It seemed every dragon rider of Targaryen house had a deep connection with the dragon they bond. It was hinted with Danny but in HoD where dragons were more prevalent do we get a glimpse of how deep connection dragon have with their rider.
The connection between Rhaenys and Meleys is incredibly emotional. Both severely wounded and exhausted, when Meleys dies, and the dragon's gaze met hers one last time, a silent communication that spoke of shared battles and unwavering loyalty. Rhaenys accepts the death with a sense of peace, as if she's reunited with her old war companion.
ikr, for such a huge beast she is unexpectedly stealthy. hid in clouds, hid in forest, hid in smoke and behind a cliff. i'm starting to think there was quite the art of dragon fighting in old valerya. Meleys did it to sunfire as well, the under chomp. using blind spots despite being bigger than the target.
Eve Best, we love you and will miss you! Congratulations on your portrayal of Rhaenys, she definitely has made a huge impact, not just in HotD but in George R. R. Martin's universe as a whole.
Corlys and her also had the most wholesome relationship in the show, and I can't wait to see how this will affect him. They had one of the rare relationship that felt on equal grounds at all times, and they were on the same wavelength most of the time. Truly, Corlys lost his better half, and that changes people. RIP, Queen that never was 😔
Damn it, damn it, damn it. Eve Best was my favourite actor in the show and Rhaenys one of my favourite characters, but as soon as she said "You must send me, Your Grace" I knew her time had come. Unfortunately it was clear that it would be much better for the story if Cole emerged victorious. Rhaenys was just too sensible, intelligent and honourable (within the ethical code of the show's world) a character to live. What I didn't expect however was the three-dragon fight with not just Rhaenys but also Joffrey-lite (presumably) taken off the board. House of the Dragon will be a lesser show without Eve Best.
This death was written so shitty bad... That giant dragon is the one thing who can harm her and its the size of an actual airplane. And she can't keep it focused? And then the sudden attack from behind the castle? i mean come on... it's shitty writing in every movie when they do this with cars because its impossible to hit a moving target that perfect. And he manages it with this enormous creature? Yeah, sure...
@@saschaherrmann1665 this 'enormous creature' is a dragon. dragons are magic. you might be overthinking it. also we saw Vhagar snap Arrax in half like it was nothing in mid air, so, yes, the most powerful dragon that has lived many wars, is able to catch a smaller dragon in its mouth with precision.
Rewatched "The long night" right before episode 4 annnnnnnnnnnd you can see literally everything happening without a single problem.......then again I don't have a 15 yr old TV with an aux cord
"Princess Rhaenys made no attempt to flee. With a glad cry and a crack of her whip, she turned Meleys toward the foe." ------- "Beloved daughter of Lady Jocelyn Baratheon and Prince Aemon Targaryen, faithful wife to Lord Corlys Velaryon, mother and grandmother, the Queen Who Never Was lived fearlessly, and died amidst blood and fire..."
Same. I sobbed the whole way through I lost it when she could have escaped but turned back on BUSINESS our girl knew what she was up against and made a point like a warrior queen ❤
Same!! I was crying! I screamed that’s an effing Targaryen when she went back to fight Vhaegar after she beat Sunfyre! Rhaenys was able to beat both of the green dragons in 1 vs 1 combat. Such a good scene!!
The reveal of Vhagar lying on the ground amidst the dense forest, waiting for the sound of horn and getting ready to go was the best shot of the episode 👌🏽
@@PRubin-rh4sr The killing of dragons is very painful for me. Vhagar has been responsible for the death of Arax, Milys and Sunfire until now. We should note that Milys defeated Vhagar. The second time Vhagar suddenly attacked Melys like Arax.
That was genuinely incredible. The dragon screams are devastating but my god. HOTD has taken GOT to a whole new level. I’m devastated? But so impressed
Same here, but the dragon fight scenes were so well done I'm not even sure I want to continue watching the show, because I know there are going to be even more traumatic scenes to come (Moondancer 😭). And the Dragonpit scene is going to be like watching a massacre at a pet rescue centre. I don't want to see that.
I loved how well thought out Cole's plan was, but the second you introduce dragons into it, no plan holds water. I really hope they keep leaning into the "No one wins when dragons fly to war" aspect.
I mean his plan DID work! There is just no accounting for rash leaders and I think the horror of seeing what the Dragons do in war was just something he wasn't prepared for. And with Rhaenys dead, Otto Hightower in Exile and Alicent too angry and busy with her own stuff to make good rational choices, there is no calm mind left capable of reigning in the Dragon riders. Maybe Cole is also just now realizing that too. I fear for poor Westeros now!
@@DarkHarlequin In the BTS, they call it a Pyrrhic victory for both sides which I would agree with. Rhaenys managed to take Sunfyre and the King out of the picture, and also managing to obliterate coles host, but lost Rook's rest and hers and Meleys' life. Cole managed to kill Rhaenys and Meleyes, secure Rooks rest, but he lost the greens a dragon which they can't afford to lose and also a King (A symbolic loss, but not really consequential). Basically It's up to interpretation if anyone actually won here which is definitely the theme of the show so far
@@DarkHarlequinit worked, but he underestimated the sheer devastation a dragon battle causes, resulting in his forces suffering heavy casualties and the king and his dragon being horribly mutilated.
@@JustAnotherAccount8 Rhaenys, Viseris and Otto knew that open Dragon warfare would be a disaster for anyone involved. Now 2 of them are dead and one is exiled and their kids are working hard at proving them right 😓
In the best way possible, I’ve never felt so sick watching a tv episode before. Just something about knowing the source material and knowing what’ll happen just made me an anxiety riddled mess.
@J_ads2000 THIS!!!! ^^^^!! 1000% I thought I was the only one!!! I’ve spoiled this episode for myself sometime after S1 by reading comments and social media post 🤦🏽♂️ and ever since S2 E1 my anxiety has been crazy and today it reached its peak! I could barely get through the final 20 minutes because I wasn’t ready to see what was to come. It makes me not wanna know the source material before seeing a film version of it. I was engulfed with anxiety and anticipation for this episode. I didn’t want to see the death of meleys and Rhaneys 😢
I didn’t know as I haven’t read the book and my guts were twisted up! Can’t imagine how sick you’d feel knowing! I do know other spoilers and I feel nauseated anticipating them
Eve Best deserves all the awards. I'm still heartbroken but it's because of the maginificent performance she gave as Rhaenys that made me feel so connected to her character and that's not an easy thing to achieve as an actor.
Hopefully the slow attention span people will stop complaining bout there being no big battles/dragon battles. R.I.P. to the Queen that should’ve been 💯
I am one of those people lol. I watch this show first for the dragons and then for the back stories. So I do appreciate the action in tonight's episode.....
A slow attention span for wanting to see a battle, in the middle of a show set during a war. You do know that just because people want to see action doesn't mean they have a tiktok brain right?
I love Eve Best acting, her eyes and facial expressions, her voice, and the character Rhaenys. And I wonder why she chose to fight Vhagar, not flying away. Perhaps she wanted to end the war to fix her mistake of not burning King's Landing at the coronation (the movie adaptation). This episode is phenomenal.
After watching what Aemond did that to his brother no way in hell was Rhaenys going to let her survive knowing that Vhagar is coming for her family next. She had to do it and try to finish Aemond and Vhagar off. And she had the upper hand then so
Agreed about Eve. The fight they displayed here was different from the book though. Maybe that will help you understand: "Rhaenys turned to meet the attack, despite the knowledge that Meleys had no hope of success against the two dragons. According to Archmaester Gyldayn, Meleys might have stood a chance against the older Vhagar alone, but not against Vhagar and Sunfyre combined. The dragons met violently in the air, a thousand feet above the field, with their fireballs bursting as bright as the sun. Meleys managed to close her jaw around Sunfyre's neck, just as Vhagar fell upon them, and all three dragons fell from the sky. They crashed to the ground so hard that stones fell from the battlements of Rook's Rest, half a league away." "In 75 AC, Meleys was considered to be one of the swiftest dragons in Westeros, easily outpacing Caraxes and Vhagar." So yes, Rhaenys DID have a chance in a 1 vs 1 battle but she had to fight two of them at once. At this point Rhaenys rode Meleys for 40 years so people who think she didn't have a chance should think again. Aemond and Aegon were lucky they were together. I don't like the fact they made it seem like Aemond could surprise Rhaenys here. I don't think it does Rhaenys or Meleys justice.
That seems to be the consensus. I’d also propose that Corlys’ infidelity was also weighing on her. She had a lot on her mind, and decided to go “fuck it” and try for the ol’ Blaze-Of-Glory.
knowing what was about to happen made the last 10 minutes a literal torture. Execution was flawless. It's incredible how they always deliver for both a casual audience and book readers, every time. 10/10 production, NEEDS an emmy
They were so dedicated to making this scene perfect they had actual dragons come and set all of the extras on fire. Truly shows the dedication to the craft.
@@jacstudios2 Maybe when she killed hundreds of peasants so she could show off and have her girlboss moments? Glad she is dead, one of the worst characters in the show. Clearly one of the directors favourites too lmao.
Her decision at the end was selfish. In the books she had all the liberties to escape and reassess her strategy after wounding Sunfyre and Aegon. Preserving her life, and her dragon could potentially have been used as a bargaining chip for the future battles. Nevertheless, she was a mother who had lost her 2 children, and she didn't fear death during the fight. It was her last way of showing the realm that the Queen who never was is the Queen who should have been.
Thanks to everyone who was involved in making this episode, again. I love seeing Milly again, as she's just so cute and appropriate for Rhaenyra Targaryen. I like how Matt Smith was pushing for the dream sequences, and the effort put into the Battle At Rook's Rest was astronomical. Kudos to *everyone* involved! We'll miss Eve Best.
@@pecoliky8793 I thought the same thing!I got tingly feelings when Aegon sat in the little room drinking and the drums began a steady beat! I really liked Eves look of purpose and said "Meleys.... Attack!"
I'm still wondering how. The weather conditions were perfect, so no dragon was at a disadvantage. Vhagar behind the castle and cliff also wouldn't be able to see Meleys to perfectly time this kind of attack without being spotted herself. It's such a bulky dragon it has a hard time just to lift off. I just don't see how Vhagar could realistically succeed in such an sneak attack from below.
This show is nailing it! I'm loving the incredible visuals, set pieces, costumes, and more. House of the Dragon brings back that classic Game of Thrones production quality. I'd be thrilled if this series turned into an anthology or if HBO decided to adapt more Targaryen stories like the Blackfyre Rebellion.
@@MrRizeAG I know about all that, but I highly doubt if they include the Blackfyre Rebellion in detail in the A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS show. It's supposed to be a small scale show that comes out yearly. The Aegon show is its own thing and will most certainly end with him ending the war after Rhaenys' death. I hope they cover Aenys & Maegor's reign though. But my point is there are many other Targaryen stories that are intresting and needs to be put to screen. Stories you won't see in the Aegon show or the Dunk and Egg show.
@@Divine_CharekaMaking Aegon's Conquest an interesting drama on the level of this show would be a real challenge, as at least based on the history as written in Fire and Blood, there's just less compelling dramatic material to work with as Aegon and his sister's basically steamroll Westeros - Dorne is the only prickly thorn. If however they were to do a multi-generational show that covered both Aegon's Conquest and the rules of Aenys and Maegor, that could be an interesting proposition, showing us two sides to the tyranny of Targaryen rule at the height of their ruthlesness with the conqueror and the cruel.
@@MrRizeAG I really don't want them to mess with the Conquerors, they are mythical in the books, and I really feel that's how they should be in the cinematic universe. And part of me is also afraid that they are gonna mess up that, badly, because their is almost nothing written about the Conquerors by GRRM except the battles and the essentials, and there are many speculated theories about the three in which the fans are pretty evenly divided, you know like their marriage, visenya and aegon can't able to stand eachother, visenya killing aenys, and all that. Happened once, and HotD has cleaned that dirt up a bit, and I don't want the universe to be ruined again for years. Yeah, I really don't want a show about all it.
The battle of Rook's Rest was absolutely superb. Massive props to every single person involved with bringing this iconic moment in the Dance of Dragons to life. ❤
You could totally tell in their performances that Rhaenys and Velaryons' actors are good friends. They've been a standout for me in this series, I'll miss her greatly.
The Queen that Should Have Been, Princess Rhaenys volunteered to go to Rook's Rest, and went out like a boss. We will miss her and the beautiful Red Queen Dragon, Meleys.
I walk my dog everyday, and sometimes he turns his head back to check on me like meleys did to Rhaenys. So, I’m going to cry, kneel, and hug him everytime he does. BUT oh my god! Sunfyre lack of experience showed, would have been the same for Vermax/Moondancer. The cute nudge on Aagon’s chest from sunfyre at the pit made me team green for two seconds. AND Meleys doing the charizard seismic toss on Vhagar, didn’t even need a Dracarys command because she’s intelligent. Aamond took notes for the gods eye battle now.
Birds of prey immediately came to mind when the dragons fought. That's exactly how winged creatures would fight in the air. Teeth and Talons that was frightening and awesome to watch 😬 The results of the battle aside (RIP R & M 😢), I thought that was beautifully done! All of it! Well done everyone! Wow!
That they did this short heartwarming scene of Rhaenys and Aegon bonding with their dragons before battle made the outcome even more heartbreaking. It also displayed a great contrast to Aegon and vhagar how their bond comes across as cold even as a partnership of convenience
I really wish you would also show more of the CGI work. Animators, sculptors, concept artists - dragons are why a lot of people watch this show and I think seeing how they get made would boost appreciation.
Thank you everyone you did a job beyond my expectations so far. This is the show that is going to get us through the darkest time for TV. Again thank you, you have no idea how much we appreciate this.
If Meleys was this badass, what’s gonna happen once Vermithor gets in the fold. That dragon isn’t as old or as slow or as large as Vhagar, which stands to reason it’s the most dangerous dragon currently, plus it always has its mate with it, Silverwing.
I am so excited for Vermithor, makes me wish we could see how a Vermithor vs. Vhagar fight would go. Or at least how George would describe it happening.
I hope you casuals don't think him falling off his horse means he's a bad fighter. Cole is THE best swordsman alive at that era, he is like Jaime Lannister / Barristan Selmy level of skill.
@@marken816 I think they're talking about how Cole's one job as a Kingsguard is to guard the King, and he kinda failed spectacularly at that. Twice now, if you count baby Jaehaerys.
I love hearing from the actors and getting a behind the curtain look at their emotions and attachments to their characters, really makes the performances glow in a brighter light.
This whole episode was so incredibly cool. Unique and beautiful and touching in ways I wasn't expecting. The acting, directing, set design... just amazing. Thank you!
That was absolutely kickass and the engineers & artists & organizers who made this happen should be VERY VERY proud. What tey do is insanely cool and they reached us as viewers 100 % 😊
This is a master piece! House of Dragons and Game of Thrones is my favourites of all times. Nothing else comes close. I can watch more series like this for the rest of my life and never get bored.
10/10 absolute cinema. Perfect setup for this major battle earlier in the episode. Acting, character building, plot, action. It had it all. 🐉⚔🐉 what an effort
I love how in this and the inside the episode they keep hammering home how destructive and horrific dragon warfar is.. like power shouldn’t have truffles with, horrors unleashed on the world, dragons want war and once they’re let loose, Cole’s wtf as it’s so different and all the rest they’ve seen like it’s horrific
If just want to say this show is brilliant you guys deserve a Oscar you mad something mythical come to life and it’s just fantastic to watch the show all together is a masterpiece good job
House of dragon has revived westeros in such a fantastic way shout out to producer writer, and crews they did phenomenal job with their creativity and bring the battle of rook rest to life's it was everything i hoped it would be as a bonus castle siege with actual seige equipment?🐉🖤
The way her dragon looked back at her multiple times and in the end. Her dragon truly loved her
I know 😭😭😭😭
Fan service
@NoName-hy2cq It's really apparent that Meleys loved Rhaenys.
It seemed every dragon rider of Targaryen house had a deep connection with the dragon they bond. It was hinted with Danny but in HoD where dragons were more prevalent do we get a glimpse of how deep connection dragon have with their rider.
@@queenxx1690it’s not dragons do have strong bonds with their raiders
The connection between Rhaenys and Meleys is incredibly emotional. Both severely wounded and exhausted, when Meleys dies, and the dragon's gaze met hers one last time, a silent communication that spoke of shared battles and unwavering loyalty. Rhaenys accepts the death with a sense of peace, as if she's reunited with her old war companion.
That broke my heart, seeing the light fade from her eye while gazing at Rhaenys…sobbed. Incredible art.
@@wooo1437maybe learn to type first
@@wooo1437 it's deeper than aemond and vhagar
"I love you, my Queen, and I know you love me too, fare thee well" - Meleys
rhaenys and meleys both are cool queen
Vhagar's reveal within the forest was pretty neat. As well as she flying from behind the trees. Really gave me a scale of how big and heavy she is.
I have the feeling vhagaer is as big as the castle the greens wanted to conquer, he could just lie on it
ikr, for such a huge beast she is unexpectedly stealthy. hid in clouds, hid in forest, hid in smoke and behind a cliff.
i'm starting to think there was quite the art of dragon fighting in old valerya. Meleys did it to sunfire as well, the under chomp. using blind spots despite being bigger than the target.
It reminded me of jurassic park
it was stupid she kinda forgot and how such a big dragon came out from the ground
it reminded me of a huge dinosaur in the jungle, just felt so archaic and scary I loved it
Eve Best, we love you and will miss you! Congratulations on your portrayal of Rhaenys, she definitely has made a huge impact, not just in HotD but in George R. R. Martin's universe as a whole.
Top tier character top tier portrayal she was the perfect casting for this role!
Im Heartbroken loved Rhaneys and poor Maleyse.
Corlys and her also had the most wholesome relationship in the show, and I can't wait to see how this will affect him. They had one of the rare relationship that felt on equal grounds at all times, and they were on the same wavelength most of the time. Truly, Corlys lost his better half, and that changes people.
RIP, Queen that never was 😔
Damn it, damn it, damn it. Eve Best was my favourite actor in the show and Rhaenys one of my favourite characters, but as soon as she said "You must send me, Your Grace" I knew her time had come. Unfortunately it was clear that it would be much better for the story if Cole emerged victorious. Rhaenys was just too sensible, intelligent and honourable (within the ethical code of the show's world) a character to live. What I didn't expect however was the three-dragon fight with not just Rhaenys but also Joffrey-lite (presumably) taken off the board. House of the Dragon will be a lesser show without Eve Best.
She especially left a big impact on all the smallfolk she crushed in Episode 9 of Season 1!
My heart broke when she volunteered for battle. I could feel it would be the end of her character. What a way to go
Same! I felt it, she will die the moment she volunteered.
I read the book so I knew it was going to happen, but when she volunteered I was broken to pieces. I thought "Nooo Rhaenys, don'ttttt"
This death was written so shitty bad... That giant dragon is the one thing who can harm her and its the size of an actual airplane. And she can't keep it focused? And then the sudden attack from behind the castle? i mean come on... it's shitty writing in every movie when they do this with cars because its impossible to hit a moving target that perfect. And he manages it with this enormous creature? Yeah, sure...
@@saschaherrmann1665 this 'enormous creature' is a dragon. dragons are magic. you might be overthinking it. also we saw Vhagar snap Arrax in half like it was nothing in mid air, so, yes, the most powerful dragon that has lived many wars, is able to catch a smaller dragon in its mouth with precision.
@@saschaherrmann1665 Yeah you clearly don't know what you're talking about so best to just be quiet.
I like that the dragon battle was done during the daytime. You can see everything clearly
Yep no poorly lit night battle here! Thank goodness
@@Persephonejackson I still rage-out thinking about the Battle of Winterfell.
Rewatched "The long night" right before episode 4 annnnnnnnnnnd you can see literally everything happening without a single problem.......then again I don't have a 15 yr old TV with an aux cord
@@DatBoiChris420 They went back and lightened it up after the episode was released. When it first came out, you could barely see anything.
@@NeoDarkling Lmao I didn't see anything
Sunfyre's screams were gutwrenching.
I agree. It’s painful to hear any animal scream, even one that’s not even real. 😂😮
Sunfyre best boi.
boo hoo hoo
@@FrequentFlyer_MIAcome on,
man. the dragons are innocent here
@@CelibateCetologistexcept Vhagar she ‘s an old hag
"Princess Rhaenys made no attempt to flee. With a glad cry and a crack of her whip, she turned Meleys toward the foe."
-------
"Beloved daughter of Lady Jocelyn Baratheon and Prince Aemon Targaryen, faithful wife to Lord Corlys Velaryon, mother and grandmother, the Queen Who Never Was lived fearlessly, and died amidst blood and fire..."
Thank you for this.
These quotes from the book are amazing
In modern terms, she had that DAWG in her
Born by an Aemon, killed by a different Aemon. Kind of poetic
Which could've been avoided.
Entire 2nd half of this episode I couldn't pick my jaw up off the floor lol. Holy shit.
1st half of the episode was amazing too. Different kind of amazing but great nonetheless
Same, my jaw was agape the entirety of the battle scene. And the SCORE.... perfection
Dude fr my eyes were locked to the screen 😂😂
exactlyyy!!! the suspense was insane
I was covering my mouth. I want to cry 😭
I havent cried that hard in so long holy sht. Rhaenys was my favourite character bro…
Same. I sobbed the whole way through I lost it when she could have escaped but turned back on BUSINESS our girl knew what she was up against and made a point like a warrior queen ❤
Same!! I was crying! I screamed that’s an effing Targaryen when she went back to fight Vhaegar after she beat Sunfyre! Rhaenys was able to beat both of the green dragons in 1 vs 1 combat. Such a good scene!!
It was epic! Wasn’t she the rider Arya said to Tywin she admired from the stories?
That was Visenya, Aegon the Conqueror 's sister @@RamonaLeigh
@@feherdora9763 Okay. Thanks! 🌹
Seeing Meleys and Rhaenys fall is probably the most emotional scene for me in House of Dragons so far, their bond is so strong.
emotional? not the slightliest bit... the death was written so bad, and was so dumb and unnecessary it was aweful to watch. They just wasted her...
Its ok. King Viserys still wins tho
@@saschaherrmann1665Lol someone didn’t read the book. That scene was perfect.
@@saschaherrmann1665 Complete and utter bollocks lol
@@isaacvarela667 if it is exactly like in the books it sucks there too
Eve Best saying “Fuck Me Sideways” after coming down off the buck literally made me spit my drink😂That is not what I was expecting her to say😂😂😂
Gonna miss her so much.
When did she say that lol
@@tonysmith5566 at 14:18 :D
I wouldn't mind that, she's a GILF
Fantastic Aussie saying. Sounds like she was itching for an opportunity to use it in context 😂
The reveal of Vhagar lying on the ground amidst the dense forest, waiting for the sound of horn and getting ready to go was the best shot of the episode 👌🏽
I hate Vhagar now . I wish Vhagar was bala' s dragon
@@taboo2249 hate the players not the dragons
@@PRubin-rh4sr The killing of dragons is very painful for me. Vhagar has been responsible for the death of Arax, Milys and Sunfire until now. We should note that Milys defeated Vhagar. The second time Vhagar suddenly attacked Melys like Arax.
@@taboo2249 Meleys did not defeat Vhagar. Do you not know how fights work?
Waited 13 years for a Game of Thrones Dragon battle like that! Fucking Epic! What a scene, what a battle. Perfect.
Ikr!!!...we were definitely craving an all out dragon fight!
We need more of this stuff
@@k-studio8112 Well have I got news for you! xD
It was worth the wait. Was brilliant CINEMA
Well i read the book and i got news. That is tame for what is to come!
That was genuinely incredible. The dragon screams are devastating but my god. HOTD has taken GOT to a whole new level. I’m devastated? But so impressed
My palm were sweaty. I wasn't ready. And I'm not content if anything.
Same here, but the dragon fight scenes were so well done I'm not even sure I want to continue watching the show, because I know there are going to be even more traumatic scenes to come (Moondancer 😭). And the Dragonpit scene is going to be like watching a massacre at a pet rescue centre. I don't want to see that.
Aemond is so cold blooded. Him walking away at the end was interesting.
Considering what a massive douche Aegon is, I don’t blame him.
The way he made Vhagar wait!
He’s handling business. The only one with the balls to do so
@@PikachuRaichu-es8mk He's the only Green I like.
he was going to kill his brother on the end?
I loved how well thought out Cole's plan was, but the second you introduce dragons into it, no plan holds water. I really hope they keep leaning into the "No one wins when dragons fly to war" aspect.
I mean his plan DID work! There is just no accounting for rash leaders and I think the horror of seeing what the Dragons do in war was just something he wasn't prepared for.
And with Rhaenys dead, Otto Hightower in Exile and Alicent too angry and busy with her own stuff to make good rational choices, there is no calm mind left capable of reigning in the Dragon riders. Maybe Cole is also just now realizing that too. I fear for poor Westeros now!
@@DarkHarlequin In the BTS, they call it a Pyrrhic victory for both sides which I would agree with.
Rhaenys managed to take Sunfyre and the King out of the picture, and also managing to obliterate coles host, but lost Rook's rest and hers and Meleys' life.
Cole managed to kill Rhaenys and Meleyes, secure Rooks rest, but he lost the greens a dragon which they can't afford to lose and also a King (A symbolic loss, but not really consequential).
Basically It's up to interpretation if anyone actually won here which is definitely the theme of the show so far
@@DarkHarlequinit worked, but he underestimated the sheer devastation a dragon battle causes, resulting in his forces suffering heavy casualties and the king and his dragon being horribly mutilated.
@@JustAnotherAccount8 Rhaenys, Viseris and Otto knew that open Dragon warfare would be a disaster for anyone involved. Now 2 of them are dead and one is exiled and their kids are working hard at proving them right 😓
In the best way possible, I’ve never felt so sick watching a tv episode before. Just something about knowing the source material and knowing what’ll happen just made me an anxiety riddled mess.
SAME! I would argue the way this was filmed was better than how it's described in the book, I was in AWE. 10/10
@J_ads2000 THIS!!!! ^^^^!! 1000% I thought I was the only one!!! I’ve spoiled this episode for myself sometime after S1 by reading comments and social media post 🤦🏽♂️ and ever since S2 E1 my anxiety has been crazy and today it reached its peak! I could barely get through the final 20 minutes because I wasn’t ready to see what was to come. It makes me not wanna know the source material before seeing a film version of it. I was engulfed with anxiety and anticipation for this episode. I didn’t want to see the death of meleys and Rhaneys 😢
I didn’t know as I haven’t read the book and my guts were twisted up! Can’t imagine how sick you’d feel knowing! I do know other spoilers and I feel nauseated anticipating them
As soon as I heard someone say "rook's rest" my stomach sank
And to know what will happen to Rhanerya ... 😟
the way i SCREAMED and CRIED for Rhaenys & Meleys.
went out like true queens.
Let’s hear it for Eve Best, everyone. Brilliant performance from start to finish.
Eve Best deserves all the awards. I'm still heartbroken but it's because of the maginificent performance she gave as Rhaenys that made me feel so connected to her character and that's not an easy thing to achieve as an actor.
Sunfyre the Golden Retriever screaming hurt me. Protect my golden boi!
If only Sunfyre would have landed on Cole
😂👍🏻
He's supposed to die in the Riverlands, so no.
@@HolyknightVader999 do we know if that happends in this season? Bc im very excited for the winter wolves to arrive and scream "WINTER HAS COME"
@@joelrodriguez9914 cole won’t die this season
@@GrandmaVhagar then next season 100%
Hopefully the slow attention span people will stop complaining bout there being no big battles/dragon battles. R.I.P. to the Queen that should’ve been 💯
I am one of those people lol. I watch this show first for the dragons and then for the back stories. So I do appreciate the action in tonight's episode.....
@@venusbaby7822 Bruh, your tiktok brain must be happy now then
Gonna copy and paste this all over youtube ?
@@venusbaby7822 he talked about the comment you replied to, not yours!
A slow attention span for wanting to see a battle, in the middle of a show set during a war. You do know that just because people want to see action doesn't mean they have a tiktok brain right?
I love Eve Best acting, her eyes and facial expressions, her voice, and the character Rhaenys. And I wonder why she chose to fight Vhagar, not flying away. Perhaps she wanted to end the war to fix her mistake of not burning King's Landing at the coronation (the movie adaptation). This episode is phenomenal.
After watching what Aemond did that to his brother no way in hell was Rhaenys going to let her survive knowing that Vhagar is coming for her family next. She had to do it and try to finish Aemond and Vhagar off. And she had the upper hand then so
Agreed about Eve. The fight they displayed here was different from the book though. Maybe that will help you understand:
"Rhaenys turned to meet the attack, despite the knowledge that Meleys had no hope of success against the two dragons. According to Archmaester Gyldayn, Meleys might have stood a chance against the older Vhagar alone, but not against Vhagar and Sunfyre combined. The dragons met violently in the air, a thousand feet above the field, with their fireballs bursting as bright as the sun. Meleys managed to close her jaw around Sunfyre's neck, just as Vhagar fell upon them, and all three dragons fell from the sky. They crashed to the ground so hard that stones fell from the battlements of Rook's Rest, half a league away."
"In 75 AC, Meleys was considered to be one of the swiftest dragons in Westeros, easily outpacing Caraxes and Vhagar."
So yes, Rhaenys DID have a chance in a 1 vs 1 battle but she had to fight two of them at once. At this point Rhaenys rode Meleys for 40 years so people who think she didn't have a chance should think again. Aemond and Aegon were lucky they were together.
I don't like the fact they made it seem like Aemond could surprise Rhaenys here. I don't think it does Rhaenys or Meleys justice.
She finally threw off her detachment and went all in, like the absolute beastpair she was half of.
That seems to be the consensus. I’d also propose that Corlys’ infidelity was also weighing on her. She had a lot on her mind, and decided to go “fuck it” and try for the ol’ Blaze-Of-Glory.
@@carlyofearth pretty much the long and short of it, yeah. She just… ain’t that kind of person.
House of the Dragon / Game of Thrones sets are next to none, World class.
Ring of power
@@atulrcks ???
@@yohanespaskal9352 lord of the rings : rings of power
@@atulrcks I know. But it scks. Can't compare those atrocities to hotd
@@atulrcksYeah sorry man but that's not on the same level in term of quality.
Don't let this distract you from how epic the score was for the battle. From start to finish, Ramin Djawadi nailed it.
When has he not nailed the score.
knowing what was about to happen made the last 10 minutes a literal torture. Execution was flawless. It's incredible how they always deliver for both a casual audience and book readers, every time. 10/10 production, NEEDS an emmy
Casual audience are a bunch of mindless jackasses who only watch for the battles and it's the trendy thing of the month
They were so dedicated to making this scene perfect they had actual dragons come and set all of the extras on fire.
Truly shows the dedication to the craft.
😂😂😂
Oh that last look between Rhaenys and Meleys, oh I’m sick
i really loved rhaenys character. a really good development from a selfish to a caring character
Not sure where she was shown selfish.
If she was selfish, she would have been queen a long time ago.
@@jacstudios2 Maybe when she killed hundreds of peasants so she could show off and have her girlboss moments? Glad she is dead, one of the worst characters in the show. Clearly one of the directors favourites too lmao.
Killed hundreds of people for no reason, she was a monster
Her decision at the end was selfish. In the books she had all the liberties to escape and reassess her strategy after wounding Sunfyre and Aegon. Preserving her life, and her dragon could potentially have been used as a bargaining chip for the future battles. Nevertheless, she was a mother who had lost her 2 children, and she didn't fear death during the fight. It was her last way of showing the realm that the Queen who never was is the Queen who should have been.
Thanks to everyone who was involved in making this episode, again. I love seeing Milly again, as she's just so cute and appropriate for Rhaenyra Targaryen. I like how Matt Smith was pushing for the dream sequences, and the effort put into the Battle At Rook's Rest was astronomical. Kudos to *everyone* involved!
We'll miss Eve Best.
'She lived fiercely, & died the same' - never a more fitting epitaph.
A sad early loss, but there's much more to come...
I covered my mouth from the start of the dragons fight. I'm so heartbroken. I felt like I lost a pet and Princess Rhaenys 😭😭😭😭😭
I don't think Aegon would appreciate being called a pet...
It reminded me of my dog who passed recently! That bond. I’m gonna go cry again 😅
@@ProuvaireJean 😂😂😂
@@Persephonejackson I’m so sorry. This is painful 🥲
She was my fav character in the show :(
I love the fact that they had the dragons do a death spiral the same way eagles do when fighting!
They kept the graphics simple and easy to follow. The chaos were good and not overwhelming. Lovely episode. Thank you to the team behind this.
vhagar the jumpscare kill queen, 2 for 2!
when she was going over that castle i was like ''no man...no...not her too!'' and sure enough i was right ;-;
@@pecoliky8793 I thought the same thing!I got tingly feelings when Aegon sat in the little room drinking and the drums began a steady beat! I really liked Eves look of purpose and said "Meleys.... Attack!"
Perhaps 3. Oops.
I'm still wondering how. The weather conditions were perfect, so no dragon was at a disadvantage. Vhagar behind the castle and cliff also wouldn't be able to see Meleys to perfectly time this kind of attack without being spotted herself. It's such a bulky dragon it has a hard time just to lift off. I just don't see how Vhagar could realistically succeed in such an sneak attack from below.
She's a clever patient old crocodile isn't she? If all the youngling Dragons are quicker than you, gotta be more cunning and patient to catch em 😉
rhaenys 😭😭 eve best u were amazing
Eve saying "F*** me sideways" was the absolute best
This show is nailing it! I'm loving the incredible visuals, set pieces, costumes, and more. House of the Dragon brings back that classic Game of Thrones production quality. I'd be thrilled if this series turned into an anthology or if HBO decided to adapt more Targaryen stories like the Blackfyre Rebellion.
They're already making Dunk & Egg next year, as well as Aegon's Conquest down the line. I don't think they will use the same title for other shows.
@@MrRizeAG I know about all that, but I highly doubt if they include the Blackfyre Rebellion in detail in the A KNIGHT OF THE SEVEN KINGDOMS show. It's supposed to be a small scale show that comes out yearly. The Aegon show is its own thing and will most certainly end with him ending the war after Rhaenys' death. I hope they cover Aenys & Maegor's reign though.
But my point is there are many other Targaryen stories that are intresting and needs to be put to screen. Stories you won't see in the Aegon show or the Dunk and Egg show.
@@Divine_Chareka Yes, but we need battles. Dragon battles. This show has become to main stream.
@@Divine_CharekaMaking Aegon's Conquest an interesting drama on the level of this show would be a real challenge, as at least based on the history as written in Fire and Blood, there's just less compelling dramatic material to work with as Aegon and his sister's basically steamroll Westeros - Dorne is the only prickly thorn. If however they were to do a multi-generational show that covered both Aegon's Conquest and the rules of Aenys and Maegor, that could be an interesting proposition, showing us two sides to the tyranny of Targaryen rule at the height of their ruthlesness with the conqueror and the cruel.
@@MrRizeAG I really don't want them to mess with the Conquerors, they are mythical in the books, and I really feel that's how they should be in the cinematic universe. And part of me is also afraid that they are gonna mess up that, badly, because their is almost nothing written about the Conquerors by GRRM except the battles and the essentials, and there are many speculated theories about the three in which the fans are pretty evenly divided, you know like their marriage, visenya and aegon can't able to stand eachother, visenya killing aenys, and all that. Happened once, and HotD has cleaned that dirt up a bit, and I don't want the universe to be ruined again for years. Yeah, I really don't want a show about all it.
The battle of Rook's Rest was absolutely superb. Massive props to every single person involved with bringing this iconic moment in the Dance of Dragons to life. ❤
You could totally tell in their performances that Rhaenys and Velaryons' actors are good friends. They've been a standout for me in this series, I'll miss her greatly.
The Queen that Should Have Been, Princess Rhaenys volunteered to go to Rook's Rest, and went out like a boss. We will miss her and the beautiful Red Queen Dragon, Meleys.
This production is actually completely insane, nicely done
Emma is fantastic but Milly just has such charisma and great chemistry with Matt. This episode was so great!
When did she say that 😂
I am still so shook.
I knew it was gonna happen but the bond, these two had has me completely in shambles omg
Tragic, beautiful, gut wrenching and brilliant Television. Thanks to the team behind the scenes!
I walk my dog everyday, and sometimes he turns his head back to check on me like meleys did to Rhaenys. So, I’m going to cry, kneel, and hug him everytime he does. BUT oh my god! Sunfyre lack of experience showed, would have been the same for Vermax/Moondancer. The cute nudge on Aagon’s chest from sunfyre at the pit made me team green for two seconds. AND Meleys doing the charizard seismic toss on Vhagar, didn’t even need a Dracarys command because she’s intelligent. Aamond took notes for the gods eye battle now.
what a historical scene in entire computer graphic technology development time line
Yet somehow the CGI is still better on Davey Jones 20 yrs ago
@@DatBoiChris420that was some magical cgi that they apparently never wanted to use again
@@tonysmith5566 lol. wheres the BTS on THAT!
Those last 20 minutes were metal af. Awesome dragon choreography
Birds of prey immediately came to mind when the dragons fought. That's exactly how winged creatures would fight in the air. Teeth and Talons that was frightening and awesome to watch 😬 The results of the battle aside (RIP R & M 😢), I thought that was beautifully done! All of it! Well done everyone! Wow!
It very closely resembles how eagles fight, minus the fire.
@sentientmustache8360 Indeed. Meleys clawing at their chests, and the way Vagar gripped on to Meleys? chills, CHILLS.
That they did this short heartwarming scene of Rhaenys and Aegon bonding with their dragons before battle made the outcome even more heartbreaking. It also displayed a great contrast to Aegon and vhagar how their bond comes across as cold even as a partnership of convenience
What an episode. The workmanship on this show is truly next level 👏👏👏
I am actuality shocked by how amazing this was that was the best battle scene i have ever seen
I really wish you would also show more of the CGI work. Animators, sculptors, concept artists - dragons are why a lot of people watch this show and I think seeing how they get made would boost appreciation.
Eve, thank you so much for your performance, us fans will miss you on the show
She reminds me of Lady Olena
@@k-studio8112 She reminds me a Catlyn Stark
She reminds me of Jennifer Anniston in older version
The end scene had me sobbing, the way Meleys looked at Rhaenys, and then they both fell
We may never see her like again R.I.P to the RED QUEEN
The production value this episode had exceeded everyone's expectations. I'm so excited for future battles!!!
Thank you everyone you did a job beyond my expectations so far. This is the show that is going to get us through the darkest time for TV. Again thank you, you have no idea how much we appreciate this.
If Meleys was this badass, what’s gonna happen once Vermithor gets in the fold. That dragon isn’t as old or as slow or as large as Vhagar, which stands to reason it’s the most dangerous dragon currently, plus it always has its mate with it, Silverwing.
I am so excited for Vermithor, makes me wish we could see how a Vermithor vs. Vhagar fight would go. Or at least how George would describe it happening.
I think you might be disappointed at his performance 💀💀
i am just waiting for battle above gods eye... immovable object meets an unstoppable force... vhagar and caraxes
Cole having to realize that he’s in fact a flop was so satisfying
Indeed, but a victory no matter how Pyrrhic, is a victory.
wdym, his plan worked. Not his fault the king's a reckless fool
I hope you casuals don't think him falling off his horse means he's a bad fighter. Cole is THE best swordsman alive at that era, he is like Jaime Lannister / Barristan Selmy level of skill.
@@marken816 I think they're talking about how Cole's one job as a Kingsguard is to guard the King, and he kinda failed spectacularly at that. Twice now, if you count baby Jaehaerys.
@@tylerclarke3530 better than Queen who sit in castle and eat cake doing nothing
Could not have asked for a better episode. That was absolutely splendid
BEST EPISODE EVEEERRER RIP THE QUEEN WHO NEVER WAS
*Queen Who Should Have Been
You guys should be proud, the battle was astounding, really jaw dropping
Excellent work by everyone behind the scenes, for 14 years each episode is a masterpiece.
I better not hear the word "peace" come out of Queen Rhaenyra's mouth after this awful loss
For real
What an amazing hour of cinema. My compliments to all that made it possible. Simply outstanding!
Guys. Bravo 🙌🏽 it was devastating and heartWRETCHING and lived up to the text in every way. 10/10.
Eve Best is the best!!!! Thank you very much for portraying such a beautiful thoughtful and brave character!
They did an amazing job with the dragon scenes. Truly incredible animation.
I love hearing from the actors and getting a behind the curtain look at their emotions and attachments to their characters, really makes the performances glow in a brighter light.
Rhaenys was One of the best character written and executed of the whole series ❤
This whole episode was so incredibly cool. Unique and beautiful and touching in ways I wasn't expecting. The acting, directing, set design... just amazing. Thank you!
The burn garments are sick. I love it.
Didn't realise how many practical effects were used. The fact that they actually set people on fire is mental.
This episode was so intense that I lost my breath, literally, and cried, not out of sadness, but out of shock. Wow!
The quality of the visual effects is incredible! None of the battle scenes look fake.
Well done to everyone who created this episode. Amazing work. Brutal plot and story but so beautiful.
Congratulations to everybody who worked there to make this possible. Amazing job!
I love seeing so much BTS for the big battle scene! Really puts into perspective how much work these things are.
That was absolutely kickass and the engineers & artists & organizers who made this happen should be VERY VERY proud. What tey do is insanely cool and they reached us as viewers 100 % 😊
3:39 Totally a Rhaenyra & Daemon moment 🥰
The horse's armor and the dragon saddles were GORGEOUS! I paused the show just to take a closer look at the detail. Amazing.
Gwayne's horse armour is especially stunning. The detailing is gorgeous.
@@Varekai0723 Yes! That's the horse I paused on the longest.
What an epic, amazing episode. That was incredible.
This is a master piece! House of Dragons and Game of Thrones is my favourites of all times. Nothing else comes close.
I can watch more series like this for the rest of my life and never get bored.
When little finger said 'there isn't a 1000 swords on the throne I have counted.' no one told him that 70% of the rest was removed.😂
10/10 absolute cinema. Perfect setup for this major battle earlier in the episode. Acting, character building, plot, action. It had it all. 🐉⚔🐉 what an effort
I love how in this and the inside the episode they keep hammering home how destructive and horrific dragon warfar is.. like power shouldn’t have truffles with, horrors unleashed on the world, dragons want war and once they’re let loose, Cole’s wtf as it’s so different and all the rest they’ve seen like it’s horrific
If just want to say this show is brilliant you guys deserve a Oscar you mad something mythical come to life and it’s just fantastic to watch the show all together is a masterpiece good job
I eagerly await daemon driving his sword through that one eyed gremlin
One of my favorite episodes of any series ever, well done!
Ryan, I know I speak for a lot of people when I say, thank you for caring enough for your audience to make such a spectacular show.
i had multiple goosebumps by that 2nd half of the episode whew bravo to everyone 👏🏽
House of dragon has revived westeros in such a fantastic way shout out to producer writer, and crews they did phenomenal job with their creativity and bring the battle of rook rest to life's it was everything i hoped it would be as a bonus castle siege with actual seige equipment?🐉🖤
What an incredible episode. Not a dull moment, everything is purposefully done. Hats off to you guys really! ❤
Happy to see young Rhaenyra 🤩. This episode was so phenomenal 🔥
Incredible episode, its literally a movie in itself.
Eva Best did an absolute killing performance
Proud to say I cried like a wimp at this episode