One Thing We'd Change About HOUSE OF THE DRAGON Season 1

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House of the Dragon's first season set up the Dance of the Dragons, the Targaryan civil war that shaped Game of Thrones. But the book it's based on, Fire and Blood, was a lot more unbiased--whereas the show clearly wants us to be Team Black. But is this the right way for the show to be, or should they be a bit more nuanced on who we can root for?
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Written by Jack Picone
Hosted by Ryan Arey ( / ryanarey )
Edited by Sean Martin and Brianna McLarty
#HouseOfTheDragon #aemond
The Targaryen Civil War focuses on two sides, both claiming to be the rightful rulers of Westeros. One side, the Greens, are led by Queen Alicent Hightower and Aegon II, her oldest son with King Viserys. The other side are the Blacks, led by Viserys’s daughter Princess Rhaenyra Targaryean and her allies.
The series focuses on several characters from both sides of this War, with Alicent and Rhaenyra as its leads. But is it depicting the story objectively, showing both sides of the conflict without judgment? Or is House of the Dragon intentionally biased, sympathizing with one side and consequently getting us, the audience, to take sides?
I’d argue that’s EXACTLY what the show is doing-overwhelmingly sympathizing with Princess Rhaenyra and Team Black. In essence, the audience is expected to root for Rhaenyra to win the Dance of the Dragons, and boo and hiss anytime the Greens take a step closer to victory.
In a poll ran by the Today Show leading up to the season one finale, a whopping 85 percent of people said they side with Rhaenyra. That’s astounding. 85% of people can’t agree on ANYTHING anymore, but nearly everyone watching the show is Team Black.
I’m going to name a bunch of clear examples of how the show is manipulating the audience through its writing and direction to side with Rhaenyra. After that I’ll explain why it makes sense for House of the Dragon to do this, but also why maybe it shouldn’t-and how it can take a more balanced view of the conflict in future seasons.
For those of you who don’t know, House of the Dragon is adapted from the book Fire and Blood. Fire and Blood ISN’T one of the Song of Ice and Fire novels that takes place two centuries later. Those novels detail the War of the Five Kings and the looming invasion of the White Walkers from North of the Wall. Currently there’s five of those novels, with George R.R. Martin’s next book, The Winds of Winter, expected to come out when Hell freezes over.
Instead of a traditional literary novel, Fire and Blood is actually a historical text that exists in-universe in A Song of Ice and Fire. That is, the book we’re reading is available word for word in Westeros, where Samwell Tarly can check it out from the library in Oldtown.

[@ScreenCrush]

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[@tonyfknb3896]

My biggest problem with season 1 is the dragons. How they didn't get enough screen time. The dragons are basically characters in the show, like half the story is about the dragons but we barely see them we barely get to know them but we get to know their writers. So I wish the show would have took more time getting the fans and the viewers to learn about the dragons have them have more screen time so the fans have this Bond with the dragons and you start to have a bond create as you're watching them grow up and the Riders ride on them and what not they're riding together they're all friends at first, so then when all hell starts to break loose and these dragons start dying it essentially pulls on the heartstrings of the fans a lot more there's some more of an emotional connection. Kind of like what Game of Thrones how each character you felt for and so when they died it was a shock and it really hurt cuz you have this bond with them and I think they're really missing an opportunity to do that with the dragons in this show because they're so important to the story they are the story but yet we barely get to see them so I think it's a huge missed opportunity so now when they die it doesn't really matter because you didn't really see him or care about him to begin with besides maybe you know two or three

[@brianjacobs1283]

Just wait!!! You have Blood and Cheese which will not look good for the Blacks

[@someOldBaldguy]

Stupid. A shirt that needs an app. I hope the ppl who buy this shirt actually get burned

[@comm58]

I honestly believe they want to have you side with one house, and then it’ll twist and make you be like whoa I can’t take this side anymore. And continue this through the series lol

[@murrvvmurr]

the table in hotd is wrong.

[@Kareena422143]

Lmaoooo “the Winds of Winter, which is expected to come out when hell freezes over” I feel this 😅

[@wylerXL]

I wish HotD was able to explore the relationship of Rhaenyra & Harwin and Daemon & Laena. Its a missed character buildup.

[@ryanking8246]

For what reason tho? For the shows purpose I mean? Neither of the characters meant anything further and the story served an immediate betterment because of it.

[@harrisbuild]

I sympathize with this, but doing so would be veering off from the show's main conflict

[@tsheporabekane4172]

Harwin and Laena play little part in the story and it's main characters...

[@Ove08]

Then when they do this you'll have other fans crying about showing too much, these show runners never win 😂 loved the season hope they continue doing what their doing without pressure on them from pleasing every fan, and we should all pray they don't force/rush any seasons like D&D

[@waltertheterrible6062]

I mean it would be nice but for what? In terms of plot and what actually progresses this story forward, they just weren’t that important.

[@aplusrecommends9406]

it's a TV show, it doesn't need to be balanced like news lol

[@miyadavid345]

They paint Alicent enough if a sympathetic character, one is trapped by her circumstances and the machinations of her father, that you do want her to win or at least be friends with Rhaenyra again. The thing I wish they didn’t do was have Alicent misinterpret what Viserys said because then it changes what character motivation she had to something so dumb.

[@blaze556922]

I think that was one of the best choices they made. It makes the show far more relatable and human. She heard what she wanted to hear and interpreted it the way she needed for her own means. How very, human.

[@666melodeath666]

It actually keeps her character intact that she’s still doing her duty in trying to fulfill her late husband wishes as she understood it. The prophecy is passed down to Targaryens she has no real idea what Viserys was talking about. She just thought The King finally came to his senses and followed tradition of naming his son the heir. When she was at the small council meeting she wasn’t happy that the small council was already plotting Aegons succession for years. Means she still values tradition over her own wishes.

[@davidclevenger3403]

I mean she did try to stab a child’s eye out

[@TheBucketHatBlink]

Agree! Horrible choice in playing the Aegon name game. Prior to that, all the actions were based on scheming and manipulating Alicent. Alicent is now just an idiot because she misunderstand Viserys. It would be a good plot if she is secretly actually in control the whole time and uses others ambitions to further her own secret ambition to be revealed later. If that's not the point, then the Aegon scene is dumb. Viserys protecting snd endorsing her daughter for years and suddenly flips off some rambling ice and fire that Alicent wouldn't even understand. That's like the terrible sudden flip they did to Daenerys suddenly deciding to burn Kings Landing

[@MissKashira]

It doesn't change her motivation. She's attempting to do what's right for her house and the kingdom. Misunderstanding Viserys just means she believes in his final moments he also realized what was right for the kingdom. It didn't matter because A. they didn't believe her and B. they were gonna do it anyway, they'd long planned it. All it does is make her think that Viserys finally came around and did the right thing before he died rather than betraying her and her children for a woman he killed.

[@moondancer5548]

I agree, I am teen green, I believe that they are right and I agree that greens are portrayed as villains, even though they have every reason to act the way they do.

[@kelvincook4246]

This story is a tragedy! There will be no winners, just losers. So it doesn't matter what team you are on. All these characters are fatally flawed. And they will all suffer for thinking that they control dragons.

[@cantutmez8854]

How does that not matter?If one side is pratagonist's side and they're all heroes meanwhile the other side is a rapist and such..People will not be sad for what will happen to Aegon(understandably so,he's terrible in the show).They should have made at least the rival claimant more symphatic..

[@kelvincook4246]

@@cantutmez8854 Haven't you noticed there are bad people on both sides. There are rapist on both sides and killers too. And this is not going to end well for either side. So if you are for the Greens you will be disappointed just as you will be if you are for the Blacks.

[@lakehayden]

Pretty much this. I find it difficult to sympathise with either side, has no effect on my love for the show however

[@s4m1r_65]

The one thing I'd change is the character of Criston Cole. I think it was purely executed his sudden surge of rage during Rhaenyra's wedding, and it wasn't very clear how Alicent protected him from being executed. And then there was a time skip right after which left things in the open. The other thing I'd change is how many characters such as, Rhaenys, Corlys, Otto and Criston Cole, and other older actors didn't age a day since the first episodes even though 20 years have passed.

[@RichSmithson]

Cristin's tantrum and killing a guy in front of everyone was the only scene i thought was weird and didn't make sense. There is no way Cristin was allowed to walk out of there after doing something like that. It made no sense at all.

[@paychexx]

I think the reason most side with Rhaenyra, because The Green plan was always Otto, so it was easy to side the Targaryens

[@trmartin6821]

Agree. Otto and the foot fetish guy that killed his own father and brother are despicable.

[@bloodoathking]

The battle between Brianne and The Hound was the perfect example because I didn’t know who to root for

[@VictorianEvening]

As a non-book reader, I became Team Black the moment Matt Smith was casted as Daemon lol

[@ecokrazy]

Same. HoD episode 1 was on in a hotel I was in on vacation and as soon as Matt showed up I was instantly hooked. Didn't watch much GoT either

[@share1822]

Yep same here, the doctor makes a hell of a Targaryen

[@nabilurahara5131]

team aemond

[@MrVictor1227]

I love Matt Smith as Daemon but I am Team Green

[@michaelharris7157]

@Pink oooh just wait until season 2.

[@sjtimmer7]

Also, after the death of Aemma and Baelon, it is Otto who says he should name Rhaenyra as heir. Meaning that the conflict is started by Otto, who makes Rhaenyra heir with his words(who plant the seed), and when the king must remarry, his daughter is chosen by the king, after everyone tells the king to remarry. Chances are he will father a son, so why make Rhaenyra heir? Because it will start conflict. Otto's goal is not to put Aegon II on the throne, but to create war. By suggesting to the king that he should make his daughter heir, he ensures there will be a struggle and a war for the throne.

[@WolfieSilveira]

You should have mentioned that Helena is also one of the Characters that would make us want to root for the greens, I thought you would have mentioned her, instead of Aemond, but I am excited to see the next season, its just going to be sooooo loooong before we get to see it

[@tangofoxtrot40]

She dies anyway

[@DatBoiChris420]

Helena is gonna go mad and eventually jumped out the window

[@kaizen5023]

@@DatBoiChris420 Are you spoiling people?

[@juliusferrer6383]

@@kaizen5023 why would we do that especially Queen R will be burned and eaten by Sunfyre

[@MegaPaborito]

@@juliusferrer6383 Joffrey had already spoiled this back in the day

[@jed1m1ndtr1cks]

I think it was a safe decision for the first season of a show they weren't sure people were going to like

[@Thermalions]

It does remove the risk that the viewers struggle to choose a side and thus don't and disengage from the series. The example of Brienne and the Hound also started out pushing the audience to back Brienne, before redeeming the Hound ahead of the fight. What the writers need to do now is rebalance in the second season, bringing Alicent and co back towards the centre, while ensuring Rhaenyra's revenge goes too far (much like Daenerys' destruction of Kings Landing) making it uncomfortable for the audience to continue to root for her.

[@GEORGEGEORGEIII]

Actually, The series has tried to show the Greens as considerably much more sympathetic than what they actually are in the source material.

[@bleh8407]

literally yes. idk this guy even read the book

[@joelbry2103]

Thank-you. They have softened the Greens so much it’s disturbing. This Green apologist makes no sense. There is no nuance. One side usurped the throne & then wanted to assassinate a mother & her young children. Like of course nobody decent is going to side with the Greens.

[@brody7314]

In some respects they made the Greens more sympathetic by making Alicent more pleasant and Aemond less psychopathic. But on the other hand, they made Aegon far worse than how the more reliable narrator's described him. Since Aegon is basically the leader of the Green faction, by painting him in such a bad light, the show runners tanked most of the support the Greens could have had.

[@odinandapache]

the book mentions Aegon being found in the child fights and being a ped0. The show is about systemic misogyny. and because the book sources are male they depict things in that light. The white worm said 'you're only as powerful as the people allow you to be' or something like that. and in that street performance no one liked Rhaenyra. also the greens are stashing the kingdom's gold and being corrupt. Alicent's misunderstanding was just a detail, because they were planning to overthrow anyway.

[@DanDog91]

Absolutely, If they wanted to subvert audience expectations (like make Alicent's sons less psychotic & more likeable) they could hire Dave & Dan to come back and write their own story and ignore the lore, magic & fantasy elements of the book - destroy the series. The Greens are supposed to be bad - they are the usurpers.

[@ilovemesomme]

Introducing Daeron the Daring would’ve given another sympathetic member of the Greens.

[@CT-lr9ur]

I was waiting to see Daeron the Daring. Just a normal respectful kid. When all his brothers and sister are a little off. Dropped the ball on that. He could have came to the dinner and showed his Uncle and sister much respect when they arrived.

[@reinsaxony4623]

@@CT-lr9ur Helaena is not off.

[@바보Queen]

the greens have bad ass Aemon .. him looking cool AF will have me cheer for him

[@johnsrhorgan]

Well done! Finally, someone is talking about my criticisms of the show. It neither has the skill to make the two sides in any way balanced, nor the courage to clearly pick a side. To make the Greens something like the GOT Lannisters - sure they were the "bad guys", but still deliciously ruthless, power-hungry, complex, and conflicted.

[@jimwhite6622]

Yeah but then, “One-Eye” seems pretty cool too Go Green 🎉

[@elenielac]

imho first season was setting the stage and also setting the foundations of Rhaenyra as a villain.... so we will love her and support her as we did Danny, and watch her become something twisted and evil... and cheer her up while she´s on it. I´m confident next seasons will leave us thinking Rhae was not such a good choice :P They could make a lot to balance the sympathies using flashbacks that give more context and paint the characters in a different light. Hugs for Doug from Argentina!

[@BryndenBloodraven]

Thank you for exposing the hypocrisy of THE show runners.

[@marksaunders7920]

Read the book, numbnuts, GRRM favours the Blacks.

[@eddiemix8007]

A better scene in GOT where we don’t want either of them to lose/die is when bronn has the scorpion bolt pointed at danny and drogaan flying towards him. The tension was more real than life! I remember thinking “I love them both so much, can they please just get along” 😂

[@mvikas1995]

And also Jaime charging on horse with spear towards Dany

[@s4m1r_65]

I never understood the love for Bron. He is barely in the books. I feel like he overstayed his welcome on the shiw and his presence was merely fan service, and it didn't serve an actual purpose to the story

[@dukestarbored]

I was firmly team drogon in that scene

[@AdamBrown1980]

Can we get a spin-off where HBO just pays G.R.R. Martin to finish The Winds of Winter & A Dream of Spring?!?!

[@slickadooie]

Shoutout to everyone who’s read the books and isn’t spoiling anything, I know everything that is to come because if the books, pretty much accurately, I just can’t wait to see it, no spoilers! Hehe

[@justinstolz4481]

In the end, the only thing that the audience will care about is which Targryen deserves to be king/queen. Because Aegon is unworthy of the throne, there was never going to be any way of justifying his rule. So the showrunners had two choices. Either make Rhaenyra less-worthy and Aegon more-worthy to create a true choice, or portray Rhaenyra as the protagonist. They went with the latter and I understand why.

[@lloydmills5968]

I always love seeing your videos, but this one was masterful! Very smart. Also, it had plenty of Doug. We love Doug.

[@ryrynoel]

The Seven Hells will freeze over before I’d ever side with Otto 😤

[@HK-gm8pe]

as a book reader I would say that they have actually done betty good job white-washing the villains in this one tho:D in the books greens are stright up villains, in the show they are wayy more sympathetic also I dont understand what is the point of making them more sympathetic?

[@trmartin6821]

I think the show's playing them both more sympathetic than the book, but especially so with the Greens. I think it's so when team Black goes scorched Earth these sympathetic Greens will make better "victims" and will cause turmoil for viewers who are (starting out) on team Black's side.

[@davidjay7116]

I'd LOVE if they spend next season "fixing" this. Season 2 is all about how the blacks (espeically Daemon and Rhaenyra) go to extreme measures to win the Iron Throne and punish the Greens (cough Blood & Cheese). The GOT folks did a great job of adding a lot to Theon in the early seasons, which made us hate him and then feel his punishment was justified ... until it wasn't and we felt bad for "Reek" and bad that we felt he deserved that.

[@dominiqueodom3099]

I think both factions are missing 3 Massive pieces of the conflict and the first is the removal of the Ruthless Leadership role of Alicent Hightower on the green Council,and they removed Rhaenrya being responsible for Laenor's death and removed her individual sense of Ambition for the Throne,and the final piece is that Criston Cole should've been witness to the irresponsible habits of Rhaenrya and saw how she didn't take her responsibilities seriously enough to respect her as a queen/offended by lack of respect for marriage vows/and they should've showcased how dedicated of a faith of the seven Follower he is and how he takes his vows seriously and is offended on how little Rhaenrya holds true to her vows.

[@eriq8904]

I think making a few characters that are both likeable fight every once in a while is great for putting the audience on edge, but making a whole show like this risks removing the satisfactory feeling of a perceivable good result. Despite not always having a happy ending having a semblance of one keeps an audience happy but constantly making someone they like win at the expense of someone else they like isn’t rewarding or satisfying to an audience who wants to see their heroes succeed.

[@dsthr33]

Game of thrones did the same thing with the lanisters, and you were meant to like John snow and danni. Got started off with you picking a side once Jamie pushed bran

[@RichSmithson]

I like the theory that its the Maesters trying to wipe the Dragons out. That after the DOTD the dragons are neglected, poisoned and not fed properly so they don't grow large.

[@yensid4294]

My main criticism of the show is lack of follow-thru & slow build-up around certain events/situations. That combined with the time jumps made for very choppy character development. One minute Rhaenyra is ambivelant about being heir & complaining to Criston or Alicent how she just wants to be free (similar to Aegon) & then Time Jump & she's telling Cole that she can't possibly run away with him because Responsibilty & Honor. Same with Alicent. First couple eps she is playing mediator between Rhaenyra & Viserys & seemed very compassionate then wham, she is demanding a child's eye? The shifts are too drastic. I think the showeunners *are* trying to show both sides & the tragedy of the situation. We are supposed to sympathize with Rhaenyra, Alicent & Rhaenys who are being shown to be surrounded by scheming/violent overly ambitious men (which some critics note robs them of their agency to a degree) And also their children who will suffer the sins of their parents. Considering what is coming up next season, The Blacks won't look heroic for long. ..

[@christopherverdery1294]

An additional way for the show to flip the table on the rivalry would be to create a story from a common person connected to but not specifically aligned with either the Greens or the Blacks, who can represent the struggles of the populace who are the victims of this civil war. Give us a moment where we meet someone who mourning the loss of a family member or friend who died in the Dragonpit during the Coronation when Meleys and Rhaenys broke through the floor. The best fan endings to *Game of Thrones* either made the Iron Throne irrelevant or highlighted how the monarchy itself was the source of evil, regardless of whether a "good guy" or "bad guy" was sitting on it.

[@NickCodyComedy]

I personally loved the time jumps and will kind of miss them when we focus on the dance. I honestly think they do a good job making Alicent, Aegon and Aemond much more sympathetic or at least forgivable than the source material. I think season 2 will focus on the power struggle for the crown and hopefully a season 3 would explore Rhaenyra's flaws as a leader and downfall as she becomes known as "Maegor with teats"

[@akashvig5007]

Teats???

[@stephenhenderson809]

@@akashvig5007 boobs

[@NickCodyComedy]

@@akashvig5007 straight from the source material.

[@akashvig5007]

@@NickCodyComedy Ok. My notification says that someone named STEPHEN HENDERSON commented "boobs" but now it's not showing. I guess they must have deleted it🤣🤣

[@qwertiepie]

That's the setup. Making her sympathetic and then she turns mean ... Can't wait for the Starks

[@VictorianEvening]

I agree. The show does force you to take a side. It’s like watching two loved ones fight and knowing at least one will die. It pressures us to choose which character, which side we want to live the most.

[@MemphisCorollaS]

I’m wondering if the writers are going to take the path of making us pull back from team black in S2 by how blood thirsty they now become without Rheanyra tempering Daemon’s war plans. Losing two kids within a week might push her to not only get even but to get one up on team green in a way that her audience supporters won’t be able to stomach. Throw in the inevitable back and forth loses to push to that one up position, and this could be up there with Bron vs Drogon or Hound vs Briane

[@VictorianEvening]

@@MemphisCorollaS I think they might try but once someone chooses a side it’s very difficult to get them to turn back. Also, even though people rooted for the Hound or Bron to survive, it didn’t change their larger allegiances. If they were pro Dany or pro Lannister. These larger alliances stayed roughly the same even in these tiny moments of grey conflict. People may have characters they want to stay alive on both sides while still rooting against a side. I like Alicent but I’m Team Black. Both sides are going to and have committed atrocities. We are not choosing good vs bad. We’re choosing which grey/dark character we like the most. I think the damage is done. By the season finale, a lot of people, myself included, already believe that any crimes Rhaenyra commits are justified after everything she went through in ep 10.

[@rondz1234]

@@MemphisCorollaS THIS !!!!!!!!!!! I WAS THINKING THIS ALSO

[@porrasbrand]

The show is forcing us? Its a great show, if I wanted an impartial show i rather watch a scoccer game.

[@nikdik154]

no it doesn't. It doesn't force anything. It presents you two set of people who do bad things and you just choose them.

[@justsayin8700]

People who red the books know well not to take sides cos both have their own flaws. We just have favourite characters

[@reydelcastillo17]

“Everybody’s butt smells a little bit different”- Doug the dog 😂

[@Timquan.]

Here from the future they have doubled down on the team Black bias and Green villanization. They got Alicent smashing Cole as a way to call her a Hypocrite instead of exploring the genuine foundation. For a relationship between them. It was through his plight that she realized that Rheanyra is not a good person or fit for power. She saved his life and he basically raised her Sons, more so than Viserys who neglected them and clearly threw whatever relationship he could have had away with Aemond when he was prepared to torture him for Rheanyra's sake. Alicent also never had the time or right to explore herself sexually until now making Cole her first lover by choice. Remember she was getting martial raped by Viserys in order to make their children. And then there is Aemond who the writers have nerfed intellectually in order to have him act as an Anime villain. The Aemond from season 1 would never have done what he did s2 e4. Never, it was too stupid.... And then they glossed past it too... The show hurt itself badly by forcing the hero image on Rheanyra and team Black.

[@ctkook6477]

The only problem I had was the opening credits. They needed to do a really cool map sequence like the original show so you could get your bearings on what is where.

[@arrrexx]

they missed a big chance to explore dragonstone, the dragonpit, the caves of the dragonmont, the stepstones, storms end, driftmark or even just more variation of the secret halls and tunnels in KL. So many places we did not see in GoT but instead the same confusing secret hallways of the red keep that never changes

[@jackwalker4957]

i almost stopped watching the first episode when they re-used the same title song. seems cheap/nostalgia baiting. the rest of the show is good tho imo

[@ctkook6477]

@@jackwalker4957 i was actually hoping for a different song but im kinda happy they stuck with the og. it kinda gets you psyched up after so long

[@jackwalker4957]

@@ctkook6477 fair! glad it works for you - Ramin Djwadi is pretty great

[@rizwanarashed5923]

@@jackwalker4957 I'm happy they stucked with that old masterpiece. Let it be!

[@eddiemix8007]

Btw we can’t get enough of Doug. He’s the reason I watch this instead of new rockstars and the others. Doug should do a whole episode by himself…

[@gr8tbigtreehugger]

...or at least a few shorts!

[@odinandapache]

but he's so smol!!!!

[@anon-xc9fi]

Well I mean when the cheese and blood scene comes around with Helena think minds will change (can’t remember names if wrong)

[@Chasingdreams25]

Honestly I wouldn't have rooted for the greens for the simple fact that Otto orchestrated everything in this war from the get go: -He undermined Daemon and poisoned Viserys against his own brother because he knew Daemon see through his manipulation and if he ascend the iron throne, Otto will lose his position as hand of the king. - He tried to trigger Daemon in Dragonstone with the egg incident daying that Viserys wouldn't lower himself to come and face Daemon which is not correct because Viserys was ready to sail to Dragonstone (you can even see the disapproval look on the old bold kingsguard who was always present at the small council meeting because he knows Otto is lying). After he made sure he pushed Daemon away, he moved to Rhaenyra: - He was the one who suggested that that Rhaenyra should be named heir against all laws ( even tho the majority of the council disagreed, to them the heir was clearly Daemon). Once he secured that, he pulled a reverse card and started talking about how Rhaenyra shouldn't ascend either because she is a woman ( and this was way before she had any bastard children. Like in Ep3 when the Lannister dude tried to offer a proposal to Viserys he told him that Rhaenyra will be happy in Castly Rock after her loss of station aka the loss of her inheritance). I enjoy Otto a lot as a character but the greens fucked the house of the dragon and that's alone, is enough reason for me to not root for them. And while the blacks also, have their Otto counterparts, they didn't draw the kingdom into a war. Daemon was ambitious but he didn't start a war against Rhaenyra even tho she is the reason he got dis-inherited, and while Viserys was the reason Rhaenys lost her powerful claim to the throne, she and her house never raised a finger against viserys' reign. To me, the blacks were more about legacy and family than the greens, that's why you see the blacks try to maneuver their way to the throne peacefully through mariage (Daemon and Rhaenyra) and betrothals ( Jace and Baela). The greens straight up started a bloody coup d'etat.

[@mikegallagher2142]

If Brienne and the Hound fight happened in HotD it wouldn't be tense. Why? Because The Hound and Arya would have started their journey the previous episode. The time jumps really robbed us of character development.

[@balthazarmayrena600]

Such intelligent analysis. Good job!

[@themeanhornet1070]

One of the best theories videos you made. Proud to like it.

[@jackwalker4957]

Great video! My reading of season 1 is we start with unclear sides and each character has their own motivations. Over the 10 episodes two clear sides are drawn, making the conflict more simple. Rheanys joining with Rhaenyra seems to be the last "neutral" piece falling into place. It would be interesting if the later seasons return us to a point where the sides are less clear and individual's motivations become more important than the two sides of the civil war. We see a hint of that in Daemon in the last episode when he chokes Rhaenyra, and even arguably Vhagar and Arrax choosing not to listen to their riders foreshadows a more chaotic future.

[@Thermalions]

I think the writers have to; and they've started to soften Alicent with boundaries she's uncomfortable stepping over. If not though, then they need to lean extremely heavily on Rhaenyra being the underdog, and I just don't feel they've sold that yet at all. The ending scene for the season gives me Mad Queen Daenerys vibes, especially after how much they had just finished playing up Rhaenyra being about what's best for the Kingdom, not her or her sons. I think we're headed for a lot of grey in season two.

[@DJlokoShred]

I feel like they will do a focus throughout to get the greens somewhat close to equal field in terms of being on their side like we are with the blacks now. Especially with B and C surely happening. I just feel us the audience won't really sway much considering the strong hold the blacks have on the audience. I also believe maybe daeron will be that more so neutral character for the greens in terms of not being evil or hated like aegon or even aemond even though he isn't really hated but he does have that feel in some ways. Daeron in the books was basically the most likeable out of the 3 Brothers and I believe this will translate over at least its a possibility for sure.

[@SeanOrange]

I think this is all spot-on and correct. But I also think that maybe going so hard for Rhaenyra might be a deliberate juxtaposition of Cersei’s whole situation, which goes to show how presentation can make all the difference. It might be a very deliberate choice, and even if handled “better” (or at least more sympathetic) could lead to similarly tragic outcomes.

[@gorux]

The Reds were made more likable for now, just so the tragedy affecting them seems more relatable. Way before things turn around and tragedy eventually visits the Greens, they’ll also be made more likable. In the end I hope HOTD proves princess Shireen was right, it’s a mistake to choose sides in the dance of dragons. It was the ruin for house Targaryen, divided the kingdoms in two, thousands died and they nearly got dragons extinct.

[@BrandonHex]

Aemond is my fav 🤘🔥🤘

[@tsheporabekane4172]

I was team green since episode 4...💚👌

[@VictoriaHatzson]

I think Aemmond’s character will ultimately be shaped by the choices he will have to make regarding what happened to Luke and the part he played in his death. The guilt or lack there off he will feel, whether or not he’ll come clean about it all, etc. But it is clear that whatever he chooses to do next will define his character and how we perceive him as audience for the rest of the show. I do think however that the writers were very intentional on his reaction being one of despair and shock after realising that Vhegar had just killed Luke and Arrax (apart from showing Viserys’ foreshadowing come to fruition of course).

[@derekp1422]

I suspect season two will take a much different tact It’ll start with the assassination of Haelena’s child. I think it’ll paint the conflict differently. It’s possible the second season will take an entirely other vantage

[@brianjacobs1283]

Then Nettles

[@gabzsy4924]

How is the show biased on the conflict if the writer of the books and story is literally involved in the project?! The books are flawed and told by people with memory gaps or interests and this is made abundantly clear, so for all we know the only real version of this story is the show itself and no one but the original writer have a say in it. You are literally saying that the writer of the book is being wrong about his own story.

[@ctkook6477]

I actually love how this show forces us to take sides. I’m sure with upcoming seasons they will mess with our stances and force a lot of people to flip flop. I can’t wait 🤘

[@brianjacobs1283]

They have Blood and Cheese coming up. You won't be happy with the Blacks. And Nettles.

[@GuyShōtō]

@@brianjacobs1283 Blood & Cheese are a necessarily evil, an eye for an eye, son for a son. Usurpers in Westerosi history always pay in blood. The greens are no different.

[@solitaryreaper9951]

@@brianjacobs1283 tbh and fair when you usurp someone's kingdom and feed her/his son to a fire breathing Dragon 🐲 , you should be ready for the repercussions.

[@nafisadnan312]

@@solitaryreaper9951 I want you to put out your eye for that statement

[@solitaryreaper9951]

@@nafisadnan312 I would certainly not want to do that. 😅🤣😂🤣😂 Hard Pass

[@markkjacobson]

It's obviously setting up for the future to have us question our loyalty. The way GOT tried to do with Dany but missed the mark for a LOT of people.

[@maxhill5705]

Game of Thrones employed a similar tactic in the first season, as did A Song of Ice and Fire with the first book. It’s merely the set up for such rich conflict later on. Without leaning the audience one way, you can’t make a significant swing the other way.

[@Verticaltruth]

I was peer pressured into chosing black. I was giving logical reasons why Young Alicent felt how she felt, but my friends shamed me and saif no, Rhaenyra was always correct. That she is the hero.

[@Thermalions]

Ummm, green is Team Alicent.

[@Verticaltruth]

@@Thermalions you right. Thanks for the correction.

[@GotmerKed]

The only thing I would fix is the extremely dark scenes. We get it, no light sources at night back then... really accurate and immersive, but I still want to see what's actually happening.

[@oceancat0450]

I’ve heard they do that intentionally so certain mistakes won’t be seen very well. The actors don’t have to work so hard.

[@Yxalitis]

@@oceancat0450 What"s your source for this: sounds like rubbish to me.

[@Yxalitis]

The quality of your source counts a lot. I stream in 4K HDR on an OLED display direct from HBO, and I never had a problem, but some coughtothercough sources are compressed and suffer lighting problems

[@tsheporabekane4172]

The fact that Laenor is still alive doesn't sit well with me... They just did it to make Rhaenyra look good.😐

[@studebakerhawkdj]

In the book it actually makes Alicent much meaner and much less likable. The show softens Alicent quite a lot. The book initially has the reader rooting for Rhaenyra as well. They're setting that up to change our minds later. There are reasonable critiques of the show, I certainly have issues with the break neck pacing, though the bias in season one won't be a negative issue by the end of the series. ScreenCrush rules though, thanks for making great content.

[@rmellrobinson821]

Yeah; I don’t think he read the book, I think he just looked threw it 😂

[@eqcr2177]

The show offers us an expanded view of the events given by the author's original unreliable perspective through the lens of the prophecy that brought the Targaryen's to power in Westeros. Rhaenyra is the continuation of that prophecy, Alicent threatens to disrupt it. From the perspective of the prophecy it wants Rhaenyra not Alicent and the story reflects that perspective.

[@milumav]

Well said.

[@yseson_]

Screen Crush is just like my mother, She’s never satisfied

[@kashyapgoswami4132]

everytime you pronounce word Strong dinner scene comes up in my mind

[@chancefio]

When the blood and cheese scenes come in, more people are gonna side team green I’m sure of it

[@AlextheSuperfly]

Came here to say exactly this. Rhaenyra is still riding her "Realm's Delight" wave, but that wave's gonna crash real soon, and then this whole issue's gonna go away.

[@chancefio]

@@AlextheSuperfly LITERALLY, like I think we may be jumping too soon to say that the directors are making Rhaenyra the good guy since we have 1 season down, next season I think they’ll make it more grey for her especially since she’ll also become more fixed on her appearance and keeping that “son for a son” concept

[@odinandapache]

my theory is that it was staged by the white worm as a revenge for her house fire.

[@reddjinn911]

For me it's only one thing about the greens causing the problem... Aegon. They basically put another Joffery on the throne. It's hard to root for the side of a king that just assaulted a handmaiden and who knows what else.

[@Titans.]

I stand with team Green💚

[@_boils_8492]

All I'm gonna say is there will be a lot more people on the green's side by the second season. Blood and Cheese.

[@jorgeinojosa8792]

Actually the show is going above and beyond to paint Alicent's side as more sympathetic. Especially considering how "accidental" is this conflict shaping up to be. From Alicent misunderstanding Viserys in his death bed, from Aemond losing control over his dragon and killing Luke; in the book their side is more straightforwardly greedy/agressive.

[@brittneyann5530]

I don’t know if this has been pointed out yet but if you haven’t read the books, and you don’t want to be spoiled, stay away from season 3 episode 4 of thrones about 15 minutes in Joffrey spoils a huge part of it. I wasn’t expecting it it just came at me while I was rewatching thrones and I’m sure it’s something we all missed 😂

[@blaze556922]

Of course we're rooting for the Targaryens. Allicent is the only decent character among the greens with power and she has been completely manipulated her entire life. They even made her more relatable than change things from what I understand. How could anyone be rooting for the greens?

[@christhibodeau4156]

GOT did the same thing. By the end of the pilot you think the Lannisters are 100% the bad guys and most of the story for several seasons surrounds the idea of; Stark = good, Lannister = Bad. It's not until much later on you find out Little Finger set the entire thing in motion. Jorah said it best "there's good and evil on both sides of every war ever fought". Ned lied(kinda had to), Robert started a war because the women he loved didn't love him back, Catelyn Stark hated John Snow and was cruel to him, etc, etc. Side with the "good guys" and find out they have dirty secrets. That's just good TV baby. I see the same type of thing happening in HOTD. At least I hope so.

[@elsamarie222]

You made some great points!! And I agree that the show should be more like that fight between brienne and the hound rather than there being a clear who’s right and who’s wrong Edit: forgot to mention that there can’t be a clear right and wrong for HOTD bc both sides believe that what they’re doing is right. Alicent and the greens believe that putting aegon on the throne is the best for the realm whereas rhaenyra and her descendants have the stronger claim-which is true. But any type of diplomacy or peaceful negotiations went out the widow once viserys got severely sick

[@pdgf]

Would you suggest that too for Ramsay against Jon Snow? I dont think so. Lol

[@GreylanderTV]

There is no clear right or wrong... this video's thesis is absurd. While it is clear that Rhaenyra was the lawful heir by Vysaeris decree, that's about as far as right and wrong go. Other than that, we see reasons to sympathize with each character's motivations. At the moment, the Blacks are the underdogs, Rhaenyra is the unjustly usurped, but that hardly makes the Blacks the good guys. The final straw that pushes Rhaenyra over the edge turns out to have been an accident. Aemond was content to simply frighten Lucaerys, but then both lose control of their dragons. The show has done a great job showing, that while circumstance and mistrust force them to become enemies, these people are _family_ and are far less willing to coldly murder each other than will be recounted later by historians.

[@CruzaderKnight]

Ryan: We need more reasons to cheer for the Greens and against the Blacks Blood and Cheese: Hello

[@static3z]

i think the show just makes all the characters very human. we've seen how rhaenerya has slighted the other side in many ways, but i think it also makes sense to portray rhaenerya as "good" bc she has the rightful claim overall, she is being usurped.

[@CantankerousDave]

An interesting move would be for season 2 to cover the same time period, but with the narrative tone leaning in the other direction. Going all Rashomon might be too highbrow for US audiences, though.

[@themeanhornet1070]

I never thought of that, good theory Ryan and Doug.

[@ericxsweat4599]

This won’t push Aemond further on the path to redemption. In the post show bts look, they said this was the last shred of Aemond’s boyhood innocence gone, and now he’s going to have to own his choice and go full tilt into the war

[@Sardonac]

I saw the show as sympathetic to the Blacks but not as supportive of them. So much death and destruction flows from Rhaenyra's reckless actions, from her trysts to her lies. She's presented as pretty compromised character. By contrast, Alicent is a chore but she's got righteousness on her side: she stands for honesty, dignity, and stewardship. The Blacks are more 'likeable', but I don't think that likeability undermines the central tensions of the show.

[@cowboyflipflopped]

No one is talking about the fact that dragons are not only intelligent, but volitient in ways that fundamentally affect the plot. The war was started by the dragons, not the humans. Why? Aren't dragons immune to fire damage, and aren't they all related? If so, what sense does it make for Vhagar to kill Arrax? Simply wanting to protect Aemond from fire damage shouldn't be enough, if Aemond is a Targaryan worthy of riding a dragon in the first place. We need to know more about these dragons and their personalities and characters, if they're going to be making plot-hinging decisions.

[@kashyapgoswami4132]

that's exactly the case with game of thrones too I guess but with time the characters developed and in the last episode we actually feel sad for cerise and started hating mother of a dragon.

[@jay_ooh]

We haven't seen enough of the series yet to show more battles and show who antagonizes what give them time they'll do it justice

[@coravoyx]

Most people are Team Black because Rhaenyra both has the best claim and is the most worthy of the throne. There are good and bad guys in this story, even if most characters are clearly written as gray.

[@joelhenry5489]

To be fair, the audience itself is part of the problem. The Blacks have made many bad and even detestable choices. I mean Daemon murdered his wife with a rock. Rhaenyra got Criston Cole to forsake his duty but refused to forsake her own. They murdered an innocent servant to fake Lucerys death. But people value strength and charisma over "goodness". It's like in soap operas or wrestling. There are no good people. There are wealthy people, beautiful people, and/or strong people. It's hindbrain entertainment. It speaks to something raw in human nature.

[@thenorthfox2609]

I wish they didn’t have Damon kill his first wife in the show. It seems like the writers have gone through some elaborate and clever ways to make Damon likable, yet they have him commit such an awful act that was not in the book.

[@boysiesingh4293]

1. Rhaenyra wasn’t cautious about giving Joffery to Alicent because she thought of Alicent as a physical threat. She wanted to hear what Alicent had to say about Joffrey’s looks because she knew Joffrey wouldn’t look like a his “father” and that Alicent would state the obvious to King Viserys. Alicent wasn’t so brash as to kill a prince, even a bastard prince, before the War began. 2. The show depicts the Blacks as in the right because they are. If the Greens claim is that they are just following the precedence set by King Jahaerys and thousands of years of primogeniture then why didn’t Otto back Daemon’s claim over Rhaenyra? Otto was against Daemon in both the book and the show long before Alicent was Queen or Aegon II was born. The Greens were objectively wrong. 3. Aegon and Aemond ARE moody teenagers because they’ve been ostracized by their father and King who clearly favors his daughter. Aegon said about as much in his litter with Alicent on his way to his coronation. Jace and Luke on the other hand have been raised by an affectionate mother and have had several supportive men take the role of father of in their lives. Not to mention Jace and Luke were raised on Dragonstone surrounded by as much Valyrian culture as one could find, maesters, septons and dragons. Aegon was raised in King’s Landing with immunity, wealth, power and status. He’s what princes from the Medieval Times were actually like more often than not. Sorry Disney. 4. Vaemond was also clearly wrong. Yea Lucerys is a bastard but that doesn’t mean that Corlys didn’t name him heir. Corlys could’ve named Baela or Rhaena heir. It wasn’t Vaemond’s place to question his elder brother’s decision. Long story short, even in the books, the Blacks are in the right. It’s not a machination of the showrunners -one of which is GRRM.

[@zsht]

Day one of screenwriter school, you're told the audience needs an 'in' - a central character you like, love, or see yourself as. A bunch of nasty people being nasty to each other will never be as gripping. Also, if both teams were reasonable enough to be likable, we wouldn't believe a war would break out.

[@sarkastro]

Also why I could not get into Succession at all.

[@zsht]

@@sarkastro Yes! I totally agree. Many people love Succession, and I think that's a credit to the funny dialogue, but it will never reach the heights of other TV greats (Soporanos, Wire, BB, etc) when every character is a 2D arse

[@lakehayden]

Umm you said a word 🙌🏻 “85% of people can’t agree on anything anymore!” So true.. Me: love what they’ve done mostly but I actually find them both a little unsympathetic tbh, oh well. Can’t wait for S2

[@Tmark3324]

Alicent started the whole civil war with that dress!!!!

[@EV21]

I don’t think this is a result of the showrunners or how the show is written…it’s a result of the factors at play. I read F&B and I’ve thought the Blacks had “right” on their side much more than the greens even before I started watching this show. In fact, the show actually gives the greens a MORE sympathetic impetus: Alicent misunderstanding Viserys’s dying words. In the books it’s as simple as Alicent just REALLY wants Aegon on the throne

[@EV21]

Like I don’t know ANYONE that was upset with Alicent as you claim at 7:50 UNTIL she started acting bitchy to Rhaenyra. There is NO reason to root for Aegon other than sexism

[@CantankerousDave]

3:45 - for folks who haven’t seen The Critic, track it down. It’s still relevant 30 years on.

[@Quanic2000]

For me it's the large time jumps. Alot of character development was left on the table. Ser Harwin's and Leana Valeryon's deaths although sad, didn't hit as hard.

[@gloriamrales-king8606]

"Expected to come out when hell freezes over" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Trkstar831]

All good points about favor toward Rhaenera- esp after SHE saw the white buck. All but confirmed her rule per the lore

[@MissShaReCee]

Both sides DO NOT have equal claim. King V said it should be his daughter, so that's it! Period! Team BLACK 🖤🖤

[@donharris8371]

"...when Hell freezes over." That's great (and so true!) 😜 (but you're still wrong about dogs being colorblind!) 😠

[@jeremycassin6799]

You are right sir dogs see color

[@DaveyFish1]

I mean the dog said it himself

[@Desert_Gump]

Line of the video - “expected to come out when hell freezes over.” HA!