House of the Dragon S1E09 Explained

This video has no spoilers for House of the Dragon beyond Episode 9. It does have spoilers for the original Game of Thrones show.
Weekly Alt Shift X HOTD livestreams every Sunday at ~10:15pm Eastern Time, right after each episode -- then an Explained video later in the week!
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Images and video from Game of Thrones used under fair use.
Images from The World of Ice and Fire used with permission from Random House.
Map from The Lands of Ice and Fire.
Aegon I by Magali Villeneuve: www.magali-villeneuve.com
Targ triangles art by NaomiMakesArt: / naomimakesart / naomimakesart
Maelor by Sofia Golovanova: www.artstation.com/jdwis
Mushroom and Eustace by Rossy Does Drawings: / rossysculpts
Special thanks to Patrons Cameron Weiss, Ryan Steele, Harry, Shane Veglia, Jason Rattray, NotGac, Tim Cunniff, Tessa Campbell-Kelly, T. Ledoux, Ord X, Ruven Dewender, Doctor Folter, MaxPal, Jake.
#HotD

[@AltShiftX]

Who's hotter, Erryk or Arryk? Get a free audiobook with an Audible trial: www.audible.com/asx

[@lukebarroso449]

Erryk definitely

[@gaecha]

Better question : who's hotter, Shwift or Shift ?

[@alkasah4softs129]

@@gaecha we all know the answer

[@-Scrapper-]

@@gaecha it's obviously Danny DeVito

[@thyagosaints]

Arryk

[@alearnedman]

@6:12 Otto definitely does NOT tell Harold to arrest Rhaenyra. "Be quick, and be clean" is clearly a subtle order to murder her and her family

[@tylerbaldwin3269]

Oh yeah, he definitely meant for the kingsguard to take out Rhaenyra

[@vikingthedude]

Yeah he was asking them to take care of her. And not in a good way

[@kennywilson5422]

@@extremeusace4189 her youngest child is an infant 🤣

[@macsmith2013]

@@redacted5035 Yeah, especially on a video that is explicitly not spoilery. Some people just suck, and unfortunally KZbin doesn't allow blocking certain people's comments.

[@StormBlessedxo]

@@extremeusace4189 lol reported

[@romanrhodes815]

Helaena Targaryen is the Patchface we didn't get in the original series

[@merrittanimation7721]

Damn you're right.

[@mayureshrasam1708]

can you explain me why ?

[@merrittanimation7721]

@@mayureshrasam1708 Patchface, Stannis’s jester in the books, tells a bunch of cryptic phrases that almost everyone ignores but we as readers recognize as prophesies. Helaena is the same

[@puffmoneyo3590]

Facts but patchface was the bringer of the atlantic aramada

[@austin1470]

@@puffmoneyo3590 holy shit, you’re right

[@TimeBucks]

They really did an awesome job casting this show

[@ngoctannguyen9776]

Great video

[@AverageAlien]

well not really

[@TheKingOfRooks]

@@AverageAlien who do you think was miscast

[@AverageAlien]

@@TheKingOfRooks think? I know half of the Velaryons were miscast.

[@ayeshaanjum8163]

Very good

[@stephenmoney4722]

I love how the Twin Kingsguard are as if Jaime was split in two characters

[@user-yp7ke4et7o]

Which one f**ks their sister?

[@HOTD108_]

Hopefully at least one of them will care for the people, innocent or otherwise.

[@calamondin8918]

​@@HOTD108_ shade has been thrown 😅

[@katliit9442]

@@HOTD108_ Burn them all... Burn them all...

[@Domee894]

When Alicent called Aegon an imbecile I actually thought she meant: "You imbecile, of course, I love you, how can you even ask that?" She even smiles lightly when she says that. But at the same time, she's not capable of actually saying she loves him so that's her way of expressing it.

[@eliasmagus5086]

I thought that's what she meant

[@kevinw712]

the more I've thought about it, I don't necessarily think it's a "does she love him or not" kind of thing. I think the one prime possibility is what you've described, versus her saying that in, "whether I love you is irrelevant, that's the last thing you should be concerned with right now, you can't look this needy as a king"

[@felicianofrontado3134]

Or... she doesn't love him.

[@LuzikArbuzik77]

@@felicianofrontado3134 I think this line is meant to be ambiguous

[@felicianofrontado3134]

@@LuzikArbuzik77 Good point. Maybe it was meant to have multiple meanings indeed :O

[@socialistbatman1211]

Criston is totally the“nice guy” that kills a girl that doesn’t reciprocate his feelings.

[@faustsiftar7683]

Criston is a classic beta, as opposed to Ser Harrold the sigma

[@celozzip]

yawn

[@NovaLena22]

He's a medieval version of a psycho incel who kills at will.

[@mohgceoofblood8235]

You are joking right xD Criston avoided death, gained titles,made Harwin admit by pushing him, then outlived him, and helped to keep Rhanyra out of the throne she didn't deserve.He isn't bitter because she turned him down, he is because she continued this life of cheating the rules, and getting away with things, and expecting rest to follow.Rhanyra does bad things and expects approval where she doesn't deserve it for it.

[@kennyhudson9201]

@@mohgceoofblood8235 LOL. How has she cheated the rules? What is she getting away with? Oh no, a woman had sex before marriage. That's evil and cheating. LOL. Give me a break. Sexist men don't like Rhaenyra.

[@_CrissoN]

Anyone else notice how the conqueror's crown is too big for Aegon's head? The symbolism is everywhere in this episode

[@Tzinacacihuatl]

Yes I thought it was going to fall off his head in that shot

[@Savage-nv6wr]

​@@Tzinacacihuatl women ☕

[@NeroLucife666]

Wrong.

[@PatrickCebron-yg8jg]

No he is wearing crown a little back,thats all

[@murilofreire4569]

This entire series is Full on simbolism. Hotd > Got

[@antrayen1979]

Also notice how Aegon looked so depressed walking towards his coronation, but once he received a standing ovation from the people his confidence increased, because it was the first time he was recognized and appreciated, after years of being used, rejected, scorned and ignored by Alicent and Otto.

[@eliasmagus5086]

And Viserys

[@ItamarO93]

Might be the 1st time he experienced something other than contempt from anyone...

[@antrayen1979]

@@eliasmagus5086 and Viserys

[@jostockton.]

Alicent is literally the only person who's loved him.... I think you confused her with Viserys? 😂

[@basilkhan7550]

@@jostockton. She literally said he isn't her son?

[@TheGreatAndEpicMe]

HOTD really makes both Rhaenyra and Alicent more sympathetic, their book versions seem more evil and conniving

[@mysweetsummerchild]

It makes sense when you think that the f&b book may be villainizing them due to the misogny in westeros

[@Al-ji4gd]

@@mysweetsummerchild That's such a stupid point and I hate that it exists.

[@mysweetsummerchild]

@@Al-ji4gd How is it stupid? I agree with the op but you can’t ignore the fact that this book was written by a man in a misogynistic time who never actually knew any of these women. It’s quite sensible to assume that they may be villainized or painted as worse that they actually were. I argue that taking mushroom at his word takes away from the unreliable narrator and from the uniqueness and different povs that f&b offers us. I still believe that they made Alicent and Rhaenyra way too sympathetic but it wasn’t without reason.

[@Al-ji4gd]

@@mysweetsummerchild Ok, I can understand your point to some extent, it just annoys me. They may be villainised or painted in a worse light than they actually were but I think there's aa much more interesting story to tell than ''oh, these women weren't as bad as history says they were, so let's make this a story about the patriarchy''. Some of the writers had issues about making Rhaenyra chubby after several pregnancies for that very reason, for Christ's sake. I also think that they made them too sympathetic, it's almost like they're scared to portray any female character as villainous, self-serving or power-hungry in any way and want to paint them all as victims of the patriarchy.

[@AtomicR-Word]

@@Al-ji4gd the show is explicitly about patriarchy. The central conflict is a succession crisis, for fucks sake.

[@katyalupochev9589]

Poor Alicent during that feet scene. She had the same dead-eyed dissociative look she’d have when Viserys would send for her in the middle of the night

[@angryerika]

we need that foot fucker gone NEEEOWWW

[@ondra5849]

Yesssss she even says the same thing "the hour is late". I really felt bad for her. She's the QUEEN, what's supposed to be the 2nd or 3rd most important person in the realm but has to resort to selling her feet for info. Shame.

[@gray7433]

I'm not shaming the foot kink, but I will shame the hell out of the manipulation. Larys made my skin crawl with that more than killing his own family.

[@KhoaLe-uc2ny]

Medieval Only Fans

[@imtired9395]

Larys is what we call a "Moral Relativist"

[@kingofcards9516]

The whole 'girl boss' moment is kinda undercut by the whole killing hundreds of civilians thing.

[@tylerbaldwin3269]

#justgirlbossthings

[@celozzip]

the women running these kinds of shows dont consider that sort of thing because muh patriarchy

[@Mike90317]

That's the point.

[@rqmiraz230]

@@celozzip You don't seem like an intelligent person. Are you an edgy 12 years old?

[@sahilsahoo4488]

@@celozzip really lol 😂 that scene was so stupid some people saying that she herself was a mother so she felt for alicent and let them live but somehow she's okay with killing 100 civialn mothers.

[@StormBlessedxo]

who else loves Olivia Cooke? I absolutely love her acting as Alicent.

[@Etticos.]

I swear her portrayal has me questioning my allegiance to team black every episode.

[@madyjules06]

she’s an outstanding actor…the entire show was really casted well -> all the actors are amazing & so well suited to their roles

[@NovaLena22]

She's amazing!!! I'm so glad they really fleshed out her character and gave her the emotional range that an actor like her deserves. I hope she gets recognized for her phenomenal work here.

[@sankarkrishnan407]

Her end was so tragic. A good daughter used by her father for his political gains.

[@LuisSierra42]

she's hot af

[@OmarESPN]

These are so good. I hate having to wait a week for them!

[@crabdipp889]

Didn’t expect you to be here

[@cris_the_coder]

@@crabdipp889 who is this guy anyways?

[@blakepopsofshi1646]

Week? After tonight, the looonnnggg winter beginß

[@cheeseman8370]

@@cris_the_coder owns a bunch of big basketball pages and works for ESPN

[@bert1097]

Who you got in Suns Clippers tonight?

[@tj8002]

I didn't believe Alicent was actually calling Aegon a "Imbecile" as an Insult but rather saying his question was dumb. Almost as if she said "Of course I love you idiot"

[@saatvikkalra6061]

Yeah no absolutely not☠️

[@Guinnessdrnkr1234]

Alicent can't stand Agon. She has a rape victim routine she goes through every time a new servant comes to her about being harassed by her son.

[@murilofreire4569]

This. She obviously love him, despite his flaws. Ppl are illiterate as fuck.

[@ItamarO93]

I feel for Aegon. Let's be real, his father and mother did not love hor care for him. Every time we see him interact with Alicent, she belittles him, his father spoke maybe 4 sentences to him during the show. He was also forced to marry his sister whom he does not love. Dude knows nothing of love or kinddness. Is it really a surprise he is so messed up? The kicker, though? He KNOWS he shouldn't be king and tries to run away. He has enough self-awareness of his own flaws to know the best he could do is walk away, and knew that for YEARS. He is also smart enough to not only see Aemond wants the throne, but humble to know Aemond would be so much better at it than him and is very willing to give it to him. How many characters in GoT are both selfaware and humble enough to do that. Aegon could have been a far better man if his parents actually did their job.

[@marshmello3227]

Exactly what I was thinking...

[@Chadius_Thundercock]

Hard to feel bad for a rapist though

[@A.Q97]

Larys: My Queen, there's something.....afoot Alicent: Ugh, what is it this time?

[@merrittanimation7721]

"Nothing I just wanted to make a pun. Also Rhaenyra just rode in on dragon back."

[@DarkKing009]

"The best and the worst. And a few who were a bit of both. Like Ser Criston Cole the Kingmaker." Jaime Lannister

[@skodware]

I hope they explore the analogue between the two. There are some pretty strong parallels. Two controversial Kingsguard knights who both took political action on who they thought should or shouldn't be king. To oversimplify it you could think of Criston as a bad person who pretends to be good and Jaime as a good person who pretends to be bad. Obviously it's more complicated than that, but the clear dissonance between their exterior personas and their true selves

[@cureforintroversion1262]

11:28 The woman who recognised Aemond actually taught Criston Cole’s actor drama. He said it was awkward for him

[@ncblock87]

Otto met Mysaria back in episode 2, standing side by side with Daemon. I guess 20 years really had passed since he just doesn't recognize her.

[@FupaDoncic]

He said “you’re the White Wyrm?” As if he was surprised she was there under his nose .

[@mst3KGf]

That and it's in character for Otto to not really pay attention to her during his and Daemon's face-off. After all, in his view, she's just a whore and nothing of importance.

[@ncblock87]

@@FupaDoncic Yeah but if he KNOWS that she is the white worm, why on EARTH would he ever take any advice from her, knowing that she was the paramour of his GREATEST rival?

[@perseusveil9376]

@@ncblock87 Because the White Worm has being feeding him reliable information for decades, so Mysaria most likely gave him intel that proved valuable against Daemon, as he was Otto's main rival during Viserys' first years of reign. The White Worm being Daemon's paramour doesn't mean she's loyal to him, Otto understands that better than anyone now. Anyway, I'm pretty sure Otto doesn't give a crap about King's Landing children or the common folk. He understands its good to keep them happy but at the same time I feel he's underestimating them, so I wouldn't say he's taking advice from her. More like 'sure dear whatever you say'.

[@BhlackBishop]

She was just Daemon's whore back then. So this is the first time he meets the white worm

[@levikanipe3840]

these break downs are the best on youtube for GOT and house of the dragon

[@DatBoiChris420]

Not even close

[@MyHentaiGirlNeko]

Yeah, the others would have read the scene script without considering the lore and explained jackshit

[@HOTD108_]

@@DatBoiChris420 Who would you nominate as better?

[@Longshanks1690]

While I had some issues with how drawn out the hunt for Aegon seemed to be, I have to say that I really did appreciate what it accomplished in a narrative sense as it showed his character and his relationships to everyone around him without showing us Aegon himself. First of all, no one knows where he is, so we can immediately see that until this point he was something of a secondary thought as people aren’t exactly keeping a close enough eye on the future king. But even after that, few people know where to even begin looking and it’s only because Erryk is his sworn shield that he knows Aegon’s personality and Aemond is forced to know him as his brother but neither of them enjoy this, as they resent Aegon as a person. Likewise, his perverted activities show not only a vain narcissist but also a brutal sadist who enjoys watching pain in the fighting pit, with a doubly dark dimension that Aegon might be watching his own bastard children fight to the death for his amusement. And even after all of that, all Aegon wants to do is literally run away from his responsibilities, to forsake the crown and run away to do literally anything else. We saw from the last episode that he’s clearly a monster but is he irredeemable? We can see that he doesn’t lust for power like Joffrey, he doesn’t crave the ability to make people hurt and he doesn’t get reinforcement from his family in his urges, just the opposite in fact which might be the cause of his urges in the first place that all he wants is love and respect but no one gives it to him which just makes his tendencies even worse. So that all leads up to the moment of his coronation where he unsheathes Blackfyre, to the cheers and adulation of the crowd and for the first time in his life, he finally found a purpose and place where people would accept him and love him. This was the first time Aegon felt like he had support and whereas Rhaenyra gets her validation from her family and doesn’t need the crown, Aegon gets validation from the crown and doesn’t need his family. I felt this added so many layers and dimensions to his character that could be explored, even though I know he’ll just end up being a diet, store brand version of Joffrey. I would love it if Aegon wanted to be a kind of populist ruler who did what he thought the people would want him to do as they’re the ones who gave him love and respect, not his family. It would be an interesting contrast to Rhaenyra who is kind and gentle to people in her immediate circle but is regarded as Maegor with teats by the people while Aegon is a POS to people in his life but is loved by the smallfolk.

[@jking4973]

Perfectly said

[@lolasdm6959]

White worm might have told Otto to take down the tournaments to show him what his grandson is doing.

[@frenchguitarguy1091]

Wait wtf I swear I've seen this posted elsewhere?!?!

[@birchtree8028]

@@frenchguitarguy1091 same

[@berserk4souls]

Would love to see Aegon show off to the small folk or go out of his way to get their love and attention. It looks like he is getting high off all the cheering and I can see a character like that chasing a high like an addict.

[@Tech215Studios]

Olivia Cooke is not only crazy beautiful but such an amazing actress. They really did an awesome job casting this show.

[@HB-ey2dk]

I agree. I was extremely skeptical and (understandably) pessimistic after what GoT did to us at the end but I've been really impressed by the majority of the casting. Excited to see if it stays this way and who else they chose.

[@AmbrosiusIII]

i mean i agree in spirit but why is amazing actress second to beautiful as though it's a surprise she's good at her job

[@kevinw712]

I tell ya, she's got a flawless American accent. because of my very few talents in this world is a good ear for accents, and "Ready Player One" was my first ever exposure to her, and I never remotely questioned she wasn't American in real life (there's been a few actors the last few years who have accomplished that)

[@barissaaydinn]

@@AmbrosiusIII Surprise would be a heavy word but it has some reality in it. Think about it, when people are beautiful, they have access to much more opportunities in virtually everything. Therefore, it is slightly more common for “beautiful people” not improving themselves in certain things

[@AmbrosiusIII]

@@barissaaydinn There's literally no evidence for this, you're just saying "think about it" prefacing complete conjecture

[@daemontargaryen3311]

Also I noticed that Blackfyre in Aegon's hand looks more closer to how Valyrian steel was described in the books than in Game of Thrones

[@MaxPwnzer]

That might be due to it being a sword of Valyrian steel forged before the Doom. As smiths rework it, it may lose some of the purity. Take Longclaw for instance, most of the rippling pattern is along the fuller, rather than the entire blade as Blackfyre has. It would make sense that as no one knows how to make Valyrian steel, reworking it in its original purity would also be a great challenge, so it could have normal steel added to it while it's molten to make the metal easier to work with.

[@Legs_]

@@MaxPwnzer My guess was always that dragon glass was added to the molten iron during the forging process, literally forging it a part of a volcano into the sword. Adding regular iron and charcoal to valyrian steel would probably just turn it into a regular sword if it doesn't ruin the metal altogether.

[@QuinnTheGM]

I actually quite like the fact that Rhaenys' entrance ended up killing a bunch of the peasantry. It further establishes an issue that Rhaenyra's side has in this conflict, that being a disregard for the common folk (particularly in King's Landing). The first hint of that can be seen in episode 4, where Rhaenyra doesn't care about their opinion when she's watching the play in Flea Bottom. Definitely establishes the grounds for certain future spoilery events!

[@HisameArtwork]

yeah the foreshadowing has always been done well in westeros...well up until a certain season. XD

[@waynetables6414]

Nah

[@mohgceoofblood8235]

The death of peasants made me cringe,Targaryens don't value lives of men beneath, but Hightowers rely on them entirely, it's what makes ruler a Ruler after all.This and the fact it acomplished nothing for the blacks. I root for hightowers overall.

[@Achillesnic]

That doesn't excuse not killing the Greens or even just Alicent/Otto

[@supereero9]

@@gezenews Least whataboutist blacks defender

[@awhartig5847]

Myseria laid out some of the heaviest foreshadowing in the series "there is no power but what the people allow you to take". Abusing the smallfok, particularly in KL, is going to end VERY BADLY for them but in pursuit of power, they have put them on a course of self destruction.

[@skodware]

Honestly extremely clever take on Mysaria on the showrunners parts. So many future events are starting to click together really nicely.

[@wildercerrate7295]

Hopefully they follow through this time and not a repeat of GOT completely dropping smallfolk dissent as a concept even after similar foreshadowing

[@awhartig5847]

@@wildercerrate7295 Chekhov's civil unrest, lol

[@augustus9708]

I think a riot will happen, bigger than the Faith Militant riot in Game of Thrones.

[@Chickawah]

You don't know how right you are. Not sure if Mysaria is going to be the one helping to instigate this particular event (a different character in the books is responsible), but there will be a major development made by the common people of king's landing near the end of the war as a response to all the bloodshed.

[@amelancholybear1534]

Really dissapointing that they threw in the Rhaenys scene but completely leave out Sunfyre and Helaena's coronation, the Kingmaker plot, and no Vizzy T telling stories to his grandkids on his deathbed.

[@artur5308]

It nearly killed my interest in the show in that moment... But I'll give them another chance considering how great the show has been otherwise...especially Aemond and Daemon.

[@amelancholybear1534]

@@artur5308 Mayhaps. But man, they are on thin ice as it is already. That Rhaenys scene actually gave me flashbacks to Season 7 and 8 it was that bad and nonsensical.

[@josephdowney2715]

I think you misunderstand Otto's comments about Alicent looking like her mother. He uses the same facial expression and tone that he did after Alicent cut Rynaera. He is proud of Alicent for beating him to Aegon. It's a pretty common film troup for a father who is proud of his daughter to say that they look or remind them of their mother. He only sees Alicent as an equal when she stands up for herself and goes after what she wants. I have a feeling that was what her mother was like, and one of the reasons Otto loved her so much. The only other explanation I can see is Otto seeing his power slipping, and uses Alicent's mother to pull on her heart strings and keep himself in the Redkeep. Now that I think about it, both could be true.

[@olorin4317]

I think both are true, but he's definitely proud of her asserting herself and besting him.

[@patryklewandowski2099]

Either way, he fails to communicate it this time. Just like in the video, Alicent is trying to pose as an equal to him and he makes it about a memory of his wife, which is not really how you acknowledge someone's value. The child wants to be appreciated as an individual being, not being compared to some other people, family or not, dead or alive. During the after-the-episode livestream, there is also a moment where the sexuality of men around Alicent is discussed. Alicent has been this decent your girl, playing by the rules, surrounded by the ever horny men, who want only power and influence over everybody else. The ultimate dominance game - and she is so sick of it. She thinks "is this really how this world is supposed to be?" - and this kind of echoes in her talking to Rhaenys in her chambers. At first, she was used to win over the king Viserys, which could be a OK deal for her at the time - married to the king yay. Viserys was still relatively healthy and capable. However, there is this huge age gap still. She sees what Rhaenyra lives by, a much more passionate live, having sex with this crazy handsome young kingsguard. And she, at the "late hour" has to comfort this sick old man with rotting body, not gaining any pleasure out of it. Then there is this Larys guy, another sex fetish, then even her father keeps comparing her to her mother (which also might remind Otto of some joyous moments in his youth and maybe Alicent can sense it). Alicent seems to be so disgusted with what primitive instincts drive men to do what they do, but still, she kind of yields to it. Certainly, these here are only disadvantages to her situation, along with caring for the sick king, but she also posess some influence and is in the position of power. It comes with perks as well. Quite complicated, fascinating, and all around very well written character.

[@Darkness-ie2yl]

But see, there is the issue that makes these shows hard for most to understand. This ain't normal film tropes. This is real filthy human beings with limitless power and none of the boundaries of average people.

[@marioxzzz]

After she leaves he says to himself "as you wish" so I agree he said the mother comment as a sign of respect, his wife might have been smart and tough and thats why he loved her.

[@n.m.8728]

I can see how a dad would mean it the way you put it, and how a daughter would interpret it the way asx describes it

[@thebacons5943]

Septon Eustace kind of forgot about Rhaenys’ dragon bursting through the floor

[@overlookers]

"That dragon was The Red Queen, the princess Rhaenys has fled.' "Twas the King's dragon you saw, dreg. He loosed his Sunfyre to celebrate his coronation." "I am old- but not blind, that dragon was re- 👀 🗡

[@AnnatarLordOfGifts]

that lady travelled very fast to the dragonpit and im still wondering how that dragon got underground?

[@deanblanton6804]

@@AnnatarLordOfGifts the dragons are kept in underground tunnels (remember the dragon lessons in ep6, where aemond goes into the underground tunnels from the floor opening)

[@theiaoftheheavens]

i mean could be omitted from record - considering the greens would have probably wanted damage control about how glorious aegon's coronation was. one must remember fire and blood is a history book and history books are not always accurate.

[@thebacons5943]

@@theiaoftheheavens I actually agree

[@AndyNamel]

16:00 Biter from the main series grew up as a fighter in these chilld fighting pits (and has filed sharp teeth to prove it), so it shows that despite Mysaria's best efforts, these pits are not going anywhere.

[@BlackCrowOfDeath]

On quite a few ASOIAF forums, I’ve seen a lot of people upset of Alicent being less evil in the show but I really like the change. The relationship between Rhaenyra and Alicent in the show is one of my favorite aspects of it. Getting to see them compete and scheme while trying to not outright hurt the other is interesting to see and the actresses sell it so well!

[@eliasmagus5086]

The people complaining just want Rhaenyra to be perfect

[@ceejay1476]

@@eliasmagus5086 They want her to be a Mary Sue so they can project themselves in her. It is literally the same as all those other fanfics that girls write where they make a character they don't like from a series to be a completely psychotic villain so then they're "justified" in hurting them as much as possible throughout the story lol.

[@lemmingrad]

At the same time, the whining I’m seeing at how it’s “unfair” that the show writers are making the men are depicted as horrible monsters (ex. they don’t think book Aegon II is a rapist. Larys Strong has being one dimensionally gross evil) while the women are made less horrible than they are in the books, because writer bias reasons. EDIT: a more better argument is, the show is afraid of showing women as having woman ambition for their own selfish or evil reasons. Rhaenyra, Alicent and even Rhaena are forced into the conflict by external forces (perceived threats to family, or men forcing their ambition on them) rather than their own reasons (it puts less blame on the women for the conflict), none of the women are allowed to just be power hungry.

[@Ferreneh]

Morally grey characters are so much more interesting. It plays with audience's emotions and allegiances so much more effectively than just character being straight up good or evil. I'm sure Alicent will sooner or later become more evil. That's the real character arc moment.

[@BlackCrowOfDeath]

@@Ferreneh both will definitely become more villainous as the show continues, especially after the finale and what’s gonna happen to the greens next season both sides are gonna get more and more amped up

[@starlightt4094]

The way Criston casually murders nobels as a kingsguard.....

[@tomnm1]

love ya shifty!

[@MrHarperMD]

utterly impossible to misread this statement. no sir, absolutely impossible. xd

[@tomnm1]

@@MrHarperMD maybe all of the readings are intended 👀

[@blazeblade761]

I thought you said I love ya shits

[@tomnm1]

@@blazeblade761 yeah... not that reading 😅

[@lebarondeminuit3580]

I wish you could've talked about Otto at the coronation, it feels like he's living through Aegon, he's being crowned himself, he smiles as if he was the one being king I'm sorry I fucking love Otto so much (I need more fanart of him god damn it)

[@leonardoherrera9059]

Same

[@morbidboi]

What makes you love him

[@claxmma9570]

Haven’t seen this opinion often. He’s a wal-mart Tywin imo. Only half as smart and clever as he thinks he is.

[@RichSmithson]

@@claxmma9570 Tywin was so smart he got assassinated while on the Bog 😂

[@eliasmagus5086]

@@RichSmithson please tell me how tywin was supposed anticipate tyrion. Intelligence doesn't equal omniscience retard

[@BuoyBlaise]

the styling of Alicents hair is so clever and is a window into her state of mind. disheveled hair when shes coming undone, neater hair when she's more in control. the shots 14:13 show it so nicely ⭐

[@Jalanko13]

I mean, it’s a fairly common technique.

[@lindenshepherd6085]

@@Jalanko13 The show still executed it well, though!

[@gizzylaserfoot2604]

Bless ASX for being able to distinguish Arryk and Erryk

[@echoo1916]

The way in which you add depth and context to each episode is truly invigorating and brings so much more appreciation and understanding to the entire series. I often watch reviews from other creators as they react to each episode, so often I see confusion or misunderstandings, you bring such clairvoyance, I hope they all watch your videos after each episode as well. I’m sure you already know but your work is greatly appreciated.

[@spencertherren6806]

I can't wait for Glimbus to do a review in a year and a half, and tell us about Lord Beesbury.

[@eliasmagus5086]

Can't wait

[@chompette_]

Lord Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesbury

[@MaxwellAerialPhotography]

Rip lord BEEEEEEESbury.

[@belleatkinson461]

Tom absolutely killed it here! Hard to believe the only thing we've seen of argubaly the most important character of the show until now is them hammering in that he's a sexual deviant, ffs. There's so much more depth to Aegon and finally we get a tiny glimpse of it. King Aegon's two defining traits : depression and resentment. Depression ...the way he tells Aemond "let me find a ship and sail away" at that moment I can't help but feel bad for him. Resentment...when he asks his mother "do you love me". The childhood neglect, the burden of expectation being the king's firstborn son, the validation he always craved from his father and never got that shattered his self esteem, and finally the roar of the crowd serving to feel that void. Tom's acting during the coronation...the changing facial reactions and body language to the adulation of the crowd was unreal! Hoping to see this direction for King Aegon in S2!

[@ShubertReads]

7:30 "It's like the Amazing Race and the prize is a drunk Prince" lmao

[@DarkKing009]

“Treason…is only a word. When two princes fight for a chair where only one may sit, great lords and common men alike must choose. And when the battle’s done, the victors will be hailed as loyal men and true, whilst those who were defeated will be known forevermore as rebels and traitors. That was my fate.”

[@dianeaustin2414]

Alright...?I need to know where that's from? Shakespeare?

[@alexisaguirre6349]

Hard

[@DarkKing009]

@@dianeaustin2414 dunk and egg book 2 the sworn sword

[@DriantX]

This episode also confirms Rhaenys is squish-proof.

[@rainpuppies]

Daenerys is fireproof, John is sword &arrow-proof and Arya is invulnerable

[@yhormthemidget]

Also astonishingly stupid.

[@TheEnecca]

@@rainpuppies Jon must have gotten the arrow protection from Daemon

[@frasermartin1529]

@@jsullivan2112 he got hit by like 3 arrows after his fake surrender just before he kills the crabfeeder, it did kinda suspend belief at that point

[@jsullivan2112]

@@frasermartin1529 Oh yeah I forgot about those lol. Was only thinking about the earlier scene when he's on Caraxes and gets the fire arrow in the shoulder.

[@TheCubilicious]

I was just rewatching this seasons episodes and in the scene when Alicent is having dinner with Larrys she took her shoes off before sitting in the table. So this has been going on for a long time.

[@siimtokke3461]

Barriston's exit was much more epic: "here boy, melt it down and add it to the others"

[@anhkriva5274]

Wasnt he laughed at by every one present there after the naked knight comment?

[@EmmettMontanaro]

@@anhkriva5274 No he shut them up by reminding them even without armor he could kill any of them with ease.

[@anhkriva5274]

@@EmmettMontanaro Any of them? Hound definitely would not go down easly, but its not like he would live long enough to reach him with 5 Kingsguard members and dosen lannister soldiers in between.

[@mermaidmomma3696]

Aegon reminds me of Joaquin Phoenix's portrayal of Commodus in the Gladiator film.

[@homiejao3224]

where is ep10 breakdown its been 2 weeks now ! .. thanks for the videos

[@markusdead96]

WE DEMAND A NEW VIDEO!!!!!!!

[@GBENZ_]

The complete irony of Alicent telling Rhaenys that she had the better temperament to be the reigning monarch while she's trying to install Aegon, who is.... yeah, when there is Rhaenyra, who isn't perfect, but we can all agree between the two, she has the better temperament.

[@eliasmagus5086]

Agree Alicent should just let Aegon sail away , Aemond would be better than him. But in her mind this is what Viseys wanted

[@shinsenshogun900]

@@eliasmagus5086 and so do the Hightowers Otto and Hobert, and most of the Green lords and knights. Aemond as a claimant could be refuted by his step-sister Rhaenyra and his rival uncle Daemon.

[@lindenshepherd6085]

@@eliasmagus5086 I would have agreed with you until episode 10 came out. I think having seen Aemond's reaction to just being in the same room as Luke, he would not have been mature enough to handle the throne, especially since it puts him directly in conflict with Rhaenyra's family. He would have relished the opportunity to face the boys regardless and probably would have caused more damage, since he would have been sitting with Vhagar in King's Landing and waiting to utterly decimate any fleet or dragon that came too close. He also doesn't seem to understand that he doesn't have mastery over Vhagar and is genuinely shocked and scared when she goes against his commands in the finale. He thinks he's more capable and in control than he is, which makes him arrogant and dangerous, plus he doesn't know about the prophecy and has no real reason to avoid mass bloodshed. Aegon might be a monster in coward's attire, but Aemond is a petty, arrogant child with an unreliable dragon nuke.

[@LuzMaLopez-uq6xl]

Rhaenyra better temperament? Lol, You havent seen nothing boy

[@tscomponents33]

By far the best explainer videos I've seen. I really like that you show a picture of the character that you're referring to. Makes it really easy to understand the show. Thank you and I hope you'll cover more series.

[@palemoonlight96]

Thank you for such an amazing ride along this season alt shift x, the lives were a pleasure and so were the explained videos, keep up the great work! ♥️

[@ImmafreeBitz]

I honestly get so excited when these videos go up. Thank you for working so hard on these. 🥰

[@AlyssiaE]

Obsessed with the imagery when the Silent Sisters were wrapping up Viserys' body. Gloomy dimly lit hallway, religious ikons, incense burning, Alicent's silhouette beside the window with the sunlight falling on her. It's like a symbolism heavy mysterious renaissance painting. That's my type of aesthetic.

[@user-gn6om9su4z]

Episode 10 never coming out

[@goated3285]

I’m really glad I found your channel, for someone who has just started GOT & HOD in 2022 lol you have did an awesome & amazing job breaking this down for us Noobs. Thanks my guy!!

[@spencertherren6806]

Please purchase, and read the books. You'll be happier.

[@ShubertReads]

Every blonde character in ASOIAF = Secret Targaryen CONFIRMED

[@altxogershavelayers5166]

Even some that aren't lol

[@hjorturerlend]

Well, it's more white than just blonde tho

[@nikolaytsankov9066]

Thank god Shifty is here to explain stuff, I was totally convinced Larys offered to look at Otto's feet

[@littleoldmanboy]

Huh

[@bubucu2010]

Where is the episode 10?? Waiting for weeks : ))

[@quinn_wbfm]

I sometimes take for granted how much forethought goes into each episode of HOTD - and this episode is one of those where I missed a lot of subtext. You're really doing an awesome thing here, helping to illuminate the brilliant plot and design decisions behind the scenes! Great breakdown as always.

[@MrCamcam28]

We appreciate all the work you’ve done this season Alt! Can’t wait for the season FINALE tonight! Team Black! 🖤

[@dnlvlkv5781]

the finale is come out a day ago

[@MrCamcam28]

@@dnlvlkv5781 the official release is tonight in America

[@PayaWhip]

@@MrCamcam28 it got leaked early, the whole thing was up days ago 😔😔😔

[@MrCamcam28]

@@PayaWhip yeah that sucks lol. I’ve been trying to avoid spoilers all week and watch it during the normal release time so I waited :/

[@71swear]

has anyone checked on Alt Shift X? like, is he alright?

[@markusdead96]

I think he's dead

[@subroy7123]

I do love Mysaria's line about the people allowing the king to take power. If you've read the books, this line is probably building up to a certain climactic and tragic moment in the story. Can't wait to see it.

[@bncbcbbc31]

“you imbecile” is a loving remark, as if to say, “of course I love you, why would you even ask that”. she doesn’t resent aegon and knows he’s terrible but; like cersei she still loves her children…

[@jody_dadon]

Brother if you don’t drop episode 10 soon I may do something drastic

[@proprocrastinator5257]

😂😂

[@kjobbengaming]

Man I love these videos. It's so nice to watch these after watching the actual episode to get a full overview and see things I missed throughout the episode.

[@mikechicago6200]

Press F for Lyman Beesbury the old loyal Bee

[@spirit1219]

Everyone this episode was wearing Daemons hoodies , he would have made bank selling those

[@SaikyoDinosaur]

Longtime fan of your vids! They ended up pushing me over the edge to finally start reading the books. Great stuff!

[@Ferreneh]

I want to read books so bad too bc of these videos 😍 the lore sounds amazing

[@SaikyoDinosaur]

@@Ferreneh they’re absolutely worth it.

[@NeoEnergyStorage]

Ep 10 explained?

[@dancecultnoir]

Where is the final Explained video. As a loyal supporter I feel let down

[@northernking4787]

Can’t wait for your take on episode 10, sucks that we have to wait so long for season 2 things are gonna get crazy!

[@MrsJohnsonListing]

I just want to say that there is a weird parallel in the fact that Rhaenyra tells her mother that she doesn't want to just pop out babies all the time. But that's exactly what she winds up doing with Harwin and Daemon. I'm not sure if that's what Martin was going for. But it still strikes me as odd that she still technically wound up in the same position as her mother

[@HB-ey2dk]

I get what you're saying but it's different. Rhaenyra has had passion and choice in her love and also knows she has a duty to produce heirs, even while being kind of selfish and irresponsible. But hers have been born of much different circumstance than Alicents, what she sees as a miserable life. She also flippantly sleeps with and loves who she wants because she is not abiding by the typical duty or righteousness of Aemma or Alicent respectively.

[@WarKrieg]

So a person's life turned out quite differently from what they pictured or hoped for when they were young? Yeah that never happens in life, we definitely must question GRRM about it. ;) That aside, it's been abundantly clear in both GOT and HOTD that one critical way to consolidate one's claim (man or woman!) on the throne is to reproduce legally (i.e., in wedlock). There is something about making sure you have heirs and multiple backups to that heir that makes your own claim more secure. In a violent, medieval world where life is generally fragile, it makes sense that people want certainty. So Rhaenyra needed to marry AND squeeze out multiple heirs to help secure her claim. Them's the rules, regardless of what she may have thought when she was 14.

[@manuelg4867]

@@HB-ey2dk doesnt matter, still a HO.

[@melissaharris3389]

I think GRRM was going for some irony. Visarys longed for a male heir and it cost him his beloved wife Aemma; when he finally gets a son, two no less, he ignores them. Rheanyra on the other hand has SIX sons!

[@narsaku1408]

Last year I prayed to God in repentance then begged for help with all my heart, "I was until then an Atheist." I then had a dream of Jesus coming before God and he spoke of the Tabernacle in perfect context, "A word I didn't know existed because I never read the bible", and the love I felt from Jesus was unlike anything I've ever felt before - A lifetime of joy every second - It brought me to sobbing and it changed my life, forever. I've had other miracles since, a few being a light turning on in answer to deeply needful prayer over a dozen times, seeing a orb of light hours before a major surgery, seeing an Angel in a dream the night my mother prayed for me to see one, "Without telling me", and So much more. Know that God and Jesus ARE real and that they love us deeply. Let go of your hatred and Imagine yourself holding the people who've hurt you. Tell them you love and forgive them and I believe we should do our best to follow the 10 commandments. Always have hope.. I believe that Unconditional Love Is The Answer.

[@berserk4souls]

This was my favorite episode. Aegon’s coronation with the ceremony, emblem banners, costumes, and props all screamed A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE to me. Aegon’s actor and Alicent’s actress are amazing. Can’t wait to see more of them next season. Aegon might become a very polarizing popular character similar to how we ended up liking the child killing sister loving king killing Jamie Lannister.

[@berserk4souls]

@@extremeusace4189 yeah I’ve read the books. Or are you some a hole that is trying to spoil things?

[@artur5308]

Aegon is a good, conflicted, interesting character so far. No morally worse than Daemon. People are just rooting for the blacks because Daemon is cool and has been there from the beginning.

[@lindenshepherd6085]

@@artur5308 I'd argue Aegon is definitely worse than Daemon. He has his own bastard children put into fighting pits for his amusement and, from what passages I've seen from the books and from the dialogue in the show, it's somewhat ambiguous as to whether those children are the products of prostitutes or Aegon's assault of other children in the fighting pit.

[@artur5308]

@@lindenshepherd6085 Daemon is a guy who had a 6 years old child murdered in front of his mother and himself commited multiple cold blooded murders.

[@SaltoDaKid]

@@artur5308 Daemon cares about law and order, that child murder was pay back for another murder. He literally the eye for an eye for those he quantities as guilty. Where Aegon just lost confused character that just want love and doesn’t really understand value of life so he does things out the blue like raping housekeeper and open children fighting pit. These much more satanic action then Daemon who does thing for a reason.

[@justabluelilicon526]

I love this channel so much. Explains and explores all the little details that we missed. I’m always excited when finishing an episode for ur video

[@animesempai0]

So excited for the season finale, these videos always get me hype the day of a new Hot D episode! appreciate you alt shift x for your work all season

[@codywlsmith]

Man. What I love about your videos is that you don't really impart bias into your analysis. It's about the show and its themes and how they compare and contrast to the source material. I wish you did Rings of Power analysis videos, those are way too influenced by bias on how scenes aren't "lore accurate" and how the specific analyzer "feels" about the scene rather than it just being a good synopsis. Keep up the good work!

[@DomSr]

The level detail that you specifically pick out in each episode is 🤯

[@sophiawallace2004]

I think that Larys Strong is Azor Ahai. He is associated with fire and he could easily defeet any white walker

[@gino97r]

💀💀💀 LMAO

[@panthertvchannel5921]

How the fk did you come up with this theory??

[@luffy101311]

“The Feet That Was Promised”

[@drchuckles1203]

And and and ! lymon beesberry is the night king ! (they don’t show it but we can infer that he is ressurected by many clues that you see throughout the episode) 🎉

[@shinsenshogun900]

"The Club that was Promised"

[@titatakes]

The casting is rlly A+. I appreciate the complicated female relationships. Rhaenys x Rhaynera and Rhaynera x Alicent is so interesting, dynamics we don’t often see in this genre (or most genres to be honest).

[@veloxfurem]

question: can you please put the quotes on the top of the screen so that those who watch with subtitles turned on can see both texts? thank you

[@MathieuBoudreauPhD]

I really hope Alt Shift X is ok and hasn't burned out making these. No rush to make ep 10 dude, you don't owe anything to us. Take care of yourself

[@LifeAlmostWithoutus]

I basically live for these videos of yours every Sunday. Thanks for the content. This channel got me started creating. Keep it up, you inspire more people than you know!

[@TheClassicGuy89]

Where is the last episode explained???

[@piadox]

Thank you so much for the recap. Always some thought provoking commentary. Hadn't thought about all the possible interpretations to Healena's prophecy and some of the other details regarding Alicent.

[@apurvaditya1435]

the best thing abt HOTD episodes is watching Alt Shift X's explanations, Thank u.

[@baselhills865]

Aegon's actor is winning me over. I already liked the greens because of Otto but Aegon Helaena and Aemond really secured me to the greens.

[@ComradeCommissarYuri]

Have you recognised the baby monk yet?

[@RichSmithson]

There is a mystery around him. It’s like watching Joffrey season 1 and you are unable to work out if he’s going to be a tyrant or not, but the signs are all there.

[@eliasmagus5086]

@@ComradeCommissarYuri what?

[@tannzr7811]

because of Otto 💀💀💀

[@ComradeCommissarYuri]

@@eliasmagus5086 have you seen the last kingdom?

[@dreamfyre3868]

I‘m a bit surprised you didn‘t mention the scene between Viserys and Alicent in front of the bonfire where Viserys tells Alicent about his dream. It’s a nice detail and further explains why Alicent misunderstood Viserys‘ ramblings.

[@niganicsez]

nah, a bit of a clear Black bias going on so it's an easy detail to ignore.

[@skodware]

This is an excellent catch, I didn't think of this at all but makes perfect sense. He literally said "what if I was wrong" in reference to a prophetic dream. Seems way more believable that he might have changed his mind eventually.

[@sleepbaby17]

@@niganicsez he addressed it in the livestream

[@eliasmagus5086]

@@niganicsez it seems is everyone is biased towards black

[@ItamarO93]

It hurts my brain to see how many people praise Rhaenys for her "Wisdom" and "Compassion" for her choice to spare the Greens, and say she would have been a fine queen, ignoring her killing 100+ smallfolk just to make a grand exit and chose not to take action to prevent war cuz it did not benefit her that moment. Say what you will about Viserys, but he at least kept the kingdom at peace for his entire rule (Sure, Daemon and Otto did a lot of the heavy lifting, but still) and never threw the lives of people away. Rhaenys in 2 minutes added her name to the list of stupid, wasteful and cruel Targaryens that shed blood for no reason other than to look cool.

[@tbcboocock]

Your line and your delivery at 19:59 made me chuckle. Well done, sir.

[@ejpgz6140]

Thank you so much for explaining the opening with such an awesome details. 👍🏻

[@Fist_23]

No video for the 10th episode? Sadge

[@Glenn_Close_But_No_Cigar]

"The child is a boy Aemma. I'm certain of it. I've never been more certain of anything. The dream. It was clearer than a memory. Our son was born wearing Aegon's iron crown. And I heard the sound of thundering hooves, splintering shields, and ringing swords, as the bells of the Grand Sept tolled...and I placed my heir upon the Iron Throne..." Viserys ended up being right. It was just destined to be the boy he refused to acknowledge.

[@groglas]

You state that this is the first time Otto has met the White Worm in person, which is incorrect, he met her while confronting Daemon on Dragonstone earlier this season.

[@jb6973]

But he may not have known that she was in fact the white worm. He didn’t know what the white worm looked like.

[@groglas]

@@jb6973 That might be correct, still, could have been worded better in the video

[@BhlackBishop]

she technically wasn't the white worm then

[@jaiadlakha212]

I think people misinterpreted criston's views on women, the dialog is meant to reflect the relationship b/w Cole and Alicent these past years. We saw how Alicent turned to faith and religion after the blade incident, Cole bringing up Mother in a conversation is effectively showing us that he followed Alicent in that path . Cole followed Alicent into religion, that's how close they are and how Cole's devotion to Alicent has evolved. I see Cole as a mirror of Alicent

[@skodware]

I think both can be true. Criston sees Alicent as his salvation as a knight that allows him to still view himself as just as honorable after soiling his cloak. So it makes sense he would follow Alicent in using the same coping mechanisms for similar plights. I also think it points to a very conservative view of women. More nuanced than just "hating women but pretending to respect them" I think he just subscribes to this religious ideal that women should be chaste and pious (Alicent) instead of promiscuous and willful (Rhaenyra). Not to say that it isn't still hypocrisy, it definitely is, but that's the sort of justification he uses for the things he does.

[@poenpotzu2865]

I think the show is pointing out that despite Criston following Alicents party of faith, deep inside its fuelled by petty misogyny and male pride.

[@starlightt4094]

Your analysis are so good they literally make my day!!

[@lucasnowicki8073]

I think there's a misanalysis of Criston though. At some point in the episode Allicent talks about the 'feelings' Criston has towards his Queen, and he doesn't deny. Criston isn't hiding his own depravity behind his duty of Queen's Gard, he's really desperate to 'protect' her.

[@RhmnLego]

I think that the presedent that Maegor left was the doubt of inheritance, giving the second sons a glimmer of hope to second sons to ascend. We saw it with Daemon and now with Aemond

[@DandyInLuv]

why’s 10 still not out?

[@artsinarabic2965]

Still waiting

[@DandyInLuv]

@@artsinarabic2965 yup...

[@madsnowman4067]

24:54 Aegon having his Homelander moment

[@safi6749]

lmaoooooo

[@faustsiftar7683]

Aegon 🤝 Homelander Jerking off of a tall building

[@Fuzzmo147]

Highlander even😂

[@nategraham6946]

This really does help us tell the difference between Arryk and Erryk, very helpful indeed.

[@yukuhana]

I didn't know the guard that escorted Rhaenys out was Erryk!! Catch so many details I missed. Thanks Alt Shift X!!

[@questioningespecialy9107]

Is S1E10 never coming out or what?