HOUSE OF THE DRAGON "Regent" S2E5 Reaction!

[@MugShotzReacts]

What did you think of this episode? What was your rating? Thanks for checking out our HOTD reaction! Want more reaction? We have full watch along videos available on our Patreon! www.patreon.com/collection/604771

[@KelliFranklin]

I think it's a solid episode. It certainly helps to move a few storylines forward. It's an 8/10 for me.

[@TheWindcrow]

26:00 lol Stef. I love that you're still surprised 😂

[@gojiramonster2388]

I love that Stephanie’s initial reaction to hearing that Jacerys plans to treat with the Freys is FEAR and MISTRUST 😂

[@Alejojojo6]

Your reactions are the best, they cheer me up while I wait the whole week for the next episode! ;)

[@havok6280]

Yes, she's Rhaenrya's handmaiden. We first saw her when Joffrey was born. She was the one who told Rhaenrya Alicent wanted to see him. She was also present when Rhaenrya delivered Visenya.

[@Bodi386]

I think they add the historic events to the tapestry once they are officially recognized by the world, if that makes sense. For example, they added the death of Jaehaerys after the episode with the funeral parade instead of after Blood and Cheese.

[@nielgregory108]

How else would the dragon skulls get into the Red Keep if they were not brought through the streets?? The reason it is cut at the neck is because that is where Vaegar clamped down and that where the skin was weakest to be able to cut. We SAW the Queen That Never Was go up in major flames. WTH???

[@MugShotzReacts]

I was asking not why it was cut at the neck, but why is was being paraded severed neck first.

[@bill.godwin-austen]

Elinda (the woman in the red cape) is indeed Rhaenyra's handmaiden. She was probably already with her at Dragonstone, as the "untrusted" staff at the Red Keep weren't fired by Larys, they were eliminated (he said they no longer breathe our air). Dayana also dodged that bullet by being sent away by Alicent before Larys' purge. There were a number of Mysaria's "little birds" in staff positions close to the royal family, so it wouldn't surprise me to learn that Dayana had been one, which might be why Elinda was sent to contact her.

[@MugShotzReacts]

That makes sense!!

[@derrisreaditbefore]

I want to mention how great it is that Mesel is so much more relaxed in the reaction and discussion than when we began. Mesel, your insight is *really* good, and you're seeing some very nuanced work by the show-runner. Stefani, you mentioned the feeling of 'lack of payoff' in this episode, and THAT reaction is what I'm loving about watching with you. Knowing the book, I see *loads* of things happening that are substantially meaningful for the ongoing story, giving the episode maybe more weight for me - and it's important for me to remember that NOT everyone has read the books and that MY reaction is the minority. As always the show has "changed" many things, and I'm totally on board with it. Something that podcasters History of Westeros (VERY worth a visit if you've never heard of them) mentioned is that Daemon's vision of his mother is so stylized. She died when he was tiny, and he'll have no 'actual' memory of what she looks like - the book description shows her as having very distinctive features (none of which were in the vision), so Daemon's vision of pure Targaryen 'perfection' says a lot about how he thinks about her and by extension himself. Alys delivers again, with uncanny knowledge, and awareness of where to prod Daemon to make him uncomfortable. She's a fabulous mystery in the book as the Maesters who 'wrote' it doing their best to ignore her clearly magically influenced existence. The ruling potential in Daemon vs Aemond is a fascinating comparison. We saw when Daemon was the head of the city guard that he created the 'gold-cloaks' and that his intention was for the city to fear them. Compared to what we know of Aemond. That he's studied history and philosophy, that he's learned to speak High Valyrian, and that he sees losing his eye in exchange for winning Vhagar the cost of duty to his family. Is he hot-tempered? Absolutely. Does he act rashly when under pressure? Definitely. Can he rule well? ... p.s. edited to say, I know I always post enormous comments and I hope you know it's a deliberate attempt to *feel* like a conversation, rather than merely state a snippet of an opinion that could be unintentionally argumentative.

[@MugShotzReacts]

Love your comments!! I always learn new things!

[@Bled420]

Yes, that handmaiden is Rheanyra’s. She was the same one Rheanyra told to get help when Arryk and Erryk were fighting

[@Triskaan]

I'd say Criston is showing more than just signs of PTSD there. He's hiding it decently but it's very likely the full on thing. And his remarks to Alicent about her really wanting to preside over the violence to come and preserving her from it felt quite legit. Also, notice how the smallfolk gets rotten oranges to eat while he gets a beautiful lemon to take care of his sword... #teamsmallfolk And yes, that was the first time we heard about Rhaena trying to claim a dragon and nearly losing her life in the attempt.

[@derrisreaditbefore]

GREAT call on the lemon - I completely missed the significance of that! I agree that Cole is processing some very intense PTSD symptoms here and I think too that Ryan Condal may be taking a lesson from GRRM, giving us a character to hate and slowly redeeming them. I feel like watching the utter carnage at Rooks Rest, something exponentially worse than any men v men fighting he's ever seen, had put some things into perspective for him. I got the sense that he's beginning to feel guilty for letting his resentment against Rhaenyra prod him into feeding the antagonism between her and Alicent. That he's recognizing Rhaenyra may have been wiser than Aemond in resisting dragon v dragon combat and knows he's complicit in forcing the issue beyond recall. I'm *really* looking forward to how the season plays out.

[@brendastevenson8521]

Elinda Massey the lady in red is Rhaenyra's handmaiden and she left with the rest of the Targaryens when they went to Dragon, The young lady that opened the door for her is Diana who was a servant for the castle and became a certain special interest for Aegon in the first season. Diana is the waitress in the tavern where Ulf and his friends were drinking and the king and his posse later came. I wouldn't be surprised to see a pretty white hair child behind that door because at that time Taliah who Larys murdered was Alicent handmaiden and also working with The White Worm who gave plan b to Alicent to give to Diana. Was the tea Alicent gave Diana really plan B?

[@Bled420]

Aegon’s armor was Valyrian Steel, didn’t melt just moulded to Aegon’s skin.. insane to think they had to pry each plate off, Ouch! The prying scales off a dragon metaphor was really cleaver!

[@havok6280]

In the book, one rumor is that Alys is Lyonel's daughter and she was wet nurse to Larys and Harwin. Another is that she is older than Lyonel but stays young with magic.

[@MugShotzReacts]

Ooooo!

[@neilianarguelles8813]

We need to have a counter every time the guy says “I don’t know”. 🤣🤣🤣

[@Jose-Lozanchez]

Antes de verlo, Daemon was never seen drinking from that glass that Alys Ríos gave him

[@Mutazili]

To be fair the Blacks are also responsible for the starving of King's Landing. Like, no one forced Rhaenyra and Corlys to blockade the city. Both teams use the smallfolk's pain like pawns.

[@andrewward5891]

@@Mutazili - True but the Greens have done nothing to alleviate the suffering of the small folk. They’re not paying their blacksmiths, Aemond locked the city gates to the starving people, and they haven’t imported food via the Kingsroad from the Reach (like they did in the original series)

[@Mutazili]

@@andrewward5891 Though Aegon seemed genuine with returning the sheep, yeah I said both teams are guilty. The Greens gave priority to their army and dragons instead of the people.

[@parklinkin6624]

@@Mutazili had Otto been the hand he would have easily figured out something to get the Greens out of this situation. He would have easily gotten food into Kingslanding from the Reach by negotiating with the Tyrells and smartly turned the smallfolk against the Blacks instead for their blockade. Aemond and Criston Cole are hardcore warmongers. They don’t think beyond battle plans, dragons and armies.

[@Mutazili]

@@parklinkin6624 Still, Rhaenyra and Corlys are enforcing the blockade, making them complicit.

[@parklinkin6624]

@@Mutazili I did not say the Rhaenyra and Corlys are not complicit. It’s just that Aemond and Criston cannot think about political ways to counter it and use it to your advantage. Otto would easily done that.

[@andrewward5891]

I would think that Kings Landing would get most of its food from the Reach via the Kingsroad and not via the sea so it’s surprising the city ran out of food because of the naval blockade. But maybe the Tyrel’s have cut shipments to Kings Landing while they figure out which side to support (which is probably why Alicent suggested Otto go to Highgarden to negotiate with the Tyrel’s)

[@havok6280]

The Reach feeds all seven kingdoms. Kingslanding is a seaport. It makes sense that they would get goods shipped to them.

[@LuizVieiraPintoNeto]

In the books, George makes sure to specified ways witch uncociente/comatose are fed with honeyd water, salted water and liquid warm fat driped into the mouth every 1-2 hours. With Bran`s comatose, of about 1 month, they fed him with honey and honeyed wine.

[@KDA8919]

Someone translate this to English.

[@derrisreaditbefore]

You beat me to it. Yes, 'fortified water' essentially.

[@mathmexican4234]

There was a lot of set up here, but I think it's all necesary. We need to establish who will control kings landing now that Aegon is hurt, which they show how it goes down. We show Luke setting up letting the Starks and Freys be able to join the fight. We take an episode to set up Corlys joining the battle. And we see Luke and Rheanyra setting up (with Mysarias help) finding dragon riders from Kings Landing and elsewhere. I suppose the only "standstill" part is Daemons dreams and failings.

[@deonjames1041]

Have we actually seen Larys’ spies at all? There have long been theories about how he knows so much…

[@ak14459]

The part I feel a lot of people and even myself missed w/ mysaria’s strategy is that rhaenyra is the one who has the blockade on the city that is causing the smallfolk to starve in kings landing. Never once was it mentioned that rhaenyra show mercy and lift the blockade as a solution for winning the people over. Instead, mysaria wants to spread rumors and unrest so the people of the city will be forced to more extreme acts to fight back. It’s more cruel to the common people than the alternative. And it makes me wonder if mysaria or rhaenyra herself even care about the small folk at all.

[@Alejojojo6]

Its important to know that the Blackwoods are the only big house in the Riverlands that still believe in the Old Gods and not on the new. The Brackens (and most of the riverlands believe in the faith of the seven),Thus why they burn the septs without remorse.

[@MayhapsYes]

It this point, they're not. The strongs follow the Old gods (Larys, Alys).

[@derrisreaditbefore]

you're right in saying the last *major* house, as plenty of smaller ones still hold to the Old Gods. Burning the septs is a very pointed anti-Bracken sentiment, not necessarily an anti-New Gods one.

[@havok6280]

Sunfyre has a partially torn wing so he can't fly at the moment.

[@MugShotzReacts]

😭

[@MayhapsYes]

You guys will get to know the Blackwoods and Bracken if you decide to watch future series, like A knight of the seven kingdoms series next year. They are famous in the books and appear in every war.

[@88happiness]

I'm surprised people think Daemon would contact the Blacks afterall he stormed out in the middle of a fight so I don't think he'll want to contact them until he's succeeded in some way or prooved himself.

[@derps0n839]

The people in Kings Landing still have it pretty good compared to how they were in Game of Thrones. The highborns can still walk around out there. Remember in that episode they were throwing rotten stuff at Joffrey, then grabbed one guy and ripped him apart.

[@MugShotzReacts]

I think we’re approaching that next episode though perhaps?

[@malhondize3898]

what daemon suggest in this episode , to take hostages to gain loyalty of the brackens is not that much different from what the starks did with theon. he was taken hostage to keep the iron islands from rebellion and fall in line. i know its not exactly the same but not that much different. it was a common tactic in westeros

[@MugShotzReacts]

I feel he once again was too vague in his instructions and it has once again backfired

[@antliveyabish9555]

I think they will add a few things in the next intro.the dragon fight and prolly to show Aegon state.

[@MugShotzReacts]

I hope so!!!

[@gailf1617]

Daemon Targaryen's ego exceeds even that of the late, great, Prince Philip. (also, Prince Philip wasn't a murderer)

[@Jlpro_1]

This episode really shows us why Daemon wouldn't be a good King he lacks diplomacy while Rhaenyra lacks his resolve hence why together their stronger i fully believe Daemon won't betray her and his character is gonna come full circle by the end of the season and fight for Rhaenyra.

[@MugShotzReacts]

I hope so!!

[@MarcelHeldt1983]

There are theories that Larys might be a warg like Bran or a greenseer like Jojen Reed. I like the warg theory more because especially in S1 we saw rats crawling everywhere. Maybe he can see through the rats eyes?

[@heyarnoldfan12]

Glad you picked up on Alys being the cause of the vision after she spoke of his mother. A lot of people aren’t getting that

[@tiredidealist]

Riverlands best lands

[@Bled420]

Yooooo is Alys even real? When Simon interrupt her and Daemon talking he looks over as if confused as to who Daemon is talking to and if you watch Alys she disappears behind Simon.. Is she legit a ghost?!

[@MrHws5mp]

If you're watching theory videos, then check out Gray Area's radical theory about Daemon's Harrenhal trips, which is basically that they've all been one, long (strange😉) trip ever since he drank Alys's drink, showing him what would happen if he went down the "war crimes" route. Don't know if I believe it, but it's thought provoking. There's another semi-related theory that Alys is a ghost or projection than only Daemon can see, since you never see her interact with other characters and she arguably "disappears" in this episode.

[@MugShotzReacts]

Oooo interesting!!

[@andromidius]

Parading the head of a dragon to distract from the crate is peak cunning for Criston. So not very.

[@andromidius]

As to how you fed an unconscious person before modern medicine - it was tricky and pretty rough. Effectively you make a watery broth, pour a bit into the mouth and then manipulate the throat to force a swallow. Unless someone is on the brink of death the body still has reflexes, and if you know how you can feed someone just enough to keep them going. Its not called force feeding for nothing.

[@johnwalkeristhatdude3018]

Daemon fought the free cities and lived what are we doing here

[@KelliFranklin]

Just a quick question, are y'all drinking sangria or planter's punch or something like that? It looks yummy!

[@MugShotzReacts]

Aperol Spritz!

[@havok6280]

Alyssa, Daemon's mom, looks nothing like her book description. There she has dirty blonde hair, a crooked nose, and mismatched eyes. It makes sense that Daemon wouldn't remember what she looked like. She died when he was three. But she did take both him and Viserys riding on Meleys when they were babies. It makes sense for him to dream about his mother after her dragon died.

[@MugShotzReacts]

But THAT dream?? 😬

[@derrisreaditbefore]

History of Westeros suggested that the symbolism is about being paired with the 'perfect' embodiment of a Targaryen woman, and that he also made that perfect woman his mother sort of makes sense.

[@derrisreaditbefore]

@@MugShotzReacts yeah, even I was shaking my head telling the screen "too far, you've gone too far, I'm not ok with this."

[@havok6280]

It's odd that the show chose to make Joffrey younger. In the book, he is older and his dragon is big enough to ride. On the other hand, Moondancer is too small to ride at this point in the book. Making Joffrey younger creates unnecessary conflict with Lady Jeyne.

[@Jose-Lozanchez]

Buenas Noches Guapos, Aemon, seeing his brother very wounded sheathed his sword, no longer needed it, ♥❄&🔥´♬ .. 🖤🔥&🩸 El Villano?, for resentment position, Aemon, Daemon, Cole It seems to me that in the books Alys Ríos did have a habit of drinking blood

[@LanteanLegacy]

I can't wait for Aegon to wake up, all I'm gonna say

[@MugShotzReacts]

YES

[@DukeJimbob]

Anyone know when this terrible Daemon storyline is gonna end?? Not sure how much more I can take lol!!!!

[@vonbetter6478]

Garrett sword swing, dragon fire blow 😂😂 go read or book or sum 😂

[@KelliFranklin]

I love that Criston's plan to drag Meleys's head thru the streets didn't pan out the way he wanted it to. The last bit of power that Alicent had slipped away in the council meeting and that was so satisfying to me. I enjoyed this episode but I have to ask, is it just me or is Daemon's storyline just dull this season? He's my favorite character but I don't like his storyline at all. I do like the Mysaria and Rhaenyra team up tho and Baela and Jace stepping up too.

[@rohanshende4338]

Your comment reeks "i WAnT thE Show to bE biaseD tOWArds tHE bLAcks"

[@KelliFranklin]

@@rohanshende4338 I prefer team black. It's just my opinions. It's really not that deep. Enjoy the rest of your day and be safe.

[@havok6280]

It's crazy to say, but the Freys weren't ambitious enough. I would have asked for Riverrun, not Harrenhall.

[@andrewward5891]

@@havok6280 - Riverrun would be a bridge to far (pun intended). Harrenhall technical belongs to Larys Strong who is a Green. Riverrun belongs to House Tully, who is supposed to be in charge of the riverlands, and hasn’t taken a side in the War. So the Blacks can award Castles of foes to their allies. Tywin gives Riverrun to Walker Frey because the Tully’s were allied with the North agajnst Joffrey and they pulled off the Red wedding. In this case the Freys are just offering a crossing and (hopefully) soldiers.

[@havok6280]

​@@andrewward5891Lord Tully is old and infirmed. His heir is a child. The lords of the riverlands are running wild. It would make sense to replace the Tullys as lords Paramount.

[@Alejojojo6]

@@havok6280 Oscar Tully is with the Blacks, or seems to be while his granfather is a Green... so because their side in the war is still to be decided, but lays more with those of the Blacks (and all the Riverlands seem to have fallen to black side) they are supposed to be on the same side as the Freys for now. So they cannot ask Riverrun. Also Harrenhal's lord is clearly on the greens and has far more strategic interest than riverrun.

[@havok6280]

​@@Alejojojo6incorrect. The Tullys have declared for neither side. That's the problem. Harrenhall is more trouble than it's worth.