Aemond & Vhagar vs Luke & Arrax - House of the Dragon's War Begins

[@wendypierce5621]

Nana Vhagar is like a mafia granny who is both menacing and wistful as she talks about how they handled things “in the old country.”

[@CaylaCommonFolk]

This deserves more likes 😂

[@2rachaelm]

LOL

[@HolyknightVader999]

"Nana, we told you to just rough him up a bit!" "Where'd you learn scare tactics, boi? You won't scare anyone like that back in the old country. You scare people by killing their loved ones!"

[@heartboyxo2496]

Babushka Vhagar

[@DyeHard79]

VHAGAR"When I was your age Arrax we had teams of Blood Mages teaching us how to speak High Valyrian and we had to Fly to and from the Volcano twice a day upwind both ways".... ARRAX "Your teachers were Blood Mages? That so cool Grandma!" ...

[@Jenny-in9yx]

Aemond: "lets get his eye Vhagar!" 150 years old granny vhagar: "did you say die?! okay, got it"

[@ivanacvetanovic7611]

Vhagar: "He can keep his eye".

[@SLuMberMoOn7]

Haha.. I like this one 😂

[@lustrazor44]

“Got his eye sonny, both of em!”

[@baconian_road_construction]

I love that they made Luke's death unintentional. This incident will earn Aemond a reputation that would be feared and hated for the rest of the story, and the fact that it all stemmed from a cruel joke gone horribly wrong adds a lot of depth to his character. Also, your Nana Vhagar voice is just hilarious XD

[@hypatiakovalevskayasklodow9195]

also they continue to whitewash greens. cool cool cool.cool

[@danieldeclue1466]

I 100% agree. Yes, people may be angry and feel that it takes away some of aemonds villainous Mystique, but they needn't worry, he has many more war crimes to commit that he truly won't feel bad about. Quite brilliant to use that opportunity to expand more on the nature of dragons and the bonds they have with their Riders. It perfectly Illustrated that just because you can bond with a dragon does not by any means mean that it ever needs to listen to you if it truly doesn't want to

[@AzkuulaKtaktu]

This gonna push him into that villainous role.

[@danieldeclue1466]

@@AzkuulaKtaktu exactly. He will go back home and pride will dictate that he mustn't admit he lost control of vagar. So instead, he'll allow everyone to believe it was intentional. People will be horrified and call him kinslayer and he will lean into the role people have given him, much the same as Jaime Lannister being called King Slayer. Aemond is very much the Jamie Lannister of House of the dragon in my opinion

[@The-Doctor6969]

@@hypatiakovalevskayasklodow9195 same w the blacks. I think they're doing that for s1 so the bastardization arc of the parties is a bit more intense.

[@baldbeardedbassist]

Vhagar saw his dark hair and dark eyes and assumed he was Dornish 😭 Luke and his dragon were both such handsome and loyal young lads. Arrax running up like "dude, we gotta get OUTTA HERE" in the courtyard messed me up, knowing what came next. Such a shame it all went down this way.

[@elsamarie222]

Literally!! I started sobbing like deadass sobbing when lucerys started flying to storms end!! And I was on the edge of my seat seeing them fighting in the storm (my dad looked over at me and was like “what the hell is wrong??”💀)

[@savmarie7756]

Omg same arrax was like let's go bud I'm scared 😞 my little heart couldn't take it

[@jessjess23brooks89]

Even though I knew what was going to happen, when Luke arrived at Storm's End and Vhagar the literal dinosaur was near the court yard... my stomach dropped to my toes.

[@ael4n]

Aemond: No, Vhagar! Dohaeris! Vhagar: Dornish scum! Hold on tight, Visenya, we're gonna get em.

[@TheElvenWitch]

Omg I knoooww... Poor lil baby dragon 💔💔💔😭😭😭

[@mellowenglishgal]

It's going to be interesting to see how Aemond claiming it was intentional rather than admitting he lost control of Vhagar will have emotional backlash for him later, especially with B&C. I liked that despite Aemond obviously believing himself to be intelligent and mature - especially when he compares himself to his brother/nephews - Luke's death served to show that Aemond is still very much a kid in many ways, giving in to his emotions, and has a lot to learn. As you said, he's never been in combat or war, has never killed anyone, and is now saddled with the label of kinslayer for life because he let his emotions get the better of him.

[@hobbesthecat6868]

I do wonder how they will show us the B&C event now going forward. Remember Misaria has her own reasons to seek personal revenge thanks to Larys burning her home. Considering she wanted the child fighting rings to be closed, if Otto did not follow through, it would provoke her to take one if their children in revenge. Daemon may not have ordered it.

[@mellowenglishgal]

@@hobbesthecat6868 That’s my thought, too. I even wondered whether Larys Strong could be involved. We only know that Daemon and Rhaenyra ordered B&C because…well, because the history says so. But there are a lot of people who would have motive or could benefit from B&C - vengeance for Mysaria, Larys Strong using the chaos to his advantage. I think Mysaria would be an interesting one - she’s proving to Otto that the nobles only have power as long as the small-folk tolerate them to have power, and no amount of dragons or guards can protect them if the small folk decide to do something about them.

[@vKSh87]

@@hobbesthecat6868 very interesting take

[@mellowenglishgal]

@BanquetOfTheLeviathan Oh, absolutely. Aemond and Daemon are meant to be foils for each other. They’re definitely far too alike - they fiercely love their family and are willing to do reprehensible things to protect them.

[@StanKelvin]

@@mellowenglishgal would be surprising if Larys Strong made it to S2 Ep.3 There is also the curse of Harrenhal to consider given Daemons' insistence on controlling Riverlands.

[@JoyAngelx3]

I think it fits perfect that it‘s bullying gone wrong. It is coming full circle. Aemond lost his eye to Luce when they were taunting him and it got out of hand and now it is the other way around. And it shows perfectly that knives (and swords) are nothing compared to the deadlyness of a mass destruction device that is a dragon.

[@DavidLightbringer]

Very well said! Man the comments here are so delightfully refreshing after the stupid Twitter uproar. Bless you

[@JoyAngelx3]

@@DavidLightbringer Thank you. Keep up the great work. I love your takes on the show and the books.

[@restingsadface]

thank you!!! as much as I like David’s interpretation of Aemon’s intentions I really prefer the version where it was all an accident…which if it was, would probably make Aemon feel terrible (because he just murdered his cousin or whatever in cold blood, leaving Luke to have a horrible and painful death). I think it’s a more humanizing moment for Aemon. like that Aemon is the kind of person who will be the worst all the time, really have it out for his younger cousin and want to bully and scare Luke… and still be human enough to feel a deep regret for the horrific murder of a young boy who’s his family AND will also cause a massive war. just because Aemon’s reaction is not emotional doesn’t mean he’s not internally having a heart attack because a family member he’s known pretty well just died in front of him

[@thalmoragent9344]

@@restingsadface Yeah, he may have resented Luke, truly, but wanting him dead is a bit much. Tormenting and wanting vengeance for his lost Eye as a kid, which must've been a traumatic way to grow up afterwards, is understandable. But yeah, its quite unfortunate how it all ended, he didn't want Luke dead, but now he's killed his nephew in a very violent way.

[@emilycanfield2634]

I was wondering if Aemond really did want to take his eye, or if he just wanted to cruelly tease him/scare him like how he felt he was teased/shunned as a boy. But it got out of hand, and he didn't consider the fact that Vhaghar is literally the only war dragon to exist, so she doesn't fuck around. The actor did an excellent job portraying the shock when Arrax and Lucerys were killed. His usual smirk/arrogance was completely gone.

[@TSmith-yy3cc]

Agreed. Appreciate that you mentioned the actor; it was played really well.

[@TheRealBatCave]

Even luke was surprised when his dragon spit fire, they both lost control and itbled 2 this

[@shannagonzales3729]

I think it's interesting that Arrax's defensive move against a bigger opponent was to try and take out their eye. Which is what Lucerys did to Aemond. But Vagar wasn't having that.

[@mikeboi1587]

That's interesting, because it's well documented in Asoiaf books and F&B that the eye is basically the only weak spot generally on a dragon.

[@fandommenace9575]

Nice point, love the symbolism

[@YourGraceMyLady]

Wow. I just realized that they both tried to take out their eye. I thought for sure when I first watched it that he got vhaegars eye I was like why didn’t vhaegar get hurt. So cool you put that together lol 😂 I’m so dense omg can’t I’ve I missed that

[@purpleflows5680]

The left eye for both (Aemond’s lost eye and the eye Vhagar was hit by Arrax). The symbolism is for real.

[@tanxilhanif]

In the books when Sunfyre fought Moondancer .. Moondancers flame blinded Sunfyre ..

[@adrienne13]

Vhagar is a seasoned warrior. Once she was attacked, this couldn’t had ended any other way. She already proved her own agency when she hesitated several times to give Laena the dragon-riders death she wanted.

[@milumav]

@@brona497 I get what you're saying, (I mean you'd hope there'd be an argument from a being that loves you after being asked to do something like that!!!). But Vhagar's hesitation also indicates that a dragon's will does come into play whenever it's given a request/command. (In other words, it's not just blind obedience.)

[@milumav]

@@brona497 Ah I see, yes calling Vhagar's hesitation to incinerate her rider "disobedience" is not giving Vhagar the credit she deserves, good point.

[@adrienne13]

@@brona497 I didn’t consider Vhagar’s response to Aemond’s or Laena’s as disobedience. I thought it proof that dragons are not just mindless mystical creatures and will act on their own accord.

[@adrienne13]

@@AshePBlack I didn’t feel this scene had anything to do with any illogical response from Vhagar. It was pure retaliation. Another dragon attacked her, her response as an ancient dragon who has battled in conquering wars was to demolish her enemy and she did so accordingly. This tragedy occurred because Aemond did not give Vhagar’s power the respect it deserved.

[@The-Doctor6969]

@@brona497 personally I see vhagar acting on Aemond's subconscious. The reason why (imo) Vhagar allowed Laena to die is she could tell she was in pain, or even feel it in some form. Same with Rhaenyra's stillbirth, when syrax is screaming and shit. Or caraxys when daemon was hurt. Aemond wanted that eye, bad. Vhagar said, he can keep it! Monch.

[@TheAmazingBruceSchetta]

"The idea that we control the dragon is an illusion." - King Viserys I

[@chrissyfrijters6581]

It also makes sense cause its night and storming intensly, both riders are pretty unexperienced and any animal acts up during weather like that

[@thallus23]

I wonder if Viserys had a bad experience with Balerion that made him not get another dragon 🤔🤔

[@jamesh7469]

@@thallus23 I feel like that’s what’s being hinted at, and I would love to know

[@bobertwithar]

"A dragon is not a slave"

[@goodtaste4]

From the guy who was know to be a great dragon rider... not.

[@Secretgirl97]

The end of this episode felt like a horror movie. Really a masterpiece of in the details and the ambience. Dying like that, in sheer terror, is an awful way to go. I'm glad Lucerys got his last peaceful breath over the clouds. RIP sweet boy, and dragon with poor judgement but great aim.

[@LaputanMachad]

Using a grumpy, willfull, aggressive old war dragon to troll Luc was a real Galaxy Brain move

[@0predaking0]

If I could I would that too, just for fun sakes

[@panajotov]

I assume Baratheons didn't have a very nice image of Rheanyra all because of that unfortunate event when she was scouting for her future husband. It was her chance to possibly leave some kind of positive impression on old Baratheon and the rest of noblemen. Instead, she seemed very uninterested, rolled her eyes, and smirked at remarks. Then she zoomed out after the bloodshed.

[@tanxilhanif]

That was Boremund Baratheon the father of Borros, the guy we saw in finale

[@jeffnogo]

Yes, there are multiple scenes, especially when Rhaenyra was younger, that showed she didn't care much about what the commoners thought of her, or even that much about what the lords thought of her. She just assumed they all would accept her and it didn't matter much if they didn't. Her just sending a message (attached to a prince and a dragon, but still) to the Baratheons with no offers continues to show her naivete about how no one should expect anything from her, but that they still should be loyal to her because she's the rightful heir.

[@yensid4294]

I gotta think some of Rhaenyra's rage-grief in that moment (last scene) was fueled by anger at herself for sending Luke out & more tan a bit of guilt for doing so.

[@christypassy]

This is a fantastic breakdown. The parallel with Rhaenys was actually something I did not even think about but that makes a lot more sense.

[@hobbesthecat6868]

Yet you also had two examples in this episode of Dragonriders and their connections with their dragons. Daemon and Carrax's and Rhaenyra and Syrax were very in touch with each other. When things got tense on the bridge, Syrax called out and Rhaenyra stopped everything. I think Aemond was intentionally malicious and Vhagar read that. Luc was scared and trying to survive, and Arrax read that.

[@danieldeclue1466]

I actually really liked the Viewpoint they took on this incident. Some people may be angry because they feel it will take away some of his (Aemond's) villainous Mystique. But not only did they take that opportunity to expand on the nature of the bond between Riders and their dragons, it also adds quite a bit of fierceness and personality to vagar, and showing us that dragons are nobody's pets or slaves, while also remaining true to the theme of the story, that essential weapons of mass destruction can't really be controlled. You can't tee a predator up for a kill like that and expect them not to take their shot, and I think the episode fully embodied the tragedy of what the dance of dragons is all about. Truly, none of it had to happen

[@michamah000]

Completely agree with everything! Poor Luke maybe could've made it out alive if he thought to demand guest rights and stay until the storm was over, but kid was scared as hell ):

[@BillyBasd]

Agreed! Luce was scared out of his wits. There were a few options he could have seen if he wasn't scared. This is not a knock against him. Being brave when scared has nothing to do with keeping your wits. Keeping your wits under such extreme stress is a trained skill.

[@justinehelene4831]

If he turned back yes. I don't think lucerys knew aemond would follow him. And when you're a scared teenager and the lord order his guards to escort you to your dragon you kinda just do what you're told without thinking. But the whole time I was screaming go back and demand guest right!

[@quentinking5173]

I like the idea of Aemond’s reign of terror in the Riverlands being a result of him diving headfirst into total war in an attempt to end the war as quickly as possible. He feels he is already responsible and wants to end it as quickly as possible.

[@mortalkomment8028]

Aemond reacted to Vhagar just like I did when I pushed the coffee machine's button but noticed that there's no cup to catch the coffee: "NO NO NO NO NO. Stop it! Serve me, coffee machine!"

[@jakublizon6375]

Arrax was so cute. He did his best flying in that storm 😢

[@TheElvenWitch]

I knew it was coming and still screamed and immediately started bawling. This show is going to destroy me.

[@Gigipretty64]

Completely feel the same but I can’t not watch.

[@TheElvenWitch]

@@Gigipretty64 ugh me too. It's clearly masochism 😂

[@devoleno]

We are going to need a Dance of Dragons Support Group when it's over

[@fandommenace9575]

@@devoleno 😂😂😂

[@fandommenace9575]

Many a heart condition and nervous tension on the way😬

[@QuintRepler]

Rather than assuming Viserys is completely right about not being able to control dragons, the way Daemon and his dragon synchronise their behaviours makes me think control of one's dragon is ultimately a matter of self control

[@jalainasrandomness3165]

Both Daemon and Rhaenys have been bonded to their dragons for decades. Ammond only a few years (6?) And given the situation Luc had slightly more control over Arrax as they've been bonded possibly since Arrax hatched. I don't remember if the books said if Arrax was the dragon hatched from the egg placed in Luc's cradle.

[@The-Doctor6969]

@@jalainasrandomness3165 I think the only riders that didn't receive a cradle dragon were Aemond and rhaena?? Just bc they didn't hatch

[@anitat9727]

@@The-Doctor6969 Rhenys, Helena, and Daemon also claimed a previously owned dragon.

[@carastone3473]

Being ‘synchronized’ with one’s dragon is not the same thing as being in total control of the dragon.

[@imarxb]

It's like two dogs rough-housing in a park. The owners always say they never act like that at home.

[@tickledeggz]

"My dog (that I've never socialised with other dogs )never acts like this at home (around only humans that's its known since 8 weeks olds) I just dont undderstand" - litterally everyday I hear this as a dog walker. The other one is "dont worry, hes friendly" while they let their off-lead dog approach my on-lead dog.

[@GullibleTarget]

@@tickledeggz omg. SO annoying! Almost as annoying as people approaching and petting dogs on lead without permission from the owner. 'Excuse me, sir/madam/other; Do I know you? Why are you touching my dog?'

[@fandommenace9575]

So true, that’s the only thing you remember while in A&E

[@rabsaque]

Exactly ihave seen this before big dog chases cat cat lashes out in fear dog mauls poor thing, while the owner is yelling and trying to control its beast.

[@Malkether]

@@tickledeggz I have a large breed dog that like to lunge at people while I'm walking, not out of aggression but because he's easily excitable and loves people looking for a pat. He's well-trained, went to puppy school, follows all commands immediately first time without hesitation, socialises with other people/animals regularly and knows that he's not supposed to jump, won't do so at home or when he's being pet-sitted. Every time he does, he never makes physical contact, I'll have both hands firmly holding the lead tight preventing any actual movement and because of his size and the sudden movement he'll spook people who don't know dog body language and often confuse it for aggression. There's nothing (that I've been able to find even with consultation from experts, for his breed as its a known behavioural issue they have) I can do except keep the lead taut and say "sorry, he's trying to be friendly." There are so many shitty dog owners out there (I've rescued dogs from neglectful owners in the past) but I wouldn't assume just because the dog is having a ratbag moment or has a bad habit, it's a failure on behalf of the dog's owner.

[@asArsenic]

Aemond may have started the war, but it was Jaehaerys and Viserys that bear the brunt of the responsibility of making the dance inevitable. If this had happened in any other context it would have been a tragedy, but it wouldn't have started a war. I were after all the two kings who had decades to contemplate the consequences of their actions.

[@wafflingmean4477]

Yeah Viserys should have altered the line of succession as soon as it was clear Rhaenyra's children were bastards. Since he'd already set a precedent for choosing which child is named heir, not based on gender, he could easily break tradition a little more by skipping over the eldest child. He could have made Aemond king, married her to Baela to appease Daemon, Corlys and Otto in one move, declared Rhaela the heir to Driftmark, using the same precedent he'd already set with Rhaenyra for female succession, and married her to Jayce, keeping the strong ties between Driftmark and the royal family. Rhaenyra and Aegon would have been pissy about it but there's really not much they can do. And if Daemon's still annoyed at being kept away from the steering wheel, make him Hand of the King, and let Rhaenyra remain Princess of Dragonstone. Otto no longer had much pull besides what Viserys allowed anyway. Hobert Hightower is the one who can present more of a problem, but again, seating Aemond on the throne keeps that bridge unburned.

[@Magali_theRecordKeeper]

"Iguana nana" is my favourite interpretation of Vhagar.

[@SahrishRawra]

I’m sure even serial killer psychopaths are taken aback and slightly shocked by their first kill. I like that these characters are being portrayed as humans who are not black and white but grey. I’m sure if it was shown the way it was in the book, most viewers would say the characters are all pretty two dimensional.

[@DavidLightbringer]

100% agree, great comments

[@browniebattercup]

I totally agree! This is the correct take imo lol it's weirdly frustrating to me when people say this choice makes Aemond's character two-dimensional. I'm like... they're all cold-blooded, power-hungry maniacs in the books! it doesn't really get more two-dimensional than that lol. I saw someone say, verbatim, the scene would have been better if it was "bloodthirsty and cruel Aemond descending from the skies to kill the nephew he despises." ??? i thought we all agreed season 8 of GoT sucked haha

[@jjohnson649]

@@DavidLightbringer This makes absolutely no sense. Vhagar and Aemond are two distinct entities both capable of making exclusive decisions. A dragon might not have thr brain power of a human but they are capable of killing, hunting, rejecting people and accepting people all of their own free will. Aemond is not innocent in this situation. But to say this is outright murder is biased. You speak of the situation like it's a DUI. Aemond is the driver and vhagar is the car unable to do anything without the input of its driver. False narrative. This was an accident no matter how much you stretch the truth into something else. Aemond should have never put vhagar in that situation but vhagar made his own decisions aswell.

[@alexbenish9133]

honestly in real time i thought aemond was out to kill them, so I don't blame luke and arrax for thinking the same. great video!

[@sweettt321]

Even with everything that's coming in future seasons, I'm mostly curious as to what Aemond will do after this. Will he claim that he killed Luke on purpose, or will he break down and admit he lost control over Vhagar only to have Otto convince him to say it was on purpose? Remember that Aemond is, at most, seveteen years old. He's a teenager who can't control the biggest killing maschine in the world and now everyone will see him as a kinslayer who *finally* started the war.

[@MrJara1018]

I think the Dragon and rider soul bound shenanigans cause it. Vhagar sensed Aemond’s anger and want for revenge towards Luc and just cut through the bs and killed them.

[@danika9411]

Yes. Add that Vhagar doesn't understand the common tongue and Aemond switched to the common tongue when trying to stop her... Maybe if he shouted in high valyrian? But he was just panicking at that point.

[@michaelconstantinemiranda2352]

The riders are simply the emotional support humans of the dragons.

[@TheDreamWyrm]

When Aemond was cackling up at the sky whilst riding Vhagar I couldn't help but think what perfect Night's King imagery it was. A one eyed prince riding an enormous green dragon above the churning "green sea".

[@kristi4113]

This is ALL Aemond’s fault. He turned Nanny Vhagar’s hearing aid down and she thought he said “No, Visenya! Serve Martell!” Mushroom told me.

[@bonghitsandheavyriffs]

LMAO 😭

[@miam2772]

Wrong! Meemaw Vhagar simply had her airpods in and couldn't hear Aemond's commands. She was listening to a David Lightbringer video

[@faisalkamal4319]

@@miam2772 she was was doing voice over that time

[@faisalkamal4319]

Vhagar on my deathbed I would serve house Martells they killed my sister meraxes

[@ctam31ify]

Thank you so much for mentioning Rhaney's control over her dragon.

[@devoleno]

I must be a masochist for watching this. I knew what was going to happen and I still watched and cried like a baby. 😭😭😭 Rhaenys controlled her dragon by controlling her own emotions. It was so dope. Thank you LML

[@hypatiakovalevskayasklodow9195]

same

[@Kyle-qd2sy]

Now I’m wondering how Aemond will react to Blood and Cheese next season. I get the impression he has strong feelings for Helaena so I wonder if he’ll blame himself

[@ivanacvetanovic7611]

I imagine it's going to make him really unhinged.

[@hobbesthecat6868]

I wonder whether Daemon even ordered B&C now that Misaria has her own reasons for vengeance. Larys burned her home and killed her people. If Otto did not stop the kid fighting rings, she has her own reason to hurt one of their children in retribution.

[@zypalitra8080]

@@hobbesthecat6868 If Mysaria does B&C I think I might snap my TV in half. I wouldn't put it past them to make every single event that happens in the future a simple accident, miscommunication or faux-pas.

[@The-Doctor6969]

@@zypalitra8080 mysaria working with daemon for blood and cheese seems ideal, in my opinion. Unless there's another conclusion to the conflict Mysaria harped on, which there is no power not given by the common people.

[@allieabg]

@@zypalitra8080 I mean it makes sense since they have common cause, happens in wars IRL and would happen here as well since both are slimy individuals. Excited to see what they’ll do with it

[@PooseUnpoos3]

Aemond Killed the Boy, there is no turning back now for him. I really enjoyed seeing Storms End for the first time, that whole scene put me straight back to the pages of Fire and Blood. I liked how the dragons took things into their own hands, it's in their nature to be that way (fire made flesh). Vhagar getting sprayed in the face with fire probably took her straight back to the "Conquerer days" and went into kill mode.

[@motorcitymangababe]

Arrax: I PROTEC Vhaegar: I SNAC

[@mariahgunter250]

So many great takeaways from this show but number one has got to be "Nana Vhagar" I love it LMAO

[@tinahs8269]

I have a prediction that Aemond will have a vulnerable moment with someone (my first guess is his sister or a future lover) where he’ll admit Lukes Death was an accident. With everyone else I think he’ll put up the arrogant face and say he did it purposely.

[@DavidLightbringer]

Makes sense to me yeah

[@joeparrigen4982]

He killed him by accident. But that taunting and chasing him with his dragon is an act of aggression.

[@ser7100]

the real act of aggression was lucerys cutting out his eye, never apologising or showing remorse and then taunting him years after they saw each other while Aemond was being peaceful for no reason

[@KyleK2098]

@@ser7100 and also Arrax attacking Vhagar first

[@hermithefrog629]

@@ser7100 the real cause is the theft of Vhagar. The eye slashing was caused by the fight, the fight was caused by the theft.

[@lucymorudu5860]

@@hermithefrog629 If you still believe dragons can be stolen then you're left behind. That scene further proves that Dragons have their own minds. Something that is stolen it means it can be taken back, Why has no adult talked about this as theft or told him to bring it back? That's because Vhagar chose him and there's no guarantee that it wasn't just gonna burn Rhaena, Daemon's daughter. It was a risk and Aemond took it.

[@courtneypoole5986]

It's 💯 Aaemons fault. Whether or not he meant to kill Luce is a non- factor. The boy is dead because he made the choice to pursue a chase on a big ass dragon. What happen years ago is irrelevant to right now. That shit was immature as hell. No one that careless and so emotionlly charged needs to be on a damn dragon. Much less one the size of Vhagar. However, it is nice to see the decent of a character like Aaemon because it's relatable. We're human at the end of the day and we can all relate to making bad decisions off of emotions that lead to effecting someone or ourselves in a way that was not our intent. But your intentions don't out weigh the effects.

[@tiffanysullivan5454]

I also noticed the reinforcement that Lucerys is not a fighter when Jace was sword fighting him on the beach. I really enjoyed this season, now my watch begins....

[@tommysoliz3064]

I agree it’s like Aemond had a attack dog on a leash but in fact there was no leash and the dog felt it’s owners energy

[@danieldeclue1466]

In terms of people wondering why arrax attacked vagar it is simple in my mind. Dragons are apex predators and their first instinct is always to attack. Disengaging is simply not in their nature.

[@michaelnkomphela8231]

so being stupid is?

[@franciscosouza8917]

Just remember that Maelys and Rhaenys killed hundreds if not thousends of people in her "tight control of Maelys".

[@lethaldose9780]

Seeing that scene come to life is just awesome! And I'm sooo glad they did Aemond's sapphire eye 👁 it looks amazing

[@E_Stormborn]

Cool AF .. 🙌🏼

[@BastilaElendir]

I can't help but compare it to to Viserion when he is reanimated by the Night King.

[@potatue]

My fave thing about this is Nanny Vhagar‘s voice

[@MockManor]

I wonder if Rhaenyra will also blame Baratheon and have him murdered for not protecting her son 🤔

[@chrissiek8706]

Well, she sent her son on a diplomatic mission. And he did not came back. Lord Borros has things to explain...

[@tanxilhanif]

Won't say coz it'll be a spoiler for anyone who hasn't read the books

[@michaelnkomphela8231]

@@chrissiek8706 And proving once again that the Targs were never any good for Westeros.

[@quinn_wbfm]

Wow, so much more thought goes into these character decisions than I give the writers credit for... Martin & the team really have done a phenomenal job with this first season. Or maybe you're just a savant at finding a hundred strong justifications for each choice 😂 Loving your sense of humour as always, and the edits are brilliant - great analysis!

[@JTS616]

I think a lot of viewers/book readers get caught up in the emotional beats of the show (which is a great thing! It’s an awesome show) and forget the entire show is based on an unreliable historical account, written such a long time following the events ,accumulated from various people with various self interests and beliefs. No one knows what was in any one character’s head at any given time. Headcannon aren’t facts, there are none. Very good video DL! Love the positivity

[@aeron8293]

gurm has said the show is the true depiction of what happened

[@boy0division]

"No one putts Nana on the leash" o maaan I loooled so hard - great stuff!

[@magsstewart5488]

Luc should have responded to Aemonds demand with, “Dude, you should be thanking ME. Had you not tried to kill me when I was 6, I’d have not slashed you with my tiny dagger and somehow nicked your eye, and you would NOT be looking this fabulous now.”

[@ivanacvetanovic7611]

Luke was 8 when he slashed Aemond's eye, since he was 14 in this episode.

[@downtown_clownybrown]

well that was serendipitous. been working doubles the last few days and i literally jus finished watching the finale for the first time only to be notified of this little gem. garth works in mysterious ways...

[@piediddly]

Hah! when you spoke of your parrot chasing you, I got a flash of my parrotlet, Loki, chasing toes!

[@Animalboy-nk8xc]

I think the high emotions from the riders fed into the dragons and Arrax attacked Vhagar, and Vhagar being a dragon who are very proud creatures set out to get revenge on the young dragon. And let's remember that these dragons are animals with there own minds and not just mounts.

[@ayomideayodele5378]

aemond decided to chase them. vhagar had swiped at arrax about 4 times

[@Animalboy-nk8xc]

@@ayomideayodele5378 yes but he wasn't trying to kill Luke, just scare him and get his eye. The look on his face says it all he went from laughing and joking to "oh fuck" in a matter of seconds.

[@DawidDVD]

Granny Vhagar's impression was exactly what I needed today 😂Love it

[@cinnabartab1719]

Was absolutely loving Aemond cackling like the wicked witch of the west throughout that scene.

[@usmcramirez]

😂😂😂

[@Ajibolaa]

The dragons knew a fight was going to happen both the two riders. Always nice to see your shades as well.

[@JoeyWhisperz]

When baratheon said there would be no bloodshed in his Hall there already was bloodshed in Baratheon Hall when Blackwood killed Bracken at Rhyneara's betrothal tour.

[@tripledigit4835]

Wasn’t his hall at the time

[@jasminep9455]

Your Nana Vhagar voice cracks me up 🤣🤣

[@hobbesthecat6868]

THANK YOU!!! Exactly how I felt about this situation and you eloquently hit every point as to why this was not an accident. What I love about GRRM's writing is that you can write an account of what happened, but the actual event is much more grey. Just like reading a news article but feeling differently about the event when you see the video.

[@DavidLightbringer]

That’s it exactly

[@Patri209]

I'm living for that Vaghar impersonation of yours, got me into laugh-tears 🤣

[@Henbot]

I think the point they made with some of the houses is that a lot of houses don't actually care about oaths and only self-interest. Which was some of the stuff they had to GoT (the north betraying) and why Ned fails because he thinks people respect promises, oath and authorities, but not everyone does. I also wonder if Aemond is more upset about killing a Dragon more than Luke because Dragons are way more rare and crucial.

[@ayirifregene2382]

Please do a video of the song Deamon sang to Vermithor. The English lyrics really makes me think that it’s a spell. Even had a line about blood sacrifice and joining 3 heads. Would love to see your interpretation

[@michaelconstantinemiranda2352]

Oh so that was Vermithor. At first I thought it was Vhaegar. And then I was confused how he was able to get near the dragon if it was indeed Vhaegar. Haha.

[@ivanacvetanovic7611]

I've seen someone on Twitter come up with a great idea, that the three heads means: dragon, rider, and the bond between dragon and rider - which is like a mind of its own. That would also mean that Rhaegar completely misinterpreted the prophecy!

[@Chris-qe6qr]

@@ivanacvetanovic7611 I figured the three heads was referring to the Targaryen’s Sigil, the three headed dragon

[@ivanacvetanovic7611]

@@Chris-qe6qr The song is probably older, and it would be the other way round, the three headed dragon sigil was likely derived from that.

[@rhaevan.maniyara]

Daemon and Caraxes have the best bond.. It's like they're ONE!!

[@Tyleya]

Rhaenys and Meleys are a close second.

[@iampiyushsingh7544]

Sunfyre and Aegon II

[@rhaevan.maniyara]

@@iampiyushsingh7544 Not even close.. They're a good combo, yes.. but to put alongside Daemon and Caraxes... Nop! (I loved these bonds of Dragons and their riders, it's just brilliant!!)

[@joasbenjamin6804]

Rhaenyra and Syrax

[@rhaevan.maniyara]

@@joasbenjamin6804 Ya, we saw Syrax screaming wile Rhaenyra was suffering..

[@TheMaYsSA2]

The way the joke about Nana Vhagar became canon is so iconic!!! But now that the show is over, I can't wait for David to start looking into the little details like the Valryons as a seafaring family of old Valyria kept water and sea-related Gods!!! that's so awesome!! I really hope we get a video about that in the future.

[@vlredreign]

Oh my god, your Granny Vhagar voice and comments had me dying!! 😂😂😂

[@bbsugarsmurf19]

Arrax was a toddler, he wouldn't have blew a lil fire at Vhagar if Aemond hadn't provoked the whole thing. RIP baby boys 😢😢

[@Aerie925]

No. It was not an accident. Aemond was using Vhagar to viciously taunt Lucaerys and Arrax and when the little dragon got scared it tried to protect itself, which pissed Vhagar off and Vhagar killed Arrax. It’s like bringing a gun to a robbery and saying you didn’t mean to hurt anyone after you ending up using said weapon during commission of said robbery.

[@tickledeggz]

In most countries Aemond is going to jail, in the USA he gets off on self defence.

[@Aerie925]

And Aemond is scared after the murder only b/c he knows that he will have to answer for his crime. The Blacks will not let the murder of Lucaerys and Arrax go unpunished…and Aemond knows that once Rhaenyra and Daemon find out-they’re coming for him.

[@ser7100]

@@Aerie925 Oh please, Aemond is not thinking about Daemon and Rhaenyra 😭 he’s thinking about what his mom would think

[@Dean-np3ui]

Luke deserves everything happened to him. He took eye of Aemond, then mocked with him on dinner, he never apologized or showed some regret. He is arrogant and spoiled, debt is paid.

[@chatclipdat]

@@Dean-np3ui facts

[@roshow98]

Damon has a psychic bond with Carxus, and he knows dragons just by him singing and dealing with the dragon in the cave.

[@britc.3536]

Daemon knows dragons like Vermithor because he grew up around them. Vermithor was the mount of Jaehaerys I, Meleys was the mount of his mother, and Vhagar was the mount of his father. I find that the dragon's temperment often mimics that of their rider because of the connection they share. It's pretty cool when you think about it!

[@jenb6412]

I, too, have been chased by a 5 inch bird. My roommates quaker parrot is a savage! He'll even try to attack the cat lol

[@miam2772]

Vhagar stop! That's a little boy and his little dragon! Not your medication!!! NO, SHE HAS HER AIRPODS IN, SHE CAN'T HEAR US!

[@Aerie925]

The war has already been started once Aegon II was crowned in the Dragon Pit. Lucaerys and Arrax’s murder however, is the catalyst that Rhaenyra needs to push her to actually want to fight instead of trying to go diplomatic route or waiting to commission all her allies; remember, she told the Black Council that she wanted to know who her Bannerman were before she sends them to fight. With Lucaerys’ death she’s not going to wait for that. She’s out for vengeance.

[@hobbesthecat6868]

And can you blame her. She now knows for a positive her children will not be safe with green control. She is going to fight for their safety not their positions according to the crown.

[@sallye347]

Aemond " I ll have your eye bastard" Vhagar: "He can keep his eye"

[@Tyleya]

Daddy Vizzy T said it best “The idea that we control the dragons is an illusion.”

[@thallus23]

I wonder if Viserys never got another dragon because he had a bad experience with Balerion like Aryea Targaryen (not so severe though).

[@leann9261]

The books say Viserys only rode Balerion once when he claimed him I think, and Balerion was so old and big he could barely fly.

[@amyra8159]

That's because dragon rider cannot bond with another dragon once their dragon dies. So he was unlucky one lol

[@thallus23]

@@amyra8159 that’s not true. Ceraxes had another rider before Daemon and Vhagar had many riders according to the lore.

[@almondoneye]

@@thallus23 that’s not what they said, dragons can have multiple riders, dragon riders can only have 1

[@thallus23]

@@almondoneye That’s not true. Viserys chose not to bond with another dragon after Balerion died, it wasn’t because he was not able to.

[@nagamata]

I liked how the maester only paraphrased instead of reading the message to Baratheon verbatim; yet another subtle detail hinting at the shady machinations of the maesters. I laughed harder than I should’ve when Baratheon made it clear he couldn’t read.

[@rishitchithirala2977]

Grandma Vhaegar be like: Visenya this doesn't taste dornish

[@martipacheco793]

I think when Aemond goes back to kings landing he will feel remorse and try to say he didn’t mean to do it and Nanna got out of control. I also think Otto will convince him that this was a good thing that he took the first blow. Kinda like when he lost his eye/claimed Vaghar, Otto tells Alicent Vaghar is worth 1,000 eye, I think Otto saw this coming years ago.

[@DierdreWolf]

I love this change and I really honestly cant wait to see how he will feel when Blood and Cheese happens because of it. "This happened to my sister because of me." Even worse if they make the kids out to be his.

[@dontuakana7788]

Vhagar is a dragon who's been in over 100 battles. Arrax felt threatened and attacked Vhagar. Unfortunately, Vhagar was too ruthless.

[@dannyburns9850]

This explanation is extremely flawless. Great video!!

[@felooosailing957]

I read the scene differently than most. I refuse to think that Aemond is so naive that he thinks he can just bully Lucerys and Arrax with Vhagar. For me, everything in the scene is about dragon control. Aemond clearly wants to hurt Lucerys, he thirsts for revenge. In the dragon chase, at first he feels in control, with a dragon tens of times bigger than his opponent's. He even monologues in the rain: the big baddie speech. And yet, when Arrax fires at Vhagar, she goes naturally berserk. She starts moving her neck frantically and changing direction. Picture a mechanical bull... Now, picture one in the air, and the size of Vhagar. That's the kind of fear that overcomes Aemond. He might just fall. And then, he has witnessed the kind of power she really is. With one bite, Vhagar obliterated an adult dragon, already fit for riding. And she didn't even shoot fire, not once. That is the issue here. Aemond is scared because for the first time he is seeing Vhagar for what she is: not a challenge as he thought when he was using, and tamed her since she was relatively inviting. Now, Vhagar is a thing he has to rein in, only it is impossible. She is neither a vehicle, nor a weapon to be used at will: she is a beast, a genuine monster, one which he can at most direct, but in reality is the true master of her fights.

[@keithbrandt9090]

“but i don’t because i’ve been chased across the floor by a five inch bird” 😂😂😂

[@Chewbaccafruit]

To be fair, Aemond probably thought they were farther away. You know. Depth perception.

[@DavidLightbringer]

😅😅

[@ChairZomg]

you are by far my favorite ASOIAF creator, thank you for your hard work

[@bathory313]

"chased across the room by a 5" bird."...................I have a B&G Macaw. Same, bro. Same.

[@AdwoaKaren]

Just an EXCELLENT breakdown! I’m so glad I found your channel.

[@e.h.4933]

Was Daemon singing to Vermithor a binding song he found while researching his books in Pentos? The song that Daemon was singing to Vermithor in episode 10, courtesy of History of Westeros: Fire breather Winged leader But two heads To a third sing From my voice: The fires have spoken And the price has been paid With blood magic With words of flame With clear eyes To bind the three To you I sing As one we gather And with three heads We shall fly as we were destined Beautifully; freely by Ti Mikkel, translated by David J Peterson

[@shay212]

The voices you do for the older dragons are one of the best things ever and I can't help but imagine the older dragons telling the younger onrd stories with that 'back in my day we had to walk up hill both ways through seven feet of snow for five miles to reach the mailbox and we were grateful!' kinda tone. lol Awesome video!!

[@DavidLightbringer]

🫡

[@smpk9667]

Nana Vhagar bits never fail to amuse me 😆

[@thepanpiper7715]

Also, as a cat owner, Aemon yelling "No, serve me!" and being ignored as the same energy as my cats miaowing and me when I'm lifting them off the comfortable clean laundry that they were sleeping on. "I can summon you to open doors - why do you defy me now, human?"

[@charrizdomingo986]

I cried in the part where Lucerys and Rhaenyra talking about the child feeling imperfect and overwhelmed because it reminded me of my talk with my kids. I really felt the scene.

[@okidoll]

I've never wanted the Dragons to have voices until now. Nanny Vhagar needs her nap.

[@alonachiong666]

Nana Vhagar had war flashback after that kiss...

[@OaktownGirl]

"Nana Vhagar" 😂 Love it!

[@joasbenjamin6804]

The moment Luke saw Vhagar when he landed he should have got back on Arrax and bounced 😅

[@bexthewitch87]

The way some of these "he said she said" scenes are handled in these shows is so good! It's what's keeping me more engaged that GoT actually did!

[@swaggerdagger5168]

Absolute master class of a video, man. Bravo!

[@canadianravenbrook]

"On the phone: King V" omg David. I really appreciate your content. It's so fun. So layered. So nuanced. Top notch. You rock.

[@truetory6231]

I actually disagree that Aegon would not have demonstrated better control over Sunfyre than Aemond did over Vhagar and here is why. Vhagar is an old dragon and has bonded with many riders over her lifespan. Sunfyre is a younger and has never bonded with anyone else. In addition to this, in episode 6, the dragonkeepers explicitly state that Aegon has in fact mastered complete control over Sunfyre, this was in the dragonpit scene when Jacaerys was training Vermax

[@louisamay9615]

Also Sunfyre has never yet been used in combat like Vhagar has. Vhagar has been previously used as a killing machine so it makes since she would go rogue after Arrax shot at her.

[@The-Doctor6969]

Good point! I agree, and I wish they included Sunfyre in Aegon's ceremony. Perhaps without Rhaenys, the "control" over a dragon may not have been demonstrated as well???? But the face value triumph of the scene shrouded in horrific context really made me love his crowning. The action seemed unnecessary. Sunfyre chilling, doin what she does best, listening to aegon, might have been nice. But what do I know lolol they may have considered it and threw it in the bin.

[@anitat9727]

Yeah. After burning most of dorne, Vhagar isn't gonna be a young boy's minion

[@ludwigaccursed]

Isn't this point made moot in this very scene? Given that Arrax, a young dragon with it's first rider, just like Sunfyre, also acted beyond the riders control.