House of the Dragon - Reaction - S1E5 - We Light the Way

[@thedragondemands]

29:30 - the last Kingsguard who broke his oath of chastity, about 40 years before this, was indeed tortured. They started with a light warmup by castrating him, then moved on to the _real_ heavy torture. So Criston's fear of being tortured isn't abstract but based on a concrete prior example.

[@s1lm4r1l6]

In fairness though, that dude married 3 different women and had like 20 children. It wasn't like he made a little oopsie like Criston did.

[@Noone91875]

Yep that guy literally had 15-20 kids.

[@thedragondemands]

@@Noone91875 put the red hot pokers to him...medium-style...

[@dominiqueodom3099]

Am i wrong,but wasnt he still alive after the end of the torture and forced to become a Member of the Nights Watch? Also,i couldve sworn the biggest one behind the push for the torture wasnt the King at the time but it was the Queen.

[@thedragondemands]

@@dominiqueodom3099 I said “tortured” not “killed”

[@Arctic_Stark]

So yes, Daemon is a pretty big deal in this universe at this time. In Westerosi history he is remembered as "the wonder and terror of his age". The show doesn't do much to establish this, except the first episode where they show the common folk (at the tournament) and other soldiers love Daemon. He is a Targaryen prince, a great knight and the best dragon rider of this time. You have to remember, we are at a time in history when there has been 60+ years of peace, and there really aren't many men with any famous deeds of battle. Daemon and Corlys are the most famous men of this time for their accomplishments. He is also very charismatic and easily gets men to follow him, and to his credit he always leads from the front which inspires loyalty. Ignoring the suspicious nature of Rhea's death, Laena is right in saying that he is probably the most eligible bachelor on the continent, with a great bloodline and a legendary ferocious dragon that comes with him.

[@sitting_nut]

actually common folk at tournament were not very happy with way he threw off otto's son. he is a psychopath who gets away with his many crimes, because he has a dragon and is brother to a weak king who overlook them . without the dragon he is nothing..

[@Arctic_Stark]

@@sitting_nut I was referring to the way the crowd cheered when he showed up. And well without the dragon the Targaryens aren't kings, it's like saying without its wheels a Ferrari isn't a car..

[@sitting_nut]

@@Arctic_Stark so you are agreeing he is nothing special personally . he is cheered when he entered, but not when he acts by his will. he is gets away with his crimes because he is yet another targ with a dragon. that was not what you 1st said.

[@Arctic_Stark]

@@sitting_nut my dude, I don't know what sort of bizarre rivalry you have ongoing with a fictional character or why you are taking this personally, but try and read what I wrote and don't put words in my mouth. You're the one making senseless claims saying he is nothing without the dragon. Yes the dragon makes him special, what about it? It is there, and it is a part of the story. It's not the only thing that makes him special but also none of us can predict what any Targaryen would be like without a dragon. It's part of who they are and why they grow up with such confidence and strength. Riding around on a mobile nuclear warhead that obeys your every command will affect who you are, is that hard to understand? Also you don't have to take my word for it, characters in-universe as well as the author (in books and in interviews) have said a lot about why Daemon is special, so I suggest you take it at face-value and not try to create your own canon. Like I said, Laena literally spells it out in episode 5-6. Read and listen.

[@sitting_nut]

@@Arctic_Stark it clear i am not the one taking this personally. also clear who is a irrational fanboi getting all worked up. in the show, he is nothing without his dragon, period. and he is a not popular psychopath who gets away with his crimes because of the dragon and the weak king. again period. you are free to entertain me with denying all that, like a true clownish fanboi.

[@eadred9164]

By thinking Criston is Rhaenyra's paramour, as in side piece, Joffrey mistakenly thought Criston was "just like them", as in more open minded to a libertine lifestyle. Joffrey had no way of knowing Criston walked away the moment he realized Rhaenyra had no intention to marry him. Criston went to the Queen and literally asked for a death sentence for his trangression. That gives you a sense of his puritanical mindset. Therefore when Joffrey approached him saying "we know about your little secret", Criston took Joffrey's politicking as a direct threat to his honor and his white cloak. If he was willing to die himself, what is he gonna do to someone else? The key here is to remember that Cole is a knight from the middle ages. His conception of morals and honor are different from ours. There is no "one night stand" in his dictionary.

[@leshermann284]

My impression is that Alicent's anger is 100% tied to what her father told her as he was leaving. Alicent believed Rhaenyra completely. She trusted her. Now that she's learned Rhaenyra wasn't fully honest with her, Otto's warning terrifies her. She no longer trusts Rhaenyra. In her mind, the lives of her children are in danger. She's in danger. Her very House is in danger. Rhaenyra is now the enemy who, some day, will be forced to strike. In HER mind.

[@JaceWD]

absolute. she learned that rhaenyra is manipulative and dishonest and lies her way through life getting what she wants. and the king will always be there to protect her. And no, its not in her mind that her children will not be safe. it is fact. even if rhaenyra herself wouldnt go after her children, the strong boys would. And even if they wouldnt at first, once the starks lannisters and all other start to question there legitimacy, eventually they will have to come for those who have the better claim.

[@JaceWD]

Also allicent believed rhaenyra soo much, that she went against her own dad. Resulting in him being removed from his post. of course the king was correct, otto was a schemer. But then again, thats what they all do. including strong. He knew his own kid was having affair with rhaenyra and let it go for over 10 years. thats basically same thing as what otto did with allicent, hoping she would be with the king. I mean whats the difference? And as we can see later in the show, rhaenyra and daemon might be complaining about otto. yet when otto is gone, they r totally fine with strong doing the same thing. rhaenyra had 3 children with him, doesnt give a f. but complained like crazy about otto to allicent. so that is the true face of rhaenyra and allicent finally understood that day. she and her children would not be safe and she is correct to fight back. truth is rhaenyra as is daemon as if the strong boys are all spoiled rotten entitled and they abuse power. daemon uses brute strength and fighting skills, rhaenyra uses manipulation and lies to get what they want. even when taking someones eye, they felt entitled and had no remorse. that was there true face. team black just loves to look the other side though.

[@Velociraptour]

35:55 Daemon's problem with Rhea Royce wasn't really because he thought she was ugly. He doesn't like that he was forced by his grandmother to marry her, and probably resents that Viserys and Rhaenys both got spouses with Valyrian blood.

[@thatoneblackdude3333]

@@tajaemartin2251 more like she's not valyeren misaria was implied to have valyeren features in the books and he liked Lena

[@hoon_sol]

Many reasons. It not being his choice is one. As someone else pointed out, her not having Valyrian blood (or even Targaryen blood specifically, but clearly he's more fond of e.g. Laena too, and even Mysaria, who was from Lys, known for having been a resort for Valyrians and whose people tend to bear traces of Valyrian features and thus presumably Valyrian blood) is another. And yet another reason is that Rhea is clearly somewhat belligerent, rather than the slightly more submissive playfulness Rhaenyra brings to the table (even if Rhaenyra can evidently also quite assertive).

[@dyacc3631]

Yeah Sam's right - Even tho that speech Cole gave Rhaenyra sounded very romantic - if you read between the lines the main reason he wanted to get married was because he broke his oath of chastity and thought marrying her would redeem him. When she shoots that down he spirals, not out of love but because his identity as a King's Guard is all he has and by sleeping with her his ruined that. With that mindset its very easy to see why he kills Ser Joffery when all he takes from that conversation is someone rubbing in his face that he broke his oath.

[@seancucumberq9858]

Margaery's Mother was a high tower but her Father was Tyrell

[@dejisauce6025]

I think the reason why Allicent is so angry and annoyed by Rhaenyra is that she didn't have a choice and had to do her duty while Rhaenyra was out and about having fun with whoever she wanted without consequence like Sam said in the discussion

[@needfood3052]

The show isn't helping Rhaenyra either. She's been named heir for years now but doesn't seem like shes READY to be a Queen. This episode kinda shows ABIT of her potential. With wanting to But overall, her diplomacy is like a 3/10. Mainly in the last episode where she was trying to find a husband. Like just because some are too old or too young, they're still your Allies, even if she doesnt marry them. She already has an uphill battle because she's a woman.

[@TheJerbol]

Exactly, she's a jealous, spiteful person

[@rachichi4092]

I think people forget the biggest difference between Rhaenyra and Alicent is that one was a lady, the daughter of the 2nd son of one of the great houses and therefore was raised to be comply, to follow the rules. The other is a princess, literally the daughter of a current king who belongs to the strongest house alive, also a dragon riders, who was raised to do whatever she wants. You can't expect them to behave the same way.

[@rexibhazoboa7097]

@@rachichi4092 another thing - she like her father was raised in a time of peace, she doesn’t know what war is and how deep the consequences of her actions can go if she messes up. I don’t wanna fault her because of that but then she continues the behaviour into adulthood. At that point I understood why this story is deemed a tragedy.

[@yohanespaskal9352]

​@@needfood3052 she's targaryen ffs.. And targaryen dynasty at their height after jahaerys reigns. And remember in the first eps, she like to break the rules, she teared the books etc.

[@Caraxes_RoguePrince]

Rhaenyra loves her uncle lol he understands her and she understands him so that’s a lot especially in this world. Daemon love her as well it’s not like he’s trying to use her in a way he just knows it’s what both of them want. Also margaery and her grandmother last name is tyrell not Hightower. Cole is also closer to daemon age than he is rhaenyra.

[@Tormund_Giantsbrain]

The ending montage was my favorite scene up to this point. Give me the red hue of the weirdwood tree glowing in twilight, give me the dim lights, give me the gloomy ambience of a GoT wedding with an equally gloomy Ramin Djawadi soundtrack and hook it to my veins! That pause when Criston looks up and you hear the final note of that haunting tune is very well done. The uncharacteristically heartfelt exchange between Otto and Alicent is that decisive moment. It's the Tywin Jaime "we can establish a dynasty that last a thousand years" scene. We Light the Way is the motto of House Hightower. This is the episode the Greens come into their own. Out of this cursed wedding the ties that bind are lost and found forever. *Rhaenyra and Laenor were exchanging wedding vows, but it was Alicent and Criston who were getting “married”.*

[@MarioPrimePlays]

Yeah Sam's spot on regarding Criston Cole. Cole was honorable to a fault that it was his undoing. thought in order to end the "deceit" he would kill the two paramour's involved in this dishonorable relationship.

[@jackson857]

That's one way of putting it. Another is that Criston Cole is an incel and an absolute piece of work.

[@TheManOnTheStreetOMG]

Otto was loyal to the realm at the start but as soon as his daughter came of age he used her as a tool. He's like Tywin in GoT, everything is about advancing his families own legacy.

[@arobin6695]

that's what any parent in westeros would have done

[@arobin6695]

@mellowyellowave um, what? Corlys and Rhaenys tried the exact same thing in episode 2. Any parent in westeros would want their child to marry someone of high standing for the benefit of the family.

[@marleymarsss]

@@arobin6695 but he went too far trying to manipulate Viserys into favoring his grandson over his firstborn, knowing how close he was to his daughter and they all swore an oath. He got too greedy.

[@arobin6695]

@@marleymarsss Otto's a second son, he inherited nothing and has a duty to work for the benefit of his family in any way he can. Viserys should have named Aegon the heir after he was born, it would have avoided a lot of conflict.

[@marleymarsss]

@@arobin6695 maybe so, but he had already named his daughter, which was also Otto’s idea btw. He should’ve just went along with the King’s decision, instead he threw his family into a civil war because of his own selfish ambitions.

[@isaacboura6082]

it's funny how much you ignore the fact that Deamon and Rhaenyra have loved each other since the first episode

[@Okkotsu86275]

Alicent beef with Rhaenyra is her entitlement and blatant favoritism that Viserys shows her. Alicent was completely on Rhaenyra's side in 1x03 and 1x04. She defended and vouched for her. But Rhaenyra made a dangerous careless mistake that yes, in medieval times, is a huge sin and covered it up. Then Alicent realizes she's lost trust in Rhaenyra. If it gets out, Rhaenyra's reputation is destroyed, the royal family is embarrassed and weakened, and Criston is executed, meaning Rhaenyra risked a man's life for sex. Alicent vouching for her only for it to mean nothing made her feel worthless like she means nothing. Furthermore, Rhaenyra keeps on getting away with it, whereas if Alicent tried to do any of this and gets caught, she'd be executed, queen or not. But she's not that stupid and not that suicidal. Alicent is also depressed, and anxious and had been slowly losing her mind already from the forced married to Viserys and Rhaenyra's lies were just the final straw. . Rhaenyra isn't just not doing what's expected. She's committing pretty cardinal sins in the eyes of Westerosi noblewoman culture and faith. You and I in 2023 might not see it as all that wrong, but Westeros noblewoman would, and Rhaenyra being so determined to cover it all up means she knows it was wrong too. And like I said, I think Alicent was already going nuts before that, due to her increased depression and anxiety.

[@alexissimpson5819]

Greens are the only losers willing to pay in order to post early.

[@Okkotsu86275]

@@alexissimpson5819 Really

[@NileSwimmer]

Morgan: so sorry about her death but gimme all her money and thanks 😂

[@iris-xo]

Cole is terrible because he just expects rhaenyra to abandon not only her duties but entire family to just go off with him so he can feel better about breaking his oath. also Alicent's situation is terrible but at the end of the day, it's not Rhaenyra's fault - Rhaenyra is more outspoken and says what she wants and attempts to go after what she wants, while Alicent grew up more timid and listened to her father, like her going to hang out with the King basically grooming him to want to be with her like her father wanted her to do. Now she's growing older and more & more bitter and miserable and is beginning to resent rhaenyra because Rhaenyra is not facing the same fate as her.

[@Al-ji4gd]

Rhaenyra is also terrible because she used him and then just wanted him to be her ''whore'' when she knew he had far more to lose than she did were anyone to find out about their affairs.

[@jmab721]

Good analysis

[@nadeeml9276]

Morgan's happiness when Cole was asking Rhaenyra to marry him awwwwww...and then...that happened at the end lol. The buildup to that fight though, what tension! No one had any idea what was happening, was it Daemon that did something to Rhaenyra? It was like wondering why a crowd was forming in real life, everyone was just craning their necks, and Im sure so was the audience. Everything was building up for Cole, and then Joffrey had to light the match, also did Joffrey give Cole a little d***-tap as he was walking away? No surprise he was set off. Also, lol @ "at least she won't have to bed him anymore" hahahhaha ps Cool Soul Eater shirt!

[@Elmonsoon]

Probably too late to say this but make sure your screen is bright - not just bright but enhanced and backlit or whatever settings to make dark scenes brighter... remember how one of the last episodes of GoT was too dark to see? Use that one as a test. It happens again in HotD.

[@keef5]

It only took 5 episodes to get the main character’s name right. Congratulations everyone we made it. Edit: well I heard Morgan say Rhaenyra once during the intro discussion but they still couldn’t keep saying right

[@Noone91875]

There will 10 more names will drop next season.

[@TheJerbol]

I think I watched a different intro aha

[@xteratogenx13]

IDK what they're doodling in those notebooks of theirs but clearly it isn't peoples names.

[@keef5]

@@xteratogenx13 how many times do you think they’ve said her name so far? Lionel Velaryon

[@rave9106]

I think the reason why Alicent is angry because Rhaenyra’s lie caused her father to lose his place as the hand of the king and also how the king fired him although he knew the hand was telling the truth.

[@xteratogenx13]

Rhaenyra lied invoking her dead mothers name right to Alicent's face. Now she CAN'T trust Rhaenyra to keep her children safe. Otto's speech to her as he was leaving King's Landing, was the realization that she was trying to push away from her mind.

[@s1lm4r1l6]

Originally the wedding was supposed to be 7 days of feasting, tourneys and celebrations. After Joffrey's murder Viserys just says "Fuck it marry them already, this whole situation is fucked up enough already." Criston sees his entire world crashing down around him. He knows, Rhaenyra knows, her husband knows, Joffrey knows, Alicent knows. He's completely dishonoured himself and fucked up the one thing he values, his job. So when Joffrey sidles up to him and says "Hey we can continue this whole dishonorable situation and nobody's any the wiser" and then gives him a dick tap. Criston just loses it. He goes completely apeshit. He probably figures the best way to redeem himself and the honour of everyone involved is if he kills Joffrey and kill himself. The thirst for Criston is gonna die pretty quickly next episode. He doesn't handle his 'rejection' (for want of a better word,) well at all.

[@Velociraptour]

"A king should never sit easy." - Aegon the Conqueror

[@JustJDx]

Viserys literally took that to heart ;)

[@Libra_Love22]

As much as I love the green dress scene in the show. I feel like it has more of an impact in the book, because in the book, fire & blood, many people in the Red Keep were confused about Viserys not choosing Aegon as his new heir since he is his first born son. So Alicent wears the green dress basically to tell the people that she hears them and agrees that her son should be named the heir. So she kind of steps back into the Hightower colors instead of her husband's house colors.

[@soniaiboyako4023]

"She had secrets too, like sleeping with her dad??" she didn't sleep with him when she was keeping their meetings secret *AND* she was obeying the King's order to keep it secret? like what are we talking about lmao mind you Rhaenyra swore on her mother's grave - mother whose loss they bonded over as Alicent also lost her mother not too long ago. I have yet to see sensible reactions to this whole ordeal, which is kinda crazy ngl

[@Okkotsu86275]

Margaery isn't a Hightower, she's a Tyrell whose seat resides in Highgarden

[@Arctic_Stark]

Her mother was a Hightower though, but yes you are right, Margaery and Olenna from the main series are Tyrells.

[@Okkotsu86275]

@@Arctic_Stark That very true.

[@rachichi4092]

@@Arctic_Stark yeah and Olenna is a redwyne (just like the lady in episode 3 who was talking shit about Daemon and Corlys and Rhaenyra called her out for it)

[@almami1599]

@@Arctic_Stark Olenna is a Redwyne she’s a Tyrell just of marriage

[@Arctic_Stark]

@@rachichi4092 Thanks, I was trying to remember who Olenna was before marriage. If my memory from the books serves me right, she was also almost married to a Targaryen in her youth.

[@arobin6695]

Laena (Corly's daughter) was spoken for, she was engaged to the son of a lord from across the sea, Daemon went to her house and insulted the man to his face repeatedly until eventually the man challenged Daemon to a duel and Daemon instantly killed him, freeing Laena up to be able to marry him

[@nostalgicbliss5547]

really wanted to see that on the show lol. the show did not do Daemon justice. honestly didn't do most of the characters justice.

[@shawnredmond8402]

The Green Wedding. "One flesh. one heart. I am yours and you're mine. Whatever may come"...that was about the two tortured souls, being united by fate, in the godswood, under the moonlit tree. It's them who were forever becoming one, until the bitter end.

[@Okkotsu86275]

Joffrey wasn't some innocent bystander, he was low-key blackmailing Cole. Which if the secrets got out, could have extreme consequences for Cole. He was playing with fire and got burnt. I understand feeling bad, but homie brought on himself in my opinion.

[@Seeric85]

"I thought maybe they'll be friends!" Sure, the overly idealistic honourbound knight is going to be friends with the gay lover of his princesses husband who is dangeling his dishonor and guilt over his head. You're going to have fun with post timeskip angry puritan Criston Cole. Can't wait for the shit he's going to pull off in Season 2.

[@jackson857]

25:05 He can't marry. Criston Cole gave that up when he agreed to be a Kingsguard. 38:40 AGAIN I'd like to point out that Alicent did not sleep with the King outside of marriage. 52:06 Those are not the Hightowers. Those are the Tyrells.

[@marleymarsss]

She did lie to Rhaenyra about her and the King conversations leading up to the engagement tho.

[@jackson857]

@@marleymarsss Not what I said.

[@HarJBeRw]

You guys keep alluding to Alicent being a hypocrite for reproaching Rhaenyra's adventure with Criston because you think SHE had sexwith Viserys before marriage. She didn't. I remember you guys just assuming it in the episode where she starts meeting with his in his room, but no, they didn't have sex before marriage. Matter of fact, it would have been wildly out of character for both Alicent and Viserys

[@davidnobre5660]

6:03 that's just a folk tale in reality Viserys had leprosy

[@EgoJinpachi_]

Fun fact about Daenery's brother Viserys, he's Viktor's VA in arcane.

[@Adamantium93]

Just pointing something out (if you read this a year later): Lady Olenna was not a Hightower, she was a Redwyne who married into house Tyrell. However, Olenna's daughter-in-law (Margaery's mother) WAS a Hightower.

[@thatguyb4]

It's kind of funny how all these egomaniacs (right hand Otto, king's brother Daemon, princess Rhaenyra, prince's lover and so on) are mistreating the queen and the dishonored knight and think it won't come back to them. I actually feel for both of them, especially Alicent. She got sold off as a child to an old man, forced to bear, everyone is lying to her and using her as a puppet while she is trying to fulfill all those things she has to to survive. Meanwhile her best friend does whatever she wants and now Otto, who caused most of it, tells her, that she and her children might be supplanted even though she did everything that was asked of her and she has to somehow all alone and isolated find a way to find her place bc her old husband prefers his daughter over her and their children. I don't condone Criston's actions, but in a way he lost everything bc he was forced to bed Rhaenyra, she only played him, and now this gossip boy is ruining his last chance of a future. Ruthless and entitled monarchs...

[@kylemma33]

Yea the power dynamics of Rhaenyra and Criston relationship is one sided, she holds all of the power.

[@albertaguy4817]

Only two people new of Rhaenyras' transgression, hence the red head and Cole were both going to die that night... as Cole planned, till our queen stopped him.

[@EldarionZ]

Here's the thing girls we don't know whether Rhaenyra drink the tea or not they cut the scene off-screen at the end!

[@kylemma33]

Having secrets and telling lies aren't the same thing. Alicent never would lie to Rhaenyra, she may withhold information, but she would never lie. Whereas Rhaenyra straight up lied to Alicent. Alicent's defining traits/characteristics are her strong sense of duty & her honesty. That's why she's so crushed to see just how easily Rhanyra lies to her, the idea of lying is foreign concept to Alicent.

[@briancaddel5091]

Jason Lannister is such a good fit in the role of the pompous insufferable d bag lol. I wish he gets more screentime 🤣

[@NileSwimmer]

I used to defend his feelings, but this turned me away from Cole. He has such a victim complex Dude everyone has it hard. He wants Rhaenera to just drop everything and elope. What a dope

[@Okkotsu86275]

Hmm, interesting perspective.

[@NileSwimmer]

@@Okkotsu86275 yeah like, I've seen people say she's not trying to see things from his pov, but I actually think it's the other way around...and he's completely blind to how much is at stake for her and the realm. Imho, the iron throne is much bigger than whatever honor crap he's going on about. -She's potentially the first woman to sit on the throne and he wants her to just up and leave? It'll basically justify every tongue that wagged against her. They'll tell stories for centuries about how "we were right, women aren't fit for the throne bla bla"..it'll throw succession plans into disarray too. But he just kept centering himself throughout the whole thing me me me me me. Dude get a grip. -Not to mention in terms of honor and virtue, Rhaenera has more to lose as a royal and as a woman. -Also, his concept of honor is really superficial/warped. Is all the shit he began doing to antagonise Rhaenera befitting of a "honorable" person? I personally believe a truly honorable person might be bitter yes, but would eventually let it go. -"Spoiled cunt" an insult I'm sure he had no remorse saying if Alicent didn't get offended... 🤮 Sorry for the long rant lmaoooo. That character really gets my goat. I could go on and on about him. Blehhh

[@Okkotsu86275]

@Nileswimmer I see, so basically in short. Rhaenyra's issues and situations are much more prevalent and important than Cole's situation and feelings, and while it is understandable that he would feel bitter and resentful, he should get over it and let it go If he was truly honorable. I can't understand that in a way.

[@arobin6695]

Shae asked the same thing of Tyrion and nobody hated on her for it.

[@marleymarsss]

@@arobin6695 Tyrion wasn’t the crowned princess, there’s a HUGE difference here like be fr

[@dustinaltenhurst7958]

Omg when Alicent summons Criston and the baby is crying in the back...I thought it was Mom Dad and the Prodigal Son in the same room for the first time!! That woulda been too iconic 😭. But he hasn't been born yet so that has to be Helaena!

[@Andre_APM]

The switchup on Ser Criston is gonna be crazy now that he's shown who he really is

[@briancaddel5091]

As they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. That is the story for Rhaenrya, Alicent and Criston Cole so far. This to me was the best ep of the first half. What an explosive way to round off the prologue. Now comes the Game of Thrones.

[@c.cullum5526]

Margerie's family was the Tyrell's. The Hightowers are a different family from the same country/lands.

[@epsilon3252]

It's only fitting that while Viserys, Corlys, Rhaenys, Lionel Strong and all the rest of the gallery of clowns were bargaining and splitting hairs about who will sit on the iron throne and while you're too busy fawning over what kinda mustache twirling villainy Daemon is plotting, the chain of events that will set off the downfall of the mighty Targaryen dynasty was being written at the hands of the two unlikliest of people finding each other on this cursed night.

[@hoon_sol]

Alicent wasn't sleeping with Viserys before their marriage. Of course you'd know this if you were paying better attention.

[@SuperGakman]

The whole iron throne not accepting people by cutting them is kind of a joke in my opinion. It’s a throne of swords, everyone gets cut by it. George is saying that no one is worthy of being king when he says getting cut by it is proof of unworthiness.

[@LauraGS564]

Daemon did not want to marry Rhea, like he said in E2. That's why he hates her. It's nothing to do with looks, just pure hatred.

[@Tyhar93]

The sexual orientation of the character who was killed shouldn't matter. Ser Criston didn't kill him because he's gay... 🙄

[@lug23]

10:10 funny how he rode a massive dragon but he gets sick on a boat

[@lurkingposter]

When he was younger and not ill.

[@lug23]

@@lurkingposter same for Lucerys 🤫

[@NoShiiitSherlock]

I also want to see a Lady Rya spinoff - she looks so f*cking cool. Screw you Daemon!

[@LydiaM.]

19:30 omg i know Sam wasnt trying to be funny, but I laughed so hard at this. That is sooo typically Taurus lmao.

[@camillarapcinski5567]

Sir.Cole told Alicent because he's a self-centered asshole who thinks the girl had to give up the throne for him to restore his own name, he knew what he was doing and did it anyway. It's the consequences of his actions. He spends the rest of his life bitching about Rhaenyra for just following the path she has to go, making everyone else's lives miserable because his little heart was broken.

[@jmab721]

Simps are always like that, no matter the times.

[@Songbirdstar]

To your question about the throne, It REJECTS those who are not fit for power. This is why it cuts Viserys and gives him a deadly infection. Have you also noticed why his wife Aemma struggled to have children? Specifically MALE children? Yea… that throne really didn’t want him to be king no more 🥴

[@jayz3272]

Cole is easily the most hated character of the series or one of the most. They did a good job in the beginning tricking the non book readers that he was gonna be another Jon snow lol. And daemon is known during his time of being the most dangerous man alive because he is willing to cross the line except when it comes to his brother and rheanyra. He loves them both and sometimes acts out to get his brother attention. What rheanyra was telling daemon at the end, she 100% meant it. She knows him and knows he will do it if she gave the green light. They were always drawn to each other and always will be. Cole never stood a chance, he was a booty call lol.

[@Okkotsu86275]

@@alanrickman4385 Pretty much that

[@arobin6695]

Cole did nothing wrong, the writers threw his character under the bus and are actively trying to make the audience hate him.

[@thatoneblackdude3333]

@@alanrickman4385 people can like characters regardless if there good people or not shocker I known daemon is simply more likable due to his personality Cole is not it's as simple as that .

[@Eleni1002]

@@alanrickman4385 Daemon is more fun and never really tried to hide what an asshole he is. Criston on the other hand is a hypocrite. That's the difference.

[@Eleni1002]

@LMFAO___ Midnyra is a lot of things but not a hypocrite. You know what's her greatest trait? She's not getting her nose into other people's buisness, unlike two certaim people that are obsessed with her a decade after everything happened.

[@marleymarsss]

I’m still confused on how the Velaryons let this assault slide, not just the killing of Joffrey but he literally beat his son on his wedding day. These aren’t random ppl, they are royalty.

[@LauraGS564]

Because the queen saved him. And it was not worth outing their son's sexuality.

[@marleymarsss]

@@LauraGS564 in that case idk how he ever let it go, living under the same roof as your lover/bestfriend murderer.

[@LauraGS564]

@@marleymarsss He became more politically savvy, as suggested by him vs Harwin in E6. The king is who decides and he is weak. Remember E7? SO it's all chaos because of him and how Otto and Daemon fuel things. And I'm sure Corlys did not care for a second his son's boyfriend died.

[@thatoneblackdude3333]

@@LauraGS564 the actual reason is because they added it in for sock value without thinking of the logistics of the situation in the books joffery died at a tourney where it could be excused as a accident not in the middle of a room full of people literally seeing Cole murder someone in cold blood .

[@LauraGS564]

@@thatoneblackdude3333 Not really. There are logistics, you just don't wanna accept it. He murders a council member again, it's all down to who's side he's on. He got away because he had the queen's backing. Tourney or wedding does not matter.

[@yoggsaron8867]

"You sold your daughter" - Yeah and so did Corlys. So will everyone else in a world where all noble marriages are arranged. Yeah Otto found the best match for his daughter instead of wedding her off to a shoe maker or something. No kidding. Otto isn't the only one who is or *will be in the future* using their children's marriages as political pawns. The Rhaenyra Laenor marriage is a political marriage too. It's just that Rhaenyra's privilege as the future queen makes it seem less of a power imbalance.

[@thedragondemands]

Rhaenyra and Laenor are second cousins (Rhaenys and Viserys are first cousins); even first cousin marriage isn't considered incest in Westeros, for non-Targaryens

[@thedragondemands]

Me: "We should watch what we say about Laenor around Vhagar at the wedding...she is from a different generation, she would not understand" LML: "Doesn't matter, Vhagar already knows - she simply pretends not to hear. Just like she pretends not to hear about Bryden Tully." Me: "You mean how Blackfish was tapping Olenna Redwyne, amirite?" LML: _(sends a side-eye emoji)_ Me: "...Really?! Brynden?" (actual conversation I had on Twitter in the leadup to this episode)

[@Panster7]

A Joffrey in GOT should never go to weddings ever

[@Al-ji4gd]

I don't really like what they do with Criston's character after this too much, but up to this point (even after the wedding) I was still mostly on his side.

[@kieranstevens5535]

RHAENYRA. With an A, there is no S. Come on now, you are half way through you should know by now. If you can’t hear it properly turn on the subtitles, they’ll tell you the names of everyone and the Dragons. I had to watch with subtitles, they really do aid in comprehending. This isn’t anime, it’s not gonna just spoon feed you and explain everything, you have to use your listening skills.

[@privateer9181]

Joff tried to claim power over cole.. by being like I know ur secret..bad move

[@JJsDomain]

Put in perspective that rhaenyra and Criston’s weird relationship was probably taking months into it so it probably was a bit both

[@Cbricklyne]

Those weren't the Hightowers in the original series that you're talking about. Those were the Tyrells. -...with Olenna Tyrell being the person you were referring to And they were from High Garden in the Reach and their House sygil is a Rose. (basically, they're the breadbasket of the Seven Kingdoms and feed everyone else) The Hightowers are from Old Town (the place where the Maesters are Headqaurtered at the Citadel. The Hightowers are not a great house anymore by the time the original series comes around, while the Tyrells are the second richest (or by most accounts, THE richest....) House in the Seven Kingdoms by the time of the original series.

[@okpareogaga4425]

The king's guard is meant to protect their secrets even if it means killing a threat to it

[@Laochri]

Queen Margaery is a Tyrell from Highgarden. The Old Town was in the House Tyrells territories. Just as the House Karstark were part on the House Stark territory.

[@davidnobre5660]

11:27 sold her daughter to the second most powerful status in the realm

[@soniaiboyako4023]

mind you if there's a sale there's a buyer but that man always seems to escape any blame in all of this... (if we even agree to characterize it as a sale, which i personally don't)

[@davidnobre5660]

@@soniaiboyako4023 just used the terminology Sam used

[@soniaiboyako4023]

@@davidnobre5660 yeah i know don't worry

[@RaMraM-zm1el]

The React Pack: She seemed cool! Me: Daemon was just correcting, now the sheep are prettier.

[@JaceWD]

why did they do that? the story is, he has fallen in love with her. only to find out that she rejects him to marry someone for power...and she then confesses to him, that she will be sleeping with as many as she can and that he can also be a piece of that... what do u think how he will feel after that? he just realized she is as bad and trouble as she can get. thats why he confessed to the queen. he was already depressed. just not acted out properly (or not enough screen time). But storywise goes, he was already depressed during the feast, then the guy teased or mocked him. so he just flips. not that difficult to understand. he is a man of chastise or however u write that.

[@thoughtfulstargazer]

Sam: Everything's gonna pop off in the next episode. Me: Hmm, just wait a few minutes.😎

[@yoggsaron8867]

Otto : and to secure her claim she'll have to put your children to the sword. she'll have no choice. You guys : WUT!!!! POV it's the mid 2010s and you named your child "Khaleesi".

[@rexibhazoboa7097]

42:39 she really embodied that mean with Leonardo😂

[@naghar9827]

Hightower is the house of Otto / the Queen. Margaery was a Tyrell, and they lived in Highgarden.

[@blinkasto182]

I love this reaction channel because you girls are full of sympathy. Everyone hates Criston every step of the way but you sympathize with him. Love you girrls

[@breburke7286]

I feel like everyone sympathized with criston at this point, and then next episode happens and we realise he's not a good person.

[@blinkasto182]

@@breburke7286 "good person" lmao name one character that follows a decent moral in this show... you can't

[@breburke7286]

@@blinkasto182 I never said there was...The difference is that Criston is a bad person with no redeeming qualities, most went from sympathizing with him to hating him all in the span of a single episode, and he only became more unlikable as the season progressed.

[@SasukeUchiha21072011]

Daemon hate his wife because Otto make him marry her by force and everyone here knows that a dragón IS not a slave

[@JessYapping]

And now starts the rise of Queen salty and bitter!!😂🤣Joffrey pretty much knew too much and had to go in Coles eyes he could have just let him off easy and just stabbed him though that split second shot of his face was brutal and this Deamon slander word his way in?To what?!?when did he ever show he wants the throne he just likes to have fun let him live!!🤣

[@kylemma33]

Daemon desperately wants to be king. His plan from the beginning was to help Rhaenyra become queen, then slowly take power for himself. He knew the people would support him more than they would Rhaenyra.

[@Red-Eyed_Goose]

For the love of god, it’s RHAENYRA. RAY-NEAR-RA. It’s not plural. There’s no ‘s’. Also… It’s DAEMON. DAY-MON. He does not share the name of the devil’s spawn. I cant believe I’m getting agitated by this & I’m sorry for doing so, but holy balls, ladies. Look to the subtitles you have on EVERY EPISODE. They will rid you of your continued ignorance.

[@albertaguy4817]

When you just get off a Dragon (and smell bad like one) it is best not to approach your wife while she is on a horse. The smell is terrifying for a horse... or did he know that all along?

[@davidnobre5660]

34:24 it would seem you completely misunderstood Daemon's character

[@havok6280]

"Daemon never touched me..." is a lie. He did more than touch her. And she swore on her dead mother.

[@vvthetalentlessduo6976]

I don’t understand why you guys are acting like rhaenyra doesn’t like Daemon just as much as he likes her , U can make a case she likes him even more

[@davidnobre5660]

8:01 Olivia Munn is a hottie! and you actually do look like her :o

[@TheJerbol]

I humbly request you guys up the show volume. I always have to put your channel on max just to hear it

[@jonathanblaze1648]

Margery 'Hightower' of Highgarden....whoops It's Margery Tyrell from Highgarden.

[@dalelapointe9289]

Okay need to straighten out a few things Old Town isn't High Garden where Margery came from but the High towers are near the Reach one of the oldest and richest cities in Westeros Called OLD TOWN basically where Sam went in GOT its also where the Maesters live and have there power base there the ones that want Dragons to die and Tars to be removed from power Otto plan is to introduce the High towers blood leadership where they can run the world with religion its where the largest citadel is and the High Septon of the faith of the seven its nothing to do with Margery and High garden. NO ONE SHOULD ROOT FOR THE HIGHTOWERS they a pretty much religious zealots for one they wanted to rule and kill off the dragons out of fear of them Its known as the big conspiracy . Otto wanted his family on the throne he used his daughter to make it happen Alicent High tower is pure but tainted by her father wishes she up to now was a pawn but in the end she is known as the head of the GREENS where Rhaenyra is known as the head of the BLACKS for house Targaryen ! Your either team Black or Team Green from this day forward React Pack you will end up wear Black or Red for Rhaenyra and her claim or Green for Alicent son Aegon ! TEAM BLACK ALL THE WAY FOR ME! Cole is a troubled man loaded with Rage, Bitterness and revenge for rejection a one night stand for Rhaenyra who lets be honest up to now showed us all she was in love with her uncle and told him pretty much so she was more then willing to run away and marry him but turned down Cole pretty easy it wasn't Cole Rhaenyra wanted to sleep with her first time it was Daemon went to Cole only after rejection of her uncle. Its the Tar way they are alike in many ways.

[@mmghazavi]

High tower is where citadel is, Quinn margary was from high garden ❤

[@Tyhar93]

Eh Daemon showed up and all his wife did was insult and belittle him. I can see why he never wanted to be around her tbh lol

[@victorcollier9730]

Whether it's Hunter x Hunter, Hot D, Attack on Titan... Your biggest challenge across all content, names 😭😂

[@SasukeUchiha21072011]

Daemon at 9:30 i want the divorcie... 😂😂😂

[@needfood3052]

If I remember correctly, Cole took what Joffery said as a Threat. 🤔

[@Arbiter567]

"She's gonna cheat." With them feet.

[@Viduthalai-k8]

😂😂

[@SasukeUchiha21072011]

Daemon Boss is the only one who didn't stand up for the bitch Alicent... Daemon is the best

[@JaceWD]

do u understand how allicent feels after this episode. i know team black always looks the other way and pretend these things not exist. but rhaenyra destroyed 2 people here with her lies. otto and sir criston. And she lied about it in front of allicent without blinking her eye like it was her entitled right, like it was something normal like drinking water. And allicent feels she is responsible already for what happened to her dad. So now she finds out it was all lies. and how fake rhaenyra is. And how she destroyed 2 people and that she would soon do it to her. So knowing this, is it now strange we see her go to "war"...she knows what will happen to her children if she doesnt.

[@xteratogenx13]

Your Mics are WAY TOO LOUD compared to the show. So If we have to follow along with the story we have to turn it up and then your voices BLAST on the speakers. Please fix this. This is the only channel where this happens.

[@victores9588]

🌹Sam🌹

[@michaelneal7265]

And you guys thought poor little Alicent was going to cause problems. Lol.

[@screma5442]

dont know why reactors still look at the show as black and white. Rhaenyra is a bad heir and was unbearable in the first three episodes. she gets what she wants and gets pissed at her father marrying alicent. the whole war is actually her fault for having bastards. literally everyone knows and they ignore it. if they showed alicents perspective , rhaenyra would be the biggest bitch ever. Produces bastards , openly flaunts it, leaves her dad when hes ill. i just cannot not sympathize with alicent. she tried and all the years of stress and watching rhaenrya take a shit on everything does turn her cold.

[@JessYapping]

It’s Otto who started the war that family wouldn’t be involved at all he created queen salty and bitter and cries we must protect ourselves from the spot we put ourselves in🤣

[@screma5442]

@@JessYapping wasn’t he right tho? Ppl and lords would have protested nonetheless. Having bastards just makes the situation more dangerous. Cant deny otto wanted power and sorta brainwashed alicent with fear. Ppl would have straight up backed aegon coz there is a king which they did when he was announced. Otto took advantage of something that was definitely gonna happen in the future

[@JessYapping]

@@screma5442 nothing definitely happens in the future so we don’t know if he would have had more kids and Aegon is only there cause of Otto so like i said they put themselves there

[@screma5442]

@@JessYapping judging how their world works and how easily lords and ppl would detest a female ruler its very easy to know ppl and lords would have turned. Ppl accepted aegon in seconds. Otto is definitely a calculative and power hungry person. My case is rhaenyra did herself no favours by not acting like a hier and having bastards. Like vaemond died spesking nothing but the truth , if ppl think he was right to die then its just coz biasedness towards the main character

[@screma5442]

The biased nature towards rhaenrya is what irks me , she hasn’t shown once that shes a good ruler or will be one. Its just misunderstandings and fear driving the show. I don’t think anybody is just and right. Its all personal shit Spoiler The way the story goes i feel represents that, literally nobody wins and everything is detroyed. Targaryen name remains yes but its all ruins and death

[@jackson857]

What's the over/under on them saying Rhaenyra's name correctly before the end of the season?

[@noltz99]

Scheming ladies @3:00, lmfao