At this point, I think Aegon is the realest one in this family, despite his repulsive behaviors, he's the only person in this family who isn't scheming and plotting, he's just trying to live his life and sleep with maids, what a simple man in a complicated world.
It's sad in many ways, in the previous episode the pig joke on Aemond was clearly done by Aegon together with Lucaerys and Jacaerys, sign that the kids were all jerks to each other, but were still kids and get along. When the respective factions really started to build up the tension, that tension was transmitted to the kids as well.
The conflict between families is championed by Alicent and the other adults. Aegon is like "well I won't compete for the throne because I don't want it."
That is the best scene. Also important for later in this series, you’ll see. Otto and Aegon’s relationship is very interesting in the source material, and I’m looking forward to that. But that scene established a lot of what you’ll see in the future.
God, the way Alicents tears reflect in the camera… the dagger scene was the best scene so far. I love Aemond’s character, and I can see him becoming a mirror to Dameon, the other badass younger brother, as he grows up (their names are anagrams of each other, after all)
@@sidvyas9810 that’s not what he meant. Or at least now I took the scene. To me I just watched kids lose their parents and then those parents get married. Probably all happening within a month if that. That’s just horrible. Definitely was selfish of them. But it does help them politically. Everyone is grey in this show. No matter what they do, we have no Ned sharks here. No Jon Snows. It’s almost like watching a prison show lol. I have my favorites, but that doesn’t change the fact that they are all bad people (morally bad anyway lololol)
This episode made every character so grey. It was a rollercoaster of an episode where every scene would make you go from loving a character to absolutely hating them and then back to loving them. Also a perfect balance of action, drama, and slow build up paying off. More of this please HBO.
@@secondeye1574 Idk people do realize. Heck her monologue is about how people will fear her now because they believe she is responsible for her husband's death. She did a good thing for Laenor but it was rooted in selfishness and had quite a bit of collateral damage
@@secondeye1574 I 100% agree!!! I couldn't help but laugh when people said aemond disrespected laena by claiming vhagar. Like hello the person who disrespected laena and her kids the most is rhaenyra who was under the covers with their father before their mothers body was even cold!! 🤣🤣🤣 daemon and rhaenyra both disgust me.
I gotta give props to the CGI-team for doing such a good job of showing that Vhagar clearly isn't young anymore, the loose skin on her throat, her relatively slow movements and her almost hoarse roar. Good job
also one detail that i personally detest about her appearance which is the ropes, skin loops that are hanging down from her spine. I dont know what those are meant to be, but i dont find them to be visually appealing or see any actual use for them.
I want to point out one dialogue from Viserys in this episode. When he was going to bed, he mistaken Alicent for Aemma. This goes to show that he still loves his dead wife and feels guilty over her death, and it helps encapsulate as one of the main reason why Viserys is still holding on to Rhaenyra as the heir, when there were a lot of red flags that said disinheriting her would save the realm a lot of trouble. He’s choosing love over duty, and by marrying Alicent for love and making Rhaenyra his heir for love, it’s a recipe for war.
It was also cause a lot of trouble, because he would have to go back on his word to her and the realm. Plus the Velaryons would be pissed (Corlys) of because the point of the marriage would be that they would be anchored to the throne.
But in the concept of pure bloodline.. Rhea should be the heir... Alicent are not pure blood targaryen just as Rhea's children😆 But now that she is married to Daemon.. those future children should be the heir... and not on of the non-pure children😁
@@aegonbreakspear9102 Yet perhaps he had more strength of character than Robert. Viserys did not allow his queen to take Lucerys' eye. But Robert refused to stand up to Cersei when she demanded the direwolf be killed.
I wish they announce the whole GoT series wasn't cannon especially the ending then make a whole new GoT after the books end (whenever that is) , its so sad to think the greatness in HOTD (so far) lead to GoT ending , i got blue balls by GoT and AoT those year
I’m tired of people acting like the issues with S6-8 was that they had a lot of action. S2 and 4 had big battle episodes but the difference is Blackwater and Watchers manage to combine fun spectacle with tension and strong character development (as well as tactics that made sense) whereas the battles in S6-8 prioritised spectacle and big visuals but sacrificed tactics, logic and good character and storytelling. When the Dance comes along, there’ll be lots of battles (probably 2 or 3 a season, idk) but the battles will be very important from a storytelling and character perspective
@@joeyjerry1586 Thats not what I meant by no battles, the battle of blackwater and even the battle of the bastards were some of my favorite episodes. I just mean that in s1 there is effectivly no battles and yet it is brilliant, they were able to tell a great story with just that
Battles of Blackwater and Watchers on the Wall are absolutely fantastic battles. Battles of Bastards and everything later just felt like Hollywood good vs bad bullcrap @@pipkin5323
I love that absolutely everybody thinks that this episode is the best yet. Before this, the ratings were all over the place for each episode, but not for this one.
'all the over the place' is a bit hyperbolic, everyone has pretty much agreed that this series is pretty fucking great and it varies by just how great these episodes are
@@connorbanepoop I mean, for episode 3 Supercuts Delight agreed it was good but several people were bitching about the plot armour, and in episode 5, the general audience loved it but he thought it was a bit dumb. But for this episode, everyone agrees it was phenomenal.
Vhagar is a she-dragon and the oldest one alive right now. She’s always been female I think Vhagar tested Aemond many times especially when he climbed on. She was basically like “you have to earn me” but she probably wanted a bond too because of Laena’s death. Rhae’s anger is justified but it indicates she’s not ready for a dragon, Vhagar wasn’t going to become hers just because she’s Laena’s daughter. Dragons are not heirlooms. Aemond’s response to marrying their sister if it meant keeping the bloodline “pure” is something I imagine Visenya saying. Great episode and I loved the ending.
Dragons can change their sex, so they dont always have to be male or female. the example there is that Balerion the Black Dread laid the eggs for both Meraxes and Vaghar in the ages before Aegon's conquest.
Indeed, Rhae likely wasn’t ready to claim a dragon, Though she at least deserved a chance to the. Aemond swooped in at the dead of night to rob her of the chance like some scavenger, then spoke i’ll of kin the night after a funeral. Had he directed his new ego towards teasing brother perhaps i’d have more sympathy but no, he went of the rails with a rock so I don’t mourn the loss of that eye.
@@kevinboudreaux7860 ooh! Can they now? Drogon might start a new age of dragons yet then. Imagine them swarming westeros Like 90’s godzilla’s with their asexual reproduction, pfft!
*This* is peak Game of Thrones. No overblown battles, no spectacle. Just great conversations in elegant rooms. The tension, the stakes, the ACTING! Olivia Cooke is coming for her Emmy, and she won’t be denied.
This was the episode I was waiting for ALL SEASON. I knew what would happen with Aemond losing his eye but this show is so great at showing the HOW it happened. This show is amazing for both the book readers and just the HBO fans.
ill agree with that. this season finally set up the seeds for the Dance of Dragons. definitely something ive been waiting for during th entire season so far.
After watching Steve Toussaint’s incredible performance as Corlys Velaryon, I’m actually now excited for the Sea Snake tv show (hoping it isn’t cancelled like Bloodmoon half way through the development stage)
@@syedshahrukhraza2923 I’m not happy with that. Surely they can still have Steve voice Corlys, even if he is younger? They’ve had older people voice younger people before in animation
I think they deliberately waited with that show, until House of the Dragon was released. There will be a lot more interest in a show that's solely about Corlys if people are already interested in him because of his character in HotD.
They said that this was the first episode they shot - imagine that. Putting your cast to interact with each other HERE, where their characters are all matured, having nuances and layers and mannerisms set by the previous episodes. Knowing this makes the episode seen even more incredible, specially the actings
I think it’s only the funeral scene that is the first scene they shot, isn’t it? They said it added to the awkwardness and the tension between all the characters. But the cast is brilliant nonetheless
The whole scene where nobody was willing to admit Rhaenyra’s children were bastards and Alicent snapping like that was just amazing and that alone made this my favorite episode so far
This episode really established how tragic the conflict is going to be for all of the kids. Aegon doesn't want anything to do with it, he just wants to chill and have a good time, Helaena is completely different is going to be used as a pawn, Aemond has a cruel streak to him and is going to be very important, Jace has to live the knowledge of his real father, and Luke is too young to really understand the stakes of the conflict surrounding him, and Baela and Rhaena seem to be closer to their Velaryon family than their Targ family. It makes me hate Alicent even more because she continued the cycle of abuse started by Otto.
Okay but are we gonna ignore the fact that Daemon didn't even contribute anything to the fight when his children were hurt, nd his wife's dragon was taken? He's doing a shitty job as a father, especially after seeing him be a good dad to(atleast) his big daughter in the previous episode
It is one of the first laws in human history (Hammurabi Code). It is so basic many humans have heard one version of it around the world and in many languages.
I actually laughed when Aegon said, “Me?”, after Aemond threw the blame at him. I know Aegon was just saying that because he couldn’t believe his brother is throwing the blame at him like a jackass, but I took it as something else. It’s like he’s questioning when was he a part of this whole family drama? 😂
The way Aemond kept looking at alicent I thought it might have been her who he heard it from but he knew he couldn’t say that so he said Aegon which is why Aegon was shocked
Also, Aegon doesn't do anything wrong the whole episode and he becomes the spacegoat of the family. Poor kid, too bad most of the people know what happened to him later.
I agree that this was the best episode thus far. The only reason why people would dislike this is because they are so used to everything being spoon-fed to them and explained to them in every detail. So when a show decides to actually ''show and not tell'' they think it's boring. As you said some of the most tense moments where the moments in silence, because you could tell so much just by how good the acting was. I hope they keep this up!
The only people I see annoyed so far are ones who don't like the time jumps. I don't think they can keep up with it, which I'll never understand. But there we go.
Corlys gained my respect when he ignored the illegitimacy of his grandsons, not because he wanted to live in blissful ignorance like Viserys, but because he saw them as the scared children they are, not as devices to link Driftmark to the throne
I didn't read it like that, I just thought he was willing to accept them because they bear the name "Velaryon" and that name is his legacy, the thing he cares about most.
@@frankvandorp2059 He knows what he has in having Laeron for a son. Legacy, at least in name does matter to him....he's been wanting a link to the throne for over a decade...but he is also decent when he talks of Raenera's boys. He knows their parentage is not their fault, nor even entirely Raenera's.
Daemon laughing during the eulogy was to actually shift focus from Rhaenyra and her bastards to him. If someone starts laughing during a funeral, everyone will definitely notice them. I feel that in Daemon's own way, he was actually helping Rhaenyra.
Regarding the night time shots I know that it was clearly obvious that it was shot during the day. But in my experience living in a poor country that gets lots of blackouts and the nights gets lit up by a very bright full moon, the shots were quite accurate. Me and my siblings used to play outside with only the moon lighting us and everything casts a shadow. Everything looks almost black and white but this episode brought back those memories.
Except maybe book readers. When I read The Rogue Prince and The Princess and The Queen many years ago, I've always thought that in many ways it's more exciting than A Song of Ice and Fire
i expected it to be well-written, well-directed since D&D are out of the picture, and HBO had to do their best to redeem themselves, just wasn't sure on how good the overall story will be
I don't think Rhaenyra saving Laenor is a triumphant moment for her character. She did a nice thing for Laenor but at what cost? An innocent was sacrificed to be a body double, Corly and Rhaenys have lost their only remaining child just days after burying their daughter, and the realm will whisper that Daemon and Rhaenyra killed Laenor to get married.
Rhaenyra doesn't care about anything or anyone. She feels she is above consequences and so far she has been. She's done whatever she wanted whenever she wanted, abusing her position of power which is a horrible trait in a potential leader.
I took the dark lighting effect as a heavy storm brewing in the middle of the day. A sort of metaphor for the building tension. Laenor fled the storm and Rhaenyra braces for it.
This episode made me remember the old good times with GOT. Amazing episode and the best of the season so far for sure. The only thing that annoyed me was the mega dark scenes.
@@Ready-ForTheEnd You realize he was also the guy that directed Hardhome, Battle of the bastards, Winds of Winter all the best directed episodes in the shows history?? It was D&D that wanted the night shoots and he had to work around that. Besides that, the directing in the long night was excellent. Even the directing with Alicent and Rhaenyra confrontation was incredible. I don't think some of y'all understand the importance of a good director.
@@Ready-ForTheEnd, this is his only major flaw. He’s perfect at cinematography and his Aemond's Vhagar flight couldn’t be better. I wouldn’t trust anyone but Sapochnik (and the another guy, forgot his name) to film that scene. The best dragon flight in both the series
He stood his ground against FOUR of them.Respekt. Nd that dialogue 'It was a fair exchange mother, my eye for a dragon.' Oh he might just be my fav after Alicent.
Otto is literally Tywin if his family wasn’t in control of the throne from the beginning of GOT. Very happy he was back, I think he’s probably the most interesting character.
I watch this show with my dad and he’s never watched GoT or any show like this (he watches cable). Every episode I’ve had to explain things to him for an hour afterwards, but this episode, I didn’t have to explain anything. That’s how perfectly executed this episode was that me, someone who has read F&B, and my dad, we’re on the edge of their seats. Also, my dad still has no idea what the show is “actually” about (the civil war) but he’s starting to piece it together 😂
Sounds like the good old times when we were starting game of thrones. Too many weird names, places, titles, to much everything. But in the end it's absolutely worth it :D
That “where is duty, where is sacrifice” scene…Olivia Cooke doing some Dinklage level lifting there. The agony, the passion! That’s a Emmy nomination scene. “We Know Father. Everyone Knows”. That’s Aegon’s “the Prince will remember that little Lord” moment. Aemond taming Vhagar & holding his own in a 1v4 makes him the real chad in my eyes. Only wholesome moment, our Prince resting his head on his mom’s shoulder to let her know she can depend on him. Last but not least, GOATTO Hightower says “in time you and I together will prevail” and I’m the meme of Homer Simpson decked out in a green tee, sitting on green cushions, wearing a Hightower snapback, holding a Go Greens flag with a Alicent poster on the wall😂. Meanwhile checking in on Blacks: “What is honor compared to a woman’s uncle” - Maester Aemon 😳
@@asimhussain8716 Why wouldn't Rhaneyra's response make sense? She has been saying Alicent has been hiding behind the veener of duty since ep 3 when she confronted his father for marrying her. I don't believe it's true. I support Alicent. But it's exactly something Rhaenyra's character would say. "For twitter ooohs"- yeah, TV shows need sound bites. It might be too cliche for big brains who are debating How Darkstar Was a Catspaw Sent by Quentyn to Kill Rosamund So he Could Secretly Marry Myrcella and Claim the Throne, but soundbites like this actually make for compelling TV for mortals like us. Yeah bro I get it. it's Supercuts Delight, so you have to virtue signal how much of a Big Brain redditor you are compared to these easily impressed plebs on social media. But no need to overcompensate. Are there things that can be improved? Absolutely. "So much to improve" sounds like you're lamenting that the show is bad. The general consensus says otherwise.
By far my favourite episode of the series so far. So many emotions, like I do not like Aemond, but his taming Vhagar was epic, his ride being wild, I was kinda scared for him. Aemond sorta throwing Aegon under the bus to protect Alicent, and Aegon sorta taking the fall, I give him some props. Best scene was the brief showdown between Rhaenyra and Alicent. The emotions off the charts. Felt like whatever softness they had for one another was extinguished and now the former besties are sworn enemies. Felt so engaging and conflicting that I was stunned at the performance. Bravo, loved every bit of it.
The actress who plays adult Rhaenyra is awesome! She really sells the "not entirely good or bad" just very human. I want to see more of her in other shows.
I feel that way about her and Harwin strong actor Both of them need to be in more shows Ryan Corr (Harwin) needs to be a lead actor on some HBO bad ass drama
This episode was something out of Shakespeare. On another level. Game changer series. The detail of the drama is so griping you feel the tension in the scene. A whole character study in a few words of a dialogue. Btw is it dialogue or a sonnet? Masterclass. This episode will be well studied.
Alicent stabbing Rhaenyra was the best part. She finally showed her frustration, and it was understandable. She married the king at around 14 yo, and never got to live-out her fantasies and dreams, about marrying a handsome knight and all of that, while Rhaenyra got to hookup with Cole unpunished. Alicent basically did everything she was told to do, while Rhaenyra disobeyed without getting punished.
I think this episode is only a sign of good things to come. It doesn't have to deal with the rocky pacing that episodes 5 and 6 had, nor focus on building up the world like 1-3 had. It's like episode 4 for me. Everyone is grey, no one is wholly in right for reacting how they did but no one is wholly wrong either. Only I think Driftmark did it better purely because there's been more time to build up the conflict and because of how violent it became in this episode. I had been waiting for the confrontation over Vhagar for a while and when it finally came I was visibly cringing. Everything before was fantastic and everything after was fantastic. I'd say it's the only episode so far I feel is willing of a 9 or even 10/10.
The quote "Questioned Sharply" that Rhaenyra mentions when talking about Aemond is quite significant in the Asoiaf books, because the quote "questioned sharply" is basically a fancy way of saying to torture someone. Meaning Rhaenyra wanted to torture a maimed young boy, Aemond, because he had the guts to say the truth that everyone, even Rhaenyra herself, knew. Her sons are bastards.
Which is why I seriously don't understand how people will act like rhaenyra is always in the right and alicent is in the wrong instead of just acknowledging they both made points but we're also both in the wrong
It's probably the people who started watching GoT because of the gore and nudity of the first seasons. That's the same people that thought Dany's name was "khaleesi".
@@spacemegalodon5049 right? Im happy with how restrained theyve been with the dragons. The pace is really weird though. I wish it would slow down just a tiny bit. But thats minor. Im loving the characters
My favourite character this episode was Daemon, despite not really doing much at all. His mood of just sitting back and watching this chaos unfold, like he knows that he’s no longer needed to do something to rock the boat. He’s content to just watch as things spiral out of control, but he will take action when he needs to, like stopping Cole.
I really liked the decision to place us in the shoes of certain characters as different events occurred, like us being in Daemon's shoes during Alicent's breakdown.
For the post funeral scene, this was the very first scene they filmed. The actors didn’t really know each other but it was done on purpose to get that real weird and standoffish vibe. I think I explained that correctly.
I look forward to these every single week. I wasn't sure about Matt Smith as Daemon at first simply because I've only known him as The Doctor. But omg does he absolutely kill the role!
I don't think that the twist with Laenor really redeems Rhaenyra at the end. Yes, she and Daemon did not kill Laenor, however, Rhaenyra does literally ask Daemon to kill him. If Daemon hadn't been quicker on is feet and suggested 'setting him free' instead, she just would have had Daemon kill Laenor.
Well we will see next episode if she even knows, maybe Daemon did it without her knowing, maybe not. Nontheless, she broke Rhaeny's heart and ended the Valaryon bloodline. And also fucked and married a new guy in front of her kids right after their dad/stepdad had died. I really can't help but not like her at all. Without exagerrating, she literally only cares about fucking Daemon
No she always meant it that way as stated in her previous dialogue with fire being a prison and the sea offering an escape, Laenor is trapped in this marriage and she sets him free
@@xxBloodyMoonxx1 Yes, she does make such an illusion. Though it's a bit more complicated since the Velaryons bury their dead at sea. Also the way Daemon says his line really sounds like he is making a suggestion. Using Rhaenyra's metaphor to make his own idea of how it would go, in a much more literal sense. I think that at the very least the scene is a lot more ambiguous then most people are giving it credit for.
The episodes keep getting better and better, I'm ready to jump into the next one. The kids beating the crap out of each other had me howling. I simply didn't know where the writers were going and the build up of this episode was just masterful. My favorite episode, so far, and I'm officially in love with the show. The acting, writing, effects, everything is superb and I'm ready for the next stop on this doom-train.
Side note, though. When Aemond held that rock up and was legit ready to bash in Luke's face, I was on the edge of my seat. Luke was bleeding all over and he was crying. That part where he tearfully says "my father's still alive!" just was so heart-breaking to watch. All these kid actors have done a terrific job!
This episode is peak Game of Thrones! And I was so happy to be able to experience it again. This is what the show can be without D&D at the helm and GRRM on it. Another thing that I was thinking about is how multifaceted the argument/conflict was. Everybody had a valid argument for doing what each of them did. From the adults to the kids. What Aemond said and did, what Rhaenyra's kids said and did, LaenRhaenyra, Alicent, Viserys, Cole, everyone! I loved how most of were right and wrong at the same time. This is masterful writing (and directing) to give all of them all such valid reasons and show them which makes this conflict so much more explosive and have so much weight. But another amusing thing is. Even if Viserys is a bad king (per say) he is foresighted. He knows that the only thing that can destroy house Targaryen is itself. That is why he was so desperate to crush this conflict. If he would have properly resolved it instead of forcefully trying to stop it like he did, things might have died down. I was also finding it amusing how he is the one who sowed the seeds of his family's demise. 1. Pressurizing his first wife for an heir, to the point of killing her 2. Not marrying Laena and marrying Alicent instead. This was a double whammy. Not only did this upset the Valeryons and make Rhaenyra have to marry Laenor which led to a future mess, but it also placed both Alicent and Otto in positions of power to cause all the future conflicts. 3. He pressurized Rhaenyra to marry Laenor which eventually led to mess of them having bastards. 4. He pushed Daemon away. If he was there, he would have looked out for Viserys.
season 1 really should have been split into 2. i really wish we had more time to form attachment to these characters. it feels like every episode has new characters coming and going before i even know who they are.
By season 2 you won't even care. They just need to get the back stories and context established for when shit actually starts properly. I couldn't see them doing it any other way unless they wanted to go like 10 seasons.
@@barrybranscum3611 this is backstory for the actual purpose of the show... Very little of the elder cast matters aside from which children they birth. This show is about THE DANCE OF THE DRAGONS(the kids and their kids) not story hour for people who will mostly die before the real story begins. That would be like a show about the War of the Roses focusing on Henry Bolingbroke instead of the actual conflict.
I noticed the shadows too during the supposed night scenes. But I just reminded myself that the full moon justified the direction of the shadows too. If you've ever been on a beach with no electricity, the light that the moon reflects could be very magnificent. Thus, the fully defined shadows.
1:21 Day-for-night shots are usually unconvincing for a number of reasons, but to the show's credit, a full moon really does cast crisp shadows in an otherwise unlit outdoor scene. It's an exciting thing to witness if you've spent most of your life in an urban area.
9:04 one of my favorite scene shots of this family. Everyone’s stance stays so much of what they are thinking. Also love how uniquely weird everyone here looks. I’m really liking HoD so far, it feels like a unique/fresh take on the GoT world.
I loved seeing the lord comander having to put Ser Christen in his place, then when the dagger comes out Daemon is like "Opp where do you think your going boi". Like if the men got involved it would have turned out so much worse, best to let the girls sort it out. I love the perspective from both sides of Green and Black that it's 2 girls who were besties that ended up hating each other
Did they cut Alicent's and Viserys' last son Daeron ? I would be so pissed since he is such an interesting character on the Green side ! And appears in cool battles too...
I am loving HotD, as someone who was heavily invested in GoT since season 2, this is a refreshing wave of nostalgia for the earlier seasons. I just hope they continue at this quality.
This was my favourite episode too along with episode 3,4 and 6! I’m surprised that laenor faked his death but I can’t wait to see where they go with this
I completely agree, this episode absolute banger. The issues you listed at the start of the video didn't really bother me that much, but it's true it would have added more. I can't believe how awesome that Vhagar taming scene was, I was holding my breath and it delivered. The whole showdown between the Blacks and the Greens after the fight was fucking awesome, and Aemond's line afterwards was badass.
I found the twist with laenor going to essos, such an l move The show tries to depict rhaenyra as a hero rather than the Black Princess that shes supposed to be
Ned also establishes himself as a man of principles over passions. He doesn't hold grudges: he's not spiteful, vengeful, envious. He sticks to his principles even when they contradict his passions. I think most comparable female character to Ned is Brienne. Alicent is more a character of passions over principles; her passions are sympathetic in the beginning since she starts off innocent and kind, but she seems to be lacking in the ability to resist her passions in favor of principles.
I've been saying this! It was such an incredible, understated episode. There are so many moments of just looks and glances, it was amazing. If they keep this up, I'm going to like this more than the entire original series.
I think that having the Dragon being tamed in the night sold better the scene, in plain light the CGI still looks uncanny valley (ish), especially with a Dragon as chungus as her, as showed in the previous episode In this episode Eve Best and Steve Toussaint literally STOLE my heart, very powerful performance from both of them, it broke my heart when she mourned over her burned son, and it hurts more when I think that she mourned him for nothing since he's still alive and she will probably never know. 8:42 I also loved how Paddy Cosidine scared the shit out of Ty Tennant when he screamed in his ears 🤣
When I saw Alicent demanding Rheanyra's son's eye, I immediately remembered Cersei demanding to kill Sansa's wolf. I wonder if Alicent will follow in Cersei's footsteps like Rheanyra did.
The twist of Laenor's fake out death redeemed Rhaenyra for you? Hold up though. Was this a ploy orchestrated by Daemon, Qarl & Laenor behind Rhae's back? or did she set it up so Laenor wouldn't be killed? (Though, she'd have nothing to gain and everything to lose)... hmmm I gotta rewatch! Good theory though!
This was indeed great and I appreciate your analysis. . Vehgar looked massive but you can also see she’s very old. It was lovely seeing Leonar leaving in the boat in the end with a shaved head and companion
I absolutely loved the awkward family funeral scenes as think lot can definitely relate to that. We visited st Michaels mount where this is set (although presuming indoor scenes studio work) really beautiful place to visit but was very disappointed as not one dragon or incestuous moment so was let down during my visit lol.
You can't say enough about the guy who plays Otto, that thing he did with his fingers while he was talking to alicent was a small touch of you missed it but it says a lot
At this point, I think Aegon is the realest one in this family, despite his repulsive behaviors, he's the only person in this family who isn't scheming and plotting, he's just trying to live his life and sleep with maids, what a simple man in a complicated world.
aegon just keeps growing on me
frfr
It's sad in many ways, in the previous episode the pig joke on Aemond was clearly done by Aegon together with Lucaerys and Jacaerys, sign that the kids were all jerks to each other, but were still kids and get along.
When the respective factions really started to build up the tension, that tension was transmitted to the kids as well.
The conflict between families is championed by Alicent and the other adults. Aegon is like "well I won't compete for the throne because I don't want it."
Obviously besides Viserys, who’s also done with everyone’s BS.
the scene where otto slaps aegon for being a twat is just hilarious
I found it funny he looked around first
Yh and call brother 🤣
That is the best scene. Also important for later in this series, you’ll see.
Otto and Aegon’s relationship is very interesting in the source material, and I’m looking forward to that. But that scene established a lot of what you’ll see in the future.
Joffrey being slapped by Tyrion
Twat? Wasn't he just sleeping 😭?
God, the way Alicents tears reflect in the camera… the dagger scene was the best scene so far. I love Aemond’s character, and I can see him becoming a mirror to Dameon, the other badass younger brother, as he grows up (their names are anagrams of each other, after all)
Rhaenyra looking at the dagger blade against the firelight....seeing in it the weight of legacy and destiny....ah!
I peeped that too
Regarding the way Rhaenyra looked at the knife
I can’t believe I didn’t realize that “Aemond” was just “Daemon” with the “d” moved
@@hannah.e.young. its prophetic almost as if their fates will be entwined...
The scene with the kids all awkwardly watching their parents incest marriage was so unintentionally funny.
No it's not. That's tradition in the house
@@sidvyas9810 that’s not what he meant. Or at least now I took the scene. To me I just watched kids lose their parents and then those parents get married. Probably all happening within a month if that. That’s just horrible. Definitely was selfish of them. But it does help them politically. Everyone is grey in this show. No matter what they do, we have no Ned sharks here. No Jon Snows. It’s almost like watching a prison show lol. I have my favorites, but that doesn’t change the fact that they are all bad people (morally bad anyway lololol)
Loll all the kids know the truth but Daemon's girls are just there like 'wut ' nd it's Hilarious
@@SpaceViking2000 "Ned shark" lol, seafood is coming
@@SpaceViking2000 Hey Lyonel was basically Ned, he just managed to speedrun dying better.
This episode made every character so grey. It was a rollercoaster of an episode where every scene would make you go from loving a character to absolutely hating them and then back to loving them. Also a perfect balance of action, drama, and slow build up paying off. More of this please HBO.
Rhaenyra is the only character I can't stand because I know her parallel in real life in the form of a coworker, spoiled and haughty just a no no..
@@secondeye1574 Idk people do realize. Heck her monologue is about how people will fear her now because they believe she is responsible for her husband's death. She did a good thing for Laenor but it was rooted in selfishness and had quite a bit of collateral damage
@@secondeye1574 dont forget the innocent servant who got killed and his corpse burned.
@@secondeye1574
I 100% agree!!! I couldn't help but laugh when people said aemond disrespected laena by claiming vhagar. Like hello the person who disrespected laena and her kids the most is rhaenyra who was under the covers with their father before their mothers body was even cold!! 🤣🤣🤣 daemon and rhaenyra both disgust me.
@@secondeye1574
To be fair they didn't really give people a reason to care about her death. We didn't even know her as an audience.
I gotta give props to the CGI-team for doing such a good job of showing that Vhagar clearly isn't young anymore, the loose skin on her throat, her relatively slow movements and her almost hoarse roar.
Good job
also one detail that i personally detest about her appearance which is the ropes, skin loops that are hanging down from her spine. I dont know what those are meant to be, but i dont find them to be visually appealing or see any actual use for them.
Also the holes in her wings
@@smtiellgopher actually i like that. it shows her age and possibly encounters with the Cannibal or the Sheepstealer. the wild dragons of the time.
@@kevinboudreaux7860
Vhagar is massive. I figured the ropes are used to climb on her because she's far too high to jump on like with a horse.
shame the lighting was so bad
I want to point out one dialogue from Viserys in this episode. When he was going to bed, he mistaken Alicent for Aemma. This goes to show that he still loves his dead wife and feels guilty over her death, and it helps encapsulate as one of the main reason why Viserys is still holding on to Rhaenyra as the heir, when there were a lot of red flags that said disinheriting her would save the realm a lot of trouble. He’s choosing love over duty, and by marrying Alicent for love and making Rhaenyra his heir for love, it’s a recipe for war.
It was also cause a lot of trouble, because he would have to go back on his word to her and the realm. Plus the Velaryons would be pissed (Corlys) of because the point of the marriage would be that they would be anchored to the throne.
But in the concept of pure bloodline.. Rhea should be the heir... Alicent are not pure blood targaryen just as Rhea's children😆 But now that she is married to Daemon.. those future children should be the heir... and not on of the non-pure children😁
@@melaniesonier6493 Rhea’s mother is not Targaryen, she’s an Arryn. So Rhea is half Arryn.
@@atlasprime6193 she's an arryn but she has targaryen blood, she's viserys cousin
@@atlasprime6193 Aemma had a targaryen mother
They've had so many opportunities to have Viserys yell "STOP THIS MADNESS IN THE NAME OF YOUR KING" and I'm sad they didn't use any of them
He is a far better man, but he lacks the intimidating presence needed to say that line. Like Robert.
@@aegonbreakspear9102 Yet perhaps he had more strength of character than Robert. Viserys did not allow his queen to take Lucerys' eye. But Robert refused to stand up to Cersei when she demanded the direwolf be killed.
I wish they announce the whole GoT series wasn't cannon especially the ending then make a whole new GoT after the books end (whenever that is) , its so sad to think the greatness in HOTD (so far) lead to GoT ending , i got blue balls by GoT and AoT those year
Bow you shits!
I promise you, I was waiting for him to say that!
This one really felt like game of thrones s1-4, no battles, nothing stupid, just good writing, great dialogue inducing conflict.
I’m tired of people acting like the issues with S6-8 was that they had a lot of action. S2 and 4 had big battle episodes but the difference is Blackwater and Watchers manage to combine fun spectacle with tension and strong character development (as well as tactics that made sense) whereas the battles in S6-8 prioritised spectacle and big visuals but sacrificed tactics, logic and good character and storytelling. When the Dance comes along, there’ll be lots of battles (probably 2 or 3 a season, idk) but the battles will be very important from a storytelling and character perspective
@@joeyjerry1586 Thats not what I meant by no battles, the battle of blackwater and even the battle of the bastards were some of my favorite episodes. I just mean that in s1 there is effectivly no battles and yet it is brilliant, they were able to tell a great story with just that
Battles of Blackwater and Watchers on the Wall are absolutely fantastic battles. Battles of Bastards and everything later just felt like Hollywood good vs bad bullcrap @@pipkin5323
The whole family confrontation scene had me on the edge of my seat the whole time 😦
It was straight up soap opera/reality TV and I was there for it 💯
Even the fight with the kids had my eyes glued to the screen
My roommates and my jaws dropped.
The way Olivia delivery the line "he is your son Viserys" top tier act
I love that absolutely everybody thinks that this episode is the best yet. Before this, the ratings were all over the place for each episode, but not for this one.
Before, I had to think about if an episode was the best so far but after this one without a doubt was the best so far. Especially the ending.
'all the over the place' is a bit hyperbolic, everyone has pretty much agreed that this series is pretty fucking great and it varies by just how great these episodes are
@@connorbanepoop, in hindsight, episode 3 is underrated by the fandom. However, it is correctly perceived/rated by the general audience
@@connorbanepoop I mean, for episode 3 Supercuts Delight agreed it was good but several people were bitching about the plot armour, and in episode 5, the general audience loved it but he thought it was a bit dumb. But for this episode, everyone agrees it was phenomenal.
Plot was awesome, acting was awesome. Couldn't see anything due to how dark it was....
Vhagar is a she-dragon and the oldest one alive right now. She’s always been female
I think Vhagar tested Aemond many times especially when he climbed on. She was basically like “you have to earn me” but she probably wanted a bond too because of Laena’s death. Rhae’s anger is justified but it indicates she’s not ready for a dragon, Vhagar wasn’t going to become hers just because she’s Laena’s daughter. Dragons are not heirlooms.
Aemond’s response to marrying their sister if it meant keeping the bloodline “pure” is something I imagine Visenya saying.
Great episode and I loved the ending.
Dragons can change their sex, so they dont always have to be male or female. the example there is that Balerion the Black Dread laid the eggs for both Meraxes and Vaghar in the ages before Aegon's conquest.
@@kevinboudreaux7860 yeah I know. Would’ve been interesting to see that
Indeed, Rhae likely wasn’t ready to claim a dragon, Though she at least deserved a chance to the. Aemond swooped in at the dead of night to rob her of the chance like some scavenger, then spoke i’ll of kin the night after a funeral. Had he directed his new ego towards teasing brother perhaps i’d have more sympathy but no, he went of the rails with a rock so I don’t mourn the loss of that eye.
@@kevinboudreaux7860 ooh! Can they now? Drogon might start a new age of dragons yet then. Imagine them swarming westeros Like 90’s godzilla’s with their asexual reproduction, pfft!
Well Rhaenyra too married daemon and referenced aegon and visenya
*This* is peak Game of Thrones. No overblown battles, no spectacle. Just great conversations in elegant rooms. The tension, the stakes, the ACTING! Olivia Cooke is coming for her Emmy, and she won’t be denied.
This was the episode I was waiting for ALL SEASON. I knew what would happen with Aemond losing his eye but this show is so great at showing the HOW it happened.
This show is amazing for both the book readers and just the HBO fans.
ill agree with that. this season finally set up the seeds for the Dance of Dragons. definitely something ive been waiting for during th entire season so far.
I can't stress enough how good Emma is with their facial expressions. Doesn't speak much but says a lot.
Her*
@@w.a.s5819 *their
@@tateramessar8787 her
@@Lowkenn_Edits THEIR*
@@w.a.s5819 They're non binary.
After watching Steve Toussaint’s incredible performance as Corlys Velaryon, I’m actually now excited for the Sea Snake tv show (hoping it isn’t cancelled like Bloodmoon half way through the development stage)
The Sea Snake spinoff will not feature Steve. For one thing, It's animated. And it also features a much, much younger Corlys.
@@syedshahrukhraza2923 I’m not happy with that. Surely they can still have Steve voice Corlys, even if he is younger? They’ve had older people voice younger people before in animation
@@syedshahrukhraza2923 Its not animated though
@@syedshahrukhraza2923 The potential show about Yi Ti is animated. Not Sea Snake.
I think they deliberately waited with that show, until House of the Dragon was released. There will be a lot more interest in a show that's solely about Corlys if people are already interested in him because of his character in HotD.
They said that this was the first episode they shot - imagine that. Putting your cast to interact with each other HERE, where their characters are all matured, having nuances and layers and mannerisms set by the previous episodes. Knowing this makes the episode seen even more incredible, specially the actings
The acting in that scene after Aemond lost his scene was top 10 in game of thrones history. Even the fight between the kids was so well done.
Wow that’s amazing because it seems that they all have the bonds between actors which comes from working together a while
I think it’s only the funeral scene that is the first scene they shot, isn’t it? They said it added to the awkwardness and the tension between all the characters. But the cast is brilliant nonetheless
The whole scene where nobody was willing to admit Rhaenyra’s children were bastards and Alicent snapping like that was just amazing and that alone made this my favorite episode so far
For real, I've rewatched that scene so many times, I just can't get enough of it
This episode really established how tragic the conflict is going to be for all of the kids. Aegon doesn't want anything to do with it, he just wants to chill and have a good time, Helaena is completely different is going to be used as a pawn, Aemond has a cruel streak to him and is going to be very important, Jace has to live the knowledge of his real father, and Luke is too young to really understand the stakes of the conflict surrounding him, and Baela and Rhaena seem to be closer to their Velaryon family than their Targ family. It makes me hate Alicent even more because she continued the cycle of abuse started by Otto.
Otto casually starting ✨Generational trauma✨
Okay but are we gonna ignore the fact that Daemon didn't even contribute anything to the fight when his children were hurt, nd his wife's dragon was taken? He's doing a shitty job as a father, especially after seeing him be a good dad to(atleast) his big daughter in the previous episode
I really liked how Corlys is more concerned with the name and legacy then the actual bloodline put him at odds with Vaemond.
Alicent really took "an eye for an eye" literally huh? Fantastic episode
I mean many people in this universe do haha
It is one of the first laws in human history (Hammurabi Code). It is so basic many humans have heard one version of it around the world and in many languages.
This was literally the law in many time periods in the past and even now in some places.
Well the term comes from an actual thing so.... Yeah?
I actually laughed when Aegon said, “Me?”, after Aemond threw the blame at him. I know Aegon was just saying that because he couldn’t believe his brother is throwing the blame at him like a jackass, but I took it as something else. It’s like he’s questioning when was he a part of this whole family drama? 😂
Right? Aegon isn’t really bout the drama
The way Aemond kept looking at alicent I thought it might have been her who he heard it from but he knew he couldn’t say that so he said Aegon which is why Aegon was shocked
Also, Aegon doesn't do anything wrong the whole episode and he becomes the spacegoat of the family. Poor kid, too bad most of the people know what happened to him later.
Aemond claiming and flying Vhagar is my favourite dragon moment in all of game of thrones tbh
It was a true spectacle. I was giddy and in awe.
I agree that this was the best episode thus far.
The only reason why people would dislike this is because they are so used to everything being spoon-fed to them and explained to them in every detail. So when a show decides to actually ''show and not tell'' they think it's boring.
As you said some of the most tense moments where the moments in silence, because you could tell so much just by how good the acting was. I hope they keep this up!
Most are unhappy because it was so dark to the point being uncomfortable to watch,.
The only people I see annoyed so far are ones who don't like the time jumps. I don't think they can keep up with it, which I'll never understand. But there we go.
@@ligametis Only the beach scene was dark imo.
@@sneezydeezymcdeluxe7015 Because there's no room to breathe.
Spoon-fed? Bruh that's all this show does. It has no room to breathe.
Corlys gained my respect when he ignored the illegitimacy of his grandsons, not because he wanted to live in blissful ignorance like Viserys, but because he saw them as the scared children they are, not as devices to link Driftmark to the throne
I didn't read it like that, I just thought he was willing to accept them because they bear the name "Velaryon" and that name is his legacy, the thing he cares about most.
@@frankvandorp2059 I think your both right
LMAO.he cares about nothing bt the name velaryon. He won't care about bastards even
@@frankvandorp2059 He knows what he has in having Laeron for a son. Legacy, at least in name does matter to him....he's been wanting a link to the throne for over a decade...but he is also decent when he talks of Raenera's boys. He knows their parentage is not their fault, nor even entirely Raenera's.
Literally the reason why he wanted Lucerys as heir to Driftmark instead of Baela was precisely because he wanted a link to the iron throne
Daemon laughing during the eulogy was to actually shift focus from Rhaenyra and her bastards to him. If someone starts laughing during a funeral, everyone will definitely notice them. I feel that in Daemon's own way, he was actually helping Rhaenyra.
Regarding the night time shots I know that it was clearly obvious that it was shot during the day. But in my experience living in a poor country that gets lots of blackouts and the nights gets lit up by a very bright full moon, the shots were quite accurate. Me and my siblings used to play outside with only the moon lighting us and everything casts a shadow. Everything looks almost black and white but this episode brought back those memories.
I love how no one expected this show to be so good after how bad GoT ended
Except maybe book readers. When I read The Rogue Prince and The Princess and The Queen many years ago, I've always thought that in many ways it's more exciting than A Song of Ice and Fire
i expected it to be well-written, well-directed since D&D are out of the picture, and HBO had to do their best to redeem themselves, just wasn't sure on how good the overall story will be
my expectation was so low. I was only giving it a chance because it was Got
I mean she doesn't kill Laenor but she does kill an innocent servant and destroys Rhaenys' soul lol
She doesn't care about rhaenys.
It's a step towards becoming a darker person, just not as big a step as it first seemed.
@@Ready-ForTheEnd Or anyone else for that matter. Probably only her children and Daemon
She is evil
@@jonstark153 Commments like this is how I know fans of this channel don't understand what they're watching
I don't think Rhaenyra saving Laenor is a triumphant moment for her character. She did a nice thing for Laenor but at what cost? An innocent was sacrificed to be a body double, Corly and Rhaenys have lost their only remaining child just days after burying their daughter, and the realm will whisper that Daemon and Rhaenyra killed Laenor to get married.
Rhaenyra doesn't care about anything or anyone. She feels she is above consequences and so far she has been. She's done whatever she wanted whenever she wanted, abusing her position of power which is a horrible trait in a potential leader.
They should've just kill him for real . then the seasmoke plot would be easily resolved
@@Ready-ForTheEnd but the show keep presenting her as the hero shes not
@@DavidoMAMO The show is presenting her as the protagonist. There is a very clear difference.
@@unc54 a good protagonist rather than a player in a dirty game
I took the dark lighting effect as a heavy storm brewing in the middle of the day. A sort of metaphor for the building tension. Laenor fled the storm and Rhaenyra braces for it.
Aemond & Vhagar killed it
This episode made me remember the old good times with GOT. Amazing episode and the best of the season so far for sure. The only thing that annoyed me was the mega dark scenes.
That's thanks to the guy who worked on the long night episode. He really shouldn't have been apart of this project. That episode was ridiculously dark
@@Ready-ForTheEnd You realize he was also the guy that directed Hardhome, Battle of the bastards, Winds of Winter all the best directed episodes in the shows history?? It was D&D that wanted the night shoots and he had to work around that. Besides that, the directing in the long night was excellent. Even the directing with Alicent and Rhaenyra confrontation was incredible. I don't think some of y'all understand the importance of a good director.
@@Ready-ForTheEnd, this is his only major flaw. He’s perfect at cinematography and his Aemond's Vhagar flight couldn’t be better. I wouldn’t trust anyone but Sapochnik (and the another guy, forgot his name) to film that scene. The best dragon flight in both the series
@@nostalgicbliss5547, I agree with you, but D&D weren't responsible for The Long Night being dark. It was Sapochnik's decision
@@wserthmar8908 Dany on Drogon in the bells episode was also fantastically directed
Great episode, I love that they didn't hold back in the children fight. I was worried that they are going to PG-13 it or have it happen off-screen.
I love that aemond actually socked the girl in the face. Didn't expect that to happen in a tv show these days
that fight was so fucking funny, they just beat the shit out of each other
Baela punched him hard too at the first. She was also not playing. I can’t wait to see her as an adult
He stood his ground against FOUR of them.Respekt. Nd that dialogue 'It was a fair exchange mother, my eye for a dragon.' Oh he might just be my fav after Alicent.
lmao i laughed so hard when he got punched then gets back up and punches her @@Ready-ForTheEnd
Otto is literally Tywin if his family wasn’t in control of the throne from the beginning of GOT. Very happy he was back, I think he’s probably the most interesting character.
I watch this show with my dad and he’s never watched GoT or any show like this (he watches cable). Every episode I’ve had to explain things to him for an hour afterwards, but this episode, I didn’t have to explain anything. That’s how perfectly executed this episode was that me, someone who has read F&B, and my dad, we’re on the edge of their seats. Also, my dad still has no idea what the show is “actually” about (the civil war) but he’s starting to piece it together 😂
😂 That’s funny about your dad
Thats so amazing. Now i wanna know how your dad reacts to the actual civil war.
Sounds like the good old times when we were starting game of thrones. Too many weird names, places, titles, to much everything. But in the end it's absolutely worth it :D
You uhhh watched the incest scene with your dad? 😂😂
what about the sex scenes?? 😭 😭
Despite having no battle scenes, this episode is the most exciting for me 😄
Uh, Lucerys vs Aemond then Alicent was trying to stab Lucerys' eyes? It's technically a battle but more like family drama.
That “where is duty, where is sacrifice” scene…Olivia Cooke doing some Dinklage level lifting there. The agony, the passion! That’s a Emmy nomination scene. “We Know Father. Everyone Knows”. That’s Aegon’s “the Prince will remember that little Lord” moment. Aemond taming Vhagar & holding his own in a 1v4 makes him the real chad in my eyes. Only wholesome moment, our Prince resting his head on his mom’s shoulder to let her know she can depend on him. Last but not least, GOATTO Hightower says “in time you and I together will prevail” and I’m the meme of Homer Simpson decked out in a green tee, sitting on green cushions, wearing a Hightower snapback, holding a Go Greens flag with a Alicent poster on the wall😂. Meanwhile checking in on Blacks: “What is honor compared to a woman’s uncle” - Maester Aemon 😳
GOATTO
_I can't_ 💀
No way you actually support the hightowers, what an idiot you are
@@asimhussain8716 Why wouldn't Rhaneyra's response make sense? She has been saying Alicent has been hiding behind the veener of duty since ep 3 when she confronted his father for marrying her. I don't believe it's true. I support Alicent. But it's exactly something Rhaenyra's character would say. "For twitter ooohs"- yeah, TV shows need sound bites. It might be too cliche for big brains who are debating How Darkstar Was a Catspaw Sent by Quentyn to Kill Rosamund So he Could Secretly Marry Myrcella and Claim the Throne, but soundbites like this actually make for compelling TV for mortals like us. Yeah bro I get it. it's Supercuts Delight, so you have to virtue signal how much of a Big Brain redditor you are compared to these easily impressed plebs on social media. But no need to overcompensate. Are there things that can be improved? Absolutely. "So much to improve" sounds like you're lamenting that the show is bad. The general consensus says otherwise.
The writing of the first GoT seasons mixed with the budget (and lighting lol) of the latter GoT seasons = perfect redemption of Martin's legacy
By far my favourite episode of the series so far. So many emotions, like I do not like Aemond, but his taming Vhagar was epic, his ride being wild, I was kinda scared for him. Aemond sorta throwing Aegon under the bus to protect Alicent, and Aegon sorta taking the fall, I give him some props. Best scene was the brief showdown between Rhaenyra and Alicent. The emotions off the charts. Felt like whatever softness they had for one another was extinguished and now the former besties are sworn enemies. Felt so engaging and conflicting that I was stunned at the performance. Bravo, loved every bit of it.
The actress who plays adult Rhaenyra is awesome! She really sells the "not entirely good or bad" just very human. I want to see more of her in other shows.
D'Arcy is nonbinary and goes by They/Them pronouns.
@@IlluminatusX13 good for her :)
I feel that way about her and Harwin strong actor
Both of them need to be in more shows
Ryan Corr (Harwin) needs to be a lead actor on some HBO bad ass drama
@@IlluminatusX13 I dont really subscribe to that stuff. Emma is obviously a woman.
@@barb7124 no, they're not. you don't get to decide who someone is based on your outdated opinions.
This episode was something out of Shakespeare. On another level. Game changer series. The detail of the drama is so griping you feel the tension in the scene. A whole character study in a few words of a dialogue. Btw is it dialogue or a sonnet? Masterclass. This episode will be well studied.
Alicent stabbing Rhaenyra was the best part. She finally showed her frustration, and it was understandable.
She married the king at around 14 yo, and never got to live-out her fantasies and dreams, about marrying a handsome knight and all of that, while Rhaenyra got to hookup with Cole unpunished. Alicent basically did everything she was told to do, while Rhaenyra disobeyed without getting punished.
I think this episode is only a sign of good things to come. It doesn't have to deal with the rocky pacing that episodes 5 and 6 had, nor focus on building up the world like 1-3 had. It's like episode 4 for me. Everyone is grey, no one is wholly in right for reacting how they did but no one is wholly wrong either. Only I think Driftmark did it better purely because there's been more time to build up the conflict and because of how violent it became in this episode. I had been waiting for the confrontation over Vhagar for a while and when it finally came I was visibly cringing. Everything before was fantastic and everything after was fantastic. I'd say it's the only episode so far I feel is willing of a 9 or even 10/10.
The quote "Questioned Sharply" that Rhaenyra mentions when talking about Aemond is quite significant in the Asoiaf books, because the quote "questioned sharply" is basically a fancy way of saying to torture someone. Meaning Rhaenyra wanted to torture a maimed young boy, Aemond, because he had the guts to say the truth that everyone, even Rhaenyra herself, knew. Her sons are bastards.
Which is why I seriously don't understand how people will act like rhaenyra is always in the right and alicent is in the wrong instead of just acknowledging they both made points but we're also both in the wrong
@@april-ludgate-karate-dwyer9556 Double standards, simple as that
How is anyone saying its boring? we're getting so much character drama.. I love it.
It's probably the people who started watching GoT because of the gore and nudity of the first seasons. That's the same people that thought Dany's name was "khaleesi".
They were probably expecting nonstop dragon action.
@@hannibalbarca7902 ... thats a thing..? They thought thas t was her name..? Wow xDD
@@spacemegalodon5049 right? Im happy with how restrained theyve been with the dragons. The pace is really weird though. I wish it would slow down just a tiny bit. But thats minor. Im loving the characters
@@hannibalbarca7902 i remember that some people named their kids khaleesi lmao 😂
IF we had episodes like the relationship between Harwin "the peak" Strong and Rhaenyra started to love each others it would've been great
My favourite character this episode was Daemon, despite not really doing much at all. His mood of just sitting back and watching this chaos unfold, like he knows that he’s no longer needed to do something to rock the boat. He’s content to just watch as things spiral out of control, but he will take action when he needs to, like stopping Cole.
i wish he was a better father also how did he literally give up his wifes dragon just like that
I really liked the decision to place us in the shoes of certain characters as different events occurred, like us being in Daemon's shoes during Alicent's breakdown.
"I should have been there."
"That should be our house words."
Gold. Put that on my headstone.
For the post funeral scene, this was the very first scene they filmed. The actors didn’t really know each other but it was done on purpose to get that real weird and standoffish vibe. I think I explained that correctly.
I look forward to these every single week. I wasn't sure about Matt Smith as Daemon at first simply because I've only known him as The Doctor. But omg does he absolutely kill the role!
Blood and Cheese is what I'm waiting for the most
Rheneyra is not redeemed . She still got an innocent man killed to replace Leanor's corpse
Nobody’s innocent
@@jamesii30 wdym
Also, she cheated on Laenor with Harwin . Hence why none of her kids are inherinted their silver hairs.
@@margarethmichelina5146 it isn't cheating if both spouses agree to the relationship
@@aspenmgy she cheated the Realm
I don't think that the twist with Laenor really redeems Rhaenyra at the end. Yes, she and Daemon did not kill Laenor, however, Rhaenyra does literally ask Daemon to kill him. If Daemon hadn't been quicker on is feet and suggested 'setting him free' instead, she just would have had Daemon kill Laenor.
Well we will see next episode if she even knows, maybe Daemon did it without her knowing, maybe not. Nontheless, she broke Rhaeny's heart and ended the Valaryon bloodline. And also fucked and married a new guy in front of her kids right after their dad/stepdad had died. I really can't help but not like her at all. Without exagerrating, she literally only cares about fucking Daemon
No she wouldn't
No she always meant it that way as stated in her previous dialogue with fire being a prison and the sea offering an escape, Laenor is trapped in this marriage and she sets him free
@@xxBloodyMoonxx1 Yes, she does make such an illusion. Though it's a bit more complicated since the Velaryons bury their dead at sea. Also the way Daemon says his line really sounds like he is making a suggestion. Using Rhaenyra's metaphor to make his own idea of how it would go, in a much more literal sense. I think that at the very least the scene is a lot more ambiguous then most people are giving it credit for.
Ummm no
Aegon: *Not doing anything*
His family: "AEGON!"
The episodes keep getting better and better, I'm ready to jump into the next one. The kids beating the crap out of each other had me howling. I simply didn't know where the writers were going and the build up of this episode was just masterful. My favorite episode, so far, and I'm officially in love with the show. The acting, writing, effects, everything is superb and I'm ready for the next stop on this doom-train.
Side note, though. When Aemond held that rock up and was legit ready to bash in Luke's face, I was on the edge of my seat. Luke was bleeding all over and he was crying. That part where he tearfully says "my father's still alive!" just was so heart-breaking to watch.
All these kid actors have done a terrific job!
I don’t think he was really going to kill Lucerys, I think it was just a threat. Picking up the rock when he was on the ground getting his ass beat.
@@tebo9334 nah he would smack him lol
Aegon drinking while everybody beats up on him and blames him for everything is hilarious.
Aemond's grown up actor looks like he was born to play a Targaryen
Update: EP8 just aired and it is now the best episode.
This episode is peak Game of Thrones! And I was so happy to be able to experience it again. This is what the show can be without D&D at the helm and GRRM on it.
Another thing that I was thinking about is how multifaceted the argument/conflict was. Everybody had a valid argument for doing what each of them did. From the adults to the kids. What Aemond said and did, what Rhaenyra's kids said and did, LaenRhaenyra, Alicent, Viserys, Cole, everyone! I loved how most of were right and wrong at the same time. This is masterful writing (and directing) to give all of them all such valid reasons and show them which makes this conflict so much more explosive and have so much weight.
But another amusing thing is. Even if Viserys is a bad king (per say) he is foresighted. He knows that the only thing that can destroy house Targaryen is itself. That is why he was so desperate to crush this conflict. If he would have properly resolved it instead of forcefully trying to stop it like he did, things might have died down.
I was also finding it amusing how he is the one who sowed the seeds of his family's demise.
1. Pressurizing his first wife for an heir, to the point of killing her
2. Not marrying Laena and marrying Alicent instead. This was a double whammy. Not only did this upset the Valeryons and make Rhaenyra have to marry Laenor which led to a future mess, but it also placed both Alicent and Otto in positions of power to cause all the future conflicts.
3. He pressurized Rhaenyra to marry Laenor which eventually led to mess of them having bastards.
4. He pushed Daemon away. If he was there, he would have looked out for Viserys.
Man what a performance by Alicent’s actress.
Never thought a simple children fight would be so intense and heavy.
season 1 really should have been split into 2. i really wish we had more time to form attachment to these characters. it feels like every episode has new characters coming and going before i even know who they are.
It does seem to be going forward in High gear when i'd prefer more slow burn, especially with the excellent writing and cast of actors.
By season 2 you won't even care. They just need to get the back stories and context established for when shit actually starts properly. I couldn't see them doing it any other way unless they wanted to go like 10 seasons.
@@sneezydeezymcdeluxe7015 I mean....would that be so bad, especially after the distorted and truncated GoT ending?
@@barrybranscum3611 I feel that many people wouldn't be as interested In the shown if it was slower.
@@barrybranscum3611 this is backstory for the actual purpose of the show... Very little of the elder cast matters aside from which children they birth. This show is about THE DANCE OF THE DRAGONS(the kids and their kids) not story hour for people who will mostly die before the real story begins. That would be like a show about the War of the Roses focusing on Henry Bolingbroke instead of the actual conflict.
I noticed the shadows too during the supposed night scenes. But I just reminded myself that the full moon justified the direction of the shadows too. If you've ever been on a beach with no electricity, the light that the moon reflects could be very magnificent. Thus, the fully defined shadows.
Tyrion made a blueprint for Bran's saddle but not smart enough to suggest a dragon saddle for his queen
I kinda find it odd that many people know the history of her family but no one for 8 seasons ever bought up the fact that they had dragon saddles!!
I mean no point in trying to make one if she's already been riding on it. More like a complaint towards the showrunners than blaming tyrion
1:21 Day-for-night shots are usually unconvincing for a number of reasons, but to the show's credit, a full moon really does cast crisp shadows in an otherwise unlit outdoor scene. It's an exciting thing to witness if you've spent most of your life in an urban area.
Facts
The shots here looked fake as hell.
9:04 one of my favorite scene shots of this family. Everyone’s stance stays so much of what they are thinking. Also love how uniquely weird everyone here looks. I’m really liking HoD so far, it feels like a unique/fresh take on the GoT world.
"Fire is such strange power. Everything that House Targaryen possess is owed to it." - Rhaenyra
I don't know why I love this line 😭😭😭
Lol that explosive family scene was basically every Christmas dinner 🤣
My favorite episode so far
I was waiting for your video
Quotes/Lines from the book were being dropped left & right. Definitely the best line was when One Eye Aemon said "I lost an eye but gained a dragon."
This episode reminded me of GOT's greatest hours. Great dialogs, character development, politics, plots, conflicting emotions, stakes...
I loved seeing the lord comander having to put Ser Christen in his place, then when the dagger comes out Daemon is like "Opp where do you think your going boi". Like if the men got involved it would have turned out so much worse, best to let the girls sort it out.
I love the perspective from both sides of Green and Black that it's 2 girls who were besties that ended up hating each other
Same I also loved that bit with Criston/Daemon/Lord Commander. The tension was off the charts.
Did they cut Alicent's and Viserys' last son Daeron ? I would be so pissed since he is such an interesting character on the Green side ! And appears in cool battles too...
I think he’s meant to be studying at the citadel during this chunk of time so he will appear after the next time skip
@@Hypertoniclemon he is with his Hightower cousins being a page I think
I am loving HotD, as someone who was heavily invested in GoT since season 2, this is a refreshing wave of nostalgia for the earlier seasons. I just hope they continue at this quality.
This was my favourite episode too along with episode 3,4 and 6! I’m surprised that laenor faked his death but I can’t wait to see where they go with this
Love watching your weekly recap videos, really helps fill me in on little moments I missed.
I love how they pretended to kill laenor only to show him later on 😂🤣 super cool
The Alicent actress is incredible
Each episode is better than the last one
I completely agree, this episode absolute banger. The issues you listed at the start of the video didn't really bother me that much, but it's true it would have added more. I can't believe how awesome that Vhagar taming scene was, I was holding my breath and it delivered. The whole showdown between the Blacks and the Greens after the fight was fucking awesome, and Aemond's line afterwards was badass.
I found the twist with laenor going to essos, such an l move
The show tries to depict rhaenyra as a hero rather than the Black Princess that shes supposed to be
she literally ordered killing a man to replace Leanor's corpse . But i agree they showing her as the good guy rather than a gry character
@@DavidoMAMO because her grey to pure mad side will start at the end of this season. For now they're only Showing how she was before shit went down.
The funeral scene made me think of the dinner scene in the Dune novel. So much subtext conveyed with so little, absolutely enthralling!
I loved every bit of this episode. Especially kids fighting. That was brutal.
Ned stark when he tries to make the illlegetimacy of children known: oh thats sweet, adorable, honourable
Alicent doing it: what a bitch
Ned doing the honorable thing while Alicent trying to get her son on the throne.
It's not comparable.
Ned also establishes himself as a man of principles over passions. He doesn't hold grudges: he's not spiteful, vengeful, envious. He sticks to his principles even when they contradict his passions. I think most comparable female character to Ned is Brienne. Alicent is more a character of passions over principles; her passions are sympathetic in the beginning since she starts off innocent and kind, but she seems to be lacking in the ability to resist her passions in favor of principles.
U can have shadow in the moonlight too, u just need full moon
I think that Rhaenyra gave her condolences to Rhaenys and Corlys before the funeral.
Rhaenyra doesn't hate rhaenys. It's just that they don't love each other very much.
I've been saying this! It was such an incredible, understated episode. There are so many moments of just looks and glances, it was amazing. If they keep this up, I'm going to like this more than the entire original series.
This was one of the best episodes in the whole GoT franchise imo
Best episode yet. Just stacked with dialogue and plot twist. The plot thickens and now the show is going to more tense than ever
I think that having the Dragon being tamed in the night sold better the scene, in plain light the CGI still looks uncanny valley (ish), especially with a Dragon as chungus as her, as showed in the previous episode
In this episode Eve Best and Steve Toussaint literally STOLE my heart, very powerful performance from both of them, it broke my heart when she mourned over her burned son, and it hurts more when I think that she mourned him for nothing since he's still alive and she will probably never know.
8:42 I also loved how Paddy Cosidine scared the shit out of Ty Tennant when he screamed in his ears 🤣
When I saw Alicent demanding Rheanyra's son's eye, I immediately remembered Cersei demanding to kill Sansa's wolf. I wonder if Alicent will follow in Cersei's footsteps like Rheanyra did.
The twist of Laenor's fake out death redeemed Rhaenyra for you?
Hold up though. Was this a ploy orchestrated by Daemon, Qarl & Laenor behind Rhae's back? or did she set it up so Laenor wouldn't be killed? (Though, she'd have nothing to gain and everything to lose)... hmmm I gotta rewatch! Good theory though!
This was indeed great and I appreciate your analysis. . Vehgar looked massive but you can also see she’s very old. It was lovely seeing Leonar leaving in the boat in the end with a shaved head and companion
I absolutely loved the awkward family funeral scenes as think lot can definitely relate to that. We visited st Michaels mount where this is set (although presuming indoor scenes studio work) really beautiful place to visit but was very disappointed as not one dragon or incestuous moment so was let down during my visit lol.
Tyrion seen the lack of drinking and lust: "Pathetic"
You can't say enough about the guy who plays Otto, that thing he did with his fingers while he was talking to alicent was a small touch of you missed it but it says a lot