House of the Dragon Explained & Review: Rhaenyra & Alicent's Deeper Fight (& Their Linked Doom) 🐉

[@thetake]

Thanks for watching! Let us know: whose side are you on going into season 2? Next up, head over to our Game of Thrones playlist to take a walk back down memory lane with all of our GOT videos: kzbin.info/aero/PLY8-JHLY9yDOsbf8_E8bsagr3zeq1eOLb Or check out our recent video unpacking the 'love as a prize' trope: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqi8kGOBibeHqtU

[@robfab5204]

I think the show wants us to root for Rhaenyra. I've read "Fire and Blood". I am team Black.

[@LaReinaZorra]

Have you watched this show?! She didn’t lie to Alicent…Rhae did NOT sleep with Daemon. That is what she was accused of doing? There are other things you got wrong but that’s typical of you recappers. Also, these women are in this because of WEAK Viserys but let’s heap it all on the ones without the penises.

[@carastone3473]

@@robfab5204 - team 🖤. Neither side is wholly ‘good’ or wholly ‘bad,’ but Rhaenyra was the king’s chosen heir. If Otto had done his job and just served the king loyally, rather than plotting to usurp the throne prior to the king’s death AND if Alicent hadn’t spent YEARS intentionally turning her kids against Rhaenyra and HER kids, the Realm would’ve done well under Queen Rhaenyra for many years.

[@fitzofpassion]

She’s known as “The Realm’s Delight”, not “The Realm’s Princess”.

[@nebulanigrimleonis3883]

Exactly. This is a terrible review made by someone that has ZERO knowledge of this world or the characters. I will not be subscribing. Stopped watching the moment she said Daemon groomed Rhaenera.

[@Δ-Δ-Δ-Δ]

​@@nebulanigrimleonis3883I used to watch this channel. But then, they suddenly became far-left, grifters and started saying stuff that's contradictory.

[@simsarethebest925456]

@@nebulanigrimleonis3883 but he did. She was a child and he was a grown man actively pursuing a relationship with her. Is that to say he does not care about her? No. Is that to say she does not love him? Also no. And don't say that a teenager isn't a child bc they are, don't be a pedo

[@PhoenixMcGinnis]

@@Δ-Δ-Δ-Δ and yet you are still here commenting

[@wallycola5653]

​@nebulanigrimleonis3883 I watched the whole thing, and honestly "The Realm's Princess" was the only major error and it wasn't even that big a deal. And Daemon unequivocally did groom her. He cultivated an attraction before she reached adulthood so he could take advantage of it and start a relationship when she came of age.

[@Hallows4]

Although she had the benefit of hindsight, Shireen Baratheon still said it best. “It was all the ‘choosing sides’ that made everything so horrible.”

[@rosariomachado9758]

What a great queen she would have been 😢

[@carastone3473]

@@rosariomachado9758yes!!

[@carastone3473]

NOT choosing a side means not taking a stand for what you believe it. Princess Shireen, while a lovely girl, was a naive child.

[@Hallows4]

@@carastone3473 Perhaps she was, but the Dance of the Dragons makes clear (SPOILERS!!!) that both sides believed in their own righteousness, and both suffered greatly for it. As the saying goes, “War is not about who’s right, but who’s left.” Rhaenyra’s son may have married Aegon’s daughter to seal the peace agreement, but the dynasty never fully recovered, and dragons were put on the path towards extinction.

[@rosariomachado9758]

Maybe, but do you have to choose a side when both of them represent death and destruction, specially for people that have nothing to do with it. Is like what Tyrion said, the common folk is not part of the game the high born play and yet they suffer greatly for it. Why do we have to choose then?

[@magzdilluh]

The themes of female friendship, marriage, motherhood and betrayal make this show more interesting to me than the OG Game of Thrones series. In a weird way, it reminds me of Jennifer's Body, but you know with dragons

[@becca_98]

Thats actually a really good comparison - Jennifer is Rhaenyra and Needy is Alicent

[@EN-Fitz]

Now this is the Take I remember from its beginning

[@Δ-Δ-Δ-Δ]

What do you mean?

[@Xandypn]

​@Winter-Alpha-Omega Not Op, but this is the sort of analysis that got me to subscribe. Support women's rights and wrongs with nuance.

[@alisterfolson]

Nobody wins in war. I haven't read the books, but watching GoT you already know the outcome

[@speccothy]

I always choke on my soda whenever kings and queens get titles such as “PROTECTOR OF THE REALM”

[@naurrrre]

bran stark won the game of thrones 🤭

[@alisterfolson]

@@naurrrre GoT season 6, 7 and 8 don't exist to me

[@MemoirsofaBasketcase]

Amazing how a “prequel” might end up being more loved that the initial series that spawned it. Give us all that HOTD.

[@iamme4494]

What’s HOTD mean?

[@Lavolpeengreece]

@@iamme4494House of the Dragon

[@saroabd4437]

@@iamme4494House of the Dragon

[@nekrataali]

I was really skeptical about this series but after season one, I'm basically in the "There's no such thing as Game of Thrones. Just this cool-ass show with dragon battles" boat. 😂

[@MemoirsofaBasketcase]

@@saroabd4437 HOT D could also mean something else 🤫

[@essenby123]

I see their difference in terms of privilege. Rhaenyra has relative privilege as a Targaryen dragonrider and the king's favorite child to push back against the expectations put on her by the world and pursue her own wishes. Alicent is just the daughter of a second son who happens to be the current Hand to the King. Rhaenyra can make choices that Alicent simply cannot. Rhaenyra chooses desire and love with her privilege as heir, but Alicent has to choose the duty imposed upon her at every turn. A deleted scene between Rhaenyra and Alicent in episode 2 highlights this privilege differential and what it means for each of their ability to act on their own desires. This divergence once again comes at Driftmark: Alicent points out that Rhaenyra consistently pushes aside duty and sacrifice in favor of her own wishes, and Rhaenyra believes that Alicent's adherence to duty means she is overly righteous when it comes to her own self-image and sacrifice.

[@K1ng1995]

I kinda see a similarity between Rhaenyra and Piper McLean from the Percy Jackson books. How because Piper's dad is a famous movie star he uses his status to keep Piper out of the spotlight even when she shoplifts and steals cars to get her Dad's attention

[@carastone3473]

Rhaenyra did lie, by saying ‘Daemon never touched me,’ although she actually didn’t have sex with him. However, she did NOT swear that she was still ‘a maiden,’ as Alicent told Viserys. Neither Alicent nor Rhaenyra brought up Criston at all.

[@niraxlevi9930]

It's a stupid reason to break up a friendship for 😂

[@mariapdr3261]

The problem was that these idiots thought war was winnable game when war has no winners.

[@zk6231]

Team Green in the sense that I find them to be more interesting, complex characters on screen. I'd like to not have a team or just be on Team Doomed Narrative but I think the writers are too afraid to make Rhaenyra flawed and her children are too underdeveloped as characters for me to not be a bit bored with most Team Black scenes.

[@sassybdiy7565]

Team black! But actually nobody wins 😢

[@alisterfolson]

Nobody wins in war. I haven't read the books but watching GoT you already know the outcome...

[@nekrataali]

I'm team Black and Red because I think the Seven Kingdoms could use a few guillotines and some Romanov'ing 😎😏

[@mattcollins3591]

@@alisterfolsonthis. But the op is correct. This is a tragic story we are headed toward

[@carastone3473]

I agree, but it will be Rhaenyra’s son who sits the Iron Throne in the end!

[@alisterfolson]

@carastone3473 No spoilers please!

[@davidholland3605]

A great recap, and helpful commentary - thank you for prepping us for the impending second season! 🤗

[@aprilchardy1]

"The Realm's Delight," not "The Realm's Princess."

[@lasloapollo4312]

She is the realms princess. I always thought that "delight" was ironic because she isnt that lovable.

[@MemoirsofaBasketcase]

@@lasloapollo4312 She was apparently lovable as a baby/toddler.

[@carastone3473]

@@lasloapollo4312 my point was that she was not REFERRED TO as ‘the realm’s princess,’ as was stated in the video. She was REFERRED to as ‘the realm’s delight.’

[@linaaviles1971]

“The Prince that was promised, aka Jon Snow” side eye

[@ianvera4299]

Jon IS the PTWP, stay mad but its the truth;)

[@CsySnw]

@@ianvera4299 yh according to the utter fanfiction level of writing that was the last seasons

[@ianvera4299]

​@@CsySnw Correction, Emmy winning and ratings breaking fanfiction that was the last season;)

[@raveenasavadi655]

@@ianvera4299 I want what those Emmy jurors were smoking tbh

[@cody-channeling]

@@ianvera4299No need to project your mommy issues. It could have well been Daenerys for all we know the GOT writer’s ego got in the way and messed up the whole point of the story which is that BOTH Jon and Daenerys are the prince AND princess that were promised, but neither of them survives the fight with the Night King (it supposed to be a bittersweet ending George RR Martin said).

[@Albitacrazy]

Their standoff doesn't feel like an old lovers quarrel, IT IS🤣 Their relationship is like when historians call queer couples as "good friends". That's why is so visceral and raw all their emotions, because they came from love. Also, thank you for addressing Daemon's grooming, not many do or see it.

[@grasstastesbad]

what lol is this canon?

[@Albitacrazy]

@@grasstastesbad Yes.

[@grasstastesbad]

@@Albitacrazy i looked around and it’s not. why would you mislead me? :(

[@Albitacrazy]

@@grasstastesbad I promise you, there are interviews of the creators (Ryan Condal, Miguel Sapochnik, and Sara Hess) from the directors (Clare Kilner, Geeta Patel) and from the cast (Olivia Cooke, Emma D'arcy, Milly Alcock, Emily Carey) that said they had romantic feelings for each other. Plus, you just need to see it closer to notice in the show. Specially in the first episode and part of the second (before the marriage of Alicent with Viserys) Literally Rhaenyra said she wanted to fly on dragonback with Alicent to see the wonders of the Narrow Sea and eat only cake. I don't dream with how to spend my life with "a friend" XD

[@brigidmadden5577]

I think the writers confirmed they were written to be like a divorced couple. Honestly not a bad idea, but they remind me of the protagonists from in the mood for love, two people who clearly wanted to be with each but were torn apart by the BS around them

[@kirazhukovska5237]

Important note: Alicent's personality in the show was altered. As per book, she wanted to step into power

[@hightower19]

according to season 2 leaks this aspect of her character wasn't removed just delayed, upcoming episodes will reflect more of her book personality

[@LewisJGreyson]

That's not important in a spin off show from a prequel of "game of thrones".

[@anabourdieu]

Rhaenyra's as well. Book Rhaenyra is cruel, selfish, doesn't care about duty and is extremely bad at politics.

[@GoldenRose116]

Rhaenyra's personality was changed just as much, if not more.

[@GoldenRose116]

@@anabourdieu I mean Show Rhaenyra still is selfish, doesn't care about duty and is extremely bad at politics.

[@lenski8306]

On the role of how they deal with societal value, there is an important point overlooked Targaryens are invaders from another continent with a very diferent cultures Hightower rules the cultural center of the whole westerosi continent This is not only a battle between two girls but a battle beetwen a family trying to stay free from the societal opression of another culture and another one trying to impose it While just a mocking joke from Daemon him pointing that Alicent put away the dragon decorations and replaced it by the seven pointed star is a perfect exemple of what is going on. And for the ones who have read the fictional history of westero, Hightower's seat is often a focal point of rebellion against the dragonlords while the firstmen, another culture, are often on the side of the targaryen.

[@galacticgrandmas]

1:12 “The realms delight” is her nickname 👍🏻

[@geministar6167]

I really hate how these two women were turned against each other

[@cnmcnm5853]

It boggles my mind how the series doesn't do Criston Cole justice. He could have been the new Jaime, but they turned him into a thug. He's the only low-born, self-made character... The lack of nuance is frustrating. What a waste of the actor's talent. Despite the poorly written character, he managed to make me like him at first and then hate him.

[@equusquaggaquagga536]

I disagree Cole is a naive knight torn apart by the warrior code he is expected to follow

[@sanayalove9194]

Because he is not white.

[@dusty4502]

The Targaryens are so obviously based on the Plantagenets. Waring factions of the same family, tearing themselves apart, from the inside

[@smurfyday]

unlike every large family in history

[@GoldenRose116]

The main reason why I can't support Rhaenyra is because she wants all the pleasure and privilege of becoming queen, but without any of the duty or responsibility. Outside of pride I can't think of a single reason why Rhaenyra even wants to be queen

[@subterraneanhomesickalien666]

Aegon is exactly the same way. He too has enjoyed all the pleasure and privilege that comes with being the king's son. He also has no desire to be king. I've always been of the "a plague on both your houses" team.

[@GoldenRose116]

@@subterraneanhomesickalien666 the key difference is tho that Aegon actually steps up during the war and would be in danger his entire if he didn't become king

[@pckrichards7980]

@@subterraneanhomesickalien666 yeah, it’s why I don’t like Aegon II, though I support team green because none Aliscents other children deserve to die because of their sisters arrogance and their grandfathers’ mistakes. In fact, I’m team replace A2 with his son and have Ali and Helaena act as regents, though I know it’s not gonna happen😢

[@subterraneanhomesickalien666]

@GoldenRose116 Rhanerya is very out touch. She had that Queen Bee mentality, haha. The worker bees do all the work.

[@GoldenRose116]

@@subterraneanhomesickalien666 can't even say that, a queen bee at least commands respect. While Rhaenyra just has to go and cry to daddy when something is wrong

[@ibtiago18]

On the side of both women and their children angainst the men who pitched them against each other, Daemon and Otto.

[@GMW510]

This video was beautifully done.

[@smurfyday]

So many commenters below don't realize they don't have to either team.

[@realSimoneCherie]

7:50 Not at all! What Rhaneyra learns is that Alicent is on the realms’ side and not hers. Alicent is more interested in upholding societal norms than protecting her best friend - that is what she learns, and that is why she lies.

[@ssynestia]

"Realms side" ? I don't really think so. She could have been the most powerful person in the realm if she wanted to, when Viserys was bed bound. But she always chose to stay besides and uphold the power of the men in her life. She could have done so much for the small folk, but she didn't, she pretends that it isn't there, just like the degeneracy of her son.

[@danrono9725]

I can never be team black because of Rhaenyra's extreme recklessness

[@sorensorensen9567]

Aegon is a literal rapist dude 🫠

[@vitor8048]

The video mentions that Aegon does not understand his position. That is true but it applies even further to Rhaenyra. For example, I hate how we are supposed to be on her side when the Velaryon uncle goes to the throne room and states the obvious, getting killed for it. Also her children took Aemond's eye for claiming a dragon that was as much his right as theirs. It makes no sense.

[@alanaatkinson551]

And I can't support team black because of Daemon. That guy is disgusting.

[@Fahrenheitluverxoxo]

@@alanaatkinson551and aegon and aemond aren’t?

[@alanaatkinson551]

@@Fahrenheitluverxoxo With Aemond is was an accident, with Daemon it was intentional.

[@stardusstie]

This show is genuinely so good

[@Bugside]

I had forgotten everything about this series till now

[@twiglet2205]

Actually the prince that was promised was Daenerys

[@sameersheriff7078]

Does anyone think that scorpion bolts which was a dealbreaker(if not for plot armor) back in final 2 seasons of GOT might make a comeback ??

[@isabellacalderone9916]

Alicent is pressed because Rhaenyra is free in ways she will never be

[@sanayalove9194]

If I was pimped out and raped and my children's lives were in danger and by bff's lie forced my father out of his job then I will be pressed too.

[@blackdragon6]

A lot of Rhaenyra's haters has a lot to do with her seeking sexual liberation and not "staying in the kitchen" so to speak, while Allicent stays in her place. They've lazily distilled Rhae into a "girlboss" archetype. Daenyres suffers the same issue with certain segments of the fandom.

[@dreamergirl6017]

Rhaenyra did try to have children with Laenor, but it obviously didn’t work out. They knew they had to have heirs somehow.

[@sanayalove9194]

She said she stopped because she found no joy in it not because it didn't work.

[@paisan8766]

What the fuck is a nightwalker @17:06 😂

[@mitcharendt2253]

Ice zombie

[@paisan8766]

@@mitcharendt2253 they’re whitewalkers tho

[@robertsmiley2207]

Rhaenera is known as the realms delight

[@KingofReads]

This was good.

[@doryinsanime6862]

I love watching House of Dragon season one,two amazing show. I’m on Team Black but let’s be honest nobody wins.

[@PhoenixMcGinnis]

I don't think for a second that they were just friends.

[@Enkiaswad]

I wanted them to be a dragon cottage core lesbian romance 😢

[@DarthKay093]

Emma has said they were written as a broken sisterhood. They never wrote them to have some sort of romantic feelings

[@drgskates]

It's all just so sad that this was a conflict that 2, very competent and level-headed women could have solved had the men in their lives actually been about supporting them, and not dreaming of their own machinations.

[@samkelorashuza5949]

Woman good man bad mmmmmh?

[@jamesrella763]

It appears in season 2 Alicent is turning into a cold, lustful, paranoid and vindictive woman and rhaenyra has matured into a dutiful and wise ruler however the war to come will change this

[@everythingshareable]

Team green all the way!

[@sanayalove9194]

Team Green. Because they are entertaining and great actors.

[@carolineprince14]

where alicent goes, i go 💚

[@octbaby88]

I am Team Black because Viserys named Rhaenyra as his rightful heir. He trained and prepared her to be Queen of Westeros. There are many things that I can criticize on both factions, but Rhaenyra is the rightful heir based on the King's word.

[@ShubhamPatil-rl4jk]

viserys has no right to name a girl a king he was named king for that very reason

[@kylewilkins6149]

1) Alicent is a paragon of Andal womanhood. A Hightower, lords of Oldtown, the oldest grandest city on the continent, and official home of the Faith. She is an ideal wife and mother and her children are legitimate. By Andal cultural standards, her sons are rightful heirs to the Iron Throne. All that being said, she deeply resents her moral and cultural obligations, especially since Rhaenyra so blatantly rejects those standards. 2) Rhaenyra was raised a Targaryen; she believes the moral standards of the Andal culture don’t apply to her because dragonriders make their own rules and burn anyone who opposes them. That is how they conquered the Seven Kingdoms. Rhaenyra doesn’t think twice about using men and cuckolding her queer husband because even her father condones her. However, it’s no wonder the Andal lords don’t respect her. 3) Viserys should have died with his first queen, Daemon would have taken the Iron Throne and Rhaenyra as his queen. They would have 5 sons and none of this would have happened. Their sons will sit the Iron Throne anyway; the extinction of dragons will be the price.

[@patio_daddio_69]

Idk if it was just me but I always read that first episode as Raynera and Alicent having romantic undertones. Viewing it this way makes the perceived betrayal of lying to alicent about dameon way more interesting than just a sense of moral superiority from alicent. Thats just me tho lol.

[@FiyHaAnitaa]

Eventhough the Greens gave the throne to Rhaenyra, Dance of the Dragons would still happen sooner or later. She gave births to bastards and trueborn sons. Daemon would kill those Strong bastards eventually. She does not have the quality of the Queen. Shortsighted, unwise with a tyrannical tendency.

[@carastone3473]

Rhaenyra is known as ‘the realm’s delight,’ not ‘the realm’s princess.’

[@Sohiawrites]

Desire vs hypocrisy

[@parsashojaei1352]

How about self-importance and arrogance vs. Duty?

[@riddhiroy3965]

You could have at least done some research for the voice overs, for example, it's white walker not night walker, and Rhaenyra was the realm's delight not princess.

[@parnika9]

Please make video on something Indian. I love your take.

[@kirazhukovska5237]

I really like your Takes. Except now It is a real pity to see such narrow overview of the story and relationships of the leading female characters (as well as their relations with others). Moreover, quite weird assumptions, -- e.g. those of saphic interest from Alicent towards Rhaenyra, -- don't make it any better Dissapointed. Sad. But still loving you for your work

[@bclr6843]

When did being able to give birth a child become so belittled and looked down on. Every human ever in history has one hero they should thank everyday for their existence. Because they had the strength and bravery to walk around with them inside their stomach then went thru miraculous but horribly painful child birth. Whatever advertisement agency added that to the feminist movement knew what they was doing but had no respect for women … not even their own mother which especially sad

[@lath938]

Rhaenyra didn't lie. Alicent asked a specific question which she answered honestly. Nothing happened between her and Damen.

[@GoldenRose116]

Making out, this close to fucking in a whorehouse is nothing?

[@realSimoneCherie]

“duty” types always hold their heads up so high so adamant about obeying authority and following expectations but it always ends the same - they admit how completely miserable they are and instead of questioning themselves and looking inward, they lash out

[@pckrichards7980]

To be fair, though, those like aliscent tend to get trapped by the outcomes of that duty (eg. kids) and are forced to shift their priorities.

[@ShubhamPatil-rl4jk]

@@pckrichards7980 yet she with no privileges has gained a whole kingdom and rhaenyra on otherside busy doing her chores

[@dragonmen657]

While I loved the analysis (as always),I do have to ask: what in the world is that horrid opera singing in the background?! I found it incredibly distracting

[@mehrabjamee4568]

Everg video of this channel is about patriarchy somehow

[@parsashojaei1352]

Team Green is the only logical choice.

[@Nalhirrim]

🟢🟩 TEAM GREEN 🟩🟢

[@thisisdevin111]

House Targaryen goes extinct

[@jamoniarnold4136]

Team Alicent! 💚💚💚

[@sorensorensen9567]

So much wrong with this video I don't even know where to begin 😞 Yall never picked up a single song of ice a fire book have you?

[@KimandKamJam]

Probably not, because this video is about the show

[@نيشا-د2م]

Emotionally I am team black, but realistically, I am team green. I’m rooting for Rhaenyra, but the issue is that what she is doing is unacceptable. She had bastard children & expects them to be on the throne. In the long run… in real life, she would’ve had her head chopped off a long time ago. However, as much as I don’t like Alicent’s parenting or her children, Aegon is the rightful ruler to the throne. Not b/c he’s the first born son, but b/c he’s not a bastard child like Rhaenyra’s children are. Note: I already know how it ends, but this is my opinion by what we know so far (in the show).

[@gwenyc.z5061]

Question for the take: who is the prince that was promised? Jon or danarys?

[@idab9958]

You forgot the most important part of Rhaenyra and Alicent's relationship: lesbianism.

[@KittySnicker]

Team Black!!

[@iTzDritte]

Team Black all the way!

[@aadilamoolla4068]

Season 2 episode 1 spoilers Alicent and Cole having sex undermines their claim of prizing tradition and duty

[@sanayalove9194]

Alicent is a single woman.

[@sircabooci4506]

Oh please, Rhaenyra did not only have bastards because she only seeks pleasure. She needed heirs just as any other heir to solidify her claim and Laenor could not do it and neither could she after trying.

[@viancarobinson4847]

Laenor has two bastard sons Adam and Alyn who are dragon seeds. You obviously do know what you're talking about.

[@laurahardy9420]

​@@viancarobinson4847 In the original books, but the show has altered things and made Laenor gay. As a result, I find it highly unlikely that Adam and Alyn are Laenor's sons.

[@GoldenRose116]

Lets not act like they tried hard.. within a year of their marriage she had a bastard.. and a bastard only weakens her claim

[@laurahardy9420]

Maybe it was hard for Laenor to get it up. But Rhaenyra should have found someone else besides Harwin to sire her children, possibly someone with Laenor's features.

[@DarthKay093]

@@laurahardy9420 then why shouldn't Leanor who is supposed to help he find someone and he could have payed them well? Why only put it on Rhaenyra?

[@isabelfernandes778]

💜💜💜

[@barbara.v]

In my mind at the end of the history, Rhaenyra marries Alicent as they always wanted. So much sexual tension

[@MollsMcDahl12681]

I read the book I know who wins

[@erinrogers2091]

Team black but I always say they both won and they both loss. Aegon got to sit the throne according to their history and wiped rhenyra from the books but it was her line that ended up with the throne.

[@seth_fitzgerald]

Team ⚫️⚫️⚫️

[@kevinmartinez9561]

Jon Snow is NOT the Prince who was promised 🙄

[@nebulanigrimleonis3883]

Grooming....? Are you talking about the show or your modern day real life thoughts? This is the WORST take on this show I have ever seen. Truly awful. I'll never watch this channel again

[@sanayalove9194]

Stop whitewashing grooming🤮