House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 1 Recap/Review

Welcome to my House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 1 Recap/Review! What did you think of this episode? What shocked you the most? What are we most excited about for this season?
I'll be doing weekly recaps as the season unfolds where we can pick apart everything that goes down!
All views expressed are my opinion. It's a fictional series, so lets keep it cute shall we?
Please support this new channel by liking this video and subcribing to my channel if you also love all things ASOIAF, HOTD and Game Of Thrones!
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[@alexevans4637]

"Aegon the strong" "My nephew already took that one" Lmao best line😂

[@rahima9618]

Agreed with what you said, I also liked how they showed not only rhaenyra grieving but everyone else who love and cared for him. Blood and cheese wasn’t bad, I guess we just expected more. My opinion.

[@gameofthroneshistorian]

I totally get it, there’s a certain level of expectation but overall I think the ep was a hit!

[@J_ads2000]

I liked the change. Going after Aemond instead of a harmless kid makes more strategic sense. Plus I don’t want to see Helaena even more tortured than she was. People sound let down they didn’t torture an innocent women more :(

[@JosephPazSports]

​​@@gameofthroneshistorian if I'm not mistaken Rhaenyra's Dragon is Luke's Dragon mom so if it true they're both grieving the lost of their child

[@whenjwasthere426]

Daemon DEFINITELY said a son for a son to Blood and Cheese offscreen because they continuously emphasize it as they look for Aemond. When Cheese has Helaena at knife-point, Blood literally says, "A son for a son he said." Basically as long as it was a boy of the royal family, it was good enough for them and for Daemon.

[@jesuscancino8909]

I am LIVING for these types of KZbin videos!! Sometimes when I watch one of your TikToks, I want more! I am glad that now I can see more with your KZbin videos, your content is truly a masterpiece. Your passion is real, and I am glad that I get to share my passion with you and other people. I love to see your opinion, and that of others. I am not a book reader, but a die hard fan! I hope I get the chance to read them one day! I hope that you put out more videos like this! Love you 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@lutilda]

Alicent and Cole being the two together is ao hypocritical and infuriating. Not in a "mad at the story" way, just like "you both deserve the worst".

[@EmmaSoyer72]

I really liked Aegon in this episode, he was the highlight. Also he wanted to share the same bond with his son that he lacked from Viserys who only favored Rhaenyra.

[@bred9178]

While watching the episode, I truly did not realize that Rhaenyra only had one line. That is how enthralled I was with their performance. Tens across the board!

[@lutilda]

Phia Saban and Emma Darcy both did an AMAZING job in the episode of showing grief and ptsd. Phia perfectly portayed someone disassociating during a traumatic event.

[@J_ads2000]

Exactly, when she saw Vaemonds death she reacted very similarly.

[@TheDeceivingHeart]

“Oberyn Martell my eyes” bro ☠️☠️☠️

[@mayasiferd9942]

I felt the same when I saw the Scorpions 😅 I know that this war is going to almost wipe the dragons out but it still feel the pain from watching Danny’s dragon go down ):

[@aviea676]

The “Oberyn Martell my eyes” 🤣🤣🤣

[@karlaynesoto7242]

Agree with you!! I really loved when Helaena says that they only want the boy and then Aegon appears in the room, I think that the reaction of helaena was just like you said, she was like omg this is really happening? Like she realizes that her vision was real 😢 y really love this episode

[@cayj1869]

Hearing the Stark theme and seeing The Wall in the opening scene is the closest I've ever felt to patriotism 😅

[@elizabethmartinez7828]

Awesome video! So happy you have a YT channel now! I re-watched S1 before this episode and I noticed that in 3 different episodes in S1, they focused on rats around the Red Keep. I got chills! Love that they foreshadowed since the beginning.

[@CharlottePerezable]

I am SO stoked you have a KZbin channel!!!!!!!

[@kelsyann8854]

Omg I don’t have to play your playlists to fall asleep to! Your voice is so soothing 😊 !!!

[@LeSage28]

WHAT I LIKED👍 : _Aegon's character, as team green I am happy with the way they portrayed him💚 _Rhaenyra, the actress did an incredible job, and she reminded me Daemon in S1 Ep.3 _ That Jace's moment with Rhaenyra!! _Otto, every dialogue with Otto was brillant WHAT I DISLIKED👎: _4 min in the North, really?? No pact of ICE and fire? No Sara Snow? _Blood and Cheese(I think I don't need to explain here) CHARACTER I HATED🤬: _Daemon, Daemon, Daemon🤮

[@manvirshergill1739]

Why cares about Sara Snow anyway I'm glad they didn't use her, why do we need a plotline of Jacaerys having an affair when he's betrothed? Is not really necessary in this story.

[@anabellopez1650]

I am so happy you started a KZbin channel, I watch your TikTok’s to get ready and this is chefs kiss 👌🏻I can’t wait to see more 🥰🥰

[@J_ads2000]

I loved so much this episode. I loved the Silverwing at the wall Easter egg, Rhaenyra and Syrax brought me to literal tears, the new Dragonstone runway, Aegon and Ottos throne room scene, the dragon skull at Dragonstone (possibly Meraxes), the tapestry at the start showing how the Targaryens bonded with the dragons using fire and blood magic. Blood and cheese was toned down and I’m actually happy about that, plus going after Aemond makes so much more sense than a harmless child. The scenes flowed together so well. Oh and I love the parallel. Not having Maelor in the show (yet) mirrors the start of the show. Aemond parallels Daemon as the wild card brother and Aegon is now like Viserys, with Jaehaera as his only child.

[@ImoEvs17]

I think blood and cheese was portrayed really well and worked as it would’ve been difficult to film especially with two child actors which is another difference and reason not to compare it to the red wedding. I also loved Phia’s acting and her own portrayal of Helaena’s character in shock and dissociation and it works for her dreamer personality. It was also still a very horrible scene to watch. Also love your videos ❤️x

[@grumpynoodlejen5616]

So glad you finally got a KZbin! You should be all over social media ❤

[@ashmesserly9517]

Yes yes yes!! This is what I was waiting for a full KZbin video from you about the episode! So excited for KZbin!!

[@heatherbaker7849]

Thank you so much for starting this channel! I am loving learning about this lore and stuff, youre a fantastic storyteller! Cant wait for your deep dive stuff from tiktok to come over!

[@makaylalashe4730]

so excited for your youtube era🥳🥳 i just got off work and im so excited to finally watch

[@leonyfritsche5458]

You need to do a podcast I love to listen to you talking in general and especially when you are talking about got/hod❤ so I need a podcast to Listen to while I’m falling asleep

[@katiekitten36]

I think what bothers me the most about Alicent and Crispy, is the hypocrisy of everything!

[@amelieelizabethbotha6853]

Love the long form content!

[@gameofthroneshistorian]

Thank you so much!

[@Anna-ee5dz]

I just want to say how much I love that I can now start off my morning not doom scrolling your videos on TikTok and can now instead turn on one longer video to get your perspective on things. Honestly I think I’d love to have you do a series on here to talk about like your favorite/least favorite game of thrones episodes/scenes further in depth. Or it would be super cool to have an in depth comparison between show Dany and book Dany. I know you’ve covered it on TikTok but it would be lovely to have an extensive breakdown in one longer video 😍

[@bethhitchman1732]

I fully agree with everything you said here!! Emma did an absolutely incredible job this episode, they made me cry like 3 times with just their facial expressions! I think it’s important to say about team black, they aren’t just grieving Luke, but Viserys and Visenya too. Like I am not surprised that Daemon is chomping at the bit to get revenge, he’s a grieving brother and father, he’s furious. I’m mad they made me like Aegon in this episode, I’ve always felt very sorry for him. The abuse he suffers from his mother and his grandfather, and he’s the only one on team green that didn’t originally want this. He didn’t want to be king, he just wanted to be left alone and it’s incredibly sad honestly. But it does not excuse him from being a terrible person and I have to keep reminding myself of that, because Tom makes him very likeable. The less said about Alicent and Criston the better 🤮 Genuinely can’t wait for the next episode and to see your thoughts on it!!

[@Jacarys07]

Love the extra point of view for comparing and discovering new ways to look at each scene. Blood and Cheese was performed as well as it could be, I don’t think I would have wanted to see anything else aside from what we received. My standout was Jace. Like Rhaenyra, few words, but poignant presence.

[@cass679]

Hello! I’ve come over from tiktok. I’ve never watched GoT or HotD or read any of the books. Everything that I’ve learned is from your channel. The way you talk about the material is just so interesting I can’t help but stop and watch when you come across my feed. I feel like a student attending a fantasy university class😂. Love these longer videos.

[@Dre2.0000]

Just wanted to say i love your videos and been following for a long while now! Also Can we get some SLIGHT background music. Like not over powering hut enough to fill that “silence”.

[@rrcherrydrops]

I have been eagerly awaiting this. I always love what you have to add.

[@motherofsnakes314]

If criston cole has no haters that means I'm dead. Btw glad to see your youtube channel go up so you can put out longer form content than tiktok.

[@ameliafisher6171]

This episode was the PERFECT length. Loved it. Felt like chatting with one of my nerdy book besties ❤

[@leonardomoramata4363]

I love this. Imma me SAT for your vids. Absolutely love everything

[@benitamatecka5897]

thank you for this video, im so excited for this season

[@carmenharrison6233]

I love your content! KZbin is hard to navigate so please dont give up you are doing so good and we love that you’re here!!!

[@xocharleswifexo]

i personally, loved how helaena reacted to blood and cheese. it felt fitting, for her character. i know that a lot of people were dissapointed by the fact that she took jaehaera and ran out of the room. but she’s only young herself. and in that situation, was alone. therefore, her first instinct would naturally be, to keep her other child safe and find a member of her family.

[@dj0550]

I really enjoyed this episode. I need more cregan. And emma and harry need fucking awards for there scenes. Off topic, I just want to say that I started to read the books because of your channel, so thank you.

[@susanbishop5349]

Alicent is no longer “The Queen”. She would be the dowager queen now that her daughter is married to “The King”, although he’s a usurper and there is only one true queen

[@allk-pop4912]

I have been waiting for this video ❤❤❤❤

[@The_One7117]

The greens have the most powerful weapon in helaena but the y don’t even realise lol

[@peteperkins3859]

If I'm not mistaken, Queen Alysanne never allowed Lord Commander Burley to know her dragon refused to fly past the wall.

[@Juanstoned]

Do you think at the end when Heleana walks in on her mom and Crispy Cole she realizes why there was no guards in the halls? Because crispy Cole sent them all away so he could sleep with Alicent? All in all I really liked the episode, the acting was impeccable this episode especially with Emma D’Arcy and Harry Collett. Rhaenyra literally said 4 words the whole episode and made me feel every emotion she was feeling. Also I love the princess Rhaenys she is such a baddie not letting Daemon talk to her any kind of way! I can’t wait to see what this season brings us!

[@Queenofthemall1445]

I can understand aemonds anger. Hes being blamed by her for starting a war that had already started and was basicslly just a ticking time bomb waiting to go off because she and otto and the council usurped the throne. The war started the minute the greens usurped and aemond is the only one that seems able to understand that. I didnt mind Alicent in season 1. I could relate to her on points and felt bad for her. In this first episode I found her an absolute insufferable hypocrite with the idea of rules for thee and not for me. She tormented rhaenyra and her children for years screaming and whinging about honour and decency prevailing and now shes shagging criston cole? It doesnt seem like this is their first time either and keeps bringing me back to driftmark. Cole was supposed to be on watch that night too after escorting her to bed but he wasnt. And when hes questioned as to why he was not doing his job Alicent jumps in to redirect attention from his whereabouts to laenors. With , aegon, aemond, daemon, mysaria, rhaenyra what you see is what you get. They dont try and sugarcoat anything to make themselves appear morally righteous. Cole and criston are the worst. I wish alicent was a bit more like her book character. I also didnt mind the B and C change. I understand why they did it. I think people are being very harsh on it. Also just like to add Ive followed you on tiktok for years and am huge fan of your channel. Delighted to see you on youtube and looking forward to your future videos 😊

[@KaraKuntzman]

i’ve noticed you’ve said a few times that alicent was the queen, but really, she isn’t anymore. helaena is now. n i think that the reason otto n everyone are continuously, n more n more frequently, writing her off is bc she is no longer queen. she doesn’t really have any standing at aegon’s court, so she’s being stripped of whatever power she did have while she was still queen.

[@lutilda]

So excited to watch this!!

[@vogz4179]

I wish they made blood and cheese look more scary and disturbing looking. It would of made the scene more of a thrill just off appearance

[@erikkak6730]

Do consider doing a reaction watching the episodes?

[@geoninja3631]

💜💜💜💜💜

[@zoeyrosee]

Oh, I’ve been waiting for this! You always have the best insights 🥹

[@gameofthroneshistorian]

Aw thank you so much! 🫶🏻🫶🏻

[@zoeyrosee]

@@gameofthroneshistorian At the Greens council meeting, I’m pretty sure Otto knows or at least assumes there’s something between Alicent & Ser Crispy, later he clearly commands him to go back to his post. So after B&C, there must be consequences for Ser Crispy, right? Could he loose his cloak for this?

[@lutilda]

I loved seeing the little bits of personality we saw from Aegon in this episode. With Haleana, the small council, etc. Hes still just a boy that wants attention and everyone's love. I felt Heleana's question of "What 8f he doesn't want to be king?" Was pointed at Aegon as well. Since he originally didnt want to be. Hes just a people pleaser- thats why he accepted the crown in the first place.

[@LeSage28]

Agreed, really liked Aegon.

[@HipsterHufflepuff]

I'm so glad you're on KZbin now!! I've been following you on TikTok for a while and being able to see you do long-form videos is going to be so good. Can't wait to see everything that you do with this platform!

[@kimmietucker]

46:51 thank you for this breakdown of episode! Love your explanation!!

[@pepela003]

Cheese will betray Blood i believe. Kicking the dog was a hint of his character. He kicked the dog when he was in pressure (nearly killed by Blood), betraying in a way his companion. What if he lets Blood behind to get away when they are being chased after the murder of the child? Blood doesn't know the way to get out and gets cought.

[@lutilda]

I completely agree about why Daemon's choice with Blood & Cheese was a mistake. Although, given the plot point needing to exist, I REALLY liked this interpretation of the events. Especially as it parallels Aemond's mistake leading to Luke's death. Like these two big tragedies that really turn this from a battle for succession into a war that ends the dragons (and almost ends their family) escalated because of mistakes and irrational behaviors. Rather than malice.

[@danika94butterflys]

I liked this episode a lot. My only complaint is that I wish I would've gotten more team black. I like Aegon being the comic relief. Out of all the characters I was looking forward to seeing more from, it was definitely Aegon. I like that even though he is despicable, he's also naive and does seem to show some care for his kids. He's not a complete Jofffey. In fact, I think he's far from it. Aemond might have some traits more in common with Joffrey.

[@luzhen2014]

Aegon on the throne was giving 'I think this is what a king is' vibes. Bc he's trying, but it's clear that he was never actually raised to be king despite how much his mother and grandfather plotted. When Rhaenyra said, 'I want Aemond Targaryen'. I heard, 'I want him on his knees in front of me.' I'm not mad about the blood and cheese scene. The acting was great and the tension was just reaching higher and higher. I think it's sexism that makes people mad about Helaena's reaction bc if she had been hysterical people would have made fun of her for being out of control. For a lot of people, women can only be wooden or overreact and no in between.

[@Spaceysev]

I could genuinely listen to you talk about hotd/got for literal hourssss!! Your voice is so soothing and you make such good points!

[@BrookeThueson]

I saw the length of this video and it made my heart so happy. I’ve been hoping and waiting for your channel to join KZbin! Congratulations!! ❤

[@karolinarobaczek985]

Great job! I was waiting for you here😊 about the beach scene - I think dragon was grieving her child as well? (Among with feeling her rider pain as well)

[@louisehenrys9939]

Fantastic breakdown. I follow you on the Toc and couldn't wait for your breakdown here. I've loads of thoughts too on the episode but Helena and how she reacted was perfect for me. Cheese told her basically you make a sound and I'll kill you all so when she saw what they were doing to me she basically did that, didn't scream but wanted to get out of the room with the other child and go to saftey. Also there seemed to be no other guards on duty on that floor so even if she did she would of risked the other child's life so she did what she needed to do, get out with her child. Also isn't Alicents room Rhenarys old room? Crispy is very familiar with that room alright haha

[@EmlouG]

The thing with Alicent is she still seems to think that she is queen but she isn’t Helaena is. Her status has gone down whether she likes it or not. She tells Aemond ‘ you have no seat at the council’ but that is not her decision it is Aegon. ( she has served her purposed to everyone now that she has made Aegon king) To me Sir Criston seems a little emotionally detached with Alicent after their first scene, I feel like he knows the power has shifted and knows that Alicent won’t be able to protect him anymore ( when he suggests going straight to the king in his talk with Aemond behind Alicents back) I know he does defend her but I wonder how long that will last

[@luckyblue21]

Rhaena needs to tie up Aemon to a tree and just beat him with a lance cus the way this man took her dragon THEN her man from her 😭. Justice for my girl

[@mileidygonzalez2535]

I liked the blood and cheese scene. What would've made a top scene is if we see a flash of the premonition Heleana had and then her face of realization. That would've made it epic.

[@algsunshine7075]

When this season is done you should review season 1. I really enjoy these.

[@18MaRoN81]

Love your channel and hope you continue posting

[@c0ronariu5]

My opinion only. I’m glad we didn’t SEE Jahaerys being decapitated (like some people are complaining about!) but I think the Sophie’s Choice between the sons in the book was more effective - in terms of showing the sheer psychological torture poor Helaena is put through. Not for the shock factor, but more for illustrating the lengths the factions go to. I’m Team Black, but dare I say, the show held back here for the sole purpose of preserving the (non book reader) Daemon fangirls, who undoubtedly make up a large portion of the audience. Can’t make him (whether or not he explicitly gave the order) too bad, lest viewership drop. Again, just devils advocate here.

[@CelestialJoy]

NAH THAT OBERYN MARTELL COMMENT WAS FOUL 😭🤣

[@blueeyeshadowbxbe6665]

Loved this!❤ keep posting please

[@alisoncarey5301]

I thought helaena would be the queen???

[@donajiconde9186]

Something mentioned is that Helena walked the same distance/path that Rhaenyra did when she gave birth to Joffrey. “the path of blood” it gave me chills when I realized. So tragic for Helena, she more than anyone didn’t deserve that

[@Normon22]

Every man on team green exists “I don’t like him”

[@Normon22]

And it’s so true

[@peteperkins3859]

Daemon really doesn't want to fight this war. One reason he's so adamant about Rhaenys not burning the Greens. His sense of urgency is not to lose the war. Decisive action is needed. It's an "us or them" situation.

[@animavestra7563]

Love thye longform content from you, I'll admit I was wondering how you would translate from shortform to huge YT videos, but you're just as easy to listen to for nearly an hour as you are for a minute Keep it up

[@alexdredge655]

Been waiting for this! *grabs popcorn*

[@gameofthroneshistorian]

Aw thank you!! 🖤

[@yazvines]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make such a detailed video, you're such a compelling story teller and your content amplifies my enjoyment of this show hugely

[@MohammedTargaryen]

The episode is good but I expected more and I hope the next episode is not about alicent and I need more of the twins scenes

[@rahima9618]

I’m early!!! 🤍🖤

[@gameofthroneshistorian]

Yay!! Thank you for being here!

[@kiraobrien7779]

“i’ve been waiting for this one, turn it up!!”

[@hamyeager]

Lemme go and grab my snacks real quick

[@tajaemartin2251]

Thanks for the video