HOTD Season 2 Episode 4 - The Raw Take

I loved Episode 4 of House of The Dragon. Lets talk about it!
Meleys History Video - • Rhaenys’s Dragon Full ...
Aemond Vs Aegon/Helaena Fan Theory - • Is This Just Fan Fiction?
#houseofthedragon #houseofthedragonseason2 #gameofthrones

[@benjamingarrett9960]

The worst part about this all is that everyone forgets that Aegon wanted nothing to do with being king. He knew his sister was the heir. And now his counsel and the 2 main people (Otto and Alicent) that forced the crown onto Aegon, which got his son murdered, along with him and his dragon severely injured and scared for life. And they all sit there and belittle Aegon even though Aegon is trying to be a good king.

[@nont18411]

Yep, it bugs me so much whenever people compared him to Joffrey. Joffrey embraced his royalty and exploited the hell out of it. Aegon wanted to be responsible but didn’t know how.

[@chrisn3819]

trying to be a good king...ok then.

[@nont18411]

@@chrisn3819 He’s not “good”…per se. He’s a rapist and a bully to his own brother but he’s still far better than Joffrey and was actually trying to be a king, not just a spoiled brat who got off on hurting people and animals like Joffrey.

[@matthewfaris8501]

​@@nont18411The bad thing is that the show runners are making everyone believe as if Rhaenyra is better than Aegon, they're both victims and villain at the same time

[@Anthony_Gx]

This is all very true

[@jjosifovic]

Arguably the greatest episode of the series so far because every scene mattered. Criston proved himself a great commander and Aemond showed how much better he was than aegon in every way. RIP my favorite live action female Targaryen Rhaenys Targaryen The Queen Who Never Was.

[@kobal6525]

I am not sure why she went back to a certain death when she knew there was no hope of winning. At least she damaged vhagar I guess. It was a great episode indeed.

[@JosephHandibode]

Rhaenus is dumbest character. she could have survived but went back.

[@thing_under_the_stairs]

I'm going to miss Eve Best. Her acting was always perfection, and she brought such dignity to her role. Meleys was a great dragon, also. RIP Red Queen.

[@jjosifovic]

@@thing_under_the_stairs Easily my favorite female live action female targaryen.

[@kobal6525]

@@JosephHandibode yeah idk wtf that was about

[@J_ads2000]

Can we just acknowledge that things being canon about ASOIAF’s history is just silly. Between fire and blood, the rouge prince, princess and the queen and world of ice and fire there is so many retcons, plot holes and inconsistencies. In one book Aegon and Rhaenyra are full siblings who are two years apart in age. In another they introduce house Hightower and age Aegon down making it a 10 year difference. The true telling will only be head canon, nobody knows what happens. These show runners are working with scraps and all they get is criticism. Fire and blood isn’t George’s best work, it’s actually probably his worst ASOIAF work.

[@ClarkKent1906]

As a book reader this episode was awesome! Very faithful to the source material with some changes that made sense. Could not be more satisfied.

[@angdathief]

nothing about the fight was faithful to the source material, the pacing is horrible they didnt even include our boy kermit tully

[@ClarkKent1906]

@@angdathief that’s you opinion and I have mine.

[@caffineandshiny]

​@angdathief I did like the fight, and it was epic on screen BUT I think you are right that they screwed up in a few ways. Meleys should've been dancing circles around Vhagar, not easily being caught. Twice. The second time of which an experienced dragonrider took her over literally the only hiding spot. Sunfyre is what really tipped the scales, and allowed Vhagar to bring her force to bear. One on one we should've seen a better performance from our speedy girl. Just my opinion though.

[@hitskwaad]

This exchange is exactly why I can't fault showrunmers for not bothering with trying to please source material purists, who will always prioritize their personal mythologized idea of the correct story over execution.

[@caffineandshiny]

@@hitskwaad the problem is the execution WAS off. Change how the fight happened, go ahead. That's not the issue. The issue is Meleys was the fastest dragon in the war. A dragon that stood "some chance" against Vhagar one on one. And then they tossed her into the one on one scenario the books never gave her. Oh great. Epic. Ah shit, she's just as slow as granny is. Wtf. They are too busy prioritizing making Vhaegar look like the most badass dragon. It's not about "staying faithful" to every motion, even move, every sword swing. It's about giving a dragon that's whole thing was speed...some speed. Book purists will never be happy. The nitpicking is too ingrained. But this was an execution issue.

[@ToeKnife166]

Aegon is the king, he can’t have people hatching battle plans behind his back, so him showing up made sense to me. Aemond wants to rule, that is why he took the opportunity to eliminate his brother. Yes he is hurt by his brother’s treatment but overall he is motivated by power.

[@MarwolfAeducan]

Exactly and after what happened to his heir he can't sit back Otto and Alicent shouldlve understand that.

[@srdshukla4]

its a shame to see how all of them were belittling him probably they should learn a thing or 2 from tywin , how to rule without overshadowing.

[@rushikeshdane5794]

No one loves agon but his dragon sunfyre really loves him , this is relates to people who don't have anyone but there pet

[@realdaggerman105]

Snoot boop for the win.

[@kobal6525]

My god this English is so bad.

[@westcoastbayaream.g5945]

You can see how battle savvy Vhagar is using sneaky ambush tactics. She killed Arax and Maelys in the same way..

[@aNsWeRkEy02]

she knows she can't keep up with the speed of smaller dragons so ambush & surprise attack is the tactic

[@itsmainelyyou5541]

This one gutted me looking at all of it through the lens of a parent. What a mother will do. The peace made and the mantle given. The acknowledgement. The bitterness drunk. What was done to those boys. All of them. The mirror they made, the image their parents made and refuse to see and the ones to break it. A culmination. It was a lot. It was a lot.

[@FaithAndRepentance]

2:20 the thing is , you cant quite stick to the books as they hold differing opinions of same event 😮 George RR Martin himself jas said he is very happy with how everything has been done with HOD and that matters❤

[@danielcastaneda4975]

That PR .

[@ayurvedicman]

This episode was excellent. Thinking of Alicent's action or lack of action throughout the years (as a result of Otto's parenting) has made bad decisions resulting in catastrophic events (began from misunderstanding Viserys at death, relationships with Cole, absent to Aemon, poorly counseling Aegon leading to him mounting his dragon.

[@shyguy4317]

I am a book reader too and i 1000% agree. This change was so wonderful and feels so real, I genuinely believe it

[@ethanratberry6991]

This will go down as one of the greats, so glad to me able to witness more peak GOT after the disaster season 8 was. I cannot wait for more ! Amazing TV

[@FaithAndRepentance]

13:24 as a child Aemond exclaimed when Aegon annouces engagement to Helena, that he would happily do his duty with Helena and as king

[@j.477]

Also since the book is just second hand account, it makes sense that to an outsider it all appeared as if they planned the whole rooks rest thing together, since Cole immediately after seeing Aegon, went and pretended he came to boost the morale of the footsoldiers and if this was actually the plan, so mushroom or any other bystander couldn't know they planned it without him. The show also introduced Aemond casually trying to get rid of his brother, which we only know because we as viewers were tho only ones seeing that he held back Vhagar and and how he just didn't care to make a casualty of him. Any other witness just didn't have the inside, and the story from the book was what information remained in the end. I think it so interesting to compare both, such a great idea by Mr. Martin.

[@realdaggerman105]

Yeah, what runs better? “Sorry guys he wasn’t meant to be there” or “OUR BRAVE AND GLORIOUS KING HAS COME TO FIGHT ALONGSIDE US!”

[@christypassy]

Am I the only one who although incredibly sad at dragons deaths and pain wanted their battle to last a bit longer with more dread and tension? I can’t stop thinking about what Miguel Sapochnik would have done differently. Alan Taylor was great but I keep wondering…

[@upyourglass]

Miguel would have had the battle at night and we wouldn’t have seen anything

[@realdaggerman105]

@@upyourglass It would be shot in daytime, then filtered jet black.

[@Nigels_Wrld]

not a book reader but i loved this episode

[@juliusfishman7222]

I like hpw sunfyre bums aeogon, hey buddy still a goof i see, lets get this show on the road.

[@nont18411]

Seeing how volatile and spiteful Aemond is in this episode, it makes show Sansa even stupider for challenging Daenerys openly, knowing that she possessed 2 flying nuclear weapons at that time.

[@DCharles]

Why ya gotta bring that up, I was having a good time… In all seriousness, Sansa/Alayne are my favorite chapters, and occasionally in contention for my favorite character in ASOIAF.

[@nont18411]

@@DCharles It can think of the scenario of possible Stark succession crisis in TWOW and ADOS, would you like to know my opinion?

[@09hicktown]

Excuse you Sansa is the greatest D&D stark fanboy creation ever dont bring up how stupid she was or how her ending makes zero sense in the context of Westeros. I mean only someone with that much plot armour would invite certain death

[@vKSh87]

Sansa 😖

[@srdshukla4]

@@09hicktown her plot armour was thickker then her booty!

[@ayurvedicman]

Loving the Harrenhal scenes/journey with Daemon. He's def giving off Bloodraven vibes!

[@srdshukla4]

almost slept through those scenes

[@realdaggerman105]

@@srdshukla4 The show has been slow, but it’s all important.

[@kamilajarczak7923]

Rating the episodes of this season, I am stuck between episode 2 and 4. In season 2 the acting - Griving Aegon, Fed up Otto, fight between the brothers - 10/10. The pain ans complexity of rhe characters was absolutely phenomenal. Episode 4 stands out again with Aegon and the way he feels and the battle , which is so close in my rating with the battle of rhe bastards. What I actually liked about this episode's battle is how everyone literally stood still when Vhagar showed up. Everyone was terrified - respect dor for the dragon and who she basically is was there. When dragons show up nothing else counts, and nobody else matters. So I am stuck between these two episodes - to rate which one was better. Let's say I put them equally as number one. Then would say is episode one in my rank, and the last place goes to episode three. House of the dragon restored my love for the franchise, after infamous season 8 and not so good season 7 as well. I think it's a masterpiece, norhing else.

[@bennygerow]

Truly a riveting episode! Best episode yet.

[@joshspears8507]

I knew it was gonna happen but damn Rhaenys and Melys getting got was rough for me, Sunfire getting messed up was rough too, bad move Aegon 😢

[@srdshukla4]

was he even trying tho ? I would have expected a better fight atleast before aemond inferfered

[@aNsWeRkEy02]

​@@srdshukla4aegon doesn't look like he had experience when it comes to dragon fighting or even fighting in general..rhaenys had experience (she didn't even use dragonfire)..aemond also seems like he practice flying & practice combat to becomes efficient with it

[@bloodandempire]

It was sooo good 😭

[@FaithAndRepentance]

Will watch in a handful of hours, so excited. Sad to hear it was Rhaneys Episode 😢 With 2 more seasons to go i had hoped she stay till at least 3 . Well done from what clips ive seen and reviews read. ❤❤❤

[@josiahdavistv1216]

If Daemon truly wanted the iron throne he could have easily took especially when he was married to leana velaryon she had the biggest and strongest dragon hell most likely have leanor /seasmoke rheanys / meleys on his side along the corlys and his powerful navy it know way that visry could defend anginst that

[@srdshukla4]

and how are you supposed to take throne by them ? LIetrally 0 sense

[@shivnerine1]

I think he understood everything aemond said, but speaking Valyrian would take practice which he didn’t do

[@DCharles]

I disagree, but either way I think the purpose of the scene works the same.

[@Smilodon_ex]

Best episode easily dragon battle was so cool Aemond shows how ruthless he is can’t wait to see more what he do definitely going miss Queen who never was and her actor did great job

[@nersesgarabed781]

I’m really missing Sapochniks touch in season 2 and especially this episode. The start of the battle was underwhelming. Those 2-3 cut to blacks towards the end of the battle. There was no rhythm to it, no build up. The only tension comes from knowing some dragons were gonna die which also kind of exposes the fatal flaw of this show. No one wants to watch dragons die. It was as flat as a battle with multiple dragons fighting could be. The battle of rooks rest pales in comparison to BotB’s or Hardhomme. IMHO, it was just good, it wasn’t great. Hopefully it gets better but without Sapochnik in the mix, I doubt it.

[@TaeSunWoo]

9:13 I’ve been sad all week about Rhaenys and Meleys. Also even though I’m team black I feel bad for Helaena, Aegon and Sunfyre

[@Dularr]

Watch the GoT scene where Princess Shireen describe the Dance of Dragons to her father Stannis.

[@ro5marinu5]

Why am I crying right now? I'm eating my lunch while watching this video and I just broke down when the clip of Rhaenys leaning on Meleys was shown.

[@valerialamberti9037]

The scene with Corlys son was amazing! She telling he how beatifull he is....then you can't love her!

[@TFAric]

From watching this once my biggest problem was how Vhagar came up from nowhere behind the castle and got Melis, it was rather obvious that it would happen but it was silly, he is way to slow and big to have done that. Amazing episode and I have very little complaints, this is it, I knew they had to die but how they got caught were a bit meh.

[@aNsWeRkEy02]

I wondered that as well.. against lucerys, its believable since it is a stormy night

[@liamdamon]

There's a massive seaside cliff on the other side of the castle. You can see it when Rhaenys turns Meleys back and her foot drags the water. It's the perfect spot for a huge ambush predator to hide.

[@FaithAndRepentance]

Great video thanks buddy

[@Ivbo]

I just don’t like how Sunfyre was used, in the book it’s clear that Sunfyre was crucial in the death of Meleys…the only reason Vhagar landed a killing blow was because Sunfyre and Meleys were interlocked and fighting. The show just threw him away for nothing and gave the whole fight to Vhagar, while making Rhaenys look ridiculously stupid the entire time. In the book Sunfyre is the one who actually fights Meleys, and Vhagar is the one who kills her. It was an equal effort on both Aegon and Aemond’s part.

[@DCharles]

I understand that. But what about that enhances drama and conflict for the story in f & b? This version creates so much more depth for Aegon and Aemond going forward.

[@Timquan.]

​@DCharles Not really it further trivialize the Greens into tropes. Aemond is too smart to do something as stupid as to blatantly shoot down the king in front of two armies. Aemond is also smart enough to understand losing a Dragon and the sitting King people are fighting for, after already being known as a Kinslayer makes no sense whatsoever. Realistically there is no real way for him to pivot from this politically. This is not something the boy who saved himself and his mother from torture at Driftmark would have ever done. And furthermore he regrets and never meant to kill Luke but he is cool with Wacking his brother in front of everyone because he bullied him at the brothel, which just trivialize the emotional scene Aemond had with the madam. They essentially only had that scene to get Aemond to stupidly shoot down aegon to further paint the Greens as overtly dysfunctional when they were portrayed as the epitome of competence as a whole in the prior season

[@ranzankc5616]

dont watch it then , worship the book .

[@09hicktown]

@@Timquan. Greencel alert

[@DCharles]

I think it’s obvious to the audience it was intentional, it’s not going to be presented as obvious to the other characters in the show, because Meleys was right there, giving Aemond plausible deniability. Everyone thinks Aegon is incompetent, Sunfyre isn’t an asset in the book, and certainly not in the show. Getting Aegon out of the way is consistent with Aemond seeing him as an unfit ruler since last season. The Greens competency came from Otto and Alicent, not Aegon. The whole point of Otto in episode 2 of this season was acknowledging that fact, and how Aegon is too destructive and careless to rule. They’ve demonstrated the contrast between Aegon and Aemond since episode 6 of season 1. Aegon bullying him is hardly the only motivation for what happened. If that’s too trivial or a trope in your book, I don’t want the convoluted version of what you’d call complex character development.

[@eugeneimbangyorteza]

**SPOILERS** Considering how well received the dragon battle is, I can't wait for the Battle Above the God's Eye!!!!!

[@ripthedodobirds]

my stomach is turning just thinking about it oh my god. 💔 that one is gonna be a hard one. 😭😭

[@SaneMillennial]

This is the one I'm really waiting for! There's a theory that Daemon doesn't die and becomes one of the COTF's greenseers like Bloodraven does later, as we should be asking who was their 3 eyed crow before Bloodraven came along? They always seem to need one, and he "died" right above the Isle of Faces where we know the greenmen still live and care for the only good Weirwood trees left, the ones w/green leaves still, as portrayed in GRRM's calendar art this year.

[@realdaggerman105]

Not only did you spoiler tag, you also kept it vague? Legend.

[@magnisky]

I looooooved those episode, they pulled it offff. ❤

[@abelgonzalez158]

My heart 💔💔💔💔💔💔💔😭

[@saranps2530]

There is no concrete reason for why rheanys turned back just to get herself killed. It seems like please kill me i want to die in this episode😢

[@tamalchakraborty5346]

She found out her love of her live cheated on her. And has a kid. Well, she left without last words. The little things we miss , my man.

[@saranps2530]

@@tamalchakraborty5346 seriously bro you think having secret affair is a strange in GOT universe

[@tamalchakraborty5346]

@@saranps2530 Dude, I did not understand a single thing you said. Could you please rephrase it? From what I understand, having secret affairs might not surprise the real world audience, but it will still have a lasting effect on the characters of the television.

[@aNsWeRkEy02]

her mission was to protect rooks rest from being taken over..did you think itd finished after sunfyre went down? siege is still on going below..

[@tamalchakraborty5346]

@@aNsWeRkEy02 She hardly cared about the mission, IMO. She did her damage and it was quiet a big blow for the Greens, but at the end of the day, the mission failed.

[@Zarab923]

There is something super depressing knowing that it doesn’t get better for these teams losses. I found myself getting emotional every scene in the whole episode of Rhaenys.. and Meleys and her. Rhaenys was a real one and Meleys was a legendary ride or die for her. It’s so irritating because it’s so clear that she probably could’ve won had she not had to battle them both. I mean to take out Vhagar would probably have killed her but Meleys was already hurt when Aemond showed up. I hate having to keep seeing Aemond get these wins that he 100% ONLY gets because that geriatric bitch dragon does all the work for him because he doesn’t know what to do except try and get a sneak attack. His smug face is so infuriating especially after what he did to Aegon and I don’t even like Aegon but it was sad seeing him realize what was about to happen. Must be heartbreaking but also I always found it crazy that he picked on Aemond cause that guy is not mentally stable and generally you don’t mess with crazy. Aemond and Aegon are so freaking cruel to each other, they like embarrassing eachother publicly too which makes it even more uncomfortable. I just am already tired of seeing depressing moments between the characters and their dragons and just the bond is so cool except for Vhagar. She is just ugly and ick. Never wanna rewatch Meleys looking back at Rhaenys and how she falls again. But it was so beautifully done. Seeing them kinda connect in those moments kinda they’re apologizing to each other but also thanking each other for their time together and agreeing that they’ll go down together. That stuff just is devastating and poignant and then they just pan over to freaking Aemond creepy pursed lip smirk and then I’m like someone better kill him but then in order to see him die we have to see daemon and caraxes die… ugh! Hate that!!!

[@srdshukla4]

its sos satisfying to see cry babies. . .you just made the episode even more better for me thankyou!

[@SaneMillennial]

Daemon may not *die*! We never see his body and there's a good theory by I think the Grey Area that he survives and lives out in a cave under the Isle of Faces and becomes a greenseer for them until Bloodraven can show up and take over. The Children fo the Forest always need a greenseer for their weirwood network, and Daemon has first men blood which can be mixed with COTF blood aka greenseer blood. There are clues for this all in the books that Grey Area and now Grey Waste Tim are going over. If the show shows this in the end, they will redeem GOT Seasons 7-8 for me. They just need to redo the 2nd half of GOT one day to make it all canon w/how the real magic works in this world.

[@michaelfoster3441]

Great take , it was a different take fomm the book in the book aegon and Aemond attacked meleys at the same time and 3 dragons fail to the ground with only Vhagar surviving the fall , but I it was cool how the show changed it .

[@46pippi]

I wonder if they can use the ending of the show to somehow open up what aftermath of GoT Season 8. Like maybe the walkers are not completely gone somehow or something.

[@THISISRISE]

Thank you for what you said at the end. You can't judge it the same. If you do, you'll know that hotd is a better show thus far

[@saquanward8607]

Alot of people are actually mad that the show shows Amond this way but I think it's even better.

[@GallowayJesse]

There really is no question whether it was intentional or not. He charged eight toward him and said "dracarys" lmao. clear as day.

[@chuckincharlie776]

I think it’s pretty obvious that the hand that’s touching Helaena in the trailer is Aemonds, not Aegon.

[@motionpictureplus]

Battle was kind of short for all the hype

[@thedancingburger6875]

It may have been short but had a huge impact. I honestly wasn't disappointed at all

[@DCharles]

With Dragons, their riders would need a lot of plot armor to stretch it out any further or you’d have these extended periods of them just dodging each other which I think would feel uninteresting to a lot of fans.

[@hitskwaad]

You wanted dragon trench warfare?

[@louisamay9615]

It was longer than the book version. Vhagar just comes in and slams Meleys and Sunfyre to the ground.

[@michealokocha9356]

The battle is longer than what happens in the book, my little dude.

[@RTDKRunner]

What works about the book is that it is based on unreliable narrators piecing together events. The show depicts the ACTUAL events

[@LKaramazov]

That was in my opinion the best game of thrones episode of either series.

[@tylerrbh9769]

They just throw dragons at you to make up for all the boring “build up” The red wedding was one of the greatest episodes of any show all time. That too, without dragons.

[@LKaramazov]

@@tylerrbh9769 you missed the entire point. “ boring build up”😂

[@SaneMillennial]

Really? I still find early GOT to be by far the best and their battle scenes even more engrossing. The dragon battle here was very cool and looked awesome and realistic all around, but I still think this show is misstepping in some character interactions in making it fully believable.

[@JoeUchiha-gs5ru]

I couldn't believe they tried ro imply there was ambiguity in aemond frying his brother

[@michaelmolina5375]

The things that bugs me is the Rhaenys turns around after Sunfire was knocked out of the sky. The episode made it seem as if she could have retreated safely.

[@aNsWeRkEy02]

she could..but her mission was to protect the rooks rest from being taken over..it just so happens that dragons from greens go involved..

[@CatBuchanan]

Some of us started watching GoT WAY before S4 ended. I watched from SEASON 2 every week. I watched The Sopranos the exact same way - one week at a time as it premiered. But your point is noted regarding binging GoT and how clunky episodes don't stand out as much NOW as they did when we were watching them as they premiered each week.

[@DCharles]

It’s not just the binge effect. GoT existed in a vacuum until in a way, where had nothing of it’s scale to be compared to, but HOTD is tasked with reaching that bar with a fraction of the source material, and far less patience for imperfections because of how many people view it cautiously after GoT disappointed so many fans in the later seasons.

[@johnnyblast326]

They make it seem like Rhaenys sacrifices herself due to Corlys' betrayal

[@yenneferL98]

Not at all. I think the scene with Alyn was only to tell the audience that, before her death, Rhaenys knew about Corlys bastards and was fine with that. The reason Rhaenys stayed and sacrifised herself was for her family. She knew that if she somehow at least injures Vhaegar, the blacks would stand much better chance at winning the war.

[@johnnyblast326]

@yenneferL98 I agree with your summation. I feel like the Corlys/Rhaenys scenes in the end were missing something. After Corlys defies the accusation his wife volunteers to go off to defend a castle by herself. There is a possibility that she does not return and there's no parting words or anything. Which King/Queen pairing is stronger than theirs in HOTD other Viserys and the departed Queen? Rhaenys is by far my favorite character. This episode is utterly heartbreaking 💔 to me. The Queen 👸🏽 That Never Was was more regal than any other in this show, even Rhaenyra.

[@SaneMillennial]

@@johnnyblast326 Yeah, I agree it's sad and doesn't seem right for Rhaenys and Corlys not to say proper more loving goodbyes which they could do away from the council like when she's about to mount Melys. Why wasn't he there?? It takes time to get ready for battle. Seems incomplete and inconsistent to do that to me which does make me nitpick the show's choices more in what they choose to show us and don't. I feel her character was treated the worst in the show as she didn't come off as consistent or clear in her motivations all the time.

[@johnnyblast326]

@SaneMillennial Exactly. This lack of clarity led to my initial comment. That being said, I love this season. I also love the subtle changes from the novel. I hope literary fans appreciate it.

[@veritasinvicta8128]

They bastardized the books. Now Aemond is responsible for Sunfire's fall?

[@DCharles]

Yeah. That part is really good for expanding these character conflicts.

[@09hicktown]

You gonna cry about it greencel?

[@MarwolfAeducan]

​@@DCharlesnot yet it's not as bad as the Netflix writers did the witcher series

[@aNsWeRkEy02]

books are written by maesters not those on the battle itself..didnt grrm already stated this..😅

[@CindyA715]

No, don’t think you’re crazy thinking there’s something between Haelena and Aemond. When they were kids at Laena‘s funeral, Aemond said he would happily marry her, and there were *moments when they looked at each other as adults. It was definitely implied.

[@Jon79w]

The Targaryens are either insane or weak

[@JosephHandibode]

well they kept pushing jons true family and his fight against night king but it went no where.

[@srdshukla4]

i think Got left all the Plots unfinished to create Plot armors for their favorite characters s let's not dwell into that.

[@sandralofgren8266]

I have a general question about Corley's b*stards. SPOILER WARNING FOR FIRE AND BLOOD. Just like you say, it's heavily hinted towards the fact that the Hall brothers are Coley's children in Fire and Blood, and I'd say confirmed now with this episode. However; one thing I can't get straight is: How can they then be dragonriders? If I remember correctly, the Valarions aren't dragonriders and Leanor and Leana got that from their Targaryan mother. So, if Leanor isn't their father, how are they dragonriders? Maybe you know :)

[@DCharles]

Well I think this goes well with Nettles, and if rumors are true, she’s not going to be in the show. Showing that it’s something more than Targaryen inheritance to ride dragons. I’m curious to see that play out too, but this is also the same issue in the book with Corlys being their father, but not answered.

[@sandralofgren8266]

@@DCharles thanks for this answer, I didn't think about Nettles. It is implied that she used positive reinforcement with the feeding of Sheepstealer, so I subcontiously ruled her out. Of course this proves though, as you say, that there are other ways to get a dragon than Targaryen blood 😀

[@Anthony_Gx]

I was wondering about this too

[@godfreytamale9890]

Maybe their mother had dragon blood hin her, the mother of the hall twins

[@SaneMillennial]

Yeah, that was always my issue w/it being ambivalent in the books too as to whether they were Corlys' or Leanor's bastards, but the show is straight up telling us they're Corlys'. And @DCharles no, Nettles is not the one to prove this, as if anything she seems to be a Child of the Forest who have their own powers and special blood so the dragons can probably accept that too. I don't buy that non-targs besides other magical creatures or others w/related blood can ride Dragons as it was specific blood magic they did in Valyria many centuries ago that tied them to them and it's even alluded to in the opening tapestry scenes now further confirming that for me. Some ASOIAF YTbers talk about this like "Michael Talks about Stuff". People need to check out his channel as his theories are mind blowing but all backed up by the text.

[@worldadventuretravel]

I hated seeing the dragons hurting each other and suffering. Hated it. It's super upsetting watching these amazing magical beings in pain and turning on one another.🥲 That said, this episode was EXTREMELY well-acted and well-shot. The face acting in particular on the part of Aegon and Larys was excellent. Rhaenyra really shit the bed by taking DAYS?!? to return to Dragonstone and then acting so entitled and obtuse when she was confronted on her absence. Daemon's storyline is interesting to watch but he's basically abandoned everyone at this point. Overall, strongest episode so far, but IDK if I can keep watching dragons dying. I may back out of the rest of the show.

[@Jon155mt]

Lmao yeah just stop watching now then cause it’ll only get worse from here 😂

[@dr.gharmensir6327]

you sir are saying the episode was good for 22 minutes

[@DCharles]

That’s the summary of my ranting and raving. I do not disagree with your assessment.

[@dinafisher199]

This was an amazing episode!!!! I usually don't do critics on the person telling their opinions and Easter eggs but this recap is definitely not your best work 😢 The pictures you were showing mostly had nothing to do with what you were saying. You were even showing interviews with cast members but not what they were saying and you talking about totally different characters while showing them. I truly hope that you get back to your typical because it's very difficult to listen to what you were saying because most of the scenes showing were not relevant of what you say is immensely opposite of the visuals and the shots of interviews were totally irrelevant since we can't hear anything they say. Please get your groove back 😊

[@DCharles]

These “The Raw Take” videos are recorded exactly 5 minutes after the episode ends. It’s unscripted to share an unfiltered initial thought on the episode. So if you see Raw Take in the thumbnail or title, skip it in the future, because that’s specifically what these videos will be every time.

[@AMore429]

That haunting is getting old quick. It’s boring. It’s lazy writing. Visions are stating the obvious.

[@Rockadela_]

Thank you! It’s like I’m watching people suffer from mass delusion when it comes to this show

[@SaneMillennial]

True, and Daemon's actions are really annoying me b/c why would he go to a castle w/only his dragon and still it seems he has NO ARMY whatsoever there yet to help guard it and sent NO RAVENS when he arrived?? And now he's just willingly drinking this witch's brew? Like wtf is he doing?? Plan some damn war strategy already! He's been lost since going there and the whole place is weird. Even tho I get why Harrenhal is haunted. Just the books don't indicate he ever got under any one's spell there, and I get the show can embellish that more but c'mon get on w/it man b/c you're useless right now.

[@BadTrashBenji]

The surprise attack that kills Meleys was poorly done. For such a battle hardened dragon and rider to lose vision of such a large dragon and to be taken by surprise feels rushed very poorly written. I felt it would end in a far more vicious and 0climactic head to head clash. Rhaenys and Meleys look to each other felt to me like they knew they were going to their death and would face it head on. But then it appeared they were just leaving and got a nasty surprise when flying over the castle. This felt like it was written by someone or someones who've never had a fight or have no experience of fighting, warfare or strategy.

[@DCharles]

Yeah it probably wasn’t written by anyone with battle strategy experience for this particular case, but that’s probably because dragons are make believe. 🙄

[@srdshukla4]

it makes perfect sense he used castle to hide, hearing maleys approaching and came up just in time to get herr head. . . i am not very sure being on a dragon also gives you ability to look behind walls , you can correct me if it does!

[@BadTrashBenji]

@@srdshukla4 But it does give you the ability to go up.

[@BadTrashBenji]

@@DCharles So why spend so much time on lines and scenes that tell us she and her dragon are experienced in battle, if you're going to ignore that and fight with all the grace and skill of a preschool bully... I think i just hit the nail on the head.

[@calebpalmer9317]

Woke of Thrones is great but doesn't inspire the same awe as GOT as far as writing

[@Rockadela_]

You lack serious critical thinking skills if you can’t criticize anything about the snooze fest that was the episode before the ending sequence, pointless scenes repeating the same information doted the episode, with mediocre writing and subpar acting

[@DCharles]

Yeah I think a lot of people see it differently. Your perspective is different though, but that’s okay.

[@Rockadela_]

Lol your comparison to the Sopranos having bad episodes was such a cope take

[@DCharles]

I don’t really have coping skills, so I’ll assume this is a compliment. Thanks!

[@aymen6092]

The way Rhaenys and her dragon died was stupid how tf did big ass Vhagar sneak up on her it's so fucking dumb also how did she not see Vhagar before she surprised her she's like 3 times the size of the castle she's trying to defend