House of The Dragon FULL THOUGHTS ( Ep. 1 & 2 )

My thoughts on #houseofthedragon season 2 episodes 1 & 2.
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00:00 episode 1
13:07 episode 2
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[@DanielGreeneReviews]

EDIT: Oh man, not me realizing AFTER this posted that I might have mixed up the names while speaking. Sorry for any confusion. Thank you all for being understanding goblins who know my mouth gets tongue-tied. And thanks to Wraithmarked for sponsoring today's video. Be sure to check out the Kickstarter for "On the Shoulders of Titans" here: www.kickstarter.com/projects/wxp/aa2?ref=cdl5zs

[@scottcody5878]

It’s ok Nathaniel it happens to us all 🥰

[@deborahfrost7884]

Feel no shame. You are enough.

[@TheJordanK]

Calling Criston Cole “The Guard” is really funny 😂

[@rhonwenbaker2448]

And insulting 😡

[@Borderose]

Ser Criston the Prickish, also known as the "Queeneater".

[@kerrissedai6857]

I’ve heard him referred to Sir Crispy😂

[@charlieboone1298]

Paul Cole: Mall Cop

[@gabriellahildingsson4176]

He deserves no less 😂😂😂

[@alternatelevi2099]

I do like that Aegon isn't just a joff clone. He's still a bit of a dick and clearly doesn't consider those beneath him to be too important, but the first episode makes clear that he is actually trying to be a decent enough king and episode 2 does a good job of showing him struggling with events that occur.

[@jahcode6132]

They do all feel like the kinds of characters you would expect in a Game of Thrones show while not just being knockoffs of iconic GOT characters.

[@mariebourgot4949]

I wouldn't call a rapist and a pit children fight enjoyer "a bit of a dick". As for the second part of your comment, did you forget the scene where he's drinking with his "buddies" in the throne room? He's not trying to be a decent king, he's trying to prove to himaself and others that he can be one. I'm don't think he cares about his people and way more about his fragile ego and image. But yeah, that doesn't mean that he's a Joff clone, they're different.

[@ihuh1000]

@@mariebourgot4949nah he’s just a goofy lil guy

[@jaginaiaelectrizs6341]

​​@@mariebourgot4949 Yeah, I wouldn't really say he's trying to be a "decent" king, either-he doesn't even know the first thing about what it takes or not to really be a king or do what a king should do, at all. He is incredibly selfish and conceited, and he didn't even want to be bothered enough to be there hearing the peoples' problems at all. But, still, I do appreciate that he is characterized somewhat differently than Joff was nonetheless. And he did seem to want to try and make what he thought were relatively fair judgments/solutions, even if ultimately he just wants to prop his own self up more than anything else really, but he probably wouldn't know fair if it smacked him in the face.

[@13_faces]

He's a literal rapist

[@RiseeRee]

The argument between Rhae and Dae, and the scene with Otto and Aegon were top tier writing and acting. Absolutely 10/10 on those. Also f**k Criston Cole. Not like THAT Alicent!!

[@wizarddragon]

That was the most realistic structured argument from a married couple I've seen on the screen in a while. lol

[@andrew20146]

The writing is so good for this show, it makes me even angrier that they dropped the ball so hard on GoT.

[@jaginaiaelectrizs6341]

Isn't it ironic, since Alicent was so ticked off at Rhaenyra in season 1 basically for doing exactly that...but now she's doing the same thing herself. Kinda makes my headcanon feel vindicated in supposing thay Alicent didn't actually care that Rhaenyra broke the rules so much as Alicent was kinda just insanely jealous / jilted and such without even fully realizing it. Basically, same as Criston Cole. Criston Cole really turns my stomach, too. Any sympathy I still had for him or his perspective shriveled up and evaporated when he purposefully ordered a person who did literally nothing wrong off to their demise just because of his own inability to buck up and take his own shite out on himself like he really ought to.

[@archivist_of_dragonstone]

I thought Twinbowl was masterfully handled. When Arryk took his helm off I was like "Oh no, how am I going to tell which is which?" Guess what, you can't! Such a genius way to present that action sequence-- not being able to tell if "my" side was actually winning had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. And the premise of brother killing brother was so heartbreaking for Erryk and Arryk, too. Fabulous television.

[@jaimelannister1797]

Not daniel mixing up aegon and Aemond’s names the entire video

[@WeyHighDesigns]

So frustrating. And not taking the 2 seconds before to look up Cristian Cole’s name

[@alexr7595]

GRRM’s fault for having Aegon, Aemond, Rhaenyra, Rhaenys, Rhaena, Rhea, Eryk, Aryk, Jaegaerys, Jaecerys… Can’t expect people to keep up unless they’re huge nerds for the series

[@MartinFW]

​@@WeyHighDesignsyou need to look it up yourself

[@tylergracyne2511]

@@MartinFWoh you didn’t have to cook him like that 😂😂😂😂

[@Hamilwhovian]

fellow dyslexic here.... I didn't even notice it lol its hard to keep track of every name in this show when you read them and they all look the same 🤣

[@Arrow72893]

I'm liking this season more than S1. I feel like S1 was setting up the characters-and now shit is hitting the fan. Don't get me wrong-I really liked S1 a lot...but I'm REALLY liking this.

[@darquanjr]

Yeah this season has such interesting conversations and is shot very beautiful and the sets are big and look amazing

[@arthur99mun]

Thats exactly what they meant to do

[@jaginaiaelectrizs6341]

I dunno, so far .. I like season 2, but I don't think it is as gripping or as impactful for me as season 1 was. So I don't think I do like it more than I liked season 1 yet, myself. And I'm not really quite sure why. 🤔

[@JamesVermont]

1:40 so this actually WAS a detail they did on purpose! In the behind the scenes stuff, one of the team members responsible for the snow explains that because they're dealing with a younger wall, they have tried to make the ice seem a little fresher, and changed up the colours on it to indicate that.

[@CharlieQuartz]

I mean the wall is still thousands of years old I’m not sure a couple hundred is going to age her up that much 😆 I’m happy with the idea this is a better equipped and more respected Night’s Watch so they treat the Wall better and clean and maintain her more regularly.

[@magister343]

@@CharlieQuartz A wall had been there for thousands of years but that doesn't mean any given section we see on screen is that old. The Nightwatch is constantly repairing and rebuilding sections. Ice melts and has to be replaced regularly. At this point in history, they have a lot more men and a lot more resources to keep the wall properly maintained.

[@takanara7]

That's kind of annoying though, the wall is THOUSANDS of years old so it should look the same. Like you wouldn't expect the pyramid of Giza to look different in 1850 then today, for example.

[@magister343]

@@takanara7 The pyramid of Giza looked very different just before Napolean conquered Egypt than it does today though. His army stripped it of the fine shiny stones on its outer layer. It was much more impressive for most of the thousands of years of existence than it has been for the past 223 years.

[@OfficialRedTeamReview]

That Rhaenyra and Daemon's argument was definitely a long time coming and is up there with some of the series' best scenes. Reminded me of early Game of Thrones

[@MariaVosa]

"Chad Legolas" is perfection. 10/10, no notes! Also, the unintended shade of referring to Criston Cole, Captain of the Kingsguard, Kingmaker, Princess Rhaenyra's first booty call "a guard" is just killing me!! 😂😂😂

[@BlackXSunlight]

Watching Otto slowly feel some remorse for the state of things and missing Viserys was so funny to watch, like hey Otto... you did this. You spent decades planting rumors, making moves, making sure that first Daemon and now Rhaenyra have had their birthright stolen and put the little graper on the Iron Throne, and now you miss Viserys. You miss when everything was chill and cool before you flubbed everything up, Otto!

[@jaginaiaelectrizs6341]

Honestly, I think what he misses most was how easily manipulated and controlled by him Viserys was. But, also, yeah-we can hope that maybe, just maybe, he is also gaining a little bit more appreciation finally for how much Viserys genuinely wanted to do what was right and good for the people and the way he shouldn't have looked down on or taken advantage of that like he did if we're lucky. Because he deserves to wallow in that kind of regret.

[@andilezulu292]

I wouldn't let Viserys get away with the blame for the upcoming civil war. Dude becomes king specifically because he's a male and then breaks millennia of custom/political norm by naming his daughter heir, proceeds to do nothing to prepare Rhaenyra to rule (boosting her legitimacy, her popularity, giving her a council seat and making her hand of the king, taking her on a tour of the great houses) and then he has a first bon son Aegon who he completely neglects even though the kid's claim directly clashes with Rhaenyra and many (although not all) expect him to be king. And worse Viserys let's Rhaenyra get away with treason (by trying to place illegitimate kids in the royal line of succession) in full view of the realm! Viserys did almost nothing meaningful to prepare his daughter or heal the wounds in his obviously divided family. Otto was right to exclude Daemon from court, he's violent, compulsive and a narcissist with a Valyrian superiority complex. Otto's biggest mistake was underestimating Visery's commitment and love for Rhaenyra. He has responsibility for the upcoming war but he's not the primary cause - Visery putting love for Rhaenyra (because he's eternally guilty for killing her mom) over his duty to keep peace and stability in the realm is what started all this.

[@mrc-rrn]

not sure if already mentioned but: “House of the Dragon” showrunner Ryan Condal recently acknowledged that he’d heard the complaints: The Season 1 cinematography was too dark and he promised to make adjustments in Season 2. “We went into Season 2 very conscious of that feedback,” Condal told The Hollywood Reporter. “Season 2 is much more in line with my particular aesthetic and what I think the show should look like. It’s not a massive difference, but I don’t anticipate getting the ‘it’s too dark’ note again.”

[@puarkchop]

The fact that all this, including GoT, stems from GRRM’s mind has me bowing to his genius

[@TheDiabeticGameMaster]

Right? I'm so tired of people ragging on the guy for not finishing his books. Look at all he has already given us! Plus, he's helping them make this show good so that it doesn't end the way GoT did and, as much as I want the next book, I also don't want to see these stories forever tainted by Season 8's malignant reputation. I just wish folks would give him a little more grace. He's worked so hard and continued to do so and like 90 percent of the stuff he is associated with turns out to be some of the best stuffy EVER!

[@CharlieQuartz]

Credit where credit is due, the show writers had so much more opportunity to express depths of these characters that just can’t be found with the same detail in the book (intentionally). George has said show Viserys is better than his Viserys and most of it is from the show writers, inspired by his caricature. All of Criston and Alicent’s relationship is whole cloth, bending the events around them realistically and motivating Erryk and Arryk’s duel with such dark intentions. The complexities are built on complexities when it comes to a beautiful synthesis of George’s groundwork for this series to blossom into the intense drama we see on screen.

[@Denjiman-qz9mi]

This season kinda makes you feel about how many mistakes, ego filled leaders, and miscommunications have lead to some of the most terrible conflicts in human history. Reminds me of a lot of the diplomatic mistakes and misfortunes that caused WWI to happen.

[@rohanbesra4831]

So true

[@abhimac27]

I always think that ASOIAF could have been a trilogy if they had 20x more ravens to ensure communication.

[@OcarinaSapphr-]

'The Guns of August' is an incredible read on that...

[@AmethystEyes]

“The guard she is having an affair with…” I love that you refer to him this way. Lol

[@Major98]

This show is amazing. If GoT first 4 seasons are 10/10, Id say this show is 8-9/10. Really solid spin off

[@andrew20146]

I would say that in a lot of ways, HotD surpasses GoT. The story GoT was based on is a bit higher stakes (end of the world stuff) but the writing, casting, production design, direction etc. has all been very solid for HotD.

[@carlrood4457]

There's a subtle like to GoT with the ratcatchers. Remember how Arya had to chase the cat around in her training with Syrio. Why do you think the cat is there? Cats replaced the ratcatchers.

[@alexanderdumas-]

The foreshadowing of Rhaena’s arrow bolt barely missing Jace is excellent Also the image of the seven gods on Aemonds coin above his eye symbolizes his fate above the gods eye

[@highdenmighty3517]

I noticed those foreshadowings too. I’m closely waiting for Rhaenyra’s and Aegon II’s foreshadowing of their demise.

[@alexanderdumas-]

@@highdenmighty3517 Rhaenys decling to 2vs1 Aemond and Vhagar is also ironic since that’s what he will plot against her with Aegon and Sunfyre setting up the events of Rooks Rest

[@mosthatedty9585]

Baela not Rhaena

[@engi8011]

@@highdenmighty3517 Rhaenyra's has been already showed in S01E04, when she's in the streets of KIng's Landing with Daemon

[@davisj7973]

the point of Baela shooting arrows was to foreshadow Jace's death? huh...

[@alisaurus4224]

I thought the funeral procession would have the child’s head and body separated, maybe even on separate wagons for maximum impact. THEN when the wheel was stuck and they were heaving the wagon back & forth, I thought the head was going to rip free and fall into the street. So while I empathized with Helena’s panic attack, things weren’t quite as bad as I expected them to go

[@Momo_0_o]

I had these exact thoughts while I was watching. That cart was rocking back and forth and I thought Ooooh shit here we go lol

[@ashleyonline5111]

I enjoyed this format for reviews! Would definitely watch more like it!

[@holdenhenderson2212]

Love this format!

[@lingy69]

Episode 2 was absolute perfection. I think an interesting development that could deviate from the books, is that Aegon II is now in the same position Viserys I was at the start of the show. He's going to have to choose between his daughter, Jaehaera, being his heir, or his evil brother, Aemond. Just like Viserys choosing between Rhaenyra and Daemon. While in the books, Aegon has another son, Maelor, that survived the assassins. It'll be interesting to see if the greens will end up being hypocrites, or will hand the throne to someone evil like Aemond. But also the King's name is Aegon. And the dragons have names too Daniel. Show Vhagar, Caraxes, Syrax, Meleys, Sunfyre and the rest some mfing respect.

[@DanielGreeneReviews]

This show and its fucking names send my dyslexia and it drives me nuts.

[@lingy69]

@@DanielGreeneReviews yeah, I'm halfway through Eye of the World, some of the names there are ridiculous to me.

[@carlrood4457]

It's kind of that way, but Aegon is far younger than Viserys and his first wife is stiil alive, so he has plenty of time (in theory) to have more sons.

[@lingy69]

@@carlrood4457 true but it's also war, the greens may want to prepare for the worst where Aegon dies in the fighting.

[@ListmasterPH]

Yes I do like this review format more because even though I already immensely enjoyed both episodes, your perspectives and insights give me a whole other dimension / layer of enjoyment. Kudos!

[@salvadordhshsshwbwbe]

I really liked this format!!, thank you daniel!!

[@Alex-wh3zw]

Criston Cole's character is so realistic. I had a boss like that. Every mistake he made would be someone else's fault. He even got to his position for being in a good relationship with the CEO.

[@lightningtiger7721]

This was a lot of fun! Love the more narrative approach to your reviews.

[@ghostdreamer7272]

Love these reviews! Hope they continue

[@Momo_0_o]

Thank you for this format! I'm not looking up videos on these shows for show to talk non spoilers, haha. I want to talk about what we just watched!

[@Montie-Adkins]

Gotta listen to everything Queen Haleana says and does as she sees the future.

[@gamingsfinest3356]

Wild that the only time someone believed her was when she was pointing out her son to an assassin.

[@Hadi-cz9tg]

Damn, never caught a vid of yours this quick lol

[@Emily_tharp87]

Definitely want more content like this!

[@mackenzies.g.9862]

I will be back to watch this when I've watched the episodes!

[@SallyB_23]

WHOOO, I finally got caught up on Daniel’s videos again!!!✨

[@theswordandthepenchannel]

Your picture quality is dazzling! 😮

[@porcelaincrown]

Hey Daniel, Not really related to the video but I just want to say that you’re one of my favourite book tubers on KZbin. I feel like the internet has become a cesspool for hating on art and media and there’s this culture where you’re stupid for liking things and smart for not liking things and its made a lot of people around me become very cynical and negative about the things they consume. You’re one of the few who remain optimistic and spend more time talking passionately about the things you love than the things you don’t, and though that doesn’t bode well with the algorithm (I think…) I still think this is one of the best traits about your channel. Thank you!

[@Soo_Tired]

solid format and breakdown. Same time next week?

[@joshoconnor78]

Hell yeah on the Sabriel shoutout!

[@katysedai6849]

Really liked this review format Daniel! Looking forward to future reviews. As a mother & someone who experienced trauma birth & and a stillbirth the last season of the show was very difficult to watch. I couldn’t even watch the end of the first episode of this season either.

[@BlackXSunlight]

I think I’m getting fed up with fans who read the book. They’re really giving JJK manga-readers a run for their money, adding pretentious jerkassery to unsolicited spoiler dumps under every comment. Someone may tweet a headline like “Emma D’arcy impresses in Dior at premier” and a random book-reader will comment under the tweet: “wait until you see the dress Rhaenyra wears when [REDACTED] is killed during the [REDACTED].” Genuinely what is wrong with you people.

[@harveyweir8061]

are we getting any more videos on the Discussion channel? I loved those so much

[@arenkai]

The scene on the wall had me shivering, it was so cool ! And then I remembered season 8, and I was angry that this blunder is still doing some damage to my overall enjoyment of good Westeros content. It doesn't ruin it, or even diminish the scene itself, but damn... Imagine if season 8 delivered on its promise and THEN we had this episode talking about the threat in the North linked to something epic we already experienced... Such wasted potential ! (but in reverse, if that makes sense)

[@nadias.mariano2196]

I think house of the dragon is preparing the o public for a remake of got. It's already contradicting got with book canon stuff that they ignore, like that the dragons can't pass the Wall.

[@kingkiller5325]

I had this issue somewhat in Season 1. In Season 1 Viserys and Rhaenyra went on and on about the Prophecy and The Prince who was Promised. And how important it is that a Targaeryan is at the head when the great evil comes. And all I could think was it's Arya. You're Targaeryan Prophecy means jack shit. Not a single Targaeryan accomplishes anything. Arya a girl without a single drop of Targaeryan blood will stop the winter. So what's even the point of emphasizing a prophecy that won't even be fullfilled.

[@RubenRodriguez-co9jx]

Both episodes have managed to make me shed some tears. Rhaenyra finding the remains of her son's dragon and the duel between the brothers were both tear jerkers. But the one that wrecked me was when her son comes back from the North to report and he's trying not to break down.

[@samfisher6606]

I love that in that conversation with Aegon, Otto realized Viserys was right. I was half expecting Otto to join the Blacks. No one tell me if he does, I haven't read the book. Also, can we say R.I.P. to the biggest tragedy in all of Game of Thrones: Viserys' model of old Valeryia.

[@atella394]

I've been surprised by how much I'm enjoying team green this season. I always found Alicent and Aemond very compelling but didn't really connect with the others. Ep 1 my favourite character was Aegon, Ep 2 it was Otto Hightower of all people.

[@gakeon963]

Sorry to be that guy but the king's name is Aegon. His brother is Aemond, the one with one eye who killed Luke.

[@BlackHand531]

The planning room is called the room of the painted table.

[@jamiemccollin438]

1:45, yes. Ice does age! The wall constantly wilts and slowly slowly melts and the order of the builders exists mainly to replenish the ice. By the time of Game Of Thrones, the order of the builders is so minimal that they do not do this anymore and the wall has started to look less pristine. In addition the trenches on top of the wall are more well maintained and the nights watchmen are all in uniform (instead of just dying whatever they were wearing when they got there) making it all look a bit more spiffy.

[@DarkKing009]

Ser Criston Cole is a Psychopathic Knight, loyal to the end. Ser Criston Cole is like a hellhound not good at anything but fighting. Though he's excellent at fighting.

[@alisaurus4224]

You’re wrong-he’s also very good at sulking

[@mariebourgot4949]

I don't see how he's loyal, except to he's weak ego.

[@DarkKing009]

@@mariebourgot4949 A show only???

[@carlrood4457]

@@mariebourgot4949 Agreed. He's more about his disdain for Rhaenyra and finding a partner in his resentment for her then loyalty.

[@gabriellahildingsson4176]

Christon Cole is the guy we hate because we all have a Christon Cole in our life 😂😂😂

[@keanancupido]

OMG THANK YOU!!! The way people are hating on the way they handled Blood and Cheese (the assasination of Jahaerys scene) is so dumb. I read all the books including Fire and Blood, and while I watched the scene I was so engrossed by it all. They set the tension and horror of it so well, and I 100% agree with you about how they pulled the reigns a bit by not showing the two brutes decapitating the boy. I appreciated that because they know when to and when not to show gore of that extreme level.

[@tylergracyne2511]

I liked this format more. A little confused at the beginning if you meant you would be discussing “book spoilers” or what (I’m not done with fire and blood and still trying to decide whether I should or not), but I get it by the end. I like this format. So long as book spoilers always come with a warning I’m game.

[@lizleyva4972]

Omg I finished Sabriel yesterday!! 🤜🏼

[@daniel56149]

the episodes were great and i just can´t wait for them to get the outside action going

[@samd2013]

I was partially confused in this review until about halfway when I realized you were mixing Aemond and Aegons names lol

[@ElJorro]

Hey Daniel, I just read your book "Breach of Peace" today. It was good! Although it was pretty dark, especially near the end, so I am not sure I 'liked' it. Still, you should be proud!

[@timothywinters2357]

How was Rochester? About an hour from my home town. I missed ya!

[@jaysheth1541]

I like how you appreciated wit of Tyrion Lannister here with regards to political moves! ❤😊

[@abhimac27]

I want to know what became of the maid with the amazing eyebrows! She basically caught Blood, and then vanished???

[@jaginaiaelectrizs6341]

That's the thing, though, Alicent's dad wasn't even against the war happening-he was just against throwing yourself headlong into it too much too soon without due preparation and shite, and against alienating your people/subjects/ while you're at it so that you have to fear dissent coming at you from inside the city walls every bit as much as besieging you from without them too. He just wanted, if there had to be war, for there to be war with as assured a victory as possible and with as little casualties as possible. Like, war, but try and be as smart and effective about it as possible. He just doesn't want to go down in a pointless blaze of 'glory'.

[@carlrood4457]

Mysaria was never "loyalist". She was going with who paid her. And even then, she was actually trying to get children's fighting pits closed. She started as Daemon's lover, got used by him, and then became an info merchant and sold info to Otto.

[@BradleyChick]

The showrunners have confirmed it was Rhaenyra's twin that survived but considering the book (I believe) is still unclear it is my personal headcannon that the other twin won and, in the end, upheld the ideals the Kingsguard is meant to hold, in protecting the royal family. That, coupled with grief and realization horror, led to the rash decision.

[@blackeyedlily]

I really liked both episodes. I enjoyed hearing Daniel appreciate the Blood and Cheese segment of episode one when I saw so many other people complain about it for a variety of reasons. I don’t have any serious complaints about either episode. Seems like the season is off to a great start to me.

[@YukalayleeGames]

Absolutely brutal watch in the best way Amazing show

[@gamingsfinest3356]

This show is great. I studied history and my two biggest fascinations were succession and women expressing power and their own will within ultra-patriarchal societies. Combine that with medievalism, the great writing of hotd, the grounded fantasy, and of course the dragons and it has been a recipe for perfection. I do understand peoples' complaints that the show is a bit slow, although I have personally been eating it up. The subtleties of the writing, performances from the actors, the directors, the set design, really everything (except the lighting on my non-OLED TV) has just been *_chef's kiss_* it is slow burn and tense build-up done right.

[@ssspaceman86]

The story of Erryk and Arryk twins mutual assassination is one of Bran's favorite stories. There are so much spoilers of HotD in ASOIAF.

[@madmanwithabox11]

Another great parallel going on this episode is the ongoing parallels between Otto and Daemond. In s1e1 Daemond calls Otto “a second son who stands to inherit nothing he does not seize for himself.” Which is great bc that also describes Daemond. In this episode Otto -the rational actor amidst a very emotional team- gets kicked out off the Green Council. Meanwhile Daemond -a very emotional actor amidst a very serious team- is exiled from the Black Council

[@protector_of_the_realms]

I enjoyed it and I’ve been pretty mixed on a lot of changes they’ve done so far, loving some while feeling underwhelmed by others but I think they should’ve stuck closer to the books with the ending of ep 1 imo. It was a much more twisted and impactful climax that’s really emotionally resonant getting you to relate to both Alicent and Haelena. But they replaced it with something that makes both their characters come across a little worse and way less sympathetic in what was portrayed here. It just feels less. And almost anticlimactic too considering what I was expecting. Still a solid episode, can’t wait for the rest of the season I got real emotional with Rhaneyra’s reunion with both her sons and Alicent honouring Luke. I just wish this was the Jace episode and we saw more of his relationship and some more threads going on in the North with where that ultimately comes into play. Also wish we would’ve gotten a couple more moments here and there with Aegon’s son this episode or even last season for it to really hit home.

[@rhonwenbaker2448]

14:23 I'm questioning my sanity around this already; how was a coup in the wake of the king's death, imprisonment of the noble houses, death to those who wouldn't break their oaths, and a quickfire coronation, NOT a declaration of war? Every time one of the characters throws about a line like "I didn't want to start a war", "it wasn't my war to start", "war can still be avoided", yadda yadda, I want to both tear my hair out and start a drinking game. They have been at war since S01E09; what fantasy world, no pun intended, are they living in ffs?!

[@alphasword5541]

Do you think politics is like a Paradox Interactive game, what?

[@rhonwenbaker2448]

@@alphasword5541 I don't follow. Yes, politics can be paradoxical. How does this affect the characters' memory? Them being blind to their own actions vs. speech would be paradoxical, but they are ignoring the actions of others. Unless you're saying their definition of war is different, referring only to battlefield combat for instance?

[@omkarhegde8229]

@@rhonwenbaker2448 paradox interactive is a video game company, which makes strategy games. He was prolly saying that this isn't like a game where you can precisely choose "start war" to actually start the war

[@rhonwenbaker2448]

@@omkarhegde8229 ah. ty ty

[@tjlewis5035]

The most underutilized character (in the world of the story) for Team Green has to Helaena. Yes she's the queen, yes she is meant to create heirs, but the fact that her "ramblings" have been full blown foreshadowed predictions of the future and why NO ONE on Team Green takes her words seriously is criminal! She foreshadowed her son's passing, she foreshowed Aemon losing his eye, like come on! She is way more important than anyone in her family gives her credit for!

[@charlieboone1298]

I can't believe you brought up the polar bear.

[@samuelleask1132]

Best episode of the show so far, ep 2

[@jaginaiaelectrizs6341]

I was going to listen to your podcast, but I had to stop because I still haven't seen the Demeter Voyage movie yet, and I want to make up my own opinion first / didn't know exactly how far to skip or not to get past that bit without hearing it.😅😅🙃🙏🤣 Sorry!

[@ElijsDima]

Good show is good.

[@BirdMoose]

There was a shocking amount of really funny scenes in episode 2 for me. Like the way Cole berated the twin for being impure for having a dirty cloak when Cole is breaking his vow by boinking his boss, the insecure projection came off as comedic. Or when Aegon fired Otto and visibly looked at Cole, thought: "well he's alive and in my field of peripheral vision, I guess he'll do" before promoting him to hand, and Cole having a look of /Even I know I'm not qualified for this job and that's saying something./ Or leading up to the brother's dual when the two of them spin around a pilar without Erryk seeing his brother could have been straight out of an episode of Scooby doo. And a few other scenes got audible laughs from me. None of the comedy felt intrusive, or out of place because (with the exception of the pilar scene) they were all based in the characters personalities and flaws, but it was really unexpected with how bleak the subject matter of most of the episode was.

[@wokjock]

Reminds me of a book report I did in 6th grade. After I presented it and we opened to questions, the teacher asked “you said the main character was X, but another person said it was Y”. It was definitely Y.

[@CopticKalnor]

Much better format for tv

[@Jaxemus]

But what about your other podcast.

[@williamfeliciano8980]

Sir Sex Toy's name is Criston Cole

[@janstraka8674]

Do you mean Chumbucket Cole?

[@rhonwenbaker2448]

I am _so_ glad he's back for this season 😏

[@orcocan]

*Crispin

[@abidmohammad5953]

Are u going to continue house of the dragon

[@CharlieQuartz]

Helaena isn’t “mentally disabled in a severe way” as you put it so dismissively. She’s autistic, evidently from her hyper focus on things like bug facts, touch avoidance, and sensory overload moments. She’s also a dreamer constantly seeing unconscious images of events to come. She doesn’t experience time as clearly as everyone else and that confusing reality is terrifying to her. Knowing nearly nothing about these characters has turned me off to your future reviews.

[@carlrood4457]

Before Lucerys and Jahaerys, it was still mainly a political fight. Sure, there was some personal due to Rhaenyra/Alicent and that everyone is related, but it was still about legal succession. Now it's about murdered children. It's full on parental rage at play. They even have Aemond's mistress state that when a prince loses his temper, the smallfolk suffer. Now there's a QUEEN and a KING who have lost their tempers.

[@charlieboone1298]

The Tittensor twins are amazing actors. So glad they got to see them do this. They were incredible.

[@gabzi27]

Yes ice absolutely ages.

[@carlrood4457]

Daemon and Aemond are obviously supposed to have "confusing" names. They're meant to be mirrored characters.

[@Nasser851000]

This is the most depressing season ever :(

[@the_ultracheese67]

it’s so good though

[@MayhapsYes]

Wait till season 3 😁

[@a.a677]

nah, it'll only get worse

[@johno1544]

The dance wont end well for any dragon fans

[@robbywilliamson4152]

To paraphrase Homer Simpson: "The most depressing [season] so far."

[@justinncialini]

I can’t wait to meet you on Saturday! I’m a Rochester native so I’m pumped you guys are doing an event out here!

[@SaintBoot]

I really hope I can buy his book soon, but it is not listed in hardcover format at amazon, which is the only place I can shop for it online, sadly.

[@ivel2934]

14:27 Greens started the kid killing in S1 finale

[@jaginaiaelectrizs6341]

The thing that I noticed with Daemon's argument with Rhaenyra was the way that he pointedly did not put hands on her again in the same violent way like he had in that one previous fight between them in season one. It really felt to me like maybe he remembered it too and purposefully restrained himself from repeating the same mistake or lack of restraint he'd had before in the past. But, unfortunately for him, he just really did not seem to understand exactly what Rhaenyra had actually needed from him instead. And what would him admitting the exact wording he'd used have done when she already believed that he was more okay with a child dying than she was except take it as further evidence of the conclusion she'd already drawn about it. Like, she was supposed to be the one person who maybe didn't think the worst of him, and yet even she also kind of can't help but actually sometimes does...or, at very least, sometimes fears but what if it really is or could be true that everybody else is and has been exactly right about him all along. Like, he was thinking, she needed reassurance as a lover, or something (maybe manipulatively - or maybe genuinely - who can really say), but what she actually needed was him on his knees calling her 'My Queen'-but, at this point, his walking out could be either because that's the one thing he'll never lower himself to completely OR because he felt at this point that should have already been kind of an understood/established/ given after everything already. But the audience can't know for sure, because we're not actually inside of his head here, and the other characters around him don't even really know for certain either. I like that.

[@jaginaiaelectrizs6341]

I still don't know if everyone's distrust of Daemon is actually justified. But I do think it's going to push it right into eventually becoming like a self-fulfilling prophecy, if they don't watch themselves. But neither Daemon nor Rhaenyra truly appreciates the ways that different personality types tend to express the same things in very very different ways, so if they sit there interpreting each other's words and actions through the lens of what they themself would mean or intend by various words/actions/etcetera versus through the lens of understanding what the _other_ person means or intends or not by those things instead, many misgivings and much friction ensues abound. I don't think Daemon wanted to be cruel. He wanted revenge, yes; but I think he wanted revenge because he genuinely believed that it was the right thing to want, not just to be cruel. Violent, sure. Harsh, definitely. Extreme, yes. But not necessarily cruel. He might have legitimately meant "a son for a son" to mean "get the person I sent you there for, or don't bother coming back"...he may not have realized, until after it was much too late, how it could be misconstrued. But we'll probably never know for sure. And I think that's the most brilliant thing about the way that Daemon is being portrayed. Because it could easily be interpreted in either way, or any combination between the two.

[@the_Nameless_One99]

Is there anything redeemable about Ser Crsiton Cole? Anything at all?

[@Momo_0_o]

Every episode makes me dislike just a little more haha

[@LucLB01]

This is a strong start for season 2. I do get that some fans are upset by the changes made to the blood and cheese sequence, but the nature of the source material leaves the door open for some changes. This still doesn’t distract me from the fact that we’ve been waiting for 13 years for WoW !

[@danielwarrenguitar]

So Shakespearean.

[@jaginaiaelectrizs6341]

The thing that struck me (with episode 2) is....I basically got the exact opposite of what Aegon's actor said was happening (in the after credits inside look after the episode) in that moment on the stairs when Aegon and Helaena's eyes met and then he walked away. It didn't come off to me at all like they were understanding each other or the fact that they were both going through the same thing at all. It came off to me like that's what _should_ have happened, but it wasn't what actually happened, and instead he still just acted as if he was the only one going through it even after seeing her and just walked away from her and left her there hanging out dry / out in the cold. As if he didn't understand or care that she was also going through it just as much as he was in the slightest. 👀

[@danilarance]

I actually kind of hated the rat-catcher-assasination sequence. Putting aside that it involved the death of a young child (because it's SOIAF so you just have to get over that), I feel like there was a lot that was poorly executed. For one thing, I feel like the kid was shoe-horned into the episode at the council meeting just so the audience could be reminded he existed before he was killed. It seemed like a blatant attempt to quickly get the audience to connect with him to make the emotional impact his death stronger. Beyond that though, I think what really bothered me was the rat catchers themselves. They had a sort of Horace and Jasper vibe of comedic incompetence that was completely at odds with setting up a tone of murdering a 5 year old (or however old he was). It also just felt sort of stupid on Daemon's part. Like, I get he wants blood, but I feel like he'd be the sort to go spill some himself.

[@Macapta]

I think it needed more "death in childbirth" scenes

[@TheWinterSailor]

He gained Sir Cristan the Queen Layer

[@lovelavender9738]

Alyssant and Raynerra are mirrors (in my opinion) of Mary Queen of Scott’s and Queen Elizabeth I it’s the same relationship and environment.

[@gabrielerajauskaite3822]

love the spoilery video!

[@rhonwenbaker2448]

4:51 "The guard she's been having a fling with"?!?! How do you not know this walking aesthetic spectacle is Ser Criston Cole? Daniel, Daniel, Daniel...