Inside the Episode - S2, Ep 2 | House of the Dragon | HBO

Showrunner Ryan Condal, writer Sarah Hess, and more discuss Aegon's (Tom Glynn-Carney) lost sense of stability, Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) embracing her rage, and the plot set in motion by Ser Criston (Fabien Frankel), culminating in the epic showdown between Ser Erryk and Ser Arryk. Stream House of the Dragon S2 Sundays at 9PM on @Streamonmax.

[@tuffneggah]

thought the kid's head was gonna fall off the cart

[@Winter-Alpha-Omega]

When I was watching that scene, I felt sick because of how Jaehaerys' plastic corpse moved sideways when they were trying to get the cart out of the mud. It was nauseating and it made my heart break for Helaena.

[@susanleach9106]

Me too!

[@stephenwalker972]

Like that one scene from Bad Boys 2

[@nicholasgarrick8855]

Me too it such a miss opportunity

[@EP_mc]

@@nicholasgarrick8855would’ve made some people switch to team green, wonder if Daemon truly didn’t tell them to go that far if they couldn’t find Aemond

[@JeremyIceAndFire33]

The acting from Tom Glynn Carney as Aegon was phenomenal in this episode. The visceral response of losing his son & heir was very palpable!

[@KingScotto.]

Hail Lord commander 🫡

[@Winter-Alpha-Omega]

Honestly, Emma, Olivia and Rhys were also greaaaaat.

[@jimlebeux8730]

He's becoming my favorite every week.

[@Valkyrie0801]

I'm just so confused with how he shows so much emotion to the death of his son.... yet he has bastards, knowingly, at a place where they make children fight to the death and sharpen their teeth and nails for more sport. Maybe because they're not pure, he doesn't care? I dunno lol

[@Valkyrie0801]

Regardless, amazing acting though.

[@charliecheadle9154]

I love the parallels between Alicent and Otto this episode. Alicent wanted to have a heart to heart and open up to her father while he straight up shut her down. Right after, she sees Aegon crying over the loss of his son and doesn’t take the opportunity to comfort him in his grief and just walks away. Just brilliant writing. Really does show the consequences of how parents raise their children, mentioned at the beginning of the video.

[@extrasoap4881]

and then you also get to contrast her reaction with Rhaenyra hugging Jace

[@samiasultana44]

Yes right after she goes to fuck cole again 😑😑😑😑😑 I mean your son is crying and you are having fun. What shit is this

[@akshitarai1380]

Later Aegon and Haelaena have a face off but they don't comfort each other because they just don't know how to do it. The pain of losing a child in the most horrific way possible and they still can't get each other to share their pain. It all stems from the fact that none of them know how to express their love and sorrows. It's the family dynamics that were written so well in this episode.

[@ktmsnoop]

What generational trauma does to a mf

[@heresmyname-jz8ft]

I thought that maybe he was crying because he realised that dismissing Otto was foolish and now he's overwhelmed because everything is f*d up ? and Alicent was fed up and like "you made your bed, now lie on it"

[@PGHPulse]

Erryk vs Arryk bamboozled me not gonna lie. That was a great fight setup and even better acting.

[@micci9865]

The scene when Erryk was crying while saying "Your grace, forgive me". that one got me.

[@mst3KGf]

Nice combinations of the multiple stories provided in the book. They do die together, but it's because Erryk can't go on after killing his own brother that he joins him in death, not a mutual kill deal.

[@bakdpotato143]

@@micci9865 I thought that was Arryk, they made sure to show Erryk having his leg cut earlier in the fight, then made sure to show Arryk dig his hand into the leg gash. I figured at point since he started with "Trust me I don't want to do this" and now killing his brother, he's just asking for forgiveness.

[@micci9865]

@@bakdpotato143 got confused as well but the end of the scene clarified everything.

[@Nosho-fc5xm]

@@bakdpotato143 Why would Arryk say "Your grace, forgive me." to Rhaenyra. That was Erryk.

[@lizzyborden123]

Rhaenyra understands his grief. She’s not laughing. She’s still grieving her own child.

[@thatamericanbritishbloke5672]

It’s crazy to me how brainwashed he is about Rhaenyra. Like he’s become so convinced that she’s just some wicked monster.

[@thatoneblackdude3333]

​@@thatamericanbritishbloke5672 You can thank Otto and alicent for that .

[@coltonmarples4269]

@@thatamericanbritishbloke5672 Rhaenyra has never been kind to Aegon his whole life. His misunderstanding and hatred of her is just as much on Rhaenyra as it is on Alicent.

[@e-bo9115]

How is it brainwashing when she Married the person who did this? Do you think Rhaneyra would accept Aemond’s apology?

[@treecat125]

​@@e-bo9115 Aegon doesn't know that in that scene. He assumed it was Rhaenyra.

[@thejamaecanpie]

Definitely loved everyone’s acting. But the twins’ fight and Ser Erryk killing himself was so emotional 😭 that scene broke my heart

[@Vinlander95]

I was under the impression it was Arryk that won the fight and in his extreme grief he couldn't go through with the assassination and just killed himself instead. His asking for forgiveness was because of his attempted assassination and his kinslaying. Why I think Arryk won is because Erryk was the brother that got his leg cut, and that was the brother that got killed. Also Arryk was the brother who I believe was being choked, which was the brother that won then commited suicide.

[@ludwigaccursed]

​ @Vinlander95 I had that impression as well. It would be much more impactful if true.

[@Nosho-fc5xm]

@@Vinlander95 I don't see why Arryk would call Rhaenyra your grace and ask for forgiveness for killing himself. That was Erryk.

[@Vinlander95]

@@Nosho-fc5xm I think it kind of harkens back to the conversation Eryyk had in episode 1 with Daemon where he mentioned he never killed Aegon because he was sworn to protect all members of the royal family, so Aryyk likewise still considered Rhaenyra as a significant royal and addressed her as such, despite being on team Green. It is also possible he pretended to be Erryk inorder to honor his brother's death by making the Queen and her supporters believe Eryyk had successfully won and protected his queen (though that is just my own possible, but unlikely theory). As for the forgiveness thing I think he was asking forgiveness more for the actions he had just done (the attempted assassination and kinslaying his own brother). Aryyk was Grief-stricken for having just slayed his brother and felt the need to be forgiven for his sins before taking his own life, he probably also couldn't finish the assassination since it would've made his brother's sacrifice for nothing.

[@milenna8926]

Actually it was Ser Arryk who killed himself at the end

[@Divine_Chareka]

The Cargyll brawl went harder than i anticipated, the build up to war is just phenomenal. The pieces are moving and soon there will be carnage.

[@Winter-Alpha-Omega]

I love that we get plenty of peasant point of views, making this war all the more horrifying. Not some sexy, cheeky affair, but with the shots of the mums mourning their dead ratcatcher sons or even Cheese's dog standing by his master's corpse (that made me cry)... it paints this war as a chain of ever worsening crimes that go on to inspire even more cruelty and depravity. I was surprised by that level of thought and heart. May the whole show be like this.

[@haroldbrown893]

😅

[@sillygoose419]

I think a really underrated scene was Aemond being shown in an extremely vulnerable light with Madam Sylvie. They did well in making the parallel of him being physically naked but also emotionally naked

[@Gwilherm]

Yes but he's still a nuke at the end of the day when it's about skills. That's why he's my favorite.

[@judigemini178]

We seriously need more Aemond scenes, I feel deprived

[@boxmad5523]

Curled up like a stick insect 🤣 thought been a prince means he’d be able to have a decent meal every now and then, good actor though

[@extrasoap4881]

i think it was completely overshadowed by the twins.

[@Relixification]

@@judigemini178 dont you worry, when war starts, its Aemond and Daemon fiasco galore!

[@brianalex5083]

The saddest part for me was coming to the understanding that we won’t have the twins anymore but they killed it in their last scene literally lol

[@mfc9328]

Frrr I really liked their characters thought they’d be in for the long run 😔

[@davidanderson_surrey_bc]

They took their best stab at it, and before the director could yell "Cut!" they had slayed their audience. It was a real slice.

[@someordinarydude9147]

I don't know his name but the actor who plays Aegon was EXCELLENT this episode. It's very easy to go over the top when acting strong emotions but he plays it perfectly.

[@ColieBear18]

Tom! Agreed, his acting as Aegon is just so good. The depth of actors they have on this show is just incredible

[@ineednochannelyoutube2651]

Tom Glynn-Carney specifically, and he is making Aegon such a fantastic character to watch. Edit: it's spelled Carney not Carry.

[@CoRLex-jh5vx]

​@@ineednochannelyoutube2651Carney, not Carry, but yes agree

[@ehansbrough593]

Tom Glynn-Carney is a bona fide star. He was great in Dunkirk. He is excellent in HotD.

[@TheSpaceEnthusiast-vl6wx]

Tom Glynn Carney really fleshed out Aegon's character. Kudos to him.

[@Eddy6159]

Loved how this episode put a special focus on the small folk. It adds so much volume to the world seeing the ramifications of war brought by the main characters. Really good episode.

[@dexter7432]

Hugh plays very important role, he is targeryan bastard

[@jonathan0225]

It peaked with the twins for sure. lords and lady squabble, the small folk pays.

[@AlwayzAnonymous]

@@jonathan0225The twins also serve as great symbolism. The two sides mirror one another, and ultimately nobody wins.

[@jonathan0225]

@@AlwayzAnonymous honestly. And theyre kin too...brothers at that. Like rhaeneyra and aegon.

[@Relixification]

the 'small' folk have parts to play later on. Hugh Hammer for example; Spoilers: He becomes a dragon seed (dragon rider)

[@StannisBaratheonOTK]

Rhys Ifans needs an Emmy for this performance.

[@renaissanceman5296]

He’s been killing it since season 1

[@Relixification]

@@renaissanceman5296 I mean, Paddy Constantine got snobbed from the Emmys, I wish House of Dragons join as a contender for this year's emmys

[@hansellancephilippe4075]

I want more of Otto tbh as hand, not Criston omg.

[@hangyao479]

@@hansellancephilippe4075 watch criston's actor getting an emmy lol. he's failing upwards

[@ficrispin]

Rhys Ifans is doing absolutely amazing in this but I just can't see him as anything else but adorably vulgar Spike with the questionable t-shirts from Notting Hill. I keep expecting him to come out in his underwear 😂

[@Nina-xo555]

Bro the acting in this episode was just chefs kiss especially otto, daemon and rhaenera like I felt every word in my heart

[@myprotosskickass]

Don't forget Aegon

[@curtislyons2140]

Yes indeed . The acting was impeccable 👌🏾👌🏾

[@nicholasgarrick8855]

The rhaenyra,and daemon argument scene was pristine acting its shame they are probably not going to have many more scenes together this season.

[@crystall.411]

Yup, my guess is one or two towards the end and that's it.

[@alext7500]

To be honest, Daemon has every right to the throne. And his wish to marry Rhaenyra is not only for the throne, but to keep their blood pure and also he loved her and it's a common thing to marry close relatives. Aemond is married to his sister which is mug worse in my opinion, but no one cares about it 😂😅

[@Relixification]

@@alext7500 Aemond, or Aegon? Its Aegon whose married to Haelena

[@alexissimpson5819]

@@crystall.411 According to leaks, they will literally reunite at the end of the season. She’s going to Harrenhall. It’s a change from the book. But they also take king’s landing in the book and Daemon is stays there for a bit before leaving. Emma asked for more scenes with Matt next season.

[@leykimayri]

@@alext7500 Deamon has almost ZERO rights to the throne the minute Viserys had three legitimate sons

[@littleliv_]

If Criston Cole has no haters, I’m dead

[@isuzu343]

Both Criston and Alicent deserve each other. Both belong to the streets.

[@user-xv1bh9xe4p]

I literally was swearing at the tele

[@robbybigmilky1978]

i thought they would give him more character development. His acting kinda made it look like he was heavy with guilt. Then they scene with Arryk just completely shat on that expectation 🤣. they really WENT IN with the incel weasel part of his character. Dont see him having any redeeming scenes in the future.

[@Gwilherm]

​@@robbybigmilky1978incel???

[@chaotic-doxxer]

Alicole for the streets

[@ImXiqzo]

So many good actors in this episode. This is what I want. Great dialogs and acting is what made game of thrones.

[@nianatura]

Otto daemon Armond are truly the best ones along with that guy that likes feet

[@ColieBear18]

Agreed. I love that they're not focusing so much on spectacle, but leaning in on the politics and emotions. The whole cast is absolutely phenomenal delivering a fantastically written script

[@ImXiqzo]

@@nianatura so many good actors. I have a real hard time choosing who is the best. Tom who plays Aegon had the best improvement from season 1 for sure. I think Rhaenys is my favorite character right now though.

[@freerangegirl4457]

Erryk and Arryk were casted brilliantly. Im going to miss them.

[@Mccpotinc]

The fight between the brothers was probably the best 1v1 fight in the franchise. It was beautifully acted and choreographed and the ending was just brutal.

[@Val-aerys]

Oberyn vs the Mountain >>> in terms of choreography alone

[@markm2092]

It’s still Jon Snow vs Karl Tanner

[@djkly1]

Idk man that Ser Arthur Dayne vs Ned & the boys was good too

[@CaleebTalib]

@@Val-aerysexactly the red viper vs the mountain was still the tense live action scene I’ve ever witnessed. From underestimating oberyn, to him dominating the fight and then throwing it all away. Got every emotion out of me in like 2 minutes.

[@davidanderson_surrey_bc]

So... better than Breanne and The Hound?

[@TheGenFem]

The twins did a phenomenal job. I was absorbing every moment and it fully broke my heart.

[@phillyjackson45]

Tom as Aegon is a marvel this season 💯

[@ColieBear18]

He is truly phenomenal to watch. I've started to love his portrayal of Aegon.

[@Jon155mt]

Dude’s back must be hurting from carrying this season.

[@DarkHarlequin]

He is. The sheer amount of acting talent on this show in S2 is honestly kind of silly. All the love to the GoT cast and they did great but by the gods do the HotD actors need to do a lot of work to carry scenes of 'only talking' (no complaints, for me the franchise is ABOUT character drama and HotD nails it) but they are doing it! 🤗

[@TihetrisWeathersby]

Seeing the head sown back on was chilling

[@sabershikik9351]

Literally I was disgusted but it was a great choice I think

[@mst3KGf]

Can't put on a show without the head.

[@maximumpotential3796]

to be fair, it looked real neat and didn't get on my nerves the way I prepared it for.

[@nicholasgarrick8855]

They knew what they were doing with that part thank God it didn't happen it make more of an impact on the citizens to actually see the body.

[@Happyduderawr]

I thought the head was gona pop off when the cart went through that ditch. That woulda been funneh.

[@ethelynmacahilig1404]

The hypocrisy of Cole and alicent is something else. 😅 Cole preaching the purity of the white clock of the kingsguard to arryk.😅

[@elk681]

He and Alicent deserve each other

[@fotojt79]

Yeah. These 2 are actually destroying the series for me. Their writing is so bad I am not sure I will watch the remainder of the season.

[@Spartan-tx6nr]

@@fotojt79see you next week 😂

[@davidanderson_surrey_bc]

I think the white cloak bit was just Cole's way of using a pretext to create an obligation within Arryk.

[@Louis-Souness]

"Your Grace, Forgive me"

[@360.Tapestry]

😭

[@mohitreezal2726]

Littlefinger: "Chaos isn't a pit, chaos is a ladder" Otto Hightower: Sure🙂

[@Vitiate1337]

Cant get higher than Hand of the King

[@mohitreezal2726]

@@Vitiate1337 Well, he never wanted himself for a king. He wanted his family to rule and succeeded eventually. And Aegon was a fool to dismiss him, Otto is one of the smartest character in the show.

[@quakethedoombringer]

Daemon: "it's daemonin time"

[@cnmcnm5853]

I hate on Criston Cole a lot, But I actually love Fabien’s performance. Compared to other actors he has a one dimensional character and the writing limits his range but the man is carrying that character in his shoulders and pretty its only saving grace. Fabien Frankel has worked with the material that he is given and PERFORMED.

[@extrasoap4881]

i agree. it's bad but sometimes i struggle not to have carryover dislike for the actor, and i struggle most for him, because hypocrisy is a lot harder to swallow for me, than outright cruelty like joffrey or ramsey. and this struggle means Fabien absolutely delivered with the little he had to work with.

[@cnmcnm5853]

@@extrasoap4881 So true... i struggle too. but sadly the dumb mentally ill viewers projecting real hatred of a character onto the actor is insane. The comments on Fabien Frankel insta 🙈

[@Jonoridge]

I don't think his character is one-dimensional at all. He's constantly in conflict with himself, he's arguably one of the most human characters in the show for me.

[@hypatiakovalevskayasklodow9195]

True! That man is lovely in interviews but on the show I hate his guts. And I find that wonderful

[@DarkHarlequin]

I hope more people remember that 😊 I agree totally (on the acting, I actually think Criston Cole is much more interesting than you give the writers credit for). His character is written to be controversial and not likable. He's a hypocrite by design. He exists to show what an exaggerated idea of knighthood confronted with strict vows and a stubborn mind can do to a man. But if we feel all of this about Christon Cole it means Fabien Frankel is nailing it. And I hope the fans learn from Jack Gleeson years ago on GoT can for a change separate actor and role 😉

[@Dolce.Banana]

Otto Hightower reminiscing Viserys, how full of dignity he was... i loved that

[@tonyc7507]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="33">0:33</a> “Any man who must say: I am the king…”

[@casual_dropoutyt2912]

Tywin mentioned 🗣️🔥

[@user-df8lp9zq8s]

Meants almost no one is true king , because everyone says that, lol

[@hibye-pg4rr]

Rhaenyra in season 1 'I'm queen rhaenyra now'

[@hussey1990]

Tom killed it in this episode. Brilliant performance

[@alexissimpson5819]

Emma D’Arcy was amazing this episode

[@Varekai0723]

It might be the only Rhaenyra/Daemon scene we get all season but what a scene!

[@alexissimpson5819]

@@Varekai0723According to leaks, they’ll reunite at Harrenhall in the season finale. She’ll travel there to meet with him. It’s a change from the books that I’m very excited to see now.

[@Varekai0723]

@@alexissimpson5819 Well don't spoil it then! Jesus Christ.

[@micci9865]

As well as Rhys Ifans.

[@alexissimpson5819]

@@Varekai0723Sorry!

[@Mike90317]

First as Prince Phillip and now Matt Smith as Daemon Targaryen conflicted accepting his wife as Queen and Ruler. He's so good.

[@davidanderson_surrey_bc]

Three times, if you include Amy Pond, who, let's face it, took absolutely no crap from Doctor Who.

[@farhanmohamed7394]

Give Otto an award his lines are on point.

[@LucerysOwner]

They finally mentioned my boy Daeron 😭😭

[@animenerd6673]

What’s special about daeron 👀👀.. is there crazy things going to happen yeah 😂😂

[@LucerysOwner]

@@animenerd6673 He's by far the most likeable of the Greens (since Helaena has no real characterisation) and is at least relatively competent. But he's still just a kid, he's like 15 when the war starts with no combat experience, so no, he's not some military genius or anything like Robb, but he does pretty well for the position he's in. After Aemond's death - Daeron was the real deal for Rhaenyra.

[@ineednochannelyoutube2651]

@@animenerd6673 Without going into spoilers, I think that Daeron is interesting because he gives us a look at one of Alicent's children who wasn't raised in the Red Keep. He was raised in Oldtown, as a ward, similar to Theon. Because of this, Daeron didn't have the various disasters masquerading as parental figures raising him as the others got, and he turns out pretty good-hearted, likable, and competent, though the progress of war will have serious effects on him as a character. That's the most I'll say. He wouldn't make my top 10 characters in the dance, but he's a pretty cool character I would still like to see. He also rides a dope dragon named Tessarion, who's called the Blue Queen and had quote a Cobalt and Copper coloration. That helps out a lot with being likable.

[@MaceAhWindu]

⁠@@animenerd6673he’s just an overall decent dude, and by far the most likable of the green faction. He’s loyal to his faction but he’s been away from the drama for most of his life. He’s been in Oldtown for the last several years basically unexposed to the worst of his family’s actions and beliefs. One of the purest characters in the dance. Even Team Black won’t be able to dislike him.

[@joshuawatts1924]

@@animenerd6673he pretty much single handily wins the reach front of the war

[@batgurrl]

Aegon’s agony is palpable. Brother vs Brother was beyond unlense

[@ineednochannelyoutube2651]

Sorry, but in your comment (as I am currently reading it) you say Brother vs Brother was beyond "unlense". Is this a typo, because I can't the find word through google. If so, what did you mean? Just trying to understand what you meant.

[@davidanderson_surrey_bc]

@@ineednochannelyoutube2651 I think (she?) meant "intense".

[@nicholasgarrick8855]

Tom glynn careney is carried this episode with his incredible performance as aegon he really made me sympathise with him despite making one bad decisions after another towards the end.

[@nicksmithnutmilk]

He still made fewer mistakes then all of his siblings including Rhaenyra

[@vegasoverheaven]

@@nicksmithnutmilk the only mistakes rhaenyra made were not have true born kids with laenor and leaving KL for dragonstone which gave the hightowers the chance to take her throne

[@bunnystakeovertheworld]

@@nicksmithnutmilk ?? What about Helaena

[@MADGUNSMONSTER]

The three things that very much stuck out to me: Aegon snubbing Helena, his sister AND wife on the stairs, Daemon snubbing his daughter, and Alicent snubbing Aegon during his time of need towards the end of the episode. Even in a fictional show I find sadness in the distance and disconnect inside some families. It was a good episode with only one action scene. We don't need warfare and violence every episode, as there is a lot of that to come.

[@extrasoap4881]

thanks for highlighting these. i never made the connection between them (or how many of these scenes there were). one thing i don't get is why Aegon subbed Helaena, because in a BTS interview, Tom mentioned that she was the only one who felt the same way as him, and while they didn't say anything on the stairs, they shared the pain with their eyes. i certainly didn't see any exchange of pain and thought he was snubbing her because she failed to protect his heir (assuming he didn't know she chose to save her daughter)

[@663lotty]

I don't think he did snub her. As Tom said they communicated through their pain in that moment; it was brilliantly done by Tom and Phia.

[@leykimayri]

Aegon didn't snub Healena although it looked like it, I thought the same. He is the only one looking at her in her eyes, understanding her pain

[@davidanderson_surrey_bc]

@@extrasoap4881 Not nearly as many snubs as "The Acolyte" will get at Emmy time.

[@MADGUNSMONSTER]

@@davidanderson_surrey_bc Hey!! You can't put "Emmy" and 'The Acolyte' in the same sentence!! Reword your sentence at once!!

[@talim4122]

I think, what's brilliant about all this, is that it shows that people in power make very obvious mistakes and we try really hard to understand their decisions as some complicated plan, when in reality most wars probably are filled with wrong choices masked as intentional doing. (English isn't my first language, so if there's something strangely written...I know, I'm sorry 😅)

[@lesliemisaacs]

Your English is perfect!

[@billyhuang]

Well said @talim4122! - Native English Speaker

[@BronnBlackwater]

Like Biden pushing Ukraine to war with Russia

[@AlwayzAnonymous]

This is a great point. Historically, a lot of serial killers escaped arrest for so long not because they were geniuses but because of dumb luck and gross negligence/incompetence on the part of those pursuing them. We expect all these high profile situations to have been complex chess games, but as you’ve said, a lot of them were simply mistakes played off to seem intentional.

[@divinelangene6813]

So well written❤

[@jenniferandbama1284]

If anything now Damon is gonna feel guilty for not being there to protect rhaenera in that moment when she is attacked in her chambers. Yes they had huge fight but at the end of the day he loves her

[@ethanduncan1646]

Daemon when pressed before always delivers as shown back in season 1. If the price to redeem himself in his wife's eyes is taking the Riverlands, you bet your ass he is going to put in the extra mile to do it.

[@jenniferandbama1284]

@@ethanduncan1646 good point and no one knows he’s doing that they won’t find out till later in the season that is what he’s been up to. She thinks he’s abandoned her and is trying to make a play for the throne. If you think about it everyone is focused on aegon and rhaenera no one is focus on Damon so him taking Harnhall is pretty smart move for team black. The greens still stink it’s empty for a long time but in reality Damon has for rhaenera

[@MyUniqueVibe]

@@ethanduncan1646 I feel like your comment is spot on, and I think it will be the reason the Battle Above the [Spoilers] takes place in Season 3. I won't spoil anything, but it would explain a lot.

[@lolcats987654321]

At the end of the day, he loves him

[@divinelangene6813]

I don't know if love is the right word but he does have some affection for her

[@steffensolhaug4678]

Daeron The Daring is Alive, what a good day!

[@ethanduncan1646]

Literally the line that made me the happiest in the entire episode.

[@renaissanceman5296]

Interested to see what he’s about

[@liuj88]

When was he mentioned?

[@divinelangene6813]

@@liuj88 when Alicent talks to Otto later in the episode

[@judigemini178]

And Addam is here

[@levistan8394]

We got a Daeron mention!

[@liuj88]

When?

[@levistan8394]

@@liuj88 on this episode

[@liuj88]

@@levistan8394 When on this episode? Thanks.

[@kai-xi2zh]

​@liuj88 when otto talks to alicent after he's fired from being the hand, says smng about going back to old town and daeron

[@liuj88]

@@kai-xi2zh Thank you.

[@kyla.s5838]

This is what happens when a dynasty reaches its apex. The only thing left to destroy is itself. Whether the Hightowers were solely responsible or not, House Targaryen died the day Viserys chose to sacrifice Aemma.

[@someordinarydude9147]

Aemma was dying no matter what, he didn't sacrifice her. I actually had a talk with an Obgyn about it. She was saying that the complications she was facing at that time would have been 100% fatal. If not from the stress alone but from the dead baby literally rotting inside of her cause a fatally bad sepsis.

[@TangibleNought]

Yeah Aemma's death was sadly inevitable. The rift that tears House Targaryen apart imo is when Viserys chose to wed Alicent instead of Laena. Rhaenrya would have then not been pressured to wed Laenor and perhaps would have had a better prospect that wouldn't put her and her children's legitimacy in the crosshairs. But Viserys followed his emotions instead of duty, and it stemmed from his grief over Aemma, which is tragic all the way around. Otto can be blamed too of course, for orchestrating their marriage to begin with in order to put the Hightower family on the throne.

[@MyUniqueVibe]

The irony is that had Daemon remained the heir, when Viserys remarried, his son Aegon would have become the natural heir and the civil war would not have broken out. Of course, we don't know if Daemon would have actually tried to usurp the throne. He is an enigma. I do really think he loves his House, and the Targareyn bloodline. I don't know if he would backstab his brother's children. Viserys screwed the pooch.

[@kjeneen79]

Visery's did NOT sacrifice his wife. He knew she was dying. There was no way to save her. So he had to make a choice that many have in life, whether to at least try and save the baby or not. He chose to try to save at least one of them his child. Doing so made Aemma's death quicker but she would have died either way.

[@someordinarydude9147]

@@MyUniqueVibe He's not an enigma, he's a Targaryen. Throughout the bloodline, there's a precedent of Targaryens keeping other hungry Targaryens in check with power. Daemon respects power. If Viserys was a mighty king, Daemon would have happily flown off into the sunset. The only things Daemon likes more than power and women are freedom and adventure.

[@ysaismartinez7618]

If Rhaenyra loses Daemon the war is over. Oh and the guy that plays Otto was PHENOMENAL in this episode. What a great actor!

[@carolinecollett4349]

Rhys Ifans

[@justincase7848]

LOVE how the people in charge - writers, directors, and the actors themselves- think so so deeply into the psyches and motivations of every character at every point. It creates a story that is not only so much more rich and realistic, but also so much more moving and meaningful. Even though the story is about terrible things, exploring the range of emotions changes it from an action movie to one of incredible depth and purpose.

[@divinelangene6813]

Couldn't have said it better myself

[@justincase7848]

​@@divinelangene6813thanks!😊

[@sneza3204]

completely agree on this, well said.

[@DarkHarlequin]

Shows that they have actually understood what makes the franchise great! And I for one am very thankful for it 😊

[@justincase7848]

​@@DarkHarlequinyes but to be honest I think they are doing it more then in GOT. (I didn't watch either, just some clips, so it's just my impression). I think they are doing more of a micro dive into emotions. It's more of the "female lens" that explores the deeper aspects of internal worlds. It's a male director but I think in general as part of a socially evolving society we are getting more of that.

[@politecat9207]

Criston managed to annoy me more than Joffrey ever did in this episode. I'm gonna order a party hat just to watch the episode where he dies.

[@extrasoap4881]

totally get what you mean and feel the same way. hypocrisy is for some reason harder to swallow than downright shameless cruelty

[@Starkiller2725]

Joff was an animal but at least he didn't act like he wasn't and reveled in who he is.

[@curranfrank2854]

Joffrey was at the very least entertaining while being a hateful little shit. Ser Crispin is just an angry man nursing an incel-like grudge for over a decade, to the detriment of everyone involved

[@cainyourkids]

@@Starkiller2725 LOL this. The Lannisters were horrible people but they didn't pretend to be otherwise. Cersei was always upfront about her displeasure at everyone else not her/her father/Jaime (seriously, her first scene in Season 1 Episode 1 has her coming down the carriage already sneering at the Starks); Tywin is, well, Tywin; Jaime never hid away from all the Kingslayer accusations, meeting them all head-on, and Tyrion had no pretenses on who/what he was and his position in life. They were terrible but they wore it with pride.

[@Starkiller2725]

@@cainyourkids, exactly, that's why so many people still like them. The Hightowers on the other hand are a sad lot.

[@theteacher010]

This episode was an absolute masterpiece. This was on par or even better than some of the best GoT episodes. And I especially love how much emphasis this episode places on the small-folk! - Otto Hightower drives home how critical it is to win the loyalty of the masses. - When Aegon lashes out and hangs all those ratcatchers, it would have been easy to just dedicate a few sentences of dialogue addressing that massacre and then moving on with the main plot. But in this episode, it's the entire impetus behind Otto Hightower losing his title as Hand of the King. "They were innocents. They were fathers, brothers, sons." Pretty sure in the entire run of GoT, the suffering of the masses at the hand of royalty was never paid this much attention. - Rhaenyra gained the genuine respect and loyalty of Mysaria when she freed her, and then Mysaria decides of her own accord to repay that and raise the alert about Ser Arryk infiltrating Dragonstone.

[@extrasoap4881]

good points. i do like the spotlight on the smallfolk, although i'll never believe for a moment that Otto cares out of the kindness of his heart. he's pretty much a Larys/Littlefinger with more power (maybe a Tywin?). as much as i dislike Otto for indirectly causing this mess by asking Alicent to put on her mother's clothes, that guy knows how to politick. i liked the contrast between the weakening grip of the green's power, and the blacks. Aegon shows less and less mercy in his grief and hunger for revenge, but Rhaenyra shows more and more compassion with each 'tit for tat' - her confrontation with Daemon (which she did in private not to undermine their power in front of her subjects), and keeping the word of her house by freeing the white worm. Rhaenyra is winning loyalty, and the greens are losing it.

[@nykia31]

Jacaerys has grown into a brave, honorable, strong young man.

[@Thraggx]

Way better episode than the 1st. Loved how they build up the moment until the clash between the brothers.

[@caitieeeee]

Lol Otto being a calmer, more effective Rahm Emanuel (who said "never let a crisis go to waste") is horrifying and accurate.

[@Cinephileofmany]

Really great episode. Plenty of character work and symbolic shots. Beautifully done.

[@thehoopman88]

Ser crispy ...hand of the king🤴 ...fingers of the queen👸 😂😂

[@liamwright2510]

He will get turned into a filet mignon in the riverlands 😂

[@ethanduncan1646]

Aegon II is amazing. Such a great character despite being such a horrible person. Unlike Joffery or Ramsey there is a human being deep down, but he is far too monsterous to be redeemed.

[@ace9924]

I wouldnt say he's monstrous but with Cole as his hand it'll only get worse. It's all viserys's fault.

[@Saintjav2]

too monstrous? He had barely do anything really bad. at least by the standards of royalty in ASOIAF, hell, Daemon is like a lot more mosntruous than Aegon by a mile xD

[@ethanduncan1646]

@@Saintjav2 Rape is bad wtf are you on about. The guy leaves his rape babies literally in the fighting pits.

[@spacecadet2172]

@@ace9924daddy issues aren’t an excuse for wanton rape and murder, sorry

[@ColieBear18]

Yes! I am LOVING all the morally nuanced characters in this show. It's so refreshing to see everyone in shades of grey instead of good vs evil. They're people, with all the flaws of being human. Absolutely fantastic

[@tap5445]

All of the cast absoluetly killed it this episode!

[@theAverageJoe25]

I knew the Cargyll duel was coming but I didn’t think it would hit so hard

[@TihetrisWeathersby]

They killed his kid on Father's day

[@muanasaylon3957]

And I Ope!

[@senister14]

Last time it was the opposite.

[@TheCmascagni]

Tyrion killed Tywin on Father’s Day also.

[@cowmilkbiz]

This was a particularly well directed episode! Loved it

[@lisas3545]

"Any man who says I am King is not a true King" Twyn Lannister to Joffrey. "I Am the King!" Aegon Targaryen.

[@hdheh1582]

rhaenyra says the same thing last season so

[@abhikmoj5853]

Direction and Cinematography for this episode were excellent!

[@martyNored10]

Reading from the books and watching a live adaptation is truly beauty, the way you expect things to go from what happens from amazing acting is one of a kind.

[@nicholasgarrick8855]

Arryk ,and Erryk fight was everything i hoped for i also really like how they make slight changes to the books whole still having the book version make it seen as an exaggerating historical account. The blacks account of Erryk's death would omit his suicide to make it seem more honorable almost poetic story of them dying on each other's blades.

[@MyUniqueVibe]

This is all plays into the idea of those who witness historic events, have the power to exaggerate parts to make their side look better.

[@evancodsworth2]

Big thumbs up for the cast and crew! This show takes me back to the first four seasons of Game of Thrones. 👍

[@BEEFSERPENT]

Another fantastic episode love this show

[@heavybattle6650]

Wonderful episode, so many great moments, the acting was incredible.

[@gaethanos08]

Aegon was PERFECT. I love every scene of him. Also Otto’s speach at the beginning was 🥶, he use jahaeris as a weapon 2 second after his death

[@CoachMacdaddy]

The twin brothers were phenomenal. Great dialogue awesome fight, im sad lol

[@MrPhbahia]

amazingly crafted episode!

[@Nativusdes]

Each episode we move closer to the complete carnage that is this tale

[@fightronin3753]

Another fantastic episode!!!! Everyone involved with the show should be proud!!!!

[@Trazynn]

This episode felt like a Shakespeare play. Absolutely amazing.

[@miafan]

I’m just so delighted that they finally mentioned Daeron during all these uncertainties 😂. Over all very great contained episode

[@Althorr]

Battle drums sound in this Ep was 🔥💯

[@modestlyneutral]

What an incredible cast. They're so talented and articulate. You can also tell they've thought deeply about their characters insecurities, motivations, passions, fears, and family beef / intergenerational trauma can be passed down from one generation to the next with disastrous consequence.

[@TheEnderDrache]

I love that the rat master sneakly got rid of all the rat catchers using the king as a puppet.

[@victoriassecreto]

Love this inside the episode episodes cause it makes me understand more about and look at characters especially those I don't like in a different light

[@perlyshell]

the acting and visuals in this episode are top tier

[@constanzanavarro821]

The twins gave such a powerful performance that I really wish we could've seen more from them😢

[@JasonTramm]

Great episode, thank you HOTD team!

[@samiasultana44]

Whenever Otto tries slander rhaenyra he gets fired from his job 😂

[@PassiveAgressive319]

I grew up watching Rhys Ifans playing the goofy lout in countless rom com movies. What incredible acting👏👏👏👏

[@ficrispin]

He will always be Spike to me !! haha

[@lifeiscruisey1912]

Anyone else notice they cut the funeral scene. The trailer gave us Halaena grabbing Alicents hand and running

[@arpiohanjanyan7184]

Yep, I wanted to see that

[@Queenofthemall1445]

​@arpiohanjanyan7184 thats a different episode. The dresses are different. Its being built up to. Weve gotten two mentions of food becoming limited, and now aegon and cole had killed many innocenf men leaving the smallfolk angry. As the food situation gets worse theyll become even angrier

[@keanancupido]

This episode was just so amazing. I'm shocked that some people disliked it. But honestly speaking, this was everything I love about this world. The dialogue, the stakes, the tension. Guys, we're so back!!!

[@CA-bw9vw]

I can't believe they didn't mention Aemond. He was reminded by his "mentor" that whenever he loses his temper, the smallfolk pay. And the smallfolk are actually human to him because of her. He even had that glint in his eye when he says he's flattered Daemon is "afraid" of him, then he admits he regrets Luc's death. He's so morally questionable 😂

[@extrasoap4881]

that scene was completely overshadowed by the twins, haha. i don't know how i feel about the aemond scene, actually. i enjoyed the ambiguity of his character, and having it confirmed that he regretted Luc's death was a bit too telling (instead of showing). i could have done without it, since it's already shown that the smallfolk were paying the price of the squabble. the white worm was one, ratcatchers, and then the twins (they're not smallfolk but you get what i mean).

[@vrushalidhongade5725]

EPIC episode! Can't wait for the next one :)

[@DIGMyers]

Acting all around this episode was great. Not to be left out was Aemon's brothel scene.

[@life-x476]

Even tough i shoudnt be suprised anymore, but the acting and those Dialogoue scenes baffle me every time. Kudos to everyone involved

[@abhishekdas2352]

Rhaenyra was a compassionate individual but a leader in war time needs to be pragmatic, cold and use any means necessary to win. Rhaenyra will soon realise without Daemon Her claim is just a hollow claim without any substance. In Fire and Blood Daemon literally fought Rhaenyra's war for Her. His leadership and strategic decisions made Rhaenyra won Kings Landing but as soon as Daemon left Kings Landing, riots broke and eventually Rhaenyra had fled KL to meet Her doom in Dragonstone. Without Daemon, Rhaenrya has no hard power or brain to rule.

[@Starkiller2725]

To me, this episode was simply phenomenal. The acting is absolutely brilliant as well. Both Tom and Emma should get awards for it. Rhys is amazing as always.

[@jackson857]

I loved the episode. One of my favourite House of the Dragon episodes.

[@ficrispin]

Blood's face when he realised Aegon was coming in to torture and kill him ... I loved every damn bit of it!

[@blahblah1315]

I love Ser Otto in this episode...he acc made me laugh. He was amazing. Aegon was a character that we glad to see more of

[@cgmoran91]

For all his flaws, Aegon 2 is a grieving father. At least he got to kill the murder of his boy. The one thing he could have done was comfort his wife. After watching behind the scene, they say the look gave each other was a connection. I see it now. At least tell her his killed the murderer. Otto was right. He knew going into Aegon to confront him about the rat catchers would end with him being fired. I think this is the episode where Aegon becomes a mad king. The Dameon and Rhaenyra scene was brilliant. The twins fight was heartbreaking. The genius of this is that both sides think they are right. The have a reason for doing terrible things. Rhaenyra and Jace sharing a moment to grieve together in ep 1. Alicent had a chance to do likewise with Aegon and she did not

[@chrischan6211]

I mean the son of the queen on the other side became your brother's dragon's snack and no one was really showing any empathy about that. This was deserved, how ever cruel it may be. And if people are saying "Luke's death was an accident." Well, this was also an "accident." Blood and Cheese were looking for Aemond. Them killing the boy was beyond Daemon's control.

[@extrasoap4881]

i appreciate the parallels between daemon and aemond. both were itching for a fight, but neither could handle it when things got out of hand, leaving their respective queens to deal with the collateral damage.

[@Maya_k]

No it wasn't beyond Daemons control. If blood and cheese couldn't find aemond, any son would do. Rhaenyra even knows that and said so in the episode

[@K.DRanmal]

That fight sence was so good. I hope we will see more like this in the future. HBO let give us what we want

[@mrizii]

Tom is such a great actor he makes me feel so bad for Aegon😭💚

[@nicholasgarrick8855]

Cristin cole is literally the definition of failing upwards.

[@liamwright2510]

Can’t wait for Criston to get a taste of his own medicine in the riverlands

[@dandenov9876]

During the funeral there is a slow motion scene of haelena looking at something like ashes. For me it’s a foreshadowing vision of the ashes from Daenerys burning the city. I felt this way.

[@ehansbrough593]

Emma D'Arcy is such an incredible actor!! They deserve all the awards.

[@babelov]

😂🏳️‍🌈

[@lostredsock6989]

I always got the impression, from seeing Rhaenyra riding her dragon, that she could take care of herself, so I was quite surprised when she hadn't reached for a dagger or sword, and cowered in the corner as the twins went hammer and tongs at each other. Really emphasized the absence of Daemon : "I need you, Uncle"

[@2BEGOOD_DOGOOD]

Rhaenyra understands and appreciates the pain her siblings are going through since Lucerys was murdered. And she didn't want that for them in the first place. If only Aegon realized that.

[@cristinademartini1284]

Bu she wanted Aemond's head. So why should Aegon and Haelena realize that?

[@Lopzzzanthony]

The hypocrisy for criston cole and alicent is beyond laughable

[@Gwilherm]

They are human. As Deamon and Rhaenyra are

[@Nosho-fc5xm]

@@Gwilherm Alicent and Criston are hypocrites, the biggest ones in all of Westeros.

[@kjeneen79]

​@@GwilhermDaemon and Rhaenyra are not trying to act like they are pure and holy. The only Hypocrites here are Cole and Alicent. Daemon have no problem being real good or bad.

[@Gwilherm]

@@kjeneen79 oh, you can't see how they are also flawed?

[@kjeneen79]

@@Gwilherm I clearly said they are not trying to "act" pure and holy and that Deamon has no problem being real good OR bad. So absolutely they are flawed. But this post wasn't about just "flaws" but hypocrisy.

[@nonamenameless5495]

Simply outstanding, strong acting, great writing, pacing and cinematography. I d argue this is one of the best episodes in all of the Game of Thrones universe. It felt like a proper movie...what an experience. Chapeau, this was epic!

[@DrippyIska]

there MUST be a song about the twins next episode. Book readers know singers sung about their fight forever afterwards and this is such a great opportunity to have another great song adaptation like jenny of oldstones but about brotherly love, honoring them over a funeral next episode.