Rhaenyra the Cruel | HOUSE OF THE DRAGON [2x2] (REACTION)

[@moreganwilliams1174]

“What they did to my girl” as in Helaena. Because she’s a mother who loves her daughter and is grieving with and for her. She’s not talking about herself.

[@Alcinaswifefrfr]

Alicent says "What they did to *my girl*" aka Helaena

[@MikeyA5693]

Or "What they did to my Gr...*grandson*"

[@stoakleypurfr8485]

@@MikeyA5693no she was saying her girl, she already said his pain had ended

[@MikeyA5693]

@@stoakleypurfr8485 his pain ended but not her feeling for how he got ended.

[@LunarHexagon]

This episode was just a showcase to let you know that every actor on this show is well cast and at the top of their game acting wise. It was gripping through the entire episode. I’m so glad that Tom is shining as Aegon this season. People had problems with him last season because we didn’t really spend much time with Aegon and thought Tom wasn’t up to playing him, but you can’t deny he was perfectly cast at this point.

[@jensrettberg7968]

Alicent in the beginning doesn't make it about herself; she doesn't say "what about me?," but actually "what they did to my girl," meaning Helaena. She's sad for her daughter.

[@Nichole-1989]

I feel like a lot of people don't listen to what she says because they don't like her. I'm on team Black and I still don't fully hate Alicent.

[@Freya1412]

No she is making it all about herself and she doesn't care about her poor girl. Like when Otto suggested the funeral procession and that the queen and Alicent must ride behind the body of the little prince she only spoke for herself saying she won't be made into a spectacle. She was cool with using her daughter's grief as a spectacle. If she cared about her poor girl she would have insisted on it being only her that made that public appearance and to leave Helaena alone. When she went to see her poor girl it was to tell her what she was going to do and also to ask about what she saw that night. She is stressed over her position being lost because Helaena saw what she was up to. No comforting the girl at all. Plus she says it's all her fault because she sinned trying to get sympathy from her dad but when that didn't work she just goes and sins again. Does she really believe this happened because of her sin or is she trying to make everything about herself? I also can't stand how she keeps the boy for her grandson. That woman is awful. Only loves herself.

[@Alcinaswifefrfr]

@@Freya1412 yeah bc her voice breaking as she cried in pain for her daughter is definitely fake💀💀

[@kylemma33]

​@@Nichole-1989 Most of team black are bad faith actors.

[@IAmJustR]

Actually she is making it about herself and her guilt for screwing Criston. “What they’ve done to MY girl” “The Gods punish ME.” Completely self absorbed.

[@VVoude]

The way Otto laughed when Aagon said: “my father named me king” That shit even hurt my feelings and I don't even have part in the succession. xd

[@christoperwallace6197]

Loved it. So we'll delivered

[@SimplyDarknes]

Reminds me of Tywin with Geoffrey, "Those who say 'Im the King' is no true King." 🤣👍

[@mellisima6451]

Only Criston Fucking Cole can get a promotion after another huge fuck up 🙄

[@richtea615]

He does work for the government.

[@Persephone_Personified]

He IS a huge fuck up.

[@queenxx1690]

I hope Aegon find out and kill Criston is some gruesome way Kingmaker killed by king he made king

[@ewanholme1687]

Alicent: "I have sinned." Otto: "Honey, I have bigger things to worry about right now than you and Cole taking turns roleplaying Rhaenyra. Shut the fuck up."

[@jessguinn]

😂😂😂 essentially

[@mekareactsandreviews3026]

😂😅 Love this

[@Chess8548]

I do not wish to hear about it. For once I agree with Otto! 😂😂

[@christoperwallace6197]

​@@Chess8548while I kinda agree, it just shows how he's a shitty dad. Your kid comes to you needing to confess, you hear that shit.

[@Chess8548]

@@christoperwallace6197 I agree. Otto sucks as a father. When he said that I was relieved because I didn’t want to hear it.

[@CezaryAkakios]

Rhaeneara's very bad last few days: father dies, lose your throne, ex-best friend that you were warming up to turns on you, you miscarry and lose a pregnancy, a different child murdered by dragon, partner lays hands on your neck, you're blamed in one of the most horrible murder plots imaginable, ... it just goes on and on, and only been a few days.

[@jaimelannister1797]

And then nearly assassinated

[@vivashvanbhushan3422]

Some of it is bc of her own doing.

[@adoboflakes8473]

@@vivashvanbhushan3422 Well by that logic this entire war started because Alicent is an idiot and Otto is a snake.

[@Randomyoutubecommenter]

The odds are stacked against her fr

[@cainyourkids]

@@Randomyoutubecommenter Yeah, it goes the sameway in the source material. The Blacks take heavy losses or win symbolic victories at best early in the Dance, they take the lead much later on.

[@itsthatgirl98_]

Erryk asking for forgiveness from his queen, that scene broke me, I've never cried so much.

[@penoyer79]

Arryk asked for forgiveness

[@hedinsee6830]

@@penoyer79 It does not matter which one it was. That's the whole point.

[@christoperwallace6197]

​@@penoyer79show runners have said Erryk, the loyal one won. So yea

[@rexibhazoboa7097]

@@penoyer79 why would Arryk ask for forgiveness from a child killer? think before you type

[@rexibhazoboa7097]

@@christoperwallace6197 Both are loyal, Arryk is even more loyal because he stayed with the crown. Erryk switched to Rheanyra only because he didn't like Aegon and he knew Rheanyra was going to fight for the throne.

[@frankyfraaank]

He fell on his sword because he became a kinslayer. True Queensguard honor.

[@penoyer79]

That was Arryk (traitor) who fell on his sword.

[@allthatdough]

@@penoyer79no it was erryk

[@hedinsee6830]

The whole point is that it *does not matter* which one it was. They were two honourable knights put in an impossible position.

[@Chronal-Rend]

​@@penoyer79 yeah either way it doesn't actually matter who fell on the sword, neither brother could live after killing the other. Even the visually you can tell it was the traitor😂 (cut on the knee for Erryk,Arryk being the traitor)

[@christoperwallace6197]

​@@Chronal-Rendthe cut on the knee was the loyal one.

[@Nyxthermite]

Rip long haired legend , not even gonna try and spell either of there names u know who

[@AzkuulaKtaktu]

Erryk & Arryk

[@Blinkptx]

Erryk and Arryk

[@fakecubed]

I was really expecting this particular fight to happen way down the line. Since the first scene with them both in it.

[@hannahhudson9335]

Thank you Cody for mentioning that the book is written as a history book. I think so many people forget that Fire and Blood is a fictional history book written hundreds of years after the events by maesters and other sources (most of which are secondary and a lot of which are unreliable). It does not represent wholly what actual events and conversations might have taken place. A lot of people treat the book like it’s law and an accurate depiction of the events when it’s flawed and biased and up to interpretation. And on a whole, I have enjoyed HOTD’s interpretations of the events! Excited for the reaction, I loved this episode, it might actually be one of my favourites so far in the whole series.

[@Honken55]

Well a lot of people also seem to tbink its all made up lol Its more accurate than most hidtory books we read in school. It has 3cdifferent sources who kived during the events. How msny of our history books have 3 sources 😜 The book kindly let you know when its down to speculations. Everything is not speculation..... a lot is facts

[@andalilbitqueer]

I do wish they didn't advertise the show as an *accurate* telling of what actually happened, because Maelor not even being born yet or Rhaenys and Maelys murdering hundreds of smallfolk seems like facts that would be incredibly difficult to fabricate and delete, respectively.

[@hannahhudson9335]

@@Honken55 Yes and of those sources, other than mushroom (who had a penchant for lying and exaggerating) most of them were not in the room listening to the conversations and happenings. It would be like someone today writing a story about Henry the 8th or Cleopatra, sure some of the details and happenings will be accurate, but that history book would not be able to present for certain what happened because they weren’t there! Even the things that are facts, other than ones where maesters were in the room actually recoding conversations, and dates of birth/battles ect, it still isn’t possibly for it to be 100% accurate. George said so much himself.

[@hannahhudson9335]

@@andalilbitqueer I understand completely, it is misinformation to represent it as wholly accurate, but I do believe that it is a great possible version of the events. If you’re an ASOIAF fan and a GOT fan, then plot points and characters being changed shouldn’t really come as a surprise to us. As long as they don’t go too far like they did with the end of GOT I think they’ll do great. I already like the changes with Baela, she’s one of my favourite characters, and I’m interested to see what they do with Daeron and the Dragonseeds.

[@Honken55]

​@@hannahhudson9335Well I hate the changes made to Cole. Its almost a stop watching point for me I loved Cole in the book...

[@havok6280]

Otto didn’t burn Mysaria's house. That was Larys on orders from Alicent.

[@bill.godwin-austen]

True, but she doesn't know that... all she knows was that her house was burned in an attempt to kill her right after she confronted Otto with her "you only have the power we let you have", and his comment that he "will not forget". The timing, while only coincidence, kind of points the finger at the Hand.

[@mariannefriesen1476]

I don't think so, Alicent has never ordered for anyone to be killed, it was Otto or Larys acting on his own, like he does most times

[@ebbandflowph]

Alicent says "what they've done to my girl," which doesn't mean her, she clearly means Helaena. As much as she turns the grief into self-flagellation, she clearly is also torn up by the fact that her actions are starting to touch the innocent (her daughter and grandchild).

[@hazeldladla5951]

I don't think that her sending Baela is because she finds her expendable but Jace is her heir and so must be protected and also, she just lost a son, she knows the Hightowers might be plotting to kill another one of her sons in retribution, it is not unreasonable and Baela seems competent enough. If Luke hadn't been killed, she might not have had an issue with sending Jace instead.

[@Revanito]

The thing is that Jace is her heir and prince of Dragonstone, he's the priority and he's the first that must be protected at all costs.

[@thewolfriot8458]

Exactly!!!! 🗣❗️

[@gailf1617]

Also, Baela is probably itching for some action, and if she doesn't get to go be of actual dragon-flying use in the war, she'd probably drag Jace off to the nearest hayloft and have sex with him; and Rhaenyra probably realizes that (she doesn't need for them to jump the gun before she gets them married)...

[@decariusb71]

Moondancer is one of the swiftest dragons on their side. She’s stealthy, and Jace has a thirst for battle. It’s a smart war strategy.

[@christoperwallace6197]

​@@decariusb71this. Baeka seems better suited to a stealth scouting mission. Rhae also trusts her.

[@xZFeroxZx]

Cody: "Yes! Fire Otto!" Aegon: *makes Crispy Coal hand* Cody: "No, that's not what I meant!"

[@emosam07]

Larys is gonna be so pissed lol

[@christoperwallace6197]

​@@emosam07Larys wanted this. Last episode he took Aegon aside and basically said "Otto was your dad's king. Id think you'd want to be a different man." This is exactly what Larys wants

[@rexibhazoboa7097]

@@christoperwallace6197 Larys may have wanted to be hand himself is what the dude meant.

[@fakecubed]

@@rexibhazoboa7097 Larys seems a lot more comfortable in the background pulling strings. The Hand is way too visible and has too many enemies.

[@rexibhazoboa7097]

@@fakecubed I agree. I was only clarifying what the dude meant.

[@rachljperdew]

16:02 “oh now you’re going to guard the door” had me cackling bahahah

[@mathmexican4234]

A grey riderless dragon might be Seasmoke just livin his life.

[@itsthatgirl98_]

Guys! Daeron is the fourth child of Alicent and Viserys, they were unable to work on the actor in the first season, he should appear in the third.

[@christoperwallace6197]

They should have mentioned him. That was a mistake not to. One line. But eh they mentioned him now so nothing more to be done

[@RavenStillBeguiling]

Daemon knows damn well he told them a son for a son. Don't come back with nothing if you want to get paid. Had a child murdered for his own twisted satisfaction and couldn't even own up to it. He deserved every word Rhaenyra threw his way, because they were all correct.

[@sculptureofsound2]

Tbh jaehaerys had it comin

[@mekareactsandreviews3026]

He didnt and the show creator already confirmed that..

[@RavenStillBeguiling]

@@mekareactsandreviews3026 The creator said it was left ambiguous on purpose, not that Daemon didn't tell them "a son for a son". He did and there were only two sons to kill as a second option, one of them being virtually impossible to get to because he's the king.

[@daryeusford9696]

W daemon

[@hasinabegum4209]

Finally They mentioned Daeron Targeryan 😭

[@adry3211]

To be fair,Helaena's warnings are incredibly vague and only have meaning when heard from the perspective of the audience. Helaena said "I'm afraid of the rats.", she didn't say "A couple of assasins are going to sneak into the Red Keep and kill my son, I know this because I experience prophetic dreams, the same dreams that allowed for my house's continued existence."

[@IAmJustR]

This dynamic is because this is a houseful of Targaryen children raised by Hightowers who have no experience with Dragon dreaming and Targaryen traditions. So they ignore poor Helaena. This is why Daenerys and Viserys didn’t know 💩 about themselves or the prophecy, 200 years later. Because of Otto Hightower and his band of idiots INFILTRATING the bloodline and ruining everything. Changing the sigils, just mucking it all up for the future of that house.

[@douglas2938]

A lot of people who have been watching since GoT still don't understand why prophecies like that end up being mostly unhelpful. The people who believe in them are often consumed by it, and for the rest, it only makes sense after it comes to pass. And even from a writing POV, they can't be reliable otherwise there would be no conflict.

[@meapantz1983]

Is that the shepherd in the crowd who they focus on having a go at rhenyra

[@christoperwallace6197]

​@@meapantz1983that would be a cool add if so . I'm loving all the foreshadowing of future plots. Hugh and Wulf. The growing anger of the common folk.

[@bill.godwin-austen]

GRRM has often noted that prophecies are tricky things. As with Melissandre, she gets a cryptic vision, but is fuzzy on interpreting it. Especially since, unlike Melissandre, she wasn't seeking visions/dreams and didn't realize what they were, let alone how to interpret them, or even understand that they needed to be interpreted.

[@triinomial]

It's completely fair that she wants to send Baela. Meleys and Rhaenys are handling the blockade. Besides Jace, who is her heir, the next best dragonrider she has who she can send is Baela. Baela is extremely capable, trained by Daemon, and a temper to match. Also, as far as reconnaissance goes, Moondancer is smaller than Vermax, so she won't be spotted as easy. They cut a scene last season between Baela and Rhaenys, where she says, "War is coming for all of us. We cannot hide from it. I am a dragonrider. Like my mother and father and you! If the Greens reach to usurp our Queen's throne then they must be answered with Fire and Blood." Rhaenys smiles. Baela says, "Do you think I jest?" Rhaenys replies, "I just saw my daughter for the first time in years." Seeing Laena in her. Baela is THAT girl, guys. 🖤

[@Bled420]

I was confused at first too, but when Bad Arrik is choking Good Errik (god I hope that’s right) he says “You left us.. but I still love you” that’s when I knew that was the bad one cause good Errik escaped with Viserys crown for Rheanyra

[@rexibhazoboa7097]

Why is Arryk bad? sigh

[@andalilbitqueer]

I love that Rhaenyra finally sees how pathetic Daemon is, even moreso because she realized it when he said Jaehaerys' death was a mistake, which is a textbook example of weaponized incompetence.

[@Chasingdreams25]

The greens say that Luke's death was an error, and yet no one calls Aemond pathetic. Instead, they say but but... his eye 😂

[@andalilbitqueer]

@@Chasingdreams25 yeah, Aemond is pretty pathetic too, what's your point?

[@mekareactsandreviews3026]

She still lovs him and hes going to help her win...

[@andalilbitqueer]

@@justsomeguywithnomustache6245 yeah, each and every character in this show are pathetic in some form or another, I don't understand your point in using that as a reply to someone being glad that Rhaenyra recognizes that fact.

[@Persephone_Personified]

@@andalilbitqueernot Helena. She is a sweet innocent girl with prophetic dreams that she cannot properly communicate. She’s pure goodness. Like her father, she’s adverse to confrontation and loves her sister even now.

[@hidoradaikaiju4205]

“It was a rat catcher.” “What was his name?” “Cheddar Bob. I saw him once shoot himself with an arrow.”

[@teampa1996a]

I did hire a dumb rat catcher named cheddar Bob he did shoot himself in his leg with his own bow and arrow.

[@AL-fl4jk]

Fromage Bobage

[@E-A-Z-Y]

The acting and the dialogue in this episode was perfect 👌 so fucking good.

[@asparks2727]

I think that was Laenor's dragon. I remember Laenor riding a white dragon during the battle with the Crab King

[@BethBraden-zc9ip]

Yep it’s Seasmoke. Laenors dragon who is on Driftmark. Adam is on Driftmark too.

[@margarotwelv]

Rhaenyra doesn’t see Baela as disposable. She loves her and Rhaena. Rhaenyra is sending her instead of Jace, because Moondancer is one of the swiftest dragons on their side, Not to mention that Baela is MUCH more levelheaded when it comes to the greens. Not only is Jace the heir, but he is on a war path. He’s out for revenge and probably wouldn’t think twice about engaging in battle. It’s why Rhaenyra tells Baela to remain in the air, and keep her distance. It’s not as if she sending her out alone into battle.

[@nikitasingh0412]

baela outlives them all.. can't say the same for poor jace

[@morgster3880]

The Cargylle twins fight is actually the very first mention of the Dance of the Dragons within the main story. In one of the early Bran chapters, Bran thinks about the legendary members of the Kingsguard, and thinks about “the twins Erryk and Arryk, who died on each other’s blades when brother fought sister in the war the singers called The Dance Of The Dragons.” In George’s own mind, that fight was the very basis of the entire struggle, two brothers both driven by duty and honor dying pointlessly at each others hand.

[@rossmullen7826]

Glad that they've finally mentioned Viserys and Alicent's fourth child Daeron, who grew up with the Hightowers in Oldtown

[@rocksjoshua]

"Dragons fought dragons, brothers fought brothers" came to mind this episode, RIP Princess Shireen.

[@caseyh8386]

I feel like jahaerys made Aegon want to try. His ego liked having a son to look up to him and be his heir and for a minute there Aegon was trying to be a good king for his son to aspire to (pony rides aside 😅) but now that's gone. At first I thought Aegon only cared that his heir had been taken and his ego hurt, but it became clear especially towards the end of this episode he genuinely loved his son. He may be an arsehole but on that front I felt for him

[@rexibhazoboa7097]

Why would you assume a father doesnt love his son off the bat?

[@gaelicpossum]

@@rexibhazoboa7097​​⁠ He already had other children from before that he abandoned to the child fighting pits. Jahaerys was the only child he seemed to show that care for thus far

[@mariannefriesen1476]

​@@gaelicpossumhe isn't aware of the children in the fighting pits, I assumed that and then I read a comment, that it has been confirmed by Ryan Condall

[@krishnasharma1505]

Alicent said "What they did to my girl" in the beginning, not "What about me" She isn't sad about herself, she's sad for her daughter.

[@omegachaos32]

While that may be true, she also almost immediately followed with "The gods punish us; they punish me." I won't say she doesn't have empathy because she clearly does, but she still ended her grief being about what she has done. She even tries to confess to her father later.

[@MayumiSaegusaShiba]

@@omegachaos32 because she hates herself lol she has self-harmed since episode 1 of season 1. her fingers look absolutely insane because she keeps picking at them until they're raw and bleeding (rhaenyra literally tries to stop her from doing this). she's blaming herself for everything because she doesn't know where to actually direct her anger about everything that's happened to her and what led her to make the choices she made. she can't blame otto who's her father and her only parent left. she can't blame viserys who maritally raped her and took her youth away at 14. now that daeron is confirmed i think we can safely say that she was pregnant for like 5 years straight as a teenager. that's horrific. it's an extremely patriarchal society so she shifts her blame to herself and rhaenyra, which is obviously wrong but that's the tragedy of it.

[@omegachaos32]

@@MayumiSaegusaShiba Very fair points. Otto was ultimately the start of all her trauma coercing her into trying to win the affection of the king. I think he even noticed at some point in season 1 and ridiculed her for it. Could be misremembering that part though.

[@MayumiSaegusaShiba]

@@omegachaos32 young alicent was extremely soft-hearted and spent most of her time pregnant, taking care of viserys (he says he prefers her gentle touch to the servants), counseling viserys in political matters, and defending rhaenyra whenever viserys loses faith in her (this led to her father getting fired btw). absolutely none of the good she did was recognized by the others-not by viserys, not by otto, not by daemon, and not even by young rhaenyra. she tries her best to assimilate herself into the targaryens but she was laughed at and ridiculed instead (that scene of viserys and daemon laughing at her when she asked if daemon wanted to see the tapestries). imo anyone would be bitter anxious and depressed if put into her situation. her youth was taken away, her body is used and abused for years straight, her hardwork thrown aside, and now she's being told that her children mean nothing (which is why she went crazy when aemond's eye was slashed out). she HAS to find meaning in her suffering or else she'll be forced to admit that she was barely even human to the people she gave her whole life to. i think her most revealing quote came from episode 2 when she said "all i wanted was for someone to say they were sorry for what happened to me". rhaenyra did exactly that in episode 8 and alicent was immediately soft again and told rhaenyra to come visit soon (then ofc all the shit happened). she's such a sad and tragic character and no one really understands or tries to empathize with her.

[@gypsysoul.]

Erryk Vs Arryk was done exquisitely! And yes! The very embodiment of this dance! The fall on the sword was 💯! Keep up the epic work 🤩 🤩

[@ccispahan7514]

Erryk (Rhaenyra’s Kingsguard) won the fight against Arryk (Aegon’s Kingsguard). He is calling Rhaenyra ‘Your Grace’ (= my Queen) in his final words. He says ‘Forgive me’ to his brother, but also to Rhaenyra because he’s killing himself before her eyes, resigning his position as Kingsguard because he cannot live without his twin and feels intolerable guilt for killing him.

[@ItsStrayy]

honestly it seemed like Erryk died first, and then Arryk came to terms with choosing the wrong side. Unless its a bad continuity error.

[@ccispahan7514]

@@ItsStrayy it isn’t a continuity error. The fight is meant to be as confusing as possible. In the combat choreography, they made sure both twins suffered the same injuries so that we could not differentiate them until the very end. It’s explained in the HBO featurette Inside the Episode. We do not know who to root for and it emphasizes the absurdity of the civil war that is about to rage.

[@afifmajid8754]

​@@ccispahan7514I mean you're just blatantly wrong but that's fine I guess

[@keljerel]

@@ccispahan7514 But they didn't suffer the same injury. Erryk got cut on his right leg while Arryk got cut on his left leg. The twin who died first had a cut on his right leg which the other twin gouged to gain the advantage. Arryk stabbed Erryk based on what we saw played out.

[@dustinevans256]

⁠@@afifmajid8754Ryan Condal Confirmed that Erryk killed Arryk and then himself. It’s on Decider

[@asparks2727]

"Yeah why don't you stay down there a little while and think about what you've done" LMAO!!

[@jordanclark6972]

The acting in this episode was superb

[@oliviatellez4951]

As a mother of one year old identical twin boys that part broke me so bad 😢 i have no words 💔

[@robertfishburn8545]

This was the Cleganebowl we didnt ask for but appreciate nonetheless.

[@Bled420]

Viserys is Aegon’s father, not gandpa, just a reminder lol So when Aegon is destroying the model city it’s his father work. Otto however IS their grandpa

[@RasmaRose]

I came here for this comment! 👍🏼

[@demo2080]

Alicent said "what they did to my girl" relax guys Alicent isn't Cersei

[@mekareactsandreviews3026]

Shes worse 😅😂 shes lil the reason her grandson is dead..lied about it ..and the keep f*king who was suppose to protect her family...Shes pathetic..way worse the last season..she cant even show effection to jer oen mornong son...oh also shes the reaon why theres a war period..ppl stop acting like Alicsnt is still some innocent young girl...Cersei was at least smart

[@mariannefriesen1476]

​@@mekareactsandreviews3026why it that her fault, even a kingsguard has to rest sometimes, she was assuming, that he wasn't on duty, she and Helaena are literally the most selfless people on the show

[@mekareactsandreviews3026]

@@mariannefriesen1476 i hope thats not a serious question..Cause that was already answered in the show..He was supoosed to assign a guard to the QUEENS rm..Hes the head of the quards it was his job to do..and the Only reason they both decided not to, was so no one would catch on that they were f*cking...Cause the rms are close together...They put f*cking Over the safety of the Queen and her children.

[@LucerysOwner]

At first I was worried that the writers completey excluded Daeron from the show.. They finally mentioned my boy! When he shows up and he will, I hope they will portray him right - like in the books. For me he is not like Aegon or Aemond. He was a fairly kind, clever, and humble guy. Definitely the best among Alicen't sons. And honestly? The best among all of Viserys' kids (barring Helaena who we all love). Too bad, he was Alicent's third son. If Daeron was her eldest son then that throne would have been his. Or at the very least, Rhaenyra would have a tough time trying to defeat him. Because he's at least someone you can support for a reason beyond his so-called "birthright". (Spoiler for non book readers) The toughest part with Daeron is that he is a kid - some of the worst atrocities occur directly under his watch after Tumbleton, he isn't directly committing them like Aemond burning the riverlands or Aegon's litany of dark and violent deeds, but because he is 'a Targaryen alone in the world', and a kid besides, he's unable to do anything about it. Literally just if Ormond had lived, if Aemond had not been so overly single minded on vengeance against Daemon, if Daeron hadn't burned hundreds of injured people in a Sept at Bitterbridge (😬 I can believe he set the whole town on fire by accident the way it is described, especially considering how disgusted he is later), if Daeron's councilors had not been afraid of giving up potential dragon power and imprisoned/killed the betrayers sooner, if the men around him weren't so selfishly power hungry, things could have worked out differently. It's also possible history speaks better of him because he dies. Nonthelsss I can't wait till they give us Daeron the Daring alongside Tessarion! This episode was an emotional roller-coaster. From watching Aegon and poor Haleana griefing over their baby boy 😢. The Daemon and Rhaenyra "fall-out". But I know Daemon will undo his mistake in the next episode. Aemond cheeks supremacy!!!​The Cargyll twins duell was so emotional I can't even 😭 Ser Criston probably by now the most disliked character! 🤣 Tom Glynn Carney, Emma D'Arcy and Rhys Ifans put a god-tier performance in this episode! peak acting.

[@mirandaputicaastengo5251]

I think he’s good because he grew up away in old town, if he was the eldest he would’ve been the same as Aegon

[@marsalien4]

I hate Criston Cole with a passion but the small moment where his face is just like "fuck no please I don't wanna be hand" is so relatable and hilarious

[@E-A-Z-Y]

The poor family, the father was the blacksmith that asked King Aegon for help in episode 1.

[@El_coajo]

And he's a mdf

[@changinlooks1]

We all know who these two brothers have to be right? That was def Leanors dragon that dude saw flying

[@christoperwallace6197]

They have been named on screen. Literally no mystery.

[@changinlooks1]

@@christoperwallace6197 they have? As in they have stated the two guys parentage? I missed that. In episode two they said it?

[@gailf1617]

If we blame Aemond for Lucerys' death (which I definitely do), then we must blame Daemon for the murder of Jaehaerys (and I do).

[@hedinsee6830]

The whole point is that it *does not matter* which of the brothers survived the fight initially. They both exemplified a very rare thing. They were true knights.

[@ricardocastro6320]

The convo between Mysaria and Rhaenyra where M says they’ll never accept her isn’t about men not accepting women, it’s about highborns not accepting the common folk. We have a lot of examples of men accepting women in this world. They sit on a council for. Kings and queens.

[@nglijie5716]

The two brothers dueling can be taken as a brutal version of "Among Us" where both the imposter and the crew all die onboard the spaceship...thus the battle ends in a draw. ☠️ ☠️

[@nightstar497]

The dragon flying above Adam is Seasmoke, Leanor’s dragon

[@vili6632]

it's kinda funny you're calling one of the only men in the show who prefer women who arent underage a freak for it

[@zo_leo8401]

Im pretty sure they dont care that they are fucking each other. They have a issue with the blatant hypocrisy and judging of others while they do the same.

[@TheSofkujepanen]

Yeah that was weird. What Aemond was doing is one of the least freaky things we have seen on this show. All he was doing was getting a cuddle from an older woman who he probably sees as a kind of substitute for his mother who seems to not give him the love and affection he needs at the moment. I don’t think people understand that he is literally like 15 years old or something at this point.

[@roguechevelle]

@@TheSofkujepanen I mean GOT had an unsullied pay to be held by a prostitute for comfort it's not something we haven't seen before. And like you said it's way less messed up then what Aegon had done before he even became king, attacking young girls fathering illegitimate children & supporting child violence in the fighting pits

[@rexibhazoboa7097]

@@roguechevelle the women couldve drank moon tea and not put their child in a fighting pit.

[@sundaylibre]

@@rexibhazoboa7097 Pretty sure that moon tea is not that easily available to peasants and those kids were most likely taken by force (or maybe the moms died in childbirth). Also I understand that it's just a tv show, but regardless victim blaming r*pe victims is never alright.

[@bnope7963]

I need Bridget to make the Aemond face and scream, "GIVE ME A SUM, THEN!" (Saltburn reference 😅)

[@anatoliibatiuk6765]

"That is not fairrik" yes, I'm here for this humor 🤣

[@clarissa182]

The way Criston P*SSED ME OFF THIS EPISODE!!! OMGGGGGGG... That motherf*cker!! Anyways. I love yall's reactions. lol

[@opromlie2272]

Good god relax a bit take a few breaths 😂

[@SciFiCatGuy]

Duty was the death of love for Erryk and Arryk. Not knowing which was which was part of the point. The Blood and Cheese event was so different for two reasons. One was to give Alicent and Cole the guilt issues, and because the writers felt themat to do it by the book would be too traumatizing to the child actors, who would have had to be awake and alert throughout the event.

[@TheRAH14]

I remembered it this way. Arryk (the "bad" one) was with Alicent: both A's. Erryk (the good one) was with Rhaenyra

[@NoaDavi]

14:51 tbf jace is not only her son but her heir

[@LegenDaeria]

Adam is watching Seasmoke, Laenor's dragon!

[@mars3986]

playing devils advocate to say baela was genuinely the best choice to send on patrol! jace is her heir and after aegons heir was just killed, hes at the most risk of them all in terms of retaliation. and the rest of her kids are too young to ride

[@Galiant2010]

I was a little surprised at your take at Aemond in the brothel. It's the most humane thing about him, imo that he has one woman and sticks with her. It shows a softer and more sensitive side to him that I appreciate as a contrast to his darker, cruel, side.

[@Stormed95]

“It was just a prank Han” caught me off guard 😂

[@randallwilliamson3838]

Raenys sitting across the table eyeballing Daemon like a bird dog on track. As the oldest living Targaryen she sees right through Daemon and knows he is a monster grasping at power.

[@roguechevelle]

Tbf she mentions to Corlys that Daemon doesn't like to be told what to do and be ruled over but it's very contradictory for him to also want to support Rhaenyra as queen tho he has, those two can't exist in the long run cuz he will never fully follow the queens instruction he wants to feel like he's the one in control of himself at all times but it doesn't work like that as a King Consort.

[@randallwilliamson3838]

@@roguechevelle I am sure you noticed when Rhaenrys asked him straight out if he accepted her as queen and her rule, he didnt answer, he just said that he was raising an army in her name.

[@sivannatalie]

The White Worm’s season 2 accent is 1,000x better than her season 1 accent.

[@gailf1617]

The dragon seen by Addam of Hull (younger brother of Alyn of Hull) is probably Seasmoke.

[@queenxx1690]

Helaena see flower petals falling that look like ashes ,Aegon said fire from the sky

[@2300nobody]

Otto like Tywin Lannister always looks at the long game it’s a shame they both served short sighted kings

[@myasuniverse1327]

At first, I thought Rhaenyra was weird for sending Balea but not Jace too, I usually watch the insider of these but I haven't this time, so I don't know if they explain there. However, someone on twitter had another theory, that I think has merit, that Rhaenyra knew that Jace would be too angry to not engage if he happens to see Vhagar/Aemond, but she could trust Baela would stay high in the clouds and away but even if that's her logically decision, I do think it stems a lot from her paranoia and grief

[@carriesmith742]

24:29 the dragon was Seasmoke. Ser Leanor Valerion's old dragon. Technically they should be bonded until death and Seasmoke should know he isn't dead but since he's been gone so long, maybe he'd be open to a new rider. 28:03 😂😂😂

[@patricelumumba2470]

Lady mysaria was the mvp of this episode when she warned ser erryk about his brother arriving on dragonstone, thereby saving rhaenyra's life

[@Nymeria108]

4:59 no, she said her daughter is suffering

[@pat1717]

Everyone saying that Alicent didn’t raise her kids right is kinda forgetting that neither did Viserys and he was the one who wanted them in the first place. They both kinda failed as parents regardless of what you think about their characters.

[@TheSofkujepanen]

Yep. And only one of them was also a child themselves trying to raise other kids…

[@sundaylibre]

I mean, Viserys was also very sick for a long time and he was basically dying during those years when the kids need the most guidance.

[@ancatdal]

Exactly. Viserys truly neglected his children, and left the care of them to his child bride. Of course Alicent's relationship to her children is messed up, she had them when she was no more than a child herself, and isolated. She didn't have her mother, or older female kin, nor (strangely enough for the queen) even lady companions. How was she just supposed to know how to raise a child properly, especially one with a negligent father, and immense privilege? Of course she didn't want to be a mother at 15/16, we see how enthusiastic she is about the motherhood she was pressured into. Children grow up sensing that, and it impacts them for life. Otto pushed her into that position, and Viserys failed to step up. Alicent failed in her own way, but people should not forget what odds she was up against.

[@lisaschmaljohn3165]

Fricking hilarious! I included you in a fan compilation video for this episode. So glad I found your channel !

[@richtea615]

'Daemon will be gone for half the season, crying like a bitch.' Oh my sweat summer child.

[@cyrilmeynier5688]

Imagine if Erryk had just decided, days ago, to shave his beard. Btf, who has twins and names them Erryk and Arryk ?

[@Zseventyone]

The end scenes try to show that Otto’s lack of empathy for his child passed to his child. Hard to understand as a parent how Alicent doesn’t comfort her grieving, lonely son.

[@ancatdal]

I do think she wants to, but I think her guilt gets in the way. How can she comfort him, when she blames herself for bringing the displeasure of the gods upon them? She tries to confess to Otto, and is rejected, so she has to grapple with the guilt alone, and she fails to do so. I think she cares about Aegon's grief, but still fails her son because she herself doesn't have the support she needs to handle her reaction. I wish she was able to push her guilt aside and support her son, or that she didn't even feel that misplaced guilt in the first place, but I think that is the flaw, not a lack of caring.

[@Zseventyone]

@@ancatdal Agree. Poor choice of words on my part. It's an inability to connect for whatever reason.

[@ancatdal]

@@Zseventyone Yeah, it's really sad how more or less all of them struggle to connect with each other, when they need it the most.

[@iFDevious]

Am i the only person who doesn’t think aegon is a bad dad?

[@NikoLevi.]

I don't know what to say and what not to say about Daeron without spoiling anything lol. I was shocked to hear his name as as well lol In season one we all thought they cut him out of the story.Atleast those of us that didn't watch the breakdown. Anyways war is inevitable. Soon soon😂

[@Blinkptx]

Y'all should watch with subtitles.

[@calebsmommy812]

The hint throughout the fight between the twins as to who is who is the term "you parted us!". It's referring to the action of leaving Kings Landing to join the blacks. It's always the assassin twin saying it. He blamed his brother for leaving.

[@BabyBrie0831]

i swear im just as excited to see your guys reactions as i am for the new season! Thanks for putting them out the next day! it’s like my morning gossip of the show

[@eglantinepapeau1582]

the events of this and last episodes might explain why Cersei was always surrounded by members of the king's guard , it must have become a custom or something .

[@lyniyahmystique1907]

Otto’s laugh at Aegon thinking his father made him heir is straight diabolical 🤣🤣🤣

[@desgirl_19]

More on the death of the twins(just imo).Aside from the obvious possibility of never being fully trusted, I think Arryk/Erryck fell on his sword because (1) he had just killed his twin who he loved more than anyone and (2) he was now a kinslayer. It was all too much. Also more on kinslaying; I don't think most people pick up just how heinous a crime it's considered in Westeros. I've heard so many say it "not being her war to start" was a stupid reason and plothole when Rhaenys didn't burn the Greens. But tbh, within the world of HOTD that would only be a secondary reason. The kinslaying of so many family members-in Rhaenyra's name to the public eye-was more than enough reason not to do it. It might've cost Rhaenyra her throne in the end, even with the other claimants dead. The lords of the realm might've banded against her and her children anyway and backed the next nearest claimant. Because in the eyes of Westeros, a would-be ruler capable of such a thing would be considered too terrible of a threat to be allowed to be in power.

[@Helvetx]

Everything aside, Rhaenyra was so pretty this episode.

[@evatesche]

I don't really pick a side, I hate all character equally 😅 but why is everybody blaming Cole for not standing guard? I mean, he cannot be there 24 hours a day, he has to get brakes and be off duty at some point. And since he is always around at daytime, attending meetings etc, isn't it plausible that his shift would have ended already at the time of the murder? It might be that he ordered the nightwatch away so nobody would see him going into Alicent's room, but would that be suspicious too? Wouldn't somebody of the nightwatch have snitched then and told the king that Cole has a habit of sending them away?

[@opromlie2272]

Exactly, almost every character is a jerk, thats why I dont get why ppl hate him the most in general 😅 he did some stupid things but this is the norm in this show 😂 I never really hated him, annoyed sometimes yes. He actually became quite interesting in the 2 season he changed. For the good or better we will see

[@gorlithia]

Otto wants Aegon so much to be like Viserys so he can dictate and control him.

[@gailf1617]

Ser Crispy has the unmitigated nerve to pick on Ser Arryk for getting his white cloak dirty during the funeral, while Ser Crispy is metaphorically sullying his Kingsguard purity with the Dowager Queen, and to make it worse, Ser Potato Crisp orders poor Ser Arryk to go kill his own brother. Sheesh!

[@MISTERBABAD00K]

Aegon walking around the castle with 2 guards while Helaena was still unprotected...

[@ninjafohhiya]

Look, Otto is a PoS, but God damn the actor is a GOAT.

[@alexking988]

”I wish to spill blood, not ink”🔥

[@Aegon23]

Tbh Daemon is the only one on the Black side that makes any sense. Every one else either stupid or a hypocrite. If only they listened to him, even his brother, if only...

[@philbobaggins9605]

agreed

[@christoperwallace6197]

@@Aegon23 people would listen to him if he quit doing crazy things behind people's backs.

[@daniellylima5568]

32:14 I liked the scene with the Twins, there were people who didn't like it because they didn't feel as much about the death of their brothers, but if people aren't sad about that scene, it's because we didn't have that much scene between the two of them because the public cares about the characters for reasons that not everyone They were so emotional in this scene, but that's why the writers are educated, that's why I say it's good, it shows all the characters and shows a lot on the screen because the audience cares about the characters, but for me, I really liked the scene. “We were born together, you separated us. But I still love you brother.” They were born together, were separated by choosing opposite sides in a war but died together. the fact that he can't live in the world knowing that he killed his own brother, that's why he kills himself 😭 “I swear to protect the queen with all my strength. And give my blood for hers.” Ser Erryk was faithful to his oath until his last breath, but living with the burden of taking his beloved brother's life was too high a price and impossible to pay. 💔 Criston Cole, in addition to blaming Arryk for the death of a child HE was supposed to be protecting, made Arryk fight his own brother to the death. the brother he described as "one soul in two bodies." Alicent is a very bad mother, Aemond, Aegon, even Helaena, they are like that, it's because of their mother who never looked at them and never gave them affection, that's why they are all like this, different from Rhaenyra's family, who are all united. is if they love each other. In the scene where Alicent sees Aegon crying he could pick him because he is her son but she often prefers to have sex with her lover than pick her son, this just shows who she really is. That's another thing, it's already good with so many scenes of Alicent's sex is Cristian Col, we, the public, already understand that you want to show that Alicent is a hypocrite and I think it's cool that they are showing why she, and even us books, is envious too, but it's already good with so many scenes like this together, they don't even They showed Corlys' scene with Rhaenys and apparently there won't be Dameon and Rhaenyra, more Alicent and Cristian Col, wow, they actually have a lot of scenes of them having sex, disgusting. justice for Team Black Not satisfied with everything she put Rhaenyra through, Alicent even took her room to fuck Cole... and Aemond took Daemon's. (Wow, how envious these green people are) Alicent only takes Rhaenyra's remains, have you noticed that 😂😂😂 Alicent is very jealous of Rhaenyra and Cristian Col will never get over a NO from Rhaenyra, they are very rotten, they hurt if they deserve it. Now I understand why the critics only talked about this fight (Daemon & Rhaenyra) the whole episode was warm after it was over... Otto's scene with Aegon was great and the twins scene too that's all that was cool about this episode 2. (I liked it of the episode, but I found it more or less, but I hope that episode 3 is better than the first and second)

[@veggielord]

Alan’s brother saw Baela flying Moondancer I believe. I think Daemon went to Harranhahl because of its tactical position at the Neck.

[@E-A-Z-Y]

Viserys was Aegon’s father, not grandfather.

[@alexandercelmic]

your Alicent hatred is so ridiculous that you don't even comprehend what she's saying...

[@malcolmferguson4869]

They did the same thing with Jaime & Theon from what I remember. Despite all the character development those 2 went through, they were still hating on them late into the series.

[@jasmeen5712]

​@@malcolmferguson4869They can hate any characters they want, that's not the problem and I wish GOT fans were more open minded about it. The problem is misinterpreting any word or action because of their hate for the character.

[@malcolmferguson4869]

@@jasmeen5712 True. That's a really good way of putting it.

[@opromlie2272]

​@@malcolmferguson4869 its so confusing. Sometimes they loved Jaime and then after a small thing (like the blackfish situation) they hated him again like make up your mind almost every character in this show did some bullshit or something terrible.

[@rogtiz6006]

Rhaenyra as heir was about Daemon. Daemon is right in this situation.

[@Chasingdreams25]

Ikr people act like Viserys didn't name Rhaenyra because Otto told him to disinherit Daemon.

[@Freya1412]

No, it wasn't. He didn't name her heir until he felt Daemon was beyond redemption and trust. Amma dying was the catalyst and part of the reason he made Rhaenyra heir. The fact Daemon was out celebrating instead of being with his family after a tragic loss even if he didn't say heir for a day or whatever is still ridiculous. It was the last straw and his brother could no longer defend him. How could he keep him as his heir? Daemon pushed his brother to disinherit him. He never trusted him. He also didn't name Rhaenyra on a folly. He told her about Aegon's dream which shows he chose her as his heir. Not made her heir to punish Daemon. Did you not pay attention to season one?

[@alexcrowley4557]

@@Freya1412 Yes, it was.

[@rebecca7719]

Daemon and Rhaenyra are both right to some degree and using it to fight their own corner and turning a blind eye to the other’s opinion that does not match their agenda. Rhaenyra was right that Daemon was disinherited because Viserys felt he could not trust him and Daemon is right that Viserys choose Rhaenyra as heir to get back at Daemon, not because he saw Rhaenyra as the better heir.

[@cel.2263]

​@@rebecca7719yes!! people get so caught up in faves and teams they miss the nuance this show has. both sides can be right and wrong about plenty. i think the end will make this clear cause no one wins

[@LoveKSJW]

The Cristina Yang “somebody sedate me” reference 😂😂😂

[@rafaeleliasperezfermin7286]

Otto is a really complex character, i dont know why plp read him so bad, he is the only one that really care about the realm, from season 1 he has been foreseeing problems way ahaed of everyone else and has been trying to solved before it happen, but plp dont litsen

[@mekareactsandreviews3026]

If he did he wouldnt have stole the throne...what dont ppl understand..Allow the rightful heir to sit the thrown..No bloodshed..Every death is on Ottos and Alicent hands..

[@rafaeleliasperezfermin7286]

@@mekareactsandreviews3026 Otto is not a saint, but his main mission from the beginning of the series has been to not allow Daemon to get to the throne, at the beginning he root for Rhaenyra, but he found out some dislike in the realm about the idea of a women in the throne, this give Daemon the possibility to create a civil war against Rhaenyra, he then suggest to Viserys to marry Rhaenyra with Aegon and you can see that as a move for him to gain something and is truth, but it also give strength to the Rhaenyra cause, Viserys says no. After that I think from Otto perspective everything when down of the toilet, Rhaenyra has children outside the marriage weakening more her claims to the throne, even her recognize the mistake and have to Marry Daemon to try to gain some support back, but this is the moment Rhaenyra became a big NO to occupy the throne, that would allow Daemon get access to throne as well.

[@opromlie2272]

24:58 actually the other guy kicked the dog, the other who was hanged was his owner. But he did say he is betting on dog fighting so I dont know if he was really good 😂