HOTD: Official Podcast Ep. 3 “Second of His Name” with Milly Alcock | House of the Dragon (HBO)

[@kingbobombfan]

Milly joins at 41:30

[@yogeshsingla131]

Give this man an award

[@domingorubies656]

Thank you kind ser

[@MsNoelleLopez]

Seven blessings to you my lord

[@wilcogains]

By the grace of the old gods and the new...

[@amiralighorbani8860]

You are the only one really deserve to sit on iron throne man

[@shannond7437]

Harwin Strong being the one person to look at a bloody Rhaenyra admirably was a great moment

[@liljackypaper]

Foreshadowing

[@UserInterface00]

Gonna miss Milly Alcock’s presence as the series is almost to the halfway point. With the long time jumps we’ll probably get one or two more episodes of Milly’s Rhaenyra before Emma takes over.

[@terencef5806]

agreed

[@dimitrescucrncevic9746]

Emma Darcy will do amazing, I've watched other project they've been apart of, and wow Emma is a great actor.

[@ZaeBae22]

Oh man this is so sad shes amazing will miss her a lot

[@davidwaddell99]

She is there until episode 5

[@ytube6001]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGTWoWOHZ7h0nq8

[@milenna8926]

Daemon facing the crabfeeder’s men alone reminded me of Jon Snow, standing alone in front of all those horses. Totally different situations almost the same feeling. What a great episode. Plus Rhaenyra making Lady Redwyne bit her tongue was a delight.

[@pepsibente489]

It reminded me too of the Battle of the Bastards - same plot armor... 😫

[@giants8585]

The slow burn of GOT is what made it so great. The long build up and payoff. This I have to admit is not as enjoyable. The Crab feeder was fought and defeated in ONE episode. They mentioned him two episodes, we need fear the crab feeder, watch out for the crab feeder then BOOM its 3 years of fighting and they're losing but in one day of reckless behavior its all over. But I have been really enjoying this show however there was just something holding it back from being great in my eyes and I couldn't figure out was missing till a friend explained it.

[@ariannemartel9686]

@@giants8585 I felt a little like that too. Especially since they did all those close ups of Daemons and Crabfeeders face and then didn't even show us Daemon killing him. But we got to remember this is season 1 episode 3. The one battle we had in season 1 of game of thrones was at the very end where they had Tyrion knocked out at the very beginning and then he woke up to the aftermath.... same thing. The big pay off battles will happen in later seasons. Crabfeeder was never going to be a big bad villian according to the story, his big plot contribution is the Daemon Corlys alliance being forged.

[@brendonsmith3080]

Gotta say, Paddy, Milly, Alicent and Matt all absolutely killed this episode. Fantastic work in the execution and acting tonight! 🐉🔥⚔️🛡👑🖤💚

[@tankmh4468]

You used the actors' names except for Emily Carey's Alicent. Why?😂

[@brendonsmith3080]

@@tankmh4468 Oh Damn it. Now I see it. I meant to write Emily there😅🤦🏻‍♂️

[@ousmanjallow7866]

Yep

[@liljackypaper]

Paddy and Matt killing it is a trend

[@just42day]

Laenor and Seasmoke’s arrival was amazing. Daemon is just epic!

[@asahel980]

actually no, as the trailer already spoiled it.

[@S1L3NTG4M3R]

HOTD Episode 3 was 🔥

[@ohawwgeez3112]

Literally

[@imdancingforever5215]

The best 🔥🔥🔥

[@athenstar10]

Milly and Matt deserve Emmy Nominations for their performances.

[@raemontargaryen3005]

14:05 i think Viserys concerns that Rhaenyra will be betrayed by the “son who sitting on the throne” , bcs in his dreams, he saw her male successor on the throne. at certain point he already gave up at the dream, but then it comes true but in a “i-didnt-expect-it-to-happened-this-way-plot twist” kind of way. this is proof of another grrm line about how we need to be careful about propechy and dreams. “thundering hooves, splintering shields and ringing swords and the dragons roared as one” he read it all wrong. it wasnt meant to be a celebration, that meant war.

[@ianschmitt4991]

That was a drunken clarity moment

[@jackson857]

Love Milly. She's doing a fantastic job! Also the Aussie in her comes out big time in this interview. Aussie represent.

[@jostewart554]

I love her too as a fellow Aussie! ❤️ 🇦🇺

[@eugeneyiga3783]

RIP to the guy who screamed “SAVE ME MY PRINCE!” and got crushed by the dragon.

[@liljackypaper]

He saved him from being eaten by crabs

[@ashleyelisabeth4]

In literature, it's actually believed to be bad luck if one kills a white deer since they are an omen that symbolizes great change to the world and the person it reveals itself to

[@Erik_Armando_123]

Thanks.👍👍

[@jostewart554]

Like the white buffalo.

[@mw8157]

I totally understand what they were going for with Rhaenyra being described as a "Punk Princess"

[@jasmineb5697]

Daemon Targaryen is just it….just dammmmm 😀👏🏽👏🏽❤️ this ep was good and it’s getting better

[@shannond7437]

Matt Daemon is phenomenal!

[@brooklyncurrys]

I need her to get an Emmy tbh! ❤

[@athenstar10]

I felt bad for Rhaenyra when she had to say, "Yes, my queen?!" But when the white stag showed up to her it's like👑👑👑

[@Amie.K_2024]

Well… Milly’s personality in this video is fantastic ❤️❤️🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@dirtyduck10]

She seems really cool

[@Amie.K_2024]

@@dirtyduck10 agreed 💙

[@XManium]

41:04 For the interview.

[@ccpumpkin5426]

It's a 3 yr time jump not 2 you guys keep saying! The baby was turning 2 but last we saw they weren't married yet and it takes 9 months to carry a child!

[@mdc929]

That was driving me crazy the entire episode omg

[@basicallyabush]

Episode 3 was great :)

[@robertmarginean164]

Emma D'Arcy has some big shoes to fill. I expected Milly to be good, but damn she was fucking awesome!

[@bimblaq]

Milly interview 41:00 - 56:10

[@hopealope2802]

Thank you!!

[@owleyes07]

Seven blessings!

[@danisonco]

Viserys' finger count update: 8 🖐️👌

[@LaReinaZorra]

When will Paddy & Matt be on the podcast?! Millie’s interview should have been longer! She’s a pleasure to listen. Rhae seeing the White Stag shows that she is the true king, based on what everyone was saying. The Lannisters became rich after they killed all of the other houses. By the end of GoT, they were flat broke. Remember, the Iron Bank?!

[@BuruIgeru]

They were already in previous episodes of this actually, do check them out too!

[@thelazy0ne]

After the pilot it was obvious that everyone wanted to see the whole story.🥰👍

[@takeraknight5486]

The White Heart (is that right?) presenting itself to Rhaenyra is a sign she is the true heir I think. Now what have been badass if she would've killed it and drug it back to camp. Otto would've melted into the ground. However, legends in the fantasy world say you're not supposed to kill them.

[@not-nice7797]

Rhaenyra was alwase the true heir Otto and Allicent screwed her over The whole dance of dragons civil war can be pinned on that family

[@TheMrGiannisgr]

Milly is fantastic. What an episode!

[@joel5956]

I enjoyed how un-suave Jason Lannister was. The guy gets turned down hard by Rhaenyra and then bumbles his way through accidently calling the king weak and second guessing his choice of heir. It's a big change from all the main Lannisters in GoT.

[@lawbinson]

Wish there was an onscreen fight though between Daemon and Cragas Drahar

[@lawbinson]

Can this become a Video pod?

[@Bloxygames-c1g]

Jason is awesome ...gives some great points ..

[@SoteroA]

Daemon the beast!!!

[@Juxss]

Greta's remarks and highlights are the best... i kept saying YESSS THAT!!

[@ziezero]

I honestly think that Rhaenyra should’ve lets ser cole to kill the stag so everyone would’ve seen that “symbolism” and be like “oh whoa the white stag showed up to her so maybe she IS the rightful heir” But sadly we all know what actually will turn out. However, i think that scene of her letting the stag go was also like a foreshadowing bc, again, we all know what will happen lol

[@jacksparrow9227]

Disappointing we didn't see Crabfeeder and Daemon fight

[@Rariix22]

Im not ready to lose Milly as Rhaenyra

[@mdnblues]

Well, get ready.

[@johnbernal6156]

Wish y’all had video to the podcast

[@jacksparrow9227]

On Dragonstone, she says "my lords when no lords are there

[@jbookies]

Not entirely sure but isn't Otto Hightower referred to as 'Lord Hand' elsewhere?

[@hashhendrexwelcome2vibesville]

i loveee milly wish she would of been in this show more anddddd the hod show LOL

[@LeoArenales18]

Loved the dark and white stag symbolism. I have a similar feel when I encounter a red cardinal or so

[@shannond7437]

Because Viserys had no female counsel he was completely unaware that he took the only relationship & person Rhaenyra had to talk to about life.

[@hixonfrank6094]

What a great episode! Excited for more to come

[@TheKornheaD]

Great stuff

[@mandaroberts4596]

Thrones watchers realized that Jason and Tyland are also Ser Hugh of the Vale!!!!

[@Rhaenysxmeleys]

Milly is so talented.Love her so much.🐉🖤👑

[@djew67]

The king drinks so much because of pain he is in. He's self medication for the pain he gets from sitting on the iron throne

[@BudzBunny422]

The battle made me think of Vietnam. The dragons are the planes.

[@melissak8419]

I have always thought of the Dragons as the planes. Air superiority kept the Targaryen's in power for as long as they did. Like Daemon says, "Dreams didn't make us Kings, Dragons did." Once the Dragons are gone, in the GoT story, other families are able to take the Throne, as in Robert's Rebellion. The crab feeder Prince retreats in the caves to escape Dragon fire, just as the Vietnamese had their underground tunnels. And as Princess Rhaenys says in the beginning the only thing that could destroy the House of the Dragon was itself.

[@Weeby_historian]

Small nitpick Daemon landing in the opening was just so stupid. I mean the scene epic all the same but it’s you’re taking your biggest advantage here which is that you can literally hover in the sky. Daemon seems smarter than that. Maybe he’s just not experienced combatant on dragonback but cmon this is just common sense

[@TheGamerCursed]

Huge plays from Team Hightower

[@junnior_2262]

She is indeed a Queen!

[@SHARKVADERS]

GOT!!!!!

[@rodylalramnghaki1735]

im gonna miss Milly as im already included her in my Targaryen squad along with Emilia Clarke and feel close to her

[@Dec4AllTimeAlways]

Best HOT D episode so far. It not only establishes Daemon as the most popular and perhaps GOAT character of this show, he's becoming the poster boy of GOT lore like Darth Vader is to Star Wars. It's no longer is Daenerys or Jon. TV Jon Snow really is a more boring version of Aragorn! 🤣 I don't care how we feel after Blood and Cheese, I think Daemon has already placed himself as one of GOATs of GOT-verse. They can kill Daemon in the next episode and erase The Battle Above The Gods Eye completely and he would still be a top 3 GOAT and popular GOT-verse character. I thought Stannis fighting in the Battle of Blackwater was bad*ss already, Daemon took it to another level. I'm talking like superhero levels. Think Kratos in God of War in the PS2 & PS3 days just slaying mfers or Darth Vader in Rogue One or in a few episodes in Obi-Wan Kenobi. My biggest concern is could Daemon be peaking too early like Tyrion Lannister did? It's only 3 episodes and perhaps we will expect more bad*ssness from him? It's almost like he needs to top what he just did to the Crabfeeder. I did like that Daemon showed some vulnerability. Like in the beginning, he got shot near his right shoulder. Caraxes got injured. Then he got hit by arrows again at the beach. So he wasn't just some invincible dude like he's Superman. They need to show that he isn't perfect and he can still get injured. Obviously if you know the story, Daemon should be wearing plot armor until the very end of this series. GRRM's loves Daemon, so of course he wants to show how bad*ss Daemon is. And he's only appeared like 10 minutes each in the last 2 episodes. But could the writers also kinda whitewash him? Pull back his flaws so we continue to root for him more? These franchises still act like a business. Sell merch and Daemon is a hot commodity. Props to Lord Corlys and Laenor on Seasmoke too. I like seeing Lords cracking skulls and Corlys did that. It's his war and he's actually fighting in it. I think Corlys is moving up as my 2nd favorite character in this series. I really like how he and Laenor defended Daemon against Corlys' brother. I'll give the episode a 9/10. I think it could've been a little better. It was 50 minutes of mostly Viserys and Rhaenyra character development which was great. I'm also liking Alicent more and more. Otto is really the problem. She's actually supporting Rhaenyra to be Queen. I wouldn't put this episode above GOT episodes like Battle of the Bastards and Hardhome. But I can put this maybe in my bottom 10 if I can combine fav GOT and HOT D episodes. The pacing and even editing did feel a bit off but perhaps that's just from first viewing. My major gripe is I do find it hard to believe that Daemon and Corlys would be losing a war to a Crabfeeder after 3 years? They have f-ing dragons! But I guess the beginning showed how vulnerable Caraxes can still be on the ground with arrows flying at him. And Rhaenyra acts like only a day passed. Not 3 years. I feel Rhaenyra is getting a little too insecure and perhaps even selfish? Spoiled rotten? Viserys even told her she can choose her husband now. And why not just care about your little brother? Aegon II is just a child. He never tried to hurt you, ya know? Be nice to Alicent who has tried to still care about her. Shouldn't she at least be happy for her father finally having a son? And her father already promised her that she will be Queen. I was all about House Lannister in Game Of Thrones. But I find Jason introduced in this episode being arrogant and creepy. Just bragging about his wealth. He looks like Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan and a touch of Chris Hemsworth in The Avengers when Thor's hair was shorter. I actually prefer if this episode is only a 9/10. Some room for improvement. I don't want this season to peak by Ep 3. We don't want this series to fade badly at the end like GOT did. And we want Ep 9 and 10 to be even more bad*ss than Ep 3. Let's hope the best is still yet to come. Rogue Prince, you are f-ing amazing! Certified GOAT status. Already one of the greatest characters in TV history after only 3 episodes.

[@mattegg2107]

Ceira Lannister and Lady Redwyne are different people. Ceira remarked about Daemon. Redwyne had the pug eating cake and chimed in after Ceira and got schooled about eating cake.

[@phoebedemontefalcon1423]

Seriously?, killing the crab feeder is not enough you had to cut in half by the torso? Wow daemon. I wonder what happened inside that cave.

[@sayhellotomylitleful]

I guess Crabfeeder kinda forgot about the dragons and the Valyrian forces but they certainly haven’t forgot about him 😂😂😂😂

[@filiprochette7793]

Yes that's why they kept looking upwards. Not looking for a dragon

[@SerDunk]

Daemon!!! 🔥🖤

[@denzelalba4715]

i loved Milly, so beautiful girl

[@athenstar10]

So Milly is Rhaenyra, essentially.

[@SerHuntsReviews]

This was a great listen! Thanks! Here’s my episode breakdown if y’all want : kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqO0oYKQd86ma8U

[@baransel4761]

The World's Most Beautiful TV Series

[@youtubehandle83]

I think Rhaenyra kind of suffers from the same issue as Viserys where she doesn't act like she wants to be Queen (he doesn't act like he wants to be King), while there's obviously misogynists she also hasn't really done a great job projecting herself as a ruler outside the Dragonstone moment.

[@Weeby_historian]

True pissing of possible allies is just dumb like when she insulted lady redwyne though she is a angst teenager tbf. As time goes on I think she’ll grow into the role esp. after the timeskip

[@brooklyncurrys]

She was a teen and in this recent ep she shows how much she cares for the realm and she chooses to make sacrifices once she learns more about marriage and how she could go about it, less restricted etc.

[@evolecaep]

This podcast feels comercial...not organic but excited for the new series

[@dirtyduck10]

No marshmallows but all you can eat crab buffet am I right?

[@magister343]

So, does Daemon have greyscale now? My biggest complaint about the episode is that they gave Craghas greyscale (which was not in the book and does not seem relevant to the plot) and then had Daemon grasping his hand for quite a while in a very damp environment when neither of them is wearing any gloves. Any maester could tell you that he should amputate that hand immediately or he will go mad and die from the highly contagious disease. He also risks wiping out half of King's Landing if he returns to the city. Valyrians are immune to many diseases but not to greyscale, as it was said to originate as a curse Garin the Great called down against them specifically.

[@ZaeBae22]

Actually..daemon didn't grab his hand he grabbed a loose part of his sleeve go back and pause you'll see

[@ianschmitt4991]

@@ZaeBae22 but that's probably crabman's blood all over Daemons face

[@jbookies]

If Crabfeeder had greyscale, when exactly is he supposed to go mad? Maybe it's some other skin condition, was greyscale mentioned explicitly, if yes I missed it sorry.

[@hopealope2802]

@@jbookies HBO confirmed it was greyscale in a video last week.

[@mohammedaldharhani916]

🔥🔥

[@CatsandJP]

Milly was brilliant in Uptight and a terrific Australian actress (yes “actress” by the way) please don’t ruin it by over analysing it. It doesn’t need a post mortem, everyone has their own unique take on the series. There is more then just the plot for me (I’m female and this side of 70) its the brilliant crew, actors and “actresses”, sets, costumes and scenery. How about enlightening us all on some of that information which is just a important after all it’s often the visuals that get people watching too.

[@norightsreserved5209]

I think we all obliged to admit that if it wasn't for The amazing Emilia Clarke and her outstanding unrepeatable performance as our beloved queen Daenerys and forever mother of dragons these actors and actresses wouldn't have the chance to do a prequel 👏👏👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️🐲🐲🐲🐲she truly introduced her house Targaryen as it finest even though she was at the abyss so head's up for her cuz she will be forever the only mother of dragons I've seen

[@Lucifer-md2vw]

Where is this coming from?????

[@norightsreserved5209]

@@Lucifer-md2vw what is it???

[@licemoment]

The series is available to me on the channel. Go to the channel and you will find the series

[@trueHeBrew]

Is that History of Westeros I hear?

[@ccan_max5285]

Episode 3 was not perfect but a very good episode. Awesome stuff.

[@philipc7273]

Man, they're really milking the shit out of this one

[@giants8585]

I always had a problem with Rhaenyra being Queen for one reason. Her son would be king therefore the ruling family would no longer be Targaryen…. Thats why it always made sense to me that it was a male. Not for any other reason than that

[@7amaking343]

👑🔥🔥

[@lyricalcontent4240]

😌❤️

[@giants8585]

Curious how they develop Rhaenyra. Will any of the rumors be true or will she be an unblemished hero who is completely in the right. Is the scandal with Cole real? Is the affair with Strong real? She marries Laenor, both of them white hair Valyrians yet she has brown hair children. Will be boring if shes “perfect” I see thats why Twitter fans want

[@tumeloseleke5307]

the affair with Harwin is definitely real

[@proxy6986]

I miss her already! 🥰🤗

[@Barberserk]

People cheering for Daemon defeating the crab king, remember he is a torturer himself, he filled cartloads of people and pieces of people in Kings Landing some years ago.

[@mdnblues]

Those were known criminals.

[@geraldomanoeldomingues8]

Only people who did perverted and violent atrocities. Also, liking a character doesn't mean approving everything he does either.

[@jacksparrow9227]

Or it could just be that Viserys doesn't know how to fight/hunt/joust

[@missmaf]

Milly Alcock is just perfect for the role! She delivers!! So sad that she needs to be an adult to play the role.. 🙈 nevertheless, i am extremely satisfied with the show!! Just WOW! 🤩😉🙌🏽🙌🏽👑

[@ramparkash2318]

MissMaf. Ur saying absolutely right.

[@ramparkash2318]

MissMaf Ur words are so beautiful as you. What do you think.?

[@missmaf]

@@ramparkash2318 ååå thank you! :)

[@ramparkash2318]

@@missmaf . Another beautiful words from you. Nice to meet you.

[@ramparkash2318]

@@missmaf . Good morning. Have a good day.

[@geneparadiso6258]

But it wasn’t an intimate relationship.

[@amavity1]

I can't help but wonder if the Queen watched Game of Thrones at all?

[@gaeln1901]

I loved the premiere,second one installed the story but I'm already questioning the good of the narration with those time jumps. 6 months was something but 2 years? This is a lot to just accept the situations, little to no explanation to what's been going on with the characters personality. They are just the same when they aren't supposed to. It was off for episode 3. And yeah someone said it in the comments but it's such a shame that Milly will be gone too soon. She plays really really really well

[@mdnblues]

The main story happens when Alicent and Rhaenyra's children are teenagers. They're setting up the story, that's why there's lots of time jumps. It's not hard to follow.

[@camma12]

all I can say is Emma has some big shoes to fill

[@mdnblues]

Y'all are so annoying

[@bhattkrunal7924]

Wow

[@claytondeoliveirasilvaoliv4872]

Legal né

[@MA90211]

The Crabfeeder character, I found, was kind of an overstretch in terms of plausibility. Like a Bond villain from the 60s or a big bad ogre from a fairytale. Sure, he’s got scars and all, the mask, etc, but does he have to be the most unwashed, lepper type of look? They reduced his whole part to just some creepy, scary guy. How does he survive with all those wounds and diseased skin? Frankly, he didn’t look he was for long in the world even before Daemon killed him. On the other hand, because he doesn’t speak, and you don’t really get his motivations at all, you just don't give a fuck when he dies. You’re just excited that Daemon got his victory and anxious about how things are going to play out further on.

[@manvirshergill1739]

he's really not important in the story they are telling, even in the book he was a less than a minor character... there was nothing to him.

[@indianintuitiontarot]

👌👌

[@iracingrookie3301]

i just cant get into this series..

[@basicallyabush]

Ayy

[@Shmack_]

Idk bout her as thr dragon queen

[@brooklyncurrys]

She’s the ancestor of dany sooo 🐉

[@fallingstarofthenight4511]

Why is nobody talking about the somewhat parallel between Rhaenera and the white heart moment and that scene between Arya and the white horse in s8 ep5? The only difference is that Arya took off with the horse, while Rhaenera let the white heart go, but either way it was still magical and rather eery.

[@DOSPenguin]

Yes except the white stag is intentional while the white horse was just something d&d wanted??? Just Because???....

[@fallingstarofthenight4511]

@@DOSPenguin That’s why I said “somewhat parallel”, because it is not entirely the same.

[@035716594]

because s8 is dead to most fans and isn't worth mentioning anymore

[@jacksparrow9227]

Where the fuck were Caraxes, Meleys, and Vhagar?

[@hopealope2802]

Caraxes was in episode 3...lol

[@may.k_me]

Wow these podcasts are quite annoying

[@ramparkash2318]

May Kabir. Ur saying absolutely right.

[@predatorexiliado784]

Primero

[@dd-dd2co]

Milly Alcock is such a perfect casting. Her swagger, her aura and her acting are all on point! You should just CGI her into the adult Rhaenyra role! No need for the other actress.

[@feistyoldgal8257]

Gotta say that I don't care for the dragons in this series. Longer snake-like necks, skin flaps on the rear legs and overall slimmer in build. What do you think of their redesign?

[@lordofmadness5346]

That’s how Caraxes is described in the books, he’s called the blood wyrm for a reason. There are 17 dragons on the show, a redesign is needed, keeping them at ‘drogon’ design just different colors will be very confusing for the audience

[@ianschmitt4991]

Go back and pause on the Seasmoke shots.

[@whistleblower1717]

That’s literally just one dragon. Caraxes. He’s called the blood wyrm for a reason. Sea smoke and syrax are smaller dragons cos they aren’t fully grown but they aren’t as thin. I actually love that each dragon is unique in their Color build size unlike danerys’ dragons.

[@bilbobaggins9765]

i miss the old GOT , this series is poor

[@Kakarot803]

Not bothered to watch it after Milly is gone It's like replacing Arya and or Sansa with different actresses :/

[@ThanatosIRL]

So you're judging the other actor based on this ones performance? Seems dumb to me. Just saying Milly was chosen after the older actor, to be sort of like the older one. Seems to me the next performance will be just as good

[@philosophynerdlady]

Rhaenyra changes when she ages as well all do. Just wait...

[@Dan_G.R.S.]

Emma D'arcy was cast first, they were always intended to be the lead, just as Milly was always intended to be the prologue version of her character

[@ageoflove1980]

My opinion remains unchanged... Its not bad per se, its just painfully average. I mean, were 3 hours in and I still couldnt tell you what the story is about. The crab feeder guy was nice and creepy but apparently he's irrelevant too, because he is already dead. Rhaenyra is now basically telling us for 3 episodes that she is a big girl and she can do what she wants... Ok good for you but ehhh...The king is already having kids from his second wife in the 3rd episode so eh yeah, is this one that matters and we should care about, or will she be dead too in a couple of episodes? The king completely had it with his brother but no, now he wants te be friends again and sends an army to help him out because his (second) wife thinks thats a good idea... Daemon was rebelling but apparently a 15 year old girl didnt like that so now he's not and gives the egg back like a good boy... And yeah dragons... they breathe fire... on stuff... and some random "evul" guys, I guess. But yeah, the guys run to a cave completely unforseen and that makes them near undefeatable. So whats the message here? Cave > Dragon I suppose... The only way to kill a couple of 100 pirates in a cave is apparently for Daemon to solo the entire army and almost die, because that will lure them out of that "magic" cave that grants invulnerability... Its just all over the place man... Isnt Lord Corlys Velaryon supposed to be the most powerful admiral with the largest fleet around? And he cant deal with a some pirates in a cave? Game of Thrones (well, A Song of Ice and Fire actually), took such great care to make sure things like that made sense in the context of the worldbuilding and the lore. Such attention to detail thats just missing here. Look, a weak king and the intrigue behind the curtains for power and control is in principle a good enough premise, but perhaps as one of multiple storylines. Apparently there is this tri-city alliance in the free cities thats behind the pirate guys. Why dont we get to see them, their motives etc? Why isnt the Oldtown faction partially in Oldtown with a seperate storyline there, explaining more about Otto Hightower's motivation? We could learn more about the Maesters there, classic GoT stuff, right? And just switch between the stories and locations just as GoT did to prevent thing from dragging on and making sure everything feels and looks fresh and exciting. Fantasy is ultimately about the world. The main character in Lord of the Rings is Middle Earth. In Game of Thrones its Westeros and the lands across the sea. In other fantasy novels the same thing, The Kingkiller Chronicle by Patrick Rothfuss, Robin Hobb books and the likes. Thats why the characters in fantasy stories almost always travel, because we get to see that world in that way. The landscapes, the cultures, weird and wonderful cities, all that good stuff. That classic fantasy foundation is completely absent here, it just relies on Game of Thrones for that. Without borrowing so heavily on what came before, its just a very average palace drama.

[@Lamiishere]

Cringe af__