House of the Dragon S1E10 live Q&A discussion

[@AltShiftX]

Thanks so much for joining in on these livestreams! The S1E10 Explained video will be out in a couple weeks.

[@qayssarjrd5399]

Weeks?? :((

[@autonomy_]

@@qayssarjrd5399 Let the man have a life! He probably doesn’t do this as his only source of income, and he’s been grinding all season

[@madyjules06]

Hey X, first off thanks for this, really appreciate all the excellent analysis & consistently great videos you put out. At 42:00 you discuss the ability of the map table to be lit up from below (or within) but by the time of GOT neither Stannis nor Daenerys knew about this. I think Hot D is retconning this to display another source of knowledge (along with the far more important Aegon’s Prophecy etched into what becomes the catspaw dagger) which the Targaryens lost during the intervening ~ 170 years

[@reviewswithmelly3139]

@@madyjules06bmj

[@geoDB.]

Anything with Rhanyra feeling confined by her gender yet the one child she would have that would be a girl was stillborn?

[@authorfarrell7161]

100% within character that Stannis would own a neon table and never switch it on

[@frenchguitarguy1091]

Probably too outdated for Stannis, like I bet somewhere has an extinct house or a spelling change, turning it would just bring too much attention. Either that or Stannis was stingy with his candles.

[@Stefanthenautilus]

"Tacky."

[@MishMishRedRed]

Lmao

[@cc0767]

Im 100% sure he never told Melisandre about it though, it glows with fire after all

[@joec3981]

He probably broke the feature when he had sex with Melisandre on that table.

[@DolanDarker]

rip the homie Arrax he did nothing wrong

[@CHASER3K]

lil bro tried to set vhagar on fire

[@DolanDarker]

@@CHASER3K he's baby

[@futurafreeze]

i started the episode a little late, texted my friend halfway through “luce’s blue dragon is so cool looking, might be my favorite one”…..

[@robertopon]

@@CHASER3K quite a bad idea, not a clever boy this Arrax xD

[@uglytuco3079]

@@DolanDarker disrespect the elderly. Chomp.

[@H000REI]

Making the dragons less obedient gives the whole series more reality

[@rikzz0r]

Couldn't help but notice "reality" in the same sentence as "dragons", there.

[@faultyclone0013]

@@rikzz0r reality points here and there doesn't hurt More the merrier

[@TheHowlingEye]

your subscription to valyrian blood magic has expired, please update your credit card details

[@manoz6194]

@@rikzz0r consequence is a better word than reality imo

[@ezmoney25]

@@rikzz0r They said that in China, the dragons were true

[@aesthetic_apples888]

Aemond- it was a fair exchange. I may have lost an eye but I gained a dragon Also Aemond- spends the rest of his life bringing up his unfair eye loss

[@comradetirer]

@Your Wrong really lazy I know, people are never hypocritical irl

[@teriba453]

@@comradetirer Like bruh people like that always have something dumb to say Imagine watching the whole season to say “lazy writing” so silly

[@bierwolf8360]

@@teriba453 why are people always trying to make excuses for the show? There's a lot of instances of bad writting in the show so far. I'd rate it over all a 7/10 only

[@SamanthaBoooooooo]

This actually made perfect sense to me because think about what Alicent must be poisoning him with- I'm sure she wouldn't let it go. We know from the vaguest outline of this story that most characters will be getting more vengeful as time goes on.

[@ko6251]

I think the writing is better for having him never really get over it

[@benabroad8872]

I was actually shocked by the lack of action in HOTD. After all the nonsensical battles in the later GoT seasons, it’s refreshing to watch a show that can rely on its storytelling and good writing. I’m glad they aren’t making the show for people who watch it at bars anymore.

[@Stefanthenautilus]

Can't agree more. They seem to have learned all the right lessons from the cultural arc of the OG series so far. I can forgive any blemishes this season for that alone.

[@kevinw712]

the thing that cracks me up though, is I remember sort of seeing a quote from the creators before the season (or right as it began), and it seemed oddly intended, that something about comparing this show to more of a "soap opera", as it was more from a womans' perspective. uhh, my dudes, that is literally exactly what GoT was. It's all one gigantic soap opera, just with a budget

[@DongleBros]

Why the hate on watching it at a bar? It's my dream to watch an episode in a social setting like that. Most of the popular videos back in the day with people in bars wasn't covering them watching action scenes but instead story reveals. Except the oberyn martel one was popular, but that scene was amazing.

[@TheDominionOfElites]

@@DongleBros bar viewing encourages cheer worthy moments. Like big dumb action. Cleganebowl. Wall crumbling. Battle of winterfell.

[@masterm8664]

@@DongleBros makes for a different viewing experience. You get to experience and react to moments on your own without getting swept up with other people's emotional reactions.

[@demirkazanasmaz6097]

"Neither whip nor words could turn Drogon if he did not wish to be turned." That is from 5th book of ASOIAF. Silverwing refused the wishes of Alysanne 3 times when Alysanne wished to go beyond the wall. Also, Balerion accepted the Aerea as a rider then they flew Valyria, which was against her will, they didn’t come back for 9 months. When they came, Aerea was almost dead. Viserys said “The idea we control the dragons is an illusion”, Dany said “Dragons are not slave”. Luke felt scared, anxious threatened so his young dragon reacted accordingly, it is a sort of self-defense mechanism for dragons or dragon instinct. Vhagar felt the resentment and hate Aemond felt towards Luke, Aemond did not want to kill Luke but he wanted to take his eye. Dragons are emotionally connected to their riders, but sometimes whatever they do with feelings of their riders is something they decide on their own.

[@Jake.Nash629]

Too tier comment. Dragons are some of the most emotionally intelligent creatures, but they are also dangerous, violent, and massive weapons that have major consequences to their actions in the world of men

[@mitchellbloemker4750]

fire analysis

[@louiv4278]

Needs to be top comment

[@GeronimoPlaz]

This element will absolutely come into play in a huge way before this story ends. Only a righteous rider will be able to reach reasonable ends with their dragon. And dragons will act out deep desires for multiple riders.

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

Well said! Love how dangerous and unwieldly Dragon can be as they are SUPPOSED to be that way.

[@basicallyabush]

Holy shit the moment of Vaghar appearing above Arrax and totally dwarfing him was Amazing and gave me chills

[@tyersalladam4735]

IKR! I instantly get the first Jurassic Park vibe when Vhagar appearance during a storm.

[@adamcummings20]

Fucking incredible cgi in that scene, hope we see more next season In 2024 :(

[@Eyecyou64]

I knew it was coming and it still took me aback

[@ShogunTen]

Once again scale issues on the size of Vhagar

[@alexrockas3704]

As soon as they show arrax in the storm going to storms end the camera work is just turned up to 11

[@WrecklessEating]

I never expected Game of Thrones to make me care about it again. HOTD really knocked it out of the park.

[@bowemorning]

Funny how Daemon says "Dreams didn't make us kings, dragons did." when it was Daenys the Dreamer who saved their whole family from the Doom.

[@Incompetences]

Or so we think. How convenient it is for one family (that later goes on to profit from being the only ones left) to escape from the death and destruction of all the others. My walnut is activated.

[@cityofmagic4370]

Yea she saved them but she didn’t make them kings if they didn’t have dragons they’re just like the velaryons or celtigars

[@ComicCrossing]

It saved them but it didnt make them Kings. 2 different things. He is correct that Dragons are what made them powerful.

[@umitencho]

@@ComicCrossing Dreams allowed them to survive, but Dragons allowed them to thrive.

[@bowemorning]

@@ComicCrossing I do get that, but hard to be powerful if you're dead...

[@olorin4317]

Arrax attacked Vhagar's left eye just like Lucerys slashed Aemond's left eye. It was a smarter move than it seemed too. It was trying to blind the larger dragon so that he and Lucerys could escape. The only play it had really.

[@Renee_Kellhus]

Daemon choking Rhaenyra talking about ASOIF prophecy is GRRM choking fans when asking him to complete ASOIF

[@mohammedgaming2441]

😭😭😭

[@jormungandr4690]

It is the authors favourite Taragaryen for a reason

[@acayette]

That's why Daemon is GRRM's favourite character.

[@sahilbhanot1649]

Rrrr😳✨😳🌞😳

[@Rippel0000]

Hey maybe it’s just their way of showing love. I mean they’re Targaryens lol.

[@guyoncouch8796]

Vhagar is just confused and wondering why it's so wet in Dorne and why the Dornish can now shoot fire at her.

[@Canadish]

"Visenya, is that you? Are we burning the River lands again?"

[@The-Doctor6969]

visenya's gotten a bit buff

[@ea.fitz216]

“Hello Visenya dear, what a lovely eyepatch you’re wearing. How is Aegon and Rhaenys these days?”

[@alahsiaboi8909]

This is lowkey depressing , like burning memory kind of depressing

[@yunabroadway3033]

“Visenya look! This brown hair dorne stole a dragon, don’t worry I’m on it” I like how we all agree that Vhagar is just a senile grandma

[@eedoamitay3341]

If theres one thing I absolutely appreciate about Alt Shift X, it's his ability to take any comments and really try to understand or view it from all perspectives. A lot of the comments people send in don't make sense or are kind of not nice, but he still tries to understand it and take away something positive or educational from it.

[@George-um2vc]

Noticed that, it really makes people act a little more classy on this channel than on say a Star Wars channel, killing them with calmness.

[@sid9993]

Agreed, this Man is the embodiment Classy !

[@pucheta9464]

The dude is open to discussion and thats what I like the most

[@Deathelement53]

@@George-um2vc as a massive star wars fan I absolutely hate the community and try my hardest to stay away and it's so sad

[@George-um2vc]

@@Deathelement53 me too 🤕

[@kunduo]

It’s sad people thought Lucerys was neither a Targaryen or Velaryon yet he died fighting on a dragon at sea

[@roses.9181]

So true. Tragic. I knew they wouldn't give us a happy ending when they were showing Rhaenyra proudly watching them fly away. I knew one of them would die.

[@corbeau-_-]

it sort of was like David versus Goliath, only without the slingshot. And he forgot he should be fleeing for much longer ;) Anyway, they didn't say that, they said he was a bastard. His mother was clearly Targaryen.

[@masterplokoon8803]

He was a Strong but wasn't actually strong.

[@elegantbird8240]

He was 100% TARGARYEN. How do you think he got a dragon? Who his father was or wasn't didn't matter. He was loved by the King and the Lord of the Tides. His mother was Princess of Dragon Stone and Queen of the 7 Kingdoms. His stepfather is PRINCE DAEMON. His death is significant BECAUSE HE IS A TARGARYEN PRINCE.

[@blancaescobar5895]

@Shadow His mother is a Targaryen, he is a Targaryen.

[@amallama1510]

The painted table light function - when I saw it, it struck me as part the "lost knowledge" of house Targaryen by the time we get to GoT Daenerys , like the wedding rituals, how to train and saddle dragons, and the catspaw's dagger functionality. I thought it was neat.

[@frenchguitarguy1091]

Also Stannis was wayyy to stingy with candles to ever use it

[@melissaharris3389]

Dragonstone was looted after Queen Rheaella died after Deanerys' birth. The table looks to be inland with amber; which, was likely removed during the downfall of house Targaryan. Robert Baratheon had the ancient Valyrian treasures of Dragonstone moved to King's Landing or sold it off to pay his debts.

[@LofiCameron]

To be fair, even if stannis did know about the cool light up LED table, its completely and absolutely within his character to absolutely not use it

[@olorin4317]

I guess everyone loves smoke in their eyes.

[@arun279]

Viserys had it right from the start when he says “the idea that targaryens control dragons is an illusion”

[@Music34897]

No gods no kings no magic blood

[@wrigleyishome4764]

This

[@lhpkazuha]

No wonder the guy mounted Balerion and was like “Nope”

[@maizenn925]

Viserys can be so wise and unwise at the same time

[@FirstOfTheMagi]

Viserys was honestly a really wise king. A weak leader for sure but there is something to be said about maintaining the peace during his reign.

[@TheHonoredMadman]

We finally got Celtigar representation, Crabs in the chat, I really do hope we see the valyrian steel axe

[@jessjess23brooks89]

🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀

[@dylancarrillo1656]

🦀🦀🦀

[@PoolNoodleGundam]

🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀

[@brahimdiop5506]

🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀

[@hinumayyyy]

🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀

[@rybazzz]

I like the idea of dragons being unwieldy weapons of mass destruction, it fits perfectly with the show so far

[@manoz6194]

So it was Drogon that set King's Landing on fire?

[@rybazzz]

@@manoz6194 very well could have been

[@midsizesedan7620]

I'd trade Rhaenyra child births for some dragon action. That scene between Vhagar and Luke's dragon was really gorgeous.

[@teddybillionz311]

@@manoz6194 wouldn’t say that but will say if a dragon doesn’t want to do something or really wants to do something the bond a rider has might not be enough of a deterrent. I’m sure Danny wanted to do what she did right or wrong drogon was along for the ride

[@rybazzz]

@@manoz6194 though in general, i just do not acknowledge the GoT series beyond the books, especially due to everyone having a private jet in later seasons so i guess it just didn't happen for me 🙃

[@captencollin8753]

I don’t think Aemond even intended to take the eye. I think he just liked the idea of bullying Luke and making him piss himself.

[@Saktoth]

He might have if he could but then would instantly regret it. An eye would have started the dance too, honestly.

[@Forged4War206]

Aemond relishes in the idea of feeling powerful. As a child he was weak, bullied, ridiculed for not having a dragon, and permanently injured without any justice. Now that he's a trained fighter with the most fearsome dragon alive, Aemond just wants to rub it in the faces of all who doubted and wronged him. Unfortunately, Vhagar's way of conveying Aemond's feelings was just a bit too literal than what he actually intended...

[@matthewstein5854]

@@Forged4War206 I think this is spot on for Aemond. His attitude is very much a big "fuck you" to all those who doubted, ridiculed, and looked down on him. Now he is this tall strong adult who is a capable fighter with the most powerful Dragon and he wants to give it all right back to them. The big irony is really it was Aegon and in a way his own family (except Haelana) who were the worst to him but he instead chose to take out his Anger on someone who he knew was weaker than him. Honestly I wldnt see him doing that to Jacerys but with Luke he knows that he fears him to an extent and since he took his eye he wishes to torment him and play with that fact.

[@jamesparker7016]

@@matthewstein5854 Agreed. Its kind of interesting how everyone sees him as the bully, when he was the one getting tortured as a kid

[@animec-dramaskpop6362]

@@jamesparker7016 He got bullied then he became a bully. It's not unheard of at all.

[@iliaponomarev1624]

Yes, there is this thing that Otto keeps repeating "Rhaenyra will kill Alicent's children", and at the same time does everything to ensure Rhaenyra kills Alicent's children. He also kept repeating "People will never accept the Queen on the Iron Throne", but when it came to it there wasn't really that many people who didn't accept Rhaenyra. I mean, even with Aegon crowned and Rhaenyra stalled half of the realm took Rhaenyra's side. Imagine the state of affairs if Rhaenyra gets crowned immediately and Aegon side gets stalled for couple days.

[@mejuliie]

Especially "comical" when Allicent's children are actually the first to go after Rhaenyra's kids, killing Lucerys in the process.

[@Saktoth]

Westerosi custom favours male heirs. He sees an opening and he is the wedge.

[@ArrakisHeir88]

Hand turns loom

[@sixeyesheavens7]

@@Saktoth yeah but valyrians have this choosing of successor. to them, they can choose. thats why its a redharring when aegon the conquerer had two sons, one or the other were heirs. like aenys was taken to aegon's tours around the kingdom and maegor is made prince of dragonstone. inheritance was suddenly a question all the sudden. they aren't always going by westerosi tradition.

[@matthewstein5854]

The fact Otto consistently pushes that Rhaenyra will kill Alicents children while he has been actively plotting to kill her and all her children for years just points to his hypocrisy but also how he views human nature. Since he believes they have to kill all the blacks he cant imagine a scenario where they wldnt do the very same. I actually think he is a bit taken aback that rhaenyra listens to the proposal and agrees to give them an answer in a day as it proves how poorly he has judged her. While they all lust for Blood Rhaenyra and actually Alicent are the only 2 who see a way to end this with no death. Honestly Alicents proposal is a pretty fair one. Rhaenyra keeps a lot of power and her family continues to hold high positions across Westeros. I do beleive that ultimately something wld have sparked sum rebuttal though even if Aemond didnt kill Lucerys. It's just a traitorous move and the Greens recognize they put a target on their back that ultimately someone within others others would have ultimately ended the peace. Probably Daemon tbh lol. Dude wldnt stand for it. He hates Otto and the Greens and in his mind they actively helped to kill his brother. Seeing how he lusts for revenge bcuz of it though makes the whole Drifymark and Dragonstone alliance seem a bit farfetched though. They beleive Daemon & Rhaenyra killed Laenor and Rhanys holds Daemon somewhat responsible for Laenas death. Guess they just fear for Rhaena and Baela if they didnt align with the Blacks.

[@7heSlime]

The point about Rhaenyra's coronation also harkens back to the royal hunt in episode 3 where they put up all the pomp and show for Aegon while the white hart comes to Rhaenyra or she happens upon it without searching for it and I really love that.

[@anshulkhanna9648]

We as humans seem to like people that deserve to be leaders but the person doesn’t necessarily lust or want for that position. Just like Jon Snow.

[@tshepherd8145]

@@anshulkhanna9648 “The major problem-one of the major problems, for there are several-one of the many major problems with governing people is that of whom you get to do it; or rather of who manages to get people to let them do it to them. To summarize: it is a well-known fact that those people who must want to rule people are, ipso facto, those least suited to do it. To summarize the summary: anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job.” Douglas Adams, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, #2)

[@E0572-e1n]

@@anshulkhanna9648 exceptargon is the one who doesn’t want the obligation that comes with power in this case and rhaeaneyra is the one who wants to rule

[@MzCheecharella]

@@tshepherd8145 Awesome. Thanks for that book clip/quote!

[@valeskacanas9187]

It's pretty consistent with what we've seen of Daemon so far. I think it effects viewers romantic notions and "shipping" edits. Lol him chocking her was the last straw for people not him murdering his wife and wanton killing in kingslanding, not bashing a poor messenger, not grooming his niece- a child, not taking his neice without he father's knowledge to an orgy at a brothel, not leaving her to defend herself outside of the castle. Lol

[@rainpuppies]

It’s like they forgot they’re watching GOT and instead thought it was a romance series

[@Captain_Insano_nomercy]

The fans be weird as fuck. I don't get it but this is why I kinda hate the show getting too popular

[@icecell]

​@@Captain_Insano_nomercy For real. Ain't that true for a lot of great IPs. That's why I seldom interact with fandoms.

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

LOL It's always those twitter shipping fools who are so obsessed with "who dates who" that they forgot the bigger picture of everything else. Shipping culture among fans are so unbelievably bad that they forgot characters' true nature. I Love Daemond as a character as a whole but I know EXACTLY what his character is supposed to be in this brutal harsh world of theirs. People should have known this already.

[@The-Doctor6969]

I think that's a bit dismissive of the points I've seen. I don't necessarily agree completely, but there's definitely a point to be made about how his character has been built so far. He is very much evil, but his family has always been his 'redeemable' trait and the atrocities he commits is against people outside his circle. I can understand how violence against Rhaenyra is a bit jarring when you have that perspective. Being a shitty husband/father, eventually having an affair with Nettles? Fine. Fits his character, makes sense with how he violated/manipulated her at the brothel. He groomed her. But domestic abuse is a tad... Hm. I can't entirely agree because he does just break into fits of violence. He's unpredictable and chaotic, and I don't doubt he's going to basically allow Rhaenyra to beat his ass next season. I don't mind the scene myself. Just calling it shipping culture rather than their actual points r weird doe

[@meaniekareenie4110]

I felt like Rhaenys not burning the greens was fully explained in this episode. She didn't want to throw in with either side until she had either made a considered decision or talked with Corlys. She didn't kneel to Rhaenyra at the coronation and she didn't smoke the greens as she was still undecided. She also said 'this is not my war to start' which is kind of what Ever said but missing the important word 'start'. I still think the decision to burst through the floor and kill a bunch of people was a bit stupid, but I'm happy the question of why she didn't just kill the greens has been answered.

[@johansmallberries9874]

I agree, she didn’t start a war of succession on her own behalf, why start one for somebody else.. who she doesn’t even like. Also consider what her reputation would be if she fried the greens. Nobody would know that she’s averting a massive civil war, only that she’s a crazy mass murdering king slayer and kin slayer.

[@shuturmouthkeeptlkn9384]

Like surely they built another way for dragons to get in and out of dragonpit, you know in case of emergency lol

[@jormungandr4690]

Yeah they are trying too hard to make women righteous in the show that it kínda backfires logically. Why is Rhaneys so hell bent to support Rhaneyara, because all men want is war and innocent will suffer, but she just kills a thousand of innocents and doesnt bat an eye

[@BudMasta]

How convenient, let the people 100% going to try and kill you an your entire family go, after they unjustly imprisoned you! Stop trying to defend trashcan writing, go back to Reddit.

[@iisotter8944]

Rhaenys killing lots of innocents is consistent with George R. R. Martin thoughts and take aways from history. How many historical texts talk about the hundred of thoudands, if not milllions of innocents who have died? They do not they talk about those who are named, kings, lords, knights and so on, those who fight over land and a crown. The disgust towards killing innocents by those in power is a very modern ethic.

[@waynekerr9802]

If I have a nickel every time Daemon's 3rd child per wife is a draconic stillborn I'll have 2. It's not a lot but it's odd that it happened twice to both Laena and Rhaenyra.

[@justineharper3346]

I never noticed that it was the third child each time!

[@thaneofwhiterun3562]

I fucking loved Lucerys' death scene. It was shot like damn horror movie and it was golden.

[@hycynth82828]

Same same

[@adamcraig1468]

Bro it was like something out of The Boys

[@GeronimoPlaz]

@Lurking Carrier A2A? Ass to ass? Nice.

[@thelambsauce7223]

@@GeronimoPlaz air to air lol

[@jankdotTV]

Love the bit where Vhagar has to pull up to avoid the cliffs and she sounds like a passenger jet

[@TheStrifist]

I love the idea of Vhagar being the one who actually starts the Dance of the Dragons. Awesome

[@jessjess23brooks89]

Silly nanny Vhagar starting war again. "When did you lose that eye Visenya? When did Dorne get so wet?"

[@adamcummings20]

Technically it was Arrax

[@cookie6996]

@@adamcummings20 tbf arrax had a knife to his throat, so it was aemond pushing vhagar, vhagar bumps into arrax and arrax reacts accordingly So in the end it was still the cunt aemond

[@jessjess23brooks89]

@@adamcummings20 Poor baby Arrax. How young everyone is in this conflict is super heartwrenching. Seeing his little wing plunging down was so sad.

[@quoang]

@@adamcummings20 Nah, Vhagar attacked first, Arrax evaded her moves

[@paulspringwood7190]

It’s pretty clear Daemon didn’t know about Aegon’s Song of Ice and Fire. Wasn’t out of character, Daemon is a psychopath who is lovable when he is hurting characters we don’t like but certainly not a hero. The scene of him choking Rhaenyra was not out of character at all.

[@finnkaterberg3076]

I agree, I did feel like Rhaenyra was gonna was gonna be more upset about it, maybe saying something like “if you lay your hands on me again I will have your head” but I liked seeing her put together that Viserys never told Daemon. Goes to show that Viserys never thought of Daemon as his heir, he just figured he’d have a son

[@bobjoemac1]

@@finnkaterberg3076 just another kick in the balls from his brother that he just wanted to impress and be loved by.

[@HelenLohre]

there are certainly husbands in asoiaf that don’t choke their wives, and there are some that do. none of them have the deep connection rhanerya and daemon have. it doesn’t excuse it, but i’m not here to cancel fictional fantasy characters in a male dominated world.

[@juliettetrepanier7762]

ASOIAF / Aegon’s Song of Ice and Fire - nice

[@Saktoth]

It's in character for Daemon to choke her and it's in character for her to not fight back, he's groomed her her whole life. This is what domestic abuse looks like it's usually one moment of rage, but the frog boils so slowly that it seems normal or forgivable. It's very much in character, he's murdered one wife.

[@joshuamacdonaldmusic]

There's a metaphor here. When a Targaryen lacks self control and acts out in violence they relate it to the blood of the dragon inside them (Viserys/Danny in the main series books) - Arrax did to Vhagar what Lucerys did to Aemon on driftmark back in the day. Popped up on the left and took his shot. This time the dragons were literal and nature ran it's course.

[@KicsiSzabi222]

Whow, that's an awesome detail, I don't think a lot of people noticed that, but I think you are onto something here

[@divadsanders]

Really nice catch! Both Arrax and Luke were smaller so had to take a sneak shot

[@starlight0313]

@@divadsanders mightve worked if arrax wasn't blinder than vhagar

[@laughingxmermaid]

I think the biggest reason that Daemon gets upset when he finds out about Aemon's dream is not because Viscerys "didn't trust him with the secret." I believe it's because Viscerys not sharing the dream with him illustrates that Daemon was never meant to be more than a placeholder as heir and Viscerys never really considered the idea that Daemon would ever ACTUALLY get the throne even before naming Rhaenyra.

[@dajanaabulatovic]

I liked how painful that was for him, after choking Rhaenyra.

[@bierwolf8360]

well, yes, because by male primogeniture, Rhaenyra was and is in line before Daemon. The whole "heir naming thing" didn't change any laws, it just confirmed what had been true since Viserys' ascendance could otherwise be cited as precedence by Daemon for taking the throne

[@kagenohikari8]

@@bierwolf8360 if that male primogeniture was true then Rhaenys would've been crowned Queen and not Viserys as King. Rhaenys was the child of the eldest son while Viserys was of the third born son. I believe Rhaenyra was never in line for the throne until she was officially named heir.

[@bierwolf8360]

@@kagenohikari8 ...Can you read? I mentionend all that

[@72bobin]

@@bierwolf8360 I think you are the one who can't read as you said the opposite of what that other guy said, who is right while you are wrong. The heir naming thing did change the law, Daemon was ahead of her in the succesion as the inheritance laws from the iron throne differ from the rest of the realm in that it acts as if no woman were born. A different kind of male primogeniture than what most of Europe had.

[@itsjusteddie7384]

I think the strangling bit was there to remind the audience exactly who Damon is heading into the second season. The past two episodes the Damon-ness of it all was toned down a lot from the first half of the season

[@adamcummings20]

A nice little reminder that he is the same motherfucker who visited his wife after years and murdered her in cold blood for no reason other than his own ambitions.

[@cityofmagic4370]

Until he meets nettles

[@burritoomg]

I think it echoes the idea that *dragons* cannot be controlled. Daemon has the blood of the dragon and similarly cannot be reliably controlled.

[@mariarivadeneira3360]

@@cityofmagic4370 Y’all the books aren’t reliable. It’s believed they had an affair it’s not confirmed

[@Jedishill680]

On the topic of controlling dragons. It might be easier to control a dragon when doing mundane things like flying for transportation. When in life or death situations the dragons own survival instinct might override commands from the rider

[@daniellatiger6220]

Yeah I think Arrax realized he was being hunted and tried to defend himself. Vaghar got hit by dragonfire and wanted to defend herself too, and neither Luke or Aemond could control it

[@Elementroar]

People forgot that Daemon knows exactly how powerless he is in a situation with difficult child births. He was there for Laena, and couldn’t do anything, couldn’t change anything. And then literally watched his wife and child burn to death. On a very visceral level, I think Daemon was terrified that he goes to Rhaenyra just to watch her die, powerless again to do anything. So he had two options: either he goes to Rhaenyra because he thinks she will die alone if he doesn’t; or he believes she will survive and that going to her would be pointless, but if he stays put and prepares their defense and for war, he can be actually useful. He chose the ‘optimistic’ option. It was harsh, but he was not wrong imo. The problem is he will never properly explain himself to Rhaenyra, because he’s emotionally stunted and full of pride.

[@schottin76]

and he just lost his brother...

[@The-Doctor6969]

Yeah, he def gave off hard coping vibes. L coping tho, domestic abuse is not chic

[@condensedmilk]

f Daemon

[@BudMasta]

"harsh" she wasnt letting the handmaidens do anything, what was he going to do?? He's the only one besides maybe corlys that knows the extent of what's to come. Everyone is going to die screaming very soon.

[@mellohi2899]

Daemon should've been with her

[@StrangeDisposition]

Poor Lucerys, very sad 😞. I was getting annoyed at all the Daemond swooning and this episode is a good reminder that he is still a monster.

[@Akazainul]

I support people swooning for Daemon because then I can easily tell which people I should avoid

[@chumuheha]

Daemon or Aemond? Because that statement is true for both lol

[@trippersigs2248]

@@chumuheha Daemons. People like aemond but no one has been making excuses for him, he's also never purposely done anything as bad as Daemon.

[@Gadget-Walkmen]

As I said, LOL It's always those twitter shipping fools who are so obsessed with "who dates who" that they forgot the bigger picture of everything else. Shipping culture among fans are so unbelievably bad that they forgot characters' true nature. I Love Daemond as a character as a whole but I know EXACTLY what his character is supposed to be in this brutal harsh world of theirs. People should have known this already.

[@Aurica34]

I don't understand either, they are alot of comments on FB stating how badass Daemon is and how they are totally with him. The guy is freaking monster. It is like these people forget that if they ever existed in a GOT universe, they are likely the peasants that suffer from people like Daemon

[@tite93]

Vhagar is a flying war crime, holy shit. Can't wait to see what Granny does next season. I'm sure it won't involve burning folks by the thousands and chomping on her distant dragon-relatives

[@KenGud]

I love how even tho Luke saw Vhagar missing when he was leaving storms end, he still got on his dragon to leave. I would’ve been like, yo, can I like stay here for a hot second. That should’ve been warning enough to stay out of the skies for a bit🥲

[@viceb7]

Poor kiddo was trying to be brave. I would've hid in the caverns for a bit lol

[@alvaro701]

I think he is scared because there is an storm, he most likely leaves Storm's end before Aemond

[@CM-jc7gk]

@Lurking Carrier what made you think guest right was provoked? Lucerys was already taking it on himself to leave to deliver the message back to his mom, he wasn't asked to leave. Also Aemond or Vhager were not going to actually bother him as long as he stayed grounded - Borros wasn't allowing the war to start at his own house. Lucerys just panicked & fled.

[@ShogunTen]

That was a stupid scene too. How Aemond was in the hall when Luc left and still got to Vhagar before him?

[@alvaro701]

@@CM-jc7gk The psyco with a giant dragon that wants to take your eye pretty much can force the situation don't you think

[@ShadowsDML]

Vaegar shot in the rain is basically a reenactment of the T Rex reveal shot from Jurassic Park

[@darren806]

Ah I was trying to remember what it reminded me of! Thank you

[@wrigleyishome4764]

It reminded me of Godzilla fighting Ghidorah also

[@viceb7]

Yas!

[@peculiarpig]

@@wrigleyishome4764 or in Godzilla 2014 when he charges up his atomic breath and his tail slowly showing us his silhouette

[@adamcummings20]

Vermithor closeup also looks a LOT like the T-rex from JP

[@eliyarrows2456]

I think it makes so much sense that the dragons acted out on their own. If you have two well trained dogs by two different people then you go into a field and scream at each other and start to fight in a way where you’re not trying to hurt each other but you make it look like you’re trying to kill each other I can guarantee you that those two dogs will start to get riled up and fight no matter what you say

[@sissyphussartre2907]

UNLESS they're acting dogs specifically trained for acting

[@nicholaskinkaid]

I don't think dogs would be best to compare dragons with.....would make more sense to compare them with 2 well trained tigers. Because even if well trained, you have them antagonize each other and shit will go down badly.

[@eliyarrows2456]

@@nicholaskinkaid i don’t think that’s a good comparison given most tiger owners get attacked by their tigers. There’s no training a tiger only making them comfortable around you sometimes, but in this show they can stand next to their dragon without the threat of being eaten, and other people can do the same. Obviously there’s not a good comparison for a dragon but I think a dogs companionship is a good one because some people can train their dogs to do anything in command like maybe Daemond could with caraxes since they’ve been in so many battles, where as Aemond adopted an old dog that used to be in dog fights so he has trouble controlling it. And luce had a dog slightly older than a puppy so it wasn’t trained well enough yet to not get intimidated by the larger dog.

[@eatme123-g8y]

I think it only makes sense because both dragons are being ridden by children, one is a literal child, and one is like a young adult that is riding a giant fully grown dragon. Both riders are absolutely overpowered by their dragon and unable to control them fully yet.

[@corbeau-_-]

@@eliyarrows2456 magic skyscraper sized flying fire breathing doggies! ;) Parts of their behavior seems to be intelligent, partly instinctive, in part due to experience, but also emotion. Humans could work well too... Sadly. Having a bond with another intelligent being seems to be important. Beating it into submission works well too, for a while... Until opportunity presents itself. But I digress. Vhagar was full on roadrage (flyrage?). Arrax was scared AF. I don't know about dragons anatomy, but I suppose they have huge adrenal glands ;)

[@belablanck]

I don't know if they were going for this natural perspective but for a lot of reptiles it's perfectly natural for bigger stronger adults to kill and eat the smaller, younger ones. For example small komodo dragons have to hide in trees from adults. So for me it makes perefect sense that Vhagar would just not think twice before tearing up Arrax.

[@InquisitorThomas]

Yeah there’s even a really old wild dragon on Dragonstone that has such a reputation for eating younger dragons that his name is “The Cannibal”

[@Captaintrippz]

opportunistic hunters take bites out of pretty much anything that seems appealing.

[@matthewstein5854]

Totally didnt read Reptile at 1st and was thinking what type of psychos u hang out with!

[@adamcummings20]

I get why people are mad that Aemond accidentally killed Luke, but to me it was a perfect parallel to their childhood. In that scene they were kids again, but unaware of their own strength and responsibility. They are playing with powers out of their control, and Aemond simply trying to scare Luke led to tragedy once again. I had this moment spoiled before the episode and so many comments seemed disappointed in the finale but my god, episode 10 is up there as one of the best hands down. What a fucking ride

[@Forged4War206]

The consequences of Aemond killing Luke are so extreme that even with Aemond's ego and desire to "even the score" the dude wouldn't have been dumb enough to intentionally kill the son of the only person preventing an all out war. That would make his character look incredibly irrational and evil. He's sadistic and a bit unhinged sure, but purposely murdering someone as important as Luke? No way. Having it be a horrible accident makes way more sense.

[@GeronimoPlaz]

@@Forged4War206 I don't think Aemond is all that bad. I'd be pretty bitter and spiteful if someone cut my damn eye out and then his mommy protected him. Damn right I'd antagonize that family lol

[@bierwolf8360]

@@GeronimoPlaz same, but most people, it seems, have fallen for the show's dull "Black good, green bad" narrative

[@corbeau-_-]

@@bierwolf8360that's also because of the structure. King wants peace for all - denies his brother. His daughter will rule - she wants to keep the peace as well. Then nutty queen who pleases footman interprets death bed talks. Dad was already plotting to empower their Aegon. They set up quickly and locked up big dragonlady. Sapphire eye lost the original eye for a dragon he stole - which he said was a good deal. Then dragon eats small potatoes... Bad juju.

[@corbeau-_-]

@@bierwolf8360 but indeed, both families have rotten elements which keep firing the fued.

[@nvoid2597]

Both Aemond and Daemon are incredibly well cast. Aemon especially. Dudes look and vibe are pure villain

[@ultraviolettas]

They both look like this 😗😙

[@adamcraig1468]

You wouldn't believe that his last major role was playing a god fearing monk that hated violence

[@angryerika]

@@ultraviolettas aemond be lookin like this 🌜🌝

[@mr.fettesq.7705]

Lol!!!! Totaly

[@cityofmagic4370]

Osferth is a good boy!

[@wayneivers732]

The change to Shipbreaker Bay was outstanding. The idea in F&B that Aemond decides to go out and commit some intentional kinslaying and start a war after being goaded by one of Borrus's daughters when his side is not in a secure position and outnumbered in Dragons is absurd. I'm loving show Aemond and that Sapphire eye is everything I ever wanted.

[@chumuheha]

I agree, it makes Aemond seem less hot-headed and more like a reluctant combatant. He even said he didn't want to blind Luke completely, just even the score. The change allows for more ways to explore his character rather than basically just being a moody medieval anime villain.

[@SantomPh]

This was arguably Aemond's first ever kill, so it is always stomach churning. Robert even calls Barristan Selmy and Jaime Lannister in to discuss the very thing in GoT.

[@Camibug]

@@chumuheha he also said an eye for a dragon was a fair trade and he wasn’t innocent when they were kids. Sooooo, he definitely still seemed hot headed to me. Were we supposed to think he only wanted to talk?

[@zpacify]

@@Camibug Yeah, F Aemond. He instigated that fight, threatening the Strong kids with a rock. All bets are off.

[@Canadish]

I like the change as it immediately gives agency to Vhagar as her own character and by extension, all the other Dragons, who so far have just been like big dangerous planes. But now we've firmly confirmed they are animals who their own will and now act as a potential wildcard to all the upcoming proceedings. Genuinely amazing change. Aemond still holds guilt for playing with proverbial fire here, the critique of giving children WMDs really sings louder now.

[@dietervonhellstrom9164]

When the Storm's End guard's barely reacted to a dragon landing in the courtyard, I should have known that wasn't the first one they had seen that day...

[@Custom_Carl]

Great point, especially after big grandma already landed and was lurking

[@Longshanks1690]

Narrator: It was at this moment that Aemond knew… he fucked up.

[@ganxobataa3570]

Nahh he shocked at that moment, probably fine

[@legomaniacsss]

Can we fucking burry this saying already

[@adamcraig1468]

More like... oops. I did not mean to do that.

[@alessandrott7568]

That was Arrax a split second before being shredded into pieces.

[@kainslegacy78618]

The symbolism is quite tragic. We saw how happy Viserys was when meeting Rhaenyra's children. But, right after his death, she loses her latest child. Before losing her second son. I couldn't help but think about Viserys' last words "No More" with the tear and tone of true sadness. The man's memory is being insulted like Oberyn Martell.

[@jetcustomsdbz5821]

I thought viserys last words were my love as if he was finally joining his first wife. I'm like 85percent sure.

[@hafsahassan394]

@@jetcustomsdbz5821 100% sure. Paddy said as much speaking of his failure to recover from his part in Aemma's death. connecting it to his final words

[@kainslegacy78618]

@@jetcustomsdbz5821 His final-final words, yes.

[@SnailHatan]

What symbolism? Nothing you wrote about is symbolic.

[@kainslegacy78618]

@@SnailHatan If you prefer the term "poetic", fine.

[@howtosober]

Poor little Arrax.... he was just a scared, innocent baby dragon trying to puff himself up to look big because he was being chased by someone 4x his size. Granny Vhagar didn't have to take it so personally. The rest of this show is going to be hard. I care far more about the dragons than any of the characters, although Luke and Jace seem like really good kids (unlike Alicant's). Rhaenyra didn't do her job to prepare Lucerys adequately. In fact, she shouldn't have sent him at all. If she ever learned to read a room she'd remember how she snubbed House Baratheon during her marriage tour, along with every one of its vassal lords, and she'd have known to show up with some humility and a good offer to make peace before issuing demands. Luke was set up for failure from the moment he left. Rhaenyra's whole problem is that she didn't bother doing the work of preparing to inherit the throne. From the second she was named, she should have been currying favor from the lords of all the houses, knowing she would have to work twice as hard to have their support once Viserys died. She should have been building relationships with her subjects, and knowing about her sons, trotting them out in front of the subjects at every opportunity to get the people to love them and see them as the heirs. At the very least, she could have been gracious to her hosts on the marriage tour and offered the various vassal lords a way to save face when she turned them down. Then when the time came for her to defend her claim, they'd remember her as having treated them well. She could also have been way more involved in the running of the kingdom, in a public way, so as to have the peoples' confidence in her rule. Knowing that her claim broke with centuries of tradition and that she had bastard sons, it's common sense that she would have to get to work in advance ingratiating herself to the people whose support she would need. Instead Rhaenyra spent her entire adolescence pouting around the castle, frittering her time away on idle pursuits and taking her inheritance for granted, while it was obvious for years that her dad could literally die any day. And leaving for Dragonstone, while it may have been more comfortable, cost her years of opportunity to build necessary relationships for the future and protect herself. The cost to everyone is that a kid the whole of Blackwater Bay knows is a psychopath has now been installed to rule over them.

[@U794462]

So true; that's a great assessment

[@Lyoko920]

I think Viserys is a major reason why Rhaenyra was unprepared. His temperament was pretty good (he wasn’t particularly violent) but he wasn’t a very involved leader. Definitely worse after Aemma’s death and his illnesses. He wasn’t interested in managing the realm and this is related to making Rhaenyra heir. By declaring her his heir, he should’ve made her his apprentice and been slowly transitioning some power to her. Maybe it would’ve gone better if she had a real role in Kingslanding other than “Princess,” which is vague. I wish she would’ve had more alliances too, but I can understand why not. She’s been building relationships with Valyrians. Plus I’m sure it’s difficult to make real alliances as princess because her encounters with these houses have been revolved around marriage. Not like she can make hunting buddies or tourney friends or whatever like a Prince could. Edit: I’m not even trying to be an apologist here. I’m often annoyed with Rhaenyra’s choices but I can see why they happen.

[@yingkouzen]

Totally agree with your assessment. I think Daemon’s view of we have dragon 🐉 so they need to obey us also play a hand in her lack of diplomacy & politics in contrast to Hightower’s preference for politicking and diplomacy.

[@howtosober]

@@yingkouzen ARE the Hightowers really politicking and using diplomacy though? They manipulated their way into getting what they want and now that they feel it's a done deal they're feigning diplomacy to keep the people they screwed over from retaliating. That's not what I call diplomacy, I call that scheming > hostile takeover > damage control.

[@TrueYellowDart]

@@Lyoko920 I’m in agreement - Viserys was on “cruise control” for much of his reign. Even the nice family dinner scene is tainted for me. Viserys wants everyone to get along but he hasn’t been *doing the work*. He just wants everything to be how he wants it without him truly exerting his will. Whether it was ruling the kingdom, being present for his kids, or mending the schism in his family, Viserys just never put the hours in.

[@ShubertReads]

2:47:19 🥰 I'm going to miss these weekly Q&As and the chaos of moderating such a fun and crazy livechat 😅. It's been a blast hanging out with you all every week! Crabs in the chat 🦀

[@TheZerech]

🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀

[@gryft0r133]

i think it’s really cool Aemond became a murderer unintentionally just like his mother Alicent did with the Strongs it’ll be interesting to see the difference in how they react to it

[@Schlorb-Lord-of-Schlirb]

I personally really like that since it humanizes him a lot

[@octavianpopescu4776]

I suspect he's going to become a much more intentional murderer over time.

[@mejuliie]

@@Schlorb-Lord-of-Schlirb me too!! And the actor did a fantastic job conveying Aemond's confusion, fear, and pain with just a look.

[@bierwolf8360]

there's nothing interesting about the Strong plotline anymore. Totally screwed up.

[@thereccher8746]

I loved how Aemond was all like "bro I just wanted to take his eye."

[@anorbet2514]

It's interesting how Rhaenyra is crowned queen at her sons funeral pyre. As Daenerys declares herself queen (and hatches three dragons) with Drogo's pyre, shortly after her own miscarriage. The implications are many folded depending on how you read it. The cost of power (either political or dragon) is your children.

[@dfdffdsadaafffaaff2190]

Is the thing you most dearly love*

[@samcresp5440]

The baby that was stillborn was a girl; Visenya was her name.

[@made-line7627]

The noise Vhagar made just after she killed them was pretty horrifying. I imagine it would have been pretty traumatising for Aemond, fully and finally realising what a dragon can do. I think he may have even been the first Targaryen ever to witness dragon-on-dragon conflict since the Doom. ...with the exception of the Cannibal's behaviour

[@Kurozu1991]

Maegor the cruel killed his nephew in a dragon fight. It also wasn’t much of a fight since Maegor rode Balerion.

[@made-line7627]

@@Kurozu1991 Seven Hells, you're completely right! Totally forgot about Quicksilver and Aegon! Cheers ☮️

[@fakjbf3129]

I would really like another livestream in a couple weeks that was full spoilers where you could talk more freely about potential upcoming events in next season. Talking about how they’ve set some of them up, theorizing about ways they might have some of them play out, when there are multiple versions of events in the book talking about which one you’d like to see. There have been a lot of talking points you’ve had to skip over during these streams for fear of spoilers, so it would be nice to get all of those out.

[@taconotequila6232]

Aemon going back on his work saying an eye for a dragon was a far trade

[@ganxobataa3570]

Lil strong should said i give you eye you give dragon back

[@Rippel0000]

Aemon: i will have his eye Vhagar: he can keep his eye 🐉👀

[@aralovely2848]

that was aemond's trade for taking vhagar but luke didn't pay any price for taking an eye

[@winternitz_]

whats your pfp from? Claymore? O:

[@markmywords3817]

@@aralovely2848 It's not like Aemond didn't have any hint before going to Vhagar. Helaena did say he will lose an eye for a dragon. And he knows the Velaryons wouldn't just sit there and welcome it happily just right after the previous owner's funeral. And he still went in for the trade anyway.

[@edgarpoe3039]

I'm gonna miss these livestreams. Listened to every one after each episode.

[@JoeyDee86]

The Jon Snow show starts with Bran showing Jon a vision that’s really Season 8, and he ends the vision by saying “and there what will happen if you don’t take the iron throne!” Like a reverse Newhart. :D

[@saiyanmgtow]

The ink is dry. Time travel is real, but if you do it, you already did it. Hodor.

[@koki.k]

Or Jon Snow wakes up after being stabbed to death and says I had the weirdest fucking dream ever.

[@George-um2vc]

Don’t do that, don’t give me hope

[@octavianpopescu4776]

When season 8 was on, before the final 3 episodes were out, there were leaks of what was about to happen. The leaks were accurate, but there was 1 scene we didn't see right at the end which was mentioned in the leaks. After crossing North of the wall, they reach a fresh spiral of body parts, indicating white walkers were still around. And it makes sense to me. Was it ever established that the Night King led absolutely every WW in his invasion? Was there ever a case of someone invading another country with his entire population in tow and losing all of that population in the process? You bring an army, but there are still others who stay home and do other stuff. I think it makes more sense if there were white walkers still alive. Maybe I'm trying to rationalize it, but I suspect Kit Harrington's proposal has something like this in mind.

[@George-um2vc]

@@octavianpopescu4776 maybe, but to me the main GOT series ended with season 4, HOTD is connected to those four seasons, but not the rest, that’s my head canon

[@paul8ish]

The soundtrack in this episode was fire! especially the Rhaenyra scene towards the end

[@thehoopman88]

It's on apple music and Spotify bro 😎

[@thelambsauce7223]

totally agree. still upset they didnt bother to make an original theme for the intro.

[@nicholassmieleski9710]

Very rare, literally never happened, where there’s an opportunity that Alt Shift X misses something that I catch, but I have my moment! There is actually small little indications of dragons having emotional relationships with each other. It’s funny he mentions Vermithor right after this question because Vermithor and Silverwing are described as being very close to each other reflective of their riders: Jaehaerys and Alysanne. They’d coil together in the Dragon Pit and nest with each other, and just generally like being close by. Spoiler: When Vermithor dies, Silverwing wails and there’s tales that Silverwing tried to raise Vermithor’s wings three times before flying off riderless. Vermithor and Silverwing shared a particular closeness, for sure. Which makes sense with who their riders were. Bigger spoiler: I’m curious to see if we’ll get any of that between Caraxes and Vhagar later on when they meet their end at the Battle Above the God’s Eye. People point out that Laena and Daemon rode the two while married, but it seems a lot forget that before that, Aemon and Baelon, two brothers who loved each other as dearly as any siblings in Westerosi history (and Baelon as in Viserys and Daemon’s father, for any who are show only who still wanted to read spoilers. He was also an incredibly likable and good man who would’ve made the best king westeros ever saw.) Aemon and Baelon rode Caraxes and Vhagar together for decades. Those two dragons have half a century of being close allies to each other and now with the show giving dragons more agency, I imagine that fatal battle is going to be even more shocking and gut wrenching. Two dragons who shared two riders with close bonds for decades forced to end each other.

[@broderickfall]

Brilliant write up. Thank you for this!

[@twstf8905]

Biggest spoiler; You completely missed him saying; "Lucerys should have turned 360° and got the hell out of there!" When in actuality it's 180°. (360° is turning completely around all the way, facing the original direction again, not exactly conducive to getting the hell anywhere, except where he was already going to begin with.) So, I guess it literally HAS happened, you missing something he's said wrong. I mean, it literally happened right here in this video lol (I'm just sayin' 🤜💥🤛) #ConstructiveCriticism #DontShootTheMessenger ✌️

[@WeirdVoyager]

@@twstf8905been on the internet long?

[@cocochannel9672]

There are so many nice contrasts in this episode. The Crown of the peaceful predecessor vs the one of the conquering ancestor. Rhaenyras tragic childbirth vs the one of her mother and subsequently the funerals of the babies. Beginning the season with 15- year old Rhaenyras leisure Dragon-flight in the blue sky vs Lucs duty to fly through a storm at the same age, Rhaenys reaction to both Queens - and so on... This black episode did not get the same suspenseful, self-focused narrative arc as the previous green one, but it fulfilled its duty by closing this whole season beautifully as a final meta contrast.

[@avengercannon]

She's like, I know the usurper might have stolen the crown but my 12 year old son on a small dragon is sure to be safe flying through a hurricane to run a message.

[@cosmo588]

@@avengercannon name checks out. Nah but I agree, Rhaenyra definitely made a mistake. I don’t blame her wish to want to rally her allies and hold off war for the moment. She just shouldn’t have let Luc go.

[@bobjoemac1]

@@avengercannon she clearly thought some sort of honour was left in the greens and figured if she spared Otto Hightower delivering a message they wouldn't kill her messengers... little did she know Aemond was a total psycho who apparently has a out of control dragon.

[@taylorreynolds3176]

In regards to Rahyneras femininity and how she feel about marriage and child birth it changed over time as she felt that she got more agency over her life and her body. Her agency was established when she married lanor and she knew she’d still have the freedom to do what she wanted when she married daemond. I believe most women are happy to get married and have child when they’re allowed to have a stand in this major part of their lives , which is why I think she was totally cool with having a gaggle of kids

[@henrylane6859]

I knew luke was done for when I saw him on the thumbnail of the livestream

[@mrorganic13]

I’ve waited so long for the short version of episode 10 recap almost forgot I was waiting :’( I already watched all of this :(

[@pixities]

It’s singlehandedly Otto’s fault. People forget he not only pushed Alicent to be queen, he also pushed for Rhaenyra to be heir initially. He set this whole damn rivalry up in the first place. Honestly Otto represents the patriarchy pitting women against each other

[@Mack-qd3rv]

Exactly! I don't see Otto getting nearly enough shit for what he's done. He IS the root cause behind all of this, and he doesn't even seem fully aware of that fact. Dude's gotta be in denial or a straight up psychopath with no care for anyone but himself.

[@MachineCode0]

Otto definitely is a piece of work and hugely responsible for the problems but I don't agree on your analysis there at the end. Rhaynera had plenty of opportunities to take her life in a different direction and she didn't take any of them. She also (at least now) seems to believe in the prophecy that her father also genuinely believed in. Alicent initially fell out with Rhaynera largely out of her own jealousy and self loathing.

[@thelambsauce7223]

LMAO patriarchy...in this show?

[@conorowens8382]

What I think is ironic about your comment is that you're doing a disservice to the agency of the female characters by arguing that Otto controlled everything. Yes, he was a major contributor but i don't think this war can be blamed on any one person. It's a combination of the king's indecision, Rheneyra's love affair, Vary's and Otto's manipulation, Alicents sense of duty, and the want for revenge from Aemond and sir Crispy. Reducing it all down to Otto is not only wrong, it blatantly ignores the poor decisions of the two main female leads (which btw, makes them great characters)

[@frenchguitarguy1091]

Yes and no. Aemond killing Luke is the trigger for war. Rheanyra was considering peace until she hears the news of Luke's death.

[@AdamantErinyes]

It's funny to hear someone say that Aemond just looks like a bad guy, considering that the actor's previous role was in The Last Kingdom where he was the fandom's sweet Baby Monk.

[@MzCheecharella]

OMG! Now I have to go back and re-watch The Last Kingdom. (Any excuse to do so, but I can't picture the actor as Baby Monk w/out a look...

[@BelieveInUrself93]

Aemond's "oh no oh shit oh fuck how am I gonna explain this" face is priceless.

[@quindecim7507]

I think a large part of the reason Daemon chokes Rhaenyra isn't jealousy, but fear that Rhaenyra was being claimed by the same "madness" that afflicted his brother, Viserys. The obsession with Dreams that drove him to commit every mistake that created this war in the first place. It was his Dream that led to him choosing to sacrifice the love of his life, and his Dream that led to his selecting of Rhaenyra as heir. Every step Viserys took that further divided the realm was motivated in some part by the prophecy. And I think Daemon, who knew his brother better than any, knew this much. Not about the prophecy itself, perhaps, but Viserys' obsession with prophecy in general.

[@basab1063]

I love so much this idea of the younglings not mastering their dragons. And perfectly makes sense from book material : Who is gonna believe the truth from Ameond + he cant tell the truth, cant admit he cant control the biggest dragon in the world Also, the way they only suggested the monstruosity of the deadborn child was very clever : sign for the book readers without showing something they never took time to explain (the monstruous targaryen babies ) and would probably be super weird and from nowhere for the watchers only.

[@mindymulligan2397]

I really loved the parallel between the earlier episode when Otto was sent to get the dragon egg from Daemon, and now when Otto is delivering peace terms. I think Rhaenyra wanted to remind Otto, "I once protected you from Daemon, but now nobody is going to stop him from coming for you."

[@Palducks]

47:00 it is said that Vermithor often coiled with Silverwing, so Dragons seem to have friendships, esp if their riders are close too.

[@parkian4245]

Lmao the ending, how is he going to explain that lmao. Now it is just bloodbath time baby

[@octavianpopescu4776]

He had nothing to do with it... it was... ummm... Euron's fleet and Lucerys kinda forgot about the Iron Fleet. Yeah... that's what happened. 😀

[@parkian4245]

@@octavianpopescu4776 you saying killing a prince had nothing to do with anything?

[@GojiraXR9]

I love how the show compliments the book so well! We can definitely enjoy piecing the history together, but the show makes it so interesting to see how their historians could never grasp the truth behind these grand events.

[@TheRealBoss1113]

That has definitely been the way I've been viewing it. Anytime I watch one of the breakdowns and Shift says "this is a change from the book" I always just saw it as the show is the true events and then the book is what's written in history because of the unreliable narrators.

[@cachetona4794]

Spot on

[@jameer7565]

I agree Aemond looks like pure evil but he's not an outright evil person. Also the shots of him in storms end were beyond badass.

[@MrHalstedt]

Felt like Syrax appearing during the birth scene was setting up the emotional connection between the characters and their dragons - later in the episode it manifests in Luc cracking his pants and Arrax reacting whilst Aemond yearning for vengeance manifested in...well, that

[@filipprusak9508]

I feel that todays episode was about connection between rider and dragon (Rheanyra and Syrax). I think that Vagar and Arrax reflected the inner emotions of their riders

[@mejuliie]

that's a great point!! it shows what true control over a dragon looks like vs. limited control, and what horrors that can cause. will be super interesting to see how they set up the dragon & rider relationships in the future.

[@McMingus]

god damn i'm gonna really miss fitting these livestreams into my weekly routine, i've genuinely been just as excited for these if not more than I have been for the actual show so I really gotta say thanks for making these - knowing I can go straight to these right after the episode has seriously made a positive impact, thanks for keeping them book spoiler free so us hardcore casual fans can still enjoy em. Looking forward to seeing what you cover next but enjoy the well deserved break - sad we've gotta wait till 2024 for season 2 but knowing that we've got these to follow will make the wait completely worth it. Crabs in the chat lads 🦀🦀🦀

[@jennamicieli2931]

Ugh gonna miss this every week These in-depth dissections of each episode have become a staple in my week!!

[@SeanAnglerfish]

As a fan who hasn't read Fire and Blood, and only know the ending of a couple of characters, I was personally hoping for a long standing feud between Lucerys and Aemond throughout this show. Suffice to say I was certainly surprised by this episode and though I am sad for Luke I am excited and terrified to see more from this show.

[@dantederi5062]

Maybe the feud will be continued by Jace, Luke is too kind to hold a grudge like that

[@SeanAnglerfish]

@@dantederi5062 True. I suppose I expected Jace to be killed sooner than Luke due to his brash personality and then maybe Luke as he matures would have no choice but to step up to the plate. An underdog story if you will. But hey I love GOT because it isn't predictable and I'm sure I'll be surprised by it's story again and again going forward!

[@RK-dc2es]

I barked out a laugh at Aemond's "AH JEEZ, AH FUCK" face after he killed Luke, it was so funny & I can't tell if it was intentional

[@ubersheep6517]

His heart probably sank to his balls when vhagar chomped Luke. I know that feeling when you know you fucked up REALLY bad.

[@bearlyhardley]

I don’t think it was supposed to make you laugh if that’s what you mean

[@Nhxn_]

It wasnt intentional to kill luce if thats what ur saying

[@mr.voidroy6869]

Armond is an idiot then. Like when you attack someone with a dragon and intent to demand an eye the dragon is going yo kill that person. He was playing a stupid game.

[@Beany2007FTW]

"Oops, I accidentally a war"

[@tj8002]

I had always imagined in my head that when Aerea Targareyen had disappeared to Valyria on the back of Balerion that Balerion had decided to go back on his own will. Seeing how Vhagar and Arrax defied their masters without hesitation further confirmed my thoughts. Fire and blood is in their nature so when they escape, burn villages and eat people they aren’t acting out they are probably just tired of being kept in dark pits and fed pigs.

[@nickwittednonpareil]

5:23 Alicent is doing excellent hand acting. And even better foot acting! ...OK, I'll see myself out.

[@uberjens]

The whole thing with Boros was strange. ''Hey Jace, lord Stark is young so you might have something in common'' and then follow it up with ''Boros is a super proud man....so let's send the kid with the smallest dragon, and let him deliver a written message to the illiterate proud/arrogant man!''

[@meghanohalloran729]

She sent jace on a journey nearly 3 times as long, and far more dangerous. She expected a peaceful, warm welcome from the baratheons and couldn’t have known aemond would be there offering a better deal

[@daniellatiger6220]

She was close with House Baratheon. It's nearby. And really, nothing would have gone wrong if not for Vaghar and Aedion. The only thing she miscalculated was whether House green would already be at the Baratheons. And even then, Luke should have been safe ( as seen when Boros did not let Aemond hurt Luke under his watch)

[@masterplokoon8803]

@@daniellatiger6220 Rhaenyra was not really close to the Baratheons. Rhaenys was Borros' cousin but it's not Rhaenys claiming the throne. Sending a timid boy with nothing to offer to a super proud lord who is from a house that values strenght was not a good idea. Sending Rhaenys and actually having something to offer would have served them much better.

[@islandboy9381]

​​@@masterplokoon8803 Baratheons are iron clad when it comes to keeping to oaths and the oath that was expected of them was supporting Viserys and therefore Rhyneara, they also take princes more seriously in sending offers/messages not women leaders, that is an iron custom in Westeros as well. None of them, even the advisors expected the next Baratheon leader to just throw away the oath in favor of another like a flipflopper.

[@masterplokoon8803]

@@islandboy9381 people are individuals and just because Boremund was steadfast with his oath that doesn't mean Borros is. Borros is an unpredictable man and the green council was more than aware of it (Tyland was aware rhat Storm's End was of concern) in their discussions so they sent their most badass prince on their largest dragon (knowing that Baratheons respect strenght) with a pretty tempting offer ( a marriage pact), the Black council knowing that Borros would need to be reminded of his oath sent a frightened bastard boy on their weakest dragon with nothing to offer and just handed over a letter. Rhaenys is a princess herself and her dragon Meleys is much more imposing than Arrax and unlike Lucerys she has actual conections with the Baratheons. She would have been capable of making a better arguement than Lucerys, though I am not so sure if she could have been sucessfull but it would have been a better atempt than sending Lucerys.

[@jacobdarling1524]

“The idea that we control the dragons is an illusion.” -Viserys Targaryen I

[@RonniePuertoRico]

I shed a tear in this series like 6 or 7 times. It was incredible! The series brought me close to so many things I had never witnessed and never been so immersed in, such as how women suffer so much when giving birth and around the violent ambition of men. Props on giving a woman’s perspective to all this world. I lost my father in a similar way King V dies and the way he acted was spot on. Paddy’s acting brought me back to that moment. He brought us to the reality of how our loved ones die. It also shows how certain people bring families together, and the chaos that can ensue when they die. The sub-stories within the details in this series can be talked about for a long time! The acting in this series is also some of the best performances you will ever see.

[@midsizesedan7620]

Luke's innocent death got to me. Vhagar is massive. This explains why Daemon was taming the untamed Vermithor. Caraxes doesn't stand a chance

[@geoDB.]

fatherless

[@RonniePuertoRico]

@@midsizesedan7620 The death and suffering of the most innocent due to the ambition of others is another good story.

[@RonniePuertoRico]

@@geoDB. Father

[@geenadavis7365]

The scene of the larger dragon dwarfing the other large dragon left me in awe. I had to rewatch that whole sequence 3 times.

[@crazydaisy9921]

All I could think when Corlys came back was 'wow, the apparently very old man who has been wounded and recovering sounds SO YOUTHFUL and FRESH' - good for him, hope I am feeling as good when pushing into my elder years

[@rockymountainwordygirl3462]

Having your videos explain the details and the history has made House of the Dragon so much more enjoyable for me as a non-BookReader. Thank you so much!

[@jaqjynx]

Now that HotD is over for the next 2 years, would you consider doing videos on other characters and times from Fire and Blood. I would love to hear more about the twins Aerea and Rhaella. Particularly about Aerea’s dark and mysterious death.

[@mireya5938]

This super long Q&A was absolutely incredible

[@billross7245]

You could see that tragedy from a mile away. The atmosphere, the storm, a solitary kid facing a more or less hostile court. I wasn't expecting it to go down in a dragon fight. That was pretty wild.

[@yingkouzen]

Yes that’s good foreshadowing

[@arun279]

Aegon the elder may have the conquerors crown, but rhaenyria is the same position as Aegon before the conquest. In some ways she owns the conquerors legacy as well as her fathers

[@TheFireStarter1215]

She's outnumbered at first with sworn lords, but has more dragons. She's crowned at Drsgonstone the same as Aegon. Very similar.

[@Mati_Moo]

I think why people say it's out of character for Daemon to hurt Rhaenyra is bcuz up until that point, it seemed like Daemon cared/loved Rhaenyra. More then his other wife at least. I guess it was just shocking to see him do that when we held their relationship in another light. But nope. Daemon is Daemon

[@lachlanmiles5882]

News at 11, violent abusive arseholes don’t get better just because they marry the ‘right’ person. Surprised people still need this made clear to them. No criticism of you intended OP, just a general point:)

[@dangriffiths6358]

It was clear as day he was grooming her from their first scene together. Because Daemon is good looking people overlook it, if he was ugly he would be hated.

[@Practicallypreposterous]

42:40 Calling it now, the new OP will focus on the painted table, and as the story progresses it will catch fire in plot appropriate places until it's engulfed in flames in the season finale. Aside from looking cool, the light up table may be an omen of how the entirety of Westeros will be engulfed in a fiery war (No book only spoilers pls)

[@FreddyMacT]

I always got the impression in the book that Aemond just hated the Strong/Blacks because of the childhood dynamics that were present through no fault of their own, then the fight and eye loss just cemented that schism. You add Aemond's mother embracing that hatred, it just naturally progressed into something more violent as they grew. So from the books I never thought Aemond had any hesitance to kill Lucerys. In the show it makes sense though, Aemond has never been presented as wholly evil, he's like Daemon, there is evil in him, there is a part of him that wants to fight, but he's not wholly a monster and so killing his cousin is still a horrific act for him. Now the war commences due to the conflicts increasing and the schism being flamed by people on both sides. It's an interesting nuance to throw in for Aemond, who I tend to really like even with the acts he commits.

[@BautistaGresch]

In regards to the show making many developments being accidental instead of character-driven, I agree to an extent, but also we have to bear in mind the characters have final say regarding these situations. Even if the trigger for Allicent putting Aegon on the throne is accidental (her misinterpreting Viserys) she is still choosing to put him on the throne. Allicent is not a dumb individual, she is certainly clever and witty, she knows Viserys had Rhaenyra as his heir for more than 20 years, she knows her son is not fit, she knew Viserys was week and senile, and STILL she pushed through with the plan. However, like I said I agree to an extent, when the "accident/misinterpretation" trope is overused it gets old quick!

[@zenebean]

Most of the "unavoidable" sacrifices that people like Tywin and Otto talk about are avoidable. Tywin was claiming a kingdom for his house by committing war crimes, and then graciously stopped the war crimes by murdering the people who were mad about it. Otto could have ensured Rhaenyra's ascension simply by standing by her, but he conspires to create a rival claimant for his own power. The only way he wanted Rhaenyra on the throne was as Aegon's queen, and now only murder will let him get what he wants cleanly.

[@Scott100W]

The choking is totally in character for Daemon, he likes to assert dominance and his motivation is clear. He has always coveted the Iron Throne and Rhaenyra is talking as if she's about to give it up before Daemon ever got the chance to be King Consort, also Rhaenyra is almost mocking him about the fact his brother never opted to share the prophecy with him, and by extension, NEVER saw Daemon as his heir. All seems to fit for me.

[@atasukecetin90]

Yup its really in character for him to do that but I like to think that he choked her to get his point across that war is inevitable

[@thereccher8746]

Doing it to Rhaenyra felt a little weird to me. He spent ten whole episodes without placing harm on her suddenly he gets abusive.

[@Plazma896]

when the baby came out the umbilical cord was wrapped around her throat, there wasn't anything supernatural about her death in this depiction

[@josephatherley]

Her head looked like it was deformed to me. Doesn't necessarily mean supernatural tho

[@matthewstein5854]

@@josephatherley in the book the midwives and maesters stop helping her bcuz the baby comes out with scales and a tail. That's why she was having those dragon flashes during the miscarriage. I'm not really that upset at the show for it just being a regular miscarriage though. Honestly I've had seen enough childbirth this season..almost half the episodes had some kind of childbirth or miscarriage.

[@mr.fettesq.7705]

No dude...the Dragon flashes were of Cyrax freaking out because Rhenyra was in tremendous pain. The two share a bond.

[@thelambsauce7223]

@@matthewstein5854 because a babe coming out with scales and a tail are so absurd in the dragon show...some pointless changes in this season.

[@bierwolf8360]

@@thelambsauce7223 the Targ-dragon-hybrid miscarriages are one of the most interesting things about that family. Really lame they cut it

[@S1L3NTG4M3R]

And now, "We Dance!" 🔥🔥🔥 Great season 1.

[@marjoe32]

RIP to our pale boy he was a good boy who flew though a storm but was too green and got scared.

[@3lake49]

I felt like the area surrounding storms end looked like it was eroded from centuries of storms, but this castle had stood in defiance of them

[@ShivamSharma-ho1ni]

That's why it is known as the strom's end

[@treygrosvenor2079]

I think it was a great "change." It wasn't really a change after all. We are given wildly different accounts of what really happened from Mushroom and the Maester. Arrax attacked Vaghar and she reacted. I kinda like that as they set up that all season that Dragons are sentient and that they don't really controll them 100%.

[@greenapple1470]

I had so much anxiety throughout this episode, big monsters freak me out so bad and seeing both Vhagar and the dragon Daemon sings to was so horrifying, I am not okay after this