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"Driftmark" was a really strong episode, with some unexpected twists, brilliantly constructed sequences, and great character developments. The tension grow more and more with each episode, and the sides are becoming clearer, everything being slowly set up before the Dance of Dragons begins.
I particularly enjoyed the fact that it hall happened in Driftmark, with all the main characters reunited, which led to sequences as great as the one with Aemond and Vaghar, Alicent's burst of rage, or Daemon and Rhaenyra's relationship, which culminates in their wedding and in that stunning ending sequence!
SHORT DISCLAIMER: The transcriptions are not always in the same key as the pieces I put as example, and sometimes they are simplified to make it clearer and more concise
The episode starts with Laena Velaryon's burial at sea, an emotional scene where Djawadi allows his dramatic side to shine, with the introduction and development of a gorgeous lament that brings farewell to the fierce dragon rider. The piece builds in emotion with the string section soaring to dramatic heights, offering one of the series most poignant pieces of music so far. It's also worth mentioning the fact that the cue includes a couple of allusions to the funeral theme that played in episode 1 after Aemma's death.
After the ceremony, there is quite a long sequence where we follow each of the main characters in the gathering afterwards, and here Djawadi allows himself to create a long, continous piece, which includes a lot of references to already established themes. The first part is scored in a very similar way to the burial music that opened the episode, especially as Rhaenyra's sons try to confort Daemon and Laena's daughter, after their mother's death. This continues for a bit, with some hints of a melody not yet identifiable. The funeral theme returns when we see Laenor lamenting her sister's death by the sea.
When Daemon talks to Viserys we get to hear a reference to Daemon's theme, but the most interesting element of this sequence is that ir allows Djawadi to bring back Rhaenyra's Rebellious Theme, the chanting motif used when she returned to camp in episode 3, and when she run away at night in episode 4. Here's used a couple of times while Rhaenyra looks at Daemon from a distance, and slowly gets closer to him. The theme is used to represent the growing attraction Rhaenyra feels towards him, and how their feelings for each other are becoming stronger. This idea will be greatly expanded in subsequent sequences, but before I get into that, I want to analyze other sequences first.
That sequences ends with Vhagar flying away while Aemond watches, which leads into the scene where he tries to ride her, claiming her as his own. First, we hear sound ambiences that come from the title card of the first episode. This ambiences and percussion had already been used when Rhaenyra arrived at Dragonstone in episode 2, and in the previous episode, when Aemond goes inside the dragon pit. It's a sound motif used to represent the dragons, and here Djawadi develops it greatly, before going other places.
When Vhagra starts to move, Djawadi brings back the infamous "Dracarys motif", a string descending motif, which was usually placed right before the dragons throw fire out of their mouths, and then developed into the more percussive Dracarys Theme. Here, the descending motif leads to a percussion section which reminds us of that, but it's not entirely the same.
Vhagar takes off with Aemond on her back, and when he finally manages to be in control, the music introduces a brand new theme, what I think will become Aemond's Theme. Actually, hints of the melody can be heard in the sequence at the beginning of the episode, when he approaches Rhaenyra's sons, but it is in this sequence that it's allowed to be introduced properly, and allowed to shine, with a soaring statement full of percussion and choir, which leads into a gorgeous statement of the House Targaryen Theme, joined together with the well-know Game of Thrones Ostinato.
House Targaryen Theme
Aemond gets in a fight with Rhaenyra's sons, which leads into a meeting at the throne hall, full of tension and conflict. Djawadi underscores this with unnerving orchestral passages, and culminates it in a choral statement of Viserys Theme, when he stops Alicent and manages to ends the conflict, at least for now. His theme plays again when they leave Driftmark, and leads to an statement of Daemon's theme, and then of Alicent's theme, and even some references to the Larys material from the previous episode, underscoring the corresponding dialogue sequences.
And I know i skipped some scenes, but I wanted to analyze all of Daemon and Rhaenyra's scenes together, so it's easier to follow. I already mentioned Rhaenyra's curiosity at the funeral, but this culminates in their meeting at the beach. When they start to get closer, Djawadi plays Rhaenyra's Solitude Theme, the theme that played prominently in episode 6 (and also in previous episodes) to represent her loneliness. Here, Djawadi develops the theme to make a connection betwen her loneliness, and Daemon, and when they finally kiss and start to make love, we hear Rhaenyra's Noble theme, in a gorgeous cello statement, together with female voices and traces of a piano.
The Solitude Theme plays again during Rhaenyra's conversation with Laenor, when they both agree that they weren't the right fit for each other, but they still appreciate each other in their own way.
Solitude Theme
Rhaenyra's Noble Theme
When Rhaenyra finally proposes in marriage to Daemon, and explains why they should be together, we start to hear Rhaenyra's Rebelious Theme, the chanting motif, here played much slower and reflective. When they plan starts to unravel on screen, percussion joins with fragments of the motif, played on strings. Laenor is apparently found dead, and Daemon and Rhaenyra are finally able to be married. Djawadi scores this emotional moment with a beautiful, complete rendition of Rhaenyra's Noble Theme to finish the episode on a soft, and warm note.
And this is it for the seventh episode! It was great in how it developed the characters, introduced some new conflicts between the characters and managed to be surprising enough, getting with each day closer and closer to the level of greatness Game of Thrones achieved. I cannot wait to see how the story will unravel in the last 3 episodes of the season!
I hope you enjoyed my analysis. Be sure to stay tuned for next week's episode, but until that, feel free to check out my analysis of previous episodes, as well as my analysis for Rings of Power. Feel free to share it with anyone you think might enjoy it, and see you next week!
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