Stags, Devils, Curses & Caves: Ep3 Symbolism Explained (House of the Dragon)

[@ktmansfield1016]

Matt Smith's acting in this show has been phenomenal. He's killing this role.

[@cherylbaxter8986]

Totally

[@mr.e.knight42]

Can you get an Emmy for brooding? Matt Smith broods soooo well in this episode.

[@AwolJOKER]

He needs to be the doctor again but I love this role too!!!!

[@chyawanprash]

He's been great, but I think Paddy Considine has completely stolen the show so far.

[@Invicibles441]

@@jenny_of_oldstones3523 and he is so hot!

[@EmonyLP]

This is the first ep I've seen since I graduated from Lightbringer University and I finally know what it feels like to know what the hell's going on.

[@andrzejkopalnia]

I failed the exams so hard and studied since 2020 😭

[@babblings20]

SAME!

[@emanuelzbeda1420]

“Lightbringer University” merchandise PLEASE

[@trumanberlin3522]

Lmao its a glorious feeling

[@Charchar289]

Whats lightbringer university

[@Brandon-a-writer]

"Who is mad enough to do such a thing?" everyone: DAEMON

[@flor8567]

I also took Viserys killing the stag while other people hunted, held it and told him how to a representation of how he does what he is told by his advisors (particularly Otto), and those decisions and actions are hurting his daughter.

[@DavidLightbringer]

100% good call. Everyone tells him “you’re there king” when they’re trying to manipulate him. He only takes what’s given to himn

[@annjohnson6193]

I think it showed him to be a weak king.

[@conniesuper9892]

He's like Theon,with the Ironborn at Winterfell,badly chopping off Ser Rodrick's head...making the suffering last longer. Being told WHAT to do by an advisor(Dagmar Cleftjaw) to prove he (Theon) is the leader/Prince just makes things worse. Viserys jabbing the poor stag just makes him look weak and helpless.

[@Archer-hg9rw]

he was also hesitant to kill it, while his daughter on the other hand she stabbed that boar who attacked her with no mercy, at the same time she showed mercy to the white stag it just shows you she is capable of violence but she's also a good person. Her father on the other hand is just weak he has no stomach for violence, now that doesn't mean he's bad but it's definitely not a good trait for a king to be spineless.

[@hypatiakovalevskayasklodow9195]

I just realized how amazing this actress is (keep confusing the names, Milly Alcock?) , the way she looked at Syrax in the first episode, and now with the boar and the white hart (harth?) - that’s all CGI and puppets etc yet she makes it feel so real!

[@lethaldose9780]

I love that they actually made the dragon fire incinerate humans instead of just burning them

[@darionclub2158]

Why? Becaus eit's a faster death? Or because incinerating suggests a hotter power than 'merely' burning? Or becaus e it suggests something nucleair like to connect to the Ashai legends of doom?

[@lethaldose9780]

Well for me it only makes sense that dragon fire would incinerate because it is able to melt stone,steel,ect.

[@kninezbanks]

​@@lethaldose9780 It depends on how long the pressure and exposure lasts, a brief driveby/flyby with fire is enough to burn you to death...…incineration on requires non stop concentration for a few seconds.....burning stone/steel takes time too.

[@lethaldose9780]

It's crazy how the hunt kill scene parallels the birthing scene. You can tell it's hard for big V to hear the stag crying out.

[@sesquipedalophobic]

I agree with the symbolism of it all as a neutral observer, but I think if the high lords of Westeros knew that Rhaenyra let the White Hart go they would see it as evidence that she doesn’t have what it takes to rule. Like killing the brown stag showed that Viserys was not a strong king but someone who can be manipulated and needs to have the problem solved and tied down before him and he still can’t finish it cleanly. It was interesting to see in the episode where they also show Daemon doing the opposite. And of course Daemon and Rhaenyra with their blood soaked victories.

[@annjohnson6193]

I think it showed she didn’t want to kill it and doesn’t care what others thought she should do.

[@Invicibles441]

To me it shows that she is right leader but she doesn’t need to kill it to prove the point!

[@farahgiovanna]

you gotta love Daemon's sword spin before he goes into the cave to kill the CrabFeeder! GOAT move!

[@DarkSister535]

Yes!!!!!

[@stealth11]

One caveat to Viserys reassuring Rhaenyra that she was still his heir is that he also said he had at one point reconsidered it. For Rhaenyra, and the viewer, this is a forewarning that if even her father had second thoughts, how can we expect the entire realm to accept her.

[@Argos-xb8ek]

The big thing for me is she does nothing to solidify her place herself. She wasted the Royal Hunt party that brought a bunch of influential lords, lady's, and knights and didn't try to form a friendship or relationship at all to solidify her claim. Instead she decided to Sulk and run off.

[@made-line7627]

@@Argos-xb8ek True. Rhaenyra's grating on me at the moment.

[@annjohnson6193]

@@Argos-xb8ek she acts like a spoiled brat.

[@devorahacts]

@@Argos-xb8ek yeah I haven't quite seen anything that tells me that she's the Realms Delight yet. I think it would be one thing if she had been politicking all this time and everybody liked her, just at the end of the day they didn't want a woman doing it. But here we are and it's as if the entire Kingdom thinks of her as a spoiled child. Hopefully something will change once she gets married and has kids.

[@AW-uv3cb]

@@Argos-xb8ek Hell yeah, every single action/decision taken by her in this episode was so annoyingly stupid for someone who should be doing everything in their power to present themselves as a fit future ruler and to try and get people on her side, especially since she knows she's already at a disadvantage as a woman! The way she was acting would only be reasonable and sympathetic if she had already been officially displaced by her baby brother - as it is, she seemed to be doing her best to make it happen and alienate everyone who dared to speak to her (and then she'd presumably sulk even more about how unfair everyone is to her). And she only got a badass return to the camp because she was lucky enough to stumble on a boar and survive it (with a lot of help from her King's guard, whom she didn't even plan on taking in the first place). Otherwise that moment would be a humiliating return of a spoiled child who had a tantrum.

[@morganburt2565]

dude… this show is validating ur way of reading asoiaf so hard. ik ppl who aren’t too into ur content complain abt too much symbolism, but clearly ur on the right track!

[@jschoma11]

Did you notice how Rhaenyra and Daemon both had their true dragonlords of House Targaryen "fire and blood" moments? Daemon with the blood of his enemies on bloodstone, with fire all around..and Rhaenyra by the campfire with the blood of the boar. Viserys, as a Targaryen, but no true "dragon" keeps having imitation fire and blood moments..his are fire and wine..wine by his hearthfire..wine by the bonfire..he might have a red liquid and a fire..but it's not "true"

[@annjohnson6193]

He’s just not a strong man, physically or mentally. He seems like a pretty nice man though. But that’s not enough for that world.

[@jschoma11]

@@annjohnson6193 Yeah he's not a bad person..but he is a poor leader and king

[@_abracadabra]

*Wee Bey reaction gif*

[@kash.e.w.6937]

He will take what is his…through hearthfire AND wine!

[@Endorill]

Daemon has had his entire sense of identity destroyed. Brother of the King, valued and loved, waiting for his time in the limelight. The King mocks it with" why would I do that?" Constantly waiting to be replaced by a real heir, he stays faithful and does the crap jobs he has been given. He knows Otto hates and plots against him, but his brother loves him. The King makes it clear that it's not the case. In fact, even a girl is preferable to Daemon as heir. He disobeys and chooses to take his lady friend to Dragonstone, the heir's castle. Perhaps he thought his brother, the King would choose to talk about it. He steals a dragon egg, basically saying " I can make heirs too." I do not wonder that he considered suicide by crab, preferable to his brother's help and obvious contempt.

[@MrEKnight]

I’m genuinely sooo very pleased that they are using as much symbolism, foreshadowing, easter eggs, etc, for you to dissect for us. 🙌🏻

[@JennaMac24]

Nanny Vhagar is really serious about her retirement! I expected her to smell the blood and hear the dragons and show up. I know it wouldn't have worked for the plot, but in my head she comes flying out of nowhere, yelling "get off my lawn" and f*cks everyone up. 🤣

[@JamieBarrington]

LOL, I was hoping to see her too, but you're right, she seems to be done with all that. Now, she just wants to live the rest of her life out at The Villages in Ocala, FL, riding around in her dragon sized golf cart and doing arts and crafts.

[@Matt-xc6sp]

I know they are intentionally trying to portray Rhaenyra as badass and sympathetic…… And it’s totally working

[@annjohnson6193]

To me, she comes off as a spoiled brat.

[@sseraphim2818]

@@annjohnson6193 What's spoiled about her?

[@made-line7627]

@@annjohnson6193 Me, too

[@AW-uv3cb]

@@sseraphim2818 For the first few minutes of episode 3 I was sure, judging by her sulky behaviour, that she had been officially substituted by her baby brother as the heir to the throne. Which would've been an excellent and sympathetic reason for her behaviour. But no, turns out she hadn't - why then is she sulking and acting as if she was trying to convince her dad and everyone else that she's just too spoiled to be a fit ruler? Why draw attention to her conflict with her dad by publicly shunning official events (her dad is one of the few people that actually want her to sit on the throne and she's just showing everyone that hey, what with her acting this stupid maybe we could convince him to switch to his baby son!)? Why cause a public scene by arguing with her dad about marriage in front of everyone? Why is she acting like she's unaware that (heiress to the throne or not) she would be expected to marry? Why is she insulting the older lady who rightly pointed out that Daemon's war on the Crabfeeder affects the whole kingdom? That last scene seemed like a clear attempt to show her as a badass, but to me it did the opposite, because 1) that woman was actually right, and 2) what did R. expect the old lady to do about the war? She of all people should know that as a woman that lady (who is NOT a king's daughter) didn't have much scope for action, she actually did the only thing she could do: went to her queen and the heiress to the throne and tried to persuade them of the seriousness of the situation. R. refused to accept her point and, having no way of arguing it, she decided to insult the woman in front of everyone. What a great way to make people think she'll make a good ruler! What a great way to make them want to follow her! So yeah, even if you can pin some of that on her being a teenager who feels threatened in her position, every single one of her actions in this episode seemed so effing stupid for someone who should be doing all in their power to prove to everyone that they're up to the task of fulfilling all the duties of a ruler. And the only reason she got to have a triumphant return to the camp in the end is because she was lucky enough to stumble on a boar in the forest AND to have a King's Guard by her side to slow it down and wound it first (not that she cared to take the guard with her when she took off into the forest on her own). If it wasn't for the boar, her return would be a humiliation and everyone would (rightly) see her as a little girl coming back after throwing a tantrum. Not a good look.

[@davethefunyunnight9053]

I love Harwins reaction to bloody Rhaenyra

[@davidboivin7996]

Excellent breakdown. I find myself waiting patiently for every scene with Daemon, Rhaenyra and both together most of all.

[@dreamermala106]

Symbolism talk is what keeps me coming back to this channel! I just rewatched the episode last night but now I kinda want to watch it again after watching this.

[@dreamermala106]

Also I kinda want to do some Garth the Green art now too! 🌿

[@ben_jamin197]

Best ASOIAF content creator out there - not just repeating shit but giving thoughtful analysis/commentary.

[@DavidLightbringer]

Yeah you know I figured I’d… ZAG when others are zigging!

[@DavidLightbringer]

RIP Rickon Stark

[@GullibleTarget]

@@DavidLightbringer too soon,man. 😄😄😄😄

[@amandalou34]

I’d just put it together in my thoughts she said about the boars sounding like dying children then she goes in on that boar, defo a sign of things to come and like magic David’s video appears and he’s on my wavelength, that’s why this channel is one of the few I look to for explanations and deep dives!

[@DavidLightbringer]

You were reading the signs!

[@harpereloise7973]

Regime Change Boar: boars are used in the ASOIAF books proper to symbolise a change in power.

[@curtthechameleon]

These are quickly becoming my favorite vids. The symbolism and prophecy are so fun to unpack.

[@philosophynerdlady]

You have the best videos of anyone I've seen covering HOTD on KZbin. Thank you for the time, effort, and detail you put into them! As an educator building a HOTD philosophy class, I really appreciate the high quality of your content. 😊

[@DavidLightbringer]

Ah yea, I recall we’ve chatted before. Glad you’re liking my coverage!

[@elisebrodeur-jacobs5215]

David definitely helped to spark my absolute love and interest to the Song of Ice and Fire

[@filiprochette7793]

David in my opinion is the best Ice and Fire analist/commentor

[@BasementPepperoni]

Also, I thought Veserys saying "The Gods have punished me for my indulgence" was him saying that he was hung over drinking wine all day?

[@hypatiakovalevskayasklodow9195]

I thought the same. And it is at face value. But behind face value there’s also symbolism. Just like in George’s writing

[@marielalara1202]

Yup, he indulged himself with Alicent and now the gods are gonna punish him for it.

[@annjohnson6193]

Maybe indulging his daughter to become a spoiled brat.

[@BasementPepperoni]

@@hypatiakovalevskayasklodow9195 Thats true. But it's just how I perceived it is all, lamens terms, lol He looked like he had a rough night, and had his face in his palm, like he was holding his temples from the HORRID headache that comes from drinking ungodly amounts of wine, heh.

[@Brandon-a-writer]

@@BasementPepperoni he's drinking fucking coffee and is hungover. how is this difficult? he's been indulging in alcohol, and he's hungover, it's the most obvious shit in the episode lol

[@DifferentKindofGlam]

I loved that opening scene "Hail Prince Daemon!!!" Fuck yes. Dope shit.

[@DreyM3]

this episode being packed with book symbolism has me so so excited for the next episodes and seasons. it really does feel like a love letter to asoiaf and it's being done beautifully. george must be so happy, and he finally got his hunting scene!!! in ryan we trust

[@cameronkumarhatyara3417]

Love the amount of symbolism and themes in this series. Ryan really knows what we want. I had no problem with Daemon plot armour, some of it can be excused with the context. It was always a risk on his life but he knew it and did it anyway because this was his war and he was not going to let Viserys take credit for it. This was his last hail mary and it worked and will earn alot of peoples respect. However i thought the way the Velaryon army just sneaked up on the Triarchy was a bit silly, maybe there was alot of smoke but still i would've liked a shot of the ships coming through the smoke then a scout trying to alert them before Laenor and Seasmoke appearing out of the sky and obliterrating everyone on top of the mountains. I don't mind them not showing the fight, a skilled castle trained fighter with a Valyrian steel sword against a sick man probably from the streets of the free cities equipped with just a hammer, ye not a fair fight. Saw some people saying the diiferent dog breeds looked out of place but i think it's definitely possible that its because of Valyria. We know they did some crazy animal sorcery and most likely sold these different breads all over Essos for hundreds of years, who eventually sold them to the houses of Westeros. Rhaenyra not killing the White Hart that had appeared to her and presentng it to everyone will probably not give her the respect she desereves. However keeping it alive is probably why it's her line that goes on to rule after this story concludes.

[@morganburt2565]

man ppl being upset abt dog breeds is goofy. i like ur idea abt them being from valyria, but dog breeding also serves a practical purpose. westeros is a feudal farming society, farmers and hunters need different dogs for different jobs. the idea that westerosians only had one type of dog just doesn’t make sense- unrealistic even.

[@DavidLightbringer]

I like that last bit about her doing the right thing but maybe not getting credit. That makes sense

[@cameronkumarhatyara3417]

@@morganburt2565 Exactly. I swear there’s paintings of women with pugs from like at least 500 years ago. Is it really as unrealistic as people bonding with dragons?

[@Aquilarden]

@@cameronkumarhatyara3417 Bonding with dragons is a part of the world, so for the world it's believable - it fits within the internal consistency. These people may feel that the dog breeds fall outside of what would be internally consistent, but I would argue that as real dogs have been bred to do things from hunting rats to warming beds to pulling sleds to providing hair for clothing, having pugs is totally within the scope of internal consistency for the setting. I can totally see maesters fucking around with dog breeding just to see what happens and producing a companionship dog is a believable goal.

[@cameronkumarhatyara3417]

@@Aquilarden Ye they’re both believable to me.

[@Conorp77]

The white hart was also taken as the personal emblem of King Richard II, who ascended the throne of England aged 10, and became one of the chief inspirations for the characterization of Joffrey Baratheon (along with Edward of Lancaster and Caligula).

[@andypouch6289]

I saw the notification that you posted a new video today but of course I'm not getting to watch it until late in the evening. Loved the deep dive, as always. I probably sound like a broken record, but this show continues to surprise me every week with how they treat the symbolism that is inherent to GRRM's work and with how they treat their audience. It's so nice to have a show that doesn't feel the need to explain every little thing to death and to make us actual think about what we're watching. Love this show, love this channel. I can't wait for the new episode and yours, Tim's, and Nettles' thoughts on it!

[@DavidLightbringer]

That’s a very common sentiment, and yes I feel grateful as well!

[@ChargerXO]

I took the spear as Lannister gold killing the stag just like Lannister gold had Robert poisoned/killed or how Lannister goldcloaks went after Gendry

[@ccondotta9630]

Never stop making these

[@BillyBasd]

Viserys had a legit vision of Aegon. Him denying it out of bitterness is super tragic for everyone

[@leedog345]

Another brilliant video! You're on fire at the moment thank you for all the content friend

[@papa_dial5o267]

I love listening to your breakdowns and explanations. I’ve never been so entertained by the lore until finding your channel.

[@bloodyneptune]

15:23 its interesting that the stags kinda framed to look like the leaves of the tree are growing out of its antlers, like a white heart tree

[@Ranger_of_Dragons]

Such a fantastic episode! Just a fun aside. I got super excited this week when I found out my friend, that I work with also watches your channel!

[@DavidLightbringer]

Oh hey small world! Hahaha

[@shellyhoward7777]

David I swear you break these episodes down like a faction to the lowest common denominator!! I do enjoy every single one of your break downs and re-caps!

[@shellyhoward7777]

I think this is spam

[@shellyhoward7777]

@@minty.maelstrom thanks hun I was so confused because I didn’t recall David having a contest. That’s why I figured it was spam.

[@lila7663]

I'm a superfan for all HotD reviews but always look forward to yours the most! Always a huge attention to detail which I appreciate.

[@leann9261]

Viserys struggles to kill the stag, foreshadowing Aerys II struggling to kill the stag (Robert Baratheon). Love your analysis of symbolism! The Daemon in Hell stuff reminds me of Daenerys in Daznak's Pit with Drogon.

[@mysticmoon7]

You've made me appreciate the episode more. Another excellent analysis video! 🔥

[@havingfun9324]

Thank you for mentioning the suspect accuracy of the archers, I have seen people make comments on other videos saying he would have easily been shot but I have a feeling the people who make these comments have probably never shot a bow and arrow in their life. I have in times past and let me tell u it’s difficult just to hit a still target a few feet in front of u, now try imagining hitting a fast moving target and it being way more than just a few feet in front of u.

[@WatashiMachineFullCycle]

Oh how I have been WAITING for this video, episode 3 was so full of good symbolism

[@cubablue602]

The White Hart scene was fabulous. So beautifully filmed. So glad they included it here. First commentary I've seen that actually understands the symbolism and mythos of the White Hart. These are deep waters and it ain't looking good for Viserys that's for sure.

[@s.l.wymansrockinwriting6633]

Daemon coming out of that cave has Theseus and Minotaur vibes

[@DavidLightbringer]

Good call!

[@Ash.Crow.Goddess]

Loved this one! Absolutely adore my YT favorites gearing up and half way down the road by now with the new show having been out a few weeks. It's a good place to be with a new show. And you make it even more great!

[@jasonrist6582]

even though I'm familiar with the dance of dragons story, i never imagined that Daemon would be my favorite character after just 3 episodes

[@Magali_theRecordKeeper]

Love that we get these myth&symbolism videos for the show this time around! (Fire & Blood is good but not as rich in symbolic descriptions and details)

[@Queenorkhaleesi]

LOVE LOVE Matt Smith as Daemon! He has such commanding energy. I really cannot stand Viserys as king. He's weak and lacks urgency and leadership skills. Just lackluster! Poor Rhaenyra, this episode introduced us to her demise, Aegon II Targaryen.

[@TheOnlyElle.]

I adore Matt Smith in this role. I can't think of a better fit for Daemon's character. I'm not keen on Viserys either, but maybe that is the point of His character. I think He's meant to be portrayed as amiable, but "weak", as a King.. For example, during the (blood chilling) Stag "killing" scene, it appeared as though Viserys did not even like Himself. "Heavy is the head that wears the crown" and it seems as though Viserys is really feeling that weight!! As for Rhaenyra, I actually wondered if that white Stag came to Her by "order" of (that time periods) current Greenseer. I also thought Her killing of the boar was Completely unnecessary "overkill".. (perhaps, ecen foreshadowing some of Her future decisions). I certainly wondered if the CotF and the Greenseer/s were testing Her mettle in this episode!! The best episode so far imo :)

[@JoaoCosta-ly1sw]

Needs some context to understand the character better. He's trying to fill the shoes for Jaeherys, who managed to unite the realm through diplomacy after Maegor the Cruel almost destroyed everything Aegon the Conqueror built. The way he stands up for his daughter in his dialogue with Jason Lannister and the fact that he rode Balerion shows he's not a weak king at all, it's just that from his perspective, it is better to rule like Jaeharys ruled (listen to your councilors and don't give your lords any reason to rebel against you) instead of how Maegor did (rule by fear and burn anyone who defies you). He's still a better ruler than any king or queen who sat the throne throughout the entire GoT series.

[@ukotoa1639]

This might just be me reaching, but I think the shot of the pug I think the pug symbolises that much like how humans used wolves/dogs to aid in hunting but over time we changed dogs until they are what they are today including the small size and health issues I think it’s to show what the dragons will become one day going from the monsters like Caraxes, Baleron and Meleys to the last dragon born while the Targaryen’s ruled Westeros was as small as a cat and extremely sickly

[@cloudzol4623]

the Pug that was Promised

[@Petra-ms3ku]

I thought so too! Plus some of the inherent health conditions are caused by inbreeding. Pug is the glaring example of poor breeding habits. I think it represents both the dragons and their humans.

[@phantom213]

This is just mind blowing. Awesome analysis.

[@leedog345]

Matt Smith as daemon is unreal I think he's my favourite on screen character so far in this whole IP

[@geoninja3631]

the Strong's smiling, fav moment❤‍🔥❤‍🔥❤‍🔥❤‍🔥❤‍🔥❤‍🔥❤‍🔥❤‍🔥❤‍🔥❤‍🔥

[@georgiakairiodoherty8126]

I love your voice! I find it very soothing, would be awesome to hear you narrate the whole ASOIAF! And another great video as always, thanks for all the hard work you put in! ❤🐲🔥

[@ceecee8757]

Rhae-Rhae and DT had their Fire & Blood moments in this episode and both have evolved.

[@paulbready]

Absolutely superb david. You enrich these wonderful stories so much. Well done.

[@FoolsLuxury]

new subscriber but old got fan & im loving your videos with that thorough lore coverage!

[@Teresa-zd7xr]

Thanx again for all the wonderful work you present us with. I am really grateful.

[@AwolJOKER]

I swear I’ve subscribed to you three times already and I always have to redo it everytime! Why

[@DavidLightbringer]

youtube be fuckin with shit man. that's why us YTers always say it, every time

[@AwolJOKER]

@@DavidLightbringer ahhh! I have heard some say it like ants Canada

[@jameydupuy9280]

So glad you did this video! I kept thinking "Mists of Avalon" with the lore! So excited! Thank you!

[@autje1970]

I thought the visual mirroring of the Crabfeeder outlined by the cave in the dark at the beginning of the episodes, then doing the exact same shot with Daemon at the end in the light while holding the remains of the Crabfeeder a nice bit of symbolism regarding Daemon.

[@jlworrad]

I'm finding these episodes so rich with theme and symbolism and so well thought out. There's so much to get stuck into once you finish an episode and think about it. You've three characters faced with a personal monster that they have to kill. With Daemon its self-disgust, with Rhaenyra its unchecked rage and with Viserys it's a snared trapped beast in the grip of a sycophantic court. In fact the third example is no test at all, it's a mockery of one and Viserys is a spent force going through the motions. Brilliant writing.

[@jlworrad]

Actually I'd be interested to know if anyone saw a similarity between the killing of the deer and George Orwell's memoir/essay 'Shooting An Elephant'. Beat for beat it's pretty identical and has the same pathetic emptiness. I wouldn't be surprised if the writers took inspiration from it.

[@paolajones2412]

What a fabulous video, really enjoyed this 😊

[@msmisery695]

Thank you for another informative video about the symbolism.

[@chazblank2717]

Mentioned it briefly last night in the stream, but on my rewatch of this episode last night waiting on the pirates, I noticed similarities between how Viserys describes his dragon dreams and real world techniques people use to induce lucid or active dreams… It kinda seems to me like he has more of a tendency to focus his intentions on very specific dreams or desired outcomes, rather than necessarily “divinely receiving” his dreams unwillingly as seems to be the case for others… we know it’s a rare trait, perhaps even back in Old Valyria but obviously much more so post-Doom. So it would make a certain amount of sense for none of the Targaryen’s to be particularly good or experienced at it after Daenys the Dreamer. Or at least for their knowledge of dragon dreaming to precipitously drop over time. And it would absolutely be classic George if some of these dreams ARE truly prophetic, others are maybe slightly misinterpreted and the rest are just flat out misleading…

[@jonathanortiz4613]

Damon being reborn between salt and smoke, sounds good to me

[@KaritKtana]

Saying: "the worst idea _ever_ " Showing: Otto Hightower 😆💯💯💯

[@oldnan6137]

Another great look at mythology. Thought I would share that the white stag also has Christian connotations. St Eustace believed that Christ appeared to him in the form of a white stag while he was hunting a boar.

[@westerosandchill7644]

Excellent Star Wars comparison! Also “flesh torture is one of the most underrated aspects of Hell” is the line of the week! Lol

[@DavidLightbringer]

yeah you know it's not just like a really cool bar that's just way too hot. there is flesh torture.

[@damongnojek3912]

All 3 Targaryens were successful on their hunt this week. Stag, boar, crab.

[@petyaivanova9629]

Viserys was not really successful though. They caught it for him and he had to stab him twice.

[@damongnojek3912]

@@petyaivanova9629 varying degrees of success, surely. He probably still ended up with a cool rug.

[@petyaivanova9629]

@@damongnojek3912 😆

[@GullibleTarget]

That sounds like a variation on a terrible thanksgiving dish. "This year we are not making a turducken; we are making a Craboarstag. A crab, stuffed in a boar, stuffed in a stag. With barbecue sauce

[@MrEKnight]

More excellence, as to be expected 🤘🏻

[@cinnabartab1719]

We keep getting more examples of their attention to detail in this show. When Daemon appears at the end, he looks haggard and thinner than the beginning of the episode.

[@petyaivanova9629]

My favorite part is both Rhaenyra and Daemon ending up bathed in blood.

[@AdonisButlerOfficial]

☀️☀️ love the mid week videos! Keep up the great work man

[@fatthorstumtum6593]

Another great video! Take my offering to the algorithm!

[@nadinepaque-wolkow6449]

I love the symbolism in HotD and your Videos about it

[@melissablackwood]

I do love that Ser Otto still gets the second son treatment from Lord Hobert. Otto's one job is to advance House Hightower via "our boy." Hobert told him to get on it and make that $#!t happen, with a mocking "my lord Haaaaaand." 😏

[@TheGunit272]

Why does Daemon not have grayscale now since its so allegedly contagious?!? Out of all the many channels covering this new series, this one is absolutely the best and my favorite.

[@Daniella040]

Hahahah yeah! Depeche Mode “Your own personal crabfeeder “ 🎤 you should sing more 😉😅

[@therunningman_]

Fantastic breakdown!!

[@jackson857]

David, have you been watching "The House that Dragons Built"?? If not I thoroughly recommend it. There's some really good behind the scenes stuff in there.

[@julieloucalcote1368]

Jackson - where can we watch that? I have been unable to find it. Thank you!

[@juliemarie612]

@@julieloucalcote1368 here's the first one kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYXXlaahnrqXoqc

[@hopealope2802]

@@julieloucalcote1368 it's on HBO under each episode

[@julieloucalcote1368]

Hopealooe-thank you ma’am!

[@charleskieffer3328]

I second the feeling lauremony@ thanks to his work on this subject, I've learned so much about the back story so much about the Lore, so much about all the shit that I've asked myself about in Game of Thrones and never took the next step in learning what the hell that was about from this channel I'm fairly new and it's been worth every minute to learn and appreciate what I'm watching even more. Thank you Lightbringer University 👍

[@b0baf00t8]

Great symbolism in this episode.

[@Carlton662]

I LOVEEEE the shirt😍 thanks for the consistently phenomenal content! 🙏🏻

[@blackeyedlily]

Great analysis as always!

[@targaryen_timelord]

In paganism, Cernunnos is also called the green man or the horned man, so Garth the Green and the old gods are 100% derived from Paganism. Very interesting.

[@BeneathTheGold]

Atleast George got his accurate hunt scenes.

[@Fathoms09]

Otto said “portent” and I immediately thought of Mr. Lightbringer.

[@PooseUnpoos3]

Didn’t mind the exclusion of the “fight” with the Crabfeeder if you would even call it a fight. He was probably running for his life and Daemon cut him in half when he was cornered. Seeing Daemon in this scene reminded me of Jon Snow during the Battle of the bastards. They are related after all.

[@blondymonk1535]

HotD is really fucking up RoP, and it's not even close...

[@swaggerdagger5168]

Loved this video so much man!!

[@michiganscythian2445]

Love the shirt! One of my favorite bands

[@prettynerd4779]

Daemon was in beast mode that last part of the episode.. I wont lie when he flipped that sword and smiled.. My ovaries did do a back flip..

[@DavidLightbringer]

Yes well somehow the marketing team chose that picture for the cover will ya look at that

[@lucasadam65]

Bran the builder is bran lol like that a small boy quote from a clash off kings who built storms end

[@hez859]

I'm so ready to see Cregan Stark. It's gonna be sick

[@jschoma11]

What about the "White Heart" tree that Rhaenyra spends so much time under? I keep seeing people complaining that the Old Gods have no reason to "bless" Rhaenyra with the White Hart..I don't buy that. Nvm..you touched on that later..spoke too soon

[@DavidLightbringer]

i gotcha! And yeah I think they will make a big deal of the pact of ice and fire

[@tommypark2522]

Because I watch too much KZbin I know how most of the story goes for the big characters. I'm just so excited to see it all play out

[@InAverySilentWay]

Don't we all have our own personal Crab Feeder to slay?

[@AlerieHightower]

Yes. Mine is aging, and that Crab Feeder is eventually going to win, but I'm not going down without Dark Sister in my hand.

[@TheOnlyElle.]

When I seen Daemon appear from the cave with "half" of the Crab feeder.. My first thought was "Tyrion ?! the "Half Man"" !! I do wonder if Jon Snow, Dany, or some person unknown yet, will kill Tyrion for His (foreshadowed) betrayals... Great video as always LML!! Love the symbolic breakdown too!!