House of the Dragon S2E05 Explained

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#GameOfThrones #ASOIAF #HotD

[@AltShiftX]

Get Nebula with 40% off an annual subscription: Duck: go.nebula.tv/altshiftx Goose: nebula.tv/altschwiftx

[@JoshuaKevinPerry]

Does Glidus still do episode videos?

[@Grey_OSN]

@@JoshuaKevinPerryyes, he drank a bit too much of amnesia water and has forgotten his youtube password

[@onetwokaafour]

Targerian exceptionalism? 😂

[@prezrickard]

Anyone knows why Jace and the Freys are sitting down in front of a door propped up as a table?

[@jamesw7072]

Alicent shouldn't even be a main character anymore, she has no power and little relevance to the story moving forward. I sure hope they cut her airtime and her weird facial expressions are so cringeworthy.

[@deadmanthehekatonkheire994]

I saw a funny meme that said it's a good thing Alicent didn't hear Aegon say "Mummy" because she probably would have thought he was naming *her* as his heir.

[@omranhaddadin5262]

Lmfaooooo

[@pimisi]

😂😂

[@boreallima2481]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@neltins5308]

Wow, so instead of being a loving nurturing mother she gets paranoid and thinks "Aegon wanted me to be QUEEN REGEANT!!!" that would be very Cersei of her.

[@ladyhotep5189]

Bruh😂😂😂

[@cc0767]

9:20 Clearly Aegon saying Mummy was him expressing his wish to keep ruling after his death, as a mummy

[@merrittanimation7721]

Mummy King Aegon II

[@jlshel42]

He was asking her to put on his favorite Brendan Fraser movie

[@ThwipThwipBoom]

I don't get Brits calling their moms 'mummy'. Like, why would you want to call your mom that? Mummies are corpses that have had all their organs ripped out and preserved in jars. Nasty stuff.

[@mr_clean91]

The shot of Daemon sitting on a rock in his badass black armor looking completely defeated might be my favorite in the show so far

[@jb76489]

Either that or when he was looking at the scroll on the step stones

[@tpmjg]

100%

[@Gentle.Snow.]

Ngl the way he casually says, "I did not think that they'd be so eager to die" gave me major 11 vibes, took me out of the context completely XD

[@airconditionedrelco7099]

@@Gentle.Snow. please clarify what you mean by ''11 vibes,''

[@nobrakes7892]

the guy rejecting daemon and riding away with the dragon in the background was cold ngl

[@urouge7206]

The Sunday curse is broken thank the gods

[@palemoonlight96]

Historic day for this channel 🥳🥳 but also let him cook, quality above all and his is unsurpassed!

[@Sunday265.]

One piece fan spotted.

[@princememphis7726]

Sunday was a better fit. You get a solid refresher before watching the new episode. It's perfect actually

[@urouge7206]

@@Sunday265. Paper Mario Fan spotted :D Tyd is my favorite game since I got it as a kid

[@shakkarugat9184]

the mad lad did it! Gods be good for what comes next! Mayhaps a spoiler zone in the stream review....

[@amatthew1231]

I love how they are making Jayce a competent politician in the making, the Frey's are known for not engaging in fair fights, arriving late, preserving their armies, and using the Crossing as leverage for every deal. And Jayce gets them to swear allegiance, commit men to the war, and secure the crossing for the Winter Wolves, all for a crumbling ruined castle.

[@andyfletchxr]

they really love that broken castle 😂

[@jessjess23brooks89]

Honestly, I'm shocked the Frey's haven't had a hand at Harrenhal yet. They fit the usual criteria.

[@ThwipThwipBoom]

Why does everyone always want to own Harrenhal? The place is a dump. Harrenhal is the kind of place generals station soldiers at as a punishment for disobedience. lol

[@champ1159]

​@Karlach_ It's the biggest castle in the riverlands and was the seat of Harren the Black, king of the Isles and Rivers before the Riverlands and Iron Islands were separate kingdoms, having it in one's possession is proof of one's power

[@jessjess23brooks89]

@@ThwipThwipBoom It's more so for the lands, than the castle. It's holdfast borders are the most fertile in the Riverlands. If managed properly, it can be incredibly lucrative. Every person who actively wants it (and is not just saddled with it like The Strongs) thinks they can "fix her", be the one to somehow manage funds between war to become rich and repair the giant to a working condition. But no one has, since it's a big hubris curse machine.

[@miterlizoltan874]

Sometime 20 years later, S12 E6 explained: we see Cheese's dog STILL sitting in front of his master's grandson's grave, showing loyalty

[@jlshel42]

Westerosi Hachiko

[@Jen7867]

Aww. While many of us are, it sure highlights how many of us humans are not worthy of dogs, doesn't it? Precious dog!!! ❤

[@billykordecki6052]

Cheese's dog grows up to be the dog from the Futurama episode.

[@merrittanimation7721]

Long Night Prequel: We see Cheese’s dog was loyal to him even millennia before his birth

[@GreyGramarye]

Jurassic Bark 2

[@punishedshaq4657]

It's nice to see Crazy Dream Daemon and War Crime Daemon finally come together like this

[@steveywonder1990]

They should try to come together more often.

[@VictorIV0310]

Their flesh was said to meld harmoniously with others.

[@ladyhotep5189]

Idk. They may start arguing amongst themselves soon 😂😂😂

[@FreakTesticals]

I saw hot d in the thumbnail😢

[@awesomehpt8938]

Alicent: women can’t rule! Also Alicent: why won’t they let me rule!? 😭

[@panzequest-1226]

Girls get it done 🎉

[@geoffreyfyfe2248]

As Rhaenys told her last season, "You only want to make a window in your prison." She was warned.

[@AA_AA2444]

Alicent tells Aegon to listen to his "wise" counselors, then gets mad when those same counselors go against her.

[@rhaenatargaryen8061]

@@AA_AA2444 while pointing at herself.... a long pattern of only expressing herself through the implication of men. "my husband the king would like that (i would like that)" etc.

[@rhaenatargaryen8061]

she never once said women cant rule, quite the opposite in fact. why are 144 people this dumb

[@simbol5638]

"Who will pass the bloody gate" "The bloody hound"😂

[@lukebarroso449]

The Brackens have some serious balls for turning their backs on Daemon and Caraxes. Absolute power move.

[@seancomyn4610]

Very good TV change making the Blackwoods and Brackens shades of gray instead of George's blatant favouritism in the books lol

[@myujmes]

​@@seancomyn4610 real

[@lukebarroso449]

@@seancomyn4610 Agreed. I really wish we got to see more of both sides being either noble or trash.

[@spiderwebb222]

@@seancomyn4610 Bear in mind that Fire & Blood is written from the point of view of historians, and ASOIAF is written from the characters' various points of view. It makes sense that there'd be favoritism depending on the narrator's opinion.

[@nickb3164]

Regarding Daemon chopping wood, I think that is one of the wisest things he has done all series. As the saying goes, “Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment; chop wood, carry water.” When being assaulted by your memories, menial labor can be very healing.

[@onesith4528]

In my best Olenna Tyrell voice, "Haelaena is the queen. You are not the queen because you are not married to the king."

[@callum9387]

every crumb of behind the scenes footage we get is a treasure, they look like they’re having an absolute blast (fabien especially, what a guy)

[@grumpysphinx4911]

I absolutely love the BTS videos they make! Even if I don't like an episode or a writer's decision, I still respect how much work and passion goes into the production, and the cast seems wonderful. I'm going to miss Eve Best and Steve Toussaint being goofy friends in their videos together

[@MemoirsofaBasketcase]

I feel so bad for him getting attacked by dumdums unable to separate character from actor.

[@callum9387]

@@grumpysphinx4911 agreed, Rhaenys was my favourite! They were such a great duo.

[@callum9387]

@@MemoirsofaBasketcase It’s Jack Gleeson all over again. You think people would learn

[@ruigerd]

​@@MemoirsofaBasketcase wait is Fabien Frankl getting attacked or Steve Toussaint? Either of them would be crazy though

[@tayjn]

My brain saw the notification and thought it was Sunday already

[@HarishKumar-yj1vu]

Bruh me too, I was like 12 more hours and I get to watch the new episode😭

[@EldenRingStreams]

That’s funny as shit

[@rohanrajput_9]

I trust in alt shift x more than myself, had to recheck the day

[@LunarRisingFilms]

lol same!!!!!! 😂

[@flovvers3]

We've been conditioned bruh 😫

[@RikvA]

8:24 Aemond is still betrothed to one of Borros Baratheon's daughters, I don't think he's gonna pull a Robb Stark

[@AltShiftX]

Good point! Unless he does a Maegor and marries multiple women..

[@GeldtheGelded]

@AltShiftX Or maybe he'll pull a renly😮

[@alexander_marvelon]

​@@AltShiftXthe Maegor card, brilliant 👏

[@Myne1001]

@@AltShiftX might just pull a Bobby B and marry the Baratheon woman but still bang Sylvie on the side

[@t-rexcellentreviews1663]

At this point, Aemond has clearly embraced the policy of as long as I ride the largest dragon in Westeros, I can do whatever the hell I want.

[@Glidus]

🦆🦆🦆CALLING ALL TRUE WARRIORS WHO PREFER THE DUCK 🦆🦆🦆

[@itskindafunny]

🫡

[@Prawnsly]

in many ways, a dragon is just a very large duck, if you think about it

[@Grey_OSN]

This is the new Android vs iPhone. #TeamGoose

[@JesusChristMarie]

Thanks for your tips about the ducks at the pond being free Lord Glimbus! I was gonna make human friends, instead I filled my apartment with duck companions. Best decision ever. Who needs human contact?

[@MossEnthusiast-te7qu]

Team GOOSE

[@luffytaro14]

Alicent: why didn’t you speak up for me? Criston: *trauma dumps*

[@zizojaezekeom3565]

Typical male behavior 😂

[@VictorIV0310]

Westeros is cooked.

[@shinsenshogun900]

Roasted like duck, or goose?

[@EnlightenedPigeon]

Quite literally

[@JohnsDough1918]

Cooked, but not yet roasted.

[@Noone91875]

So does aegon

[@heyyuyeung8729]

Nah, Dorne is gonna do just fine 😂

[@okacz19]

"Alicent doesn't listen very well" should be the tagline of the show

[@Myne1001]

"A bunch of blonde dragon people can't talk or listen to each other and worry what others might think so they begin killing each other" is pretty much the premise of HOTD

[@DJET723]

At this point it’s the main plot of the show.

[@MatthewTheWanderer]

And no one listens to Alicent, either, lol.

[@zizojaezekeom3565]

She's a bit slow but means well, i guess 😂

[@jsephtes5456]

I actually never noticed Alys disappearing, I hope that is deliberate and not accidental.

[@AltShiftX]

Alys' posture and walking is odd before she disappears.. Makes me think it's deliberate rather than a production mistake.

[@Kittykat81572]

Her hair is also loose, like it just came from a braid she slept in. Most ladies do their hair, no matter their status. It’s definitely a choice made by the costume team for a reason, hair holds lots of meaning in GoT and HotD

[@KlaraL-_-]

I´ve noticed something odd about other people (not) reacting to her as well. I hope it´s deliberate.

[@patflann29]

I appreciate the seamless use of both Duck Duck Goose and Simon Says as part of your script it was not lost on me

[@amatthew1231]

"The gentler sex has not been much privy to the streatgies if war" _Never mentions, strategy, troop counts, tactics, battlefields, military logistics, nothing_ Honestly one of my favorite details, between Jaehaerys and Viscerys and 70 years of peace no one knows shit except 'my dragon bigger than your dragon'

[@notmocka]

Honestly I sometimes forget the timeline is pretty tight in this series, otherwise I'd scream "READ A BOOK WOMAN! GRAB THE MEN WHO WOULD TEACH STRATEGY TO JACE, SIT THEM DOWN, AND TELL THEM TO TEACH Y O U

[@theviniso]

That was great. "You have seen no more battles than I have" is an amazing rebuttal.

[@cbbxvcjkb7877]

I think the scene where alicent proposes herself as queen regent really spoke to her naivete about this war. She still believes that aegon is king only because viserys wished for this and this scene makes it apparent to her that nobody else sees it that way, as larys said, what would it look like if we raised a woman of our own against rhaenyra.

[@jazwhoaskedforthis]

100% this. She's still naive even now. She was Regent because Otto was around, working through her. She was in place mainly to keep a Green as regent, and make their sides ascension more natural. She was only ever a tool, not a real player.

[@olorin4317]

I thought Daemon’s mom looked a lot like his brother’s wife which felt kinda revealing considering he never actually saw his mother.

[@DarkEpyon123]

I havent had a problem with Daemon being stuck in a Silent Hill game for the past few episodes, but I would like to see him be more directly involved in the conflict for the last episodes of the season.

[@matenzo]

Yeah it's getting a little old. Hope that's not all he does the rest of the season.

[@spearofhope2]

There's no need to slander silent hill games! 😅 SH is famously subtly and, y'know... Actually art 😂

[@simonholmes841]

So would Daemon. The guy lives to be more directly involved in conflicts. I expect he'll find a way to involve himself by the end of the season. In the meantime, we get to see him play king and have some of the same problems Viserys and Aegon II had. And probably the same problems Aemond will soon have as Regent.

[@jlshel42]

“Criston Cole: Hand of the King; Queen’s Ding-a-ling.” -Mushroom, after sneaking in to write in the White Book

[@merilum]

the small folk kinda forgot that Meleys killed hundreds of them at Aegon's coronation

[@Nukefandango]

​@@ColeBresnehenyeah actually, a line from a citizen about it would be nice lol

[@TheBNCyo]

@@ColeBresnehen why would they make pertinent and foreshadowing dialogue when they can make another scene of Rhaenyra being told she's a woman by her own council?

[@samanyupalthi]

The small folk did not forget it was meleys that killed so many of them! They remember and thats why they are in shock to see a mighty dragon and the rider that burst through the ground and killed hundreds of them and all they could do was run helplessly. Now they see it can be killed and they see it as a bad omen that such invincible dragon is now dead and just rotting meat like everything else rotting about.

[@Robscule]

They just an NPC lmao, they dont showed anger... Atleast one of it should spit on it 😂

[@Mori_88]

Bueno es obvio no lo recuerdan, porque no paso eso en los libros.

[@QuinnTheGM]

We can only hope that, if we ever see Bittersteel in live action, he keeps the energy of the Bracken walking away from Caraxes.

[@kevincarter2020]

HotD season 4?

[@For_The_Watch]

@@kevincarter2020maybe KotSK season 4

[@Djnightmare14]

I see season 3 ending with the gods eye, and 4 ending with the stark hand, unfortunately bittersteel would still be a far way off, but hell yeah if this show is doing so well after season four! Why not another time skip and show us the story of the Unworthy! I really like that idea

[@SaltoDaKid]

Blackfyre rebellion need build up make rivalry perfect

[@paulywick]

A lot of peeps complaining about how long your videos take to come out clearly never had to deal with dialup internet. Best ASOIAF youtuber

[@jon6720]

Good things come to those who wait and all!

[@MochaBloke]

I'm confused by how entitled some people can be, especially for such high quality videos made FOR FREE on KZbin.

[@jon6720]

@@MochaBloke it’s a nice little time frame to get me excited for Monday morning (uk based).

[@malanenix4033]

People actually complain? I always liked that these videos came out on the same day as the new episode, and I actually thought it was intentional. It reminds me of things I might've forgotten about the previous episode and gets me ready for the new one.

[@Alexander-kc8oq]

"Daemon has creepy dreams and does a war crime" is how I will pitch the show to my friends

[@AnthonyVella]

Did anyone else notice how the eery musical notes when Aemond stood before the throne during a thunderstorm were identical to the musical notes played during thunderstorm chase after Luke in last season's finale?

[@nont18411]

Maybe because that’s his theme song

[@roychen5235]

​@nont18411 you're right, it's from his theme. I think you can hear something similar when he rides vhagar as well.

[@roychen5235]

It's aemonds leitmotif (theme). You hear it when he first rides Vhagar. The music notes resemble Vhagar's roars/grunts.

[@hillbillypowpow]

No, I never notice anything to do with music except how it sounds in the moment. Dumb people like me need Glidus to make more videos about it to understand what the music is doing aside from feeling sad or cool

[@hillbillypowpow]

​@@roychen5235deadass have not noticed anyone's leitmotiffs in the entire show. I'm musically illiterate over here. I cry when the piano starts while Viscerys is on screen, but I don't realize that's got anything to do with it.

[@alxra]

Daemon chopping wood at this point in time reminds me of the father in "The Witch" who could only chop wood as his crops were rotting and his family was starving.

[@Varyazi]

Without revealing any spoilers, I really enjoy the way they've had Hugh act as the viewers window into the lives of the small folk up until now. If you've never read Dance of Dragons, Hugh's point of view feels organic and makes sense as a way of seeing through the eyes of the people of King's Landing during this time. Its a pretty brilliant way that they've adapted this character from a book that was written more as a historical text than a personal narrative. I never would have questioned why we are focusing on this blacksmith, because he was written in this show to seem like a sort of audience stand in. It will be very, very interesting seeing where his story goes in the future.

[@mille6001]

HE DID ITTT!!! Out before sunday baby

[@generalgrievous92]

Haven't seen many people talk about it, but the Riverlands lady standing up to Daemon with that epic speech gave me chills. Seeing him confused and overwhelmed by someone finally stepping up to him was pretty satisfying.

[@eskilsvanlind169]

Something noteworthy that was not brought up in this video is that Aemond is already betrothed to one of Borros Baratheon's daughters, so he will probably not marry Haelena

[@bhartipanwar66]

but I want both of them together.. Aemond is so cute

[@alexjames7144]

​@@bhartipanwar66 He looks deformed

[@betci148]

I love that you review the episodes WITHOUT hinting at what’s going to happen in the books. I have not read them and would like to discover them through the show, hard to do when people keep spoiling it. Thanks for not doing that 👌🙏

[@Athlete1990]

They ruin the books with terrible television writing so they are never the same. You have nothing to worry about

[@PedroHenrique-lm7gv]

This episode will forever be remembered as the one where Daemon did his mom.

[@slenderman2697]

😂😂

[@Athlete1990]

They had to add something crazy because otherwise it wouldn’t be known for anything

[@wildfire9280]

Demonstrating that dragons can be vulnerable as a commander in service of rulers that rely on dragons for all eyes to see probably isn’t the best play. You either embolden ambitions to seize power or shake confidence in loyal subjects. I rate this an SMH/10.

[@vinogr00nko93]

the show says the exact same thing tho...?

[@QualityPen]

My only problem with this is that common people were never before represented as believing that dragons were gods. Magical and powerful yes, but mortal flesh and blood nonetheless. There’s no dragon religion in Westeros and we never hear of anybody worshipping dragons or believing them to be invincible. Therefore, I don’t really see how this is a revelation to anybody. There’s a conflict in worldbuilding here, the plot point contradicts the previously established attitude of the commoners towards dragons.

[@vinogr00nko93]

@@QualityPen "contradict previously established attitude to dragons" what? when and how did the show ever "establish" the commoners attitude lol

[@johnny_thunder_3024]

​@@QualityPen by that point in time there are something around 20 dragons, and only 2 have died in living memory: first there's Luke's small dragon, although I don't think that a lot of people in KL really know about that because the Greens wouldn't want to boast about doing a kinslaying(as we saw in ep2 it's a big no-no) and nobody saw it, and the other dragon is Balerion the Black dread, but he died as long ago for them as JFK assassination was long ago for us, and again common people didn't see it, otherwise what they know of the dragons is that they are these gigantic beasts that can fly, melt castles, and eat a cow in one bite, it makes sense that they would be revered and viewed akin to gods by the common people of Westeros, especially with all the Targaryen Exceptionalist propaganda that's been going on

[@randubs1206]

​@QualityPen I think there is enough to imply dragon worship... by the commoners? No... they are at the mercy of their wrath... but the targaryens and anyone else of valerian lineage seem to fit the bill

[@TheWhiteDragon3]

I love, _love_ the detail that of all the people to suggest putting riders on their dragons from outside the bloodline is Jace, you know, the _actual Targaryen bastard who can ride a dragon_

[@rexibhazoboa7097]

Outside the bloodline? You mean outside the name? Because children of targaryen women who married men from other houses would still have Targaryen blood with a different name. Jace isn't like them, he has the name and his mother blood.

[@MarkHalberstram]

@@rexibhazoboa7097He’s referred to as Jacaerys Velaryon elsewhere in the series isn’t he?

[@rexibhazoboa7097]

@@MarkHalberstram And he is the heir who is said to take the name Targaryen once ascended to the throne. Hence, he has the name in his inventory.

[@SirQuantization]

Best part of my week is here!

[@studyofgaming9707]

Total head canon conspiracy, but I truly believe in my heart that non Targs can ride dragons too, but the propaganda for centuries has convinced the people of Westeros that no one can do this. If you read the lore of Old Valyria, it says that mountain people discovered the dragons and managed to take them, but there was nothing special about these people. They were just the first to establish a relationship with dragons, and made taming them a part of their culture. We will probably never see a regular Westerosi ride a dragon, but this is a random hill in the GOT lore I’m happy to die on.

[@prosperv7780]

You are partially correct, Valyrian dragonriders and dragons are mixed with eachother, That is why some thargarians babies had dragon wings and scales. What i think is normal people could probaly ride the dragons but not have the bond that the valyrians have.

[@mum-your]

quentyn martell said "oh!"

[@poggybiscuit862]

Jace isnt full targaryn

[@sundaylibre]

@@poggybiscuit862Neither are Alicent‘s kids but they have Targaryen blood

[@theviniso]

Well, that's what Jace said in the show so it might very well just be actual canon info.

[@rosescentedembrace]

You really do the best recap videos. I love that you don't spoil anything for the future for those of us who hadn't read the books. Thank you so much for these weekly updates.

[@alti2b]

Jacaerys serving face at all times 🫡

[@FranksPianoscape]

Aegon can't wear Viserys' mask because his face is burned on the left side while Viserys' mask is for the right side of the face. 😅

[@rexibhazoboa7097]

did the mask not come complete? I assumed they broke it for Viserys and kept the other part for some reason

[@Fitchy-ke3wz]

Thank you so much for not spoiling past the episode. It's much more enjoyable than getting a spoiler halfway through really fun analysis

[@jamesknott5255]

If I were Jeyne Arryn, I would absolutely send a thank you note to Rhaenyra for sending me very valuable hostages and two young dragons with which to negotiate, well, whatever the hell I want 😂

[@myujmes]

Bad idea, either way Rhaenyra can just fly up there and do a controlled burn. Jeyne is scared of dragons

[@jamesknott5255]

@@myujmes I was being facetious

[@ZeroFische]

@@jamesknott5255bababooey

[@myujmes]

@@jamesknott5255 fuck that got to do wif me

[@rexibhazoboa7097]

@@jamesknott5255 But more seriously, the next negotiation Jeyne should do should be to bring a woman with Targaryen blood into her family through marriage (Rheana or someone who already has a different family name). Then have them bond with the little dragon. Just like that, the Arryns have dragons.

[@LegsON]

I couldn't not believe that in just one episode we had: 1) a witch scolding a takes-no-bs King Daemon who's happy to beat any accuser, no matter the gender 2) a granddaughter moralizing an extremely proud Lord Colrys 3) Alicent mocking Cole 4) something similar with Rhaenyra, but I don't remember which man she was talking down to This series has had "men want war and wise women must guide them" motto all along, but suddenly concentration of that stuff went up by 200% and almost all male characters turned reactive/passive instead of proactive. The only male character still being decisive and not listening to women is... "the villain" Aemond. I wonder what are the implied conclusions.

[@calebhorton4701]

“Mummy” Yes, Aegon, your mummy costume is very good

[@tempura8390]

"Maybe incests is bad", that's like the whole source of problems since Aegon conquered Westeros

[@revan1116]

you dont even know how much i look forward to the incredible depth of analysis you provide Mr Shift X

[@tiredgirl1656]

it is genuinely so impressive how high quality these videos are in such a short amount of time

[@ryanorielly5617]

“What else should we expect from the man who ordered the murder of a babe in his mother’s arms.” “That is a lie and I shall have the man who told it brought before me…” “Your man, is half the kingdom my prince.” That exchange was my fav part of the episode

[@jaredmcdaris7370]

Isn’t Aemond betrothed to a Baratheon? But then, yeah, having a gigantic dragon means never having to say you’re sorry. I think they gave Alyssa generic features so that even book-readers would be shocked by the revelation at the end of the scene, rather than having some people know what’s up at the beginning of the scene.

[@geoffreyfyfe2248]

Also, she died when he was only a little kid, so he doesn't remember much of what she looked like. It's understandable he'd have this idealized, beautiful image of her when in real life she was the tomboy girl next door of the Targaryens. Plus, Alys Rivers may be magically fucking with him.

[@MatthewTheWanderer]

I thought Alyssa was Aemma (Viserys's first wife and Rhaenyra's mother) at first. They do look very much alike and it had been a while since we've seen Aemma.

[@jables9229]

If we keep retconning the Eyrie’s appearance, can we please retcon Casterly rock from the joke we got in S7 to something more akin to the rock of Gibraltar?

[@randubs1206]

Never really noticed, I just thought it was another angle of the reach or even an old iteration before the formation of the planet shifted

[@kumdfftk7929]

Only 30 seconds in but I can hear AltShiftX speaking just a tiny bit faster than usual, trying to get this video out before Sunday

[@StamfordBridge]

Alicent asks Criston what happened with Aegon, and his non-answer is an answer. If Aegon were burned by Rhaenys and her dragon, he would have no problem proclaiming it. That leaves only Aemond. She understands the implication right away.

[@TheFireStarter1215]

Rhanerya saying Sunfyre is dead while Criston says he left him at Rook's Rest... Foreboding.

[@timothyvenske6519]

Sunfyre is my favorite character I wanna see him snacking at Rook’s Rest this episode 💛

[@rexibhazoboa7097]

@@timothyvenske6519 you know this show is allergic to showing Sunfyre unless absolutely necessary

[@GhostLightning195]

I like how Aeomond is shaping up to be everything people accused Daemon of being while Daemon, for all his posturing and aggressive methods has never directly betrayed his family.

[@stankyjanky5134]

The 1000 old men from the North on their way to assist Rhaenyra: 🐌 Anyone else when they need to be in the location their last scene mentioned: ⚡

[@d_shi]

walking a very long distance/flying a dragon or taking a ship over a smaller distance

[@rohanrajput_9]

I get that armies take a lot more time to march than dragons, but the stark and lannister armies are sure taking their sweet time to reach king's landing

[@stankyjanky5134]

@@d_shi you forgot to mention Cole marching an army from kings landing to rooks rest and back in what? 2 episodes?

[@stankyjanky5134]

@@d_shi not to mention the fact that that army fought 2 battles during this trip.

[@morganleanderblake678]

I think we've all assumed Helaena was asking about Aegon but there's no guarantee she was. We know she barely acknowledges her surroundings and often gets lost in visions or wonders if what she's seeing is real. She could be totally disconnected from the Iron Throne and asking him if it was worth it to k!ll Luce when it cost her son.

[@fletcherw32]

Aemond’s made three trades. The eye for Vhagar, and Aegon for the crown. Lucerys for a son makes the least sense to accuse Aemond of. Since he can’t see the future. Though since Helaena clearly can, I think it’s fair to say she’s accusing Aemond across all three lines.

[@rexibhazoboa7097]

@@fletcherw32 Aemond also didn't know people would slash out his eye if he bonded with a dragon. The only thing he knew here was roasting Aegon would give him the throne.

[@morganleanderblake678]

@@fletcherw32 I didn't say anything about what Aemond knew. Helaena doesn't seem to trouble herself about whether someone understands her when she speaks.

[@nicholasricardo8443]

There is one succession law that would allow Daemon to rule, seniority, or the Rota (used in Kievan Rus) system, all the male members of a single generation rule in succession, followed by the son of the eldest brother, followed by the next, but only if their father had been on the throne (imagine if Daemon had a younger brother, and he had children, but he died before Daemon did, those children would never inherit). Given the Targaryens are inspired by the Byzantines in their costumes a lot (look at young Rhaenyra's and Alicent's tiaras, they are directly modelled off of Empress Theodora, Justinian's wife), and the Slavs were hugely influenced by the Eastern Romans, it could be interesting if that was some kind of Valyrian form of inheritance, although we all know that Daemon is simply claiming right of conquest.

[@jkasdhn99]

Clever subtle sneaking of Steffon Darklyn's want for vengeance into the discussion about the factions' dragon strength and numbers haha

[@TimothyGarbo-br4dz]

His voice is so chill it's perfect to go to sleep to

[@testuser6725]

Wheres the latest explainer vid? Ive scrolled past a hundred breakdown videos on ep. 6 that people posted this week, ironically yours is the only one I was looking for!

[@calvinc7196]

It'd be cool to see more of the common people in HotD. Like the scene of Dyana opening the door, she most likely stays in a shared room/house that a lot of peasants would have lived in back in medieval times. It would be some interesting world building to see how life is for peasants besides them toiling away in the background.

[@FishLunchy]

I love listening to Alt Shift's voice when I'm cleaning. Honestly I could happily listen to him yap about anything for hours

[@nigelwhoreberry1015]

I feel like the kings landing people should’ve been happy that Meleys specifically was killed. Cause Meleys killed a bunch of them a few episodes ago

[@chrisrubin6445]

“The smallfolk of kings landing, kind of forgot about Meleys”

[@TheBNCyo]

The writers kinda forgot about their bad writing

[@BlackJustice2637]

They see the dragons as near immortals, it shakes their faith way more to see the force behind the monarchs as killable. Add the fact that the city is massive and a comparatively small amount of people died, and it would be way worse writing to be having people celebrating there.

[@TheBNCyo]

@@BlackJustice2637 a small amount of people would be 5 to 10, she stomped at least a houndred. They should absolutely hate Rhaenys and her dragon, this is the type of news that spread to every corner of a city

[@notmocka]

​@TheBNCyo my dude, a hundred ppl on average die by murder in my country a DAY, it's not news by us of smallfolk unless you personally knew them

[@marvache9652]

It’s worth pointing out that when criston uses alicent’s name it implies that, alongside the small council meeting, criston doesn’t see her as a Queen authority figure now that it’s all the men leading. He also says he wants to spare her, ever playing the white knight he desperately feels he needs to be after everything that contradicts thats image, but he fails to save her when she needs him to and only when he deems her in need of saving.

[@smartperson1]

The loyal waiting pup reminded me of Seymour and now I'm extra sad :-(

[@anthonyktristani]

When strong looks at alive it’s almost as if he isn’t looking at her, it’s like he’s looking around to see who daemon is talking to. If you watch it again she had already stepped past him but strong is still looking beyond her instead of looking backwards as she gets behind him.

[@MJR_ATX]

Take a shot every time Shift says “in the book”. You might die

[@user-gd6zl9lo4c]

Man I’ve been watching these since the got days . Brings me back to better times . The videos are still awesome

[@bonbonvegabon]

Alt Shift X is so powerful, he had me thinking it was Sunday for a minute.

[@fayedunaway8]

King's Landing has the worst ambulance services.

[@marius7133]

20:26: "So Rhaenyra is frustrated that she wasn't trained for war. We saw how young Aegon and Aemond and Jace were trained to fight from a young age, but since Rheanyra is female she was Viserys' cupbearer, pouring wine and being ignored at council." Well, nobody was really trained for war. But I'd say that being the king's cupbearer and constantly listening to the council's strategising for the war in the stepstones is certainly a better preparation for being a leader in war than beating straw dolls with swords from a young age. Being a good fighter doesn't make you a good leader. It's very similar to Jon Snow being made Lord Commander Mormont's personal steward, resulting in the same feeling of being ignored and mishandled when it's actually a training to become a leader.

[@iamthewizardwhoknocks2845]

👍

[@insecurecow4419]

I pointed out the last vanishing and my partner thought it was an editing mistake like the coffee cup I said NAY she is but a figment of daemonds imagination!

[@SeyhawksNow]

People might not like Daemon's side quests but he needs the XP for the boss fight ahead

[@rajyavardhansingh4491]

He and Aemond both die fighting each other.

[@lego_droid1396]

This is the only reason I even wait for the weekends anymore, I gotten to a point where not being at work at 3 Am is weird.

[@debater452]

The patern of this season seems to be a good episode that people complain about on reddit and Twitter and than we have an amaizing episode

[@QualityPen]

Reddit is a black hole, a concentrated singularity of basement dwellers who think they are more intelligent than they are.

[@doctormatthattan]

I’m glad it’s not on Sunday for once. But I was so happy to see this video because I thought it was Sunday for a second and HotD was on tonight

[@MegaTech81]

Thank the gods that Alicent didn’t hear Aegon say mummy. She probably would have thought he was naming her his heir.

[@thomaswillard6267]

A full day early? Must be that Alt Shift Exceptionalism

[@GreenBro11]

Everyone ruling in the Song of Ice and Fire world could benefit heavily from a family therapist and some basic governing and political science classes. Destroying the realm in wars because of sexism and mommy not loving you enough is insane.

[@Nukefandango]

Same shit out here in the real world unfortunately

[@bewhateveritis]

Alicent: I never thought the leopards would eat *my* face.

[@Jorn6460]

5:37 Regarding Cheese kicking the dog, didn't he kick him because he needed the dog to get away, for the safety of both the dog and the mission? I suspect there was a little bit of love in that kick ❤🐶

[@Qwyte]

8:44 Why are Aegons burns on his left when his right side was attacked?

[@user-kl8dq3pb7f]

I wonder the same thing

[@bradenmeyer7465]

This is why I stopped keeping my Dragons locked up.

[@royb3379]

the dog is just hungry for some moldy cheese

[@EKATERINAS-bv8ld]

Alt shift X's explanations are more interesting than the show itself, for sure

[@keljerel]

Man, I can't wait to watch these. Your voice is perfect for storytelling.

[@acatonawall3938]

I’m quite drunk right now but I want to say we all love Shifty. 10/10 analysis again, god bless this Australian beaut.

[@Fire_Summoner]

During war peasants wanted to go to defended cities. And the people in charge wanted them gone since it was costly on food and other supplies for the defenders. And in this episode they prevent peasants from leaving. Foolish decision by Aemond. Would've alleviated some of the effects of the blockade.

[@Morfe02]

Well the only reason he do that was because of the "sellers" the rich people with boat waiting to go but they can't because of the Velaryions I agree is a stupid move not to take out the poors

[@Mikerich_94]

I wish they showed more of the confrontation with aemond and halaena

[@S1apShoes]

Alt Shift has harnessed the power of Alt Schwift and got a video out on Saturday. The Seven be praised!

[@heartlesslove9084]

"Maybe he ll marry sylvi" funniest line from alt shift x

[@senfood]

That long shot of Alicent is so powerful. She's sitting there like " Ok, so I know Larys is a piece of shit and Cristen is a confirmed fuckboy but my son is now leading a war and I'm 99% sure he's there because he tried to kill my other son, who's also a shitty person. Oh god. Oh man. oh god oh man oh god oh man."

[@bartlebyscriviner6456]

Watching Alt Shift X videos after watching this week's Dragon Talk feels like when you accidentally walk-in on someone in the bathroom and have to act normal in public the next day

[@Yakushii]

The slow zoom on Alicent's face at the council was astonishing.