House of the Dragon 2x4 REACTION!! "The Red Dragon and the Gold"

Eric Calvin and Aaron react to and discuss Season 2 Episode 4 of House of the Dragon - The Red Dragon and the Gold - #houseofthedragon #gameofthrones
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00:00 - Intro
02:09 - Previous Poll: Is It Too Late?
04:44 - Reaction
26:53 - Discussion Start: Dance of Dragons
27:28 - Rook's Rest
28:05 - Aemond the Kinslayer
30:29 - Not Fireproof
32:33 - Aegon's Dream
33:19 - Rhaenys & Alyn
34:02 - Alys Rivers
34:46 - Weirwood Bed
35:18 - The Greens' Dragons
36:49 - Battle Across the Bay
37:55 - New Poll: Are Aegon & Sunfyre Dead?
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[@BlindWave]

GO BEYOND at blindwave.com and watch Full Length Reactions and 4 WEEKS Early Access!! Blind Wave BEYOND Members can watch the Full Length Reaction to this Episode HERE: blindwave.com/video/house-of-the-dragon-2x04-full/

[@Matisaro]

I feel like Vraegar held her dragons face up to her as she crushed it's throat. "Say goodbye to your master, bitch" right at the climax, is it just me?

[@Macejkos]

Greens have also Daeron and his dragon Tessarion. Daeron is in Old Town, Otto mentions him when he is fired as hand and has to leave. He says to Alicent that Daeron will take his advice. Spoiler alert: Tessarion dies in second battle of Tumbleton when he fights Vermithor.

[@carlhilber2275]

Deamon is busy playing Luigi's Mansion while the war he was so hyped for starts without him.

[@acdragonrider]

It’s his fault Rhaenys is dead. I was so angry when I read this part in the book and I will continue to be. If the blacks had their act together, they’d leave Kings landing as one and strike at once now that they know war has begun.

[@jaysax7381]

Somebody else said he fell into Silent Hill 2 lmaooo

[@Bft149]

It reminded me more of Scoobydoo

[@varshitajujare4743]

​​@@acdragonriderhow is it his fault lmao?? He literally said they shd go together and get vhagar but she shrug it off....now he's in harrenhal gathering army which will be very important lol. And even rhaenys didn't know there would be 2 dragons there much less 1 of them...and yeah I agree the blacks need to get their act together its bcz rhaenyra has put off acting on this war for soo long and this is the consequence if everybody listened to daemon and got their act together as soon as they were usurped all this wouldn't have happened

[@milk.8793]

@@jaysax7381💀

[@govinddas7876]

Sunfyre is the only living thing that shows any sort of affection towards Aegon. I found the scene of him playfully nudging on Aegon's chest really indicative of their relationship. The green family is a mess. And poor boy Sunfyre, he didnt deserve it :(

[@SE-gs6gd]

Poor Sunfyre 😭😭😭

[@GLitiatc0]

So sad when you realize that it was Aegon and his son that were the only other loving dynamic he had.

[@jeangreyisdead]

I mean... Aegon is a serial rapist so... good 😂

[@cheddarandsourcream]

Aegon never wanted to be king and watching him and Sunfyre get trashed like that was tough to watch after the endearingness of that playful nudge. They both deserved better.

[@yashtripathi6266]

"Poor boy Sunfyre" ... who's going to tell him chat 🤫🤫

[@ConnerKent08]

All Sunfyre wanted to do was fly around and have fun

[@Diana-wk9qv]

No don’t say that 😭😭

[@syedshakaibanwar2698]

He gets to do that plenty of times in the books, they never gave us those scenes sadly, we instead get a lot of Syrax scenes even tho she's the least used dragon in the dance, she doesn't even take part in it.

[@Wolfhunter5607]

i wanna see noodle boi

[@kaydollar2490]

@@syedshakaibanwar2698 there’s like literally two syrax scenes what u talking about

[@kurhanchyk]

​@@kaydollar2490at least six

[@Skye_Writer]

The dragon fight was heartbreaking. One commenter put it best: "Everyone’s craving dragon on dragon violence until the moment Sunfyre gets clawed in his chest. Then you realize it’s a lot closer to dogs fighting than it is to tank battles."

[@ryanmussell739]

This is 100% spot on.

[@sarah.the.clumsy]

I love Vaeghar plopping her head back down. 'Im too old for this shit'

[@SE-gs6gd]

Yes! She just wanted to go back to sleep.

[@sonofjack6286]

No, she was grumpy she didn't get to join the fight.

[@marianoyalour]

Interesting. That's the opposite of how I read it.

[@user-rp7gn4bf4b]

@@marianoyalouryes she wanted to join, she’s a war dragon

[@aj897]

More like, I’ve been waiting for action, come on!

[@mcz420]

How’d you get the impression that Rhaenys doesn’t like Alyn??? She seemed to know he was Corlys bastard and told him to promote him for saving Corlys

[@manvirshergill1739]

Rhaenys is the exact opposite of Catelyn.

[@Ellefsen97]

⁠@@manvirshergill1739Catelyn was even worse in the books than in the show. I was fond of Catelyn in the show, but my opinions of her changed after starting to read ASOIAF

[@manvirshergill1739]

@@Ellefsen97 she definitely was... her hatred for Jon Snow used to annoy me so much

[@Ellefsen97]

@@manvirshergill1739It’s also good to consider the differences between the situations of Alyn and Jon. Catelyn was mostly hateful because Ned decided to raise his “bastard” at Winterfell. In the books she thought that most men do indulge when at war, but she saw it as an insult to her that he brought the “bastard” home. I still judge her character for bringing that resentment onto an innocent child, but the context is different from Rhaenys and Alyn

[@aaronchellam4651]

​@@Ellefsen97 Yeah people really misunderstand Catelyn in the book. She would have been much more content if Ned didn't insist on Jon being raised in the castle. She was also concerned that Jon would usurp her own children's inheritance, which was a serious possibility

[@Wolf6119]

Here's the thing that gets me; Aegon is honestly remarkably easy to manipulate/mold. Literally all he ever wants is a little attention and affection. ESPECIALLY from Alicent. He was at such a low point in this episode in his self-esteem that he straight up asks her "What would you have me do?" - and I honestly think he would have accepted almost any answer she gave and actually tried to do it. But Alicent is just so jaded to everything now that her pretense of carrying out Viserys's dying wish is gone, so messed up from her own upbringing, and already so resentful of her son for what he's grown up into, that she can't offer him even a little nudge in the right direction or word of consolation. All she can tell him is the brutal truth, that what she needs from him, what she thinks he's good for... is nothing. She rips into him for being bad at a job he never wanted and was pushed into, partly BY HER. And so he hits rock bottom, flies off recklessly to war and gets himself mangled and burned. So much of what happens with Team Green comes down to generational trauma and the complete inability to be there for each other, emotionally.

[@Geeklectica]

We're just going to forget about him being a grapist.... Yeah, all generational trauma.

[@Wolf6119]

@@Geeklectica Who said anything about ignoring it? Aegon being a rapist is a direct result of his upbringing, which the show went to great pains to show. He’s a short-sighted frat boy who has been permanently drunk since his early teens and raised to have no regard or empathy for others. He has no real father figure and was actively led to resent and look down on women. That in no way absolves him of the guilt, and he is still responsible for his own actions. But the type of person that he is and the terrible things he’s done didn’t just fall out of the clear blue sky, they are the product of several generations of dysfunction and emotional abuse.

[@chelscara]

Truly all she had to say was “I need you to go get those books and read with me” or “go atone for killing the rat catchers” or just something that gave him a TASK and I feel like it would have been enough to make him believe that she thought he was good for something, anything, that just existing.

[@mariatheresavonhabsburg]

Exactly, her coldness in this scene was heartbreaking. It felt like the slightest amount of compassion or motherly love could have nudged him in a better direction, instead she dismissed her lost child.

[@govinddas7876]

​@@Geeklecticapeople are not born murderes and grapists lol. Your upbringing literally decided who you become. He had an absent father and a unloving mother. And a grandfather who saw him as nothing but a pawn piece to move around.

[@ktmsnoop]

Daemon out here hosting Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and Ghost Hunters simultaneously at Harrenhal💀

[@dcor_nothing3914]

The way Eric looked at the camera when Arron said he doesn’t want rhaenys to die brought back so many good memories from watching GoT reactions with calvin! Thanks for all of the great reactions!!

[@govinddas7876]

The Eric look at the camera! He did the thing

[@irishjay9485]

Timestamp?

[@iasaint6649]

When a Darklyn says you're not fit for the kingsguard you know that shit would hurt, you can see it on Cole's face lmao...

[@alexisspicer3797]

Why Darklyn specifically?

[@ericlayton8888]

@@alexisspicer3797 the Darklyns ruled Duskendale in the Crownlands so were one of the first houses to bend the knee to Aegon I, Robin Darklyn was one of the original Kingsguards to Aegon and six other Darklyns have also been Kingsguard knights which is way more than any other house

[@alexisspicer3797]

@@ericlayton8888 Oh wow! I never knew that. Interesting they go from one of the most loyal houses to taking Aerys hostage and getting annihilated by the Targs. Thank you for the info!

[@iasaint6649]

@@alexisspicer3797 Yeah the 7 shields on their sigil represents those who served in the kingsguard... very interesting house in my opinion

[@iasaint6649]

@@alexisspicer3797 I remember also believing I've heard that the Darklyns actually armoured and armed the kingsguard at a time, so if that's true when one says, "you're not fit for the white cloak" he had every right to say it as he or his family made that cloak Cole's wearing.

[@Giveuponyourdreamsanddie2]

Losing Rhaenys is devastating both in the story and the show as a whole. Eve Best was one of the greatest parts of this show and I'm truly gonna miss her.

[@robbyten100]

They are all pretty great actors but I especially liked her

[@Lowkenn_Edits]

We should also commend Sunfyre for being an absolute badass. A Dragon that is not clearly built for battle (Because of it’s naturally slender build) went into battle while never having any experience. Sunfyre could have disobeyed Aegon but chose to attack one of the most veteran Dragons of the Dance. He gets his stomach ripped open yet still continues to fly. Then gets attacked in his wing which loses his ability to fly. Bites off Meley’s horns and attacks her neck. Then gets burned alive by the strongest and most powerful Dragon. To then fall from a great height and spin his body around to land on his stomach to save Aegons life. And yet Sunfyre still survived. An absolute menace for such a young Dragon.

[@SD-og8qd]

He does more in the books, sunfyre actually gives meleys a run for her money until aemond comes down with vhagar and all 3 of them crash into the ground

[@dewdropinn17]

Sunfyre survives???

[@SD-og8qd]

@@dewdropinn17 oh man, im sorry for spoiling but yes he does, hes one tough dragon

[@alexisspicer3797]

​@SD-og8qd I did like this version little more as I think it was paced more excitingly. It also gives Raeneys a more badass final stand (and it was already badass in the books!)

[@queenxx1690]

They nerfed Sunfyer in show and did him dirty giving all glory of defining Meleys to Vhagar and how it is all Green propaganda

[@MrRorza10]

The way they’re portraying Aegon’s weakness and insecurity is masterful. He’s been baited big time by Aemond into trying so hard to prove himself. And Rhaenys feeling the guilt of not already burning the Greens in the dragonpit. So good.

[@tb4076]

I loved the scene showing that he can't even speak Valyrian (?). We've seen so many generations of Targaryesn be so fluent at it, from Dany to Viserys and Daemon and Rhaenyra, to see one be so bad at it gave me such whiplash.

[@HorseWhisperer1923]

in the books that stupid Rhaneys scene didnt even happened. After the coronation Aegon flew around the city with his sunfyre and the entire kings landing cheered for him and sunfyre. This show worked for the blacks since the beginning.

[@honorisalive]

@@HorseWhisperer1923you don’t think it works against the Blacks that Rhaenys trampled a bunch of smallfolk? A lot of people realised then that only the lives of nobles/her family matter to her.

[@syedshakaibanwar2698]

​@@honorisalive Nope that does nothing, Meleys's skull being shown to the smallfolk is the ultimate trigger, they already know the nobility are scum, they were just afraid of dragons, then they see the skull of one. Also that scene was wasted, made no sense, and isn't canonical, Sunfyre should have been in the coronation scene, we never got anything about Sunfyre throughout S1 which was such a waste.

[@hali_55]

@@tb4076 Considering how in S1 it was mentioned that Aegon rejects his Targaryenism, I thought it was fitting that he never bother to learn High Valyrian along with cutting his silver hair short and not wanting to marry his sister. His bond with Sunfyre is the only Targaryen aspect of himself that he ever embraced.

[@brettthebest3978]

You know Alicent has a lot of nerve to tell Aegon the sacrifice to put him on the throne even tho they force him to be king Something he never wanted

[@judigemini178]

After everything Alicent herself sacrificed to get her kid on the throne why tf would she care about what Aegon wants, it's like "I did all this bc my father didnt care what I wanted & forced me into this too so why should I care what you want, do your duty like I did mine"

[@govinddas7876]

​@@judigemini178almost like shes the most terrible mother on earth.

[@judigemini178]

@@govinddas7876 alicent is flawed, but i can assure you, that you have no fkn clue in the slightest what a terrible mother is if this is your idea of what 'the most terrible mother on earth' is...be eternally grateful for that

[@govinddas7876]

@@judigemini178 get off your high horse preacher. She's barely a mother. The only thing she does is hit him and call him useless. Thats physical and verbal abuse, which apparently you think is okay to do. You might like to hit your kids and think thats okay, that still means you're a terrible parent.

[@vbb2076]

​@@judigemini178 aegon sacrificed the simple prince life he had, took a throne and started a war because his family forced him. He lost his son days after his coronation because of the act of his brother, then fights battles where he always ends up more and more hurt. Alicent is obedient, she'll do what Otto wants bc she was raised to, and it annoys her that aegon might have his own visions and opinions. She should care about what aegon wants since he is her son and king, but also bc its the only way to get to him. Larys managed to understand and "help" aegon in a more effectif way than Alicent bc he doesnt make aegon feel like a total piece of sh*t. Maybe she should learn a thing or two from him and aegon might be more willing to listen to her (which he did all season btw, he agreed to use Jaehaerys' death only when he heard alicent's opinion, so i dont even know why she's acting like hes a loose ball).

[@juanitajones6900]

Why do people keep making excuses for Aemond? Because of the cool factor? Of course he meant to kill Aegon. It seemed pretty obvious.

[@rexibhazoboa7097]

People give passes to characters they find cool. But its obvious Aemond was okay with killing Aegon in that moment.

[@nickw8029]

Trying to kill Aegon DOES make him cooler lmao

[@TheStickyDynamite]

@@nickw8029 that's not the argument. People are finding ways to say that Aemond wasn't trying to kill Aegon just because they find him cool. Since you've acknowledged that Aemond did try to kill Aegon, you're not the kind of people OP is talking about.

[@Zombina638]

@@TheStickyDynamitethat is an argument bud

[@noneofyourbeeswax01]

@@rexibhazoboa7097 _"People give passes to characters they find cool"_ - Yep, like Stannis ̶T̶h̶e̶ ̶M̶a̶n̶n̶i̶s̶ The Child Burner

[@adamhughes4387]

The 4th Dragon Eric is thinking of is Tessarion who is bonded with Daeron, the yet unseen 4th child of Alicent and Viserys.

[@KnallenN]

The heartbreak. Those who know, know

[@nanssbigs7945]

wouldn’t tessarion already been hatched since it was mentioned by otto before that daerons dragon is near riding age

[@LauraGS564]

How did Eric get the impression Rhaenys did not like Alyn? She literally told Corlys he should not be kept secret but raised well

[@elplagas3279]

I thinks it's the way she says it, like when your girlfriend tells you to "do what you want", you just know she doesn't mean it and is actually mad at you. Also I kind of got the vibe that Rhaenys wanted to get killed this episode

[@scotthewitt258]

Aegon: Mumbles in broken High Valaryan. Sunfyre: Fuck he say?!?!?

[@SE-gs6gd]

I guess he taught Sunfrye some common tongue which is weird. Shows he just rode his dragon for fun. Sunfyre wasn't a battle dragon poor thing

[@govinddas7876]

​@@SE-gs6gdI took that as their bond being so strong that he didnt even need Valyrian to command Sunfyre. Their bond is supposed to be one of the strongest in the books

[@kallemort]

Why would you need Valyrian to command a dragon? They're taught those commands as tradition, not because they have an inherent understanding of the language or whatever.

[@patrickwaldeck6681]

The Kingsguard bonking into each other when Aegon dismisses them is such a funny touch. They're so utterly useless. All credit to Meleys and Rhaenys, in the books I believe they kill almost a thousand men and go toe to toe with two of the most powerful dragons in Westeros before death. As least she went down swinging like the madlass she was.

[@shortstuff780]

Reminds me of the stormtroopers in A New Hope

[@stephenocalla3708]

Rhaenys on Meleys vs Aemond on Vhagar without any help (or more accurately distraction) from Aegon on Sunfyre would have been basically evenly matched. Meleys is faster, smaller and more nimble than Vhagar who's slower and far more cumbersome. Without Aegon and Sunfyre to tire Meleys and with Rhaenys being a far more experienced flier I think she could have won that fight

[@hex_1733]

@@stephenocalla3708 Lmao this is just insane. In the books Sunfyre alone gives a pretty good fight against Meleys, evenly matched until Vhagar shows up.

[@sleepyllama3673]

@@stephenocalla3708 The issue with fighting Aemond and Vhagar is their ability to sneak attack iswtg

[@Randomyoutubecommenter]

​@@stephenocalla3708she should have won but I know for show sake they didn't let her capitalize after she made vaghar fall down, with her dragons better agility she could've had maleys turn around and eat aemond off his dragon but instead she flies away all the while losing sight of a huge dragon.

[@Hoenhime344]

Deamon is always right. Caraxes and red queen could have done it together

[@_Louch_]

Exactly! I don't see why people are blaming him, he's the only one that shown resolved to do what needs to be done

[@Onii-chan_choso]

Soon as daemon left the blacks fell apart… they hate to admit it but they need Daemon

[@ahsink.3080]

They should have listened to Daemon since Season 1 Episode 10. Hell, since Season 1 Episode 1 when he warned Viserys' dumbass about Otto.

[@BhlackBishop]

@@_Louch_ And Aegon II would just seat there while his brother gets attacked in his city?

[@_Louch_]

@@BhlackBishop he didn't just "sit there" regardless at least so could have taken initiative and gathered more allies and besides and putting aside the fact that Aegon II wasn't really the brain behind most the operation more couple have been done

[@pillowbear143]

Sunfyre is probably happy Aegon now have the time to play and fly w him, not knowing he's flying into war.

[@CokeZeroHero]

Did anyone notice William Blackwood! the guy Daemon was talking to at the table he was the little boy that killed Braken boy for calling him a Craven!

[@glamourweaver]

So remaining dragon roaster Greens: Vhagar (Aemond) Dreamfyre (Helaena) -Sunfyre (Aegon) - out of commission -Tessarion (Daeron) - almost rideable but not quite last we heard Blacks: Syrax (Rhaenyra) Caraxes (Daemon) Vermax (Jace) Moondancer (Baella) -Tyraxes (Joffrey) - not rideable -Stormcloud (Aegon the younger) - not rideable -Seasmoke (formerly Laenor, no current rider) -Vermithor (formerly Old King Jahaerys, no current rider) -Silverwing (formerly Good Queen Alysanne’s, no current rider) - Sheep Stealer (never claimed) - the Cannibal (never claimed) - Grey Ghost (never claimed) Counting those unclaimed dragons on Dragonstone in the Black column, since they can potentially utilize them and the Green’s can’t

[@sleepyllama3673]

Dont forget Vhagar has been injured.

[@gghs9162]

​@@sleepyllama3673Not to an incapacitating extent. Mostly a lick her wounds sort of injury for a dragon her size.

[@user-ui1so3mu7f]

All Criston Cole hate aside, I cannot help but think he's been doing an effective job as a "Wartime Hand." If it wasn't for Aegon's fuck up, his ambush would've worked perfectly and the Greens wouldn't have had Sunfyre or their king in danger.

[@acdragonrider]

His reputation as a soldier and commander is without reproach for sure.

[@irfanadhin5918]

As Fabien said, Criston always want to get out of that Castle.

[@redneckgamer0]

The biggest reason the ambushed worked was meleys was being held. The actual plan wouldn't have worked nearly as well

[@Zombina638]

Hm no

[@shortstuff780]

That speech was great, LoTR had great speeches, this was like the 2nd cool speech we've gotten in Westoros, hoping for more rallying speeches

[@Derenyx]

One thing I adored was how brutal they made the dragon fighting; this isn't some high fantasy epic duel between noble beasts, this was three predators trying to rip each other to shreds. IIRC from the BTS of the episode, the choreography was modelled on birds of prey fighting each other with the talon locks and stuff like that. Very cool!

[@aj897]

Every piece of entertainment doesn’t have to reflect reality or “realistic” scenarios, Meleys digging into Sunfyre killed the energy of the fight instantly. I assume they did it to save money lol.

[@Dylan_Thomas1]

@@aj897 Your assumption doesn't contradict anything they said, and your bit about "every piece of entertainment" is almost nonsense in this context, and totally not applicable because they referenced the behind the scenes given for the episode. Ultimately your comment is anti-knowledge and anti-thought. You can make it make sense though by thinking of the endless examples of people overthinking stuff on the internet. They just don't apply here though.

[@billyguyjoe1858]

@@aj897 shit take

[@masonlynn5229]

rhaenys knowing she’s tired, knowing meleys is tired, but knowing she may be the best chance rhaenyra ends up on the throne “attack meleys.”

[@JMTgpro]

It's not that. Rhaenys was sent to protect Rook's Rest. The Castle and its Lord. She had a chance to fly away, yes. But her mission is not over. That "Attack Meleys" is her recognizing that she may not win o lived, but as a warrior her mission is clear, to give everything to protect the lords loyal to her queen. To abandon the battlefield is to fail. Flee, it is to be a coward... And a coward in Westeros... Rhaenys is a warrior who preferred Blood and Fire to being a coward. Not for pride, or ego... For Honor of her House and Queen.

[@BhlackBishop]

@@JMTgpro She was literally sent there to fight in the Queen's name. As long as Vhagar remains on green, they would never win. She did her duty.

[@spyling800]

I read it more as her being aware that the chances are slim, but if she beats Vhagar the war is basically over. There is no other dragon on the greens side that could stand up to Caraxes or Syrax. She was willing to bet her life on the slim chance that her grandaughters would not have to experiance the worst of what would otherwise come.

[@aj897]

She got emotional and miscalculated, idk why people are pretending she willingly sacrificed herself, I see it as a failed attempt for glory.

[@carrela1000]

​@aj897 Do you have eyes? I have no idea how you can look at that scene, knowing Rhaenys and think for a second that she wanted glory, but that is your right, I guess

[@ladylaelae1]

I will never be ashamed to say that I violently sobbed the entire last ten minutes of this episode. It perfectly encapsulates WHY Rhaenys and Rhaenyra (and even to some small extent, some of the Greens) were fighting so hard to prevent dragons from becoming chess pieces on the board. And it also shows the tragedy in the truth: the dragons were always going to become pawns in the war. The dragons are loyal to their riders. They don't deserve the pain, and the people that die as a result of their fire and devastation do not generally deserve that horror. The Dance of Dragons is going to be absolutely brutal. For all who wished so hard for battles and dragon scenes: I hope you are prepared.

[@mrouschkateer]

I knew what was going to happen, and I bawled anyway. The writers, actors, and visual effects teams (and the music, ye Gods) did a stellar job of sucking you in and giving you all the feels for the spicy sky puppies.

[@scrumlass]

No Blacks 🚫 No Greens 🚫 Team Dragon all the way 🐉❤‍🔥🐲 the dragons are menacing and powerful but also capable of such gentleness and loyalty and earnest love ❤💔 they do not deserve the fates that their riders ultimately subject them to, and many good riders know this

[@ladylaelae1]

@@scrumlass That’s one reason why (SPOILER FOR NEXT EPISODE FROM THE PREVIEW) I loathe what they choose to do with Meleys’ head. Both in the books and the show. To drag out the symbol of their House (which, the people of the realm are superstitious and believe heavily in their House’s sigils so it’s already crazy for them to do that) and to debase a dragon in death like that is horrific. It’s also self-defeating because it shows the mortality of dragons. It’s disrespecting the powerful creatures they are.

[@kallemort]

Dragons are not natural creatures, living mutant nukes have no place in the world.

[@fotsnacks8705]

Notice the Tully kid’s name? Oscar. His grand-sire is Grover. His father’s name is… Elmo. Swear to God. 😂

[@scotthewitt258]

One is also named Kermit.

[@Shiera_Seastar_]

George rr Martin is a funny guy 😂

[@markmullins8622]

If Fozzy or Gonzo show up 😂😂😂

[@Fenix-lr6ez]

@@scotthewitt258 he's cut from the show though, like Elmo

[@scrumlass]

Muppet Tullys RISE

[@HaydenK1998]

One thing that this show has done which GOT never did is actually make me care about the dragons, the designs, colouring, size difference, gender, personalities and rider relationships are so brilliant that despite the massive amount of power they have and destruction they can wreak, I don't see them as the living weapons that I did when watching GOT. Massive credit to the writers, designers, VFX and whoever else is involved with that part of this show.

[@trottheblackdog]

Dude, Vhagar is a straight kaiju

[@EraseMemoriesHD]

"Princess Rhaenys made no attempt to flee. With a glad cry and a crack of her whip, she turned Meleys to her enemies." - Fire & Blood (Im fuckin cryin bros) RIP to the Red Queen, and The Queen Who SHOULDVE Been.

[@DaZi19]

"Beloved daughter of Lady Jocelyn Baratheon and Prince Aemon Targaryen, faithful wife to Lord Corlys Velaryon, mother and grandmother, the Queen Who Never Was lived fearlessly, and died amidst blood and fire. She was fifty-five years old."

[@LeletVentura]

I think the biggest difference between Aemond ad Daemon is that Aemond will (and already has) hurt his family to get to the crown. Daemon threatens to all the time, but never really went for it. Aemond is the kinslayer

[@sy-ky_buddy4603]

That shot of Aemond after the death of Rheana was so damn cold though

[@brahimdiop5506]

*Rhaenys. Rhaena is her granddaughter. These names are so hard to keep track of

[@Spaghatee]

In the great words of Ramsey Bolton: if you think this has a happy ending, then you haven’t been paying attention.

[@andrewking9454]

I was hoping they would give the blacks a better chance but rhaenyra has been losing from the start it's not even close :(

[@100EmotionalDamage]

@@andrewking9454 She was dealt a bad hand anyway, Outnumbered, Isolated on Dragonstone and stuck with a lot of baby dragons that are good for nothing but transportation! She did all she could in the end and it's admirable.

[@Skye_Writer]

I think you are wrong that Rhaenys didn't like Alyn. She clearly said to Corlys that the reason of Alyn's birth wasn't HIS fault, and he should be raised up and awarded his due rather than be hidden. Just because Catelyn Stark blamed the supposed bastard in her house for the fact he was born doesn't mean Rhaenys would behave the same way. Remember, she is a princess, and royals are much more accustomed to having bastard children on the periphery of family life. Queen Elizabeth I was devoted to her cousin, the daughter of Mary Boleyn, even though it was very likely that she was the bastard child of Henry VIII, Elizabeth's father.

[@Blinkptx]

I'm a book reader who knew what was coming, and yet still wasn't prepared for how painful this episode was. Especially seeing the dragons get hurt. I know they're mythical cgi creatures, but I'm so immersed in this world that they might as well have been real while watching. They have done a masterful job bringing this story to life. For me anyway. I know some people take issue with some stuff, but it has been flawless for me personally. Admittedly, I'm kind of a fanboy.

[@pjthrand2173]

I read the book as well and was also so unprepared. The battle was brutal and I cried tears.

[@SCHRODINGERS_WHORE]

I ugly cried when Rhaenys told her dragon it's time to go to war. I knew what was coming and it still hurt like hell.

[@noneofyourbeeswax01]

I read enough about The Dance for it to spoil the series for me. It's like going to watch your team play a Cup Final when you already know you're team has lost.

[@mariorkz4266]

I read the book up until the end of s1 am I the only one that preferred the series portrayal? In the book there is basically no past between alicent and rhaenyra which is a huge part in the tv show, i feel like the book goes over some parts so quickly

[@stevenstone307]

@@noneofyourbeeswax01 The books and show are two different things, it's possible to enjoy both things for what they are. (lotr)

[@katiematthews4136]

I love the little detail of Aegon not really speaking Valyrian to Sunfyre while you have Aemmond and Rhaenys having full on conversations with their dragons

[@Efari95]

The older a dragon is, the hotter its fire is, so it makes sense that Aegon suffered much more from Vagar's fire than Rhaenys did from Sunfyre.

[@justconnnoor]

Sunfyre was a beautiful dragon, poor boy just wanted to fly and chill.

[@wiktoriajedrzejewska7287]

He will recover don't worry. Gonna take a while but he is gonna even be able to fly again.

[@gabrielhuc-hepher3845]

The one green dragon Eric was missing is Tessarion ridden by Daeron, brother of Aegon and Aemond, who is currently at Oldtwon

[@Azura-gu4ql]

I’ve been refreshing all day😂

[@blindspotj]

fr

[@Samilion101]

aaron: I dont want her to die" eric: 😬

[@keltavuokko]

I love how they paralleled Daemon with Aemond and Aegon this episode. Aegon representing Daemon's frustration with Rhaenyra, and both Daemon and Aemond killed their ruler - but Aemond tried to kill his brother for real whereas Daemon only saw it in a dream and even then showed remorse (whereas Aemond did not). I love what they do with this show so far.

[@keltavuokko]

And I have to add that there's no question whether Aemond was intentional or not: if he had followed Aegon into the fight right away like Cole expected him to, they could have taken Meleys out in minutes together. But Aemond chose to let his idiot brother try first, and took the opportunity when he saw one. This all was foreshadowed with all the talk with Alicent and Daemon about ruling in the king's/liege lord's absence, Daemon suggesting the little boy that the boy should kill his useless grandfather, etc. (another Daemon vs. Aemond parallel, btw)

[@tohirbabs5495]

Rhaenys returned because regardless of the ambush, the order from her queen and the original intention was to secure rooks rest and stop criston cole's advance. she could've easily fled on several occasions but that would mean effectively giving up the crownlands and maybe the war at this point, so she took her chances and decided to fight. she already beat aegon and she saw how ruthless aemond was, so in a sense she was hoping she could end the whole war for rhaenyra here once and for all,. In a sense she knew the danger she was in so you could say she was effectively commiting suicide, but she also knew what fleeing would mean for rhaenyras war effort, so she stayed and fought... say what you wil about rhaenys but if she was the queen she seemed the kind to take on the battle herself rather than send people to do the fighting for her, something we see in rhaenyra too, which is why she stands by her

[@farazalikhan5242]

Daemon is busy doing the side quests before the main storyline

[@joaorodo]

Rhaenys should have taken the offer Daemon gave to her on ep1, the only way they could take down Vhagar was a tag team Caraxes-Meleys..

[@mazju9420]

Im almost 100% certain Aemond was gonna end his brother if Cole hadnt shown up

[@jayxjayx8164]

daeron alicent's other son has a dragon tessarion

[@acdragonrider]

Get VERMITHOR into the fight already

[@vuyilemdladla4576]

My thoughts exactly, you get a rider for Vermithor and Vhagar becomes much less of a threat

[@aaronnordstrom788]

​​@@vuyilemdladla4576vermithor, meleys, and caraxes would have smoked vhagar together had they acted way sooner

[@tashaglam4824]

@@vuyilemdladla4576But you gotta realize that no matter what, Vhagar STILL swamps ANY living dragon alive. That includes Vermithor. Vermithor is only like 140 years old at this point. Huge, but not even in scale to Vhagar who is over 200 years old.

[@Ri_Shin_Marco]

@@aaronnordstrom788 Book mentioned Meleys would probably have won against Vhagar alone. But both Sunfyre and Vhagar were to much for her. In the book Sunfyre actually was more of an opponent than series Sunfyre was. In this scene they nerfed Sunfyre and buffed Vhagar to get the book outcome of Meley's and Rhaenys dying and Sunfyre being of no use in combat.

[@runicrochers6548]

They're not even training Luke and Baela to do specific maneuvers when fighting against dragons. Rhaenys, the one who has experience, didn't use dragon fire during the battle (with the exception of brawling with Vhagar because that's just dragon instinct at that point). She's so valuable they could've trained some of the dragon riders they have.

[@dunjakojic7496]

Take into consideration, that Aemond may have noticed the inscription of the prophecy on the blade. I also believe that he was sheathing his sword.

[@cheddarandsourcream]

Daenerys really was a rare case of a Targaryen being essentially fire proof. The book makes it pretty known that the Targaryens in this story are certainly not immune to it. They have a special bond with the animals but the book does a great job of reiterating that at the end of the day these people riding these dragons could never fully control their actions and using one in a war scenario is unwise more than anything.

[@creepybirdy]

imagine they went ahead with deamons plan from the first episode to attack vhagar with meleys and caraxes together. seeing how good meleys did on her own, they would have probably torn vhagar to shreds

[@salter149]

I dont understand why Alicent thought telling Aegon to do nothing was a good idea lmao. That was like a perfect opportunity to really try to get him to change, just like when she walked in on him crying.

[@manvirshergill1739]

Thats why she's a terrible mother.

[@grelkie]

She’s a useless mother

[@spartanmuse]

She wasn’t thinking, she was reacting. After her encounter with Rhaenyra she’s been considering that she screwed it up by misunderstanding the King’s last words, plus her own personal drama (the tea). Was she wrong in saying those things to Aegon? Of course she was. And well, it makes sense that her relationship with her children is so convoluted: she bore them out of duty, not love 🤷‍♀️

[@King.Asura09]

Vhagar's tail following her large body across the frame reminded me of how Kamina draws his Katana lmao

[@hitmando23]

Eric I howled at “plan tea” I’ve never heard that before lok😂

[@jubjub7101]

Screencrush pointed out the obvious mirror personalities between Aemond and Daemon. Swap the D in their names from the beginning to the end and you get both.

[@modernamami5861]

The Targaryens have a higher heat resistance than most ordinary humans, but not an immunity to fire. Daenerys has the highest heat resistance we’ve seen so far. She’s able to take scalding hot baths, press her eggs into hot coals for quite a while, and withstand Drogon’s natural body heat. Show Dany is immune to fire but book Dany isn’t. As to how Rhaenys and Aemond weren’t burnt alive; I’m pretty sure the Dragons’ bodies block them from the flames. Dragons as old as Vhagar and Meleys aren’t all that affected by dragon flame. Sunfyre is young so Vhagar’s fire did substantial damage to him.

[@SpiralSine6]

22:10 it was at that moment that every reactor realized that dragon vs dragon violence was much closer to dog fights than tank battles.

[@KingJ666]

So did you guys forget it was aegon and luke that gave aemond a pig instead of a dragon? Bro aemond always has hated aegon in my opnion

[@Toaster7]

I feel like that is something a lot of people are missing. Aemond might be one of the most complex characters in the show. His mother played no role in shaping him into a good person, Viserys never really cared for any of his children, besides Rhaenyra, all of the other kids picked on him for being small and an outcast. Even though all that he still dedicated time to studying history, learning how to rule, etc, but he is still an outcast to his own family. I think he does hate a lot of his family, but I also think he takes blood very seriously. He doesn’t want his family to die, but he does want some revenge.

[@wiktoriajedrzejewska7287]

@@Toaster7Yeah i don't think he wanted to kill Aegon. He just wanted to hurt him but it's such a shame that poor baby Sunfyre had to get hurt as well. I pity both Aegon and Aemond.

[@t3rki179]

Also remember Last episode Aegon humiliated him in the brothel... Still i thought he was smarter than to blast the King in the Battlefield 😂

[@augxman]

Yeah and that equals to attempted murder of your brother who is also your KING, isnt it? 🧠🧠😂

[@KingJ666]

@@augxman aemond is a kinslayer. He tried to kill the king. Cause if he dies guess who is in line? Your making things harder than what it is. Just read fire and blood

[@NileyLove23]

Vaeghar and Meleys fighting each other is the most heart breaking thing I have ever seen. Especially knowing their last riders were so in love with each other that they often flew together with the entire family 😭 god I’m so not ready to see all these dragons die….i never want to hear their helpless screams

[@jwbuckmiller82jb]

The other Dragon the Greens have is called Tessaron. She belongs to Aegon & Aemond's little brother Daeron. He hasn't shown up in the show yet, but Otto did mention him. He's in Oldtown studying.

[@Mesajinx]

I think Rhaenys wasn't going to leave without trying her damn hardest to kill (or at the very least severely wound) Vahagar. She knows that as long as Vahagar lives, the Blacks have no chance of winning the war against the Greens. Even if they all end up dead in the end, one house might go out "victoriously" and Rhaenys had made up her mind that it would be them. I also think that with her family separated (Corlys off to sea again, Baela at risk of being shot out of the sky at any moment, and Rhaena sent away to Pentos) there wasn't much left keeping her in Dragonstone. She fought bravely and admirably until the very end, and with all of her past years of warring behind her both she and Meleys may finally rest. ❤

[@KillJoy5950]

Rhaenys knew her dragon wasn’t going to make it back so she decided to keep fighting

[@SD-og8qd]

No, the reason was if she abandoned her allies in the midst of battle what message would she be sending to the world? Also you had 4 of thr most powerful things on the greens side there, aegon, aemond/vhagar and cole, she saw that she could take them all out at once

[@Toaster7]

Yes, but also because she was ready to die at the council. After seeing Corly’s bastard, and the realization that war is inevitable, she would rather give her life to see her granddaughters die, because she had already lost everything else.

[@TheRibottoStudios]

Aemond didn't let what happened at the brothel slide. But it really wasn't JUST the brothel incident. That was just the tipping point.

[@silverzelenia5549]

I thought it would be interesting, if Aemond was approaching with his sword drawn with the intent to mercy kill Sunfyre. I feel like regardless of everything else, Aemond has much respect and reverence for the dragons and I could see him doing that to end one's suffering.

[@rhaenatargaryen8061]

poor sunfyre honestly... they thought they were just going for ice cream!!

[@swedish_malin]

Calvin comparing everyone to cats is relatable! 😄 First Aegon pushing the cup off the table and then the fighting dragons. 🐈‍⬛🐈

[@layniebear1237]

appreciated the reaction guys thank you!~ been gaming like crazy and binge watching all the episode 4 reactions lol.

[@mallaymusic3023]

8:27 “… to listen for any ‘GUARDS!!!’” 😂😂😂

[@lorpsandorps3729]

Pretty sure Damon drank a potion made from weirwood seeds, just like Bran did. “Dreams didn’t make us kings, dragons did.” Damon is about to learn a few things, I think.

[@gabriellehanson2423]

That little "dOooo whAt is EXpected of yooou... I'll show Em.." from Aaron has me dead 😂. You know Aegon's been there stewing in his thoughts lol.

[@jackj9816]

“ what’s up with this place” that pretty much sums up Harannhal my friend

[@chelscara]

I truly love Gwayne just sitting there like wtf wtf wtf wtf wtf

[@LucerysOwner]

In the books Aegon and Sunfyre had literally one of the closest bonds of all dragon riders who ever existed.. Poor boy, poor dragons don't deserves all this family drama. Honestly, this season is owned by Tom Glynn-Carney. Even when Aegon was powerless in the small council scene, he totally owned the scene. It’s bizarre because the writers clearly want the audience to like Team Black more than Green, but they made the Greens way more interesting to watch. Rhaenyra spends basically all her screen time wringing her hands and being indecisive, Daemon is off having a tantrum in the middle of nowhere and doesn’t have much character beyond “I’m angry”, and Rhaenys kind of just stands around looking smug/condescending. (except for the showdown ofc, RIP Meleys and Rhaenys)

[@sicapelle904]

Aemond might have seen Aegons prophecy on the dagger if it got heated enough by Vhagars fire.

[@phatcat4384]

Vhagar is old, in her defense. If Aemond said, "I want Luke's eye" she probably heard, "I want him to die".

[@brenosilva-gk7ts]

Been waiting the whole day for this reaction

[@lostbutterfly3]

My heart hurts for Sunfyre and Aegon. I believe Aegon is a very complex character and Tom is doing a marvellous job with his portrayal of a man with low self-esteem He never wanted any of this and many of his actions are a copying mechanism He obviously has committed many mistakes but I cannot stop to have a weak spot for him. He is being used as a tool to everyone

[@neonoires]

Aemond looked like he was already sheathing his sword. I feel so bada for the dragons but unfortunately that's what's going to happen until the show ends pretty much lol. Sunfyre was so pretty too.

[@Anna-ud2qt]

Sunfyre is that new puppy the spoiled kid got for Christmas, the kid is too busy to walk it out, and the moment he does, its to take him to a pitbull fight 💀

[@chelscara]

This description is absolutely sending me 😂😂😂

[@TheeKorovaMilkBar]

7:47 Damn, Calvin. That F-Bomb had power.

[@mori1bund]

Fun fact: Cole didn't tell Alicent's brother Gwaine about the plan because he sent him out there with the other soldiers who were dragon bait. He totally wanted to kill off Alicent's brother! 🤣🤣😂😂

[@brunocosta_ss]

I was waiting for you guys!!

[@mamaseesa3122]

My daughter was laughing at the sass this episode. Alicent, Jace, Aemond...it was actually quite a bit lol.

[@jonathonboswell2933]

This episode was an emotional rollercoaster. I was captivated by the visuals, storytelling, and the frightening yet awe-inspiring power of the dragons' destruction. However, the deaths of Rhaenys and Melys left me heartbroken. Rhaenys was invaluable in aiding her queen and instrumental in preventing the realm from descending into chaos. Her loss is tragic, and the death of such an experienced fighting dragon is also a significant blow to the Blacks. It's hard to reconcile loving the artistry while mourning the loss of such an irreplaceable duo.

[@nglijie5716]

Meleys: It's an honour...to die by your side. Rhaenys: (Then) it's an honour...to have lived at yours.

[@hedinsee6830]

Greens have: Vhagar - Aemond. Dreamfyre - Helaena (she essentially never rides and she certainly doesn't fight). Tessarion - Daeron (yes, the elusive Daeron). Tessarion is young, but already reached fighting size. Sunfyre - Aegon (out of commission now). Blacks have: Caraxes - Daemon. Syrax - Rhaenyra. Vermax - Jacaerys (young dragon, just reached fighting size). Moondancer - Baela (very young). Blacks also have access to *potential* dragons: Seasmoke - only if Laenor died already, which, considering Seasmoke's disquiet, is likely. Vermithor - king Jaehaerys's old mount. Silverwing - queen Alysanne's old mount. And 3 wild dragons: Sheepstealer, Cannibal, Grey Ghost.

[@thiacanadian]

That attack Aemond did felt more intentional than an accident. But for convenience, Aemond can brush it off as Aegon got in the way of him and Rhaenys. I also think that Aemond was going to finish off Aegon at the crash site. He had no reason to have his sword out other than to do just that. But when Criston called out to him, he then put it away. And it was lucky again that he found Aegon's dagger. And the way how he walked off, it wasn't remorseful at all. It felt too cold, like he didn't give a damn. It wasn't the same energy like when he killed Luke by accident and he was clearly remorseful there. This man is cold as ice lol

[@EntrEsprit]

The soundtrack in this episode was fantastic

[@BloodDjimon614]

Aemond having his blade drawn at all is evidence that he planned on finishing off his brother. There was never a single enemy soldier outside the castle, so there's only one reason to draw the blade. I think him putting it away before Cole arrives on a sign that Aegon was already dead.

[@markmullins8622]

You just wait til Aegon gets better ! He'll have a few words for his brother Aemond the Kinslayer will face the wrath of Aegon the Gin slayer 😂😂

[@Mwezi828]

"I'm the ghost in Harrenhal, she thought. And that night, there was one less name to hate.” “She had killed him with a whisper, and she would kill two more before she was through. I'm the ghost in Harrenhal, she thought." - Arya Man I wish D&D had included more of the magic from the books in the show. Would have paid off even more now that we have a series with a showrunner that doesn't hate fantasy, HotD is doing great with it.

[@kassidyklein2634]

I am not emotionally prepared for the rest of this series

[@rightmunted7538]

They briefly mentioned that the greens have another dragon rider we havent seen yet (Aegons youngest brother) and Helena does have a dragon, too, if worst comes to worst for them. So I think Rhaenys just wanted to hurt Vhagar enough to take her out of action because from there, the Blacks would have the biggest and most experienced dragons as well as more dragons, overall. As long as Vhagar can spring these kinds of traps, Aemond can more or less pick off every dragon rider on team Rhaenyra one at a time.

[@markmullins8622]

Seeing Helena try to ride a dragon to war would be the equivalent of Luna Lovegood riding Harry's firebolt to go 1v1 with Voldemort😂😂

[@cloudyazurephoenix9931]

The greens also have Tessarion - Daeron Targaeryen’s dragon (Alicent’s youngest child). They have Vhagar (Aemond), Sunfyre (Aegon), Dreamfyre (Halaena), and Tessarion (Daeron).

[@dmidkif]

This show is so well done, and the battle scenes seem so realistic for a show about fighting dragons. The fact that Cristen was suffocating for minutes due to all the smoke is a detail we would have never seen in the later GOT seasons.

[@SpockNRoll]

I don't know why you guys think that Rhaenys didn't like Alyn? She seemed more sadded over the fact that her husband has been cheating on her. But she even told Corlys that Alyn shouldn't be a secret.

[@muhammadhabibieamiro3639]

The dance of the dragon has begun

[@aquele4virou3]

Thing is: Meleys could go toe-to-toe and maybe even win against Vhagar if not for Sunfyre. In the book, they tag-team her. Sunfyre takes the worst beating from Meleys, and then Vhagar attacks and they both fall. Which was the plan all along (them attacking together, not Aegon getting his ass kicked). Here, they have Aegon sort of getting in the way but truth is, if he hadn't come, Meleys could have possibly taken on Vhagar. Odds were she would die as well or be severely injured, but Rhaenys is a more experienced flier than Aemond by a mile (she had been with Meleys for 42 years, Aemond had Vhagar for 9, which is 6 in the show due to the timeline changes). Meleys is faster and younger but a fully mature adult dragon, around 75 years or so. Sunfyre is an adult but around 20-something years of age. Aegon was also not super experienced, only a decade flying. Vhagar is huge, yes, but also old, slow, heavy, and has been injured in battle. If had been Meleys v. Vhagar only, from the start, she might have won. At the very least, dying but taking Aemond with her. Either way, Rhaenys was a fierce dragon rider and died with her dragon. She chose to die fighting instead of fleeing in the show and you gotta respect that. Also, the episode was released on her birthday 7/7. Another sad fact: Meleys was Princess Alyssa Targaryen's dragon (Daemon and Viserys' mom). Her husband, Prince Baelon Targaryen, rode Vhagar. They would always fly together, joined by their older brother, Crown Prince Aemon Targaryen, Rhaenys' father, and his dragon, Caraxes. Meleys and Vhagar were very familiar with each other.