTD
14.
ANOTHER DAY ANOTHER SLAYYYYYYYYY #HouseOfTheDragon
15.
Laenor watching his parents grieve over his death as he sails east to settle down with his man #HouseOfTheDragon
16.
no fr, like im glad laenor is gon’ be living his best life with his lover, but rhaenys did not deserve this. thinking she lost two children in the span of like 48 hours https://t.co/jeUOmg4j7O
17.
Seasmoke when he finds out Laenor chose riding Ser Qarl over riding him #HouseOfTheDragon
18.
Seasmoke watching Laenor run away with his boyfriend
19.
Laenor on his way to the Stepstones #HouseOfTheDragon #DemDragons #DemThrones
20.
Rhaenyra, Daemon, Ser Qarl, and Laenor pulling off the all-time finesse at the end #Hotd #DemDragons#HouseOfTheDragon #NowYouSeeMe
21.
Leanor: not dead just BALD #HouseOfTheDragon
22.
Rest In Peace Laenor. #HouseOfTheDragon
23.
But I actually teared up a bit when that kind, good man hopped in his lil boat, alive and well. Be free and live a good life bby!#HouseOfTheDragon
24.
Holy shit!!!! When I saw Laenor's bald head in that boat I said THANK GOD Rhaenyra isnt THAT cold yet!!! #HouseOfTheDragonHBO #HouseOfTheDragon #hotd
25.
A moment of silence for the poor peasant who got innocently killed for Laenor and Daemyra's plots.
26.
Laenor when he sees Gendry rowing his boat. #HouseOfTheDragonHBO
27.❤️
Laenor faking his death so he could live out his best life in Essos: #HouseOfTheDragon
28.
Laenor Velaryon: He lived, he slayed, he got tf out of Westeros when shit got ghetto. Best character in House of the Dragon
29.
go live your best life ser laenor 🫶🏽 #HouseOfTheDragon
