the DEEPER tragedy of House of the Dragon EP 2

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House of the Dragon season 2 episode 2. It's a great episode I have some issues with but generally one that added depth and layers to the aftermath of blood & cheese, as well as exploring family conflicts with both sadness and humour. This analysis review tries to pick apart some of my main feelings about the episode.
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Intro & Grief
08:11 World Anvil
09:56 Tragedy
11:20 Criticisms
14:06 Coupling
MUSIC
Mikel - Game of Thrones lofi
Chill Astronaut - Game of Thrones but its lofi hiphop
Merlyn - The Night King
Merlyn - The Night King lofi
Merlyn - The Last of the Starks
Alan Ellis - Sea Terms
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#houseofthedragon #review #analysis

[@mylittlethoughttree]

Use the code TREE for 51% off World Anvil with the link worldanvil.com/?c=mltt Or else try it out for free!! Patreon link: www.patreon.com/mylittlethoughttree Buymeacoffee link: www.buymeacoffee.com/mltt

[@anthonywarren9885]

If you're just now discovering Otto Hightower then you haven't been paying attention to the previous episodes his been involved in. You just not watching the show right kid

[@BillyBasd]

Aegon is trying to be a good king. Too bad those that plotted to make Aegon king neglected to teach him anything.

[@Isuream6331]

“So should we teach him anything?” “Nah, I’m sure this person who is known for extreme impulsiveness will be easy to control!”

[@s1b3r11]

Rhaenyra's actions in the entire case were also quite stupid. It was obvious that people would try to use her oldest sibling to take the throne from her. Had she actually took some time to build any relationship with Aegon and gave him something to do, a purpose that he lacked, she would have secured his loyalty and subsequently cut the ground from under her opponents feet. But no, she instead was creating a rift in the family by antagonizing the greens and acting as if her son taking Aemond's eye wasn't important. All the green kids were constantly overlooked, ignored and mistreated by their own father who favoured Rhaenyra and her children instead. It's no wonder they never had any loyalty to her.

[@Bft149]

⁠@@s1b3r11arnt you forgetting Otto? What makes you think he will allow that to happen? Like thats the whole point Otto knows Rhaenyra has a better claim to the throne simply because she is the eldest and is already backed by multiple houses and the King. Otto been manipulating his daughter to burn bridges and view Rhaenyra as a potential enemy. Once they gained power they where never going to give it back to Rhaenyra bc who in their right mind would hand over such control from once family to another. Especially after getting to the crown. Otto was going to do the same thing that was done to Daemon and it was to send her far away from King’s landing since her presence conflicts with his interest.

[@MrVictor1227]

Aegon didnt even wanted to parade his child corpse. I think he cared about his son more than his image

[@emanuel81111]

He does, he might be a fool, angry, egotistical , emotional, ignorant, but he does care for people, for commonfolk, he does have a heart but hes in a completely disfuctional family , in war and he has the emotional and intelectual maturity of a 14 years old which makes everything worst

[@miaallen6161]

@@emanuel81111 care for common folk?? LMAO. the one who abandoned his bastards in child fighting pits and bet in them alike? You misunderstand Aegon. He has the capacity to care for other people, however he is not actually a caring person. He wants the small folk to like him because his literal only stake in being king is being loved, because no one in his immediate family has ever shown him any consistent or healthy expressions of love, so after he sees what he perceives as genuine love from the small folk during his coronation, with, this again, being probably one of the only "genuine" times he's ever felt love, he resolves to do whatever he can to preserve the small folks sentiments and the euphoria that comes with them for Aegon. I mean, this is the guy who hangs 99 innocent men just to punish one guilty one.

[@Freya1412]

He didn't want the heir to the throne's body paraded because it would look bad on him and make him look weak. He would have not said anything about the kid dying if he had the choice.

[@Freya1412]

​@@emanuel81111he doesn't care about the people. He doesn't care about the small folk. He makes promises in the moment to their faces so he can get praise from them and then turns around and forgets. He is a narcissist which is understandable considering how he was raised but that doesn't excuse his behaviour. He promised to pay the blacksmiths but when? I guarantee he won't pay as promised and this will cause problems. He also killed 10 rat catchers and hung their bodies in the street. He didn't want his son's body paraded but he made a show by humiliating the dead in the streets, 9 of those men were innocent and they had fathers and mothers too that had to see them like that. He could have done a line up of the rat catchers before Blood and had him pick out his accomplice but no, he wants to spill blood and he doesn't care if innocent blood is spilled. He was so nonchalant about it to when confronted about killing innocent men. He cares about the people? He also never cared about his son. He was ready to run away and abandon his family last season. Only after he got power he liked the attention and realised an heir makes his position that much stronger so he better take care of the kid.

[@miaallen6161]

@@Freya1412 He walks straight past Helaena in the halls and doesn't say a word to her after they've both just lost their son. He's horrible. We can see why, his grandfather is relatively more logical than any of the rest of them but he's self serving, manipulative, and somewhat narcissistic. His mother is emotionally repressed and can hardly sort through her own issues, and has no support from her father his grandfather. Then Aemond is, also emotionally repressed and stunted, Helaena feels just as irrelevant as she's treated, so yeah it makes sense they all have problems but that doesn't absolve them of the things they do. They all at least know right from wrong.

[@Godzilla00X]

Aegon destroying the models is such a great shot since it gives us a visual representation of Aegon destroying what his father built. Rip lego city, you were too good for the 7 kingdoms

[@Δ-Δ-Δ-Δ]

Lego city still exists. They destroyed a replica made for breaking. The original seems to be still stored away, somewhere.

[@bronmill33]

⁠@@Δ-Δ-Δ-Δand where is the proof of this? why would they make a replica made for the purpose of breaking lmao? the model is literally still in the same room, aegon destroyed something his dad spent years to build and maintain as symbolism for what he is about to do to westeros in the war with rhaenyra

[@johanwestin3030]

His father built jack shit

[@ineednochannelyoutube2651]

@@bronmill33 I think he's talking about the behind-the-scenes.

[@FreeGumFighter]

I think Otto's frustration towards Aegon is quite ironic and hypocritical. He never took any interest in Aegon as a person or a grandchild, and never tried to educate or prepare him for rule despite it having been his plan from before he was even born. I find it also very telling that Otto immediately sees Jaehaerys's murder as an opportunity, as early as during his private conversation with Alicent ("some good may yet come of this"), and doesn't seem to really care about his great grandson...

[@mylittlethoughttree]

That's really the fun tragedy of it for me. Of course Aegon does someone stupid, he just lost his son and isn't in the best place. If you wanted him to act more rationally, he needed emotional support

[@ughhhSawyer]

What boggles my mind is that Aegon is like. The easiest person to mold and manipulate, he always had been. Absolutely starved for attention, affection and acknowledgement, and it's sooooo on the surface, so obvious. Not particularly burdened with cleverness or control to counteract it. Just an absolute putty of a person, and NO ONE of the supposed movers and shakers and schemers use that? All Alicent and Otto had for him in childhood were scoldings, and later physical abuse, when it's so obvious he craves a gentler touch and would concede on any position for it. Getting applause once from the smallfolk made him basically ready to bankrupt the realm to appeal to them. Hell, forget Otto and Alicent, he was Rhaenyra's rival for the throne the moment he was born, right? Well damn, put on the best big sister act? Sneak him cakes, wipe his face, go "aww bud yeah mommy and grandpa are such meanies, I don't know whyyyy :((( they're mean to me too :((( but you and I are pals right? Hey wanna fly over to Dragonstone for the summer? I love that you get along with my kids. Tell you what, when I have my crown, I'll have you seat at my table and you will be my helper, my reliable little brother". There, Aegon is hers, and because Otto and Alicent are categorically incapable of being kind to this kid, they can't ever win him back.

[@MistyWarden]

Tragedy is even more potent when there were just so many ways things could have not gone to pot, moments where a genuine hug still could have dissolved the tension into catharsis but they missed it every. single. time.

[@SunnyCida]

Rhaenyra being a protective big sister to Aegon sounds so sweet. He never wanted to usurp her, even on the way to his coronation. It's sad that she and Alicent couldn't get over their beef and passed it on

[@SimonBea1]

I keep hoping that Rhaenyra somehow becomes the bigger person in all of that. Like, writing him a single letter : "What happened to your son (What Daemon did) was despicable and unjustifiable. I mourn your son with you and never wanted his death. I also lost my Lucerys, and it pains me greatly. I understand your assassination attempt on me on the misguided impression that I was responsible. Please, let's come to terms and save the realm together". Of course, such a letter would be burnt, but at least she would have tried. But no, the likely effect of the assassination attempt will be to push Rhaenyra to war too. Though during this episode, there was the sense that she was genuinely horrified at what happened to Haelena and her children. I really like the "big sister act", @sawyeraik . It's what she should have done. But the tragedy is that Nobody showed any love to poor Aegon. Rhaenyra did whatever she wanted for years, not acknowledging the obvious succession crisis, even going exile on Dragonstone in the last few years of her father's reign, while she should have fought to stay and strenghten her claim.

[@Snitchdust]

I really love the duality of the first two episodes showing each family dealing with the loss of a son. The blacks pulled together, they helped each other grieve in their own ways (even if some of the help was not helpful). Rhaenyra immediately pulled Jacaeys in when he broke down crying. They held an intimate family funeral. The greens on the other hand feel even more fractured now than before. Otto and Alicent only see their children as pawns to be used. Not once did any of them comfort each other about the death. They publicized his funeral as war propaganda.They only talked about his death in terms of planning. Plotting to keep the throne, which is the only thing they care about.

[@Δ-Δ-Δ-Δ]

Otto saw Jaehaerys' death as a ladder. He was utterly repulsive. Alicent was far more concerned about how it made her feel than her children.

[@lacym9278]

I noticed how the greens just kept calling Jahaerys "The Boy" anybody else?

[@YanickaQuilt]

I spent the whole episode noticing them unable to touch and comfort..... each other

[@jo0rd73]

I feel like Alicent’s case is more complex than her just using them as pawns. Her whole life she has followed these rules of politics pushed on her by her father and it has clearly damaged her, being unable to even be affectionate with her own children and feeling the need to prioritise the political performance than to cater to their needs as human beings. Her involvement with Cole being the only bit of self satisfaction she has been able to truly find in all these years at the Red keep. This is why in season one she is so angry at Rhaenyra because she sees it as “I am unable to rise up and it’s not fair that you aren’t trapped by these customs like me”. Alicent is honestly probably my favourite character and I love the complexities of her character, something I wish Rhaenyra had more of since it seems like the show really wants us to root for her and only ever really shows her in a positive light. The blockade she stands by which is starving the small folk of kings landing being but a mere mention as of now.

[@Snitchdust]

@@jo0rd73 oh I very much agree. Alicent is wonderfully complex. The fact that she was basically sold off to the king by her father, then forced by both men and the political weight of the kingdom to immediately start pumping out heirs even though she never had a say in the matter heavily colors her character and the way she interacts with her children. That and the fact that none of her children live up to the standards that were thrust upon her. Well besides Helaena, but because she’s a dragon dreamer and neurodivergent, no one really tries to understand her, Alicent certainly doesn’t want to. As long as she’s compliant that’s good enough. Even when she reached out to her to talk about her dalliances with Cole I feel like it was less about absolution and more about keeping her quiet.

[@bethfinne3260]

Someone said, elsewhere, that Criston Cole is the literal definition of failing upwards. Truer words were never spoken.

[@fightingmedialounge519]

Considering his promotions have been either after he succeeded or while plans were under way, that's a pretty thoughtless claim.

[@caseyw.6550]

I don't understand how Aegon wasn't more pissed at C. Cole completely failing at his duty of protecting the royal family. Sure, Aegon, give him a promotion.

[@Δ-Δ-Δ-Δ]

Criston was a father figure for Aegon. Of course he's gonna forgive him. Of course he's gonna make him his Hand.

[@caseyw.6550]

@Winter-Alpha-Omega And the hand he fired was his grandfather, who had no responsibility to protect his son. It's a dumb decision...but I guess that's the point. He doesn't know what he's doing.

[@Δ-Δ-Δ-Δ]

@@caseyw.6550 Well, in the book, Aegon fires Otto because Otto wants to overpower him and because he wants quick results. Criston parrots back to him the violence he wants to hear, so that's the reason he... you know, chooses him as his Hand.

[@danika9411]

He doesn't know that Crispy sleeps with his mom or was with her. Crispy told him he had ordered the nights watch, so blamed whoever was on guard duty. BUT we see that Helaena has no guards, not even after B&C. I think Aegon isn't thinking straight right now. Cole is a parental figure to him and he trusts him. I don't think he looked over the details of who guarded who.

[@caseyw.6550]

@@Δ-Δ-Δ-Δ Right. Cole enables his bs. Otto doesn't.

[@bredsheeran9453]

I really like the fact that the actor playing Otto is not only displaying his stress in words but also in body language. When you see Otto screaming at Aegon you can notice the spastic movements or his crooked wrist flailing around. On another note I really like how much the Larys and Blood scene resembles a Glokta scene, whoever knows knows

[@RiseeRee]

I never made the Glokta connection but holy crap I’m slightly mindblown 😮😂

[@Godzilla00X]

The look on his face when he was told Cristons plan was incredible acting. Only one gesture but it tells us a everything. Absolutely incredible actor

[@tinahs8269]

Totally. As he's walking away from Aegon, the mans face looks like it ages 20 years.

[@mylittlethoughttree]

I don't know what the glokta scene is, I appreciate you not spoiling it! But I just wanted to agree Rhys Ifans was phenomenal this episode. It takes great skill to have a character so often calm, completely lose their temper and yet it still feel like the same character. Everything about his performance was brilliant

[@ineednochannelyoutube2651]

@@mylittlethoughttree A Glokta scene isn't from ASOIAF at all. He's referencing a prominent character in the First Law series, Inquisitor Glokta, who is a torturer and one of the POV's of the series. He quite a bit of the stuff Larys does in that scene, hence it felt like A Glokta scene. Liking House of the Dragon probably means you'll like those books as well.

[@user-luciddream]

imo i think alicent and cristons relationship partly has to do with alicent seeking out control and power in at least one aspect of her life as everything around her falls out her grasp but now that cristons the hand of the king, that dynamic will change. criston has more power than alicent and criston is now the person aegon listens to the most instead of her. leading to alicent feeling further alienated and alone. at least, thats my theory.

[@mylittlethoughttree]

That's a good point! A final scene to drill that home would've been nice. Emphasise the fact he is now the hand of the king in her presence

[@anoushkas8726]

Also, the girl's never gotten laid except for with a can o' worms!

[@tatianamelendez490]

​@@mylittlethoughttreeI think the last scene was about that. In the first episode, their sexual scenes depict Alicent as the dominant one; him eating her out or her riding him. Now, Alicent tries to assert her power and externalize her guilt by hitting Crispy Creme (not a typo), but in the end, he's the one pressing her to the wall, with his *hand* up her... nether regions. Now, he's the one asserting his power; she's no longer his superior, but at best, his equal.

[@mylittlethoughttree]

@@tatianamelendez490 actually yeah, you're completely correct. Great point and again shows hotD actually using sex to explore something

[@user-luciddream]

i find team greens family dynamics very fascinating. the cycles of abuse going on and on...

[@fayedunaway8]

Aegon's reaction to his son's death was very realistic for a father's grief. The lines "My son IS my legacy. My son IS heir to the iron throne". The way he is speaking in present tense like he can't accept that his son is dead. He also says he doesn't want to be seen as weak which also plays well with his "trying to be tough" exterior when towards the end of this episode he lets it all out and is vulnerable and fragile. He is deeply, deeply insecure and that affects a lot of who he is. He is not Joffrey. He is more like Cercei if anything. He is dumb but clearly loved and cared for his children. His poor decision making and ruling is also realistic for a person who was neglected and ignored his entire life. As opposed to Joffrey who was actually groomed and cared for. Aegon is one of my favourite character of this season.

[@potatolord2196]

I love the direction they are taking Otto, in the first season he was just another ambitious schemer, but now that he sees what he has caused, how he realized the realm was about to burn and he couldn't do anything. I hope they keep with the remorseful, more sympathetic Otto.

[@Δ-Δ-Δ-Δ]

There's nothing sympathetic about him. Blud was a terrible parent to Alicent. He saw her as a political chip. Aegon is such a failure because of his own mistakes. He's reaping what his own parenting caused. And he never educated Aegon for rulership, because Alicent and him wanted Aegon II to be simply a puppet ruler, a Hightower puppet at that. No sympathy from me.

[@potatolord2196]

@Winter-Alpha-Omega I'm by no means saying he is a good person. His pride caused this mess in the first place, and by the time he realized what he did, it was too late to stop it. I like it when usually one bote archetypes are treated as actual people, even if they are objectively horrible human beings, it makes their villiany feel more real.

[@ajackass5950]

​@Winter-Alpha-Omega womp womp. Also great points ngl.

[@LocksAndChains]

Yeah, I was surprised at how bad I felt for him. Cuz I hate him. The actor’s killing it.

[@potatolord2196]

@LocksAndChains I mean, out of the 3 men in the room when he was fired, he was probably the best of them. Not saying a lot, considering it was Aegon and Cole, but it's clear Otto isn't a monster, just way too much hubris.

[@CokeZeroHero]

Aegon is in pain for losing his son and he covered it up with anger and power. Otto was just mad because displaying the dead grandson for political gain to win the people’s approval was all for nothing because he hung everyone anyway 🤦‍♂️ and then making Cole hand of the king with his temperament he can’t rule ! Him crying at the end was for his son and him realizing his not built for this and his alone

[@mylittlethoughttree]

I very much agree, actually. I think I rushed this video out, and I half said what you're saying there, but didn't quite get it right. Aegon has a clear arc. I think he is thinking more of himself to begin with. "My son is my legacy" but I think that's more how his grief is initially expressed.

[@gracehaven5459]

Worth noting that Jaehaera never makes an appearance or is even mentioned this episode. The surviving child is a complete afterthought because she is a girl. I also don’t remember Jaehaerys called by name besides being referred to as the heir.

[@mylittlethoughttree]

Otto does say his name at the first council session but I think that's it

[@MG-js8bn]

@@mylittlethoughttree Hell, Helaena barely gets any attention and she witnessed the whole thing!

[@lacym9278]

I thought that the star of this episode was Aegon's actor by far. I really enjoyed the scene where he fired his granddad. Watched it twice :)

[@gracehaven5459]

Also worth noting that others pointed out CGI was used to make Aemond's actor even smaller and more vulnerable looking . they even made the beverage poured for him a glass of milk.

[@youngveteran6368]

Isn’t that moon tea?? I just assumed it was because well he’s in a brothel and you know……can’t be having bastards running around.

[@BertoPlease]

The "and the dog. NO, NOT THE DOG!!" caught me so offguard, I wasn't ready

[@cazyjohn2005]

i hope dog find a good home

[@movieloverfan18]

I wanted Helaena to adopt Cheese dog. Someone else suggested Hugh Hammer. Or someone could write a time-travel fanfic where Ser Pounch goes back to the time of Dance of Dragons and hooks up with a young Cheese dog to fix Westeros.

[@gracehaven5459]

​@@movieloverfan18 I'm 1000% game for this

[@gracehaven5459]

​@@movieloverfan18I just had AI write me one and I love it lol!

[@gracehaven5459]

@@movieloverfan18 just for you I am posting it. In the shadows of the Red Keep, Sir Pounce, the clever and agile feline companion of young Tommen Baratheon, basked in a rare moment of peace. The world around him was in turmoil, but Sir Pounce had a secret. With a flick of his tail and a soft purr, he activated the ancient time-travel amulet hidden beneath his collar, a relic passed down through the generations of castle cats. As the world blurred around him, Sir Pounce found himself in a different era, one fraught with its own perils and intrigues-the time of the Dance of the Dragons. His mission was clear: prevent the tragedies that would scar Westeros for generations. He needed an ally, and he knew exactly where to find one. In the bustling streets of King's Landing, amidst the clamor of merchants and the whispers of treachery, roamed a spirited dog named Cheese. Loyal and brave, Cheese was known throughout the city for his cunning and his uncanny ability to navigate the treacherous political landscape. Sir Pounce tracked him down to a quiet alley, where the two animals exchanged a knowing glance. "Cheese," Sir Pounce meowed softly, "I am Sir Pounce from the future. We have much to discuss." Cheese tilted his head, ears perking up. "Future? What nonsense is this?" Sir Pounce stepped closer, his eyes gleaming with determination. "Westeros is on the brink of disaster. The Dance of the Dragons will lead to untold tragedies, not just for the realm but for the noble families who inhabit it. We must prevent these events from unfolding." Intrigued and sensing the truth in the cat's words, Cheese agreed. "Alright, Sir Pounce. What do we need to do?" Their first task was to avert the civil war that would pit dragon against dragon. Sneaking into the Red Keep, they found secret passages that led them to the chambers of key figures in the conflict. They worked tirelessly, sowing seeds of doubt and encouraging diplomacy instead of war. Sir Pounce whispered in the ears of kings and queens while Cheese distracted guards and messengers, ensuring their presence remained undetected. Through their efforts, alliances began to form, and the tension between the Targaryens eased. But their work was far from over. They journeyed north to Winterfell, where the Stark family faced their own grim fate. The ghosts of the future haunted Sir Pounce, and he was determined to change their destiny. In the stark halls of Winterfell, Sir Pounce and Cheese befriended the Stark children. With gentle nudges and playful antics, they guided the young Starks toward choices that would strengthen their family bonds and prepare them for the trials ahead. They ensured Robb never broke his marriage oath, that Bran stayed clear of the fateful tower, and that Arya learned the art of survival without losing her humanity. Their final mission took them beyond the Wall, where the true enemy lurked. Sir Pounce and Cheese braved the cold and the darkness, guiding Jon Snow to the discovery that would unite all of Westeros against the coming storm. They whispered secrets of the past and visions of the future, helping Jon forge alliances that would save the realm from the Night King's icy grasp. As the years passed, Westeros transformed. The Dance of the Dragons never erupted into full-scale war, the Stark family remained united and strong, and the realm stood ready to face the terrors beyond the Wall. Sir Pounce and Cheese, their mission complete, returned to their own times, leaving behind a legacy of hope and unity. In the quiet of the Red Keep, Sir Pounce curled up in Tommen's lap, a contented purr resonating from deep within. Westeros was safe, and for once, the future looked bright. And somewhere in the bustling streets of King's Landing, a clever dog named Cheese trotted proudly, knowing he had played a part in saving the realm. Together, they had rewritten history, proving that even the smallest of creatures could make the greatest of differences.

[@elliecoffin616]

Helena and the little nod she gives after Aegon passes her by kills me. Like she thought him to mourn with her or anything but ignored her. That nod to me was her saying oh thats right I'm alone in this.

[@rahimg6842]

Tom glynn Carney said in that moment they fell eachother's pain but didn't know how to express it.

[@elliecoffin616]

@@rahimg6842 🥺🥺🥺 that makes it even sadder

[@cub-square]

I love that he basicly relises he wasted at least 20 years of his life to get this idiot on the throne. Is that to be his legacy?

[@jessjess23brooks89]

I won't spoil anything, but if you ever read Fire and Blood, there is a lot worse things written about Otto's legacy than just Aegon.

[@MrVictor1227]

Well. Aegon was never trained to be King like Rhae

[@nikitasingh0412]

Otto never cared to groom Aegon to rule. It is his own fault.

[@Δ-Δ-Δ-Δ]

He's like Tywin. Both try to construct something. But in the end, their pettiness causes them to lose everything.

[@hector-nu6gl]

Aegon is anything but an idiot.

[@tinahs8269]

I think Otto is realizing he's created a monster. He and Alicent did that by expecting Aegon to be king while not preparing him for it. That boy, even as 2nd in line to the throne, should've been in small council from a young age as cup bearer then took his mother's seat (the high towers say they believe males are better rulers, right?) when he was in his late teens after being married. He could have at least learned by observing Viserys and the man might've taken interest in his son if he was in front of him instead of being kept away.

[@becki8000]

You're right, but also since rhaenyra is so much older and presumably had her first son while aegon was still young, her son then became second in line to the throne in viserys eyes which probably led to more neglect of aegons development.

[@Bft149]

Honestly true. You can see the immediate wrongs within season 1. Look how Rhaenyras kids behave and Alicent kids behave.

[@MG-js8bn]

No way could Aegon have sat in on council meetings! As far as Viserys (and half the realm) was concerned, his heir was Rhaenyra. Had Otto tried to include him in such a high-profile way, it would have caused all kinds of problems...such as guys like Beesbury sitting there and asking, "WTF is this kid doing here?" It would probably have been too awkward to have Ser Criston bash his head in in front of Viserys... It is amazing that they thought they could just stand the kid up and put the crown on his head and give him Blackfyre and everything would be fine...I suppose old Otto thought he could control the whole thing. Well, as he found out, he was wrong...

[@tinahs8269]

Even with an heir, it's good to have a backup plan. And it wouldn't have been any different than when Rhaenyra was there as a young girl. I agree about Otto.

[@GaryMcSnail]

Tom Glynn-Carney and Rhys Ifan killed it this episode

[@MG-js8bn]

Everyone was amazing, but those two did shine!

[@DarkKing009]

If Viserys was a decent father, grandfather, or husband to his second wife. then maybe his son would not destroy his shit.

[@hector-nu6gl]

Lol. Viserys was a good man but a pretty bad king. Granted no sick man can be a good king in the first place. He should have abdicated long ago with a clear inheritance in line. Aegon destroying his castle is pretty understandable considering his child was murdered.

[@messyicymcspicy]

The Otto/Alicent to Alicent/Aegon scenes of seeking comfort from their parents broke me. The poison and generational trauma drips through and so many are quick to jump on Alicent's neck when her response, especially it being Aegon who she loves and resents and as a child having a child, you can tell that her inability to comfort strangles her. Reminiscent of S01 scene when Otto has to leave KL and is talking to Alicent, Rhys said something along the lines "he wants to comfort her and tell her he loves her and is scared for her but it's not in his vocabulary." The rejection Alicent receives from Otto after wanting to talk about the shame and pain she feels mirrors so beautifully into the inability of Alicent to comfort and support Aegon is so painful and excellently done, it's the tragic nature, twisted love and complete emotional detachment and understanding of makes watching the green faction so alluring and gives a great balance to everything transpiring on the Black side, where they are scrambling to find a foothold and get their rights while being a more "stable" unit(which is starting to unravel), I don't know, this episode was one of my favourite of the show, love me some character driven plotlines.

[@DarkKing009]

Aegon II maybe a shit of a person but he did care about his actual dead son. That's why he was crying consistently invited by himself he was more than the loss of his son. More than Viserys ever cared about Aegon

[@FairLadySpiny]

I really enjoyed watching rhaenyra slowly come to accept that daemon is an abusive man. You can see the cogs turn in Nyras head when Myseria says that she should’ve remained a whore. Shes realizing that so long as a man is in her life, she will essentially always be treated as a piece of property, even if she is literally the most powerful person in the realm.

[@WatashiMachineFullCycle]

I just KNEW you would have a lot to say about this episode! I love what this show is doing with Aegon, he's so interesting to watch

[@alexanderdumas-]

The foreshadowing of Baela’s arrow bolt barely missing Jace is excellent. Even the image of the seven gods on Aemonds coin above his eye symbolizes his fate above the gods eye

[@Rhaenarys]

One more thing, one thing you didnt mention or explore was the fact of the realization Otto must of had in that unless Aegon produces another heir, hes going to have to support the same fight hes already in, and thats the fight that a woman cant rule.

[@nicholewilde4750]

I agree that intimate scenes on TV have become something to endure. They used to be to demonstrate a closeness between two characters but they are so common now, that it has become a good time for me to check on whatever I have in the oven. Lol

[@elliotcrossan6290]

I don't usually enjoy ad reads. But the World Anvil ad reads always catch me off guard

[@blackeyedlily]

Both sides are wrong. Exactly! I’m so glad you made that point. The fact that the marketing of this show is done in a way to ask the audience to choose a side makes me really angry. It makes me feel like they are missing the point of the story entirely. And unfortunately, it plays into the fact that online fandom discussions in a whole variety of fandoms have become so toxic in recent years. I keep telling people that I’m Team Small Folk. One of the primary themes in the main book series of ASOIAF is that it is the Small Folk who suffer when the High Lords play their game of thrones. You hear this sentiment repeated in a variety of ways throughout the series. And it is one of the primary points of the Dance of the Dragons civil war. Yes, it destroys House Targaryen. But it also leaves the entire country devastated with much of the landscape in ruins.

[@jessjess23brooks89]

Aemond is the only person in the Green Faction that understands how fucked up he is and is actively searching for more positive outlets. I see that brothel scene as therapeutic for him. I don't really wanna touch the mommy-milky aspect. But at least he is trying.

[@johansmallberries9874]

I feel like aegon has hints of self awareness. Both of the brothers weren’t “born evil” like Joffrey, if raised properly they would’ve been salvageable.

[@jessjess23brooks89]

@@johansmallberries9874 We're gonna see what potential they had through Daeron. I wanted Otto to slam Alicent while mentioning him that Daeron is a decent person because Alicent hasn't raised him

[@Δ-Δ-Δ-Δ]

​@@jessjess23brooks89So basically, Alicent is Cersei, Aegon and Aemond are Joffrey, Helaena is Myrcella and Daeron is Tommen. And Viserys is Robert.

[@mylittlethoughttree]

Yeah I think it's mostly a positive thing. I don't think it was particularly sexual or fetishized either. I think he wants somewhere to quickly and intensely pour all of the vulnerability he keeps bottled up, and a madam of a brothel is the safest, discrete person he can think of. It would feel like a world away from the red keep. There probably is some sexual component somewhere but it's mainly intimacy and acceptance

[@jessjess23brooks89]

@@Δ-Δ-Δ-Δ Pretty much. Though I would say Myrcella is more well adjusted than Haelena. Cersei managed to raise two decent kids that she was around quite often. And yes, I'm gonna say it: I think Cersei was a better mother 😬. What a world we live in. She guided her kids in all the wrong things, but she thought they were correct and she actually tried. Her children certainly didn't lack for self-esteem. Alicent is however a much better person than Cersei. Diametrically opposite sides of a coin.

[@KingCollossuss]

I think Otto and Alicent’s conversation toward the end of the episode was really interesting as well. Seeing Otto realising exactly what Aegon is and in many regards missing Viserys could almost make you feel like he’s realising his own hand in all this but then him and Alicent just conclude that they might still be able to manipulate Aegon, they can “fix this” implying they don’t understand that the damage they have done over decades of meddling and hate is far too much to be repaired in a short period if ever. I think Otto wants to believe that he is somehow smarter and better than those around him but it’s his arrogance, poor decisions and lack of self awareness that has gotten them into this mess and Aegon is now displaying the exact same problems, carrying on Otto’s legacy in a way that Otto definitely didn’t intend. They’re both blind to their own faults and recklessness.

[@originaozz]

I feel like Argon Vs. Otto scene is such a great demonstration of the generation war. Where young ones want to ACT and DISTUPT the status quo without a clear direction, while the old power wants to CONTROL and PLAN things to keep the status quo. If only Otto have better used of words & show more empathy, he might get through to Aegon. But Aegon too is consumed by rage and just want any form of retribution because he felt entitled to it. Such a great scene.

[@hsonmari6665]

Excellent commentary- and I appreciate that you keep your narration calm and modulated- makes it easy to listen.

[@lesleyjjang]

THANK YOU. Everyone keeps having different opinions on Aemond's brothel scene, and this is the first one that makes sense to me. It's not supposed to be a sex scene - it's supposed to make you feel uncomfortable. I felt uncomfortable when she tried to make advances and he said no because you can see and hear the discomfort in his face and voice.

[@ericjensen7580]

The way Aegon delivers the line "he's pretending to be his own twin, brilliant" made me think "that's exactly where he stopped thinking". It does sound brilliant until you think about it for like, an additional minute.

[@NihilRefertSubSole13]

RIP VALYRIAN LEGO (2023-2024). YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED.

[@svetozarbubalo230]

I'd watched your video on the first episode of the new season and really enjoyed it without knowing you'd put out a new one for every new episode. Now I know what I'll be watching for the next hour or so :) I really like your approach and how you keep the videos short and packed with intriguing information! And also, watching hot d without having read Fire and Blood is great, so long as you can steer clear of spoilers on the internet. 🤞 Having read the book myself, I must admit that in many ways, I really like the show much better and would gladly experience it without any foreknowledge

[@carpevinum8645]

I read it as Cristen having sent away the guards so they didn't hear him and Alicent. Her rooms didn't seem far away.

[@melissaisloud7404]

Neither Helaena nor Aegon can say Jaeherys’ name. It’s always “my boy”, “my heir”, or “my little son”.

[@user-xj6be1ch1g]

Watching Otto with Aegon felt like watching a father who tears you apart without restraint in private till his voice lives in your head. I got the impression Otto does this a lot

[@f.a.l.o.4174]

The editied shaking of the camera when Otto screams got me rolling on the floor😂😂

[@Sinewmire]

Larys replaced all the staff in the red keep. A maid saw cheese and didn't raise the alarm. There were no guards or other servants around. Hmmm.

[@laurelsilberman5705]

Do not worry, Hugh and Allan are very important going forward. There’s a reason they are receiving characterization and screen time. Also, apparently that scene that it ends on was supposed to be a very angry, almost violent, messy, messed up, long scene between Alicent and Criston, like they’re punishing each other. But Condal decided to cut it-against Olivia’s wishes, by the way. They were already so over for time, he argued it didn’t add anything new to the audience’s understanding of the dynamic, which was untrue in my opinion just based on what I’ve heard, and she was like confused how he could even think that, but she didn’t push the issue (probably because this is her first major role and she did ask why it had been cut, and stated her reasons as to why she felt it should be included, he just didn’t agree, and so she didn’t force the issue). But it def felt out of place to end on that, and it’s because we only got the first half of a scene and not the emotional guts, which was kind of a low point after Cargyllbowl.

[@cybele_mullejz]

Interesting. Do you remember where you read or heard about Cooke’s thoughts on that final scene? I also thought the episode ended on an abrupt note.

[@laurelsilberman5705]

@@cybele_mullejz Looper just posted a video with some quotes from the interview in it, sorry I can’t remember which publication it was with-I’ve been viewing most of the press junket interviews and they might do six or seven wearing that days outfit, it’s all very hard to tell apart because it’s just different sets and interviewers. But I know looper just posted a video covering why it was cut supposedly with some quotes about the situation

[@laurelsilberman5705]

@@cybele_mullejz I think they were specifically asked if there were any scenes she was in that got cut that she wished hadn’t been cut, so it wasn’t like she was spouting off about being slighted. She just made the point that the animalism and violence of the scene was not gratuitous, which HBO was being rightfully much more mindful with this show’s production than they were for the first several seasons of GoT in terms of making the filming environment for intimacy scenes really safe; Olivia just felt strongly about the fact that it absolutely said a lot about where both her character and Criston Cole were at in terms of what they’ve done. I think they are overcorrecting a little bit in terms of depicting what happens between two consenting adults behind closed doors to deal with grief and guilt. Also this is the first sexually independent and sexually fulfilling time in Alicent’s life-after her husband is dead, she’s bore four healthy adult children, three of them male, her eldest son and daughter have already produced heirs of their own (barf), one of them is sat on the throne, again, with his own heir in line, by the time she allows herself to get nasty with Criston. At least that’s the actor’s understanding is that this didn’t even start until Viserys was dead. And Alicent is very religious in the beginning too so she felt like the fact that Alicent stopped wearing her necklace representing the seven in this episode and decided, even after questioning whether her own actions led to the loss her family is now experiencing, to continue with said actions because she doesn’t believe in the system that she’s fought her entire life to uphold and follow the rules laid down for her, from society, from religion. Plus like she’s the dowager queen so even though she really shouldn’t be sleeping with a kingsguard, she is entitled to her own pleasures now and could entertain the company of men if she really wanted to. She holds no real power. She’s performed her duties to the realm, used up by a system which failed to reward her in all the ways it traditionally is supposed to-by male primogeniture. Viserys really is the one responsible for the dance of the dragons, as much as I LOVE Paddy Considine. Like Alicent did everything that was required of her and received none of the security she would have been entitled to, by law, all because Viserys had issues with his brother and thought he had a dragon dream one time that he’d bear the next of the line to lead to the prince that was promised, and that it had to be a boy instead of just making Rhaeneyra heir and marrying someone who either couldn’t have children due to age or medical history, AT LEAST marrying strategically to the Velaryons or Boratheons, literally doing anything to prevent an immediate succession crisis the second he left this world.

[@Rhaenarys]

Im honestly REALLY surprised THIS is the first HoD video ive seen pop up after episode 2. But im so here for it! 😊

[@moisttowelette4668]

Was waiting for thisss

[@cybersandoval]

I appreciate the depth of your critique

[@Eldon_is_The_Best]

Rhaenyra comforted Jace when he choked up trying to give his report. Alicent sees Aegon broken down in tears and she just walks away to her room. What a contrast.

[@Poloassassin828]

This has been my favorite episode so far, only one left 😞

[@redgreen2453]

Man that kid who plays Aegon is good

[@billvolk4236]

It's weird to me that Cheese stuck around. In the book, Blood was caught because he was trying to get through a city gate with a child's head in a bag, but Cheese was not so encumbered, and you'd think he would slip out of the city just as fast as he was able.

[@movieloverfan18]

In the episode Driftmark, there is a scene after Laena's funeral where Otto finds a drunk Aegon passed out. Otto looks around and then kicks him. He put Aegon on the throne, but then as his feckless grandchild, Otto just expected to control him. It never occurred to Otto to consider that Rhaenyra is a much more stable person. Everything that happens after this is is Otto's fault.

[@NeedsContent]

I think the point of that last scene is to show the transition. Before, the relationship between Alicent and Criston was furtive and hesitant in nature. Now they've discarded those inhibitions, and are plunging head long into murky waters (and self-destructive behavior). I think the narrative has to acknowledge this change explicitly, which is why that scene was important and necessary.

[@mylittlethoughttree]

I agree it's an important development, but I don't know if it feels enough of a bang to end the episode with. It generally just informs the criticisms being made that the episode is slow. I think there is a fair argument to be made there but, on the whole, I don't really mind. I think it's a great episode and I'm happy to see it laying seeds for the next few episodes

[@joebond545]

Some bad? The episode was a straight 10/10

[@mylittlethoughttree]

I'd probably give it a 9/10

[@dragonfan8647]

3:07 I love it, too. It's exactly the kind of plan a group of D&D players would come up with

[@jorgerangel2390]

Your sponsor segments are cool dude xD

[@sinwhisper]

I think ottos monologue about aegon 2 behavior is my favorite performance of the show so far. I feel is frustration being the only who has his head screwed on correctly.

[@deckie_]

10:17 "destorying" as in "removing from the story" That's great stuff

[@mylittlethoughttree]

And there was me hoping I would the only one to notice that typo 😂

[@maryarmstrong2231]

I love your channel.

[@epicLEKLE]

Just read fire and blood and you will understand where they’re going with Hugh, Alyn and Addam. They’re really important later on

[@Th3Real_Spray]

The Arryk and Erryk scene plays out similarly in the book as well. He's sent to Dragon Stone alone to murder Rhaenyra under the guise of being his brother. In the book they actually kill each other at the same time and they die on each others blades.

[@whittenaw]

12:00 totally. When he showed up, I could only think, who is he again?

[@floraposteschild4184]

In the Thick of It is a good reference. Peter Capaldi's character is smarter than Otto, though, and is phenomenally swear-y at all times.

[@chelscara]

So obsessed with Aegon and Otto after this episode. Their actors put so much into these scenes and you can just feel their frustration and grief. Especially knowing Otto in the end is what made Aegon who he is from his mistreatment of Alicent who in turn has no idea how to console her children and help them deal with tragedy, plus of course it’s not like he was there to guide young Aegon into royalty when Viserys didn’t.

[@MG-js8bn]

Viserys pretty much checked out emotionally after Aemma's death. Most of him died with her. He married Alicent because she was young and pretty and nice to him, and made him feel better, and he knew he had to marry somebody or he'd never hear the end of it. He was an absentee father, for sure.

[@laquonl]

I just knew Alicent would comfort her son/king when she saw him crying

[@lacym9278]

That was dicked up, I was expecting more compassion from her seeing as they have portrayed her as conflicted over this whole thing. Boo.

[@MG-js8bn]

@@lacym9278 The whole relationship is too conflicted; Alicent feels too guilty, she thinks the little one's death is a punishment from the gods for her sins. And she's got reason to be upset with Aegon, he canned his grandpa! But it was so sad to watch a woman so messed up she couldn't comfort her weeping son.

[@AntiiKeks]

15:56 excellent choice of words. Even though you don't know it yet.

[@blazeblade761]

otto and kevan be like:Iam surrounded by snakes and morons

[@gracehaven5459]

I'm unopposed to gratuitous sex scenes, but they should have narrative purpose to them. If they're just for exploitive purposes we might as well be watching "corn" 😅🌽 HOTD is indeed better about this than GOT

[@autje1970]

Seeing Malcolm Tucker show up in a HotD video was not what I expected. Now I want a comedy version of the show with him in Otto's role.

[@Lesartsenciel]

15:02 But the White Rat, in GOT, did exactly the same thing as Aemond. Not defending D and D, or offending Rand... but its coming from the original show.

[@TheEmperorsChampion964]

I really felt for Otto as much as I dislike him, his look at aegon after he heard that plan was pure "you dumbass".............

[@ceres090]

Book Spoiler: In the book Helena is said to loose her mind to grief after the death of her son. However, she seems to be holding up well so far, considering the circumstances. I think perhaps, Aegon may be the one to loose his mind to grief and its later said that it was in fact, Helena to save face and to "give a reason" for Helena's "offness" to future readers.

[@cloverazar5315]

The irony of Otto wanting a judicious ruler, and getting Aegon, when instead Rhaenyra is the one most like Viserys Otto like «I backed the wrong dragon »

[@misssoso5859]

Viserys was a shitty fucking ruler. And Otto will never want his grandson's killer to be queen.

[@cloverazar5315]

@@misssoso5859 Viserys was a peace-time king, and ultimately an ineffective ruler. I agree; he should have made Rhaenyra Queen while he was still living, then abdicated and taken Alicent and the children to Dragonstone to build Lego castles and maximize Alicent’s sons’ chances of hatching an egg or bonding with a dragon However, you ALSO seem to be forgetting that Otto tried to get Rhaenyra as an ally looooong before his grandson was an itch in Viserys’s left nut, never mind poor Helaena and her kids. Remember, he encourages her to review the kingsguard candidates and he suggests the most politically advantageous. “He has a large keep many bannermen etc etc”, and Rhaenyra says “but Cole has battle experience, and I want a battle tested guard at my father’s side.” At the time, Otto thought she was dismissing his council, got pissed, and decided he was going to back her rival (whomever that might be, and ideally his grandson). In retrospect, a battle-tested guard in the room or antechamber would have prevented B&C So he might be seeing the Rhaenyra who was prepared to negotiate and requested time to consider abdication, and wonder how many rat catchers she’d send swinging in the streets

[@misssoso5859]

@@cloverazar5315 I'm not denying Otto's role in this mess. But Viserys was the king, and so he takes the ultimate responsibility.

[@Bft149]

@@misssoso5859you can blame Viserys all you want but whats done is done. He didn’t start the war, he never wanted to. His kids on the other hand did. It’s their responsibility, their actions, their consequences. Doesn’t help that Otto provocative many actions despite Viserys wishes.

[@misssoso5859]

@Bft149 No, it's still ultimately his fault. He was a king, not a CEO of a company or whatever. Any power vacuum he leaves behind means causing an existential threat for his family on both sides. That's horrifically irresponsible and selfish.

[@realwaifus5514]

Aemond doing the westerosi equivalent of listening to mommy asmr was about the last thing I expected to see in this show but it’s actually really fucking good now that I have.

[@brianarnold8666]

15:03 sexposition is the commonly used term

[@kekero540]

Characters can be stupid. That’s the point of house of the dragon is just how unfathomably stupid the whole war is. It’s a war over nothing. Why do they want to be monarch? It’s f*^king stressful! They can live in unfathomable luxury for their entire lives if they just. got. along.

[@finalGambitShedinja]

otto hightowers actor low key ate them all up this week

[@styrofoamboogie2042]

good video

[@Mikeelshamy]

A bit unrelated but I would Love to hear your thoughts on the God of War series of video games. I was surprised at how deep the Norse branch of the series got, and how they portrayed guilt and shame and overcoming ones past. A bit different covering a video game but there are plenty of play throughs on youtube of the 2018 game and Ragnorok and its DLC. I think its worth a look!

[@robertsmiley2207]

I could have been I didn't catch that the first watch 😂🤣😂

[@natemccollum3731]

I think the fact that Aegon had such little interest in inheriting the Iron Throne means that Rhaenyra would have become Queen with zero issues. If the great lords reject a Queen, who cares? Send out the dragons and burn them into history. Rhaenyra would have totally given Alicent’s kids high spots in court too. So dumb

[@quinnzel316]

episode 2 is the best so far

[@melissaharris3389]

All the Greens are so emotionally stunted. None of them know how to process their emotions or provide emotional support to each other. It's an excellent example of how generational trauma propagates. It's all on Otto and, to a lesser degree, Visarys. Otto used his daughter as a pawn: used her for his own political gain and caused her trauma in the process so severe she couldn't properly emotionally bond with her children. Visarys treatment of her as an object for his own emotional and sexual gratification is part of that. Also, Visarys neglect of his sons (and daughter) by Alicent caused them to have no good parental model of emotional regulation. Visarys was able to be a somewhat decent father to Rheanerya. Why even marry Alicent and cause a succession crisis if you're going to ignore and neglect the children she provided?

[@Moeller750]

I personally loved this episode. Some of the dialogue was downright emmy worthy. I have to say, I'm not really on board with Aemond. I'm afraid he will just turn into Ramsay Bolton. But what I can say is: I WANT MORE HAELAENA! She is the most interesting character I have seen on a TV show in years, and her actress just nails every single moment she's on screen

[@Rex-rg3ce]

What a brilliant episode. It's insane the tram sport brains (greens this time) cannot appreciate how brilliant the generationalntrauka and inability to communicate emotions between alicent her kids was.

[@rr2236]

Ngl I can’t stand aegon but seeing how Alicent chose to go screw Christon instead of comforting him while he cried over his son officially took my hate for that pair to a new level……

[@toneriggz]

Trifling!!!

[@kos8571]

Wonder what's brewing for haleana

[@omarsaragoza]

World Anvil Segway is becoming the new Rickroll

[@ambern7734]

I loved the small folk scenes. but I also know who and what the small folk will do so there is that.

[@dominic3797]

No spoilers, but I promise you Hugh, Ulf, and Alyn/Adam will have "stuff" to do later on

[@misssoso5859]

Warching Otto praise was so stupid. Viserys was too much of a coward and incompetent fool. His dumb choices are the reason why the succession crisis even happened.

[@ladywolf5192]

Hugh scene felt like a Netflix low budget show…its did seem like HBO scene…its happened a lot in HOTD.

[@samanthalewis3778]

Hahaha seeds...no spoilers...book readers we know the seeds

[@humzakhalid7902]

14:55 i believe d& d coined the word "sexposition" if not they brought attention to it n gave it the name...where plot points are discussed or talked about while something sexual is happening on screen...if it was indeed coined in game of thrones it has been perfected in house of the dragon...

[@TK-ll7su]

Aemond wants a real mom

[@ckdmkcmdnjdjsndjdj3023]

make a video about arya as a character please