House of the Dragon S2E03 Explained

[@AltShiftX]

All must choose: House Bracken 🐴🟢 nebula.tv/altschwiftx House Blackwood 🍁⚫ go.nebula.tv/altshiftx

[@finnmccartney]

Aren't the brackens yellow in the show 🐴🟡

[@AltShiftX]

@@finnmccartney Yeah, but they support the greens!

[@TheBaselessMountain]

That bastard AltschwiftX will pay!

[@HouseoftheWerewolf]

@@finnmccartney Willem Blackwood kills Jerrel Bracken in season 1. The Brackens wore red; but their sigil is yellow while the Blackwood's sigil is red.

[@memus5367]

Both houses get the same price. Alt Scam X

[@jack_kerins]

I kinda like the lateness of these explanations, it’s like a fun little recap right before the next episode.

[@Kyles_Money]

For sure. Should be an epic one tonight! Enjoy, everyone.

[@KeltonTitan]

Now when Ep4 starts, I can skip the recap

[@cashnelson2306]

That’s how I’d watch them every week even if he released them sooner.

[@arnaud_voltaire]

I much prefer this over half assed summaries on the next day

[@Ominouscustodian]

Fully agree

[@BertoPlease]

Love how Daemon has enough awareness to call the throne what it is "chair made of swords," but not enough to realize having it won't be worth losing every relationship he ever had for it

[@lileymixed]

he's aware of it i think, at least the losing relationships part he seemed like he was contemplating deeply after saying "chair made of swords"

[@tajaemartin2251]

What relationship? Lmao

[@robinvik1]

I'm pretty sure if he actually took the throne, he would immediately hand it over to his wife. Like he did for his brother after being crowned king over the pirate area. It's just about proving that he could do it, not about actually doing it

[@nick6743]

TV Daemon is not even comparable to book Daemon. Condal has portrayed Daemon horribly in the show.

[@GustavoCardoso95]

@@nick6743i think they are going for a redemption arc. Daemon will get to know the prophecy from Alys and will recomitt himself to rhaenyra because of that. In the trailers we saw rhaenyra and daemon sitting with the dragonseeds so im pretty sure he is coming back to her

[@sanjek]

I need a Game of Thrones spinoff tv series of Ser Simon travelling across Westeros trying the very best of Westerosi food

[@jlshel42]

Ser Simon of Flavortown samples the wares on Ride-ins, Taverns, and Dives

[@Gigipretty64]

Yes then I need a 22 hour video from GlimbleSchwift rating all those meals 👍🏻 Make it happen, by the old gods and the new!

[@lukasmadrid1945]

I would acc love this, a fantasy food travel show

[@yujyuu]

​@@lukasmadrid1945 have you watched the anime Dungeon Meshi? It's kinda like that

[@CDio-vr3bx]

Westerosi's kitchen nightmares

[@MenkoDany]

3rd week of Alt Shwoft X promising to "make the explainer vid earlier this time" and publishing it on the day of the next episode :D We still love you though!

[@MenkoDany]

Take your time

[@Darkness-ie2yl]

yeah this tactic makes zero sense. after watching 200 other videos about this, this one is like a hotdog after a feast.

[@danc42421]

I feel like thats how it always was with GoT no? I remember watching the breakdown vids the day before of a new ep. His live streams tho are right after and contain much of the similar breakdowns and very fun to watch!

[@popculturepicks]

I'm sure he's doing it for the views . Most people tune in the day the show airs

[@epiklizard6629]

@@MenkoDany honestly like it this way, a nice refresher to go into the next episode

[@samcresp5440]

I found it interesting how Larys continues his “humble, disabled servant” facade around people he’s attempting to manipulate and gain leverage with. He did it with Alicent, and now again with Aegon. However, whenever he’s been alone or with people he has succeeded establishing his power/has power over, he drops the mask entirely. His little stumbling and head dropping as he left Aegon made me feel extremely slimy

[@Eastcyning]

Wouldn't be surprised if the usage of his nickname, "Larys Clubfoot", was something he himself had a hand in spreading. Might make people more inclined to underestimate him or mock him, so it's an advantage. Very Tyrion-esque: making your flaws your armour (or, in Larys' case, his sword)

[@burntorangehorn]

Getting others to underestimate him is the key tactic within his greater strategy, which the show established in his first two scenes: making himself a wallflower in the ladies' discussion during the great hunt, and giving Alicent the moon tea clue in the godswood. Baelish and Varys similarly use their relatively mean social status to gain their advantages.

[@kjellduteweert9262]

Also like Pycelle.

[@ramadaniswara19]

Nah fr he's like the combination of all of Joffrey's small council member lool. Varys Littlefinger Pycelle merged together

[@F0XD1E]

He needs to have the people he's manipulating believe they are still in control. That's why he acts submissive around them.

[@JuniperArtemis16]

Thank you for acknowledging that Daemon wanting to be called “your grace” as the spouse of the monarch isn’t as insane and treasonous as everyone thinks. Alicent is called “your grace” every single episode. Also I don’t like that they explicitly state those 3 dragon eggs are Dany’s. They want to tie this history to the first story but in doing so they explicitly tell us that those 3 eggs will do nothing and play no role in THIS story so they instantly become unimportant and irrelevant.

[@Ironcorgi2]

Especially because fire and blood gave an explanation of her eggs being Elissa farmen stealing them and selling them to the free cities.

[@GustavoCardoso95]

Yeah some stuff they shouldnt say in the behind the episode i feel like it kills the magic

[@DmitriVanderbilt]

How many people actually know Daemon and Rhaenyra are married? Their kids are too young to have been involved in court yet so I can buy that Simon Strong didnt realize Daemon was the "king consort" or whatever we want to call it

[@JuniperArtemis16]

@@DmitriVanderbilt They’ve been married and living together on Dragonstone for like 6 years. The heir to the throne got married and had kids with her new husband, the whole realm will know that. Especially when Rhaenyra has kids it’s very custom to send ravens out as birth announcements of royal princes so the rest of the country knows about the royal family and heirs and their power.

[@DmitriVanderbilt]

@@JuniperArtemis16 Yeah you're right about all that, I just wasn't sure if it had all been done as normal because of the whole "competing monarchs" thing.

[@caolanmcflynn2412]

A blackwood and bracken meeting without at least 1 death is considered a dull affair

[@MegaKnight2012]

Missy and Barbara seemed to have met during their respective affairs with Aegon the Unworthy, but then their sons made up for the lack of death with lots of Blackfyre Rebellions.

[@HashebAnzar]

Hundreds

[@stingerjohnny9951]

My favorite part of this Blackwoods and Brackens issue is that the Blackwoods had a habit of nailing pennies into their Wyrwood tree, and copper is toxic to trees in large doses. Meaning they likely killed their own god in a misguided offering, then blamed their rivals.

[@braderaku]

Details like this is why I love asoiaf

[@BoadieBroadus3211]

“That’s a crud rock, it belongs in Crudtown!” ass Springfield-Shelbyville conflict 😂😂😂

[@outdose9997]

All im hearing is its the brackens fault

[@kevinw712]

knowing how into the weeds that GRRM can get with this whole universe, I would not be surprised if there was some like mini-Romeo & Juliet type short story within the whole Blackwoods/Brackens conflict

[@stingerjohnny9951]

@@kevinw712 …T-There actually is…

[@floraposteschild4184]

Matt has two consort roles under his belt now: Prince Philip and Daemon. I wonder if one informs the other.

[@lindseyemberton5286]

I know! I love that. And both were similar characters. High achieving, didn't want to bow to the queen, mischievous, etc.

[@catscats4427]

I was thinking the same thing

[@whathell6t]

I still him as the 11th Doctor.

[@nikolascsgo]

it's crazy to me that people who call themselves massive fans of this universe don't actually understand that Viserys' last words didn't impact the story at all because Otto would've staged the usurpation anyways, but rather just Alicent's personal perception of it all

[@EdmundSia]

TRUEE they were already plotting it while Viserys was still alive

[@GustavoCardoso95]

I feel like alicent saying it to otto gave him the support he needed. Without alicent otto would have had trouble with the coup, because criston was loyal to her at the time. That was the point of that chase scene S1

[@nikolascsgo]

@@GustavoCardoso95 I disagree, Otto has never been swayed by Alicent in any meaningful manner except the last scene of S2E2 and even then he's very hesitant to agree with her to go to Highgarden even though there is virtually no risk to it that kind of dude simply wouldn't let something as big as usurping the Iron Throne up in the air to the point where Alicent can sway the outcome in either direction

[@boarfaceswinejaw4516]

Im just upset that they made what was meant to be two fierce women into sobbing wet socks without agency. I would legit have preferred it if alicent's decision to support Aegon's claim was based on her own wish to give her family and herself some modicum of power and safety, disregarding the wishes of the old dying decrepid corpse who had neglected her and his own sons and daughters in favor of his eldest daughter. People just sort of take it for granted that the safety of Alicent, her family and her kids would somehow have been guaranteed under Rhaenyra and Daemon had rhaenyra become queen, even though we've seen enough from team black to prove that random murders isnt beyond them in the slightest. now instead Alicent is portrayed as a braindead moron for disregarding 20 years of Viserys "my daughter shall be queen" in favor of a dying senile corpse saying "aegon was promised" in his final mumbles. if that was all she needed to be convinced, she did not have to be convinced in the first place.

[@xjmoney1800x]

Na I feel like if Alicent understand what he was saying she wouldn't have pushed her son to be king especially because they were on good terms before Viserys's death and Aegon didn't even want to be king. with the queen on the side of the blacks it would of made Otto's plan way harder and way different.

[@torvaldbjornsson2243]

Honestly, having the prwevious episode explained shortly before the next episode releases is a pretty helpful 'recap' before jumping back into this very character-dense story.

[@seventhunder6470]

Previously on House of the Dragon…

[@dromankass8655]

It's also good to have the names and faces of the lesser characters shown in here. Like the members of the Black Council on Dragonstone. That Ser Broome guy, I'd not like him hanging around, and the the good of her health the Queen should treat him in the same way Tryon dealt with Janos Slynt.

[@HouseoftheWerewolf]

Milly Alcock's cameo was awesome. Apparently, she was on set for the first 2 days. I hope to see her more in future episodes/Seasons.

[@liszt646]

Alcock and no balls 😢

[@VictorIV0310]

@@liszt646With the latter, she would’ve been made ruler without question!

[@SanskarWagley]

If Milly came back, hope Emily comes back as young Alicent

[@lgt.jne3]

​@@SanskarWagleyon what purpose tho

[@SanskarWagley]

@@lgt.jne3 why not

[@hertogappel]

love the fact that you implied that daemon is an impulsive teenager, because that exactly how he acts

[@misanthropicservitorofmars2116]

Both him and Rhenaeyra are extremely immature and are bad rulers. Just like their brother and father respectively.

[@Kimberleyssmith13]

And he sees himself in Aemond. I wonder if GRRM purposely named them for this reason take the D from Daemon and move it to the end and you’ve got Aemond. Or Daemon the 2nd. Younger angry bad ass brother who thinks he’s better suited for the throne.

[@8Hshan]

@@Kimberleyssmith13 TBH I think Aemond would be better suited for the throne than Aegon, because while he's even more cruel, and similarly eager for action, he at least seems to use his brain, which can't be said about Aegon, lol. Aemond seems to be an intelligent psycho, Aegon just an impulsive egocentric idiot.

[@Alexwright12]

@@8Hshan honestly Aemond would absolutely be a better king than Aegon, since especially when he was a kid he actually payed attention and tried to learn and gave a shit. but its still the same issue as Daemon, yeah sure they'd probably be stronger and do more on the throne, but at the same time they're both extremely undiplomatic, violent and tyrannical.

[@Alexwright12]

@@Kimberleyssmith13 and what Aemond does when he becomes regent is pretty much what Daemon would do had he become King. make enemies, anger his own council and the smallfolk alike and be extremely tyrannical. neither of them suffer even the most minor disrespect lightly and the way Aemond blows up at Tyland over his brothers letter and the way Daemon blows up at Simond Strong and the other riverlords speaks volumes about how suited they are to rule.

[@fantasyhaven1]

HOTD week honestly isnt complete without this, thank you Shifty and Glidus 🙏

[@CaleebTalib]

True their welsh narration be hitting 😂

[@misanthropicservitorofmars2116]

@@CaleebTalibglimbus is 100% Zambian you nave

[@YaBoyYeti]

"They no longer breath our air." is probably the most sinister thing I've heard so far in the show.

[@cacogenicist]

Not the quickest to drop videos, just the best.

[@Samiii90210]

fr

[@Ronam0451]

Wasn't this video releases a week ago? I swear I watched it on Tuesday

[@NgocYakult]

@@Ronam0451 This video is for ep 3

[@rickybindahoose6193]

​@Ronam0451 he does a Q&A Livestream after the episode, you probably saw that 😁

[@FKDotFitzgerald]

@@Ronam0451Every week, he does a more freeform 2-3 hour episode analysis right after the new episode ends. Then he does a more concise 30+ minute video before the next episode. Sometimes it drops on like Friday or Saturday but it’s often the morning before the new episode.

[@Victor-iz5dw]

I think Corlys doesn't want Rhaena as his heir because her last name is Targaryen, which would mean in time all he has built for himself would pass to house Targaryen. Like he said "History does not remember blood, it remembers names". He wants an heir with the Velaryon name above all else.

[@HisameArtwork]

just have the same rule for them, when she ascends she becomes valerion. it's what he'll do with the bastard anyway. i just think he's low key misogynist. like my dad was pretty woke compared to other east european boomers but he never helped mom around the house and he preferred our brother not me and my sister.

[@SpaceMarine500]

@@HisameArtwork bruh this is a medieval patriarchal world. The majority of this world's people are like that and they don't have the sociopolitical development to accept otherwise. You are not making an earth-shattering revelation. Also, wanting a Velayron heir is still valid. This concerns the properties, lands, and resources of the richest house in Westeros.

[@Alexwright12]

it also fits into how corlys treats people in general and im glad that its been discussed this season he loved Rhaenys, yet alot of the time he thought of her just in how she related to him rather than her as a person he loved his children, but spent alot more time thinking about how they would play into the Velaryon Legacy rather than how they would like to live their lives he loves his grandkids, but pays the most attention to Jace, the heir to the iron throne, Luke, his own heir and Baela, who's a dragon rider he never pays Addam any attention, but suddenly when he becomes a powerful dragonrider he's interested again he clearly holds affection for Addam and Alyn but refuses to acknowledge them because he's still obsessed with appearances and his legacy he pays attention to Baela, a dragonrider and thus someone who's quite powerful, but ignores Rhaena largely because she doesnt ride a dragon, so she isnt of any power or use to bringing more glory to House Velaryon

[@QuinnTheGM]

One of my very few gripes this season is that every black council scene feels like exactly the same meeting. I think that was a bigger issue for me this episode than the nun scene, though I definitely have hope that problem is now at an end with peace finally being rejected!

[@ryankirkpatrick8489]

The nun scene was obviously good but I can't get past feeling it's very shoehorned in

[@mellow3995]

You can summarize the 3 black council meetings we've had so far as "we need action and dragon fights!" "no lol u crazy". I get that we needed to establish that there was no other way instead of immediately devolving into starting bloody dragon fights, but they could have packaged it differently instead of it feeling like we're watching the same scene again and again. Hopefully now, that'll change

[@Nukefandango]

Agreed! That could have been better.

[@peep0Sad]

​@@mellow3995 Also we have less episodes this season!

[@iheartTSDW]

@@peep0Sad *fewer*

[@blakerobinson4032]

Milly Alcock was definitely the biggest surprise of the episode, I read in an article last year she didn't want to do fantasy shows anymore so I wasn't expecting her to turn up for a cameo for sure

[@orangemoonglows2692]

she's the new "supergirl" so I don't know about all the stuff she was talking about.

[@nahblue]

She did great in HotD season 1 I think! And good for her career to launch her like that and she doesn't even need to stick around.

[@MegaKnight2012]

Clearly a blatant fib, since she's reportedly playing Supergirl, and the Superman mythos is sure as heck fantasy, thinly disguised as sci-fi

[@orangemoonglows2692]

@@MegaKnight2012 she's young. i'm sure after that interview her people talked to her. cut her some slack.

[@nahblue]

I loved the RPG feeling of the dragon knight ambling around in the dark rainy castle.

[@AbdulRahman-vy7ko]

Omg sameeeee so beautiful

[@heatherfreeman5274]

Your commitment to no spoilers is iconic and sexy

[@powderedtoastfacekillah734]

@@heatherfreeman5274 it’s the reason he’s the only reviewer I watch

[@truthmachine6382]

Honestly, these breakdowns should be the true "on the last episode" right before the next episode. So good. Thanks shift and glidus.

[@Tdubs_23]

Perfect way to start a Sunday

[@BlondeAndBougie]

Agreed! A review of last week.

[@EmilieMiko]

Young Rhaenyra in the vision still wearing the necklace that Daemon give her.

[@keirangrant1607]

If you look closely, Larys is in the background as Alicent gives Criston her favor.

[@Kyles_Money]

Lol dudes always creepin

[@bonbonvegabon]

Hes also in the corner lurking in that brothel when Aegon bullies Aemond

[@powderedtoastfacekillah734]

Rhaenyra looked cute as hell in that habit

[@burntorangehorn]

Ironically an essential nun's habit somehow brought out D'Arcy's cheekbones, eye shape, and jawline.

[@rajyavardhansingh4491]

She looks too much like a hellcat

[@rhaenatargaryen8061]

cristons behavior towards alicent in this ep is incredibly sinister tbh, just like the end of e2. Putting her into that position of asking for her favor in front of everyone... its a very uncomfortable and real depiction of these concepts like courtly love

[@HisameArtwork]

if she had rejected the loonie it would have been the orange startup problem all over again.

[@GustavoCardoso95]

Crisron doesnt give a f about anythin at this point. He just wants to kill or die

[@Bunslightyear]

One of my favorite parts of this channel is that it isn’t that you are pointing out Easter eggs. You are pointing out themes, metaphors and emphasizing topics Id otherwise never notice

[@T1hitsTheHighestNote]

Wow! Didn’t recognise Dyana. So many layers uncovered! Thank you! Will be interesting to see where Ulf is going forward.

[@BRUN1SOUL]

This upload sched is actually okay, it serves as a refresher for the ep later

[@thanoschris821]

In the end Harren hawl, even in its ruined state outlived both Dragons and Targaryens.

[@joshthomasmoorenew]

I think part of the reason why Alicent says "Its too late" is that she feels her grandson and daughter will have suffered for nothing if thats the case and that might be too painful for her to admit esspecailly after her talk with Heleana.

[@StefanPiano]

Hadn't thought of it that way, good point.

[@ryandempsey4830]

Well also because it just literally is too late and Alicent couldn't stop the war if she resolved to or die trying.

[@SpaceMarine500]

There are legit reasons to not want Rhaenyra to be the monarch with Daemon as her king consort, even considering how bad Aegon is.

[@Alexwright12]

@@SpaceMarine500 true but i think its implied Alicent put those aside around the end of episode 8. she knew who Aegon was, she was willing to accept Rhaenyra as Queen and only really changed her mind when she believed that the main reason for Rhaenyra being heir in the first place was gone. thats why i think it works with Alicent, alot of the other Green's do have these legit reasons for wanting Aegon over Rhaenyra, but with Alicent it seems like she would rather someone like Rhaenyra be Queen, but she felt bound by duty (and the manipulation of her family) to put Aegon on the throne. Like to Alicent, the idea of a woman on the throne (like she says to Rhaenys) would be great, but not realistic, so she doesn't think its acceptable of her to persue it and break tradition and religious rules that she clearly holds sacred

[@thomaswillard6267]

ASX: "I'm gonna try and have Episode 3 explained out soon, the last couple have uploaded just hours before the new episode." Me, on a Sunday morning: "Oh cool, HotD S2E03 explained." ❤We love you, Shiftydog 🐕

[@markprus7357]

When Helaena said "i forgive you" to Alicent, i thought it was referring to Alicents guilt and sin that she committed with Criston, and that she would finally receive comfort (previously failed when trying to open up to Otto) for the burden that's on her heart.

[@rahuldhargalkar]

When you make those extra connections that make sense, those little things, the allegory, the metaphor, as if you personally know the writers and creators and their reasoning, it's truly immersive

[@ToastAndJellyfish]

The way Fabian Frankel is evidently able to just _turn his entire brain off_ is legitimately impressive. That dissociated, vacant stare is unironically some of the best acting in the show. It’s so, so unsettling and threatening without needing to say a word, even when he’s directing it inward.

[@ToastAndJellyfish]

Fabien. Thanks, autocorrect.

[@carastone3473]

Calling Rhaena “the babysitter” GREATLY downplays the importance of the mission she’s been given. Rhaenyra has asked Rhaena to RAISE AND PROTECT her children AS A MOTHER. These 3 little boys are 2nd, 3rd, and 4th in line for the throne…behind Jace, who is about to go to war. A mother entrusting you with her children is not ‘just babysitting;’ it’s a huge honor, especially when that mother is THE QUEEN.

[@ShubertReads]

Very important royal babysitting

[@doctorajaguar]

Exactly. I was really touched by the huge responsability given to Rhaena. I got emotional haha

[@carastone3473]

@@ShubertReads either my point went right over your head or you’re being intentionally obtuse. Either way, have a great day! ✌️

[@ShubertReads]

@@carastone3473 No I agree with your point, I was just making a little joke.

[@Alexwright12]

this is such a good point that i think so many people ignore. the only reason why its a problem to Rhaena, is because she's been ignored all of her life and because of that sees it as her being sent away and protected and shunted off to the side while everyone else in the family takes on the real responsibility. while Rhaena takes everything Rhaenyra and Baela say as just platitudes and trying to make her less miserable about being made the royal babysitter, to Rhaenyra and Baela, its genuinely them being sincere and offering a hugely important role for Rhaena, the most important role they could give her since she doesn't have a dragon. plus the humiliation that Rhaena feels, while everyone else in the family feels that she's been given an important role, she's clearly portrayed as feeling bad about being 'protected' and going to safety while her sister, half brother, grandmother, father and step-mother all have to fight and potentially die in the full blown war

[@alexanderf8451]

Baela asking Jace about his relationship with Harwin Strong is the first sign of the next generation developing real friendships beyond their parents. All of their parents would have killed anyone who asked that question.

[@misanthropicservitorofmars2116]

lol yeah, the next generation is gunna be just fine 😂

[@patryk_lewandowskiabc]

​@@misanthropicservitorofmars2116 phew, I am glad because I was real worried about the bloody dragons war that was supposed to come

[@edd4131]

Amazing point 😭

[@fletcherw32]

It’s really funny to me how Daemon refuses the guest right. Everyone’s making food jokes at Ser Simon’s expense and seem to have forgotten Daemon can still legally kill everyone in that room before he eats those peas. Of course the next words out of Simon’s mouth after surrendering is about dinner. He’s trying to receive a legal protection. It’s really odd to me how everyone seems to have forgotten the red wedding, at least in the context of what the scene at Harrenhal is presenting.

[@Terter1551]

Why is he legally allowed to kill his vassals? There is no such thing. They are not at war and the lord declared his loyalty to the queen, it would be a crime for Deamon to murder him.

[@misanthropicservitorofmars2116]

@@Terter1551”why is he legally allowed to kill HIS VASSALS” You answered your own question. Because they’re his vassals. You can do whatever you want to those you rule over lol. Eventually they’ll rebel, but a monarch doesn’t commit any legal wrongdoing by just murdering his inferiors.

[@misanthropicservitorofmars2116]

@@Terter1551no it wouldn’t 😂 wtf? Who tf enforces laws in Medieval society? What is he gunna be tried in court for killing his vassal? Is the UN gunna charge him with committing war crimes? 😂 lol, the historical understanding of some people is hilarious.

[@misanthropicservitorofmars2116]

“He can’t just kill his vassals” He can 100% kill his vassals. He owns them, that’s the point of a vassal and a monarch. You people act like human rights and impartial courts are a given lol

[@misanthropicservitorofmars2116]

You can still kill people even after eating food at their table too lol, lords and nobles just don’t because it completely ruins their reputations since it’s a long standing tradition. It has social ramifications, not legal ramifications.

[@ryanwraight5630]

There is no reason for this to come out earlier. I love my 40 minute recap before my 60 minute show!!!

[@TheKentuckyShark]

Honestly feel like this episode is setting up how The Song of Ice and Fire gets lost in the annals of time. As the Dances rages on and Rhaenyra begins feeling the losses and toll of the war (sin begets sin begets sin) she forgets what her father told about keeping the realm united and it just becomes more personal for her.

[@reginaphalange9417]

8:03 Daemon first considers the possibility of being poisonned, that's why he doesn't eat. he's rightly cautious

[@HisameArtwork]

given how sussy his dad died, it's not surprising. how old was he when be became a orphan of both parents?

[@Phoenix_1991]

Every time you pronounced Daemon as DaemON it sounded like a Digimon name 😅. I had to chuckle every time.

[@mudza92]

That's how it's pronounced. Not Daymen or whatever Americans pronounce it

[@jlshel42]

@@mudza92sorry we aren’t as Westerosi as you

[@fimmywa]

@@jlshel42who is fine unless you’re also leaving comments pointing out people are pronouncing it “wrong” lmao. Which he isn’t.

[@kodacv1612]

murricans and their hubris to know it better lmao....

[@raulpetrascu2696]

​@@mudza92in the show they say Daymun, so what do you mean that's how it's pronounced? And don't start with "GRRM in a interview.." because then we all pronounce every single name wrong lol. Dothrockeye, Briyeen...

[@gabi4205]

The Blackwoods have got to be one of the most interesting and cool houses in Westeros! Also, all that bloodshed at The Burning Mill could have been avoided if only Davos Blackwood and Aeron Bracken had just smooched a little 😩 The chemistry between them was INSANE in those 2 minutes of screen time.

[@GustavoCardoso95]

I just wish he saw hints of the cool battle from the books. Like if were directing it I would have shown amos bracken with a weirwood arrow coming out of his eye

[@spyingforspider]

I love that you upload these explained videos right before the release of a new episode so that we get reminded what happened last week and we understand what ACTUALLY happened in the episode

[@irulamnie]

"the game of thrones books have always been about the evils of war and the joy of good food" 👏👏👏👏👏

[@Grey_OSN]

Honestly with how long George has made us wait for Winds of Winter how do we expect the same members of that fandom to be on time? Love your work Alt Shift, heard Schwift was doing some NeBOOla stuff but i wouldnt know.

[@shmooveyea]

What % chance do you think it will ever be finished by George?

[@jasonfuller2734]

@@shmooveyea0%. Why would he finish it? So people can disagree with every decision he makes? No. If finished his books won’t release until after he passes.

[@Grey_OSN]

@@jasonfuller2734i think people tend to forget that these stories are for him, this is his fantasy world and he’s choosing to share it with us, we can disagree with certain aspects but to demand things is kind of entitled.

[@ramadaniswara19]

"Don't matter who did what to who at this point. Fact is, we went to war and now there ain't no goin' back. I mean, shit, it's what war is, you know? Once you in it, you in it. If it's a lie, then we fight on that lie. But we gotta fight." - Warden of East Baltimore, First of His Name, Lord Commander of Proposition Joe's Crew, Slim Charles. Basically sums up what happened in the last interaction between Rhaenyra and Alicent lmao. HBO shows crossing paths

[@tyf.5111]

Wasn't expecting to see a Wire reference here but I will absolutely take it.

[@cornejo1005]

Slim Charles really that once-in-a-lifetime hand of the king that knows how to play the game (of thrones) from Avon to Prop Joe and finally to being one of the leaders of the co-op.

[@ramadaniswara19]

@@cornejo1005 Once in the lifetime is right. Hands down the smartest player in the game

[@kevinw712]

okay the "he's NOT QUALIFIED! and he's STRESSED!" has me HOWLING

[@ItsPortu]

i actually like the late uploads of this series of videos. it's a nice recap of the last episode before watching the newest one.

[@Heyheyrayeraye]

I don't think Rhaenys meant that Ser Otto wouldn't have allowed Rhaenyra to be killed, I think when she said "Otto Hightower would not have allowed this", she meant he would never have allowed something as dumb as Ser Arryk coming to Dragon stone ALONE to do it. We already know he's fine with having her killed, because he has already ordered it in the past.

[@bandoogiemanz]

figured that was obvious

[@iliaponomarev1624]

Otto ordered his hit on Rhaenyra in a very different set of circumstances. And it kinda made sense at the moment: she didn't know Viserys was dead, Garrold Westerling could have been successful. Otto wouldn't have done it this way, with Arryk going alone to impersonate his brother.

[@vinogr00nko93]

exactly, no idea why people put the two situations in the same basket

[@GustavoCardoso95]

I agree. Otto doesnt care about killing, but he wouldnt allow such a dumb plan to happen

[@jamesmorseman3180]

@@vinogr00nko93because they’re the same and nothing this dude just said changed it lmao

[@vinogr00nko93]

@@jamesmorseman3180 sending one guy during a state of ware on the offchance that he doesn't stumble upon his identical twin is not the same as sending a group of knights shortly after relative peace between the sides has been reached and you have to be an idiot to not see it

[@RyenPacino]

@@jamesmorseman3180”I have horrible reading comprehension” lmao

[@URM8N8]

HBO should definitely be funding these episode explanations. I CANNOT keep up with HotD without Alt Shift X.

[@faller-man]

I'm glad that you always release the episode explanation right before the new episode airs. It's like a nice refresher before the new episode.

[@FunkyKong_x]

Good lord. After over a decade of watching this apple command shortcut, it's still so good. ALT SHIFT X - you are premiere. Thank you for sharing your gifts, your talent, and your staff with us.

[@bunnerkins]

@AltShiftX Thank you for not censoring the word 'rape'. I was struck by the incredible empathy you articulated around Dyana's situation. That discussion was very important to me. I feel seen by your commentary. Thank you.

[@alfred7846]

Wait til Larys figured out Rhaenyra also has feets

[@OutpostMJ]

First time comment: ASX is the very best. I'll say (no offense to anyone) that I love and also faithfully watch In Deep Geek. You each delve deep -- but for a non-books viewer of GoT and HotD (I love reading so on my "bucket list") ASX helps me better grasp the background, context, dynamics, metaphors, and details I missed. THANK YOU!

[@Tomurow]

Quite recently, on my way back from Wales, it slowly dawned on me the lady opposite me on the train was Rhaenys Targaryen (without the wig!). We shared a joke about the journey and I very nearly said, 'you should have taken the dragon, it would have been quicker' - but thank the Seven I managed to restrain myself ...😂. I mercifully let her carry on her travels in peace without letting on that I knew she was a secret badass!

[@mudza92]

Today on thisngs that never happened

[@Tomurow]

@@mudza92 If I wanted to make up an unlikely story about sitting on the train with a GOT actor I probably would've gone with Peter Dinklage!🤣

[@rambard5599]

@@mudza92 So it's that unbelievable to you that a fan would happen to share a train with an actor? Okay then.

[@beden653]

​@@rambard5599Targaryens don't use trains, they have dragons

[@Tomurow]

​@@rambard5599 Not sure why I shared this story on here.. 🙄 probably 'cos my mum had no idea who I was on about and I had to tell someone - ANYONE!😆

[@YoBroISnipe]

I love at 30:00 how there is a physical barrier with a board of wood separating the two, mirroring the argument where neither can agree or come to terms with the other.

[@chrismorel8613]

😂😂😂 i keep reading the title of episode 3 as "the burning milf"

[@andorifjohn]

That's Melisandre no?

[@GustavoCardoso95]

LOL

[@rajyavardhansingh4491]

Unreal levels of brainrot

[@JLchevz]

Are dragons really controlled? George repeats a lot in F&B that "nobody can know the heart of a dragon", meaning they're not weapons, they're living beings with their own wills. They obey their riders but not all the time, and sometimes they act on their own.

[@vasilispapadopoulos4397]

How have we gone from “alswiftx is an imposter , don’t follow him” to “watch him , he is da best” ?

[@ShubertReads]

Do you think he's being blackmailed?

[@vasilispapadopoulos4397]

@@ShubertReads no

[@vasilispapadopoulos4397]

@@ShubertReads i just wonder what made him to make a 180 ..

[@raggamuffin2682]

I love these shows ur making. It really helps explain things I don’t understand while watching and expands the lore. Thanks for making these. U are very talented

[@gstorres]

Maybe a major nitpick, but Aemond's brothel scenes have been really bothering me this season. Maybe they're a nod to the people thirsting for him, but they made me assume that Aemond has been going there for quite a long time. This means that the prince (and the king, even) gets really vulnerable quite often. Mysaria would have known about his shenanigans. This weakens blood and cheese's assassination attempt. Why send them to the red keep, when a knife in a brothel would be so much easier? I know that striking the royalty was very easy in the end, thanks to Criston's incompetence and maybe Larys' schemes, but... why take the risk when you have a good alternative?

[@vinogr00nko93]

that's actually not the case, in the scene in episode 9 (when Mysaria gets her house burned down) it's implied that this is the first time Aemond has seen the sex-worker since he lost his virginity to her, it seems the relationship has only been going around in the few weeks since then

[@TriAliando]

I'll miss Alt Shift X when HOTD S2 is finished. I just find this breakdown series as iconic. The voice so fits in. The breakdown is detail. Love all of it!

[@arsebusquets2436]

The bats at Harrenhal could also symbolise House Whent, another doomed occupant of the castle.

[@jlshel42]

Or a reminder of Daemon’s time as a caped crimefighter with his winged helmet in Goth-er, King’s Landing

[@hugolouessard3914]

It's actually good to have these videos on sundays, to watch it before the new episode.

[@Tremaine26]

These explanation videos are so well done

[@dancampbell703]

I prefer the day-of release. It stops me from watching it 5 days before the ep and keeps the info fresh. Keep it up shift!

[@OperationJackHammer]

This is my favorite channel for in depth explanations of this show (and GoT). Thank you so much!

[@john9377]

I don’t know what I look forward to more: HotD Episode, Alt Shift X’s Livestream or the Explained video. I love all 3

[@Argwyn]

Just about in time for episode 4, excited for this! Watched the whole post-episode stream so hyped to see what's been noticed since then!

[@52BLUE]

I know you keep saying you’ll release these explained videos earlier in the week, but I think releasing them the day before the new episode airs. I watch these leading into the next. I’m so much more invested in the series having understood a lot more of the lore thanks to you and your crew. Major props.

[@poisonharley]

Been looking forward to this since your last livestream! Thank you for continuing to make these and all the hard work you put into them 🖤

[@Exhilarare]

Can I just say, I think these videos are timed perfectly. The day of/before release of the next episode is perfect for me personally bc im always tired and exhausted from workin and I forget all I saw in the last episode lol. Thank you Alt!

[@AgroKopite]

Man so glad the new video came out, I can't speak for everyone but it would be great if you release detailed review of dune 2 movie thanks!

[@King_Mac80]

I'm glad someone finally pointed out that a bunch of other spouses of a ruling monarch was called your grace. Saw way to many people including KZbinrs saying they wouldn't call Daemon that because GRRM based the royal practices on the British monarchy, and while that's true it's not one for one, they called Laenor the future King Consort when he was announced at the wedding feast and Elizabeth's dead husband was called Prince Consort.

[@mickeymalone7577]

The septa plan was very dumb but that scene in the Sept almost makes up for it.

[@TheDevonleigh]

Aegon is a really interesting character. He didn't want any part of being king, even tried to physically run away from being crowned. The only reason he is getting into it now is because for one, he clearly had no other option so may as well lean into it, and two he's finally respected by the other royals around him. He's finally one of the popular kids. (I don't think he really had any issues making friends as he is friends with plenty of common people)And now it's almost as if he wants to help and be useful and that's why he's trying to prove himself. He just wants respect from his family and probably genuinely wants to be useful.

[@nuc1ea]

These are always high quality, thanks for the hard work brother 🙏

[@SparklerBlack]

omg i watched like 10 vidoes breaking down the episode and yours is the first i actually finally understood where the Rhaenyras kids and their dragons are going.

[@han__nya]

Alicen't character is all over the place, one minute she wants to make peace with Rhaenyra, and the next she wants to crown Aegon. She doesn't even try to stop the war, which imo is much worse. She's pretty much an hypocrite, on top of being incompetent both as a parent and as a queen.

[@FruityHachi]

my skin crawls whenever she's on screen, especially when she's with Cole - another hypocrite

[@Alexwright12]

honestly i really like Alicent's character. she's a huge hypocrite because at the same time she tries to be a traditional wife and mother, a woman ruling / advising the rule of the realm, a devoted follower of the faith and a loyal follower of westerosi culture and tradition. her being a hypocritical ass is the point, she tries to be all these things at once but they fundementally cannot co-exist together. she cant be a devoted follower of the faith of the seven and a schemer during a time of war. she cannot be a powerful woman influencing the realm and a servant to the misogynistic (because of the culture of the time period) men around her. so she is a huge hypocrite and its only when she loses her power and no longer has any loose goals to push towards anymore, that she has to confront where she is in her life, the horrible consequences of her own decisions and the blatant hypocrisy that defines her. where the Rhaenyra of season 1 is what happens when someone tries to hold power where she's pushed back against and violated all the rules and traditions of the local culture in order to 'be herself' Alicent is what happens when someone tries to hold power and rule, something her culture and faith fundementally do not allow her to do, while still trying as hard as possible to remain within those rules and traditions. neither work. but no i totally get why alot of people dont like Alicent and especially how hypocritical her character is

[@FruityHachi]

@@Alexwright12 it’s not just she’s a hypocrite but also what a horrible mother she is she encouraged her kids to hate Rhaenyra’s kids and then wonders why her sons turned badly, and she neglects her only daughter, rather spends her nights spreading legs then has a guilty conscience for 5 minutes

[@JoshuaHenelyThornhill]

The feud between Schwartz and Shift is truly synonymous of the Dance of Dragons. It can only end in Fire & Blood.

[@Nseoner]

Thank god ,, i was waiting for you ,, it seems to me that Your analysis of the episode is more important than the episode itself

[@blakelarsen7023]

Excellent analysis! It made me notice how it sorta looks like the guy leading the Bracken dudes at the beginning just might be related to the guy backing up the guy leading the Blackwood dudes. I'm always tempted to re-watch previous episodes leading up to the new ones, but I find that your breakdowns are just as entertaining and help enrich the material. Thank you.

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Love your content! Thanks For this ❤❤❤

[@toolsrius]

Dude the delatils you find like the dragon screech is amazing. Well done.

[@LynxxMan]

Baela is her father's daughter for sure.

[@TaeSunWoo]

I love how people laughed at me when I said a few months back that Milly would somehow be back for season 2

[@NotEnoughAttention]

getting this the day of the next episode is great, it also serves as a recap this way

[@rontexico7645]

The Burning Mill cut scene was immaculate & got the point across about the brutality of war...Feast for Crows. It was also baiting & switching the audience for the actual battle next episode. GoT did it constantly in s2 before Blackwater. Overloading with battles takes away the novelty. Let the casuals who complained about it stick to their mindless action flicks. Meanwhile targ stans mad about Ulf & Baelon? Oh no, a royal prince sired a bastard & water is wet! Where did they think those dragonseeds came from? Look at the timeline even in the book & it's clear some rather recent Targaryen in KL was fooling around. Helaena's "I forgive you" is a prophetic present tense literary device. She's talking about something that hasn't happened yet...the window. Brilliant writing! Finally a depiction of Harrenhal that actually gives it the look & feel of a cursed, haunted castle. The weirdwood reaching out to the Isle of Faces, yearning for its kind, almost! Goomer Daemon's ideal vision of Rhaenyra being stuck at 15 year old. Scary. The "I swear to you on the memory of my mother" clapback is the best line of the series so far. And lastly, Rhaenyra is not whitewashed. Her treatment of Rhaena was a sign that Rhaenyra will ultimately be submerged by the system she's trying to change. She will leave everyone disillusioned, which is the point they're making about the immutability of autocracy. Rhaenyra's subtle selfishness & ego has been so beautifully characterized. Placing her sons & heirs above all, asking her own orphan step child to play surrogate, all in the place where said child lost her own mother. No remorse & a complete cognitive dissonance. Rhaenyra is such a triumph of adaptation I have so much faith they’re going to manage to successfully pull off her tragedy. She hypocritically outsources motherhood to Rhaena & assigns her that passive feminine role. As a character Rhaenyra is most fascinating when she's forced to navigate & perpetuate the gendered structures she despises & wishes she could transcend. Rhaena is clearly straining against the fact that if she has no dragon she is to be relegated to childcare while Baela gets at least some freedom (or the illusion of it). The show is giving Rhaena a nuanced dimension to be dissatisfied with this position (the book doesn't give her much of anything). Conflict is good! & Rhaenyra’s central conflict- that to gain & retain power within a violent system one must perpetuate those violences, no matter one’s honorable intentions- having its seeds sown here is just really smart writing.

[@Alexwright12]

people getting mad that Baelon sired a bastard seem to forget two important bits of information. 1, it might not have even been Baelon, thats just what Ulf claims or has had claimed to him. and more importantly, it doesnt even mean that Baelon wasnt faithful to his beloved wife Alyssa since she died a full 17 years before Baelon did. so all the anger that its 'character assasination' for Baelon, come on now, is it not perfectly reasonable that a man who lost his wife 17 years prior and never remarried has at the bare minimum one night with a woman. also the Rhaena point is so on point. honestly it loosk certain they've cut nettles from the show and that is a bit annoying, but i dont blame them for giving that role to Rhaena. like what would be the point of Rhaena if they'd done what her plotline is in fire and blood? she gets introduced, gets a story arc set up about how she's neglected and forgotten for not having a dragon.... and then spends the rest of the story in the vale and gets a name drop for slightly scaring the greens at the very end of the war and only really has any relevance for the regency of Aegon III, which probably wont even be covered by the show in depth if at all.

[@RigbyWilde]

11:36 at this point I already lost the count of how many people are Melisandre

[@youngog9150]

Dropping the review the day of the next ep is a genius marketing tactic

[@EzraDair]

Ngl i wait for this more than the actual episode 😂❤

[@toastedwheatbread9966]

Ngl I actually like the breakdown of the previous episode being the day before or of the new one it’s like a little refresher before I watch the next one

[@dhruv9744]

I disagree that Rhaenyra is being very the better ruler by not being militant so far. She's alienating her alies and the conditions for war were met a while ago now. Her persistence on not attacking just seems frustrating and almost cowardly at this point. She really is like Viserys.

[@lexiewall2073]

The battle of burning mill: for everyone else in the realm, it’s the first battle of the war For the blackwoods and the brackens: it’s a regular Tuesday

27:05 “Maybe he’s lonely” Anyone else get the feeling Mysaria knows Laenor isn’t dead?

[@braderaku]

Could be... She does have many eyes

[@jamesmorseman3180]

Fairly certain the show was implying that he is dead by that line