House of the Dragon: Season 2 - Episode 4 - Review

House of the Dragon Season 2 continues to keep us on our toes. Here are my thoughts on the Season 2: Episode 4 shocker!
#HouseOfTheDragonSeason2 #HouseOfTheDragon

[@Danjoker.]

Meanwhile Daemon is going through his own Silent Hill subplot 😂

[@JacobSBierman]

Love that subplot. It’s littered with symbolism and foreshadowing

[@ulisesmendoza7339]

Also it’s not the witch who’s doing all that. That castle is cursed! In game of thrones it is explained that all the death, and connection to the face trees has made that castle cursed. So a lot of weird shit happens there.

[@thihaaung647]

Silent Harrenhal. 😂

[@ZombieSlayerTakashi]

Rest assured he'll have his dance soon enough XP

[@MALITH666]

Goddamn I love Pyramid Head. One of those epic horror monster/creature/characters out there.

[@andresnavarro6672]

Daemon out here in Luigi mansion while everyone else is fighting a war

[@outlawstar3311]

😂😂😂

[@alexman378]

Should’ve listened to him when they could. Would’ve secured them the win.

[@ElPresidenteMargz]

Bruh is medieval Alan Wake in the dark place 😂

[@Steve-yf9xy]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😭😭😭

[@IntoleranceForStupidity]

💀💀💀

[@TheExtremeIRON]

Seeing the Dragons hurt and killed really broke my heart. It's like seeing the magic in the world be snuffed out.

[@ThwipThwipBoom]

That's true. Dragon's are canonically magical creatures in the GoT universe and the bond between them and their rider is magical as well. Every dragon that dies removes another small amount of magic from the world. It's the same as when the First Men committed genocide on the Children of the Forest when humans first landed on the continent from the Old World in the West.

[@patriot459]

Exactly this is why this war is so messed up since after this war the dragons never reach this level of power and it was all because of a family dispute.

[@rickg8015]

“The Flight of Dragons”

[@n4s98]

Only one dragon died this episode

[@therealhhent9841]

Yea its alot more coming​@@n4s98

[@Macapta]

It’s like watching the Starks wolves get picked off all over again.

[@mementomori771]

At least we liked the stark wolves

[@stephanch.5821]

⁠don't you feel for the dragons?

[@ReyLentless]

I honestly feel a lot more for the dragons than the people. And she could have just left after taking out the king. What a waste of a dragon

[@RockChick63174]

​@@ReyLentless that is canon so talk GRRM.

[@DauntlessChaos]

@@ReyLentless BuT HeR HoNOR ThoUgH. Guess they don't know the meaning of "tactical retreat", in Westeros.

[@sarthaknayak3849]

The fact that Rhaenys got taken out by her daughter's dragon.. 😪 The queen that should've been.

[@ThwipThwipBoom]

Rhaenys murdered a bunch of innocent commoners at Aegon's coronation in S1's finale when she burst through the floor on her dragon. She was evil with no regard for human life. She deserved her end.

[@user-bt1pm7wo7o]

Vhagar and Meleys were also the Dragons of Viserys and Daemon’s parents.

[@ProperlyGaming]

​@Karlach_ those commoners were only murdered cause they were rounded up to watch a couple take place before their eyes. If Rhaenys was a true monster and vile person she woulda slipped into that classic targaryen madness and lit up that entire room as the gold cloaks shut them in to get roasted.

[@andrewreece7312]

They were peasants. They do not count xx​@@ThwipThwipBoom

[@pressrepeat2000]

@@user-bt1pm7wo7oVhagar was holding a grudge this whole time, after Maelys ate one of her goats. Isn’t Maelys also Vhagar’s daughter btw?

[@ZombieSlayerTakashi]

King Aegon's about to get real acquainted with milk of the poppy after this episode.

[@donrog5035]

😂😂😂😂 oh boy.

[@paulsteaven]

Don't forget his armor

[@BigSmokeJitsu]

He gonna turn into his daddy

[@Rounderyathecruel]

I hope Aegon wears Viserys’ mask

[@asp5399]

And yet this half dead king manages to slay the pretender

[@FullMetalB]

Olivia Cooke said in an interview that they would all spin those balls while filming the counsel scenes, and then they started incorporating it in the scenes, lol.

[@daemoneko]

Westerosi stimming

[@LillianYarney]

That makes sense because I was looking at it like I'd do it too😂😂

[@LuisSierra42]

It looks very soothing

[@jonbaxter2254]

I want to spin balls.

[@Sacrilege83]

I thought she said they've cut the scenes out where Alicent was spinning Cristen's balls.

[@Indeeee]

Any scene with Vhager sends chills down the spine.

[@shaunnichols8170]

me too

[@zeuss3219]

The scene with luke

[@TheRayfield77]

He's a Godzilla type.

[@charlesgordon5156]

@wowzersfyiis that dragon female?

[@t.c.thompson2359]

Tom Glynn-Carney needs to get more praise for his portrayal of Aegon. He portrays so much emotion with just his face.

[@terryd3113]

Agreed. He's been the highlight for me this season.

[@CDNKakarot2814]

In my opinion he's been the best actor in the show. Even more credit cause of how young he is.

[@CDNKakarot2814]

In my opinion he's been the best actor in the show. Even more credit cause of how young he is.

[@CinematicGalaxy]

He's my favorite character for that reason.

[@jaidarling8855]

Man that scene where he got nuzzled by Sunfyre before they rode off broke my heart

[@EleventhCubFan]

RIP Rhaenys Targaryen, the Queen that never was! And today was her birthday too…

[@hanariirash6749]

Rhaenys or the actress?? 😭😭

[@EleventhCubFan]

@@hanariirash6749 Rhaenys

[@DamianKnox11]

@@EleventhCubFan The one that killed innocents right? and died fighting for the woman whom she suspects.

[@Liwet.]

Something about the 7th day of the 7th month.

[@matthewinterlantejr.9297]

​@KaidenKnox11 oh stop, those small folk were fictional fodder and a showrunner decision besides. Rhaenys and the red queen are what it means to be blood of the dragon. If she ruled, there would have been no dance at all.

[@mintyblur]

I find it extremely funny that Vhagar's signature move is a sneak attack despite her being the biggest living creature in the world

[@temiwilliams2845]

It makes sense cos vhagar is so big, she is not as fast and acrobatic as the other dragons

[@simonic2063]

I view those attacks like from large sharks in the ocean. They'll descend, and then rush up to "surprise" attack their prey.

[@chris_5097]

I still don’t get how something that big can just randomly disappear.. why can’t the smaller dragons do it is makes zero sense to me.

[@Centaur987]

​@chris_5097 I guess it's a mix of experience but also thr chaos of the battle meant lots of smoke and disorientation

[@iainwoods3704]

​@@simonic2063agreed!

[@o.e.7569]

The bond of Sunfyre was really shown when free-falling Sf tried to rotate his body (and land with that open-wounded stomach) so Aegon wouldn't get crushed. Plus he curled his body at the end around Aegon. Sheesh well played.

[@nesir8]

Really reminds me of the ending to How to Train Your Dragon with Hiccup and Toothless. That scene in HotD really felt like an homage to that movie so I was sure that Aegon was still alive.

[@ibelievegodexists4198]

I can now see why the characters keeps warning a battle between dragons is deadly an we see that firsthand with that in this battle lol I loved it

[@seanbinkley7363]

Yeah, although those in the castle and outside of it were fighting one another, what makes the Dance of the Dragons such a profoundly deadly conflict is all the collateral damage on the ground while the dragon lords fight their family war in the skies above. Apt metaphor for how the smallfolk are the ones who suffer in these conflicts between those are metaphorically (and in this case literally) above them. You can easily imagine what would have happened had this dragon battle happened above a big city like King's Landing or Oldtown.

[@StanleyMabonga]

It's why Rhaenyra doesn't want dragon warfare. She is the only person who actually cares about the well being of House Targaryen and their dragons

[@Omnidudes]

Yea fr i never expected a battle between dragons to be deadly, its a good thing they told me

[@syedalirizwan-ok7qm]

​@@seanbinkley7363yes that was what i was thinking. They really showed the casualties from the dragons on both sides.

[@Mcherri]

@@syedalirizwan-ok7qmit’s definitely why rhaenyera was so goddam hesitant to use dragons and for that I don’t blame her she knew how dangerous it was viserys knew it every other king knew it except for some stupid reason the greens didn’t they are literally the power of their house what happens when they no longer have them which is something Otto nor Alicent ever gave a damn to think about it.

[@roshanr683]

Loved the smoke coming out of dragons when they’re injured. Nice touch

[@HonkaiDaily]

Like that it was a mix of Smoke and Blood when Sunfyre was Falling above the Soldiers, with how Hot the Blood was I'm guessing will actually get to See the Lake Boiling with Dragon Blood when that Battle happens

[@Blaz_-te2ku]

@@HonkaiDaily Didn't it look kind of black-ish? I thought it might be some fluid dragons produce in their chests and use to conjure fire?

[@danial8989]

​@@Blaz_-te2kualso when melys fell on castle there was literal blast .

[@Blaz_-te2ku]

@@danial8989 Good point, explains the explosion. Also crisps Rhaenys' corpse and stays true to the book in that manner. Good eye my man. EDIT: I know it's DD nonsense but when Viserion gets hit by Night King's spear there's also fire exploding from his chest.

[@danial8989]

@@Blaz_-te2ku thnks but I have been spoiled everything about hotd just an hour ago . Fuck ytb comment section reddit is best place in this regard for discussions of ep without spoilers of whole book .

[@trevorb9281]

Pretty cool how smoke came out of Sunfyre when his chest got scratched. And then the blood pouring out being boiling hot and burning the soldiers beneath. Such awesome details.

[@machacasaurius]

It is funny how Vaghar, despite being the most MASSIVE dragon of the series, moves and flies as quietly as a couple of eels through butter, and she keeps landing devastating sneak attacks from behind (or under) other dragons... It seems like Granny Vaghar decided to multiclass as a rogue in her youth...

[@howdyusa]

Not that you mentioned it, it is rather silly

[@Relixification]

​@@howdyusaMeleys's right eye singed by Vahgars' first fire breath, however in the books it's more logical; Sunfyre and Vaghar two teamed Meleys. But the way they made Vaghar a surprise attacker is like such a good thing, since no one expects a big dragon being stealthy.

[@Spadzz98]

Ngl that's one of the things that I think make the least sense in the show Caraxes being stealthy? Absolutely. Smaller dragons like Vermax or Moondancer,100%. But freaking 150 year old,slow,massive af Vhagar,not buying it.

[@morokal]

Yeah, I immediately thought of the T-Rex in the first Jurasic Park.

[@strygwr]

@@Relixification coward move from Aemond

[@SombraCheeks]

Aegon literally drinking and driving his dragon, he deserved this but Sunfyre did not :(

[@ThwipThwipBoom]

This show shows you exactly why most countries got rid of their monarchies. The idea of someone ruling just because their daddy or mommy did is an insanely stupid idea. Democracy ain't perfect, but it's way better than what we had before.

[@goochipoochie]

There are no "democracies" in the world All "democracies" are run by long running politician families which makes them the same as a monarchy

[@mankreto]

he was drunk flying

[@seanbinkley7363]

"Don't drink and fly, kids." I'm now envisioning a disabled and severely burned Aegon doing PSAs.

[@quiett6191]

While Aegon is indeed a fool, I couldn't help but feel bad for him in this episode. Alicent inherited her father's cold parenting style. But while Alicent learnt to be dutiful, Aegon just begun acting out. Even when Alicent and Otto were maneuvering to make him king, they did not prepare him for the role. This episode made it clear (to Aegon as well as the audience), that both Alicent and Otto were going to be the actual rulers of the kingdom. In comparison, Rhaenyra is shown to be a great mother, raising her children with love while instilling strength, wisdom and honour while training them to succeed her when the time came.

[@Speedur_]

Jeremy's impressions are unironically fucking perfect, I spit out my coffee with that Aemond bit

[@davidmenjivar8890]

Jeremy even got the coin 🪙 trick 100% down 😅

[@SapphireCrusader1988]

So did I. That was perfect.

[@LillianYarney]

@@Speedur_ Fr his impression was spot on.

[@TheRibottoStudios]

​​@@davidmenjivar8890was NOT expecting the full on cosplay WITH the coin. 100 points for that.

[@whoknew2273]

The Build was worth the pay off

[@stephanch.5821]

People complaining about the show being a 121 dialogue but its because of those that I was on the edge of my seat during the battle

[@Viktorreznov1942]

​@@stephanch.5821Those people have seriously depleted attention spans

[@nn-NeuralNetwork]

Idk Im thinking the next 3 episodes will be as slow as 1, 2 and 3.

[@Viktorreznov1942]

@@nn-NeuralNetwork "slow" isn't bad unless it's useless filler, which hasn't been the case.

[@Viktorreznov1942]

@KeithyBurtains You clowns are so desperate to hate you just make things up lol. CGI is fine, you're not special

[@Yama_1291]

"His plan was to have Muderface ride in on the shadow of the colossus at zero hour" That one got me good. Well said!

[@Rangerderp22]

Huge props to Eve Best as Rhaenys. What a masterful performance! 👏👏👏

[@thatoneweirdbish6364]

Rhaenys death actually made me cry. It was so well built up from her getting on Maelys to the end of the battle. They did show the dragon's intelligence and their bond so well. The moment she decided to turn back i knew it was gonna happen but it still hit so hard for me thanks to the way they executed all of it.

[@extrasoap4881]

i thought it was overdone. i knew right from the beginning when she said she'd go that she'd die. the setup was obvious to me, and i found her sacrifice pointless. also there were 2 dragons against 1 (and one of them being the biggest dragon), and she had no backup. it was too obvious and the odds were just against her.

[@thatoneweirdbish6364]

@@extrasoap4881 Yeah it was obvious from the get go in hindsight but it still struck a nerve for me for the reasons I listed above. I think her continuing to fight, knowing she wouldn't win, is part of what works so well. Her sacrifice means more in the grand scheme of things than her inflicting some damage and retreating, at least that's my theory

[@extrasoap4881]

@@thatoneweirdbish6364 perhaps it would rally the blacks emotionally, but strategically, i see it as throwing away two very valuable assets (a seasoned dragon and a voice of reason at the council). to defend a small castle and... i duno. sacrifices need to mean something, and hers was an empty one to me. i'm not saying she shouldn't have gone into battle btw - taking on Sunfyre was a good move, because she could have killed the King. but not knowing when to retreat and turning back to attack V when the odds are stacked against you is stupid.

[@VeeUnitify]

​@extrasoap4881 I knew too, I think a lot of us knew whoever went was going to die along with their dragon. It's the execution which I found fantastic. Great ep!

[@officialthomasjames]

I just don’t understand why she basically sacrificed her life for nothing. Why did she no longer care about her life? Was it really worth giving for Rhaenyra, a queen she barely believed in.

[@tha117eXez]

Spilled my drink when I saw Larys noticed Alicent's plan B box on the table

[@chas4th]

PlanTea aka Flat Tummy Tea

[@sentientmustache8360]

Her Con-tea-ceptive, if you will.

[@RavenG.est95]

Aborto Juice

[@Pilkdawg123]

My guy took a mental screenshot

[@daredevil6145]

*spilled my tea

[@Rulers]

Criston Cole Hand IN the queen, nice

[@ThwipThwipBoom]

lmaooo

[@dw3134]

Her sworn *sword* ...

[@iainwoods3704]

Cole has slept with both of the ladies. If he had the moral code that he was supposed to have, maybe things would've worked out differently.

[@Nishanth_mementomori]

I actually loved that they changed it up a bit she could have flown back to dragonstone after aegon fell but she chose to stay and fight and defend Rook's nest, that was the reason she was there in the first place and Cole's army was still there and still attacking

[@seanbinkley7363]

Yeah, it almost seemed to me like Rhaenys wanted to sacrifice herself. Like she thought her death would solidify the Blacks or focus Rhaenyra's mind fully on the fight. There were a couple moments before and during the battle where Rhaenys seemed to be preparing herself for her "fate".

[@rakshithanand8262]

@@seanbinkley7363 I can certainly see this, but there is a huge clash between the Rhaenys who is willing to fight Vhagar for a small castle (knowing she will probably lose) and the Rhaenys who advocated for peace and not unleashing the dragons. What exactly is she sacrificing herself for? If she wants the swiftest end possible, she could have burned Aegon in season 1 If she wants the smallfolk to not sufferluring Vhagar away or just leaving are better options, as Vhagar is there for her Maybe there is something I'm not seeing, or Rhaenys has multiple personalities.

[@thatoneweirdbish6364]

​@@rakshithanand8262 I think Rhaenys actually changed her mind just this episode, when it became clear that a peaceful resolution wasn't gonna happen. It fits, imho, well with her character to do what she seems necessary. That includes sacrificing herself to get an edge in a war that's at this point inevitable. Purely speculation ofc.

[@archmaester6594]

Book Rhaenys also had the chance to fly back but didn't.... _With a glad cry and a crack of her whip, she turned Meleys toward the foe._ -writings of Gyldayn, about Rhaenys Targaryen in the battle of Rook's Rest

[@rakshithanand8262]

@@thatoneweirdbish6364 Possible, but this invites the question- what advantage did she buy? She could have left after Aegon was downed and thus lost nothing whilst preserving herself as a valuable asset for them Black. Staying and fighting Vhagar was likely to end in her loss; as is, she died and the castle fell, so she didn’t change the outcome of the siege. Maybe there is a good explanation. Hopefully they’ll show it off next week.

[@margarethmichelina5146]

The Targaryens : Are on War with their Dragons Daemon: On his Spooky and Bizarre Adventure on Harenhall

[@Jedishill680]

New spinoff daemons bizarre adventure

[@margarethmichelina5146]

​@@Jedishill680Daemon's Bizzare Adventures: Spooky Harrenhall

[@lambo_visions4765]

It’s been weeks since viserys death is insane

[@daking414]

Guess time moves slow when everyone isn’t having fun 😭

[@TheRayfield77]

Life comes at you fast. Especially in Westeros.

[@Alfredo.Rafael]

Shoutout to that part of the episode when Rhaenyra smirks and says that her caution has been mistaken for weakness, and just when you think she's finally gonna say something badass like "Release the kraken!" she follows up with " I will go" I had the same exact same reaction as Jacaerys, which made me laugh more than it should have, I must admit.

[@extrasoap4881]

I KNOW!!! OH MY GOD THIS PART. after she said she was being underestimated, i thought she would unleash some grand plan, but then she pulls an Aegon herself and i was just confused af. at least Aegon had the excuse of being the late king and was never groomed for battle strategy, but coming from R, it was such a joke i yelled HUH?!

[@danix4883]

People will never admit this but Rhaenyra is a terrible leader and has no idea what she is doing. Cole legit outsmarted her and the entire war council. Did none of them sit there and think "Hmm Cole usually marches under the cover of trees and attacks at night to avoid our dragons, but now, suddenly, he is attacking in broad daylight and also attacking a castle that is very close to dragon stone, why is that?" WELLL maybe because he wants to attract your dragons idiots. I'm sorry but Rheanyra and all of them are very stupid

[@alexman378]

Yes, her caution has been weakness, it’s why she keeps losing. Daemon was her only solid ally making serious moves for her, and she chased him out. Had he been there, they would have beaten Vaghar. Caraxes has stacked more bodies than Meleys, together they could have won.

[@liability6661]

like brother like sister fr lmao

[@seanbinkley7363]

It was interesting how the show portrayed Rhaenys choice to go to the battle as a kind of deliberate sacrifice. It could be viewed that by turning back to fight Vhagar/Aemond 1 v1 that she knew she was going to most likely die but she was banking on her death solidifying the Blacks and spurning them on to take the fight on more fully. You can view her death as a way to solidify support behind Rhaenyra.

[@extrasoap4881]

duno, i found it a pointless sacrifice. like deliberately trying to down a fighter jet that outclasses yours. i've never understood throwing assets like that away

[@danix4883]

@@extrasoap4881I agree, very stupid decision, pointless death of a dragon too, people will say its brave and honorable but it wasn't, it was dumb

[@extrasoap4881]

@@danix4883 she was defending a castle, perhaps, but to what end? i just plain don't get the point of it. there's no strategy. it wasn't like she hadn't gotten away, too - she turned back

[@danix4883]

@@extrasoap4881 Exactly, the castle wasn't even that important in the grand scheme of the war, she had already taken out Aegon and Sunfyre, thats good enough if you ask me, why turn back when you know you have no chance against Vhagar, just very dumb decision all around. She could've also quickly gone back to dragon stone, gotten another dragon rider or whatever army they have and take King's Landing since Vhagar and the army were busy at the battle

[@extrasoap4881]

@@danix4883 yup. or even returned to dragonstone for backup, if she was hell bent on fighting V. come on, you can't 1v1 her *slaps forehead*

[@darthJ9]

Cant wait for Vermithor, the Bronze Fury. We are so not ready

[@Eatos_17]

I am not looking forward to the second battle of Tumbleton… 🙂🙃

[@eoghanclark165]

​@@Eatos_17 oh I am, what a shitshow, it'll be glorious😅😂

[@soundwave2481]

@@Eatos_17 How will that happen now though I wonder. Because the show counterpart doesn't seem like the book one in the least. Maybe the character will get blackmailed or something.

[@aln5494]

Jeremy, they showed Meleys' intelligence with how she attacked Sunfyre and Vhagar. She opened up by swiping her claws for Sunfyre's soft underbelly. Meleys tried it again with Vhagar but she knew better and caught/kept Meleys claw. That's what made them spiral down to the ground in dragonfire. Then Vhagar used the same sneaky move she did to kill Jace and his dragon at the end of season 1.

[@extrasoap4881]

this speaks more "one trick pony" to me than anything, for both dragons

[@alexanderforbes1452]

​@extrasoap4881 In the books it's clear how dangerous any battle with any dragon is for a dragon and their rider. Any time dragons meet in combat it means death for one of them, guaranteed. I can only think of one exception. They don't last long, they're in the air so there's a lot that can go wrong and they're so big that if they do fall out of the air, even if it's controlled, it will cause them serious harm and probably kill the rider. So there's really only time to develop or use one trick, if it worked once you're gonna keep using it because taking the time to try something new will probably get you killed.

[@drewfromyay882]

Lucerys not Jace

[@RoneoP24]

2:36 glorious clip

[@davidmenjivar8890]

He even got the coin 🪙 trick down 100%😊

[@Acog11]

I love the setup for why Rhaenys went to Rook’s Rest and in turn- why she stayed after the trap had been sprung. Green Dragon or not, there had to be a response to Cole’s campaign and without an army the Blacks had to send a dragon. So the fight was never about beating Sunfyre and then escaping, despite that being the smarter move for her and her dragon. Rhaenys knew she had to stay to show the realm that the Blacks would defend their supporters. Also, she won that first round with Aemond! I’d count a knockdown on the largest dragon in the world a win. If only she could have gotten away

[@CloudMountainJuror]

Good observation!

[@stopplayingwiththefuckingi2054]

Really good point, I didn’t think of that. The entire time I was just thinking “leave! You don’t have to be the hero!” But this makes a lot of sense, also because she probably felt she had nothing to lose anymore

[@TheRibottoStudios]

This is exactly why all that build up is so important. I've seen so many people go "NOW I understand why they were so against using the dragons." It's essentially the same dilemma as going nuclear. Is the surefire victory worth the human cost? You wouldn't care about these people without that build up. Poor Meleys and Sunfyre. When she looked back at her rider, it just felt like she had so much regret in not being able to save them both from Vhagar. "To her credit, Rhaenys didn't flee." I had always thought Rhaenys was set upon by both brothers, that Aegon was in on it. But I really like this change.

[@LouSassol69er]

Exactly. Having dragons fighting 247 would cheapen the impact when dragons actually fight as a viewer. Also they're incredibly valuable war assets that shouldn't be risked so lightly.

[@TheRibottoStudios]

​@LouSassol69er this is essentially what Aegon failed to understand. And that's why he and Sunfyre got folded so badly by Meleys. Sunfyre is essentially a baby in dragon years. Poor thing had no chance. 😢

[@ReapZer027]

That’s not a credit, that’s stupidity.

[@TheRibottoStudios]

​@ReapZer027 she went out like a Targaryen vs a coward. To the point men in her world respect her. She's a G.

[@ReapZer027]

@@TheRibottoStudios I don’t think you know what a coward is. A tactical retreat from a knowing loss is not cowardly. That was just dumb.

[@blacksunday4231]

Loved this episode. They finally made me give a shit about a character who got killed.

[@austinpeterson6203]

Black Council: “Hey uh…this is a war now, can we do something?” Rhaenyra: “Lol bye fam gonna meet with my childhood friend at her house for the weekend.” Jace: “Mom WTF?”

[@danix4883]

Actually really shows how terrible of a leader Rhaenyra is

[@govinddas7876]

True lol. And her grand plan was "I will go myself" She's as stupid as Aegon. Thankfully she has some sensible people in her council.

[@jasonryan2555]

And of coarse all men in the black council are presented as assholes for questioning things.

[@TheSuperRatt]

@@danix4883 Yes, because killing potentially tens of thousands of her own subjects in a war she didn't do everything in her power to prevent is the mark of a good ruler...

[@ReapZer027]

@@danix4883shows why you couldn’t be in that position.

[@phillyjackson45]

Hopefully the slow attention span people will stop complaining bout there being no big battles/dragon battles with proper character development and buildup akin to the OG GOT, season has been fire. R.I.P. to the Queen that should’ve been 💯

[@tylerrbh9769]

Game of thrones first 3 seasons was 10/10. Hod so far is a 5.5/10

[@dawoodkarim1227]

​@tylerrbh9769 stop the cap it's an 8 atleast and will only be getting better

[@tsm784]

One thing I noticed that I really liked was whenever Vhaegar’s on screen you could see her wings had all these little holes in them. It’s something that I think happens to moths and bats etc as they get old. It’s really not an important detail, but it’s good to see the creative team put that kind of effort into their work.

[@TheRayfield77]

That is a really cool detail. I also looked at it as "my wings are so big and powerful they don't give AF about holes".

[@Call555JackChop]

I thought I wanted to see Dragon war but now that I’ve seen it I’m sad and want it to end

[@NeoakiraIV]

No happy endings for these dragons

[@mementomori771]

Hahahahahah

[@memecity9849]

I feel like Rhaenys wanted to die. She thinks her son is dead, her daughter is definitely dead, and she knows her husband cheated on her. At that point, she was just tired. I guess she figured " if i stay and take out Vhagar, i win. If I stay and get killed, i get to die a warriors death."

[@Rowlandi11]

this is the only explanation that makes sense

[@emoney6692]

Thanks for this, makes me feel better about that sacrifice now. Also I totally didn’t catch that the Alyn guy is Corlys’ bastard son, now I understand what she meant by “I know who he is”.

[@wolflarson71]

It must be so satisfying as an actor doing green screen dragon riding acting and then seeing results like this.

[@Mike_Bitcoin_X]

It speaks volumes that viewers were emotionally impacted more about the death of a Dragon, than the death of any character in The Acolyte.

[@ProphetC2]

Dude, I don't think those viewers overlap, those aren't even in the same platform.

[@boiboiboi1419]

@@ProphetC2 not even same scale dude is hatin

[@CylinderHeadE60]

On the contrary I’d be psyched if everyone in the Acolyte died to dragon fire

[@NeoakiraIV]

@@CylinderHeadE60this guy gets it

[@skylx0812]

They hyped the girl on girl crushing then dumped the girl. ...then paraded man flesh in front of them. Leslie Headlamp is Dark Helmet getting kinky with his action figures.

[@Nasser851000]

F for The Princess and her Dragon

[@Sheckyize]

Fs in the chat

[@INSEIKYU01]

F for both the dragons just being good winged dogs and being loyal to the end 😢

[@margarethmichelina5146]

R.I.P for The Queen who never was and The Red Queen

[@hamndv]

She had one job but decided to have a boss moment instead of ending it all

[@ArmageddonD11]

Fuck the queen who never was

[@aegorrivers6700]

Criston Cole actually is a very competent commander. He had a good plan in place

[@thewarlock539]

Good observation and an underrated point. He essentially went dragon hunting and took out one of their biggest dragons.

[@yitongwan]

@@thewarlock539 It would've been a massive victory for the Greens if Aegon didn't pull up. Instead of just the Blacks losing their second biggest dragon, now the Greens almost lost their king and Sunfyre is basically useless for a while.

[@salindasa]

He’s one of the few in the series who has actual battle experience because of his contribution to the Dornish wars.

[@nicomal]

I think it was Aemon's plan. Sir Crispín isn't that smart.

[@howdyusa]

@@yitongwanyou say almost. Is he still alive?

[@alfmustdie28]

Sunfyre Gone but not forgotten 😢

[@RustCohle072]

Don't be so sure, haha.

[@ThwipThwipBoom]

She deserved to have a smarter and better rider than that moronic rap!st Aegon.

[@SombraCheeks]

@@RustCohle072 well it aint flying any time soon thats for sure

[@Ruben-so7pu]

@@RustCohle072 idk if they´re gonna follow the book on that, the dragon looked pretty done.

[@ibeg1951]

Did you watch GOT Joffrey was giving a history lesson one time Wink wink

[@nerodeathstep5239]

Kinda wish you do a longer review of each EP or whole season, cause ngl your simple format is entertaining. Also Jeremy "if i look like a ghouls, apologiese" and then there me staring at a Clone of keanu Reeves "dunno whut you talking about but apology accepted but unecesaary to begin with"

[@Lycan3303]

"dogs are better than people" 10/10 statement

[@xEVERYBODYANDTHEIRMOM]

2:39 EXECUTE ORDER 66 😂🤣 wasn’t expecting that face Jeremy Lmaoo

[@nemnymeria7873]

the cinematograhy of this episode is off the chart. So many beautiful shots.

[@jesterjake36]

I definitely feel the dragon love and totally felt it went Meyles's light in her eyes went out, but damn theyre atomic bombs for medieval fantasy... some pets gotta be put down when they bite people....

[@embrown1442000]

(Not like that, though. Poor things. They had no choice, no say in what happened.)

[@Dalpima]

The Actress who plays Alicent Hightower said in an interview that when they would film scenes on the Small Council, to waste the time, they would all spin the little balls around the ring to see whose would spin the longest. Aegon's spin during one take made it into the show for this episode. LUL

[@anthonyl1506]

One part of the episode i liked that you didn't bring up was Daemon telling the young Tully lordling to just kill his grandpappy already and give him an army.

[@MisterSinisterReviews]

Meleys = Employee of The Month.

[@ericwilson6444]

You’re not wrong

[@amampathak]

"His plan was to have murderface riding in on the Shadow of the Colossus at zero hour" im dead lmao 🤣🤣🤣

[@FreedSamurai]

Rhaenyra is definitely a queen I could get behind. Alicent is too, to be fair. Cristin Cole, you are a bastard.

[@danix4883]

Rhaenyra is a terrible leader, she can't take action, knows nothing of how to fight a war, literally she has done nothing to strengthen her side, Cole is actually an intelligent strategist who has been winning castles and developed a brilliant plan

[@KedRoscoe]

Rhaenyra is a bad leader tbh… the real leaders on both sides are daemon and aemond respectively… besides them MAYBE otto and the velaryon

[@bradwright9477]

2:36 had me dying 😂

[@RaiderJackson]

“Sir Criston, Hand in the Queen” 😂😂

[@whoknew2273]

I am thinking that Valayrian armor really got proper test lol

[@CalebMay-bf1ci]

In the book his armor gets melted to his left arm but i think its just regular steel in the book

[@Sheckyize]

@@whoknew2273 they melt Valyrian steel swords down to reshape them if you remember how Joffery got widows wale

[@doublep1980]

Valyrian steel is harder & more durable than normal steel, but it can still be molten down, given sufficient heat.

[@bryanttownsend381]

I love how everyone who is reviewing both HotD and Acolyte has the same reaction to both shows. Its amazing.

[@nicomal]

Not really. Watch emergency awesome, new rockstars or heavy spoilers. They are enjoying the acolyte.

[@nicomal]

Screencrush too

[@wolflarson71]

@@nicomal I would lose all respect and trust on an artistic level for someone who thinks The Acolyte is good.

[@Andarath69]

Acolyte is a dumpster fire, HOTD is amazing.

[@dpchiko17]

@@nicomal Emergency is just positive all the time, he rarely gives out bad reviews

[@nik2k13]

Rhaenys was a likeable character, loyal, noble, brave, leadership qualities and a great wife and mother.

[@rottinghill]

She was a mass murderer, pretty much like everyone in this show

[@KrolockTepes]

​@@rottinghillThe show has gotten every character wrong. It's a mess.

[@theredsir869]

Rhaenys killed a bunch of innocent people in episode 9 of session 1 and this never was addressed.

[@KrolockTepes]

@@theredsir869 'Cause it never happened in the book and was just for shock value in the show. So once the scene was over, they just moved on.

[@theredsir869]

@@KrolockTepes Well they should of at least tried to clean up the mess they made.

[@PtownSoccer15]

Poor Aegon, he didn’t want to be king got told he had to, then told to fuck off because he’s in the way.

[@ogreez1590]

Snuck that “Hand in the Queen” in real smooth 🤣

[@eminosose]

For me the best part was when those two kingsguard unintendedly invent chest bump for bros.....

[@djJaXx101]

Amond was sheathing his sword BEFORE he realized Cole was there, before Cole called out to Amond.

[@kohinoormithani5590]

The look Meley gave to Rhaenys when she was dying 💔

[@flashgordon6510]

😢

[@alignhealthfitness4321]

This is the moment I balled 😢

[@Nikitikitavvi]

This is one of the most hilarious reviews you've done in my memory. Love it!

[@vmsushi]

So happy to see you enjoying a series and not just padding the YT algorithm. ❤

[@benjaminjane93]

I like how the battle shows how when you bring Dragons into the battle, it doesn't matter if the Dragon is on your side, they will take out people on both sides because fire does not discriminate.

[@Sea_witch_]

You know what they used to say, if you don't see the d/e/a/th of a character on screen, preferably more explicit, it means they are not "rip". But this time I hope so lol.

[@richrod0122]

I’m upset that Vhagar is sneak attacking people. Like how tf is this huge ass dragon sneaking up on people?

[@gphjr1444]

I love the touch of the dragon wound leaking out scalding hot juices onto the soldiers below.

[@oscarjohnson2130]

Vhagar has gotten 2 fucking stealth kills now, despite being being the size of a football field

[@extrasoap4881]

looks more like 3 football fields, but i agree

[@oscarjohnson2130]

@@extrasoap4881 Yeah straight up. He's fucking massive, I don't understand how Rhaenys just simply didn't notice him.

[@extrasoap4881]

@@oscarjohnson2130 even so, Vaghar was hiding behind a castle. how did she know Meleys was coming around the corner without peeking?

[@KrolockTepes]

​@@oscarjohnson2130She "kinda forgot" about Vhagar.

[@mementomori771]

​@@oscarjohnson2130Shes*

[@octocattraveler]

I don't read the books but I would glad to see Viserys on one of these Daemon's visions... And FINALLY AEGON GETS WHAT HE DESERVES!!! 🤩

[@miket4092]

The first time in a while that I've fully been enraptured in a scene (the ending battle). Thank you to the Acolyte for lowering my expectations super far so that this was an even harder hitting banger!

[@ba2724]

Compared to the Crapolyte, just about any show is considered good. Also, RIP Meleys.

[@miket4092]

@@ba2724 and Rhaenys. She was my favorite character!! And yeah I did a Gladiator video for HS latin class using cardboard swords that was more entertaining than The Acolyte!

[@doctorbashir3497]

Watch it again. He wasn’t drawing his sword. It was already out. I originally thought the same thing

[@jgriff8533]

“Dogs are better than people” facts

[@Kevin-fj3ff]

no

[@Andarath69]

And Cats are better than dogs.

[@PricefieldPunk]

Rhaenys looked like she was over everything by the end. That was the most obvious sneak attack and she flew right into it

[@daenopher]

Sorry but thats the second sneak attack in this series from Vhagar that kills. I give her that for the first instance in that dark thunderstorm between clouds, but on broad daylight while basically beeing mid-fight? Theres some source material and seemingly Q&A stuff from producers and writers and they say Vhagar has a wingspan of 150m (~490ft) and a nose-to-tail of 90m (295ft). How the fuck is that giant moving building able to "sneak" out of every possible range to perform a perfectly (say, ass pull) timed vertical charge FROM BENEATH! Not from above but from beneath a wide cliff with no way to hide? Some say Rhaenys was just tired but all in all the scene does not tick the right spots.

[@boogaloobaloo]

"Hand in the Queen" gets a chuckle every time.

[@RancidMartians]

With the threat of Vhagar always there, I would’ve sent as many dragons as possible. You got three fighting dragons with riders available at your disposal. Send them all. If the queen wants to go even better. It would take one single pass to destroy your enemies in formation, then return home. You can’t hope to win a 1on1 battle against the largest dragon

[@extrasoap4881]

too many eggs in one basket for my liking. i prefer to set a trap and set up extra large scorpions and keep my dragons for backup than show my hand so early. also, was wildfire invented yet?

[@RancidMartians]

@@extrasoap4881 they’re right across the bay, echelon formation, single pass, rain fire, return home. I would have that throne before they can send a single raven out of the keep.

[@stoormtrooper22]

Honestly, props to Aegon, the king who wanted to try. Drunk driving a dragon to battle.

[@RG-gv8ss]

Vhagar once again can’t win unless he gets u with a sucker punch bite smh

[@Rowlandi11]

I like how the show didn't lean into Cole being a complete buffoon. Actually quite the opposite, he's been quite capable. I'm not sure I understand Rhaenys motivation to go back to defend the keep. I feel like, given the circumstances, losing the keep is inevitable with Vhagar in play and she's already had significant victories. She: 1. Severely wounded/incapacitated Sunfyre 2. Severely wounded/incapacitated Aegon 3. Helped deplete Coles forces 4. Wounded Vhagar a bit ...and she has the option to retreat after knowing all this. Sure, you lose the keep but the war can't be won after just one battle and surely having another dragon is more important for the war effort than losing this small keep. Also, shes a reasoning and trusted voice on the council. Idk. Someone help me understand?

[@Gman44324]

The one thing I can’t stand in this show is that as great as dragon riders are they can’t seem to ever see the largest dragon until it’s too late. “I’ll just fly over that giant area over there, there’s no way he could be hiding there.” Also how can a dragon that big move that incredibly fast.

[@dhanu_4539]

Don't insult Vaghar, this is her game, and She has 200 years of experience burning shit and killing noobs. If you didn't notice she just ran along the ground glided off the cliff side and waited for her chance to ambush her. She was waiting for the dragon to fly back to dragonstone.

[@goochipoochie]

They don't have radar and voice comms The dragon riders don't even have a helmet and goggles to block out wind effects on vision and sound and pretty much only have vision infront of them

[@thewarlock539]

The way I rationalized it: You can see Rhaenys looking up at the sky before the attack happens, because as we've seen before, clouds are a great way to ambush. Vaegar might be large, but is far too slow to catch the fastest dragon alive. You could see that at the first instance when she engaged Meleys. An Ambush is key. If you are in storms end, or the reach, of even the north, clouds provide great cover. Being an experienced rider like Rhaenys was, you'd expectVaegar to hide in the clouds. Using the cliff side, which we saw from previous shot angle was more than large enough to hide Vaegar, is where she wouldn't expect her to be. In the books rhaenys and Meleys get outnumbered. Here they were simply outsmarted.

[@Gman44324]

@@dhanu_4539fair point. Just it’s seems a little too convenient but fair point.

[@Gman44324]

All good points but would have thought a dragon rider would have anticipated an ambush and circled once or twice before going back. She went back once before in the episode would have thought she would have stayed to assess the battle.

[@UnwrittenSpade]

This episode was award worthy! Only one gripe I had was at the end after she can’t see ol’ one eyes massive dragon and flew over the castle I was thinking DONT DO THAT IDIOT THERES A CLIFF! it was so obvious that a trained flyer wouldn’t have done that to allow someone to shoot straight up into her dragon. Which he did. She was my fav character too :(

[@robe.1084]

Nah I disagree. She had just took on 2 dragons at the same time and had to keep her head on a swivel. She happened to look left instead of down. It happens all the time with trained soldiers, sometimes you zig when you should have zagged and get hit. She fought well and died well.

[@UnwrittenSpade]

@@robe.1084 I agree and don’t get me wrong I still LOVED it, I watched it again last night. But still seemed like she should of known to me. Who am I to say though I’m not a writer lol

[@Jhayzer021]

All Hail! Princess Rhaenys Valaryon! Lady of Driftmark! Rider of Meleys! and The Queen That Never Was! 👑

[@embrown1442000]

And Meleys, The Red Queen!

[@poulomi__hari]

3:19 wonderfully timed😂😂😂😂😂

[@ThwipThwipBoom]

That final look that Rhaeny's dragon gave her before it died broke my heart. I feel so bad for it and Sunfyre. Neither of those dragons deserved to die. Humans suck. 💔

[@Mike-ul1xn]

even without the dragons, filming the castle siege at the end must have cost a fortune.

[@IMXLegedaryBard]

Not gonna lie, that was a good trick by the Greens. I thought the same plan to attack with a dragon, only to realize they were anticipating that. My only tini tiny question is, how the fuck did this godzilla dragon hide from everyone?!?!?! You're telling me nobody on the Blacks were keeping an eye put for the biggest nuclear weapon in Westeros?!?!

[@extrasoap4881]

even if they were, it's not like they had radios to tell each other V's location. imagine sending ravens between dragons

[@IMXLegedaryBard]

@extrasoap4881 I understand that, but I thought they had dragons patrolling the area. They knew Criston Cole army and his victories, as well their marching upon Rooks Rest. I'm just still baffled how they let that ginormous dragon slip past them. I won't fault them, as you said, they don't have radios, but team black is slipping badly.

[@danix4883]

@@IMXLegedaryBard I actually will fault them, they don't need walkie talkies to know a trap is being set. If anyone on that war council was actually intelligent, they would sit there and think "hm Cole usually marches under trees and attacks at night to avoid our dragons, but now, suddenly, he is attacking a castle close to dragon stone in broad daylight, why is that?" The obvious answer would be because he wants to attract your dragons, because he most likely set a trap

[@bossi_plays]

"Ser Criston Cole, Hand *in* the Queen" LOL

[@emilylogan6052]

You gon tell me that giant dragon pulled off a sneak attack??

[@dontyouworryaboutit_]

sneak

[@goochipoochie]

They showed exactly how he pulled it off By walking through the battlefield smoke and hiding behind caste

[@mrvono5019]

@@goochipoochie still dumb imhom they could have done it differently, but it works i guess They made Rhaenis and Meleys look stupid tho, if you're going away from a big dragon, what's the point on staying that low and no carying about the only blind spot there is... I personally would have prefered them dying while tangled with Vhagar like i the fight they draw This flying godzilla can kill other dragons only with sneak attacks? Whut

[@djmaxx40]

OMG, Kirsten, Kristen, Tristan... Billy. Caught off guard. Busted out laughing. Another great review.

[@EastridgeMaya]

Good thoughts Jeremy 👏👏👏👏😥

[@Alarmond007]

That eye patch murder face impression is spot on

[@DarkEpyon123]

2:35 That Daemon and Star Wars cross over impression was hilarious.

[@Chris_H103]

Welp the next morning & still got a knot in my stomach… needed a Jahn review to ease the pain. What a great show.

[@grandmaster8316]

I think Aemond definitely meant to hit Aegon, I think he waited for them to get close enough to each other that he could kill 2 family members with 1 dracarys

[@Nasser851000]

No one was ready for that ending 😥

[@spunkymaniac9312]

I was , F rhaenys

[@Volthoom]

It was extremely predictable though? Both Aegon and Rhaenys had massive deathflags on them.

[@Nishanth_mementomori]

Um the thousands of people who have read the book and all the millions who have seen the videos about the dance of dragons already knew 😂

[@ryguy1483]

They strongly hinted it on episode 1 of this season lol

[@embrown1442000]

I've read the book, so I knew it was coming. I was dreading it too. I wasn't ready! 😩😭 RIP to 2 Queens.

[@patchsmum]

Love your reviews man. I loved the expression of all the dragons in this episode. The look Meleys gives Rhaenys just before they die, the feeling that both of them are seasoned warriors like brothers in arms. The way Sunfyre appears to play push Aegon (as if they are friends more than anything) and wraps himself around Aegon’s mangled body as if to protect him. The way Aemond tells Vhagar to chill the fuck out and she just flops back onto the floor like she couldn’t give a shit what they do! All the dragons had personality. It was lovely to see!