House of Dragons: Power, Gender, & Representation | Khadija Mbowe

[@JiixBooks]

Khadija Targaryen, first of their name, creator of intricately rich video discussions, singer of opera, dancer of pole, monarch of staying hydrated and feeding your plats

[@OTOTW1]

@@JiixBooks LONG MAY SHE REIN! 👑 💕💯

[@Kells91483]

😂👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿🙌🏿

[@UhOhJacquinette]

@@OTOTW1indeed reign they shall!

[@YourVeganFriendTonia]

@JiixBooks came here to say this except that i admit i wouldn't have been able to word it so well. ❤️🙏

[@OGseoulite]

I love this so much you have no idea😂😂😂 great job with the naming scheme!!!😂🎉

[@caseyw.6550]

Khadija in their Valyrian era. Stunning! 10/10

[@bece00]

Literally it looks so good !!!

[@Sam-0827]

Fr incredibly beautiful

[@Princess_Weekes]

I can't watch yet because working on my own thing, but I am bending the knee in advance to the glory that is you and making sure to leave a comment xx

[@NaritaZaraki]

AAHHH I look forward to your video!! ^_^

[@susannahs8533]

My faves!!!!

[@MagicHurdlez]

2 faves

[@rabbitgoddessweloveu175]

more content for me we won

[@laurac8533]

Love to see you supporting each other! Khadija - great vid! Princess Weekes - looking forward to yours

[@shuasaladbar]

Daemon sleeping in a haunted keep and forced into therapy via witchcraft is objectively hilarious.

[@milaces1323]

That hair has you looking like a Velaryon hottie 🖤

[@randomgirl2282]

VISERYS SLANDER! FINALLY!

[@NaritaZaraki]

ALL MY HOMIES HATE VISERYS! 🤣

[@littlerelief]

He's the most classic example of "the bar is on the floor."

[@Martin-ju8zj]

People keep saying Viserys was a good father and a good king…..I always ask them, did we watch the same show? He is literally the cause of everything that is happening at the moment. If he was truly content with Rhaenyra being his heir, and was truly sad about butchering his wife, he would’ve stayed single and protected Rhaenyra while also readying her for the role of Queen. None of this that is happening now would’ve happened.

[@Venus-xu2kj]

the fact that people cut themselves all the time on the iron throne but immediately after it happens to rhaenyra it is interpreted as a rejection is the most symbolic thing in the book, it really shows in a genius way how rhaenyra's claim to the throne is seem by the westerosi men that tell stories about the dance of the dragons

[@NaritaZaraki]

Yes! Which the show kinda weakens by having Aegon lounge about drunk off his ass on that thing without a single nick. Like, there is a point to that thing cutting up everyone and their mother 😑

[@Ducky-vl7mp]

​@@NaritaZaraki That just means Aegons is the true heir since he can lay on it drunk af and not get cut

[@NaritaZaraki]

@@Ducky-vl7mp But the throne does cut true heirs too? Unless I'm misremembering that? Genuinely, please remind me if I've got that wrong. I always took it as a symbol that operates on two tiers in the story. 1) basically, monarchy bad. There is no such thing as a "rightful heir" to a violent unjust system that grinds up and dominates by its very nature. It cuts everyone. Because it's a pile of swords. The swords of the defeated in Aegon's conquest. It cuts everyone. And 2) the in-universe perception of those who get cut reveals something of the beliefs of that ruler's time. Viserys gets cut and it festers and agonizingly slowly kills him because that is what defines his reign. But in-universe, to his contemporaries in a time of peace, it reflects no negative interpretation of his character or right to rule. But an outward appearance of peace/health that hides a spreading rot in his body/realm (the succession crisis he created) is meaningful to the audience. In Rhaenyra's time, to the OP's point, it's interpreted in-universe as a "sign" of her particular unfitness to rule. And yeah, the fact that a horrific war preceded her ascension in a legitimately contested succession crisis is part of that interpretation. But it is still interpreted in a very *gendered* way. Despite the fact that that thing cuts everyone. There is a sharp critique in that. The show abandoning that point I think weakens the strength of the throne as a symbol in her time. It will still tie-in thematically to her father of course and also the larger point of monarchy bad actually, but still. I wish the adaptation had stayed faithful on this point. So sorry this got so long I am incapable of not yapping apparently 😅

[@moustik31]

Right? It cut Viserys and gave him his leprosis (?) didnt it?

[@DANNYYII]

The throne cuts everyone. Usurper’s and true heirs alike.

[@mbanerjee5889]

Say what you want about Cersei Lannister but she was a well written female character. She is feminine and maternal but just as ruthless and power hungry as the men, if not more. By the time we get to the GoT era, it seems most people don't care whether they are ruled by a king or queen. The women on GoT are more nuanced and have way more agency while the women on HotD are treated as paragons of virtue that are being manipulated by men.

[@forgotmyun]

@@mbanerjee5889 in a way it makes sense, though I’m not sure it’s intentional. HotD takes place a hundred and some years before GoT. It shows that there has actually been some progress in Westeros and the politics. Not a whooooole lot, but some.

[@therenegade916]

Which thoroughly reflects the British history it’s based on. People forget, because they don’t hammer it home enough, that these are very religious people. Alicent especially, (as much as people make fun of her for the candles) is hyper religious. Rhaenyra, (while awesome from a modern perspective) balks at all that.

[@tinaye8638]

This is because of the some bad choices made when choosing to adapt HOTD Allicent and Rhaenyra are more politically ambitious and powerful in the books than they are in the show by a mile.

[@michaelh13]

“By the time we get to the GoT era, it seems most people don’t care if they are ruled by a king or queen” That’s just not true is it? Even Cersei in the books hates most women, and wishes she were born a man

[@Hugo-G]

@@michaelh13 Yeah but Cercei manages to sit on the Iron Throne and no one within the kingdom rise against her for that. The noble families that hate her instead align with Danaerys, another Queen. Then Sansa manages to be queen in the North. You definitely see them fight the patriarchal systems in Westeros but the fact that they are able to lead in their own right shows societal progress.

[@soufian2733]

The gender essentialism you mention at 18:15 is my biggest problem with the show in terms of changes made from the book. Having Rhaenyra and Alicent be reluctant to fight a war despite there being no other alternative at this point is really frustrating. The fact that they’re basically the only women on their respective councils reinforces the "women are the gentler sex" stereotype which is so bizarre considering the show presents itself as being feminist lol

[@moustik31]

That part. iirc, Avatar Adrian argued, that the show refused to allow them their own ambition for power and their own ruthlessness for a little too long and deny us the possibility to support some women's wrongs! 😤

[@theazamatk]

The way I understood it, Rhaenyra and Alicent being reluctant to go to all out war shows how sensible they are as characters. Then the show presenting itself as feminist makes 100% sense and not bizarre at all. Every main female character was shown to understand what is at stake. Rhaenys, Rhaenyra, Alicent, Mysaria etc. Men want carnage and war, while women were shown to be wise and merciful. And war is terrible. Would it really be better if they were bitter, vengeful and willing to sacrifice thousands of lives and destroy the country, because they are not "gentle sex"?

[@dcfan7838]

While I agree with you (I do), I believe there are more factors to them not wanting war than them being soft women, though I absolutly understand that this is how it comes across in the show (which is what matters at the end of the day). An all out war between the two factions would cost immeasurable resources and countless lives would be lost, and both women recognise the weight of this. They have both felt the grief caused by the earlier stages of this war and don't want that to continue if possible. Deep down I believe Alicent realised that her actions were driven by the men around her rather than her own wishes before she came to the conclusion in 2x08, subtly influencing her actions through both seasons. And ultimately this is a war between two former friends, that's the heart of it rather than the succession crisis, and neither want a war brought from their former love for each other. I, personally, think it shows immense strength for them to try and stop the war for as long as possible because war is senseless and needlessly costs resources and lives when in the end it's often solved diplomatically eventually anyway. Let's not forget that Alicent basically had to beg the green small council for them to not kill Rhaenyra in 1x09. Another angle is that during the time when Alicent and Rhaenyra were trying to solve things without war, both sides were getting allies, armies and dragons, things they would not be able to get without that time. And there is a precedent for this in our history. Before ww2 started the UK (and other powers) didn't declair war on the Nazis when they first could've so they could build up weapons and soldiers and be better equipped to fight in a large war. I'm not saying you're wrong and it does very much look and come across that way, but I do feel like this is more nuanced than how you have described it. That being said I might be wrong and even if I'm not I respect your perspective so if you want to talk about it more I'd love to hear your thoughts

[@foalengtoussaintfoaleng7291]

Yeah, and it's kinda annoying how they reduce the conflict to simple misogyny when the story is clearly not written a way where you can just boil down the issues the greens have with the blacks to simple misogyny. The thing about Rhaenyra killing the children for example is a legitimate issue especially bc she has Daemon on her side

[@soufian2733]

@@theazamatk "Men want carnage and war, while women are shown as wise and merciful." You don’t think that’s a wild generalisation ? GRRM’s world is filled with extremely complex grey characters of both sexes, but the show unfortunately doesn’t reflect that for some reason

[@acecat2798]

I love seeing your cats making their way through the house like they're your bodyguards on patrol. Especially since they're probably just marching to the food bowl.

[@flux.aeterna]

Their Sovereignsguard!

[@mirandawhittaker8481]

@@acecat2798 tiny dragons.

[@rosegolden8959]

​@@mirandawhittaker8481Most accurate description of cats:

[@oh_riley7104]

My non-dragon youtubers covering my dragon show is the crossover I didn't know I wanted. Edit: *dragon-er show

[@TheLizardofOzzz]

Lmaooo gotta love glibnob and swiftus

[@oh_riley7104]

@@TheLizardofOzzz I think you mean Glitaerys and Schwaegon (wow)

[@Greeeenmoss]

Dragon tiiimeeee 😂

[@Rammythelogophile]

What you were saying about the marriage of Figaro is so interesting in terms of Westerosi law, because this existed in Westeros for CENTURIES as the law of the 'First Night' which allowed a lord to sleep with a bride on her wedding night if he had feudal power over them. Butttt it was forbidden by Jaehaerys, the king before Viserys, at the behest of Jaehaerys' wife Alysanne after she met with some of the women who suffered under the law.

[@susannahs8533]

That’s why she’s the Good Queen Alysanne ❤❤❤

[@UnrealDreamer3598]

Ah, prima nocta. Roose Bolton did this with a common woman, and their child was Ramsay Bolton. Eww on so many levels!🤢

[@ponderingmyexistence3884]

I just got my pizza and sat down. you're RIGHT on time Khadija Velaryon 🙏🏽

[@MoeMoe-ft7wj]

I think something that gets lost in the Greens vs Blacks debates is that Rhaenyra is still a very privileged person who could get away with way more than any other woman in court could ever dream of. I also remember theorizing early on that one of Alicent's main reasons for feeling so negatively about her childhood friend was this jealousy towards Rhaenyra. Rhaenyra can afford to be bold, speak her mind freely, sleep with whomever she wants, and produce nothing but bastard children for her entire first marriage. Allicent, on the other hand, made the choice to do what she was told and 'did everything right' but is still stuck in an unhappy, loveless situation with the king that doesn't truly guarantee her or her children's power/safety thanks to her believing her father's lies. I think Allicent knows and is frustrated that she could never get away with half the stuff that Rhaenyra could pull because Allicent isn't protected by daddy being the king like her old friend was. Another thing I found very interesting was how the actor who played Vaemond (the man who screamed that Rhaenyra's boys were bastards and got his head chopped in half by Daemond) says in the behind-the-scenes video for an episode that everyone knows the truth behind Rhaenyra's children. They're white. The Valeryons are all black. Daemond's daughters are black. I think, without meaning to, the show accidentally tapped into the frustration that black citizens can feel when power is flagrantly taken away from them and given to others who broke rules that they never could get away with breaking, which can feel like a spit to the face to your culture and heritage as it's being replaced before your eyes. I'm not saying that this is the read people should have when considering Rhaenyra and these scenes, but I think the latter example helped fuel the anger and outrage in the actor when he got to have his big moment in the court before his death.

[@bbbianca8932]

It's not that I wanted to see another birthing scene, but I do find it strange that Alicnent & Helena aren't shown giving birth. Rhaenys ain't having babies so she makes sense but, when you think about the fact that they became mothers so young, I just think it was a missed opportunity from the creators for empathy and understanding their situations better.

[@90DayBeyonce]

The birthing scenes that were shown were shown because they were important events in the story - where things did not go as they should and consequences followed.

[@J_ads2000]

@@bbbianca8932 it’s possible Helaena is going to give birth again. Maelor was missing from the show, they might still include him in future seasons if she’s already pregnant since Aegons sausage is… nonexistent.

[@rexibhazoboa7097]

@@J_ads2000 if you know of Maelor then you know that there is barely any time left for his inclusion to hold any importance except they change his story. Or do you want Maelor to play the same story as a newborn baby? That may be possible. He's only got one main plot point left after b&c if I recall.

[@cinnamonthecat9661]

@@90DayBeyonce I think it has less to do with importance and more to do with genetic lore. Every child that is born within a dynasty has importance in a way because they're all potential heirs. Alicent's children are extremely important to the plot, and Helena's children are too because one was ... sacrificed and that took the story in a massive turn. Why I think Targareyns get the spotlight for all these birth scenes is because in the genetic lore, Targareyns have particularly brutal births due to the fact that they have dragon's blood. This is why most of the women who have these brutal births are experiencing (potential) miscarriages, or are giving birth to dragon babies. Alicent isn't full blooded Targaryen so she and her children are far less likely to have these difficult births.

[@bbbianca8932]

Yeah, I think what I’m missing is more of the exploration of motherhood. Less about plot and more about the characters internally. Even if a birth is “easy” it’s still physically taxing/traumatic on the body. Alicent and Helena are still teen moms and it’s a huge character development for both so it’s weird that they omit it. To be fair the time skips didn’t help. Still it would have been good to understand who their support system is, was Alicent at Helena’s side during her births? Did Alicent have anyone besides Maesters? I think since the creators chose to point out the brutality and danger of giving birth in S1 with Aemma, Leana, and Rhaenyra, that every mother on the show should get that same attention.

[@BlackXSunlight]

Khadijaaa I"m surprised you didn't mention the biggest plot twist in the season finale, as well as an interesting question to ask about gender politics in Westeros. For those who don't know, Admiral Lohar is played by Abigail Thorn/Philosophy Tube here on KZbin. When she popped up I literally dropped my phone and pointed at the screen like "AY YO! AYYOOOO!" Anyway, in the after-credits scene the showrunners confirm that Lohar is a woman and has multiple wives, so we have a lesbian(?)/queer woman who is an admiral and basically a pirate-king who also has a harem of wives, and they played some of this for laughs but this character exists in defiance of the strict, gendered, patriarchal society of Westeros that Tyland comes from and represents. And she's played by a trans woman whose agent must be the Fairy Godmother, bc this is the second time in 30 days I've suddenly pointed at my screen and went "AY YOO! ABIGAIL!"

[@thesupremecoven2866]

“Mercury is in micro braids” I had hollered lmaoooo I had to subscribe off just that alone. I’m into the vibe here. Congrats on a new subbieee

[@Seabasstard22]

I heard “is in the microwave and into microwave braids!” 🤣

[@vanishar.4106]

i feel like a lot of this assessment and honestly every other one that even tries to approach hotd from a "feminist lens" and does so without actively acknowledging the queerness and specifically lesbian (or sapphic, whatever) love that is woven into its very fabric misses some of the biggest points and thus leads to y'all approaching both rhaenyra and alicent's decisions on the basis of individual logic rather than collective storytelling. neither of these women's decisions (or girls, since many of the choices that they're both lambasted for were made when they were 15 and being groomed by daemon and viserys) will make sense when they are framed around westerosi politics rather than love and heartbreak. both of their reunion scenes were reviled for making no sense politically, largely because people's dislike of alicent is grounded in the fact that she isn't a targaryen woman who can "empower" herself by dragonriding and burning shit, yet still has the audacity to be just as hypocritical as a targaryen, so rhaenyra caring for her simply cannot happen. and they didn't make sense politically, because these women seek each other out due to a love between them, romantic or platonic, that is inherently a threat to the patriarchal skeleton that makes them queens or princesses before People. rhaenyra seeking comfort and companionship from mysaria, her "play thing" as you put it who was also used by daemon, isn't supposed to be a footnote. her unconditional acceptance for laenor as both a gay man and father to her children are intentional. alicent's first intimate scene with criston ending with a moment that parallels the scene where she helps rhaenyra prepare for her coronation is intentional. it's been made so clear both in the show and by its runners and cast how much the actual Connection between these women is what drives its commentary on patriarchy. and idk if the audience ignores it because actual dimensional love between women in media leaves no room for facilitating male interiority, which is something we are All conditioned to focus on in our media experiences, or because daenerys has given this show's audience a really warped understanding of what an Empowered female character looks like. rhaenyra and alicent do emulate individual archetypes of women under both historical and modern patriarchy, but there is literally no way to accurately understand them from a feminist or narrative lens without engaging with their actual relationship and how it is the only thing that liberates them. i also struggle to take a "feminist" assessment of the show seriously when it frames the isolation of alicent, a child bride who is old enough to be the sister of her eldest son by a King, as a "you made your bed, now sleep in it" story, but that's another gripe i guess.

[@randomgirl2282]

THIS COMMENT IS 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@bethsemane69930]

you ate with this

[@havi2067]

you explained that so well !!!

[@alicelixea8123]

This reminds me of the subject of emphasized femininity in gender studies! I feel like Alicent plays the game of the patriarchy and man dominated world to gain favor from men and in turn gain power. She aligns herself with the order and expectation of women in this patriarchy, and therefore climbs in the hierarchy of women. The thing she doesn’t realize though is that the hierarchy of women will always be inferior to the hierarchy of men because men built this order based on misogyny. Therefore, she will never gain true power because she fooled herself into marginalizing her own group (and in turn herself), chasing after a semblance of power that will never be equal to men. Because the structure she believes will make her powerful was made by men to keep women subordinate, to keep us busy fighting each other for men’s favor instead of fighting the PATRIARCHY. Loved this video Khadijah!❤

[@user-dx2dm8oq8g]

I just don't understand how Alicent learned nothing from Otto. Rhaenyra has her own council waiting like sitting ducks. They are so bent on making these two women "not want a war" that it's affecting the quality of the show. They did those two characters a disservice. The two besties keep visiting each other when realistically, Rhae would have been taken hostage on her first excursion. I can understand Alicent wanting to leave everything behind because she never had any power or agency, I wanna see what's next for her. Rhaenyra needs to be more selfish, vengeful and ambitious, because waging a war with dragons for a throne when you can relocate anywhere and live a good life is selfish and inconsiderate. Rhae is giving "I don't wanna do this, but I gotta do this" when in reality she wants to do it.

[@rexibhazoboa7097]

She left her innocent teenage son's corpse behind. All because shes not as powerful as she once was.

[@user-dx2dm8oq8g]

@@rexibhazoboa7097 If Rhaenyra didn't acquire more dragons and she wasn't excluded from the council, I think that Alicent would not have run off and thrown everyone under the bus, unless this is a ploy. If she's honest, everything that happened made her realize it was all bs and wasn't worth dying for, but it's too late.

[@TheKillaShow]

@@user-dx2dm8oq8gshe could realize all that her Helenna and get on her dragon and fly east never to be seen again. Instead she wants to hand over her sons and the throne on a prayer that Rhaenyra is merciful. It’s a bold decision to say the least

[@user-dx2dm8oq8g]

@@TheKillaShow I wish she was a bit more like Otto, her scenes would have been fun to watch and that is probably what would have happened. She acts like a little girl going to the winning side for protection. She was raised in a bubble and always depended on others, but it would have shown growth for her to become independent.

[@TheKillaShow]

@@user-dx2dm8oq8g it’s quite literally the most selfish thing she could do at that point. Worry about herself (and dragging heleanna along). People don’t speak about how much her station means to her. She mentions this as a child in the first season. Aegons actor spoke on this in an interview about how Alicent only cares about herself. And nobody really mentions that.

[@kalan0chan]

Kim Campbell is our first female PM… who was basically used as a scapegoat for a lot of Mulroney’s unpopularity and barely served a year. I still think she’s important to remember.

[@flux.aeterna]

Ah yes: the glass cliff.

[@florencecotnoir8027]

For Canada we had Kim Campbell as Prime Minister from 1993 to 1993

[@PupScout424]

@@florencecotnoir8027 I remember growing up she was basically treated as a joke and an example of why women aren’t prime minister but was never actually taught anything about her or her politics

[@mirandawhittaker8481]

@@florencecotnoir8027 :(

[@ThePupYT]

With how toxic the HotD discourse has become, this honestly felt like a huge breath of fresh air for me. Thank you so much honey ❤ Amazing as always 😊

[@shortdrink873]

Good lord, the ‘discourse’ I’ve been seeing on socials all season has just been EXHAUSTING. So nice to see something like this instead

[@missmangopudding]

Laena's birth scene straight up reminded me to take my birth control pill.

[@HizzayLoves]

you don’t know how hard you PARENTED with this video omg THANK YOU 😫🙏🏿

[@knics33]

“We’re not so different; you and I.” That definitely got a chuckle out of me. And yes, I think child birth was/would be that brutal pre modern medicine. Absolutely. It’s brutal.

[@fabiolaliano8620]

the aspect of caution into war in the context of this show is very interesting to me in the sense that it can be viewed through various lenses. asoiaf, especially the dance of the dragons, is fundamentally an anti-war text, so thematically it makes sense that they’re hammering home how incredibly destructive war is, especially considering that it is being waged by nobility riding on fire breathing animals with the dragons being analogous to nukes (even though we all love the dragons) it makes perfect sense that the leads are hesitant to use them in battle. wondering why the characters wouldn’t immediately get on their dragons and fight we be like wondering why the most powerful nations in the world won’t immediately press the nuclear codes there’s been arguments that the show posits that all women want peace, but it’s untrue. rhaenyra and alicent are hesitant not necessarily because “women are hesitant”, but because of their long shared history. the only other female character who is hesitant about going to war is rhaenys, because she was essentially the voice of the writers room the show itself, even though it questions willingness to go to war, let alone nuclear war, negates the idea that women are inherently peaceful or are incapable of violence or making war room decisions. when rhaenyra is told by her council that she is of “the gentler sex”, it very much reads and is framed as patronizing, infantilizing, and flattening to her as a person. when criston explains to alicent his reasoning as to why he voted against her as regent, he argued that he’s only trying to shield her from violence and tough choices, and asks her if that’s really who she is. again, this clearly reads and is framed as very patronizing and flattening and “benevolent feminism”

[@julia-faithwill4211]

This is the perspective I’ve been looking for! Hindsight is 20/20 and considering what we know now the war should have been avoided at all cost. If rhaenyra had the blood lust that the audience wanted then the realm would immediately go up in flames, leaving her to blame. There is no right choice which I feel is an historically accurate representation of a woman in power or just in general.

[@randomgirl2282]

I’m sorry but I have some problems with the way Alicent’s character is described in this video. I find manipulation to be an understatement of what she goes through. Alicent in the beginning of the show (along with Rhaenyra) is about 14-15 years old and Viserys is not only the king but he is a man in his 40’s, it is not only manipulation and following the rules that define Alicent’s character but also assault. She does not simply “marry Viserys” and “give him heirs” she is a child bride who is a victim of legalized marital rape. I love this video a lot and I think it’s very good but I find it incredibly disappointed that this key idea is left out considering how in tune the rest of the insights are. Of course, none of this makes anything said in the video about Alicent untrue but even with the “feet stuff” it is clear that Alicent’s role as a manipulated pawn also leaves her vulnerable to sexual coercion and to perform sexual acts without any enthusiastic consent as an adult. Again, this is not necessarily an excuse for Alicent’s actions or her problematic ideology, but the problem isn’t just that she is manipulated, the problem is specifically legalized violence against a young girl. I think a core idea that is left out is also the idea that Alicent has suffered and has to uphold this structure because she wants her suffering to mean something and she is jealous because she perceives Rhaenyra as having evaded that suffering rather than suffering with her.

[@nyashamahleko7007]

Where is Alicent Mother. I always ask myself were is Alicent Mother

[@ratgurl1]

I absolutely love that last sentence, but I will say that Khadijah definitely touches on your former points during the section on Alicent and Criston

[@randomgirl2282]

@@ratgurl1 I agree that it’s somewhat touched on and I enjoyed that section but I will say I think there’s an uncomfortable skirting around Alicent’s sexual violence specifically as a malleable child that I think is absolutely a shame it was discussed so little in her section specifically because I find it so central to who her character is and why she becomes the way she is. Thank you for engaging with me :)

[@randomgirl2282]

And I totally understand staying away from saying certain words considering KZbin and it’s crap, I just think the language used to describe the way Alicent became who she is and what she went through was simplistic and I feel this way as a survivor seeing a far from perfect victim of that kind of abuse.

[@randomgirl2282]

@@nyashamahleko7007 dead :(

[@Chuuzus]

MY GOD! i have so much thoughts about House of the dragon! First off the season 2 finale was a good episode but a horrible finale! 8 episodes is too short! the writing wasn't good and you can tell the writers strike affected shows like the boys, bridgerton and the bear because they were mid in my opinion.

[@briannarose2439]

The Bear S3 was another show I was disappointed with this year. And now House of the Dragon is another disappointment for me like what is going on😭

[@Ghost-lt4sf]

I agree about hotd being a good episode but terrible finale! My partner and I just finished it last night and we were like “Ok there’s still time left. Something’s obviously gonna happen and end on a cliffhanger” and then the credits rolled anticlimactically 😅 Like what was thaaat

[@BellesView]

This!

[@notevenfunny_]

Does this also apply to The Umbrella Academy or was the script done before the strike?

[@Rogue-zv5to]

@@Chuuzus That's because of the writer's strike. And HBO cut the episodes from 10 to 8. This was explained. HBO is going through some problems. They are losing millions because of that dude who bought HBO. I hope he gets fired.

[@Ashkenightcrawler]

10:05 Rhaenyra def did have some desire & took actions that justified Alicent’s fear for the lives of her children. In episode 3 Rhaenyra compares to boars screaming like babes when they’re slaughtered. Aegon makes a noise right after, & Rhaenyra butchered a boar in a rage later. The framing is pretty clear she had some underlying rage & desire for violence however buried deep towards her brother. Plus the most inditing thing was on Driftmark where after Aemond had his eye cut by her sons, Rhaenyra suggested he be “sharply questioned” (which is incredibly common euphemism for torture in Westeros) to learn source of these “allegations” (we can all see it Rhaenyra) on Aemond. When Alicent loses it on Rhaenyra it’s because those fears her dad put in her head are coming to life as her son was just maimed, & his half sister is now suggesting he be further brutalized.

[@TheKillaShow]

The boar comment is a stretch. As for Aemond calling her kids bastards, you have to understand how serious a claim that is. It’s literally life threatening and she felt extremely threatened to have it said so loudly, so publicly. I mean we are fighting a war based on these words. In reality, Alicent had no real reason to think Rhaenyra would go kinslayer until so many cascading events against her forced her into a corner now. Aegon and Aemond (and Daeron) cannot be spared the sword at this point.

[@eons8941]

Alicent just fulfilled her own prophecy being obsessed with Rhaenyra's bastards even tho in season 1 episode 6 Visery's told her such accusations are Dangerous for both Rhaenyra and Alicent and then Alicent tells her children their friends are bastards and will kill them. Aemond calls his cousins bastards Rhaenyra is out for torture to protect her children and legacy Alicent acts surprised

[@fayedunaway8]

@@TheKillaShow those are not claims lol, her children are bastards and she chose to have them despite her justifications.

[@bethsemane69930]

@@TheKillaShowi don’t think it’s a stretch at all. what other purpose does that line have in the context of that scene? they didn’t just write it in for shits and giggles lol, this isn’t a “the curtains are just blue” type of line to write in.

[@Ashbrash1998]

​@@bethsemane69930It was to show that Rhaenyra does NOT like that and doesnt want to hurt people. The reason she killed the boar was because ir ATTACKED HER. You literally missed the entire scene where the boar attacked Cole, then tried to kill Rhaenyra. And somehow her using a dagger to kill the animal on top of her is somehow tied to her wanting to kill her brother? The while biar thing is a parallel to Aegon, its a paralell to Viserys (and Daemon a bit). Viserys and Rhaenyra both kill animals during the hunt. Viserys has to bumble killing the wrong deer while men have to help restrain. Contrasted to Rhaenyra being attacked by a boar and killing it by herself. If anything the comment of her disliking the noise is just foreshadoing her meeting one later. This is the same episode that saw a deleted scene of her holding baby Aegon and trying to get him to say her name.

[@Dapperenby13]

I’ve never watched this show or game of thrones or anything, but I really liked hearing you talk about it!

[@ncpsbh1504]

If you would like a great episodic recap of the show, you should check out Olurinatti's channel. She did a single 1-hr recap on her main channel (Olurinatti) and picks up a weekly recap on one of her side channels (Olurinatti POP!)

[@renaissanceinblack]

@@Dapperenby13 check out Game of Thrones and House of rhe Dragon (I'm that order IMO). They're worth it.

[@stolasish1184]

Oh actually Canada has had a female prime minister - Kim Campbell - but really half way to technically. She took over after her predecessor resigned and was in power for a few months until she lost an election. She was also a conservative, but she did implement sexual assault laws that better protected victims during her time as the justice minister.

[@littlerelief]

When you mentioned Rhaenyra's shitty treatment at the hands of her son, it reminded me how much I love that one aspect of both GoT and HotD - they really show how quickly boys go bad when they're born into complete, unquestioned entitlement and privilege. They have very little chance to be good and if they cling to that, chances are that other boys (or sometimes even their mothers, who are trying to work the system as much as they can) will beat it out of them. Patriarchy destroying boys so fast is an important thing to see.

[@foalengtoussaintfoaleng7291]

I think you have a misconception about bastards in this world. Bastards also have no power when their father's a noble. The treatment of Rhaenyra's sons has little to do with the fact that she's a woman

[@love_cdrama]

What is missed in these analysis is that male aristocrats are also sold off to marriages for alliances. Men are as obligated to breed as women are, as demonstrated with the fate of Laenor. Also, it’s sad that the show made being a cup bearer a thing of mockery because that was exactly what any future heir (male or female) would be asked to do. Just as it’s sad that the show made this thing out of Alicent and Cole sleeping together when she was literally a widow. In “reality” (reality being the real life feudal system that the stories are based on), no one would give af who the Queen was sleeping with once she’d shot out the heir and spare. Kings and Queens had separate rooms for a reason and it was an unspoken rule that once the *both of them* had done their duty, they pretty much lived separate lives in private.

[@neverlandhunter6988]

I think you're very misinformed about the openness feudal societies had regarding married queens having extramarital affairs.

[@simonriley4131]

Agree with some of the sentiments expressed, disagree on others. Firstly, Rhaenyra might've been the chosen heir, but she sure as shit wasn't groomed to be one. Cup bearing is one thing, but as the second season makes notice of, she was never trained in warfare, she doesn't even know what a pommel is, let alone a military formation, something unimaginable for any proper heir, male or no. Secondly, Alicent and Cole sleeping together is a huge deal, not so much for her as it is for Cole. Cole is a Knight of the Kingsguard, if he's caught sleeping with the queen dowager, he'll be gelded and executed, and who's to say she won't be forced to become a silent sister afterwards? Completely agree on what you said about the male perspective and your invoking of Laenor, though

[@Karamazov9]

Men had an agency that women never had

[@love_cdrama]

@@simonriley4131 the show is very badly written both as an adaptation and as a piece of quasi medieval / feudal fiction but Rhaenyra didn’t need to be trained to be a sword fighter any more than Elizabeth II needed to fight and she didn’t lose support from the other Houses because she couldn’t wield a sword. I agree that it was a big deal for Cole because of his vows. I was focusing on Alicent more in that scenario.

[@ambre4144]

I feel like her taking a lover after the King’s death shouldn’t be a problem but isn’t Cole a member of the kings guard who’s sworn to celibacy? He’s breaking his vows (tho he broke them decades ago by sleeping with Rhaenyra).

[@robertsmiley2207]

All the content creators I know call Vhagar Granny Vee so they acknowledge her as a very old female dragon 🐉

[@imnotmattyhealy]

ive been DYING for someone to talk about this

[@elli9982]

I do believe Otto and Alicent had legitimate reasons to believe that Alicents children would be in danger the moment Rhaenyra started to fight for her claim to the iron throne. Rhaenyra and Daemon might have faked Laenors' death (they still killed a guard for it, so it's not like Rhaenyra is absolutely against killing) but they purposefully spread rumors so people would fear what else they would do. Daemon cuts off Vaemonds head in the middle of the throne room with no repercussions when Viserys (as king) ony demanded Vaemonds tongue. Also, it doesn't really matter if Rhaenyra wouldn't want to target Alicents children because one (or some) of her allies would/could do it to gain more power or a better standing with her by furthering her cause and getting rid of the other claimants for the throne. Allies have killed people for the (potential) ruler before in history as well as in this specific series. The Lannisters at the beginning of the series wanted to prove their loyalty and better their standing with Robert Baratheon who would become king and for that they killed Elia Martell and her children since Rhaenys and Aegon would have been rival claimants to the throne, and the Baratheons would been in danger as long as they were still alive. Some lords would have looked to Aegon anyway, no matter if Otto or Alicent did anything to push him to the throne, and Rhaenyra and her faction would have had to do something about it. Especially because the lords swore their oath over twenty years ago under the impression that Rhaenyra is the only choice (if they don't want Daemon) but with Viserys remarrying and having sons those conditions have changed. Viserys reiterated wanting Rhaenyra as his her only privately (or one on one) and didn't do anything more to reiterate his support for her claim publicly which probably emboldened many lords (especially those who didn't swear the oath themselves) to support Aegon.

[@Ruosteinenknight]

In the book version, it's more on Criston Cole. When Rhaenyra first declares herself as an heir, she also makes an public announcement that if her half-brother Aegon bends the knee and asks forgiveness, she will grant it and bygones are bygones. However it's Criston Cole, who reaches Aegon first, scaring him with tales that Rhaenyra will surely kill him and his children, citing his own experience as insight as Rhaenyra's mind (just like in the show, he served as Rhaenyra's sworn shield). Aegon who first was reluctant now becomes convinced that he must become king, if only to stay alive. This is also where Cole got his moniker "the kingmaker". Jaime later remarks that Criston Cole embodied best and worst of what kingsguard could be.

[@Ashbrash1998]

In the books they did, in the show less so. Mainly because Alicent & co were always aggressors to Rhaenyra. And while you still have Vaemond, that was somewhat expected when he commited treason against the crown. It's why nobody was surprised or shocked he died per se. I think the actor himself knew he was going to die by saying what he did, but was so mad he didn't care. Daemon is a danger sure, but he mever harmed anybody unless threatened. As well as Laenor did have an assumed killer where a servant eyewitness attested it was his ex. So while rumors could soread that they had a hand in it, it was loose speculation. Even in the books while they argued she would hurt them, that wasn't tha main reason. Cole mainly argued that to Aegon AFTER his mother had started killing and imprisoning nobles. Both sides actually did start by offering terms to bend the knee and be clear. Rhaenyra herself even states that her siblings are innocent and were led astray by people like Otto and Alicent. And most importantly, Westeros culturally looks down on kinslaying. Unless Rhaenyra wants to doom herself by one of the worst sins by the old gods and the new, as well as prompt a rebellion, she wouldn't do that. We actually have a character who does something like that when a claimant for the Throne comes to the capitol to argue his case and is promised safety. Bloodraven unjustly lopped his head off and was sent to the Night's Watch it.

[@traplordleila]

I appreciate your assessment of Alicent. I can acknowledge she was put in unfortunate positions from the start because of her father pawning her off, and Viserys gladly shacking up with her due to his obsession with male heirs, BUT she then became such a manipulative person herself. She acted as if Rhaenyra meant nothing to her. Alicent grew up in court and had been friends with Rhaenyra for so long, but acted as if she was an evil person who wanted to murder her family. There was literally no indication of this! Rhaenyra was just uncomfortable by the union of Alicent and her father, as she fucking should be, and yet there was no compassion given to her by Alicent. This girl lost her mom, brother, and best friend in one fell swoop. Then Alicent quickly reminded Rhaenyra she was queen, which is exactly what she feared would happen an why she “acted out”. Alicent thought because she gave male heirs (with blond/white hair) that she was better than Rhaenyra, but quickly realized she wasn’t valued by literally anyone. Not even her funky ass kids. Instead of being a friend to Rhaenyra, she herself caused such extensive turmoil. She could’ve had a strong ally and friend all along if she hadn’t played into the men’s game.

[@love_cdrama]

I think this is a kinder analysis of Alicent than the show wrote her. None of her actions make sense because the writing of her (and most of the characters on this show) is nonsensical. That’s why in the s2 finale, they wrote her agreeing to sell out her son - the same son that she forced to take the throne - as a girl power moment.

[@user-dx2dm8oq8g]

@@love_cdrama She was annoyed by Aegon, but to sell him out like that? I hope it's plotting and scheming to get Rhaenyra. I miss the messiness of the GoT characters, we don't tune in to see pacifists it's a war. Her oldest sons are trash and she's not a good mom, but they do love her.

[@DANNYYII]

Rhaenyra being able to function after all the people she’s lost is an art form. Not to mention her tolerance to pain. She’s a different breed.

[@therenegade916]

But…was she naturally manipulative or was she TAUGHT to be? Was she not influenced by Otto to act the way she did? Up and until she even told the council that she would *NOT* let Rhaynyra be killed just because Otto and the others were suggesting it? She’s a fully fleshed out character, and like Sansa before gets A LOT of unnecessary hate.

[@traplordleila]

@@therenegade916 I don’t think she was TAUGHT to be a BAD FRIEND to Rhaenyra. Nor did it teach her to screw Criston Cole after shaming Rhaenyra for not having sex with a husband. I acknowledged she was pushed to make babies for Viserys, and in doing so she pushed them to want the throne out of fear of Rhaenyra harming them - all because of the see her dad planted. The upbringing part still doesn’t justify or explain her disregarding Viserys decision on who should lead, her kids being unfit to do so, Aegon literally trying to run away to avoid being crowned, and her saying/being horrible to Rhaenyra’s children.

[@graceleathers5970]

All through the show I looooved the white dreadlocks, so I am LIVING for your hair! You look stunning

[@UuberAwesomeRandom]

I'm still watching, but I just had to comment on what you said about having friends that are women. It's something I harbor deep shame about. I *used* to be "I'm not like the other girls" but as I got older and explored that sentiment, I realized it was because my gender identity didn't fit in with that of the "other girls." But that never stopped me from wanting to have friends that were women. Every time I get close to a woman, something happens where I get iced out, they get upset with me, and I end up not keeping them as a friend. In some ways I attribute it to my mom being my first bully and I have this inherent distrust of women because of it. And then that has been reinforced time and time again. So I've come to sitting on the sidelines quietly cheering on women to finally do their thing, but being unable to break the barrier of a true friendship with them. It's harsh and it hurts and it's extremely hard to unpack. I suppose it's similar to the trope that a lot of bisexual women are afraid to actually have a relationship with women because they scare them. I believe this should be explored more in feminine spaces to begin to differentiate how comp het/cis ideas have affected afab people and how that may influence their ability or inability to harbor meaningful friendships with women.

[@littlerelief]

Slight critique: Rhaenys IS great and all, but totally ignoring her mass slaughter of common folk to make a big statement at the coronation is iffy.

[@OGseoulite]

Yessss!!! House of Dragons s2 has been revealing a lot of my favorite content creators are fans of the GOT universe too (which I had no idea till recent) and I AM LOVING IIIIIT!!!!

[@TheKillaShow]

Viserys told Rhaenyra to have many children to strengthen her position. By marrying them off to the other houses. Because even he knew when he died she would have to fight for her positions. So what did she do? Have three bastards, marry two of them off the Daemons kids, then send her other three children to essos. No alliances made. Our girl Rhaenyra did not prepare at all for this.

[@Ashbrash1998]

Irs the same for Alicent too. Like Aemond was a smart move, but the only one. She could have also married Halaena to another house but didn't. I think another reason Rhaenyra didn't betroth her youngest kids is because she thought they were too young. You have Joffrey but the other two are literal toddlers.

[@tilleliyaz4901]

I actually love this new season I don’t get the criticism about the lack of action. There is more character development

[@technojunkie123]

Okay Khadijah Velaryon come thru 👩🏿‍🦳

[@timcoultas1512]

It was refreshing seeing a woman take the glorious death in battle route. I'd prefer avoiding battles entirely, but if there's to be a battle I like the idea of equal opportunity glory in death.

[@reeper16]

In a world not built for your thrival, breaking rules is the only way to truly live

[@Claire-zu5jx]

Even though I didn’t watch this, I always love to hear your thoughts on things

[@nikkipooh9]

Oooooo YES! My House of Dragons addiction gets another fix!!!

[@LeilaMorningstar]

Best line of the season: "It is my fault, I think, that you have forgotten to fear me."

[@666kittycat666]

To answer your question at 27:50; gay sexworkers at the RNC

[@solarisdiyaldin3785]

I just want to thank you for getting a new mic, audio sounds great!

[@Theeldritchwitch]

I will never understand why every fantasy movie always has to be a sexist's fetish. People literally act like only men can sit on the thrones in these made up magical stories like be so fr.

[@SorceressWitch]

For those who haven't read the books. Women had slowly been losing power over time. Queens Visenya and Rhaenys actually governed the realm and even sat on the iron throne in Aegon's absence. Rhaenys also stopped men from beating wives to death. There wasn't anything official saying women couldn't rule back then so after them there wasn't any other women who say the throne but the first girl to be named heir was Aerea by king Maegor, until he had a son but he never ended up having one. Queen Alysanne would be on the small council and she had influence on the realm and even stopped the first night. King Jaehaerys named Aerea his heir as well until he had a son. That son didn't live long and he named his daughter Daenerys as heir but then he had a son named Aemon and made him hier and Alysanne was not happy about that. Then we have the great council of 101 but on the books it's different as Jaehaerys already denied Rhaenys (the one in HOTD) claim so she put her son as a claim as he was male. Lords chose Viserys because her son is from the female line. Then we have Rhaenyra as heir and then being usurped as she was a woman. That's where i leave things as the show isn't over.

[@Ashbrash1998]

It was also when Maegor claimed the throne that his brother's wife, Queen Alyssa named her son Aegon the righrful king after his father's death. Aegon and his sisterwife Rhaena were taking refuge somewhere else and had no say (Rhaena was the eldest). Later on aftwr he was killed, Rhaena was on the run by herself, forced to send her daughters to hide from Maegir and hooe he wouldn't come after her. She was then forced to marry him when he found her babes and used them as hostages. Meanwhile, Alyssa AGAIN named another son as king and the rightful heir. Once Rhaena escaped and joing her brother, there was a debate and she agreed to support his claim. Mainly because it was already for him, and the odds were stacked against her. This is notabke because it does show that Rhaena was still a viable candidate as an firstborn sister, but was forced to support her brother.

[@pendragonsxskywalkers9518]

6:40 - She was gathering alllies in book. Still nothing changed - Greens stilll usurped her 😕

[@KatieKaaBOOM]

Totally irrelevant to the video, but I think you looked so good when the power went out. The light you had in front of you before was just washing you out. But when the light went out and you had the pink mood lighting behind you it made your skin and hair look so good! And the video was amazing as any videos I’ve seen of yours before 💖

[@M0joPin]

Rhaenyra asked her little brother to be tortured in front of everyone... Sure, Alicent was cray-cray to think that woman is capable of killing her kids (and her hubby? the sweetest man ever)

[@Avidadepablo]

Generational speedrun comment, all love bro❤

[@jojoone1099]

The younger and older Alicent look so much alike.

[@zayl9268]

Loveeeeee your hair it's deff giving of Valyrian decenttttt 😭

[@Slechy_Lesh]

Tyrion cocked his head sideways. “Did you mean to answer your damned riddle, or only to make my head ache worse?” Varys smiled. “Here, then. **Power resides where men believe it resides. No more and no less.”** “So power is a mummer’s trick?” “A shadow on the wall,” Varys murmured, “yet shadows can kill. And ofttimes a very small man can cast a very large shadow.”

[@SouthernBredCornbreadFed]

Loved the analysis. Also, the darker lights at the end still looked great. Created like a serious ambiance.

[@eons8941]

Alicent just fulfilled her own prophecy being obsessed with Rhaenyra's bastards even tho in season 1 episode 6 Visery's told her such accusations are Dangerous for both Rhaenyra and Alicent and then Alicent tells her children their friends are bastards and will kill them. Aemond calls his cousins bastards Rhaenyra is out for torture to protect her children and legacy Alicent acts surprised as if she didn't do anything 🙄

[@ritapereira4454]

when you had Dany say "yass white girl fight" I almost spit out my smoothie onto the screen, you are so funny and unserious omg

[@robertsmiley2207]

The birthing scenes were more graphic than the fighting 👊 scenes in my opinion

[@racheloriuwa2084]

This is the best HOD analysis I’ve watched so far!! I love Khadija’s takes

[@nitewarden]

I think if the original series had a more satisfactory ending, the HotD wouldn't end up feeling so hollow for me. I know how this ends and it ain't fun. George RR Martin is entitled to write whatever stories he wants but I'm so fucking fatigued by his fantasy world full of women's suffering. The Targaryens were foreigners who overturned the status quo with dragons but stopped short at some marginal improvements for women? Aegon's sister-wives were integral to uniting the 7 Kingdoms (well 6. IYKYK). I'm sure Valyria wasn't some perfect gender blind paradise but it never occurred to the 3 conquerors to also force their new vassals to adopt some less controlling policies for women? It feels like an uncritical examination of the nature of power and the history that Martin takes so much inspiration from. He's like "Well medieval societies were sexist. So I'm writing a sexist world with dragons." Hello??? The dragons are the means in which a handful of otherwise unknown, ordinary people exerted their will and ideology upon an entire continent and yet somehow medieval sexism is unaffected by this fantastical dynamic? It's so infuriating.

[@fjsAecDhf]

Can't agree more!

[@foalengtoussaintfoaleng7291]

Sexism has more to do with the reproductive abilities of women than the strength they have

[@rkaias812]

if you read fire and blood, there's a lot of things that rhaenys and visenya the conquerers do for women in westeros. alysanne as well. the main thing is the targaryens adopted as much of the westerosi trappings of power as possible in order to unify the kingdoms

[@durrangodsgrief6503]

lets not get into Georges writings on inheritance cause for house to exist for thousands of years they would have to have extremely strict laws on inheritance, else shit like barbery dustin, daemon trying to claim rhinestone would not happen hell wills like what Jeyne arryne does should be rife causes for civil war and would have to be heavily reviewed to prevent one westeros literally cannot operate the same as medieval Europe if house exist for this long

[@Dangerous_Peace]

Oh my God sis didn't know you was a part of the dragon life. And I have to say our commentary on (the urban parts of westeros) House of the dragon and game of thrones is top tier so I'm here for your take periodt 😊😂😊😂

[@peanutpilled]

when you began describing the social (gendered) roles of man and woman in the targaryen lineage it really echoed Confucian beliefs of social relationships.

[@Aiffam1]

9:55 Got to stop your right there. There is a lot of talk going around about the show portraying "what actually happened" and the book being "accounts by maesters". HOTD and F&B are both fictional. They are both made up. None of it is real. Dragons aren't real. There is no Westeros. Because the book is written like a in-universe historical account, it contains the recollections of people who contradict each other. The showrunners said in a past interview that they want to remain faithful to the book, but view the book as an in-universe biased account of the war. I think they said this around season 1. We've arrived at season 2 and they seem to have forgotten this approach, unless they're implying maester's made-up a whole ass kid (Maelor) and confused Daemon's daughter Rhaena with a poor commoner (Nettles).

[@foalengtoussaintfoaleng7291]

I mean, once they made Alicent way younger than in the books, it became a different story

[@durrangodsgrief6503]

@@foalengtoussaintfoaleng7291 yeah she was 18 in the books legal age and they dropped her to 15

[@Quepasalaurena]

I've enjoyed watching this a lot more than GOT because the women have larger stories and personalities outside of their relationships with the men, and there is less abuse of women for mens entertainment. In the story AND for the viewers.

[@yuan713]

I think it speaks volumes if the person can't have friends of a specific gender. (Not just women friends)

[@GL00MYG1RL]

People really shit on this last season but I really LOVE the contrast between Alicent and Rhaenyra. To me, they are the show.

[@gudboah4688]

This focus on them has made the show worse, not better. Everyone female character has to resolve around and/or support Rhaenyra in this show, and it sucks.

[@shahsadsaadu5817]

"All Targaryens are Bastards" -Children of Orys Baratheon

[@gudboah4688]

Based.

[@PinskyKyaroru]

Fantastic analysis, I needed it! THANK YOU!!

[@okorafor-nwosuchidinma5944]

Thank you for your take on H.O.Ds, and you look so good with ambient lighting. I'm making a humble request to shoot some of your videos in just ambient lighting . Xoxo

[@meowsielee]

i could listen to you talk about this show for hours

[@arcanaandtheimaginarians]

the way i SCREAMED. WELCOME BACK LAENA VELARYON /j khadija in their valyrian era!!

[@neyragrat]

Fun fact: The whole lord's having right to sleep with their peasant's wife was a thing in Westeros that Rhaenys' grandma, Queen Alysanne Targaryen, officially outlawed. She burned people who were practising it with her dragon even.

[@Ruosteinenknight]

There was actually pretty infamous lord of Harrenhall called Gargon the guest, who practiced that right often. It ended with him getting castrated, and left to bleed to death, when he took it too far.

[@ameliayoung1133]

the hairrr!!! you look so good omg!!! thank you for feeding the house of dragons children

[@Percimachu]

I’m not a fan of period media depicting abortifacients as particularly expensive or difficult to come by. Ive only researched this in Ancient Greek sources but rarity of abortifacients or hesitance to use them really isn’t a given in Ye Olde times.

[@queerlybeloved257]

this was such a good vid!!! love hearing ur media thoughts and analyses

[@ambre4144]

Genetics are such a funny thing in Westerosi society because in GOT, Ned concluded that Cersei’s children were bastards because they were blonde when Baratheon genes are dominant resulting in dark haired children. But in HOTD, Rhaenys has taragaryen silver hair despite being half Baratheon. Baela and Rhaena are 1/4 black but look full Black. So I feel that Jace, Luke and Jeoffrey looking fully white shouldn’t even be an indicator of them being « bastards ». Targaryen bloods doesn’t ensure « silver » hair and black lineage doesn’t ensure darkskin.

[@TheKillaShow]

True but then he confronted her about it and she gave it up instantly lol

[@AlanSmithee789]

Yes that's a great point for the show. But in the book Rhaenys has black hair.

[@Deborahtormenta]

Rhaenys was my favorite character in the show,

[@Natalie_11188]

Great analysis! Love your videos.

[@aroidpapa]

I would love to hear more of your thoughts on how people HATE on the storylines of season 2 being centred around Rhaenyra and Alicent and their relationship and apparently playing to Emma D'Arcy's 'woke agenda' cuz that shit's pissing me off! a lot of people don't see the nuance in these stories and want everything exactly as is on page to screen and they are missing the point.

[@acecat2798]

Khadija bringing out Marriage of Figaro when relevant just in case anyone forgot they're an opera singer.

[@Seabasstard22]

12:47 yes. 🙌 “Yes, but you alone, made virtue your banner.” - Rhaenyra

[@tomasamador6078]

You posted this video right in time for my lunch break ❤

[@SaiyanSerenityV]

KZbin has blessed me today I'm so glad

[@Slechy_Lesh]

29:11 Yes and Otto pushed for this marriage - did he know Laenor was gay, and it would help his ambition...?

[@brook8366]

*SPOILER* i feel like rhaenyra is turning into a great anti hero since her episode where she literally takes a lot of small folk and dumps them into the room with the dragon. the way she doesnt let any of them leave like...

[@nanoreo7098]

Love this show, love you making a video on it ❤️

[@CaveNJ]

17:20 The word I thought of here was "grace." That's one thing that struck me when I read Fire and Blood, the earlier Targaryens like Aegon and later Jaehaerys and Alysanne carried themselves with a sort of divine/royal grace that inspired the people to view them as semi-divine, earning their trust and respect through acts of generosity or by dispensing justice, but also by directly interfacing with Westerosi religion. With the theological perspective in there, it's kind of hilarious to note that "Daemon" is one of the first well-fleshed out characters that completely lacks this grace. His name is literally the Latin word for demon, his whole ✨deal✨ is the catalyst for the entire conflict that ends up killing off all the dragons.

[@lolahaynes7554]

the hair is so good

[@Losing5leep]

Chillle this was the HOTD take I didn't know I needed 😂

[@vodka9384]

SOMEBODY HELP POOR TRAVIS!

[@pintudesai131]

Another excellent video. Also I am reading all about love its so great and eye opening!!!