House of the Dragon S1E07 live Q&A discussion

[@thecocomastiux3655]

Alicent tries to maim a child Otto: You passed the test

[@kevinescobar370]

Honestly like if she married to any other king she’d likely have been removed from her place at court

[@patryk_lewandowskiabc]

@@shippendales8543 the small council scene in the previous episode also said enough. Rejecting Rhaenyra's marriage proposal even though Viserys was excited "after my cold dead body" - really tells you who is in charge

[@CyclopsToppingWolverine]

@@shippendales8543 I wouldn't respect the man who just called me by his dead wifes name infront of a bunch of people tbf

[@Rippel0000]

Daddy must be so proud🥰

@@CyclopsToppingWolverine Well, you need to be really mean hearted to not forgive a man who's so sick that he looks decrepit even he's barely 40.

[@wendyc1902]

I just want to say that for a bunch of 10 yr olds, that was one of the best choreographed fight scenes in GoT history. Those kids must have practiced it ALOT! BRAVO to all the actors! I have a soft spot for Luke. He's so cute. Their facial expressions were spot on as well! 🤜💥

[@ChibiKawaii3]

The child actors did a great job.

[@FragLord]

Those kids fought better than the adults in Rings of Power...

[@colebresnehen38]

@Balmug I kinda felt like CleganeBowl was overblown like the rest of season 8. Swords going through armor always annoyed me so maybe that’s the main reason I’m not a fan. imo the Mountain vs Red Viper is much better than CleganeBowl in regards to every reason you stated.

[@wendyc1902]

@@colebresnehen38 Love the Viper and The Mountain fight. Probably my fave. I still remember the shock I felt 😢 Cleganenowl was such fan service and it annoyed the hell outta me. I would have liked to see the Hound either end up with Sansa as her sworn shield or die fighting a NK General or protecting Arya.

[@mightybison15]

Agreed. It was an incredibly brutal and tense fight

[@AllTheArtsy]

I liked that Daemon laughed because instead of sending his wife off to her resting place, Vaemond is making thinly-velied jabs at Rhaenyra and Laenor's children instead with the blood being thick. Up until Laena's funeral, someone is still politicking. With Laenor's sons not trueborn, and Laena having daughters only, Driftmark is another high seat with a succession crisis looming in the distance.

[@Gebsequanimity9300]

that is a really good way of looking it definitely!

[@SantomPh]

House Velaryon is alive and not so well in the time of GoT so someone did continue the line.

[@AllTheArtsy]

@@Gebsequanimity9300 heh thanks! I didn't think people thought Vaemond was somehow not aware that the blood *has already* thinned. He actually sounds exactly like Alicent. Which makes sense for his situation. Why should illegitimate children claim his older brother's seat (of course already discarding Laena's daughters in consideration)

[@VertFirstQuestion]

That plus i think he was laughing because his wife literally died for the sake of "producing more Valeryons"

[@unc54]

@@AllTheArtsy Also with Rhaenyra's children being illegitimate, Vaemond feels he's the rightful heir which makes him all the more spiteful.

[@SalilRawatSaxena]

"I may have lost an eye, but I gained a dragon" Otto: 😏

[@Longshanks1690]

“Not bad, kid.”

[@Magicalnora]

That's my boy

[@jigdreldorji7806]

Obviously they need the biggest and the oldest nuclear dragon. As team Rheanyra got more riders right now and it seems fair team Alicent get Vhaegar.

[@thehumanity0]

I wish they would've addressed the fact that this kid decided to take Vhagar the day of their mother's funeral. Even without the fighting, it's pretty fucked up and incredibly disrespectful he did that, especially since he's a guest at their mother's ancestral seat on Driftmark. I'm surprised it wasn't even acknowledged

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

@@thehumanity0 I mean that's nothing compared to everything else that happened. The "day of the mother's funeral" doesn't meant much and would have just piled on top of the whole "bastard" statement, laenor was ultimately the king's brother's wife that passed. It's doesn't amount to much compared to the issues that the other higher ups go through.

[@agromchung]

Luke saying "I don't want it" cracked me up

[@rhiannongreen2642]

Same haha but he had a better reason

[@Gebsequanimity9300]

😂😂😂

[@accountnamewithheld]

sheezmuhqween

[@MATCHLESS789]

From today on I honestly believe Jon's true name is Lucerys and Aegon is just D&D fucking up (Rhaegar had two kids name Aegon, lol).

[@Gooning_Chunguz]

Corlys- you are the heir to the Driftmark throne Luke- but you are my queen

[@Longshanks1690]

I really, really loved the aesthetic and design of the Valyrian wedding. You get the impression that it’s all harking back to a much more ancient, tribal custom that the Valyrians have needed to hold onto as the primacy of blood and magic is so important to their culture, and their control of Dragons and they want to change as little as possible for fear of upsetting that control. It’s just so different to any wedding we’ve seen, and shows just how alien the Valyrians are in Westeros even now as when they’re in their element and living up to their traditions, it’s so different to the traditions and customs of their native subjects.

[@AllTheArtsy]

I love that they're wearing matching (seemingly gender neutral) clothes! The lack of ornamentation and pomp actually makes it more... visceral and primal (not to mention all that blood, of course)

[@tite93]

I still wonder where they found that Valyrian priest though. Maybe there are still some Valyrian cults in Essos or these priests are somehow connected to the dragon keepers?

[@Darkstar_Dayne]

@@tite93 Don't you think the Targs must've brought their whole household with them? Along with dragon keepers and priests

[@tite93]

@@Darkstar_Dayne you mean when they settled on Dragonstone initially? Yeah, most likely, but 100 years is pretty long to keep a tradition going, especially when no one else in Westeros follows the Valyrian religion. Maybe there's a little sect still active in King's Landing and Dragonstone just for the sake of Targaryens. Plus honestly it's weird that there aren't any more refugees from the Doom - like surely some more Valyrian families were in Essos at the time? Maybe GRRM will address it at some point

[@Darkstar_Dayne]

@@tite93 City Of Lys has people with Valyrian features bur we know nothing about the others

[@MrTaserface]

I am obsessed with HOTD and I have nobody to talk to about it in real life. Your videos feel like I am hanging out with a friend and discussing a common interest.

[@SalilRawatSaxena]

Recommend it to your friends and family members I had no one either but I made sure they got into it and now they thank me for it

[@Leon1910s]

@@SalilRawatSaxena I'll need friends first.

[@takecare3852]

Same bro!

[@user-yp7ke4et7o]

Lol Bangladeshi

[@cba2make1up]

if this ain't me...

[@olorin4317]

Larys is an energy vampire feeding off of Alicent's stress and misery. He always seems so happy when everything is going to shit.

[@noname_noname_]

chaos is a ladder Edit: also Littlefinger + Varys = Larys?!

[@DrawnByKimProductions1863]

@@noname_noname_ More like "everyone else's suffering is a ladder" lol

[@neli.a]

Larys Strong: “Lord of Schadenfreude”

[@serialthrilliayahoo]

Or according to plan. Can't tend a garden w/o pulling weeds

[@made-line7627]

Must be a secret Bolton 🧛‍♂️

[@kylorevanmaul3230]

I liked how Daemon gave a quick smile when Aemond said that he lost an eye but gained a dragon. Really shows how similar Aemond is to Daemon. Careful some spoilers under this comment.

[@markusk2289]

Depth perception would have been an asset when flying a monstrously huge dragon though.

[@vitoriaguimaraes7697]

@@markusk2289 i laughed a bit too much at this lol

[@mercurial-mons]

It's funny that you point this out considering how their names are practically an anagram of each other.

[@takecare3852]

Well they end of killing each other later on so it makes sense

[@olorin4317]

@Wellnvm You just fed the troll. Proabably made his elevator button harder than a very small rock.

[@joannac.3782]

Aemond looked at his mother for a long beat and she looked terrified, indicating to me that he heard the bastard thing a few times from her, and then throws Aegon under the bus. He probably was getting back at Aegon for the pig thing and general bullying.

[@viceb7]

Yea totally, I feel like it was writing the spiteful side of him

[@motherhorsefucker]

I miss a lot in the shows because I am dumb, but what else was he supposed to say?

[@KitsBasement]

@@motherhorsefucker there's a lot he could have said. He is a child, he could've said his mother. That he overheard it. Or he could have said the same as Aegon, "just look at them", as everyone already knew at that point.

[@jeanne6961]

@@motherhorsefucker If he really wanted to he probably could've played it off as just an insult he threw without thinking. 'Bastard' is still an insult without having to directly mean 'illegitimate', I remember Craster being called a 'wildling bastard' during the coup at his keep. But Aemond didn't care, and he'd much rather chuck his brother under the bus than get his mum in trouble.

[@blancaescobar5895]

He was the only one that was safe. If he had pointed at anyone else, they would have been executed

[@SalilRawatSaxena]

lol Larys was so happy when Alicent accepted his allegiance he was all 🙂

[@skullshapedbox]

( ͡≖ ل͜ ͡≖)

[@blacklight4720]

You're bad at reading characters.

[@marinewauquier8630]

That emoji is uncannily similar to his face lol

[@sayaalicious9146]

@@blacklight4720 And you’re annoying so where do we go from here

[@SalilRawatSaxena]

@@marinewauquier8630 ikr lol

[@neli.a]

🐉 commands/answers question at2:40. Dohaeras: Serve Mazis: Come Lykiri: Calm Soves: Fly Rybas: Focus Umbas: Wait Hope this helps ( 🐉 owner/from the Dracarys app)

[@Jeschica]

Also “daor” is frequently used at the end of a sentence and it basically means “not”. Similar to German grammar actually:) For instance, In English you could say “I dont like pears” Whereas in Valerian you would say “I like pears not”.

[@abadidibadou5476]

Helps with what? my cat? lol

[@shockwave1126]

After they updated the app, no longer compatible with my phone☹️ But was able to use mazis before the update(app not really working anymore). In GoT, Dany used “valar” for fly.

[@FlowerTrollSan]

@@shockwave1126 No, she said "valahd/valad" or something like that when she rode Drogon for the first time, but that's actually the Dothraki language, not Valyrian. You can hear her say "sovetis" in Valyrian in the final scene of 3x10.

[@blackeyedlily]

I saw a couple people suggest that Daemon laughed when he did during the eulogy because Vaemond was not so subtly throwing shade at Rhaenyra’s children and his laughter redirected the attention away from the children. I guess it depends on what you want to think of Daemon’s motivations at that moment.

[@ryanbiggs5479]

That’s it

[@mercurial-mons]

Vaemond was indeed staring at Rhaenyra while talking about "truth" and lineage implying there was something off with her children, I also didn't connect Daemon's laughter with Rhaenyra but with the situation to seek attention, makes sense to me now that it'd be to redirect it from her.

[@roronoalaw7772]

Yep, makes sense

[@mellohi2899]

@Глеб Сальманов Daemon neglecting his on daughter is a key point. why would he give a fuck about Rhaenyras bastards? they're doomed, and they're only gonna be in his way when he gives Rhaenyra true born targaryen children.

[@angryerika]

@@mellohi2899 actually in the books at least he really loved his step sons

[@tj8002]

I wanted Viserys to say “Stop this madness in the name of your King !!” So bad 😂

[@farhatk6054]

king Robert would "honor" Alicent if she even dares to speak a word about Rahenera

[@anais559]

@@farhatk6054 Robert would also “honor” Rhaenyra for being having three bastards...

[@GuffGuffGuffy]

Yeah, imagine if Cersei had 3 bastard children! Would set off a whole chain of mad events!

[@DieEineMieze]

@@farhatk6054 he should beat her or let a soldier cut an eye if hers! Woman have to be quiet when men speak! 😾

[@ChelX]

@@GuffGuffGuffy 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I see what you did there

[@caketin6470]

I like that we’ve now actually seen Rhaenyra do something morally dubious since she’s only been doing somewhat stupid things so far (having three illegitimate children with Harwin) instead of more evil things like every other character. Even though sending Laenor and Qarl away to live a good life together was nice, she’s still had someone killed in Laenor’s place, emotionally traumatised Rhaenys and Corlys by depriving them of their only child left and deprived her three children of a loving father figure who just promised to be a better and more present father, all of which she’s aware of. Can’t wait to see her and Daemon do more dastardly things together, we can’t let the Greens be the evil ones all the time

[@elliotthartup4095]

Learning that Qarl is spelled with a "Q" bothers me to a strange degree

[@jalenroddey1419]

This is proof that with great writing you can make compelling female characters and not just cookie cutter Mary Sue’s

[@jhitchcock5503]

@@jalenroddey1419 exactly. Martin does a beautiful job of showing feminine strength without any need to masculinize the characters. Queens and princesses are a lot more complex than pretty hothouse flowers.

[@3s_muycar0]

Right! I hope her character stays rich in personality and dueling morality for as long as the show runs, or at least until she’s killed off which I hope is something either super tragic or truly satisfactory🤝❤️

[@Πολιτεία-λ6σ]

Having illegitimate children in this world *is* morally dubious as it is all but guaranteed to result in a civil war and she should know this.

[@SalilRawatSaxena]

I think Alicent accepted Larys's services because she realized he'll do anything for her unlike Criston who couldn't attacks Lucerys on her command

[@Darkstar_Dayne]

At least Crispin knows his limits But I guess you support mutilating kids?

[@iarebacon8125]

Criston is still a Kingsguard sworn to protect the King (and his family). Alicent commanded him to do something clearly against his King’s wishes. I also noticed the glares that the Lord Commander shot him. Also earlier Criston was given orders by the LC, a nice reminder that he still is not all that powerful

[@SantomPh]

The Kingsguard obey the King alone; the Lord Commander commands the other six as their leader but the queen is not their boss. With Viserys standing right there Criston can't do anything Alicent says. Alicent is not in danger herself.

[@AllTheArtsy]

Yep, Criston only moved when Alicent got close to Rhaenyra and there was a chance Alicent might harm herself with the dagger. Despite how much I hate him, at least he's seemingly learned some restraint these past 10 years

[@gloriaklint]

@@AllTheArtsy I was gonna say that too. But he didn't even move a muscle when the ailing king fell down. Didn't seem to care. He did went to save/aid alicent. Also, the lord commander kept saying "No ser Criston" why so?

[@Arkssa]

Too many people think Criston was about to cut out the eye. He clearly refused when he said he's her protector.

[@Arkssa]

"you are sworn to me!" -> "as your protector". He means he's there to protect her.

[@Sui_Generis0]

Yeah thought that was quite clear

[@SayMy_User_Name]

The way that little girl says “someone stole vaghar” is literally ringing in my head, i dont know what it is but the way she delivered that line was so perfectly rhythmic it’s like a song stuck in my head

[@Hades_Orkos]

Put it in a metal song during a call out 🤙😎

[@ferrm1992]

The corpse that replaced Laenor’s is the page that Daemon kills right before the fighting scene of Qarl and Laenor. They kind of do a close-up to the boots, the pants of course were Laenor’s indeed, and then Laenor wears the page’s clothes when they row the boat

[@MadKazZzZzZ]

Thank you! 🎉 This is the 2 and 2 we needed put together. It happened quick, it all did. Missed these details in the domino fall

[@ferrm1992]

@@MadKazZzZzZ I listened to ASX say that he didn’t know who the corpse belonged to, then wrote my comment and then he confirmed what I said a few minutes later lol I was a little impatient

[@MadKazZzZzZ]

@@ferrm1992 🙏🏼

[@skipmcilvaine]

Criston has forearm armor on when he thrashes Joffrey and the lip of it seemed to do the majority of the damage to his face and skull. Harwin's armor left his fists bare when he punches Criston. That's why Joffrey's face is destroyed and Criston's face recovers.

[@louisroy4911]

That’s my interpretation as well

[@jasonjavelin]

I was going to comment the same, you can see Criston kind of punching with his greaves in one of the scenes at least that’s how I saw it

[@ajae...]

I'm trying to figure out how there could be a different reason. Cornball would have destroyed his own hand before coming close to doing that kind of damage.

[@Captain_Insano_nomercy]

@@ajae... seethe more

[@ajae...]

@@Captain_Insano_nomercy Think more.

[@WarrenEBB]

I thought Daemon chuckled during the funeral - because Vaemond was derailing the funeral with his personal shit. Vaemond is clearing staring at Rhaenyra and casting shade on her instead of keeping the focus on Laena. And it's a way of breaking the tension and interrupting that attack on his family, which i think Daemon is all about.

[@kevinc809]

Yes he's looking at them while speaking of the blood never thinning but Daemon is looking down and away during that. He laughed just because he knows the boys are Strongs therefore the blood is already thinned.

[@seajanitor407]

I think it's very ironic and sad how Rhaneyra gave Laenor the choice and life she rejected with Criston Cole - leave it all behind and go to the free cities not caring about titles and only love.

[@mikeclarke1986]

I really doubt that Rhaneyra *wanted* to go to the free cities with Criston Cole. She didn't *love* him. She was *using* him, all but forcing him to forsake his vows because she was horny. Not that I think Criston Cole is all that sympathetic, but let's not pretend she was in love.

[@AllTheArtsy]

Rhaenyra giving up her claim to the iron throne and her destiny to carry on Aegon's dream... so that Criston can feel better about himself for his own choice to sleep with her, is not really the same thing as Laenor giving up the mostly honorary title of prince consort ... to be free to be who he is without fear of being exposed, shame, his father's constant disapproval. It's still a heavy sacrifice, especially to leave his family and dragon behind, but not to the same degree, at all

[@unc54]

Well, I'm sure if Criston Cole wanted to go by himself to Essos she would have helped him. But Cole wanted to take Rhaenyra with him so of course she shot him down. Also, Cole is motivated by honor not love.

[@atherisGAY]

I found that also very good, how it mirrors. But also... Her and her uncle truly ended up married on Dragonstone, like she challenged him to do at her wedding reception.. just not like she imagined. I think it's great writing. The callbacks.

[@WolfyPlays]

@@AllTheArtsy Not for Criston but she has a choice to do it for herself, when she was young she told her mother she rather live free then be in a place like her, sprouting children, but now she is that and also she and her kids and so many more will suffer and die, all bcoz of a seat and a dream of someone from long ago. Same for alicent, some for corlys, they are dooming themselves and those around them bcoz of petty ambitions.

[@craiggaynier1565]

I think that Aemond saying he heard it from Aegon was a lie. There was a look between Aemond and Alicent before he named Aegon. My interpretation was that he heard it from Alicent, and she knows it, but in that moment when he's being compelled, chooses to name his brother (who bullies him) in order to protect his mother. Aegon looks surprised when he's blamed, and doesn't even give a source where he heard it from other than to say "I mean, come on, it's obvious."

[@savvysmiles1121]

Yeah I believe Aegon even exclaims "me?" right after being named. I thought the same thing you did considering the significant look Aemond gives Alicent before answering. Before Aegon's reaction I thought it might be fear of his mother getting mad at him for implicating his brother but it makes much more sense if he's protecting Alicent.

[@Captain_Insano_nomercy]

Well it is quite obvious. I love how Aegon said so lol

[@crystalraf]

Aemond had to protect his mother. He looked at Alicent, then Viserys looked at her, then he said Aegon, because Aegon is a little shit, and was the only scapegoat that could take the heat.

[@Longshanks1690]

My favourite detail of the episode had to be the lettering lighting up when it was held by the fire, showing the words to the realm but no one’s looking at it because they’re focused on the women instead, symbolising how the important things are once again being ignored in favour of petty political squabbles.

[@benjaminghazi9276]

@Hypatia sa

[@matiasburgos2702]

To me, Daemon laughs at the funeral because even in a scenario where someone important and loved dies, people are still doing some politicking

[@kevinc809]

He laughed at words spoken by Corly's brother about keeping the blood pure (in Valyrian) , thinking about those Strong boys . Even Jace caught it.

[@XaldinX]

@@kevinc809 well yeah his uncle was being shady at his WIFES funeral. Neither the time nor place which is why he ain’t wanna come back.

[@simonjo3915]

Everyone is talking about Daemon being "the good guy" as if he didn't just murder that guard in cold blood :o

[@Kristen_29]

And he killed his wife

[@matpaterson8830]

@@Kristen_29 Among so many other things lol

[@user-yp7ke4et7o]

It pisses me off when daemon dickriders act as if daemon is some kind of epic hero.

[@snuffcarl]

@@Kristen_29 mercykill after an accident

[@Captain_Insano_nomercy]

The Daemon and Rhaenyra simps are so hypocritical and reeking of cognitive dissonance it's unreal. They will go to any length to excuse the evils of their "heroes"

[@FilthyandFree]

Thanks Alt Shift X for these livestreams. It's really lovely to be able to have the community's thoughts discussed each week, and really feels like sitting around talking to friends about the episode.

[@dalelapointe9289]

Its clear the plan was to fake the death Daemon killed the guard while they were fighting if you recall Daemon told him make sure someone sees it, we seen Daemon choke someone out it was the guard then they killed him covering for his death. They never were going to kill him the princess plan was to let him go free because he never wanted to be there in the first place. It gave him a happy ending another future but it allowed them to get married!

[@saiyanmgtow]

But then he can pop up and claim driftmark. R and D want him dead for real.

[@thenymphomancer5592]

And it only cost one guard. Or as GoT says it, “only death can pay for life”

[@olorin4317]

For the the low, low price of one lowborn guard, two noblemen get to secretly seek their fortune in a side war. Rhae and Dae are so smart and charitable.

[@IgnorantWeed]

@@olorin4317 yeah real heros those two

[@mmyehokayyy2]

@@olorin4317 meh Stannis killed people and they still liked him and think he is honorable. if they killed Laenor people are still going to complain how blood thirsty she is. To her a stranger’s life is nothing compared to letting go her friend who she has spent childhood with 🤷‍♂️

[@Lv80Mudkip]

In the fight with the kids I found it to be a nice touch that Aemond was the only one kicking in the fight, which seems to be a byproduct of criston's training.

[@krazieboi96]

Honestly it looked like Criston Cole was going to do something in the chaos of Alicent trying to stab Rhaynera but Daemon stopped him. I noticed that little detail on the side.

[@viceb7]

I caught that too! Nice touch to show that criston can still be humbled

[@chrischika7026]

@@viceb7 what ? He’s the queen sworn protector. He was going to protect her . Also how was he not humbled . He humbled daemon

[@viceb7]

@@chrischika7026 also she didn't need "protecting" as she was literally assaulting someone with a dagger lol

[@chrischika7026]

@@viceb7 thats the exact reason she would need protecting . She put herself in a dangerous situation.

[@george1248]

I cant fucking wait until the next episode Holy shit episode 7 was so fucking good

[@joacobjacob6929]

The fight choreography for the kids fight scene this episode was amazing some of the beats I’ve seen props to whoever made that , the sand in the eyes and knife the way Aemomd handled the four in the beginning all of it made it so fun like a kids tower of joy scene

[@adamcummings20]

Mad props to the young actors too for pulling it off so well

[@onlyfrog]

in some scenes of this episode, for the first time, it really felt like i was watching game if thrones, specially when the kids fought. won't lie, my favorite part of asoiaf is that half of the main characters were children. the psychology of children is amazing, yet it's so difficult to encounter well written kids in works destined to adults. kids went/go to war just as adults do, so it's very interesting to see that aspect of life unfolding in fiction.

[@twiss9341]

Interesting thoughts

[@FlowerTrollSan]

I usually dislike kids and child actors in movies/TV shows, but damn these child actors are all great.

[@ZertusDarkSun]

This new setup is top notch. Having the live chat was super distracting, but having the super chat queue is much better.

[@TheHonoredMadman]

I disagree with the point about corlys support, lucerys and jacerys are both dragonriders so it would still be adding dragonriders to his line, I love that line about history not remembering blood, I was thinking the same thing and then he said it. Corlys is great.

[@asorlokirunarsson9864]

Gods, this was a great episode! In a series where everyone is killed all the time, somone surviving is a fresh new thing

[@twiss9341]

Great final scene lol I was like AYEEEE HE’S ALIVE

[@MusicTechHelpGuy]

Love the audio analogy around 1:45:00. Music producers and audio engineers totally do this! We listen on car speakers, headphones, ear buds, etc. Part of mastering is making sure that the content translates well to all formats.

[@SamudroEntertainment]

Aemond the absolute G. ✅Walked up to the biggest dragon in existence and tamed her. ✅Fought a 4v1 like it was just another Tuesday. ✅Protected his mom. ✅Shrugged off losing an eye, knew he was too buff with two anyway

[@loganmcdougall8647]

Seems pretty easy 2 be a dragon rider just say three words!

[@ExtraVictory]

@@loganmcdougall8647 you need to make the connection for the words to work, it's clearly shown and stated that claiming a dragon is risky. And we know from the books countless have died trying. So yeah, if you make the connection the dragon will obey your three words. If not, you're eaten or incinerated lmfao. And even if you don't read the books and just want to go by the show because you're upset at its massive earthshaking success, you still have no case to make this salty comment because it's clearly established that there are people with true Targaryen dragonblood. That wanted Dragons and were unable to get one for years despite knowing the three words lmfao.

[@shaheenshad5012]

Can't wait to see him commit genocide in the riverlands on just a ego.

[@loganmcdougall8647]

@@ExtraVictory damn I don't know the ancient history of a fantasy show. 2 me a person who has never read the books it looked like a joke that a kid walked up 2 a God and tamed it maybe if they hinted at this it would be better but it just seemed silly

[@MrWolf-ln1gi]

That isn’t going to be the last time something gets stabbed into his eye 🤭

[@tyersalladam4735]

Isn't the burnt body was the guy Daemon killed? Dress him up in Laenor's clothes maybe. If not then what's the point of showing Daemon's sneaky kill.

[@0912sooli]

Yeah, poor guy...

[@tyersalladam4735]

@@0912sooli yeah poor guy. Its also very sad for the Velaryons thinking they lost another child another funeral.

[@Peetjuh1000]

there was a shot that focused on fake laenor's boots when they pulled him out of the fireplace so yeah i think they definitely dressed him in laenor's clothes! also to expell any doubt about the victims identity. definitely a sad way to go for the guard

[@CaloyEdits]

Daemon knew whats happening between the two boy lovers so he offered a quick death. Killing a dark skinned threw it into the fire.

[@patryk_lewandowskiabc]

I know that Driftmark would be now heavily preoccupied with supposed Laenor's death, but like... a different guard just went missing - nobody will wonder what happened to him? And maybe Corlys and Rhaenys can work it out somehow, or Laenor can send them a raven from across the Narrow Sea or w/e

[@612061207120]

Wild to see Daemon helping those boys out at the end.

[@olenickel6013]

Wild to think he and Rhaenyra probably patted each other on the back after all was done "We're so brilliant. We got our marriage of choice, we might get a trueborn son with an indisputable claim out of this marriage, I strengthened my claim, Laenor is happy and now the rumours will be about us being ruthless and not bastard children. And no one was actually hurt in the process" "... except for Laenors parents" "sure, but maybe they can get a letter from Laenor or something that he actually still lives and is happy" "and of course the guard" "who" "the guy you murdered to have a corpse" "what? I... oh, he was lowborn, he doesn't count"

[@Darkstar_Dayne]

@@olenickel6013 Why so sad?

[@12345Yeah]

@@olenickel6013 touch grass

[@glispie]

@@12345Yeah Overused and unoriginal

[@anameofsomesort959]

​@@12345Yeah is this bait?

[@mubasora7221]

i would be worried sick for my parents if i ever did what laenor did at the end lol

[@hycynth82828]

I feel like he could send a letter later on to tell them the truth but after the funeral so people believe he is actually dead thanks to the parents reaction

[@petrfedor1851]

I found wierd he agreed to do that after his sister death and after that convo where he was like "I am gonna be present from Now on"

[@thomy1955]

@@petrfedor1851 maybe he knew that the alternative was his death

[@shrineguard2778]

@@petrfedor1851 Yeah but he would still be denying his identity and sexuality while doing that. And he has always wanted to avoid the politics and the conflict by leaving King's Landing for Driftmark earlier. If Rhaenyra is giving him an easy out while considering his debt to her to be paid, he would gladly take that

[@petrfedor1851]

@@shrineguard2778 Him faking his own death and disappearing is satysfying conclusion of his conflict (on paper) but context and timing seems like most convinient fot Rhaenyra and giant dick move to his whole family. It just doesn´t feel like Laenor making hard decision about his life but writers geting rid of character that stands in way of R+D.

[@jet687]

This episode reminded me so much of The Crown. The silent staring scenes and overall the family gathering. Besides Matt Smith becoming another husband to the queen (to be).

[@kearny07]

“The sea is an escape.” and “Fire is a Prison” Rhaenyra set Laenor free from his prison by allowing him to escape to the sea.

[@Captain_Insano_nomercy]

And she only had to murder one meaningless lowborn servant to do it! She's so great

[@MrFinnytime]

I laughed out loud when Alicent pretty much asked the maester will the eye grow back, as he’s stiching the massive wound 😂😂😂😂

[@hehasaspaceship4229]

My fave part of this episode is when Alicent calls on Christen, his face is like 😳

[@davidgreen3423]

A 3 and a quarter hour Q and A about an hour long episode is why i love Alt Shift X. The north remembers, 10 year old channel but I've got at least 8 years of memories from the content.

[@Beast80001]

Wait is seasmoke up for grabs? If a dragon is bonded to a rider for life, and Laenor is still alive. I feel like given how magical a dragon is, it would have some way of knowing its rider is secretly still alive.

[@NukeWarz101]

If it doesn't follow him, it'll probably just mope around the coast and let no one near. or permanent entrapment in the dragon pit.

[@kateris1976]

The writers threw the lore out the window just to please a certain group of people. Unless Laenor dies later on in Essos, there is no way they can explain how Seasmoke is claimed by another rider. In the books, it is fairly established that dragons can sense if their rider is alive and even fly out to search for them.

[@gloriaklint]

In the source material, is it bonded to its rider until their death 'death'? I'm not a reader just want some clarity. If its not that way, maybe there is loophole? Like bonded up until willful abandonment or something.

[@kateris1976]

@@gloriaklint No, they are bonded until death. There are even dragons that never accept another rider, but in any case there is no mention anywhere about willful parting or anything of the sort. This is certainly a plothole unless they come up with an explanation in the show somehow.

[@gloriaklint]

@@kateris1976 thanks for clarifying. Let's wait and watch. Maybe he'd come back during the war. And die soon. Or have an offscreen death. Let's see

[@WaniZame]

Viserys might be 30s in the books but they aren’t playing for that in the show, they’ve aged everyone up. Viserys is clearly supposed to be about 50 but the disease makes him look 75. They wouldn’t cast Paddy if they wanted you to think he was 30. Daemon around 40 and the Queen and the Princess late 20s. Remember it’s 10 years between episode 5 and episode 6. That would mean Alicent would have had to have been at least 14 then but is probably nearer 18.

[@tite93]

I feel like George is just pretty bad with ages in general. Like he took an assumption that everyone in the medieval times married extremely young and had a very short life expectancy and just extrapolated it to everyone. It's better to age everyone up so the child marriages and people being senile and decrepit in their 40's makes a bit more sense

[@WaniZame]

@@tite93 yeah totally agree with that. I think Alt is a bit odd in that when accepts the show “ are taking a detour with the timeline” but can’t comprehend them taking liberties with the ages of characters. The audience of HOTD are much happier if you aren’t trying to tell them Paddy Considine is playing a 30 year old when he probably has kids that age in real life.

[@roiscavel3923]

I think it makes sense how no one cares about Aemond claiming Vhagar and just brush it off. Like it's nothing but tradition, a common thing for a Targaryen prince. We know war is coming because we know how the story ends. But for them, specially Rhaenyra and Alicent, there's still a chance to avoid it: Alicent thinking "decency will prevail" without going into the details, Rhaenyra thinking Alicent incapable of murder even after she rejected her peace offer. At least until the eye thing. And even then, instead of being hateful about it, Alicent couldn't help but opening herself up about her burden, her grief, her pain. Only Otto and Rhaenys have ever talked about war: Otto because of his ambition and as a way to put his blood on the Throne; Rhaenys because she understands how men like Otto and Corlys think and has experienced it first hand.

[@chinyereugwu9431]

What do you think Allicent was talking about when she said to her son that he is the challenge to the current heir? How do you think coups happen? They are licked on by kisses and not accomplished by chats. She knows full well and is preparing her sons for war just like Rhaenyra also deep down knows that she might have to fight her usurpers. Hence why she tells Leanor to bring his lover since they need every sword they can mutter.

[@naomi.cannibal]

Jace and Luke are dragon riders. Jace has Vermax and Luke has Arrax. Yes they’re not Velaryons and they are bastards, but they (like Baela and Rhaena) both have a Targaryen parent. The only leg up Baela and Rhaena have is Rhaenys actually being their grandmother, but this doesn’t seem to matter much. Rhaenys herself is half Baratheon-half Targaryen, which shows us you probably only need to be half Targaryen to be a dragon rider, which Jace and Luke are. The succession problem Corlys and Rhaenys are discussing isn’t how “Targaryen” Jace and Luke are (which would mean dragons- which they have), but how “Velaryon” they are- which they aren’t. But if Luke “Velaryon” would have had a child with another Targaryen his children would’ve likely been dragon riders too and carried the Velaryon name.

[@AllTheArtsy]

Yeah, Alt (do we know his name lol i dont know his name) really misspeaking/making mistakes a lot on this one hehh.. What Corlys means when he says "history does not remember blood, it remembers names" is that at least Laenor's sons are Velaryon. They will keep the family name going. Laena's daughters are Targaryen. Once she marries, the older's husband would be lord of Driftmark. And their family name would disappear. That's why despite those boys not being his son's, he's kinda accepted it, I guess. I don't even know if he's thinking of dragonrider blood in particular

[@naomi.cannibal]

@@AllTheArtsy Exactly. I think his primary goal is that someone with the name of Velaryon is Lord of Driftmark, which would be impossible w Baela/ Rhaena. That’s all he’s concerned about. He’s also never seemed shown that much interest in the dragons, or at least doesn’t see them as an essential part of his “legacy”. Also, regardless of the kids not being Laenor’s, he knew Laenor was gay and probably also knows that Laenor was well aware his sons weren’t his and chose to accept them anyway, as Corlys is doing. Rhaenyra might be lying to the world but I think Corlys knows she wasn’t playing dumb with Laenor too

[@chumuheha]

What's the threshold for how much Targaryen blood you need to ride dragons? Wasn't Robert Baratheon like a quarter Targaryen? Could he ride dragons if they still existed at his time?

[@naomi.cannibal]

@@chumuheha see that’s what I don’t know! The books make it seem like half, but with the dragonseeds I don’t think we got full confirmation on how “Targaryen” all of them were. Maybe it’s at least half. Because I feel like at a certain point anyone could ride a dragon, including gendry who would only be like 1/8 targ 😂

[@davekenny8774]

Its not Targaryen blood but Valyrian blood. Both the Velaryon and Baratheons were of the blood of Old Valaryia.

[@For_The_Watch]

I thought it was pretty cool how you could really see Criston’s fighting style come out in the boys, especially Aemond, but also the strong boys with the hook and the crook sand throw / stab

[@neli.a]

re: fighting style of Criston, the children etc, please keep in mind they ALL originated with one man: Rowley Irlam. Professor stunt coordinator / director for GoT & HotD. He’s amazing

[@For_The_Watch]

@@neli.a I don’t pay all that much attention to the BTS stuff, but huge shoutout to him. I swear I could hear criston coaching Aemond during that fight scene. So good

[@AllTheArtsy]

The best episode of the season so far! Absolutely handled the claiming of Vhagar and the ensuing fight with the children and the mothers. The tensions continue to amp up and the battle lines have now been drawn. Say a prayer for Viserys, he is holding this whole thing together with his one semi-okay arm. I'm glad Laenor gets a happy ending. But what about Seasmoke? Did Laenor just throw really large rocks at them? 😅 Also, idk, to me personally, what is the advantage that Daemon brings (except of course himself, Dark Sister and Caraxes, which, fine, is a lot but...) He has no titles, no lands, no armies, no allies. He's more of a political liability, in a way, kinda, no?

[@arawn1061]

Well he mostly brings Daemon. He probably becomes one of Rhaenyras greatest assets/liabilities in the war

[@nicholassmieleski9710]

Caraxes is one of the strongest dragons (as we find out later, but also kind of already know,) Daemon’s also a war hero/almost legend due to his beating of the Crabfeeder. Not only is a strong dragon worth more than an army, but his reputation is worth a ton too. We see it in the main series, but potential allies weigh how likely one side is to win a war and Daemon’s proven himself as a good commander. Spoilers: Aemond later recognizes Daemon as the real danger on the Blacks and thinks they’ll fall apart without him, and he thinks that for good reason.

[@Darkstar_Dayne]

Daemon is Daemon he doesn't need land and titles, at the age of 20 he raised an army of 2000 men to support Viserys' claim during the great council of 101 AC He led the Valaryon army against 3 powerful cities so he has a lot of experience in art of war

[@nashwise4everGM]

@@nicholassmieleski9710 That's because they are alike, being a second son of the royal family.

[@SantomPh]

Daemon hired a big army of sellswords,second sons and other people to take the Stepstones. He has his dragon and Dark Sister and his own prowess of course. What he brings is his name-he is an undisputed Targaryen whose brother was king. Rhaenyra is dangerously short of male Targaryens on her end despite her three boys having dragonseed. Daemon was not wanted by Otto and others on the throne: the enemies of those people would want to support Daemon.

[@Tormund_Giantsbrain]

That “where is duty, where is sacrifice” scene…Olivia Cooke doing some Dinklage level lifting there. The agony, the passion! That’s a Emmy nomination scene. “We Know Father. Everyone Knows”. That’s Aegon’s “the Prince will remember that little Lord” moment. Aemond taming Vhagar & holding his own in a 1v4 makes him the real chad in my eyes. Only wholesome moment, our Prince resting his head on his mom’s shoulder to let her know she can depend on him. Last but not least, GOATTO Hightower with the coldest win or you die reference, “we play an ugly game”...and I’m the meme of Homer Simpson decked out in a green tee, sitting on green cushions, wearing a Hightower snapback, holding a Go Greens flag with a Alicent poster on the wall😂. Meanwhile checking in on Blacks: “What is honor compared to a woman’s uncle”-Maester Aemon 😳

[@Scribbby]

I miss Milly Alcock (the actor that played young Rhaenyra). The way she enunciates her High Valyrian tongue is still unbeaten for me. It flows so well and you can hear the sophisticated and elegant tone of the language through her voice.

[@WTFiTzFlow]

This guy deserves all the thumbs up. Excellent channel. I make it a priority to watch these three hour videos because I’m so grateful that you make them.

[@rylace]

The chatter calling Rhaenyra a narcissist for wanting to fulfill her desires is such a wild baseless classic armchair psychologist take. Most of the consequences she doesn't care for are stupid bullshit enforced by an ignorant society anyways. She isn't a narcissist for for being rebellious, that's not what that word means.

[@nas2817]

I feel a bit sad for poor Jace who knew Harwin is his dad and said we should be mourning for him and his grandsire.

[@damien8438]

Yeah and plus he was the oldest and probably had a tight bond

[@calemurphy4433]

I feel bad for Luke, who still doesn’t know the full truth.

[@JRF32100]

What could Viserys have done? Alicent wanted nothing less than an eye for an eye which is flat out not an option. Everyone knows that Rhaenyra wouldn't allow it to happen, or if they did she would have promptly hopped on her dragon and started a war over that. Daemon may have killed the person trying to take the eye, which would also have started a war. Either way, any sort of justice that would have been acceptable to Alicent in her moment of rage would have escalated things beyond repair. I feel sorry for the man. He wants nothing but peace and has tried everything he or his advisors can think of to attain it, but no one else is trying. His daughter and heir is acting recklessly. His wife is paranoid, bitter and will not make amends with his daughter or accept her olive branch. Everyone around him acts like idiots who just want to fight. His best move honestly was to do the dad thing and yell to ensure everyone in the room sees exactly how fed up with their BS that he is.

[@PP-vr1cf]

I also dont see why exactly Viserys is a terrible king? Everyone around him is literally constantly trying to start a civil war. Alicent should have accepted the marriage proposal from Rhaenyra and all would be done.

[@MasterDeroy]

He shagged and married his daughters best friend. Reap what you sow as they say.

[@thorCast]

Well he has a few options, but doing nothing is definitely not one of them. Allicent attacked the hier to the throne, in an attempt to maim the heirs child. Allicent is just a queen, that's it. At the very least she should have been confined to chambers, better still sent away to Hightower never to return, and if he wanted to follow the letter of the law, she should have been executed. She disarmed the king and attacked his heir. Queen or not 99% of kings would have had her head for that. Viserys doesn't need her, she's produced him kids and their grown. She over stepped wildly. Second, with his sons committing treason by naming the future king a bastard, he has two options, he can disinherit her and and her sons and acknowledge the affair, but if he wants to keep her as heir he can't let that slide. Again he has a few options, executing allicent will send a strong message to everyone that the king is not gonna tolerate treachery and questioning of his heir, but he could also send aegon away, squire him to the baratheons, or Tullys. Shit send him to the starks or the wall if you really wanna teach him a lesson, but again you can't let that slide. Those kids are second sons, they're not in line to the throne. Rheynera and all three of her kids would have to die before they inherit so why are they still hanging around the castle anyways. Either way doing nothing is not the answer, he's a king and he was humiliated, his weapon was taken by a women and used to attack his hier and he stood by and did nothing.

[@espeka1207]

@@PP-vr1cf Rhaenyra offering to marry a bastard to a princess is probably the most insulting thing she could do from a Westerosi viewpoint. Alicent would probably accept a mouldy egg sandwich before she accepted that marriage. Viserys' willful blindness on the issue of the bastards is what makes him a bad king. That, and continuing to allow Daemon free reign.

[@PP-vr1cf]

@@espeka1207 But what is he supposed to do? Kill his grandchildren. The succession is in place, if the Hightowers werent scheming there wouldnt be a civil war. It really doesnt matter that they are bastards, with the backing of Corlys and the King. Worst Case Rhaenyra could legitimize them anyway.

[@100SLViks]

Did y'all catch the way Otto Hightower described his grandson? "That rogue Aemond" 👀

[@TheOfficialEpicTree]

I'm loving how team Green is coming together and I'm on board. Their just so evil and cool (some of them are cooler than others, but still.)

[@EL-ISS]

The way Luke screamed when Alicent came at him with the dagger made me laugh so hard. Everyone was yelling then there's this high pitched shriek throughout all of it 😂💀

[@henrygroya1685]

I mean if Criston had attacked Luke for Alicent, Viserys probably would have him killed. So it kinda makes sense that he didn’t do anything there.

[@Kittyapoc]

I feel like we haven’t seen Viserys make an actual decision in like 10 years or whenever he kicked Otto out. Who knows honestly maybe Cole would of been safe, viserys still needs a few years to charge up his next decision

[@Nick94956]

"There are no Strongs alive anymore." I mean Larys was literally in this episode though

[@user-yp7ke4et7o]

Lmao 😂

[@tonyiommi2380]

But larys ia weak...

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

@@tonyiommi2380 not completely!

[@dav552]

@@Gadget-Walkmen man's take out a whole house " Weak "

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

@@dav552 lol yeah, he's FAR from being "weak". You don't need physical strength to prove yourself that you're a force to be reckoned with.

[@tite93]

And the thing about Ser Cole killing Joffrey and not having his hands broken - he was wearing gauntlets at the wedding

[@ericcelestino2170]

It's pretty clear that King Viserys condition worsens whenever Otto is around. That man might actually be responsible for plugging the kingdom to war

[@RatKingTerry]

It is odd that he was dying so fast when Otto was hand originally, then lived 10 years and gets ill again when he comes back

[@Aemond2024]

Idk. The longer Viserys is around the longer he has got to prepare Aegon and search allies

[@snuffcarl]

I totally think he is littlefinger 2.0

[@masterm8664]

@@RatKingTerry the Grand Maester changed in the 10 year time jump, from Mellos to Orwyle. Maybe that's what stabilized Viserys. It's also implied that Mellos was in kahoots with Otto and was making him stay sick.

[@barissaaydinn]

@@snuffcarl He is too much around to be littlefinger. He is like a slightly less competent, more sneaky version of Tywin imo

[@adamcummings20]

Feels bad for Mineth in the superchats, man donated 100 dollars and got skipped after missing ASX reading his first chat hahaha

[@Josh-tn3hj]

Halaena was predicting how there will two different Targaryen banners soon.

[@aedanryan]

Yeah I think that's absolutely correct

[@tokidoki3405]

I also like how the show avoided the "kill your gays" trope by letting Laenor run off overseas. He'd been talking about wanting to go. He gets to have his cake and eat it too, which is already rare enough in asoiaf lol

[@Captain_Insano_nomercy]

Sigh Except it fucks with canon and opens plotholes, but sure let's make people feel good at all costs

[@DisappearingBunny]

I think the laughter at the funeral is a nod to the real phenomenon, some people in the midst of grief inexplicably start laughing at inappropriate times. Not on purpose, but probably because of emotional trauma, lack of sleep, shock of it all, disbelief etc. It fits him so well. What a detail.

[@Aemond2024]

Nah he was laughing about what the salty uncle said about the pure blood

[@JRF32100]

I mean, Rhaenyra and Daemon still murdered a presumably innocent person. Just because she didn't have Laenor killed doesn't absolve her from that.

[@7Nebulae7]

No high born person in that universe cares about the common folk. The dude was just another red shirt.

[@Captain_Insano_nomercy]

Oh don't worry, and the team black simps will gloss over this or ignore it altogether because they can't stand the uncomfortable truth about their "heroes". Seriously at times it depresses me how quickly Martin's message is lost on the viewers

[@FlowerTrollSan]

@@Captain_Insano_nomercy Yeah, also the fact that Daemon, you know, killed his wife with a rock. But "go team black!" fanatics will just ignore all that. 😂 I'm not team green, I'm just neutral and enjoy the show and the books, but I really don't get all the hate for Alicent, tbh, and all the blind love for Rhaenyra and Daemon. Not to mention the romanticizing of incest, yuck.

[@Captain_Insano_nomercy]

@@FlowerTrollSan it does truly puzzle me. After reading fire and blood when it came out, I never would have guessed Rhaenyra would be as loved as she is in the show. I mean wtf. I think part of it has to be deliberate by the show runners, like maybe they want to do a flip halfway through where Rhae becomes more of a villain, e.g. Daenarys, but that's all I can hope, and even that to me is a lame reduction and oversimplification for the sake of the dumb audience

[@Captain_Insano_nomercy]

@@FlowerTrollSan unfortunately I think much of it is simply trigger happy feminists who will stan any character, regardless of moral character and integrity, who even remotely represents modern feminist ideals

[@Rhyssurfsonseals]

Actually really liked the change to the canon with Laenor's escape, proves the show still has the ability to surprise book fans (though it's been more than good telling a definitive version of gyldayn's history). Laenor living could give an explaination as to why seasmoke remains riderless for a decade-ish until claimed by a dragonseed as his true rider may live on in Essos for an undefined period of time. Unless there were no real potential claimants in that time and all with blood had dragons, but eitherway the period without a rider is plausable as violent deaths are so common in the story Laenors survival in this instance doesn't rule out his later off-screen death.

[@SanyaTheShe]

One of Daemon's girls still doesn't have a dragon, so Seasmoke did have a potential rider. I agree that Laenor being alive and well in Essos explains why Seasmoke remained riderless. It's also one of the reasons the kids got so angry at Aemond - the boys were mad because he called them bastards, but the girls were mad because Rhaena didn't have a dragon and instead of getting Vhagar, which would make sense since it was her late mother's dragon, she now not only stayed without one, but had to deal with Aemond "stealing" it from her.

[@diskeyes]

Canon, for future reference

[@peaceminded5512]

Corlyss was willing to overlook his legitimate grandchildren in the same way his wife was overlooked. That realization on her face was just insult to injury.

[@olorin4317]

This is one of like two smart comments in this whole section.

[@HOTD108_]

@@olorin4317 Ok buddy.

[@3s_muycar0]

Girl this episodeeeee, drama at its highest form and I lived for every second of it! The kids esp had me engaged in their petty ass fight, Aemon a punk tho for picking that rock and planning to chuck it at his lil nephew/cousin. Alicent and Rhynera going tit for tat too! Alicent has been sitting on that animosity for the longest and it was delicious 😌😌😌

[@katrinaf248]

I like how Corlys is handling it. Laenor called the boys his sons and loved them. For all intents and purposes, he adopted them because he knew they were not his but loved them anyway. I've always wanted to adopt but my family has cautioned me against it because then my children wouldn't actually be "mine" Jace and Luke and Joffrey ARE Corlys's grandchildren because, like he says, they have his name. I love it

[@hycynth82828]

Same! And if they want the blood thing too they could easily marry them with Laeny’s daughters

[@onlyfrog]

i love it too.

[@himani8927]

yeah I thought it was sweet and pretty practical as well.

[@Gekokujo76]

His point was that their power was tied up in the last name of the children (Valyrion until it switches to Targ if they are on the throne) and not whether they were of their blood. That is different than "I love my adopted grandkids".....Otto Hightower style different.

[@katrinaf248]

@@Gekokujo76 i know what his point was and I never claimed he loved them but the sentiment is one I resonate with, regardless of the meaning behind it It's Velaryon btw

[@laurenmichero9003]

I think Rhaenyra was present and in the moment with Daemon on the beach but then she was staring off like she was thinking about what’s to come. She holds onto his hair and neck like she finally got what she wanted. She wanted to be with him but she also wants him as her ally. She has felt alone for so long with him being away for all those years and now that Harwyn is gone and she has Daemon back, she feels stronger and more emboldened. Having the guy she’s wanted to be with back in her life (who is not only a fighter but a dragon rider) is a powerful thing. Just look how Alicent has changed now that she has Otto and Cristin and Larys by her side. They aren’t exactly dragon riders but she has several kids that are

[@shockwave1126]

Agree. Daemon is her source of strength- she claimed her own dragon in the flesh here.

[@leanc8906]

Daemon killed a Velaryon servant on stairs and that was the body used.

[@WaniZame]

You see Daemon kill the guy who they use. He was one of the serving boys for the Valeryon, they picked someone with the same skin tone.

[@willharwell1055]

HBO really needs to send the HOTD episodes to Shift beforehand.

[@rundownthriftstore]

“We’re gonna wrap this stream up soon” *Goes for another hour* Edit: I feel so betrayed that I went ahead and subscribed to that Alt Schwift X guy!

[@thomasalegredelasoujeole9998]

It’s an interesting episode too as expectations shift ; Daemon and Rhaneyra have been mellowed and humbled by their years of arranged marriages to Velaryon kids, and by parenthood. They appear to have had some serious « adulting » going on, and measuring up to their past mistakes and/or failures has humbled them. And both seem to have taken to healthier ways of relating to court. Rhaenyra by her peace offerings to Alicent, and accepting to pay more (at least lip) service to courtly appearances ; and Daemon by staying away from the debauchery and intrigues of King’s landing. Even their kids appear to have been raised first and foremost into loving kinship. By contrast ; Alicent seems to devolve into a petulant Karen, drunk on her power that rises proportionately to Viserys’s decline, and while the blacks appear to gain in decency, she appears to lose in direct contrast. While the greens seemed the do-gooders, ambitious, but ultimately rather decent, they now appear as power-hungry, conniving social climbers (Larys, second son, killing his kin to become Lord of Harrenhal ; Otto, second son, throwing his teen daughter at the King to secure both his position as hand, and as a future King’s grandfather, Criston Cole having lost his honour and illusion as a Kingsguard, to become the Queen’s blade at court, etc). The Green children are being raised as tools for power, rather than a loving family. Even betrothing Aegon to his sister Haelena, which is a Targaryen custom that disgusts Westerosi. Something in Stark contrast with the affection the children of Rhaenyra and Daemon show for each other’s. It’s a notable reversal from the depiction of the factions in the first 5 episodes…

[@Captain_Insano_nomercy]

Bullshit Maybe you missed it but Rhaenyra and Daemon just murdered an innocent man to complete their little scheme. Forget about him? Or does his life not matter because he's lowborn? The Black nobles aren't worth simping over because they don't give a fuck who they use as long as they get their way

[@chinyereugwu9431]

Agreed.

[@lalakuma9]

Rhaenyra gets half her arm sliced by a Valyrian steel knife -- no big deal Viserys gets a tiny cut on his finger from sitting on the throne -- gets infected, entire arm rotted off, is slowly dying

[@msanjelica]

He's needs Arya Stark's healer.

[@jacksonellis5865]

So I noticed that earlier in the episode, Rhaenyra said she couldn't believe that Allicent had it in her to participate in the deaths of the Strongs but in the behind the episode, the show runners say that when Allicent attacks her, they say she's willing to take that cut to finally see if Allicent is indeed capable of going the extra mile

[@olorin4317]

Like Gandalf, Alt Shift X is beholden to no mortal and shows up when he damn well pleases.

[@Candace-Loves]

Aemonds' ride on Vaghar is, I think, a cinematic masterpiece. Like, holy crap.

[@adamcummings20]

I had a huge smile on my face that whole scene, I was thinking "Ok, maybe I am now on team Aemond" Then he punched a little girl in the face lmao

[@lujoviste]

@@adamcummings20 tbf she punched him first

[@iiSomeCrazyBrosii]

Great episode, can't wait for the finale!!

[@OKEplisionX]

I like that you’ve moved the super chats out of frame, I remember last week a few bits of the screenshots were being covered. Keep it up X, love your videos, especially your GoT ones!

[@Candace-Loves]

Larys has the creepiest smile I've ever seen, after talking to Alicent on the ship.

[@tite93]

I think Viserys is supposed to be older in the Show, maybe in his 50's or even 60's

[@aedanryan]

I feel like that's obviously true, we can't go by official birthdates here

[@paulbarry3400]

Gotta say, huge difference between what Viserys is facing here with the fight - proper serious unrecoverable damage and claims of bastardy that will shake the kingdom, and what Robert faced with Arya and Joffrey. For those who say Viserys handled it badly, how could it have been handled well?

[@DatNiceDude]

Make a fucking decision! Even if it’s a bad one. Stand on something. He’s a weak king. Either publicly stand with Alicent or Rhynaera, but don’t just ignore the situation.

[@jessjess23brooks89]

@@DatNiceDude Yeah, instead of threatening to take someone's eyes or tongue, like maybe do it? Set a precedence of punishment to deter people from calling the heir a bastard or they just won't stop with the rumors. No one seems afraid to say "treasonous" things because Viserys isn't backing up his threats.

[@Aemond2024]

Investigate the rumors, accept Rhaenyra is a traitor, kill her, kill her kids and name Aegon heir, done.

[@Hades_Orkos]

Call another great council in harranehall and have the lord's vote on the matter the winner is made heir with their children to inherit afterward the problem is the laws of succession have been set before and they are breaking them by having a woman heir

[@mellohi2899]

he could admit that rhaenyra is a thot and disinherit her

[@silveratlas2706]

Viserys : "How could you allow such a thing to happen! ". Dude, that's basically the description of your time as king👑😂

[@made-line7627]

When you sense that a somewhat weird character has a crush on you, it's a filthy feeling and I don't envy Alicent. Not. Going. To. End. Well. It _was_ funny that she had to tell him to read the room and be a bit less conspicuous.

[@TheRealTri]

Jesus Christ I was watching this halfway into my night shift and it just now ended. Jumped on for like an hour in the beginning

[@untroubledwaters2137]

it is only three hours long. You only work six hour shifts?

[@TheRealTri]

@@untroubledwaters2137Why do you care

[@sherwood7hp]

The corpse (fake Laenor) in the fireplace was the guard that Daemon killed on the stairs RIGHT before that scene.

[@Captain_Insano_nomercy]

Poor innocent lowborn man who loses his life so the highborn nobles can scheme and plot

[@TheAlexkon3]

I am so worried about Daeron. No mention of him and the only thing we can go off on is something from the leaks and (presumably) Alicents cogwheel having 4 lines in the intro

[@7deuc2e38]

He should be born the next episode, the kids ages are not the same as they are in the book so I'm guessing he's just younger in the show

[@channelname3127]

Ok I may be wrong but I noticed her putting her hands over her stomach a lot in episode 7, so I think she may be pregnant? I am not sure obviously, but like when she was pregnant before she would constantly hold her stomach, so I think it may be a sign??

[@AlexisBii]

I really don't like how they're making both Larys and Daemon out to be super obvious, openly evil villains. I find Larys especially hard to believe - I do think he's evil but his lines and actions are almost laughably evil and super obvious. From the books I got the feeling that he was calling the shots from the shadows and never revealed his hand fully to anyone, as his true motivations remained unknown even in the end. That being said, I hope they create a complicated or even slightly morally grey villain in Aemond. He's such a fascinating character and certainly a stone-cold killer but there's definitely potential for emotional complexity that I hope they explore and not skip in favor of dragonfights lmao

[@mysteriousstranger2695]

They pretty much wasted daemon but there is still chance for larys and aemond

[@michaelkeaton5394]

i like that reanyra and deamon's kid are bonding along, when veagar is claimed daemon's daughter could go to their grand father or the king but no they form a medieval goonies to go check what's happenig, that's cool

[@Sacri8492]

When Luke said "I don't want it" I got a Season 8 PTSD!

[@michaelbuick6995]

Viserys was about 18 when Rhaenyra was born, and Rhaenyra is about 14 in episode 1. So Viserys is about 32 when Aemma dies, and about 36 when Rhaenyra marries Laenor, which makes him about 46 as of episode 7, give or take a year.

[@yamochanchan]

I wonder... As Laenor survived... And Seasmoke will be in the story later... How who that work? Unless they kill him off later it would be quite an issue when it comes to claming dragons. As far as we know Only one person can be bound to a dragon and from the texts this is a very strong emotional connection. We see that in the books with Dreamfyre for example. I wonder if they will simply switch Dragons? As in giving Grey Ghost the role of being ridden while Seasmoke dies in its place? I know its a theory of course and they could simply say "Oh well Seasmoke thought Laenor was dead!" But that would be pretty weak I think...

[@shaheenshad5012]

I guess leanor will return, seasmoke is too op to doscard

[@sierotkamarysia4199]

Maybe they will just kill him off screen. Or perhaps cut Addam entirely, which I wouldn't like.

[@Beebee_187]

Or give addam a different dragon

[@InquisitorThomas]

OR ADDAM IS SECRETLY LAENOR IN DISGUISE!!!

[@merrittanimation7721]

Maybe Seasmoke will confuse Addam for Laenor, since Addam's (allegedly) Laenor's son.

[@OhHeBustin]

Yes dude hold the writers accountable, this channel is popular and a reason why hotd is so well written and I'm so here for it