House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 8 "The Queen Who Ever Was" First Time Watching - Reaction

[@tonyhoable]

Originally there was supposed to be 10 episodes. HBO got a new president or whatever and wanted to cut costs so said only 8 episodes this season. There was supposed to be a huge battle at the end of the season. But instead of rushing through the events of the season to cram the battle in, they decided to make the wise choice to wait until season 3. The battle will be in first couple episodes, so we have that to look forward to

[@nielgregory108]

Most don't realize that Tyland's bastards from this agreement are the ones that start The Golden Company. The sell-swords Cersi hired that didn't bring the elephants, if you remember. Dario had blue hair in the bools.

[@khalillahgreen8776]

Great reaction as always! When speaking on Alicent, remember that the ONLY reason she started dealing with Viscerys was because her father, Otto, pushed her into it. Also, Larys is sneaking Aegon out without anyone knowing, as he not only feels he can keep him safe, but will also have the added benefit of being the only one in his ear, thus furthering his own status by having a close relationship with the king.

[@black-widow33]

That we know of, they could be baiting us to believe that only larys knows, but who knows.

[@tonixxinot3199]

27:55 thats TESSARION the Blue Queen dragon of Daeron, yep hes on it tag along with Old town's Hightower army

[@lizzieinlights2905]

I literally screamed at my TV, I know they were briefly seen in the trailer but I was like “yessss it’s Daeron!” 🤣

[@black-widow33]

They could have left out tyland lannister scenes, gave us raeyna actually getting her dragon..

[@71lizgoeshardt]

This. My biggest complaint. I don't give a flying fig about Tyland's adventures. I watch for the Targs.

[@CW-rx2js]

​@@71lizgoeshardtyepp0

[@michaelauer2231]

11:00 mark, Dreamfyre is Heleana's she can fly her and has. Heleana is a dragon rider, but she is a gentle soul and not a fighter.

[@lizzieinlights2905]

Helaena just loves her bugs 🐛 I love her so much she didn’t deserve to be born into this messed up family 🤣

[@vertigo2894]

Goodness! If Cam thinks a dragon should be offed then that dragon definitely needs to go 🤣

[@albertosahagian4590]

I think the character that appears in the garden is a Green Man. The vision shows Daemon what role he must play in the war, and shows him that in order for the war with the dead to be carried out with any advantage, Rhaenyra must be queen, her blood must reign. The God’s Eye it’s in Harrenhall

[@lanascherryflvrduche]

Alicent didn’t have a choice she was a child when she was forced to marry Viserys you can’t blame her for any of it And she has never lied about anything she’s been dumb but never lied about anything she really believed that Viserys wanted Aegon to be king Yall are so weird for thinking she’s playing Rhaenyra 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@garlantyrell6368]

I honestly want her to trick Rhaenyra. It’s better for her character than to agree to the killing of all of your children for something you started.

[@React2This]

Note to Rhaenyra: When people who have been starving arrive for dinner at your house, serve sandwiches and potato chips. Not a banquet. (Hugh: “Thanks for those cabbages you sent us on the boats, tho.”) Also maybe ask Hugh if he has a wife back in King’s Landing and maybe doesn’t want to help burn her. Read the room.

[@senior_comrade8401]

Guys, wargs are loosers who can enter the brains of other living beings (the beings can fight it). Bran was/is a greenseer - he can astral project himself anytime anyplace. Even beyond the reality itself, for he's really powerful. There are different magical means you can use to traverse the ether or an astral plane if you wish. You can look into fire, you can connect to a weirwood, you can get reaaaly high on psychedelics. It's a magical Cyberspace and all magic practitioners are basically Netrunners. Daemon connected with a tree as a conduit with Alys's access code. And Helaena was there cause she inherited some dragon blood prophetic powers.

[@kevinstephens3563]

I never knew I wanted a show about Tyland's adventures in Essos until this episode. He's basically the Jeffery Lebowski of the Game of Thrones universe. Dude Lannister abides.

[@stevengonzales8530]

I'd be lying if I said I didn't want more, but when nothing big happened by the middle of the episode, I kind of knew what I was in for. I think they could have really compressed the season if they really wanted to. Episode 4 was truly Da Bomb, as was episode 7, and I liked that we got a chance to see Harrenhall do some haunting! I'm glad that Daemon finally realized he's a soldier and not the cappo. I actually think he is a more dangerous adversary now that he knows his place in the scheme of things, plus he's got something to fight for. Aegon made the right decision to skip town. Ulf is not long for this world, and is damn lucky Jacaerys didn't chop his head and feet off. Ready for next season, but I definitely agree with you guys that this felt more like a season 3 premiere than a finale.

[@lafields08]

Rhaenyra wouldn’t send inexperienced riders to bait Vhagar so soon. She’s not reckless and she’s been desperate (to the point of losing other people) to get those new riders. She’s far too cautious for that kind of move. One of the Erics brought her the crown when he escaped KL to bend the knee at the end of S1. He smuggled it out for her.

[@annbeths]

10:21 naah fr, Ulf was talking crazy😭

[@lizzieinlights2905]

I’ll is a legend and casting of all the new dragon seeds is impeccable icl 😅

[@Quarkburger]

I was with you guys when I first saw it. I was hoping for the beginnings of the war. But when I watched it a second time through this reaction, and knowing I wasn't going to get the war, I watched it for what it was, and I thought it was actually a good episode. S3EP1 is going to be lit. Just wish we didn't have to wait so long.

[@BTinSF]

I am so satisfied with your reaction because mine was the same. I haven't read the book but I do have a tome that tells the story of Martin's world from "The Dawn Age" thru to what was effectively the denouement of Game of Thrones, co-authored by Martin himself, that describes then entire war and trust me, there are many battles. So far, we have basically seen 2 of them (known as the Battles of the Burning Mill and Rook's Roost). The TV series doesn't exactly follow Martin's published work (example, in the books apparently Sunfyre, Aegon's dragon was not killed at Rook's Roost but severely wounded like his rider). But with 2 seasons down and so much fighting and so much story line to go, it's hard to understand why they haven't given us more yet. It makes me wonder how many more seasons they are planning. I recall in Game of Thrones they were sometimes accused of stretching things out unnecessarily and I could make the same accusation now.

[@Nichole-1989]

Hugh Hammer; cousin of Arm & Hammer. 😂😂😂😂 Rhaenyra is wearing Old King Jaeherys' crown which was passed down to her father, Viserys. Aegon II is wearing Aegon I the Conqueror's crown. The Three-Eyed-Raven won't exist for decades.

[@RpTheHotrod]

If you want a wild ride of some mighty excellent tv series watchin', y'all should start watching Battlestar Galactica (2003). Incredible show and only 4 seasons long. It's the Game of Thrones of Space Sci-fi. Down and dirty, with a sense of realism, grit, and characters without plot armor. Do note, if you do watch it, there's an intro episode called "The Mini-Series" to watch prior to Season 1 Episode 1. Give it a shot and see if it's up your alley.

[@garlantyrell6368]

Alicent betraying her own children is honestly sickening. She forced them into war to begin with because she feared for their lives and now she pulls a complete 180 and is completely fine with them dying(including Daeron who’s the nice boy out of all three, and her own brother, who just defended her honor a few scenes ago)and Helaena being a hostage. Because she’s still a figurehead for team green as well since she’s their Queen and mother of a possible future heir. And what’s worse is that all Aegon has ever wanted was his mother’s unconditional love. And yet here is his mother, allowing him to be killed because she put him in a position he never wanted from the start. He was right when he asked what the point in all of this was.

[@lizzieinlights2905]

I tell you what, for a season finale with literally no action (other than the hilarious mud fight, Jefferson Hall is so great 😅) I had goosebumps, I loved the scene when Alicent turns up at Dragonestone and her and Rhaes conversation was so realistic for two people that were childhood friends. Love that Rhae took Addam with her to Harrenhaal and I just can’t get enough of Addam and Seasmoke so shame we didn’t get even a clip of him flying him to Harrenhaal. Seasmoke and Syrax are just so cute together and so loved the little snippet of them playing when Rhae and Mysaria are standing on their little balcony. Sooooo annoyed they just gave us that brief glance of Sheepstealer right at the end, obviously soooo many fans of the book are pissed that they cut nettles but I’m ok with Rhaena finding and claiming Sheepstealer it’s just going to be interesting how she goes about it as in the book Nettles just brings him sheep every day until he warms to her. Also confirmed that Sunfyre is dead so that puts a massive cog in the works with regards to Rhaenyras fate (which was actually alluded by Joffrey in GOT) I’m going to be walking around in a daze for the rest of the day as this episode was intense!

[@mikeboehl5260]

If they were planning on ambushing Vhagar at the end of last episode, then why didn't they? They're dragons are faster than Vhagar so they could've pursued. Why didn't they have Seasmoke or Moondancer with them? Why would they send Ulf of all people to be the bait? It makes more sense that Silverwing was taking him on a joy ride to test him out and went back to King's Landing because she lived there for decades.

[@maurissafields1095]

I thought the season was amazing. It really showed me who the real villain of this story is. I can't wait for season 3 to watch the story unfold. #TEAMBLACK Loved the reaction 🖤

[@BTinSF]

Rhaenyra was wearing Visarys's crown--remember the twin brought it to her. "What side are you on (to Ulf)?" . . . good question.

[@raymagliacano6144]

Omg you guys just made me realize Aegon won’t be there when Rhaenyra storms kings landing! It’s gunna look bad on Allicent it’s all bad. Great reaction thank you for this epiphany lol

[@React2This]

I think Alicent is sincere, but when Rhaenyra arrives at King’s Landing and Aegon isn’t there, she will think Alicent knew.

[@garlantyrell6368]

Good. Maybe Alicent can start hating Rhaenyra again and support Aegon’s claim to the throne again. Anything is better than her allowing her own sons to be killed and for her daughter to be a hostage.

[@annewoodard6803]

At the end of the last episode, Rhaenyra was waiting outside with her dragon and not by accident. She wanted Aemon to know she had backup.

[@albertosahagian4590]

I think Larys kidnapped Otto, or maybe Lord Beezbury's family because Otto executed him. On the other hand, I am going to go further (I clarify that I read the book but I am guided by the series in what I am going to say next) I think that Alicent conspires with Larys to save Aegon

[@mpcjrm]

Heleana is not weird. She’s a dreamer.

[@sukidawter]

Another fun season with Cam & Zay!! I thought it was a great season. I like that they slowed things down a bit. My only criticism is that we have to wait two years! Can you please react to Blue Eyed Samarai??? It’s 🔥🔥🔥🔥. I promise you two will love it.

[@rottieshepcalibre9156]

I don’t think the Queen would send that drunk idiot to fly over Kings Landing and draw Prince the Pretender back over to her castle. Definitely a stroke of luck or maybe not

[@wazza8026]

Hey guys! I really like your reactions and have been following you guys since HOTD season 1 … but I have one feedback. I think ya’ll should pause the video when you have extended conversations during the episode. It’s not a big deal in scenes with levity, like scenes with Tyland and Lohar. But with scenes like Daemon’s vision, Aemond and Haelena, Rhaenera in Harrenhall and at the end … it feels like you guys are missing some great dialogues and cinematography when you talk over scenes, and it takes us as viewers of your reactions out of the moment too. In the end, we watch your reactions because we love the shows and your reactions to them… so it’s much better if that is in sync :) Keep up the good work!

[@dampersand]

Yeah, this felt like the same episode 8 they had written before the season got cut down from the originally planned 10 episodes. Big setup for an episode 9 that we now won't get for another two years.

[@larae6129]

I believe that they said that house of Dragons could be 5 seasons this dancing of dragons

[@RodneyakaBlue]

I agree with Zay 1000%. That was totally a set up by Rhaenyra. There is no way that Rhaenyra would have come out with Vermathor and her dragon at that exact moment by chance. I do believe it was a plan to draw Aemond and Vhagar out to either attack or what she did that was to show her force which included 3 new dragons.

[@penguin50279]

the dragon with the green army was daeron’s.

[@Dennisdman124]

It was annouced today by the makers of the series that season three will be strictley war war and more war . Also season 4 will be the end of the series . Filming starts early 2025 .

[@olgabahirkina1286]

I don't think the story can be changed now because of past actions. Criston in his arrogance caused a dragon to die AND paraded Meleys' head on the streets; Rhaenyra allowed bastards to claim dragons - showing people that dragons are not gods and can die In the future, there are no dragons, for a reason; but there is death coming from north as stated by Viserys That's what Daemon sees, along with his own death But there are 3 eggs, and a girl that can go into fire and make them hatch And for that to happen, Rhaenyra has to be on throne Or humanity will end. Pretty simple choice for a Targaryen. Kills any ambition he could have had left.

[@MelissaDisha]

I've been loving this program but you guys are ahead of me so I can't watch this but know that I will soon.💛💛

[@mariadimitroulia645]

HOTD or should I say 'The Rhaenyra Show' is pure fan fiction at this point and fan service to give modern audiences and former Daenerys fans a new badass warrior dragon queen. The show runner is constantly breaking the lore to push his own narrative, he thinks he can own the story and do better than the source material. Both Rhaenyra and Alicent are so different in the book, they are powerful women in a male dominatad world but no victims, they're willing participants in all the political scheming, that's how GRRM likes to write his characters, no one is blameless in his world, and Rhaenyra's character is as cruel as the rest of the players. And that's not the real Alicent, wtf, she would never betray her children for her 'bestie', in the book they hate each other, and she only stopped wearing green when she lost all her children. What we got in the book: "The city is yours, Princess. But you will not hold it long. The rats play when the cat is gone, but my son Aemond will return with fire and blood." - Queen Alicent Hightower to Rhaenyra Targaryen! What we got on the show: "Here my Queen let me bend my knee to you the rightful Queen, here is all our plans, so you can kill my entire family and my lover, did I tell you you're the best my Queen? You're the best. Take Aegon’s head I don’t care, anything for you my Queen. I will make sure Kings Landing bows to you and you can take Aegon's head, just let me and Helaena live. Wanna go for vacation btw? Team Black for the win." - Alicent to Rhaenyra in episode 8. Well, the actual point of the book's story is that thirst for power can tear entire families apart, while in the show it's more about feminism and the evil patriarchy, very popular themes these days. Martin has been subtly critisizing the writers, he found aspects of the adaptation quite problematic, like Blood&Cheece for instance, he also recently quoted: 'Ignore canon and the world you've created comes apart like tissue paper.' One thing is certain, the show is not even loosely based on the Fire&Blood book, and its unreliable narrators are far less biased than Condal the Rhaenyra simp. My expectations were low but holy f***.

[@nikitasingh0412]

well there is no team green anymore now. so they can stop with the "All must choose" bs next season

[@nielgregory108]

Uhm, yes there is still team green. If there were no team green, there would be no war.

[@lSynonymousl]

Dude this episode was ass...

[@NoShiiitSherlock]

Daemon was War Criminal BAE the whole time

[@Vlad.Larionov]

Great reaction! It is very interesting to see your joint detailed reaction to the film Real Steel 2011. This is a cool movie 🦾🤖🔥 Do you have any plans to do it?

[@React2This]

Note to Rhaenyra: When people who have been starving arrive for dinner at your house, serve sandwiches and potato chips. Not a banquet. (Hugh: “Thanks for those cabbages you sent us on the boats, tho.”) Also maybe ask Hugh if he has a wife back in King’s Landing and maybe doesn’t want to help burn her. Read the room.

[@magicalfingers36]

Yooooo facts tho!!!!