'House of the Dragon' Season 2, Episode 7 Reactions | Talk the Thrones

[@alejandrodiosa1]

Ulf is gonna be so new money about it lol

[@nickulo24]

Regarding dragons and why they choose/accept riders… Seasmoke, who was previously ridden by Laenor, chose Addam, Laenor’s half brother. Vermithor, previously ridden by Jaehaeris, chose Hugh, Jaehaeris’s grandson (through Saera). Silverwing, previously ridden by Alysanne, chose Ulf, Alysanne’s Grandson (through Baelon). Vhagar, previously ridden by Baelon, accepted Aemond, Baelon’s Grandson (through Viserys).

[@codycook3382]

I very rarely disagree with Mallory but her take on Daemon beheading Willem Blackwood and him hacking Vaemons head in half being similar makes no sense. Of course he couldn't cut Vaemons head off quick enough! He was an absolute advisary to team black. Not to mention he just called his wife a whore, with his chest! Willem was a sort of a fellow rebel who was willing to do Daemons dirty work. Daemon showing some reluctance and shame for putting himself in a position to have to execute his most loyal man in the riverlands shows some character development and is absolutely in line with the duality of Daemon as a character in both the book and show.

[@Blinkptx]

Agreed

[@D3athL1vin]

I would think it's more about the loss of control. Daemon has never been ordered to kill someone like that, he couldn't take his usual pleasure in it. but it might be true that this situation along with his dreams finally cleared the way for empathy. i do think it is equally realizing that he is not fit to rule, that face from matt smith was so intensely shameful and vulnerable

[@jaygarcia6079]

If the following scene where viserys asks him if he still wants the crown doesn’t spell it out for people enough idk what will lmao it’s almost like people didn’t pay attention during English class

[@zacharyw8854]

Big Verm was interviewing candidates for Silverwing too knowing she was brooding

[@woodside4life]

“Auntie Rhae brought dinner!”

[@johnmcmanus3436]

Wig watch is going to be wild in the deep dive!😂

[@AndrewLaSane]

Joanna said acolyte and Mal was quiet. Take away her milk of the poppy immediately

[@jamesmarshall6619]

"You should be a son to a father! That's as good as it gets." That line from Chris just cracked me up because while I know it's not true of all fathers and sons, he's also not wrong. For some of us sons/grandsons, a head nod is all we get.

[@DaBaltimoron]

This episode was gorgeous: the initial meeting of dragons, Alicent in the lake, the dragonpit...

[@johnnyfox8934]

The dragon pit scene reminded me of Little Shop of Horrors. FEED ME SEYMOUR … I MEAN YOUR GRACE!

[@Muggle1983]

Your Alive!!! ❤ thank you for doing this and the house of r deep dive when you are so sick 🥰 seriously

[@AndrewLaSane]

Larys needs better whisperers if none of them heard about 50 people peacing out for dragon tryouts

[@Regenmacher175]

That happened afterwards. He might also want to withhold that from Aemond, since Larys seems to support Ageon instead.

[@maxibluft]

I'm sure there were some were some whispers we'll hear about next episode, but I can't fathom there not being any active security spotting multiple enemy boats carrying dozens of people? No King's Landing's Coast Guard patrols while team black were practically mounting their own version of Dunkirk?

[@havok6280]

Chaos is a ladder. More black dragon riders = more chaos.

[@Regenmacher175]

@@maxibluft A couple of smallfolk fleeing to who knows where would not be big news from the perspective of a random Goldcloak standing guard.

[@AndrewLaSane]

@@havok6280 gonna assume you mean Team Black

[@abbylane292]

Hope everyone is feeling better!!

[@robertcoleman2162]

Is wiping out all the bastards and finding a rider, possibly killing two birds with one stone?

[@CajunComrade]

I fully believe now that being a Dragon rider and bonding with a dragon is completely based on the dragon. I think probably some time, long ago on Old Valyria, there was blood magic involved in the taming of the dragons. But any kind of dragon binding that was connected to the blood of the dragonlords of Old Valyria has faded more and more after the Doom. At this point in the story, the dragons choose. I think connections can certainly be formed at birth/hatching, imprinting at a young age of the dragon and the future rider, which may be the strongest and best way. But with large adult dragons, they choose who they want. Period. I'm prepared to go forward in ASOIAF with this understanding and breaking of the canon. Also, what a great episode of the show and the pod. CR, Mal, and Jo are the best!

[@GabaGhoul10]

I mean yeah that was always the case. If a dragon doesn’t want a rider it’s not going to take a rider.

[@maxibluft]

The question is how they choose, is there any rhyme or reason to it? It seems in most cases to require extreme courage and being essentially ready to surrender your life, but then there are exceptions like Ulf and Addam neither of which seemed up for it at all until their dragons made the gesture

[@owlperson5075]

Having Valyrian blood also helped

[@CajunComrade]

@@maxibluft Believe what you want, no one but GRRM really knows. My point, and how I rationalize the way all these different folks get to be a rider with no consistent, provable rule, is that there is no rule. There is nothing else but what a particular dragon wants in the moment. There is no special thing required. It's just whatever a given dragon wants. Seasmoke chased Addam down, Silverwing took to Ulf in 30seconds. Big Verm killed a bunch of folks and then chilled out and accepted Hugh. The Targ blood "rule" is pure propaganda. Bonding forever is propaganda. Dragons are not slaves.

[@CajunComrade]

@@GabaGhoul10 my point was that is the only thing that matters. Nothing else. Any other "rule" is not a rule. Its propaganda.

[@Directorkey718]

also: Hope everyone has a quick recovery from Covid!!

[@waverunner2049]

Mal’s stack of books is crazy

[@BrentHorwart]

I’m taking Hugh the Hammer with my number one dragon rider pic. Strong showing at the Team Black combine.

[@keeganshigh]

Hugh and Ulf switch sides, and then die.

[@Muggle1983]

The consistent trait or lore i am taking from this is the successful dragon seeds: they are all half blood or more from grandparents who are brother/sister marriages. Hugh, even though they don't say her name I am saying is Princess Saera, ulf dad her brother Baelon, and even nettles we suspected might be Daemons bastard and the "lover" story just more of the shade thrown at him and rhaenyra by historians. (And them giving rhaena nettles story kinda backs this up) This would still keep it very tied to blood purity.

[@bopyranks]

How does Adam fit in this, then?

[@LaCheeserie]

Justice for Nettles

[@maf654321]

@@bopyranks Presumably it is his mom who was a dragonseed, so at most a quarter and maybe a bit from distant relations on the Velaryon side, but I think it was mostly Seasmoke wanting a rider similar to his last one, given that he picked him specifically out of more or less everyone on that island. Also, maybe there’s a old Valyria blood sacrifice element here - both dragon-claiming events this season have been preceded by people getting roasted and eaten, which might help facilitate the process, particularly for more marginal possible riders like dragonseeds.

[@owlperson5075]

You have to have Valyrian blood

[@mattmayhem33]

Mallory Rubin, your chair in the background, is dope AF. AF!

[@KTJ_1]

Oscar is a G. I'd commit to 8 episodes of Lord Oscar.

[@jimbob8840]

Their commitment to Grrm>>>>>>his commitment to asoiaf

[@NiKiMa023]

They probably spend more time weekly on the lore than he does

[@louispearson3570]

Feel better Mal and Jo

[@nealgray4071]

First ep of this pod I've watched, ton of fun, excited to catchup on the HOTD back catalogue!

[@LaCheeserie]

I agree with Jo, it was good to spend time with Zulu and Hugh, but perhaps they should have thrown in some red herrings. Not exactly reveal who they were until the sowing

[@8minutesofO]

I am more than pleased with this episode. Finally Queen Rhaenyra is making tracks. Favorite scene "COME ON"!!!!! Vermithor said her rider must be fearless. *giggle* I love how dude was scared but shaded his fear in confidence, determination and will....a fine recipe for bravery. It was crazy though how she only found two that were her cup of tea. The tavern showboat was a surprise, I wasn't sure if he was Tar or not the way he was talking. Yet he stumbled upon a sleeping dragon stepping into her nest and she still found whatever she was looking for in a ride or die. Two thumbs up for this episode. I still dont have that cant wait til next week feeling but I am having fun speculating the next episode. I'm so curious. A+

[@xoxobacon1034]

Queen of Dragons Returns!! - mallory please take a breath its ok just breath .. #Letjoannaspeak

[@luxumight-d4t]

Seriously let Joanna get in more than just two sentences in before steam rolling right over her NYTimes best selling author opinions and take aways

[@HelpUSA-j4i]

Mallory gets so over excited it's messy .. long live the real dragon queen

[@badrobotrogg5165]

Lol now we all notice it

[@meganjadie5659]

Nah, these 2 queens are in harmony. They complement each other and it’s all part of their rapport, which I love.

[@scottstockhausen675]

Silver Dennis = Rocky Dennis, cant believe they missed that

[@Shawn-id7gc]

Last week I called for the Dragon trainers to unionize. Glad they listened. Bad strategy of perhaps having all the potential Dragon riders on the platform. Maybe usher in one by one. Don't put all your eggs in one basket since they might get all cooked at once.

[@FilmIsPain]

Mallory's books being organized into fucking Jenga towers is sending me

[@cmiller1300]

These dragons are all their own beings, it isn’t a common thing they all attract to. Hence Melys and Carases having different responses to Daemon

[@TFo1104]

Army of Bastards is the name of my new metal band.

[@maxibluft]

Sounds like Zach Snyder's new GoT movie

[@JohnnyWoodard]

So funny, because I also found what he said to Addam as anything but cold. That’s tough dad love.

[@Regenmacher175]

Jace was ok with highborn people trying to tame a dragon because it still keeps him within royalty in the minds of others and it allows him to avoid having to think about the fact that he is not highborn. He is right to point out that, once Rhaenyra dies, there is a risk because the rumours about him being a bastard already exist, thanks to the Greens.

[@havok6280]

Worth noting this was Jace's plan in the book. Rhaenyra and Mysaria had zero input.

[@havok6280]

Also, it is thanks to Rhaenrya and his dark hair and pale skin. Everyone knows.

[@Regenmacher175]

@@havok6280 Which makes the show's version even better tbh.

[@8minutesofO]

Did anyone else notice that since Aegon was seated on the iron throne they have been brandishing the green hightower flag. Isn't his last name Targaryen like his father?? Why are they not using the Tar flag as if it is the hightower's that run kings landing?? Both acknowledge this is a war between kin but instead of Tar and Tar it's them against the tower's. Curious.

[@sergiocarrillojr.4597]

Ulf was about to chicken out but glad he claimed Silverwing

[@D3athL1vin]

the daeron setup is killing me😭

[@sidneybritton5948]

I think the common thread amongst the dragonseeds besides blood is the acceptance of death. You either claim the dragon or die so maybe the dragons recognize/respect their acceptance of that death.

[@taytayqueen7024]

Jeyne is pretty shrewd. Blacks lowballed her by sending baby dragons, she lowballs the protection of the children and the eggs by only sending 6 men.

[@WARdROBEPlaysWWII]

1:07:42 amen - hey dragons, let’s let a few live. Nice idea.

[@yomama605]

Get better quick Mal and Jo!

[@matthewedwards4238]

and Steve is on the mend too.

[@chrisperez3614]

You guys should really watch the inside the episode before doing these because you’re speculating about some stuff that the show runner has explained.

[@connorbrooks7501]

I think it’s far more likely that Hugh’s mom is a dragon seed (bastard daughter) of king Jaehaerys. I know the fans really like the Saera idea, but it really doesn’t make sense that Hugh would have a conversation with his mom if she was a Targaryen princess

[@TFo1104]

Tuesday Betrayal is the name of my new emo band.

[@meganjadie5659]

Where are these dragon keepers even going to go? Are dragon wrangling skills and being fluent in high Valyrian in any kind of demand? Kings Landing seems fully staffed.

[@CloudTripe]

Are we 100% sure we're not getting Daeron & Tessarion this season? The constant update on their ability to fight/fly, the constant updates on Ormond's army & the threat of the Beesbury's... Are we getting Honeywine?

[@havok6280]

Only one episode left and a lot of ground to cover...

[@CloudTripe]

@@havok6280 you say that but Tessarion is in the scenes for next week snippet... My boy & his dragon are here!!

[@frankjerardenno2678]

❤I hope you smart trio gets your immunizations!❤😊

[@frankjerardenno2678]

Daymon didn't half to kill his friend that trusted him...took orders from sesame street punk😂

[@DaBaltimoron]

daemon didn't give a shit about the guy he beheaded, he was salty that he had to play politics and demure to the kid who's been a lord for 5 minutes EDIT: and you just hit that point

[@bmoresamad1790]

Saera Targaryen's child is Hugh?

[@Muggle1983]

That is how I am choosing to take it 100%

[@connorbrooks7501]

I think it’s more likely that Hugh’s mom is a batard daughter of King Jaehaerhys. It doesn’t seem likely that Hugh would have had any contact with his mom if she was princess Saera

[@shlemo1446]

​@@connorbrooks7501 but how would a bastard daughter know how Viserys and Daemon were like, it makes more sense if his mother was Saera since she worked in a pleasure house after Jaehaerys sent her away

[@mistertevez]

Anyone know how long the midnight boys reaction takes to get posted? Like is it just a matter of a couple hours or is it Monday evening?

[@abdulkdr_]

They usually drop Monday evening. I think they record in the morning

[@Directorkey718]

I need someone to explain the storytelling at the end of the episode for me...Aemon rides a horse out of the castle because drunk tavern bastard is flying a dragon around Kings Landing...then Aemon catches up to the dragon, who has landed and...the next shot is Aemon on HIS dragon flying to Dragonstone because...?? Did he speak with drunk tavern bastard and think Dragonstone was unguarded so he went to attack? Did he just leave drunk tavern bastard alive with his dragon? Was it all a ruse to flush Aemon out and then show him that he is now outnumbered/outmatched? I don't understand how we get from that shot of him on horseback arriving to the descended dragon to him on his own dragon...someone more knowledgable please explain! Thanks!

[@heddofeddo]

He rode his horse out to Vhagar to chase Seasmoke down on instinct. When he sees he is out numbered he turns tail.

[@LaCheeserie]

@@heddofeddo silver wing not Seasmoke, but the rest it accurate

[@heddofeddo]

@@LaCheeserie whoops, too many dragons. Yes, I meant silver wing 🤣 thanks

[@Directorkey718]

@@LaCheeserie thank you so much for the clarification!

[@Directorkey718]

@@heddofeddo thank you so much, I thought I was losing my mind for a sec...I might have Dragon blindness, lol!

[@8minutesofO]

1 thing I dont understand with Jace????? Was it not his idea to seek outside the royal Tar line for possible dragon riders and now that many have surfaced he is ill because they are part common folk. It's the common folk that are helping him ascend his throne....... that bougie wretch.....smh

[@penguin50279]

he wanted nobles not commoners

[@levilevi9621]

He didn’t seem morally conflicted. It seemed like he started tripping during it.

[@levilevi9621]

Since when is Jeyne Arryn cool in the book? She barely does anything and George gives her almost no characterization.

[@sekharraja9679]

So, Is Rhaenyra Just waiting all season fora position of strength to go see daemon. So kust like Daemon she doesnt want to look weak when they meet again, so now that she has 3 new dragons she will go meet him.

[@Regenmacher175]

They had a big disagreement and he tends to f**k off whenever that happens. She is also tired of everyone constantly asking her about Daemon.

[@BrentHorwart]

CR, how did you feel about your guy Willem getting chopped?

Mallory, I'm sorry you had to get off your sickbed for this!

[@frankjerardenno2678]

Thanks❤❤❤

[@MarkBergin]

Hugh and his dragon are going to be a problem in future seasons of the show, especially if the dragon is the second largest behind Aemond’s.

[@TwentyFourthCenturyDreamer]

They make a great point. Letting a crowd of unvetted strangers past your gates/walls is really dangerous and irresponsible because you don't necessarily know whether some of them may have dangerous intentions. Makes you think about real life....

[@ev2155]

I really can’t stand what they’ve done to Daemon in this show! He maybe a lunatic and in need for some introspection but incompetent and aloof in tactical strategy he’s not.

[@luckyday8522]

Mmm base-born bbq

[@frankydaulman2291]

Oscar Tully rocks. Totally stole the episode.

[@milestones140]

Jo is so hot

[@watermage25]

The sad part about this season is that the best parts have been the CGI dragons. Not the characters, not the story telling, and certainly not the dialogue. I guess that happens when you stretch a text that is very sparse with details.

[@Regenmacher175]

I had the complete opposite reaction. I can enjoy CG dragons but it's the characters and their exchanges in small rooms that keep me coming back to the show. You seem to be a big spectacle type of person but that's not what ASOIAF is about. Even GOT only had a battle episode every second season and those seasons had 10 episodes each.

[@GabaGhoul10]

The opposite is true. The fact that these characters are so dynamic and the dialogue is so Shakespearean and excellent despite none of it existing on the page is a testament to how good the people running this show are.

[@watermage25]

@@Regenmacher175 GOT was based largely on books that were complete with details about the characters and their journey's. Fire and blood is just some cliff notes on what happened during this period of time.

[@Regenmacher175]

@@watermage25 I know and House of the Dragon has given the characters more nuance than the source material could ever hope to do. Alicent was just the evil stepmother in Fire and Blood. Not much to analyse with that version of the character tbh.

[@dylanblue2271]

I know you've committed to covering the show, but I think we need to admit that the 2nd season has been absolutely dreadful. Terribly written dialogue, woeful characterisation, numerous boring episodes and some genuinely bad acting in places.

[@watermage25]

Yeah i agree. Its been a noticeable dropoff from last season. Too many dull moments and overall bad storytelling.

[@Regenmacher175]

I heartily disagree. You just want lots of big battle episodes without connective tissue but tbh that's on you. I want actual build-up to the big moments and those big moments can be battles but not necessarily. They can be big character beats or other developments. What you find boring I find quite fascinating. ASOIAF is not a big action narrative. The acting has been stellar across the board and the charactes have been given nuance that the source material didn't even bother to impart onto the characters.

[@dylanblue2271]

​@@Regenmacher175 Nope. You didn't read my comment clearly. Nothing to do with battles. The writing is terrible. Shame, I thought the first season was mostly very good. Cancel Reply

[@Regenmacher175]

@@dylanblue2271 too bad you're in the minority when it comes to the quality of the writing. But, hey, I won't force you to watch a good show you have no interest in. Goodbye.

[@dylanblue2271]

@@Regenmacher175 It's fine for people to have different opinions. It's no threat to you. I just said I really enjoyed the first season, so clearly I do have interest in it. You're not very good at this listening thing are you?

[@keeganshigh]

How are they sick? They seem like the tyoe of weaklings who got every booster.

[@Regenmacher175]

How are you here? You seem to be the type of troll noone wants to hang out with.

[@GabaGhoul10]

How do you still not know how vaccinations work?

[@rayastevens8004]

I love this universe🥲🥹 That was AWESOME