House of the Dragon Episode 17: The Red Sowing

On Driftmark, Rhaenyra confronts Addam of Hull, the new rider of Seasmoke, as the dragons roar at each other. Addam pledges fealty to her as Queen, explaining the dragon chose him and that he has long served House Velaryon humbly; Rhaenyra accepts his oath and they fly together to Dragonstone.

At Dragonstone, Jacaerys angrily confronts Rhaenyra about her plan to recruit lowborn dragonseeds, fearing it undermines his legitimacy as heir and invites rivals with Targaryen blood. Rhaenyra insists she cannot deny the gods' will in dragons choosing riders, though she shares his unease; Jace storms off hurt.

Rhaenyra, urged by Mysaria, gathers a large group of silver-haired smallfolk bastards—dragonseeds—from King's Landing, offering gold, land, and lordship to any who can claim a wild dragon. She leads them into Dragonmont, revealing Vermithor, the Bronze Fury—once King Jaehaerys's mount and the largest living dragon after Vhagar—as their target, warning of its ferocity and wishing them the gods' blessing before sealing them in.

Vermithor rampages through the dragonseeds, incinerating and crushing most in a bloody chaos dubbed the Red Sowing. Hugh, a blacksmith grieving his daughter's death, shields a woman from flames, then boldly confronts Vermithor, offering his life; the dragon accepts him as rider after testing his courage.

Ulf, fleeing Vermithor's fury, stumbles into Silverwing's cavern and surrenders in terror; the she-dragon quickly claims him, confirming his Targaryen blood.

In King's Landing, Larys Strong watches Aemond sentence two Kingsguard to the Wall for sparking riots, then learns unconfirmed rumors of Seasmoke's new rider but advises silence to Lord Jasper Wylde. Larys ignores Grand Maester Orwyle's warnings and forces Aegon's painful recovery treatments to hasten his return. Alicent wanders the Red Keep lost and purposeless, sidelined from power as her son rejects her counsel.

At Harrenhal, young Lord Oscar Tully arrives with Riverlords, honoring his grandfather's oath to Rhaenyra and offering Daemon their banners. The lords distrust Oscar's youth and resent Daemon for enabling Blackwood atrocities against Bracken lands; Oscar condemns Ser Willem Blackwood's savagery despite Willem's claim of following Daemon's orders. To secure loyalty, Oscar demands Daemon show contrition by executing Willem; Daemon complies reluctantly. Alone, Daemon visions Viserys lamenting the crown's burden and questioning Daemon's desire for it.

Ulf flies Silverwing toward King's Landing, prompting Aemond on Vhagar to pursue to Dragonstone. Aemond arrives to see Rhaenyra flanked by her expanded dragonriders—including Seasmoke, Vermithor, and Silverwing—and retreats in frustration.