Inside the Episode - S2, Ep 8 | House of the Dragon | HBO

Description:
Showrunner Ryan Condal, writer Sara Hess, director Geeta Vasant Patel, and more reflect on Aemond’s (Ewan Mitchell) fear of losing power as his secret comes to light, Daemon’s (Matt Smith) evolution after his time at Harrenhal, and the difficult decisions made by Alicent (Olivia Cooke) and Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) that set the tone for Season 3. Watch House of the Dragon S2 Sundays at 9PM on #StreamonMax.

[@TihetrisWeathersby]

Ser Alfred broome betrayaling Rhaenyra only for Daemon to bend the knee was hilarious

[@manvirshergill1739]

If you've read the book you'll know that "plot" isn't over...

[@senister14]

@@manvirshergill1739 yep, but now Daemon plot is only going to get weirder.

[@TihetrisWeathersby]

@@manvirshergill1739 yes I read the book, stop being a nerd.

[@Hear.myvoice]

​@@manvirshergill1739But in the show Daemon should have killed him... Makes no sense from here to let him live.

[@wayne47able]

​@manvirshergill1739 in the books, Daemons time at Harrenhall was extremely short and he was still Loyal to Rhanerya. They made an entire mini series of things that never happened at Harrenhall.

[@Divine_Chareka]

Not Helaena serving spoilers in this episode lol

[@masterplokoon8803]

Helaena giving her blessing to the actions of the man who killed her son was just cringe. It's as if Blood and Cheese didn't happen. Nobody gave a crap about Jaehaerys aparently, they were sad for one episode and then they all forgot he existed at all. Maelor was not even granted the dignity to exist.

[@FupaDoncic]

She’s setting him up to battle Aemond. Not giving him a blessing. She’s just telling him how the story plays without telling him.

[@masterplokoon8803]

@@FupaDoncic she talked to Daemon and instead of condemning for what he did to Jaehaerys. She gave him encouragement in the hopes he would kill Aemond? She is giving him her blessing for his actions.

[@FupaDoncic]

@@masterplokoon8803 she isn’t all there like us. She already seen Jaehrys’s death coming. She’s just going thru the motions cause she knows it all. She hates it. But like she says it wouldn’t even matter.

[@FupaDoncic]

@@masterplokoon8803 I’m not trying to spoil it for you bro. Remember she tells Aemond where he dies. It’s not Harrenhall.

[@anki5156]

Sara Hess at it again saying dumb shit or being proud of something she is hyping up to be a cool thing. Her saying the introduction of the Admiral Lohar character was a season highlight and important to her 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@queenxx1690]

Same Condal

[@Canadish]

"Look Mom, I got my favorite KZbinr in my show!!!"

[@SarcasticPlotRecaps]

Was the character meant to be trans or was that just the actor IRL? I couldnt tell if it was supposed to be a proper woman or if it was a man undercover as a woman for story purposes etc. Very confusing.

[@Canadish]

@@SarcasticPlotRecaps Supposedly, its a woman, pretending to be a man for respect. Only noted in extra material though, not the show itself. It was more confusing using a celebrity M-to-F trans actress though, on top of not exploring it. Honestly, the whole thing wasn't really needed, certainly not in a finale, they may as well have waited for early season 3, that's when you typically introduce your new character, not at the end?

[@TemariNaraannaschatz]

@@SarcasticPlotRecaps They just took Racallio Ryndoon from Fire and Blood and merged him/her with Lohar. Racallio or Queen Racallio is a tyroshi captain that claimed the Stepstones later on after Lohar died. He's a character that is described as tall and dressing up as a women-which is the closest thing to a trans- or generfluid character you can get in this world. GRRM has talked about trans people as they are today not excising because they have no knowlede about chromosomes, but there are a few characters that dress and or are refeared to as a different gender, including Racallio dressing as a woman. The dialog about Tylands siring her sons is something Racallio says to a different characater in Fire and Blood. They just mashed two characaters together and called it a day and then had the audacity to pretend they came up with said character.

[@Shubh_RKO]

The only one who was super happy in season finale was Caraxes after seeing his crush Syrax and his homie Seasmoke. He was like "Good to see u guys. Harrenhall has me creeped out

[@sushmitaraodesaraju6330]

Yeah, but he's soon gonna get super jealous when he finds out that Seasmoke has been rizzing up Syrax on their flights. Then he's gonna curse Daemon for holding him up in the Haunted House while Seasmoke is stealing his girl over in Dragonstone.

[@Shubh_RKO]

@@sushmitaraodesaraju6330 talking about taking your imagination too far...

[@henrietta9206]

​@@sushmitaraodesaraju6330He wldnt mind. They fed him pigs at Harrenhall He prefers pigs. Homie ate good!

[@sushmitaraodesaraju6330]

@@henrietta9206 Yeah, I guess that's good enough consolation. Every other dragon in the Realm has had to do with just sheep. But our boy gets to have his favourite, pigs!

[@luckyadrianhutapea]

Lol

[@Ivbo]

Season 1 - **About the go to war!** Season 2 - **Still about to go to war!!**

[@KillerGaze]

Season 3 - *Almost went to war* 🤣🤣🤣

[@Ivbo]

Season 4 - **Got within an inch of war!** Season 5 - **War is over, great war!!**

[@MagguillZ]

Did you want it to end in season 2 itself ? Have some patience dawg

[@coverscollection8775]

@@MagguillZ ofc no but atleast give 1 ending war.

[@coverscollection8775]

@@MagguillZ like maybe half war for next season.

[@masterowen45]

Daemon watching the trailer for Game of Thrones in the gods wood.

[@Helenapriits]

yeah and gives up on everything

[@arobin6695]

i cant believe they're still doing these repetitive boring scenes of corlys standing next to that boat talking to people, that's all he's done every episode of this entire season

[@christiandanielsen7771]

Poor writing

[@Thegreatlarusso]

Imao they just added him for useless scenes

[@Smudge-GB]

The boat is always getting loaded up as well lol, where are they going?😂

[@THETYMEKK12]

Come on - these scenes are very important to the characters - don't write them off just because there is no combat in them. That's what the show is about.

[@arobin6695]

@@THETYMEKK12 it's not about lack of combat, it's that they're very boring repetitive scenes all set in the same location with the same people. the scene this episode where alyn actually confronts him was fine but there have been so many before this one that just covered the same ground. there was like 14 scenes of corlys standing by the boat talking to people in 8 episodes. his character was wasted this season.

[@westerosinetwork]

If this whole "Master of Whisperer thing doesn't work out, Larys could try for a career as a motivational speaker... " 😂

[@FupaDoncic]

Larys Strong, the Releaser of Toes, Feet of the Queen, Kingstealer.

[@westerosinetwork]

@@FupaDoncic Feet of the Queen...

[@jacobdenness8659]

Your on to something there

[@varanisshouyou4379]

He is a cripple but he is a white man so lets demean him by giving him foot fetish nice job writers

[@abbasman47]

Who ever gave Sara Hess a pen so she could write the scene with Alicent giving an okay for Rheanyra to kill her son should be sent beyond the wall.

[@dvaltavilla12]

At least this comment is better than the treacherous season finale we’ve just watched 🫠

[@abdullahharoun6680]

its consistent with her character development

[@masterplokoon8803]

@@abdullahharoun6680 no it's not, it's character assassination.

[@masterplokoon8803]

@@abbasman47 She actually thinks that Alicent selling her sons' lives is an isnpiring and empowering moment. 🤮

[@KeangoDLuke]

Atrocious decision

[@extrasoap4881]

to see Phia in costume as Halaena saying "brrro, CALM down." is GOLD

[@danibananeee]

I snorted when she said that 😂

[@jo_jo_jo]

Helaena has already seen the third season.

[@monicad99]

she seems kind of …. meh about it.

[@mvirgz]

honestly thought she was gonna off herself this season

[@g.koch.]

​@@mvirgzthought a moment Aemond will push her, resulting in the written down end of her everybody think she did it herself.

[@heresfrankbetches921]

all the seasons plus GOT

[@varanisshouyou4379]

That explains why she was moody season 3 will also be terrible honestly this show should be cancelled quality control is just not there i actually think D&D would have done a better job at least i wont fall asleep during the final. I finally realize Viserys was carrying the whole season 1

[@yardknight4953]

Don't take a 2 years for us get another season. And please let it be 10 episodes.

[@yardknight4953]

@@DavidGravesExists historically when something GoT goes less than 10, it doesn't go well

[@ctdog15]

Season 3 will be 4 episodes

[@Jrdn357]

@@ctdog15 And it will end with both sides preparing for war, a new and exciting concept that we definitely haven't seen twice before with buttfuck nothing happening between them!

[@danielcastillo9587]

It will take 2 years bozo

[@davidmasters8601]

​@yardknight4953 I'm like, 90% sure I read somewhere that House of the Dragon won't end when the dance does - be it going back in time or carrying it on but yeah I'd be amazed if it ended purely with this story (or they announce another set spinoff immediately after)

[@attoloco]

"we kind of forgot how dumb and meaningless the story of Dani and the white walkers ended up in season 8, so we want everyone to relate to that when they think of this show too!!"

[@gabrielket4673]

the scene was shot and edited beautifuly but it made me cringe so hard. To this day I have not seen an episode of season 8. After season 7 I was so so disappointed I could not bear to watch the ''last'' season. GoT got worse after season 4 and ended with season 6 for me. I am praying to Allah that George will release Wind of Winter finally. I reread to series too many times D:

[@blazejgruchala4361]

@@gabrielket4673 lucky(smart) man i was grasping onto hope until the end, fool that i am

[@tiantianzhang-lw1lj]

Every time they bring up the prophecy the fandom cringes in pain. Just stop it and do your best to make a good show out of house of dragon and stop stretching it out to make money HBO jesus

[@TrueNorth1217]

@@gabrielket4673 winds of winter is not even the final book the story doesnt end there. Also watch the show

[@bantud6778]

A vision or prophecy of Daenerys as the prince that was promise. Yet, she ended up being the villain after all her sacrifices and everything she did to help the living survive. What a beautiful show, it sucks!

[@Daniele_1210]

There are clearly 2 episodes missing. That’s no season finale…

[@Mike90317]

Yeap. Episode 7 would've been the season finale.

[@heresfrankbetches921]

it is not a propper season at all for me. too plain

[@Garian9]

Felt like a perfectly fine 8th episode of a 10 episode season.

[@Baloo22]

Season 2 is just a big setup and build up for season 3. I think and hope that the third season will give us all that we wanted from this season and even more.

[@TheHyenaGalaxy22]

@@Baloo22 i would say that Episode 5 onwards is comparable to the setup from GoT S5 without a Hardhome like moment

[@AshFrey]

Alicent s1: "YOU ARE THE CHALLENGE AEGON SIMPLY BY LIVING AND BREATHING" "Criston bring me one of Luke's eye" Alicent S2: Damn, my sons r crayzeee.... Rhaenyra baby im so sorry, you can do whatever you want with them, ily bestie

[@nyagerguet5601]

Lmao, these turn of events for Alicent really don’t be making sense 😅

[@Thegreatlarusso]

Alicent is the worst written character ever

[@Criis6446]

I dont understand how they have done that bullshit with Alicent, she has been terrified of Rhaenyra killing them all SInce she had Aegon, and she gives their lifes to Rhaenyra with no fucking because why not ..

[@THETYMEKK12]

@@Criis6446 It's called regrets and being a mature and sensitive human being.

[@Criis6446]

@@THETYMEKK12 Regrets ?? So her whole family needs to die because she feels bad ? They killed her grandson, they beheaded him. Daemon IS as much of a Monster as Aemond IS if not more, and she IS going to make him king consort, the man who got her grand baby killed. She is speaking of travelling with her, and accepting her children's asesination in the same conversation, it's absolutly stupid. All her life SInce she became a mother she has been terrified of Rhaenyra murdering her kids, and now she offers them on a silver plate. That is bad writting.

[@westerosinetwork]

Helaena and Alys giving spoilers everywhere... 😂

[@itsbonkerjojo9028]

Who tf is Alys

[@trenchardjj]

Have you been watching the show?

[@whoschach]

@@itsbonkerjojo9028 Who tf is Eowyn who defeated the witch-king of angmar? Am I right? *waiting for a high-five*

[@queenxx1690]

Hess too she spoiled it in this video

[@patrickmcgowan1068]

We all know the battle of goda eye

[@gabb5964]

Pls bring back Miguel Sapochnik as one of the showrunners. This season didn't hit the same as last season. Season 3 has the potential to be one of the best seasons out of the two franchises.

[@UttkarshBhagotra]

amen

[@Vahki100]

Agreed!

[@bonbonvegabon]

bahahah we dont need him thanks. This show is 1000x better than GOT junk

[@king7795]

No

[@AxelordMuschainner]

Absolutely!

[@eli-jl8yf]

Alicent betraying Aegon after making him fear for his life and his siblings' life if Rhaenyra ever came to power, and then putting him on the throne herself even though he didn't want to be king.... This is character assassination at its finest, not just compared to book Alicent but also compared to Alicent in S1. And the worst thing is, I'm sure the writers think that Alicent betraying her sons is meant to be empowering or something. There's nothing "empowering" in turning an active schemer, cunning and fierce, who wants her children to be in power because she loves them and knows that that's the only way for them to be safe, into a freaking hypocritical turncoat who gives up her entire family to the faction who killed her grandson, because she's actually Rhaenyra's biggest cheerleader and just wants to run away with her and connect with nature or something, and also because "war is bad" and Alicent is "good" so of course she wants to end the war even though SHE started it.

[@marydetrevil827]

@@eli-jl8yf 👏 100% agree. If she was so scared her children would be killed why she betrays them now? It doesn’t make sense.

[@marinaa.1993]

i think most of you miss the point of alicent's character. Her character was never strong, independent or fierce in the show. She was a CHILD that got manipulated into a marrige and was conditioned by her father to believe rhaenyra(her best friend) would want her and her kids dead someday. She never wanted ANY of it, she was just a girl. Years pass, and the same fear Otto fed her, was what she used to raise her children. They all grew up neglected, having to fulfill their duties no matter the emotional damage they caused. When alicent raises the knife towards rhaenyra in season 1, she clearly says that she had to fullfill her duty and make sacrifices such as being maritally raped, having children at 15 with her best friends dad, having to live as an object, while Nyra had the liberties to bed whomever and do whatever while still remaining heir. I mean, she even had bastards, and Jace took one of her sons eyes and no one did ANYTHING. That kind of served as evidence to her fathers words, that her children would never be safe if Nyra lived. It made her go manic and project her hate onto her family, because Nyra had all the things she wouldve dreamed of having. It is really hard to hate someone you once loved. In the familiy's last dinner, they reconnect and Alicent realizes that is IS possible, that Nyra would not hurt her sons in that way. But after Viserys death, she realizes that even as queen regent, after all her sacrifices, the men around her had already plotted to take the throne, and all her authority was gone. Her sons are all egomaniacs, she is but a woman and no one looks to her. She starts to realize that it was all for nothing. She abused Aegon for so long, forcing him to be king, to the point it broke him and made him a bully, which consequentially made Aemond a apathetic psycopath. Halaena is too pure for that world, and alicent is probably going crazy thinking about the trauma the war will impose on her. tShe even talks with her brother, that her sons trauma is her fault, and not only the atmosphere in the red keep. She sees rhanyra, and now a parallel ha formed. As a child Rhaenyra was carefree, she wanted to fly away with alicent into the unknown, while alicent was clearly always under stress and in fear because of the constant manipulation of her father. Now, in the final episode, they have switched. Now nyra has lived her carefree days, and the path towards queendom is inevitable. Now Alicent realizes that all the pain she endured, was NOT the one and only path. Her daughter and granddaughter CAN escape the trauma of the war, this is not the life she has to lead now. She has no duties. It is disgusting that she would sacrifice her son, but as Rhaenyra said, both looking at each other as adults that know about the harsh realities of the world, there are only two options, either Aegon, or peace in Nyra's reign. This was written in stone, the second that Viserys named Nyra heir, and otto set his mind on the fact that his grandson would be heir instead. There was never a way of escaping, but now there is a way. Alicent and Nyra know its painful, you can see it in their eyes on the scene, but it must be done This is what makes them both much more interesting characters. Why do all of you insist on independent, apathetic, inherently evil female characters, when we all know humans are multidimensional in every way. WHy cant Alicent be both, a very sentient and guilty character, while also loving her kids in a twisted way, while also accepting that there can be a way out, whithout it ruining her character and having all the blame imposed upon her. I adore her charcater and how the showrunners decided to give more dimesion to her. I read Fire and blood, and all book readers know it is written as a matter of fact, and it is like a history book. We dont really know about the characters personalities, except for rumors and the personality descriptions of MEN. Fire and blood was written by maesters, and all the physical and cualitative descriptions of women were probably mysiginistic.

[@randolphhenry4426]

Well said 👏🏾

[@lucandrea5774]

@@marinaa.1993 A Whole lot of Nothing ...this shows Writing is Absolute Trash stop defending this Garbage writing choices

[@gnegne3362]

Damn it's almost as if characters change

[@masterplokoon8803]

Book Alicent:" 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" Show Alicent:" YAAASS QUEEN! SLAY MY SONS!"

[@MimsyMi]

lmfaooo

[@iridescentraindrops]

Aemond is a psycho, he doesn't deserve a loyal mother.

[@nodatastored684]

The Maesters wrote the book, its from a Male Perspective only of the writer whom was a Maester

[@masterplokoon8803]

@@iridescentraindrops Aemond and Aegon literally defended Alicent when they lied about who told them about the parentage of Rhaenyra's children. She raised them telling that Rhaenyra would kill them and made Aegon king when he didn't want to and every step of the way she keeps undermining them, betraying them and sabotaging them. And now she completely sells them out. At this point we can only hope that Aegon feeds Alicent to Sunfyre.

[@masterplokoon8803]

@@nodatastored684 can we stop with that lame and false arguement used to justify the character assassinations of the show? Why are you talking about a book that you clearly never read? The book isn't "the male perspective of one maester". It has acounts from both sides and in neither side, nobody claims that Alicent would be willing to sell out her children. She loved them and she would do anything to protect them .

[@atinasimonyan997]

Did writers forget thant son for son was ended after killing Aegon's son, Alicent grandson. And now she is giving up on her two sons, and begging for her life in the first place and freedom. it is good that Reinera did not want also Helenas head Alice would give it also. So disappointing

[@finxw9374]

Yeah. and we again meet with dumb and dumber (Sara Hess& Condal)

[@thomy1955]

You leaving the part out when her one son almost killed her other son and crippled him for life.

[@chereeduran9840]

Aegon: "we shall see who the last man standing is" Book readers: 😂😂

[@pitoseavy4523]

It's funny cause he wins but plot make him not kill everyone he sees from team black which is weird when they killed his kids/siblings etc....like baela ? Should have died(she tried to kill you)💯 Corlys ? Aegon ? Etc.. should be dead especially after they killed your kids either kill yourself let rhaneyra win or kill everyone 🤦🏾‍♂️why kill her just to not finish the win ? Weird plot

[@America_is_now_Mexico2.0]

Bet me anything Aegon gets eaten and ren takes the throne. The kamela Harris of HOD! LOL. womens lib bullst is the standard at hbo

[@ergob3907]

He wins (well for a bit) but he doesn’t do a lot of standing afterwards 😂

[@masterplokoon8803]

After that horrible Alicent- Rhaenyra scene I just hope Aegon turns Alicent into Sunfyre's dinner.

[@MyUniqueVibe]

@@pitoseavy4523 His cock is toast, lol. He can't make an heir. Why would he destroy his entire House? That is the reason he was assassinated, because he was about to mutilate Aegon the Younger by cutting off his ear and sending it to the Cragon Stark, who was marching on KL to put Aegon III on the throne. Your brain is too small. So the plot is not weird, it's just you.

[@EvolutionSquare]

this "finale" feels like the season was written to have 10 episodes and you just cut the last two to save for later...

[@annon-10]

HBO's fault. Two more episodes would have been best.

[@rasheedt9343]

Because that's what they actually did. WB, the parent company, had all divisions including HBO cut costs, so 2 would be episodes/scripts were cut and rewritten for season 3.

[@annon-10]

@@rasheedt9343 are you aware of the reason for them to cut budget for 2 episodes? seems bizarre to me. Shows that are less popular than HOTD didn't face issues in recent time, so what made them make this decision?

[@rasheedt9343]

@annon-10 It appears WB cut costs across the board, regardless of how well a show was doing. Which sounds idiotic to do to one of your best shows.

[@annon-10]

@@rasheedt9343 Agree 💯

[@mraftergames]

season 2 episode 1 : '' war is close'' season 2 episode 8 : '' war is close''

[@alexxnnnn3161]

this!

[@deepdeep3589]

Trying to make money by lying. 2026 still waiting. The next olympics will come and we will still be waiting.

[@yashkumar8316]

Season 1 episode 8 : war is here

[@thedarkknight2221]

Abubakar Salim FUCKING KILLED IT as Alyn in his speech to Lord Corlys. As someone whose own father abandoned me and my mother I know exactly where he’s coming from. And like him I would rather “decline any offers of help” from him.

[@theCommentDevil]

It was some real talk absolutely

[@johnbernhardtsen3008]

same stuff for me personally, my father who Im named after, is a huge pos!wife beater and always wanted to be painted in good light at parties and such!one of the richest in the south partg of the country where im from!my mother wouldnt take more beatings and left!

[@vernongibson1014]

It definitely reminded of that classic Fresh Prince of Bel-Air episode. Iykyk.

[@datgrrl5698]

It's fiction princess. You cannae correlate it to real life. Therapy exists for a reason. Seek professional assistance. And stay in school.

[@guyinc0gnito]

Yeah Salim crushed it, coulda easily overdone it but he took it right up to the line

[@jeanbutinfrench]

We went from daemon serving rhaenyra to daemon serving rhaenyra, and from getting ready for war to getting ready for war, while this season was very well produced its storytelling was stale to a point i cannot happily look forward for 2 more years for a season 3

[@T0FFII]

Don't then lol.

[@MrZeuz666]

Good summary. I was sure we’d get a battle this episode. As lots of KZbinrs and commenters had spoiled. But even the spoiler didn’t come through. Oof

[@signe-o3f]

I'm a GRRM's fan for a reason. I don't care about action and battles at all, for me the characters and dialogues are the most exciting parts of the story. And guess what? I could describe season 2 with two words - repetitive and redundant. Take a shot every time you see Rhaenyra whining about the men not respecting her, Corlys and Alyn speaking while standing in exactly the same spot, Alicent acting like a victim, Daemon tripping in Harrenhal, Jace being pretty in the background because his book plot and lines were given to Rhaenyra and Daemon or cut. But I understand, surely we needed a wattpad fanfic Rhaenicent more than what was actually happening in the book. Honestly, Aegon is the only character that was entertaining this season, I would have stopped watching if not for him.

[@iridescentraindrops]

Aegon was also whining about his knights and council not respecting him. But at least Rhaenyra didn't stupidly fly into battle overestimating her strengths like Aegon did. You're obliviously biased, but that's normal, personally I found Rhaenyra , Alicent and Daemon very entertaining this season.

[@jonoridge9341]

I think Larys and Aegon are carrying the show for me.

[@bonbonvegabon]

wahhhhh another fake fan crying. NO one cares dude

[@Thegreatlarusso]

@@bonbonvegabonImao ur the fake fan

[@andai09]

@@bonbonvegabon even if you haven't read the books the characters arcs doesn't even make sense from S1 to S2, the whole writing is a shitshow even looking at it from a neutral point of view

[@unc54]

I don't care if Condal thinks it's what the fans want but the Rhaenyra-Alicent scenes this season have both been horrible and makes me worried that they don't understand the point of the Dance.

[@cmd7930]

Dont you know that 2 closeted lesbians fighting against the patriarchy is more important than a Targaryen civil war?

[@snareyshot2879]

Nah I think they had to be the crux of the story this season. Wish it was better executed but their story is IT. The dance is bigger than them yes, but it looks like what they've had is ended now and we move on to more of the Dance

[@Em35nyc]

@@snareyshot2879 it should have been over after season one episode seven. The fact they’re dragging rhaenicent out this much is ridiculous

[@Em35nyc]

@@unc54 they think that because the Negroni sbagliato meme went viral means everyone wants Emma and Olivia together on screen as much as possible. That meme was lightning in a bottle and it’s ridiculous to have them on screen if it doesn’t make sense narratively. This scene on dragonstone and the sept scene were just mind boggling.

[@anandaraman6604]

​@@Em35nyc nobody wants emma and Olivia tohether

[@soreth4672]

Season 2 has a huge dip in quality compared to s1! Please the finale was just a trailer for s3, feels empty and on the track to GoT s8. Hire better writers and keep the showrunner in check!

[@soreth4672]

HBO need to learn from their mistake!

[@00Mindi00]

RUBBISH, both seasons have been SPLENDID pieces of work.

[@theCommentDevil]

That final shot of Rhaenyra framed within the wall of scrolls portraying her as 'part of the story' is some remarkable symbolism. Well done

[@a_moneypound]

The weight of history and knowledge behind her

[@umanuu]

and boxed in while Alicent has found her open space she's longed for

[@sushmitaraodesaraju6330]

@@umanuu Yeah, like Rhaenyra said, her part in the story has already been written for her, so she can't be free as Alicent chose to be. A great reversal of their stances from season 1 when Rhaenyra only wanted to fly and eat cake, and Alicent wanted to do her duty.

[@jo_jo_jo]

Well seen. I guess Rhaenyra and Alicent will end up switching places. One, crushed under the duties and the other one bitter about all the court politics. Eventually, both will realise how much merit the other one had. But it will be too late for then. It seems like a good arch for both of them.

[@dudetheman06]

Geeta Vasant Patel's direction has impressed me a lot

[@begobertran9739]

Give Miguel Sapochnik the show back. Ryan Condal, Sara Hess and the other lady clearly don’t know what they are doing.

[@cynthiab8603]

Yes! He did such a great job!

[@MattyCamachio]

Writing fan fiction

[@UttkarshBhagotra]

Amen

[@thomthomui1695]

It is known

[@begobertran9739]

@@cynthiab8603 the only thing is that he would have to get some light 🤣. My man likes his night shots daaark.

[@SemperVII]

Rhaenyra saying "a son for a son" to Alicent and both acting like that makes sense, even though we had the Blood and Cheese scene in ep1? Did the writers forget? It's just one of many examples that make me think that GRRM's recent quote about show writers taking a book's story and "making it their own" and ending up making it worse was about HOTD. Such a shame. Season 1 was great.

[@erinavery4577]

Totally agree

[@sameeul-haq-xe9po]

Season has been a total dissapointment. Overpowered the blacks. Rhaenerya+Alicent time skip recast was a mistake their acting is dry and dull especially rhaenerya cant actually wait until she gets eaten by sunfyre lol.

[@ifrankensteinsmonster]

This season has been Pathetic! On the levels of Season 7 GOT

[@shortdrink873]

It would have been impossible to NOT make Fire and Blood their own. And bear in mind he has PRAISED them for doing it in the past. If GRRM doesn’t want something adapted he shouldn’t have sold the rights

[@sushmitaraodesaraju6330]

Exactly what I was thinking. Like "Hello? You killed her grandson?!". Guess the writers and Alicent just "forgot" about Jaehaerys.

[@w00t777]

alicent teleporting to dragonstone and beg rhaneyra is the stupidest scene 😅

[@likagrom6953]

Where were the guards? Why she wasn't detained? 😭

[@MatiZ815]

Dragonstone is next to King's Landing.

[@MatiZ815]

@@likagrom6953She was.

[@AltairdeFiren]

@@likagrom6953 To play devil's advocate, as much as I found it overall ridiculous, she did mention that her guard had laid his sword down at her gate. Presumably Rhaenyra's guards then brought her, under guard, to Rhaenyra.. at Rhaenyra's request.

[@arobin6695]

the desperation to tie this show into GoT has ruined it. Rhaenyra and now Daemon have lost all agency and ambition and both of them are only fighting to fulfill the stupid meaningless prophesy instead of just wanting the throne for themselves.

[@Pluralboard]

I believe it’s going to be retconned. So I do not think you have to worry about it.

[@Canadish]

Yeah, it's a very weird change. It was a story that commented on human ambition being self destructive, and the ruinous nature of the feudal system. Now it's just about good guys with divine destiny against the bad Conservative-coded Green guys. Also retroactively doing the same to Aegons story. All so they could reference GoT season 8, everyone's FAVOURITE.

[@angelosanchez1475]

“We kind of forgot you’re supposed to have a satisfying conclusion to your season”

[@annon-10]

😂 that sentence truly is the best to call them out whenever show runners of ASOIAF mess up.

[@enricllorcamendoza7664]

This season seriously needed 2 more episodes: the battle with the triarchy and rhaenyra triumphant

[@user-ir5xc8je2e]

In a way Rhaenyra was triumphant. Daemon bent the knee. I would add she got dragon riders, but theyll just end up betraying her in the future.

[@GamingShadesHD]

@@user-ir5xc8je2e Like Daemon bent the knee at the end of season 1?

[@user-ir5xc8je2e]

@@GamingShadesHD Did Daemon have the entire Riverlands on his side at the end of season 1? rhetorical question.

[@GamingShadesHD]

@@user-ir5xc8je2e You're goofy, go to sleep

[@masterplokoon8803]

The scene with Rhaenyra and Alicent is the cringiest by far. Alicent goes to Dragonstone slobbers at Rhaenyra's feet, sells the lives of her sons( whom she raised to clash with Rhaenyra). She forces Aegon to be king and just sells him out at the first opurtunity? And it's portrayed as beautifull inspiring scene?🤮

[@rjisidoro2388]

Alicent was a peacetime queen. Easy for anyone to declare war when they have zero idea or experience what it's like. She thought she'd still have a voice at the council, and found out the hard way. Alicent also didn't foresee Team Black having that many dragons. Same thing for Cole - once he saw the damage dragons could cause, he got PTSD.

[@cristinademartini6653]

How in hell is the scene where a mother sells her sons to their enemies beautifully inspiring? Alicent is the second most awful mother in the series, after judith in vikings.

[@masterplokoon8803]

@@cristinademartini6653 you should make that question to Sarah Hess and Ryan Condal.

[@zoebooboop3741]

​@@cristinademartini6653"history will paint you a villian "

[@sarahdehak204]

​@@cristinademartini6653because Viserys and Daemon are such good fathers? Yeah Right! Stop puting the blame on the woman every chance you get! Try be a mother at 14...

[@kimora6272]

Someone fire Ryan Condal for that shit of a finale

[@edawhg]

So weird he was able to work on HoD, he only has 4 writers credits.

[@bonbonvegabon]

Cry more fake fan

[@dudetheman06]

More like bring Miguel back

[@kimora6272]

@@bonbonvegabon no i just expected more from one of the best tv shows on air rn + a got prequel show. This episode and frankly this whole season has been a shit show and has taken on new plots in the worst way possible. Episode 1 and Jahearys and Lucerys death (which are both supposed to haunt the story and plot LACK SEVERELY.) the writers and Ryan are writing this story terribly.

[@alexdann9816]

Agreed

[@Advaita007]

A son for a son ? Did they forget about jahaerys.

[@cmd7930]

Rhaenyra wants Aegon and Aemond dead too. Thats almost all of the males of team Green besides Daeron and Alicent is fine with it. The same Alicent who attacked Rhaenyra after Aemond lost his eye. The same Alicent who installed Aegon as king The same Alicent who stood in front of a dragon to save her sons life What a way to completely ruin the character

[@Dr.Yakub22]

The writers kinda forgot about Jahaerys

[@shibernyan2009]

That's not Alicent's son plus Jahaerys' death was not Rhaenyra's revenge/out of her hands in her eyes. That scene is all abut Rhaenyra and Alicent. Their similarities and differences. Their goals and sacrifices.

[@cmd7930]

@@shibernyan2009 its Alicent’s grandson and heir to the throne. Its normal to care about your grand children you know and not want them brutally murdered. Also even though Rhaenyra had nothing to do with it, she is still blamed since she recently lost her son as well and it looks like revenge. Aemond accidentally killed Lucerys but he is still blamed.

[@shibernyan2009]

@@cmd7930 I never said Alicent didn't care, she obviously does. Not sure what you're trying to say with that first part besides just stating the obvious. Also Rhaenyra IS partially to blame, as queen her words have consequences, Daemon acted upon HER command and that ended the way it did. Both Daemon and Rhaenyra ARE partially to blame for what happened to Jahaerys, but Rhaenyra doesn't see it that way (she blamed Daemon for it since according to her he acted on his own accord...even though she gave the initial order). That's why I said 'in her eyes'. Aemond lied to everyone and said he killed Lucerys intentionally to make himself seem powerful and ruthless (as he wants to be seen). You can't blame the rest of the characters for not knowing any better, that makes no sense.

[@TessaxMusic95]

I laughed when Tylan was called “Tywin” 😂😂😂 170 years too early!👍

[@HisameArtwork]

Tyrod too. Really seemed like they were hazing him, very white bro locker room behavior. So much for "exotic".

[@lolilol535]

I LAUGHED AND I CLAPPED LMAO

[@mr.nobody5653]

I was so hyped that there were 15 minutes left at the end just to find out they filled it with making of content. I feel very much betrayed

[@jabbajoinj8620]

"The city is yours, Princess, but you won't hold it for long. Once the cat is out of the house, the rats will dance on the table, but my son Aemond will soon return home with fire and blood." I hate this season for robbing us of that Alicent

[@melissaharris3389]

I think they might give the line to Helaena

[@ashleymorgan-kp7um]

she and daemon got turned into jokes

[@NashyChilufya-vd7qp]

​@@ashleymorgan-kp7umand aemond

[@SorceressWitch]

We are not getting that Alicent in the show. She was portrayed as a victim last season and it's about her and Rhaenyra being friends who don't really hate each other as both of them as walked into each others territory without being captured. I think the next season we will see more of these scenes as the show is actually about them two.

[@marydetrevil827]

I feel so much devastated for her betrayal in last episode. Like… she started it, crowning Aegon. And now when Aemond alone tries to figure it out she just betrays her sons. What a mother she is after that…

[@Imtheshotcaller]

The night king prophecy makes absolutely no sense in a show without a nights watch story line

[@ferismuller22]

bro youre speaking truth

[@wifeunderthesea]

i should have known that when S1E1 aired and they were reusing the GoT theme song that this dumb shit was going to happen.

[@Imtheshotcaller]

@@wifeundertheseashowrunners forgot they obliterated a thousand years of prophecy so Arya could become the prince that was promised

[@ayiza8511]

I know right they shoved the prophecy and white walkers into a story that does not need it This is a story about a family tearing each other apart for a throne. enough said

[@susanleach9106]

@@ayiza8511well said

[@alejandromar9880]

Sara Hess should've been fired on the spot after making episode 9. Vibes based, misandrist ideologically posessed untalented writer. Anyone who's had a hand writing Rhaenys, Rhaenyra and Mysaria the way they are should have a restraining order from touching any script ever again.

[@Thegreatlarusso]

Sara Hess is only there bc of her gender nothing more Imao

[@csakegyjedi]

MiSaNdRiSt lmao

[@Magiczny_D]

What’s the point of all these pointless meetings between Alicent and Rhaenyra? You’re turning these characters into complete idiots who clearly don’t grasp their situation. And this vision of Daemon - Can you really deliver any more crass fanservice? Why are you shoehorning in meaningless references when the "Dance of Dragons" story is already fascinating on its own?

[@user-nv2wt4hi8t]

Funny how Rhaenyra condescends Allicent for finally seeking some freedom but forgets how she was always able to do as she liked (refused hundreds of potential suitors after her father desperately tried to give her freedom of option, ran off to publicly enter a brothel to agree to sleep with Daemon, coerced Cole to break his vows and risk his life to sleep with her, fathered repeat bastards to dilute the Royal line and put her sons' lives in danger and the legitimacy into question) with no consequences while Allicent was forced to be a piece on the board at every turn.

[@jonoridge9341]

Both scenes where Alicent and Rhaenyra went to see each other were utterly ridiculous. I'm going to put this absolute mess down to the writers' strike and hope next season is much better.

[@FlowerTrollSan]

Also where the heck did they get the idea that we want a Rhaenyra/Alicent fanfic? 😂 this entire season was utterly ridicilous.

[@aldo_0000]

@@FlowerTrollSan I'm only just now watching season 2 of this show, what the actual fuck is going on and why has this butchering of GRRM's source material been allowed? I'm so sick of these talentless hacks thinking they stand any chance of writing better material than the masters themselves. It feels like every show adaption is like this now.

[@kjellduteweert9262]

You fucked up, sorry but you did. That Alicent and Rhaenyra scene was stupid.

[@officialhalocoin8545]

so we basically got teased all season and then left with a massive cliff hanger. HBO needs to walk the walk of shame like Cersie.

[@Soxcus]

Its Sara Hess writing, the worst thing that could happen to the show

[@Em35nyc]

Helaena being closet Team Black is ridiculous. So she knew Daemon okay’d the death of her son and she doesn’t care? This show is so unserious.

[@wt1272]

She gets the bigger picture

[@Kadasberry11]

She in no way gave “Team Black” 😂 She simply sees the future and understands trying to change it is fruitless.

[@marinaa.1993]

the point is that she is kind of psychic, her saying "this is all just a story"..."it wouldnt change anyting" represents how, the chain of events is already triggered, curruption, anger, hate and death already took its course. Everyone can try to stop it, but theyre too far in. Its foreshadowing for the rest of the show. Book readers will def get me. Geroge RR Martin literally wrote the dance of dragons as a way to show that chosing sides, ALWAYS leads to division, corruption and hate between the opposing sides. Once greed takes it course (otto deciding that his family line should sit the throne) thre is no going back. Corruption, parental abuse, fear, all keep repeating themselves in endless cycles through generations. For exaple, we see Alicent was manipulated and abused, so she became the abuser, now aegon and aemond are both abusers too and unable to correctly manage their emotions and have empathy towards others. In contrastm Nyra grew with strong parental figures, and therefore was a good mother to her sons. We must all have the ability to see both sides, and understand that no side is completly in the good or in the wrong. The only ones that can see the faults and good in both are Alicent and Nyra, which have had the opportunity to understand the wrongs in ther upbringing and actions.

[@telltellyn]

Jesus what a shit take.

[@Em35nyc]

@@marinaa.1993 her going from giving cryptic messages to flat out spoiling aemond’s death is out of nowhere. If she’s supposed to be like Brynden rivers, they went from 10 to 180.

[@mrsmilescam1550]

I am so disappointed. Everything lead to an escalating war, just to end the season on a montage of everyone. I expected at least battle scene. Fucking bullshit!

[@T0FFII]

Cry more then.

[@Visionary-]

@@T0FFIIShit dude I think most of us will for how garbage this season was. GOT S7 tier maybe even a little of S8 trash.

[@Hear.myvoice]

​@@T0FFIISome people want quality and like to use their brains watching something... If you don't, then play with dolls

[@TrueNorth1217]

@@Hear.myvoice clearly you havent used any of that pea sized brain of yours

[@DanieSBbg1983]

​@@Hear.myvoice lol Why would you even need to use your brain with this soap opera level of writing?

[@vrooooooooooooooooooom]

I'm convinced HBO MAX is using bots to upvote the positive comments. Nothing about this episode deserves any praise. The writing on Season 2 was a colossal failure as was that pathetic excuse for a finale. It's like you guys learned nothing from the disastrous ending of Game of Thrones.

[@Thegreatlarusso]

They are using bots Imao

[@latiefmohiuddin6840]

Most underwhelming season finale of any show

[@bonbonvegabon]

wahhhh more fake fan tears

[@brupster]

@@bonbonvegabon go on, prove the guy wrong (and me included)

[@dudetheman06]

Bro forgot The Iron Throne

[@Kaz-ni5ym]

It was an excellent episode 8... In a 10 episode season.

[@DominationRotation]

​@@bonbonvegabon Season 1 was amazing, but the writers definitely dropped the ball. Season 2 was alright- had some very good moments, but failed to live up to the standards set. They shouldn't have let go of Miguel Sipochnik. Once again they are pushing this "girlboss can do no wrong" narrative, which unfortunately is so common now in hollywood film culture. One of the reasons it isn't a complete failure is the prowess of the actors and directors. The writing is subpar, compared to the first season.

[@fiona13458]

You can tell how much Condal loves Syrax (and the Blacks) by how much screen time she gets. Meanwhile Sunfyre, symbol of the Greens, most beautiful dragon in the book, gets one minute of glory before being slaughtered. And Dreamfyre isn't even shown once...

[@alexanderforbes1452]

Curious how they're gonna reckon with the fact that they've prematurely killed Sunfyre with the fact that Sunfure needs to kill and eat Rhaenyra at the end of all this. It's not just history as stated in the books, but in the show too. It's what causes her son Aegon's (Dragonsbane) attitude towards dragons, which contributes to their extinction. Kinda important, kinda the whole thing the show is leading to. I do like the show, but the cracks are showing, and after starting strong in the first half I'm worried about this show after the second half.

[@mauratlantean3002]

​@@alexanderforbes1452 We have not seen Sunfyre die ?

[@ashleymorgan-kp7um]

not to mention how sheepstealer got pushed out of this season and no cannibal

[@ashleymorgan-kp7um]

@@alexanderforbes1452 just because a character thinks another is dead doesnt mean they are

[@g.koch.]

​@@alexanderforbes1452Cole said Sunfyre is still there protected by soldiers and fed with the corpses, perhaps they left Aegon out of that knowledge and kept it hidden to made the blacks think he died. I doubt Aemond would tell him in that state he is in and doubt heavy Cole talked to Aegon yet.

[@akashwani98]

Why the hell alicent and rhaenyra keep meeting eachother. I mean rhaenyra took kings landing by surprise and caught alicent fleeing from the red keep but here alicent herself is giving notes to rhaenyra that you come we'll open the gates for you 😂 Ryan and sara are idiots ruined another great show 😅

[@sameeul-haq-xe9po]

exactly its bad writing. im sure if that was anyone else in the world you'd knife the crap out of rhaenerya your enemy and end the war lol. Recast of alicent and rhaenerya was a big mistake the actors are so dry and boring.

[@Fireground42]

4:23 Sharp Point is NOT the seat of House Massey(That would be Stonedance), it's the seat of House Bar Emmon... how does the "lore nerd" get something you can quickly google wrong

[@erinavery4577]

I guess he kinda forgot

[@sushmitaraodesaraju6330]

That's exactly what I was thinking. I was like, "What? When did Sharp Point change hands from Bar Emmon to Massey?"

[@ThelronFjord]

I like how they didn't even show the Night King in Daemon's vision, just a regular ass John Whitewalker. It WAS really cool that they showed Bloodraven, complete with the raven-shaped wine stain. Hope we get to see him in Dunk and Egg next year.

[@sfdko3291]

wait, I thought the Night King was BloodRaven? It wasn't?

[@acs7167]

@@sfdko3291 the amazing audience the show still has left..

[@AnthonyPi1999]

⁠@@sfdko3291No, Bloodraven is the Three Eyed Crow that mentors Bran. We’ll meet him for reals in Knight next year! Night King is a separate character.

[@Blackrew]

He’s still seeing an army of the dead that he needs to be concerned about, regardless of whether or not he sees the leader

[@El_.5794]

@@sfdko3291 No, they are different entities. The Blood 3 Eyed Raven is Brynden Rivers the bastard son of Aegon IV. No one really knows who the night king is whether it’s one of the First men who came to colonize the continent or he’s already existed way before humans existed. There were speculations he’s one of the ancestors of the Starks but the night king remains a mystery. No one knows of his origin and his cause of wiping out all living creatures. In the time of the dance of the dragons, the 3 eyed raven wasn’t even born yet. The realm had Aegon 2 as the King that time. The Raven was born years later on the reign of King Aegon the IV and his mother was a high born from the noble house of Blackwood.

[@gushterell7989]

It's a tragedy when the film/series would be better if you'd remove scenes. This is about the Rhaena's plot. "Hey, she's still alive. Does she advances the plot? Nope, she's just there"

[@annevergara7220]

They couldve allowed a full on claiming of Sheepstealer in the finale!

[@ayiza8511]

beautiful scene? hell no! Alicent just betrayed all her sons. shes does know that Rajendra plans to kill Dearon Aemond and Dearon right? and a son for a son what about her grandson they brutally killed? Its pure Team Black fan fiction

[@queenxx1690]

exactly wtf is this

[@stevewilson2734]

Miguel Sapochnik is sorely missed, Season 1 was really well balanced and showed real promise going into Season 2. But Season 2 has been nothing but a massive anti-climax each week with the only bit of action coming in Episode 4 (which was brilliant by the way). I don’t mind not having massive amounts of action but atleast make the plotting and scheming more clever and interesting instead of slow paced episodes. I really do miss the cleverness & scheming of the politics in the small council from the original GOT. They have obviously seen how good it was from GOT and have just forced it on us every week in Season 2 but it hasn’t been good, now we have to wait for Season 3 to see any action when we should of atleast got another episode with the battle of the blockade to feed our appetites a little bit whilst we wait another 2 years for Season 3.

[@ashleymorgan-kp7um]

or at the very least have finished the red sowing with all the dragons claimed and seeing cannibal

[@TomUK737]

i cheered when Miguel left, as assumed we would finally be able to SEE the scenes, but im now seeing the impact he had on the writing was far more important

[@annevergara7220]

It's good to have Alan Taylor back as Ep4 was great. I also like Loni Peristere's directing, at least closer to Miguel Sapochnik but yes, this show needs to have him back. If they at least introduced Daeron in the finale and allowed Rhaena to claim Sheepstealer, would've been a better finale.

[@monjur1016]

Someone said this episode is a 70-minute trailer for season 3 and I agree.

[@essdee_0149]

Obviously these writers weren’t chosen for their skill but to check the inclusion mark. If you don’t like what is being produced, just stop paying for the (streaming) service that provides it!

[@Em35nyc]

Alicent groomed her kids to hate Rhaenyra for years (see season one episode six), now she gives aegon up for slaughter? How does aegon being killed remove daeron and aemond as well? They’re still a threat and would have claims to the throne with aegon dead anyway. Nonsensical from both alicent and rhaenyra. Fire the writers. And ENOUGH with rhaenicent.

[@Mike90317]

Yeah, Otto warned her in season one: "all your children will be put to the sword."

[@faraazkhan5078]

Allicent puts Aegon on throne out of pure greed and jealousy in the books but here they humanised the shit out of her to a point there is no reason to hate her like wtf she was supposed to be the Cercie Lannister of the show and they made her Sansa Stark lol

[@Em35nyc]

@@faraazkhan5078 it’s really a joke. They nerfed her so bad. I feel bad for Olivia Cooke, she has such shit material to work with.

[@Thegreatlarusso]

@@faraazkhan5078she’s not supposed to be the Cersei but a different character it’s okay that she is written sympathetically but make it make sense

[@cvox607]

I knew that hess woman was a hack the moment she wrote that stupid rhaenys scene from last season

[@Thegreatlarusso]

She’s really just there bc of her gender she has no talent Imao

[@lolcats987654321]

What a f***** swing and a miss 72 minutes of nothing. 3 things happened. And of those 3 things barely one was significant in moving the plot forward. We had about fifteen minutes of wide shot walking scenes, where nothing happens, and a fucking 10 minute mud wrestling scene for who the fuck knows why. Writers room needs some SERIOUS restaffing, as if assassinating Allicents character wasn't enough. Shame on you.

[@patrickward8269]

It's a story and this leads to the next part of it which is the war, why do people want action for the sake of action , let the story progress and then the action is so much more satisfied 😁

[@T0FFII]

"assassinate Alicent's character"? Do explain how.

[@Visionary-]

@@patrickward8269Brother if the story was actually advancing then maybe maybe it would make sense. These mfs are milking this crap, and y’all idiots are sucking it up by defending this trash season.

[@fintasticdatastudio8056]

​@@patrickward8269the story resumes in 2 years 🥱🥱🥱

[@Dabherenthere]

You’re my spirit animal

[@ferrjuan]

Condal kinda forgot how bad GoT ended and how meaningless the prophecy of the Long Night is that every time HOTD mentions that prophecy I just roll my eyes!

[@seshasofiathomas8431]

So y'all want us to believe that THE Alicent, who wanted an eye for an eye in revenge for his son is THE SAME one here who goes and outs her son to Rhae ... As a way to say sorry and that she was wrong? Uhm.. Unless she went to the Kingswoods and her doppelganger returned, theres no way she would b like.. 'Ik i was wrong, lets just forget about the death of my grandchild, that wasnt u it was ur husband i c, so if u r ready for peace i can trade my son '... Either i'm dumb, or this is all a plan and it's Alicent exacting her revenge and the beginning of her villain arc

[@spartanmuse]

This. I mean, I can sort of accept her sacrificing Aegon because no one believes he can recover but he’s not the only son that endangers Rhaenyra’s claim, is Alicent gonna have Aemond and Daeron killed as well? The writers tried so hard to humanize characters that they’re just creating a mess. A shame really, I had hopes for HoTD.

[@henrietta9206]

Trauma does things to you.

[@hitomirakuda]

@@spartanmuse Aemond is crazy, killed many innocent people and Rhaenyra's son. Aegon is the usurper that Rhaenyra said that she has to kill. Did Alicent promise Daeron as well?

[@seshasofiathomas8431]

@@henrietta9206 yes it does, but this somehow feels like her washing her hands of all the sh*t she helped create,like Rhaenyra says, she could just run away with her daughter and granddaughter, but instead she outs all the males around her , for not choosing her as regent and kicking her out of the council. This isnt a response to trauma , it's a political move and considering how just episodes ago she was willing to die for her sons, it's honestly dumb. But it's sad when a character like Alicent's with a lot of potential to be a beautiful mixture of good and bad is just written like a coward and that's why I believe it's a ruse.

[@sayanickolay4261]

​@@hitomirakuda More like Alicent is the one who incessantly urged her son to usurp the throne saying that his sister was gonna kill him, is she gonna dip out from this as well and be like: " yeah, I totally helped instill hate and fear in my sons against their sister but now it's out of my hands, see ya suckers.."

[@magicdee]

Imagine being robbed of the bloodiest, deadliest, most loathsome sibling rivalry in Westerosi history and getting a show about two women that worked it out on the remix

[@user-nv2wt4hi8t]

'Helaena put herself in more danger than before' - Knowing these MF's they'll probably rewrite it to have Aemond throw her from the building rather than her jumping out of grief.

[@tywinlannister8172]

Condal is wrong, Sharp point is not the seat of House Massey but of House Bar Emmon 😕

[@Nefelena]

He kinda forgot that... 🙄

[@Belladonna313]

He also says alicents fourth son when talking about dareon 😂

[@Thegreatlarusso]

@@Belladonna313Imao what a joke

[@TheDream6842]

​@@ThegreatlarussoAnd let's not forget the "Aegon the conqueror in his time in old Valyria" lmao Aegon never knew Valyria, he was born in Dragonstone🤦🏽

[@harryreed4164]

It is certainly not the first time he has got something wrong when trying to reference the books. You'd think having such a influential position in creating this, he may have considered studying the source material.

[@psychopomp-s5c]

My favorite scene in this episode was Alyn talking to Corlys. The pain and anger in his voice as he talks about his childhood and how he now wants nothing given to him out of guilt or in the guise of help just hit me in the chest.

[@Thegreatlarusso]

Imao it was so cringe and unrealistic

[@MaceAhWindu]

I have a feeling there was supposed to be 10 episodes but the powers that be didn’t want to pay for a Rook’s Rest budget AND The Gullet in the same season.

[@alexacarrillo4339]

I didn’t think I would lose interest after season one but I have. I only get HBO for this so they really need to reconsider their writing.

[@misstara322]

This finale was a dud. No excitement, no battle scenes, no cliff hanger, just a bunch of fluff

[@hangyao479]

Otto in a cell is kinda cliffhanger

[@acs7167]

@@hangyao479 Really that's what you find interesting? season 1 was good but a mess ,this season was horrible no coordination amongst the writers and the because of this the characters behaving like idiots HBO needs to fire all these idiots. They have no clue what they are doing its so over

[@Hyliea]

Season 8 was better

[@Mike90317]

Clearly 2 episodes were cut, maybe for budget (?) reasons.

[@acs7167]

@@Mike90317 probably the reason is writers strike but who cares the show runners are still hacks

[@sandeep2827]

That’s a finale? Y’all making us wait 2 years after that?I mean we all spent a whole month watching an intro into season 3?In the end, episode 4 with Rhaenys and Meleys continues to save this and I’m not talking about action.

[@thetinestavenger9863]

100% I love this show and enjoyed this season but the 2 year wait is the salt to the wound

[@ReporterRed]

they are milking this franchise for money lmao

[@crackteon3978]

Yall wouldn’t have survived prime game of thrones

[@sandeep2827]

@@crackteon3978 for real bro?? Are you comparing HoTD with prime game of thrones? It's an absurdity to compare it with even the worst season of GOT

[@Hyliea]

Im cancelling my sub

[@alexrs2.037]

It really feels like this series should've had ten episodes not eight. A long wait now to see how this plays out

[@JanikAshe]

"Fourth son" bruh, they didn't even read the source material carefully.

[@Vahki100]

Alicent betraying Aegon was the worst decision to ever write. Absolutely stupid writing there. We have had ENOUGH of the stalling - this season was lackluster. It had some great moments- but it also had some really stupid ones too. Ultimately, it truly suffers from it being 8 episodes only. Badly.

[@applemathe3209]

Wait why Aemond has to be on every cover and get 4-5 seconds airtime.

[@TheNumerum]

They keep using him for promo but never give us enough of his story line 😢 I hate the writers

[@annon-10]

Exactly. It's like they use him for promotion, but Ewan's incredible acting skills and Aemond as a character gets really less time on screen.

[@NotAGoodUsername360]

Thank you for giving me the experience of GoT fans that had to suffer through Season 8 when it aired. Fire literally everyone on staff that is Team Black, because they are deliberately sabotaging their story to make sure their "progressive" side never looks bad, even if it means cutting out battles where they lose. Sara Hess should be banned from the writer's room in particular.

[@Eladdin]

A whole season of talking in circles, walking around & half-heartedly planning a war. GRR martin was talking about this all along. RIP Rhaenys, the Cargylls & Jaehaerys for carrying the season, the Queen who did something, the Guard against deluded writers & the Prince who died for filler Hope all those fans who told us to be “patient” are eating their words & seethe for another 2 years. So much for S1 being the build up to the “Dance of Dragons”

[@datgrrl5698]

An entire series of telling a story. Such a shame you dinnae have a real life existence to occupy your thoughts and actions and feelings in between episodes of a fictitious story telling telly programme. Cor blimey. Stay in school.

[@Goochbot]

George RR Martin wanted a three season adaption of A Feast For Crows and A Dance With Dragons, so I don't think slow pacing is a particular pet peeve of his.

[@Eladdin]

@@datgrrl5698 if you think fans complain y dont you look at GRR Martin, yk THE AUHOR? the guy who called out writers like this for trying and failing to subvert source material? Telling a story, more like changing it. compare this to GOT which by season 2 we got iconic scenes like Bran falling, Roberts death, Jaime v Ned, Neds death, Robb capturing Jaime, Theon capturing Winterfell, Arya in Harrenhaal & Faceless Men, Dothraki, Birth of Dragons, Dani in Qarth & the House w visions, Jon killing Halfhand and joining Wildlings, Bran & Rickons escape, Death of Renly via Melisandre, White Walkers at the Fist, and the damn BATTLE OF BLACKWATER such a shame you occupy your thoughts and actions and feelings towards episodes that serve no purpose like your lonesome self. stay gargling bad writing guv’na

[@Eladdin]

@@Goochbot subversion of source material in favor of whatever Dragons call blue balls is

[@aplex8957]

​@@datgrrl5698Given how poorly your comment is written, I'm assuming it's bait but nevertheless I'll indulge you. Much of Season 2 was filled with stories that weren't in the books nor ultimately move the plot towards. Spending all of Daemons screentime was one such example. Frankly they could have salvaged the season by ending Season 2 with the Battle of the Gullet and its subsequent cliffhanger but the show runners truly sold this season and prioritized cinema over story telling.

[@marshayame]

The fact that we only got 8 episodes is criminal 😭

[@alexanderforbes1452]

Large parts of this episode felt like they were from a totally different show, don't know what's going on, but they gotta tighten things up in season three. Whatever's going on with Alicent is, ridiculous, frankly. She's a character that's trying to not engage in the plot, that's fundamentally not dramatic, it's not interesting.

[@acs7167]

This is a show made for lesbians I am just waiting for more less action in season 3😍

[@erinavery4577]

Different writers. You can tell.

[@acs7167]

@@erinavery4577 Yea I wonder how they cannot communicate with each other about the characters. Completely out of touch with reality and pretty sure 80 percent of the fanbase agrees

[@FortniteBlaster2]

the battles are worse too, the ones they did show just don't compare to original GoT. Idk how they managed that.

[@arisucheddar3097]

"At the end of the day it comes down to these two women..." Yeah no. It shouldn't.

[@VincentvonRingelsheim]

If you stray from the source material and its established rules and elements, you end up with a mess. This season has proven that once again. They've altered an existing and well-written story just to claim they've perfected it with their personal touch. Unfortunately, the last two episodes of the season are obviously missing. It's disappointing what happened with this book adaptation. I'll stick with "Fire & Blood" if I'm interested in the Dance of the Dragons and won't waste my time on season 3 and its six episodes.

[@ivanraimi5524]

nah, it's really stupid to completely copy source book. little changes like Laenor surviving is always great to see

[@dario5178]

Why did Alicent change so randomly? Why is she so willing to sacrifice Aegon (and the other sons too)?

[@jj6392]

Dear HBO, im sure Sara Hess is a lovely person who is trying her best but i think its time to try someone else. She seems to severely lack an understanding of the story she is in charge of and the characters she writes. Week after week we hear her make statements and sentiments that are just baffling to the majority of viewers. Its like we are watching something totally different on screen to what she wants. We arent on the same wave lengths with her interpretations of the story. Its bizarre. Also her poetical views wether they be social or identity are seeping into her writing. Condal is not without scrutiny either, as he gives the green light to this rubbish. I really thought i could trust HBO after s8, such the fool i am.

[@Kaasplankje69]

This Alicent storyline is stupid omg. Girl thinks Rhaenyra killed her grandson and there she is selling out her son. Wonder what George thinks of this🙄 I miss book Alicent

[@smellslikecarrots316]

While I respect that the writers aren't scared to accept Game of Thrones' final season for what it is, Daemon's prophetic vision meeting Helaena in the Upside Down was in such bad taste and so poorly done that it gave me the ick. Other than that, FANTASTIC season!!!

[@lutamaki8054]

"in the upside down" 😂😂😂

[@Dani04Lee]

Based on the disappointment with this season 2 finale, it’s sad to say it only took Condal two seasons to muck it up as badly as D&D did in GOT season 8 🤦‍♀️

[@spartanmuse]

That’s an achievement considering that D&D ran out of material whereas the basis for HoTD is already there.

[@Little_Vampiregirl]

I really hope he accepts the critics and learn something from it, stops trying to make his own story and trying to be better than GRRM. If season 3 will be just as bad as 2, I won't watch another GoT-related show.

[@DaemonTargaryen13]

This show had so much potential and they flopped the ending just like season 8 of Game Of Thrones…. What a disappointment. Im changing my username 🤦‍♂️

[@KeeperCharlie]

Let's be real, Rhaenyra randomly sneaking into King's landing and Alicent randomly visiting Dragonstone is just stupid writing and pointless.

[@Nefelena]

7:19 Not Sara Hess giving away the lineage that survives the dance 😫 she's so careless with this franchise it hurts

[@christiandanielsen7771]

Worse than Dan and dave

[@quiquemarquez3211]

​@@christiandanielsen7771That's a bit too much to surpass yet.

[@tristopherweaver9180]

This episode felt the closest to the later seasons of got that any of hotd has so far

[@sirus804]

The scenes with the Triarchy really reminded me of the Sand Snake scenes for how bad it was. Most of the scenes in this episode were not in the book at all. They just had a whole episode of stuff they just came up with, with no source material and it was really obvious.

[@FlowerTrollSan]

And not in a good way

[@laszlopal7548]

Sharp Point is NOT the seat of House Massey...its actually the seat of House Bar Emmon.

[@iviarc]

How can they mix that up 🙈 4:24

[@Walgriff]

Please, no more Alicent-Rhanyra meetings. It would be more credible if they sent messengers. This finale left much to be desired. It didn’t feel like a finale.

[@BriarPatchNyra]

All of those of us who warned y'all that this show was going down the exact route GoT did, and that it spit in the face of the source material now get to say we told you so. Show started bad and has ended this season infinitely worse.

[@JohnnyK-tf6ig]

House of the Draggin it Out Season 2, Episode 8: The Finale That Never Was Two season finales in a row of “we’re going to war” lmao. And no, winter is NOT coming, a little girl ended that in a few hours. Thanks for reminding us about that and Dany.

[@YnotNomis]

A bit of a disappointment. They resolved a lot of personal issues and set up for next season, but the season finale need to show some action like season one finale. At the very least show when Aemond destroyed the city.

[@kimberlyplatt2382]

Can't believe we waited two years for this load of shit.

[@ts8404]

Now wait two more years !!

[@klemenkovacic9109]

1 year would be totally understandable right? but not 2 years

[@kimberlyplatt2382]

@@klemenkovacic9109 it’s like someone who eat lead paint chips and smoked crack, directed this. Thinking this season was a masterpiece.

[@klemenkovacic9109]

@@kimberlyplatt2382 that all of them there. brain dead fucks. somehow thinking having multiple different directors helps. plus that ryan condal is all alone now, Miguel Sapochnik left him, prob thats why it got worse. the ending was so rushed, god. bring back walkers that i just want to forget not to remember again.

[@jo_jo_jo]

Allicent and Rhaenyra's reunion would have had much more emotional impact if they hadn't met in episode 3. Just sayin'

[@SonderDAzeX]

yes.

[@MrMnvikingsfan]

Without Allicent's realization that Viserys was talking about the conqueror in his final moments, her coming to Rhaenyra's side wouldn't make much sense.

[@Napchuli]

well yes and no... this second meeting only happened cause the first one did and what it was revealed to Alicent during that specific conversation

[@Hear.myvoice]

I hope they will meet 89 freaking times before the show ends 🤣

[@me-fm8nl]

it wouldn't have an impact if they didn't meet in ep 3

[@iccy6039]

Biggest blue balls ever

[@ctdog15]

It’s boring episode and season

[@X-Bones]

Technically yes if Tessarion has balls.

[@Soxcus]

this season was just as bad as 7&8

[@addangel]

yeah, I kept waiting for something to happen and then the finale was over :/

[@tiagocoelho6016]

​@Soxcus that's a stretch