HOUSE OF THE DRAGON SEASON 2 EPISODE 2 REACTION - 2X2 - FIRST TIME WATCHING - REVIEW

House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 2 Reaction is here! After waiting for a week episode 2x2 is finally out.
House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 2 picks off right where we left off. Prince Jaehaerys' murder causes chaos; King Aegon hastily assembles his Small Council, planning revenge on Rhaenyra, though Lord Jasper suggests she may be innocent. Ser Otto suggests a public funeral to tarnish Rhaenyra's image. In Dragonstone, Rhaenyra, worried about her popularity, suspects Daemon ordered Jaehaerys' death if Aemond were absent, and states she distrusts him. Daemon flies to Harrenhal, seeking alliances. Ser Criston, despite failing to protect Jaehaerys, orders Ser Arryk to prove his loyalty, by killing Rhaenyra on Dragonstone. There, Arryk impersonates his twin brother Erryk, though the departing Mysaria notices Arryk; he enters the queen's chambers. The brothers fight, Erryk choosing to end his duties after killing Arryk. Aegon dismisses Otto as Hand of the King and transfers the title to Criston. Otto and Alicent hope to regain control over Aegon; Alicent slaps Criston before embracing and kissing passionately.
We get to catch up with all of the characters we know and love Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy), Queen Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke), Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), Princess Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best), Lord Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint), Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), Prince Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell), King Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) and many more!
We hope you enjoy our reactions, commentary and discussion as we delve into this Game of Thrones Prequel once again, talk about the cinematography and different aspects of filmmaking that make House of the Dragon such an entertaining show.
If you'd like to support the channel and gain access to the full length reaction become a member of our patreon bit.ly/3ICVrJ6
Watch our reactions early! / @officialmediaknights
#HouseoftheDragon #HouseoftheDragonSeason2 #Reaction #TheMediaKnights

[@OfficialMediaKnights]

Hey guys! Thank you for joining us once again for another reaction to House of the Dragon! Hope you guys are enjoying the season so far. What are your thoughts on this episode? If you enjoyed the reaction leave a like and subscribe (it helps us out a bunch) and if you'd like to support the channel and gain access to the full length reaction become a member of our patreon! bit.ly/3ICVrJ6

[@K7CG2004]

Hey I wanted to let you two know that on July 9, it’s gonna be a WONDERFUL DAY cause Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes will be available to watch at home! 🐵💪

[@easonstrickland6372]

Don't need a ride to a anime movie called Treasure Planet

[@TheMightyMaxx]

Suggested movie from me is The Thin Red Line, if you haven't watched it already. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o3zPZpKFrbB1pJo Much better movie than Private Ryan. The only good part of private ryan is the opening beach scene. You could put that scene in the front of Weekend at Bernie's, and that would make it worth re-watching.

[@TheMightyMaxx]

Also I recommend Band of Brothers kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXy1c3R8obNordk

[@Cutiepie-mf4ht]

Hey, would you both be interested in reacting to this Movie maximum overdrive

[@skychamber_studios]

This is the best acted episode I’ve seen in YEARS. Literally everyone shined, everyone.

[@akhiltrc9708]

But I’m particularly blown away by Emma’s nuanced acting. Particularly the reactions.

[@skychamber_studios]

@@akhiltrc9708 she is proving over and over again that she’s deserves Emmy consideration

[@pitoseavy4523]

​@@akhiltrc9708lmfaooo y'all be gassing anything 😂

[@Azrael32]

​@@akhiltrc9708let's be honest aegon and otto stole the show.

[@akhiltrc9708]

@@Azrael32 I agree. But great acting is not just being who’s most bombastic, or who stole the show. I personally was deeply moved by her acting.

[@TARS20]

R.I.P. Ser Erryk and Ser Arryk, the two honourable knights of the realm. F**" Criston Cole!

[@OfficialMediaKnights]

We hate him with a passion!

[@kenyabrunson4985]

Don't you mean CRISPIN?😂

[@corsicanlulu]

that was so heartebreaking how they both died!

[@CokeZeroHero]

@@corsicanlulusaddest part was Criston Cole self projection on AArykk Reflecting his own hate for himself on him and then to send him on a Suicide mission 🤦‍♂️ and he gets a promotion 🤦‍♂️

[@phillipmckinnon6883]

YUP! I was callin' Cole a punkass throughout this episode. How you gonna send your boy on a suicide mission based on your fups!? SMH

[@badmiracle]

tom glynn carney is incredible. aegon could so easily be one-note but they’ve done so much work to build him up in just these last couple episodes and the performance is just so good. he and helaena are very quickly becoming the highlights for me…..just devastatingly real performances. great performances all around this episode.

[@s1b3r11]

To be fair, they have to do more work to "build him up" now only because they completely destroyed his character in season 1. They literally made him into another joffrey by adding stuff that never was canon, or even mentioned in the books and taking away/not showing any of his better moments (like bond with his dragon, or epic coronation). Had they actually stuck to the source material almost all characters would have been more interesting since the entire premise of the books is that neither aegon nor rhaenyra were actually good rulers and that they both were flawed yet human in the same time. It's quite said that instead of this tragedy what we got and probably will get is 'saint' rhaenyra, evil aegon/otto and victim alicent (in the books she was older and was quite competent).

[@OfficialMediaKnights]

We agree! The performances this season have been extremely strong! Tom is killing it every scene he’s in. So much intensity! Always a joy to see.

[@alexass8987]

Aegon played by Tom Glynn-Carney turned out great. There is simply no more controversial character in the series. He literally drives you crazy, goes from hate to love and in circles.

[@daquaviousbingleton9763]

It’s because he’s very sympathetic he’s stuck between a rock and a hard place, he was made king when he didn’t even want to be king he’s also pretty stupid (no fault of his own) and he’s young and now he’s just had his son murdered.

[@nakki123]

​@@daquaviousbingleton9763Yeah i hope they keep him interesting and not turn him into boring bad guy like Ramsay.

[@OfficialMediaKnights]

He’s one of those characters where they can really showcase the intricacies of the writing. His character is complex and multilayered. He’s lost and Tom is playing that in such a truthful way. The rage, the grief, the hurt and ultimately the impulse to just want to destroy your enemy. He was fantastic this episode.

[@daquaviousbingleton9763]

@@nakki123 The one character I hope they don’t ruin is Daeron he’s meant to be a great dude I hope they don’t make him a coward or boring.

[@TheSickGman09]

​@@daquaviousbingleton9763idk about sympathetic bro raped a woman and yawned when asked about it. I'd say it's easy to understand how he became what he did but idk if I sympathize with him.

[@fayedunaway8]

I felt really, really bad for Aegon and Haelaena. Notice how no one, not even one person tries to comfort them. Aegon is shivering and raging at the council meeting and even mutters "mother" at some point but they don't give him a hug. Then later they force Haelaena for their PR stunt. No wonder they cannot communicate when later Aegon and Haelaena pass each other through the halls. It is all a family dynamic that subsequently they don't know how to comfort one another.

[@gailf1617]

Alicent has tried to comfort Helaena in the past; but Helaena does not like to be touched except when she initiates it. Obviously, the funeral was nightmarish for Helaena on many levels. I think Helaena is the child Alicent most wants to comfort and physically love, but Helaena can't handle it, beginning from the time she was an infant screaming in Alicent's arms. We have never seen Alicent cradle or hug Aegon. Aemond used to have a physically and emotionally close relationship with his mother, but now she has rejected him, (he went to her for comfort and also (at Driftmark) protected her) angered by Aemond's having killed Lucerys.

[@tiernanrea1726]

Emma and Matt's acting in that scene.. outstanding ! Love way they're contrasting Daemon's relationship with Rhaenyra with his troubled relationship to his brother, Viserys.

[@NyikoDoris]

Baela possibly being the only person who Jace has fondly recalled growing up with both Harwin AND Laenor as his fathers when he was younger because she didn't ask about them as his gay dad or his mom's paramour but as fathers. She didn't bring their names up to ridicule them but to allow Jacaerys the space to look back on the two male parents he had for years and then lost and now can't mention one without snickers in regards to him and his brothers' birth or having to hear that Laenor was gay....yeah, you can see the impact Rhaenys had on Baela, calm Rhaenys who always makes sure to support Corlys even when she doesn't fully agree. Jacaela Prince and Princess of Dragonstone you are sooooo loved

[@OfficialMediaKnights]

That scene with both of them was heartwarming. It’s nice seeing that Jace has someone to talk to especially after what he just went through.

[@NyikoDoris]

@@OfficialMediaKnights another thing that scene proved is whether you have a dragon or not, whether you are betrothed to your stepbrothernephewcousin or not, teenage parent angst is a rite of passage 😭

[@09hicktown]

Laena did a great job raising her two girls

[@NyikoDoris]

@@09hicktown Laena, Rhaenys and Rhaenyra are the only parents those girls know😭

[@kylethompson3008]

All that work Otto did stealing Queen Rhaenyra throne just to stay in power and remain Hand just to have the person he put in power to remove him from his position. Now he realizes Aegon is a mistake and the realm will suffer for his ambition. It's poetic

[@divinelangene6813]

We love to see it

[@OfficialMediaKnights]

It’s like one of those fables that teach you a lesson. Hard to watch Aegon making such a big mistake. Otto is a great asset to have by your side. So far he’s shown he can get the people he cares about exactly where he wants them to be.

[@theeddytor3490]

same thing to witness with DUNE, bene gesserit scheming to have someone on succession only to be able to control that someone. but in the end they failed. and so did otto... otto losing his power as hand of king was seen from miles away the moment he thought he would get aegon on throne. if it was Aemond then otto's plan would have actually succeeded.

[@badmiracle]

i think alicent’s response to aegon’s grief makes a lot of sense when you consider that just minutes before her own father sidestepped her attempt to go to him for comfort - the terrible cycle of abuse. alicent had children forced on her long before she was ready for them and i think she struggles with aegon the most of all because he’s the child her father insisted was the reason she needed to distance herself from rhaenyra as a child. she’s a terrible mother, but i don’t think she ever really stood a chance of being a good one.

[@badmiracle]

rhaenyra has suffered loss and pain and been crushed under the weight of a patriarchal society but there are some key differences in her relationships with the men in her life and her children compared to alicent, and i think that makes all the difference when it comes to their approach as parents.

[@Quasarcool]

No one in this show is "good" there are huge amounts of grey on both sides. That's what makes it good imo. For instance Rhyerna wouldn't send her son to watch over kings landing but sent her step daughter seemly without heiststion. Are these the actions of a "good" mother?

[@badmiracle]

@@Quasarcooloh, for sure! i’m definitely not saying that as a criticism of the writing - alicent and her weird terrible relationships w her kids is like my favorite part of the show. i think many people refuse to engage with characters that have done evil or are framed as such within the narrative but i think they’re so much more interesting.

[@themmilkshakes6828]

I needed a few minutes to recover after reading that second sentence

[@tinaa1989]

Idk if I would say she’s a terrible mother. I 100% agree with wat ur saying here but I mean look at the cards she was dealt with. She hardly stood a chance. This season I am really not liking her character but I do feel for her too. She was used as a tool from a young age, forced to marry her best friends dad, have kids and sleep with a man twice her age in his withered state. It’s a cycle of trauma that’s difficult to break. She does want the best for them but doesn’t know how to show that. She is experiencing everything for the first time in her lifetime too and yes many mistakes were made, but I do think she cares deeply and loves her children but fails to show this as she does not know how. And who suffers most? The children of course. Coming from a family where emotional support was not always offered I hated my parents for this and considered them “terrible parents” at some points, which I hate to say. But as I got older I realized they came from toxic households and were doing everything for the first time too. The hate and jealousy for better emotional support turned into sympathy and understanding. Unfortunately, I feel this is too late for Alicent’s children tho. Too much damage has already been done…

[@moistysantana1069]

Cole got me fuming when he throw false accusations 😂😭

[@OfficialMediaKnights]

He is SHAMELESS, good heavens, he has zero introspection and it's absolutely bewildering!!!

[@anais6654]

Emma was amazing this episode

[@OfficialMediaKnights]

YES!! Their performance is so nuanced, intuitive and has such range! What a thrill to watch them!

[@Search0Settle]

I like how Aemond realised that the killers had come for him, when he found that piece on the floor in his chamber (when Blood had thieved most of them). He's perhaps more observant than I originally had him down for. I found it sad that Halena had to endure the funeral journey but Aegon was spared public eyes. I get why, but sad for her.

[@j.6133]

I love Rhys Ifans, he's incredible, he shows such a master class of acting. One of the best actors in the world. Considering he's a goofball in real life, one of the funniest and sweetest people ever, he's shockingly good as Otto. Emmy worthy performance.👏👏👏

[@madpaduk]

I have such a hard time recognising the actor behind the character. He's SO good, especially when you think of his introduction to the world in Notting Hill, could not be further apart. Whoever cast him saw something no one else had caught, and they must be very proud.

[@j.6133]

@@madpaduk He played such wide range of characters in his career. I remember watching him in 'Hannibal Rising' (2007) in a role of absolute psycho villain, he was one of the scariest villains I've seen on screen ever.

[@frkzoid]

Daemon is such a complicated character. You don't know which is one is worse, to be on you side or not. You don't want him to be your enemy but you don't want him to be close to you either.

[@thaispereira7311]

His relationship with Rhaenyra is very like what he had with viserys. He loves them but think they are soft and weak and that they are not fit to rule and that makes him frustated. And at the same time he wants their approval. Thats why he went to fight the crab feeder in s1 and why he is going to harrehal. To make them belive in him again

[@fayedunaway8]

It's more hypocritical of Otto to criticize Aegon for his ruling skills because don't forget this man did not want the throne. So much that he literally had to be dragged through the high sept and even then he screamed that he was not suited for the role, he had no taste for duty. It's very tragic because he was forced right into the path where everything has been taken from him when he was trying to run away. Now they have given him the power, he's gonna use it. He will live on pure spite after this. Otto and Alicent should have trained Aegon when he was a child if they wanted to put him on the throne. Instead they neglected and abused him and thought that was never gonna backfire but now they are suffering the consequences of that.

[@theeddytor3490]

NGL aegon actor's performance was great even though we don't like that character.

[@OfficialMediaKnights]

Absolutely agreed, such wonderful intensity, arrogance and yet vulnerability displayed!

[@user-df8lp9zq8s]

I love his character , he is the most interesting in the show, so speak for yourself )

[@etc8217]

@@user-df8lp9zq8s yep aegon is becoming my fav character

[@rohanshende4338]

Aegon acts like how actual people would in those situations. Driven by power, by vengeance, by grief, by doubt.

[@myrkvdr]

You don't have to like a character to appreciate the actors' work. I absolutely despise Aegon, but that means the actor is doing an excellent job at his portrayal.

[@terryjohnson5579]

Also it's nice to see Aemond being continually developed. Not that he isnt cruel but he isnt cruel without reason or withoutt target. Its to specific individuals hell take out his rage. To show he has regret genuinely shows he no true psychopath.

[@shockmesane4158]

The cinematography this season is out of this world, even without the world class acting the show would still be a pleasure to just watch. But fortunately it has both.

[@rhysfrechette7739]

Arryk: “We were brothers once!” Erryk: “Once.”

[@divinelangene6813]

So sad

[@datguy3581]

I do like that the new characters this season have given us a bit of an insight into the thoughts of people of lower stations. Season 1 focused mostly on the views of the lords and royals.

[@OfficialMediaKnights]

It's nice seeing a different perspective. It makes the audience feel the full scale of the situation.

[@Rigomortis84]

Everyone fucking nailed it in this episode! The actor who plays Aegon really impressed me. Emma D'arcy, Matt Smith, Rhys Ifans straight killed it with the dialogue deliveries!

[@timothypolanco8622]

The fight between the twins was actually as tragic as written as in the book, the sorrows after each slash to eachother was incredible. If a nitpick could be made for that scene it would probably be that writers should have added the factor of the twins trying to convince eachother to stop and join their own side as their blades connected. If you ever get a chance, you should check out a song that was made for this battle called farewell my brother. I haven't check yet but I belived it is still on youtube.

[@shrodingerschat2258]

When the funeral wagon got stuck in the pothole, I thought for sure the boy's body was gonna take a tumble onto the ground while they were struggling to get the wheel out.

[@sparkandsplash]

Same. I thought his dead was gonna detach accidentally. 😢

[@alfredocornelio4329]

Haelena is not "suspicious of the people around her". She doesn't have those kinds of thoughts. She's on the spectrum of autism plus she sees stuff in her dreams so her brain is not at that of a normal person. She's just like a lot of "special" types very uncomfortable around people, especially strangers. Kind of like Dustin Hoffman in Rainman.

[@DNotzz]

Cristons little Whelp after Aegon names him Hand is amazing. I don’t know if lots of people caught it but it’s so funny. The actor is great. What a sad, pathetic, angry hypocrite. That was a great touch and a funny moment.

[@BumpyBaluga]

Arryk and Erryk, what The Hound and The Mountain shouldve been lol..

[@nakki123]

Their fight alone had more character and drama than GoT seasons 5-8 combined.

[@Megasaurusify]

@@nakki123 finally someone says 5-8 and not just the last season!

[@nakki123]

@@Megasaurusify Really? I almost stopped watching in season 6 as the quality had dropped so bad, but still wanted to see how it ended.

[@cactuscartocratus7228]

Okay I have so much to say about this episode. First of all, the obvious, the acting was phenomenal, from everyone, all actors absolutely excelled this episode. All the performances were so... real. And I think that's the best you can really ever say about any acting performance. I think this might be the best acted movie / TV episode I have seen. And in general one of the best pieces of media I've seen, for the psychological thriller that this episode was, combining the acting and writing into something exceptional. In order: Tom Glynn-Carney as Aegon II. Like last episode, a standout performance, in every scene he was in. The heartbreak, rage, grief, powerlessness of a father who's child was murdered, all built on the foundation of an insecure boy never loved by his parents who's in over his head. I love how much of a complex character he has become, and how Tom's acting makes it what it is, and what is is and why I think Aegon is so great a character, is just how human he is. Like I said, every moment, from the outbursts of rage and taking it out wherever you can, to then slumping in his chair barely holding on, to the crying in his chair on a dark night... it's, like I said, so real. Having gone through some hard moments myself in my life, I could relate so many of these scenes Outstanding. Olivia Cooke as Alicent. Great portrayal of a grandmother who's grandson was murdered and who feels responsible. Something that stuck out to me is that at least for me, in this episode I could kind of almost see glimpses of Alicent as the girl we used to see in the first episodes of the series, though I can't put my finger exactly in what ways. Phia Saban as Helaena. I saw many people criticizing the portrayal during the final scene of the last episode, but I think this episode makes it fit perfectly, this episode's performance I see as a very direct continuation of the one at the end of the last episode, and it's great. It's exactly what fits Helaena's character. She's two things. She's a mother, and one who's child was now just murdered in front of her, and she's also herself, the shy awkward girl who's at least implied to be on the autism spectrum. And Helaena's portrayal in this episode is exactly how I would imagine someone who's what I just mentioned. Especially when they were riding through the city with the boy's body, being, like I mentioned, a mother who's just lost her child, and an introvert, who clearly doesn't like being around people, I can only imagine it was essentially the worst experience she could have, and it shows in the performance. Rhys Ifans as Otto. Outstanding performance as always, though even more so now as we sort of saw a new side of Otto here. While he was still a commanding presence as always, in this episode, and I'm talking mostly about the scene where he's dismissed as Hand, and a bit about the last one where he talks with Alicent, we see here Otto in a situation that we haven't really seen him in before, an Otto that's not the calm Machiavellian strategist and manipulator we know, we see an Otto thrown off balance, with the power we've grown accustomed to seeing him have, and that he has grown accustomed to as well, now slipping out of his grasp, and when he's ordered to take off the badge, and at the end with Alicent we see an Otto defeated. And defeated not in the way when Viserys dismissed him as hand, as in "lost the battle, but not the war", we see him I'd say broken in spirit. And like I said, this is a whole new layer to the performance we haven't yet seen. Then Matt Smith as Deamon and Emma D'Arcy as Rhaenyra, both exceptional, and so real, and I'm putting them together as I want to talk mainly about the argument between them after Rhaenyra catches on at the council what Daemon did. I think It really might just be the single best scene I've ever seen in any show or movie. The acting and writing was phenomenal. Every word said, every little expression and emotion, it was all essentially perfect. There's more to it all than I can really well describe, but some things I'll say. First, it was so real, and I really mean it. This might some strange, but I was almost reminded of how my own parents used to argue, essentially, it was just very natural. And every line that was said held such weight but also fit so well for both of them. A moment I liked, which I'm not sure completely if that was what it was, but it's how I saw it, is when Deamon comes up to Rhaenyra and reaches out his hand as if to grab her neck again, she flinches, and he stops, takes a breath and caresses her face instead. I think that single moment perfectly encapsulates Daemon's character. Phenomenal performance from both. And then Emma D'Arcy as Rhaenyra again in the last scene during Arryk's attempted assasination of Rhaenyra. With how it went down I love how real and human the portrayal of Rhaenyra in this situation was. We see Rhaenyra as the Queen she is, but she still has her moments of weakness, as mirrored in the last episode especially with her grieving over her son. And here too the performance is exactly about this. She's as scared as anyone would be if someone barged into your bedroom with a sword trying to kill you - panicking, trembling and hiding behing corners, instinctuallly trying to cover your face. And then when Erryk dies, exactly the shock, horror, disbelief and loss of composure you'd expect from someone who just watched someone just kill their own brother, and then himself from grief right in front of her. And by the way then, Luke Tittensor as Ser Arrk, and especially Elliot Tittensor as Ser Erryk also gave a great performance, I'll miss them. And finishing off I have to praise the writing as well, it was amazing this episode. A few scenes I particularly want to talk about here which I haven't yet mentioned when talking about the acting: First I loved the little scene between Jace and Baela, I think it added a lot to their characters. Then there is the scene with Aemond in the brothel. I feel like some people might overlook this scene due to it's nature, but to me it actually fits perfectly into Aemond's character and adds a lot more depth to it. He's not just some psycho, or unhinged, there's a very good reason for why he is the way he is, and this scene I think shows it. It's not the first time we see someone have pillow talk with a girl they've been with about their problems, we saw it for example with Daemon and Mysaria in season 1. But here it's not just some random girl, it's the one we met in season 1 when Aemond and Criston Cole were looking around for Aegon, and we learn that Aegon took him to her when when thirteenth, if I remember correctly, nameday, so they have a history since when he was young. And in this scene the way he talks to her and she comforts him, it seems almost motherly. And we do know that Alicent wasn't exactly a very good mother to her kids, at least in the sense that while she did love them she didn't show them much affection. And of course Viserys was an absent father. And we know Aemond as this cold and tough guy, he took the largest dragon, he's a great fighter, but underneath all of that, really, there is still the little boy who's parents never really showed him love, who's brother and cousins bullied him, and who was without a dragon and always felt inferior to them. And that's what drives Aemond, everything he is now is in large part due to that insecurity that he still has, he has become what he is trying to somehow make up for all that. I think everyone has met a person like that, who becomes or acts strong because once they were the weak one, or was once bullied so now they've become the bully, and so on. And then finally a scene I found incredibly interesting was the one with Hugh, the smith we met in the last episode when he had an audience with Aegon, and his family. I was initially confused, but I think I know what they might be trying to do here, and if so it would be an amazing choice. This whole show revolves around royals, the people at the top, and their conflicts, but aside from them there are still the millions of smallfolk, average people of the realm going about their daily lives and the war we see starting here will affect them just as much. The farmers getting their fields burned, the men marching in the armies and dying in battles, the average workers wondering how they'll be able to feed their families. And I think the writers might be showing all this as well, and as they should. The book this show is based on, "Fire & Blood" is written so that it reads like a history book. And so far the writers have done a fantastic job adapting the story from a rather impersonal accounting to the very human tragedy that we see before us, bringing it to life at least with the royal family at the center of the story, but like I said, there's the smallfolk as well, so why not give them the same treatment? It reminds me of how we often also see history. When we read about or learn our own history, it's also all presented matter-of-factly, as an impersonal timeline of events or list of facts. We don't often think of the actual real people and stories they concern. We forget that the big figures and names we are given were real people with all that entails, and even more so we forget about the nameless millions of average everyday people who lived in those times and through those events, swept up by the wind of history, just trying to live their lives the same as us. Anyway that's all. Greetings from Poland, I always love you guys' reactions, they're always very intelligent and thoughtful. Keep it up!

[@AkronRain69]

Superb acting in this episode. That Rhaneyra and Mysaria scene was amazing. Great writing and direction! Bravo! 🙌

[@thihaaung647]

Just realized how the beliefs, vengeance and power divide friends, families and relatives. 🔥

[@evatesche]

05:39 reminds me of the image of those two little boys walking behind Princess Diana's coffin. Making a grieving and vulnerable family member exposed to the public to get sympathies.

[@iceastone]

this episode was more story driven. now that we came off ep 1, ep 2 allowed the story to breath and gave more time to the characters, where they're at mentally and emotionally. reminded me a bit more of the storytelling in game of thrones, which makes sense. we're getting a bit more longer eps since this will have a shorter season, 8 eps instead of 10. might as well use the time wisely when we don't have the massive time jumps. tbh, you really do see how the greens are actually broken indivduals, from aegon, helaena, aemond and alicent. the scene between otto/cole/aegon was my fav otto scene. literally all of this started b/c of otto's actions so it's ironic he's calling aegon out. yes, cole is a straight up villain. there's no other way around that.

[@morgoth8410]

Otto Hightower almost switched teams this episode😂😂

[@carriesmith742]

27:51 Alicent was such a caring person with good morals (until now), but she was and continues to be a terrible mother, yet Rhaenyra, who she shunned for her promiscuity, is a FAR SUPERIOR mother to her children and is loving and nurturing with them when they're vulnerable, not leave them alone.

[@theeddytor3490]

12:42 here it looks like he is talking to Arryk but those words are more of his self reflection. ser crispen saying it to himself. sort of.

[@OfficialMediaKnights]

Absolutely! He was definitely projecting.

[@preciousotoakhia9789]

Here taking there shit out on someone else​@@OfficialMediaKnights

[@nirvanafan21191]

This episode had some of the best camerawork of the whole SOIAF franchise. Haunting episode.

[@randallwilliamson3838]

Otto cannot be trusted. He manipulated Viserys to the degree he was able to manipulate him. He thought he was going to rule in Aegon's name a be king without being called king. In the end Aegon has done what he has wanted his entire life and at first he was willing to listen to Otto because he does want to be a good king, his anger pushed past that and now he is going to do what he wants. Picking Cole as his hand was his big mistake. Replacing Otto was the right thing, he just needed to pick a better hand.

[@LadyDreamfyre]

Nice to see some reactors who are not 100% bashing the Greens 🙏🏻💚

[@LucerysOwner]

At first I was worried that the writers completey excluded Daeron from the show.. They finally mentioned my boy 😩👏 The Cargyll twins duell was so emotional I can't even 😭 Tom Glynn Carney, Emma D'Arcy and Rhys Ifans put a god-tier performance in this episode! peak acting.

[@OfficialMediaKnights]

Absolute killer performances all around! These were some Emmy material 👀

[@pedrovazquez5732]

18:07 Rhaenyra gives dragon stare vibes when shes circling her

[@pedrovazquez5732]

If my eyes were correct it was Ser Arryk who kills Erryk and in the guilt chose to not kill Rhaenyra and end his own life. The books had several accounts of what happened. Some saying the dual lasted hours and others say the fighting lasted just a few minutes. But all that mattered in the end is that brother fought brother and nobody won. Quite the foreshadowing for whats to come. RIP Ser Arryk and Ser Erryk true protectors of the realm.

[@myrkvdr]

This episode reminded me of what made Game of Thrones so unique back on the day. The incredible poetic dialogs, the deliveries, the actors subtle microexpressions, the actors' obvious love for their craft, everyone in this team is giving their all, and this is only the beginning. The way they're setting up Criston's demise is also interesting, and I can't wait. This is one, if not, THE best episode so far. Incredible performances by everyone.

[@ibelievegodexists4198]

That literal head slap after my boi Aegon STUPID ahhh decision with Cole lol

[@mathmexican4234]

I don't think Daemons was a mistake in the sense of Blood doing something not asked for. I think Daemons just denying it to Rheanyra.

[@santividal9387]

Otto is my favourite character and he's truly having a hard time trying to control Aegon. He truly is in a bad spot and I'm eager to see what happens to him in the future

[@natidel81]

I LOOOVEE how you keep calling Ser Criston "Crispin"... I freaking hate that guy😂😂

[@brownenerdygurl]

Imagine your baby getting murdered AND finding out that you were NOT really chosen to be king. Your father really chose your sister. Damn. I would weep. Why am I here? I loved hearing Rhaenyra say; " When I was a child..." She recognizes that she has been under his spell since she was literally a child. But, now she can see what a father saw. That was great.

[@Marcus_1001]

18:47 Yep! That is indeed Seasmoke. Haven't seen him in a minute!

[@MohinDezhalood]

Why does Rhys ifans (the actor who played Otto) didn't get many credits. He's just a perfect actor.

[@dracodracarys2339]

Finally, Aemond showing some regret! Honestly thought he was weirdly calm last episode considering he was very well aware in the season 1 finale that he'd made a screw-up of epic proportions that would have very serious consequences.

[@HskHeroReborn]

21:30 Denise I'm on a flight about to take off and I nearly shouted in laughter from that smack lmaoooooooo

[@keepgrowing726]

Great episode. Rhys Ifans aka Otto Hightower deserves every award in the television industry for his phenomenal performance.

[@monil2447]

Sorry guys, I have a soft spot for Ser Criston Cole. First... No just kidding 😅He's the worst!

[@OfficialMediaKnights]

Thank god! We were about to say haha 😂 Really thought they’d give him some redeeming qualities here but nope. He’s still just the worst!

[@DNotzz]

I feel like the writer of this episode nailed it. Had a bit of a problem with all these characters existing but never really speaking their mind to one another, whoever wrote this episode was like, let’s change that quick. Those scenes with Otto and Aegon, and Rheanyra and Daemon were fantastic. So real. Loved every minute of this episode. And Daemon leaving Dragonstone was a whole mood. I swear they made that scene specifically for me 😂

[@butter7734]

Great acting. These people are killing it.

[@gls153h7]

When larys finds out he was not picked for the hand he will plot to take Crispin down

[@joshluke5782]

The real surprise here is Aegon didn’t make Sir Jafar Feetfinder the Hand. I think the leadership there is going to get out of control fast.

[@rahimg6842]

Jafar lmao

[@GreatOldOne9866]

Another amazing episode. They’re doing such an amazing job portraying all the different sides/perspectives. Brilliant writing, brilliant, visceral acting. And the Arryk and Erryk scene was so emotional and devastating.

[@j.ordan23]

this was like the best episode of the series so far for me omg

[@ganymeade275]

I love how they had us feeling sympathy for Aegon for about 2 minutes before he started making it all about him.

[@HalluFay]

When I tell you, I dropped everything, I dropped EVERYTHING!

[@evandipasquale9255]

Christan Cole should have been beheaded because of his actions but instead he is made hand of the king?!?! OMFG. LOL

[@thaispereira7311]

She should have been beheaded in s1 but somehow he just gets highier and higher

[@bjngirl]

I think one of the first impacts of Aegon's bad judgement is going to be a plague in King's Landing because he killed all the exterminators in the city.

[@theeddytor3490]

27:43 i feel like alicent leaving aegon alone was right thing to do. sometimes you got to give griever their alone time to mourn for the dead. he was fidgeting with ring, just like alicent did while marrying viserys and many other time she would hurt her nails like that...

[@thaispereira7311]

That was her not being a mom to me. She never was to begin with

[@Sasha.studios_official]

so the reason for Seasmokes sudden appearance is because since his rider is missing or presumably "dead" seamoke went looking for Laenor because when dragons bond its a life time bond so the bond doesn't end until the current rider is dead but now Seasmoke is free to be claimed by anyone of Valyrian blood and Adam who was collecting clams is of Valyrian descent, since Adam seems to have a similarity to Laenor, Seasmoke begins to follow him like a stray cat waiting to be claimed since Laenor cannot be found only to eventually be claimed by Adam of hull who will take part in the coming war meaning the "Dance of The Dragons''.

[@melodymikaelson3738]

I love your reaction to this episode because you as reactors are not stuck in your ways. You are open-minded and that has become so rare these days. I am team green myself, but I can understand both sides and I just love the depth and complexity of the characters on the green side. Tom, for example, plays his role so well, which doesn't mean that I'm putting a positive spin on Aegon's actions in the past! But I also know that there is so much more to this character and I think it's amazing how Tom brings it across. Same for Aemond and Helaena. You are completely open to any character and don't hate on principle and that's why I love watching your reaction so much 🤗💚

[@queenxx1690]

Otto is frustrated because he cannot control Aegon as he did Viserys so he misses him suddenly

[@beautifulbluebell2037]

Some observations: Rhaenyra didn´t want Jacaerys to patrol Kings Landing on his dragon because of Lucaerys death. But she sends Baela, Daemon´s child, to do it instead!! IMO if she thinks the job is too dangerous for her child then the job should be too dangerous for Daemon´s child too. In the scene between Crispin and Arryk Crispin says that Blood was sent for Aemond. Since Blood confessed fully it proves that Daemon sent them truly only after Aemond and not to kill the little boy. Daemon was honest with Rhaenyra. Also in the same scene Arryk asks Crispin why Haelena was NOT assigned an own Kingsguard after becoming Queen. It seems as if Crispin fucked up bad in multiple ways. Erryk & Arryk even though they are on different sides both dedicated their lifes to true honour and duty. Them being on opposing sides only is the result of how they interpret for temselves how to honour their oath as a Kingsguard. They don´t playact it like Crispin does. Those were once qualities Crisin valued so high and strived for them until his true nature came to the forefront. Now he is actively misleading, gaslighting, falsely accusing and sending them callously to their death for his own SINS. If those values truly ever meant anything to him he would show regard for Arryk. Remember the scene when he was mad at Rhaenyra for not running away with him. His reason for his marriage proposal also had nothing to do with love or care for her but instead was supposed to be a remedy for his breaking his oath, to "restore" his honour. Now he commands Arryk, since he has the power of a Lord Commander now, to "restore" the dishonour that Jaehaerys murder brought upon the Kingsguard. Supposedly by Arryk not doing his job but in truth again to remedy his own breaking his oath and not doing his duty. Unlike Rhaenyra he has no power to refuse him. Either he tries to kill Rhaenyra by dishonourable means despite his own inner compass that true honour is not done through treachery and possibly looses his life doing it or the King will kill him for not honouring his oath. It reminds me of Sansa´s oath to Brienne after the latter pledging herself to Sansa that she would not ask of her anything which would dishonour her.

[@Savv29]

If only king veserys listened to daemon

[@DylanZombie]

@The Media Knights these two new episodes are dropping hints about my Leanor theory

[@ChrisMillerCrazyHouse]

Was not expecting the duel at the end of this episode. Epic 🔥🔥🔥

[@Raskullbx]

[Ep. 1] Cregan Stark: 'Duty is Sacrifice.. it eclipses all things, even blood' . . . [Ep. 2] The Duel on Dragonstone

[@AL-fl4jk]

Hope the fandom doesn’t pull a Joffrey on Cole’s actor, all he’s done is play douche extraordinarily well 😂

[@Garian9]

I nearly spit my drink with Denise's casual "balls deep in Alicent" remark at 13:20.

[@barr790]

I'm sure that scene with Alan's brother, the guy picking up the crab, I'm sure that dragon was Laynors dragon Seasmoke... also Haleana could end Criston and Alicent in a breath. Damon (in my opinion) is off to muster an army to prove to Rhaneara that he is loyal and can be trusted. Great reaction as usual guys ❤

[@katieee1203]

Criston is a character that when the odds are stacked against him I'm worried he's going to snap. He definitely has this unhinged side to himself. I always think back to S1 in that council meeting where that councilor kept speaking back to Alicent and he just slams his head down on the table and accidently kills him..

[@natidel81]

"Accidentally" LOL

[@katieee1203]

@@natidel81 Well sure lol but he didn't mean to kill him in that moment, he just snapped. That's what I mean, Cole has this psychotic side to himself and when pushed he snaps.

[@natidel81]

@@katieee1203 I'm sorry. I get what you say... I just hate the guy😆

[@theeddytor3490]

19:45 "i wish to spill blood not ink" is something that will be coming up in near future 😂 don't worry this is not a spoiler

[@mirceadacialorantbrescia4340]

Yeah rhaenyra will die like chicken lol. Justice is coming for her

[@indrasishchakraborty5953]

Emma, Rhys and Tom ❤️❤️💯💯

[@Rex-rg3ce]

That framing. Helaena was seeing ashes over King's Landing. They're doubling down on it! Dany is gonna do it in the book too! King's Landing is gonna burn if George lives to finish the final book.

[@Mickkie]

Good Morning! You guys are UP "early"!😊😊

[@K7CG2004]

I’m afraid I might break my chair, cause I’ve been on the edge of my seat during this episode!

[@kokanati676]

This episode ended with a ‘Bang’ 😏

[@LauraGS564]

When did we see Aemond being affectionate with those kids?

[@divinelangene6813]

I want to know too

[@thecoldestlightning]

...never.

[@queenxx1690]

I like how we blame Aegon for killing rat catcher yet Rhaenys killed a lot of people in dragon pit yet no word of it is mentioned

[@monsterking1973]

Another fantastic episode the acting as on point and those last couple of minutes, left me speechless

[@DylanZombie]

@The Media Knights I have a theory that Seasmoke is looking for Leanor

[@OfficialMediaKnights]

If the dragon is there he’s probably not that far!

[@NyikoDoris]

@@OfficialMediaKnights when we see Sea Smoke, it’s on Driftmark where Laenor left him 6 years ago. So Sea Smoke might just be calling out, hoping to find his rider but not necessarily that Laenor is near

[@theeddytor3490]

also it's sad for me, by the time i can distinguish between Erryk and Arryk, they happen to have their end for this show. :|

[@fairstream]

Hey guys! So first of all, I always look forward to your reactions, because it feels like sitting with two great friends and also because you always have such great input. Okay, so 1. Helaena's mind is complex. She has visions, and isn't always aware of which "reality" she's in (past, future, present). She's also a typical introvert and highly sensitive person - ergo too many (especially unknown) people is way too much for her. Her experience seeing her son killed and getting his head cut off slowly (not in 'just' one cut) breaks her fragile mind even more. 2. That's what Alicent means about 'what they did to her daughter'. Alicent feels extremely guilty for being with Cole while the child was killed - for several reasons (religious, duty, and more) and knows that had she not been with Cole that night, and if he in turn had been there - Jahaerys might still have been alive. So I believe that when she stumbles upon her son Aegon mourning his son, she wants to comfort him at first I believe. But her shame and guilt stops her. She can't face it. Alicent is one of the warmest people normally, even so to the degree that that is what has caused her so much harm and hurt before - that's why she turned more 'cold'. I mean, being sold off more or less by her own father to an old man, being forced to have sex with him and more or less be r-worded every night just to produce heirs. Cole is the first man who actually seem to appreciate her for who she is, and also where she as a woman actually gets to have her own power - especially intimately. 3. Actually same with Cole, I would guess. He's broken almost all of his vows, and ever since he broke it the first time with Rhaenyra, and she declining him, he turned his back completely on his own responsibility and face in the mirror. He's a great swordsman, but extremely small, petty and immature, really. I personally can't stand him. 4. Absolutely terrible and low of Cole to make two twin brothers essentially kill each other. Anywho. Those are my thoughts for this ep! Lots of warm and sunny hugs from Sweden! / Jennie

[@pfmontgomery]

Really hoping they continue to track the ratcatcher dog’s story through the season. Just a brief cutaway each episode as he rises through society in King’s Landing until he has his own small holding.

[@levilevi9621]

This ep felt like seasons 2-4 of GOT

[@anakindaly-stevenson5401]

Rhaenyra needs daemon more then he needs her. she literally married him because she couldn't face the greens alone then she is surprised when he plans for war when that's why she married him. Should he have sent assassin no

[@divinelangene6813]

Yeah, but a kid died and he feels no remorse, that's terrifying

[@anakindaly-stevenson5401]

@divinelangene6813 yeah well that's who Daemon is sometimes he to emotional, and sometimes he's emotionless, everyone forgetting that all Aegon kids will have to die anyway if rhaenyra wins they will have claims to the throne

[@akhiltrc9708]

@@divinelangene6813I think the Game of Thrones warrants such apathy. Otto, I’m sure was morning too, but he was a pragmatist first before any lashing out (unlike Aegon and everyone else in fact). But Daemon absolutely didn’t give a shit. In fact, he was waiting for an excuse to exert a blow against the Hightowers. Daemon is as petty as Cole or Aegon. It’s interesting that a lot of the audience don’t see that.

[@ironfreddy3192]

@@akhiltrc9708 Daemon is at least not a hypocrite. In his mind they have killed Viserys and Luke and he wants revenge. Moreover, they are at war. He needs the enemy emotional and weak.

[@queenxx1690]

Criston plan was actually good plan it almost worked

[@jjosifovic]

Another very good episode. Y do I feel more people r more upset with criston in this episode over daemon who literally had a child killed? It makes no sense. Ive been saying this for the longest daemon and Otto r two side of the same coin. They are upset with their kings and queens because neither listen to them, they both want to be in control, and when they not in control they both over step. They only difference between them is that they use different tools to attack their enemies. Daemon uses the blade and otto has his tongue. Anyone else notice the parallel with rhaenyra calling out daemon manipulation in this episode like how Alicent confront Otto with his manipulation in episode 9. Looking forward to ur future videos guys.

[@natidel81]

I think we hate "Crispin" most because of his 'holier than thou' attitude and the overall hipocrisy... Damon is more like a proud asshole😂

[@jjosifovic]

@@natidel81 I get that criston is a hypocrite but the fact that people hate him more than daemon who killed an innocent child in this episode is just outstanding to me. I mean the dude nearly charged at Rhaenyra again like he did in episode 10.

[@thaispereira7311]

​​​@@jjosifovicWell is not like Sir cristoj didnt kill inocent people before right. He killed jeoffrey in the wedding and killed the guy in the consil for absolute no fair reason. The greens started the war and dropped first blood. Everything that happens after that is consequences of their actions. Sadly a lot of inocent people like luke amd jaeherys will die because of a war they started

[@jjosifovic]

@@thaispereira7311 lets be clear about something criston kills a guy in a wedding in a blind rage. Criston kills beezbury because he accused the council and the queen of killing the king, it aint put of bounds to kill him right there. Its like when brienne threatned to kill lord karstark after he insulted caitlyn. Criston has never pre planned his kills he is more roid rage and daemon on the other hand pre plans his murders.

[@jjosifovic]

@@thaispereira7311 Criston killed two people total in the show. He killed joffrey in a blind rage after joffrey confront him about rhaenyra. He didnt mean to kill lord beezeburry n second beezeburry accuse alicent and of the small council of high treason of killing the king which wasnt true and that is an offense that can get u killed. Daemon groomed his niece, ruined her reputation, attacked her after she lost her father and unborn daughter, nearly did it again in this episode when she confronted him for killing a child, and that is only what he has done to her......Criston is a hypocrite and a killer with massive roid rage and daemon is a cold calculated man who does all his killing in the shadows. So we r going by the "they started it so they now got to face their consequences" argument....Well i could argue that team black and king v started this by naming rhaenyra as heir which broke all traditions and he allowed his daughter to continue to commit high treason by passing bastards as true borns which creates another succession crisis. So In All Reality King V started this when he chose to remarry, kept his daughter as heir after he had sons, and kept his daughter as heir after she was going to put a bastards on the iron throne.....The Greens did land the first blow physically however King V and the Blacks created the problems first politically and legally.

[@TheMinarus]

Is this gonna be on the Patreon full length? Can't wit to see it

[@bcn1gh7h4wk]

I think it's been said perfectly already, in the words of Tears For Fears: "Everybody hates Ser Criston Cole."

[@amzieelead]

Never been this early. So hyped to see your reaction to this ❤❤❤

[@OfficialMediaKnights]

Thank youuu, we hope you enjoy!!! ❤️❤️❤️

[@SukayoBaka07]

Crispin cole is such a clown in the show

[@pitoseavy4523]

Lmfaooo but y'all celebrate deamon who killed a child😂y'all weirdos need help fr

[@jonibarrington2668]

Denise, forehead slap summoned it up!

[@pricemoore2022]

Awesome reaction of my favorite House Of The Dragon episode!!!!!!😊😊😊😊😊😊

[@OfficialMediaKnights]

So glad you are enjoying this season so far!

[@queenxx1690]

I hate how they portray Alicent blind love towns Rhaenyra she still do not believe she may be responsible but how can she be so sure

[@WayneCoston-kj1go]

Ser Cristin as the hand. Guess all his body parts are accounted for.