Team Green or Team Black? (House of the Dragon)

So... which team do we root for? Which lords, knights, queens, princesses, princes, or kings? Most importantly... which dragonlord? Can any of them live up to the standard Daenerys set?
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[@DavidbarZeus1]

For myself, Viserys settled it when he named Rhaenyra as his heir and Alicent caused the Dance by ignoring her husband’s choice of heir.

[@DavidLightbringer]

She definitely did do that. But there’s more to it imo

[@DavidbarZeus1]

@@DavidLightbringer Oh, I saw your video on Alicent, so I know and I agree with you. But in the end, manipulated or not by her father, Alicent started the war by seizing the throne for her son instead of honoring her husband’s will.

[@thegoldentake7675]

That "settles" nothing. Aegon is next in line. Period.

[@DavidbarZeus1]

@@thegoldentake7675 Tell that to Viserys, he proclaimed Rhaenyra as his heir AND made many lords swear their loyalty to her. When did he EVER do something like that for Aegon?

[@joshuaadams6565]

@@thegoldentake7675 Then why wasn’t he raised to be a king? If it wasn’t for his silver hair then he’d be confused for one of the small folk in fleabottom. It’s unarguably a fact that Rhaeynera was more fit to rule, being older and cup bearer to her farther the king. King Aegon made the rule of male primogeniture so why can’t king viserys change that rule once again? If a king can make rules then the new king should be able to change said rules.

[@michaelbuick6995]

I remember a few years ago reading a book about the history of the Roman Empire, from Augustus Caesar to Romulus Augustus. An excellent read but the two chapters that stuck with me the most where the two where the author took a break from the politics to focus on random bits of history about the common Roman, the "smallfolk", that just so happen to have survived to the present day. A letter from a father to his son, telling him how proud he is of his son's successful enlistment in the army. A husband's message left by his wife's grave. Preserved graffiti that when translated says things like "For a good time call Lucretia" and "Septus Maximus Decimus has a huge penis", and my personal favourite; a random snippet of a police report filled out by a man reporting the theft of a pig, and here I am 1,900 years later wondering if he ever did get it back. Martin has already said he takes a lot of inspiration from Greco-Roman history (I'm convinced the way Viserys dies (Dany's brother not Viserys I) was inspired by the death of Marcus Crassus) and while we get caught up in the Shakespearean tragedy of it all, Caesar v Pompey, Augustus v Marc Antony, battles against Germanic tribes, or the Huns, or the Parthians, it's so easy to forget that a battle that takes up a paragraph in a history book could have been the deaths of ten thousand men on each side that day, whose names did not make it into the history books.

[@DavidLightbringer]

well said Michael thanks for your comments!

[@j.gregoryhenderson6032]

That's incredible!

[@kyleclark7769]

Septus Maximus Decimus, also known as Biggus Dickus.

[@maatthecat3966]

That reminds me -- Varys might be based on the perfumed seneschal puppeting Cleopatra's 1st brother-husband, who murdered Pompeius Magnus as soon as he set foot in Egypt after fleeing Pharsalus.

[@Revolution-tl5wo]

100%. I've studied Roman history quite a bit too. If more Americans did, there is much we would have learned by now. David's analysis here brings up the point that needed to be said but keeps getting obfuscated: "There's no war but the class war" is a truth in our world and in fantasies about human power dynamics. It's so easy to get caught up in the characters of these dramas and side with them, forgetting that every one of them is an aristocrat, most of the time merely serving themselves and their petty whims. Rule #1 of class politics is don't collaborate with the bourgeoisie. Root for the small folk. Awesome video and analysis! \m/

[@Cali_Marie]

Something I like about Alicent so far in the trailers : you can tell in one on one conversations she is torn between duty to her house, the realm, and her husband. The scene where she’s greiving her husband and Rhaenys asks if she’s ever imagined herself upon the iron throne; she looks shocked, confused, and intrigued but still mournful. Even after it’s clear Otto wants her to constantly make moves for house hightower towards becoming Queen. Which tells us even after Visery’s death, she’s in conflict (the human heart in conflict with itself). The rift between Rhaenyra and her I think will have much more to it than Fire and Blood, and is much more emotional than we realize so far. She’s had children with Targaryans, grown up with them, took care of her husbands dying father. She IS a Targaryan, just not by name or looks. Idk I think Alicent is going to be an amazing character arc to watch.

[@DavidLightbringer]

Totally agree, great comments

[@thalmoragent9344]

Yeah, I'm rooting for Alicent, though I know how the Dance ends.

[@naomi.cannibal]

Team black because Rhaenyra is the rightful heir. But I also have nothing against the greens because I understand Alicent’s position and can’t say I wouldn’t have behaved the same if I were her.

[@bensonfang1868]

Which system of succession makes her the rightful heir? Absolute primogeniture puts Baela on top. Male primogeniture makes Aegon the heir. No where is Rhaenyra the rightful heir

[@stephenjenkins7971]

@@bensonfang1868 No system of succession really exists to begin with; it's as muddied as the Roman mode of succession -which is to say; "I FEEL like this guy over here should be King/Queen/Emperor/Empress".

[@bensonfang1868]

@@stephenjenkins7971 no romans let stepsons, brothers in law, and other random people be emperor. Westeros models medieval European succession, which evolved into the systems of primogeniture today

[@stephenjenkins7971]

@@bensonfang1868 Bruh, the Romans literally let people get the throne via selling it at an auction. A random sheep herder became an Emperor just because he became the Captain of the Imperial Guard and orchestrated a coup. Do you not know Roman history at all? Medieval European Primogeniture has centuries of precedence behind it. Westeros at this time did not. Nor did it really even have that in the main series.

[@naomi.cannibal]

@@bensonfang1868 Then in your interpretation, what is Rhaenyra fighting for? Stop being so nitpicky and annoying.

[@offaris2905]

After reading the book, I first was team Black, but at the end,.. team Blue ( Velaryon )

[@DavidLightbringer]

Corlys does a good job hanging tight and then cleaning things up

[@offaris2905]

Corlys, Rhaenys, Addam, Baela…

[@mikewilliams4623]

Same for me Team Blue House Velaryon

[@Rhaenyra679]

Greens for aemond 💚

[@babause15]

Team Smallfolk!Both Aegon and Rhaenyra ended up being trash by the end. Just from a dysfunctional sort of perspective I'm probably going to be more interested in watching team Green on the show since they're soo messed up in a crazy entertaing way while Rhaenyra's kids seem normal and fine,haha.

[@poppetrahman9828]

I dont see how Rhaenyra being desperate to Fund war having no option but increasing taxes can be compared to Aegon celebrating his nephew's death, usurping his sister even though he was a shit king with no skill, had no problems ordering all her family's death, fed his sister to a dragon and betrayed his father on the man's death bed. Like, Rhaenyra was princess of dragonstone for 10 yrs or so, and considering people there didnt start riots or go bankrupt in that time and she was called skilled in governing in her youth, im gon guess in normal circumstances she'd had been a decent queen

[@made-line7627]

So trash. I did feel quite bad for Aegon Dragonbane, even though the dragons were kind of left to perish during his reign. Poor kid had it pretty rough.

[@thomasaivaliotis7081]

@@poppetrahman9828 It was arguably not Aegons own plan to usurp his sister. He got dragged into that by the hightowers. Rhaenyra had no problem approving the horrific murder of ageons child by blood and cheese even tho Aegon himself had nothing to do with the dead of her child. Like how can you watch that situation and decide Rhaenyra is not human trash.

[@Smoug]

@@thomasaivaliotis7081 they are both trash but tbh the greens just cheat and betray at every turn, from the beginning with the usurpation. Even military victories like the Tumbleton thing end up being because of vile treason and cloak turning

[@thomasaivaliotis7081]

@@Smoug True, But interestingly i dont remember Aegon himself to be involved in most of that. He wasnt really part of the planning of the usurpation and hesitated to even take the crown in the first place. He is not responsible for any murder of Rheanyra's children yet has his son killed in arguably the worst individual murder of the story. He fights like one battle and is out of action for the majority of the rest of the story with his brother taking over leadership. When given the chance later he does not kill Rheanyra's son. Far from best but still far from the worst person in the story.

[@WatashiMachineFullCycle]

Honestly, I've always been team black, the way the greens just straight up disrespected Viserys' wishes and screwed over Rhaenera simply because of her womanhood and promiscuity (which I get muddies the succession but it's not like she didn't eventually have trueborn children and also her sex life says literally zero things about how well she could rule). By the time she was given a chance to rule the war had already done serious damage both to the court and to Rhaenera's mental state. But at the end of the day, ultimately I'm with the smallfolk. As you say, George has demonstrated time and time again how squabbling lords and royalty ultimately result in the suffering of the powerless. We've only really had one example of a king who ruled with the public interest in mind, Aegon V, because he spent his formative years among them, but when he came into his power he was constantly hindered at every turn by his lords and counselors.

[@DavidLightbringer]

The only thing about Rhaenyra having kids out of wedlock is that it’s treason, and demonstrates poor judgement. Don’t care about her “sex life” of course but the decision making is horrible and she flat out fails the “putting your own desires aside for the good of the realm” test. There’s actually not one bit of evidence she would have been a good ruler. Sorry, but that’s how I see it.

[@stephenjenkins7971]

I'm generally Team Black as well, but I call foul on the bit about her promiscuity. While it may just be old men wagging their finger at women getting sex, the fact of the matter is that systems which rely on family inheritance is gonna face a LOT of problems if people aren't sure whose the mother/father is. Mind you, power can be used to silence those issues for a time, but when Rhaenyra herself kicks the bucket or becomes old, then its gonna rear up again and likely start another civil war. Rhaenyra's promiscuity isn't so much the issue, as was her constant assertion that all her children were NOT bastards (when some clearly were). Just look at the future Blackfyres to see the issue. It doesn't matter if her children all deeply loved each other; different actors will pit them against each other for their own agendas anyway. That doesn't even get into Rhaenyra making Daemon her husband being the worst thing she could have possibly done, guaranteeing her ascension being challenged even with the flying nukes she's got.

[@jedinathan]

@@DavidLightbringer Aegon II wasn't much differant hell there are very few monarches in Westerosi history that didn't have children out of wedlock. And honestly that stigma is part of a lot of the problem and if you want my honest opinion I say the Faith introduced their stigma towards bastards to avoid taking responsibility for the hundreds of thousands born from the raping of the First Men women by Andalic invaders, in Essos it isn't regarded as a problem in fact the Targaryens had no issue with illegitimate children they called them Dragonseeds, its just the faith making it a problem. As for Rhaenyra she'd have made a better ruler then Aegon II, would she have been a great ruler, no she'd likely have been average ruler or above average enough you'd have likely had a good ruler out of any of her sons either those from her first marriage or her second marriage. Aegon II by contrast was kinslaying tyrant a repressive asshole and the fact that he was willing execute his own sister by feeding her to his dragon is an act of pure evil both by the standards of the Faith of the Seven which views kinslaying as the greatest evil you can commit AND by the standards of any system of morality. Which would be a more responsible ruler a woman who sleeps around OR a tyrant who is willing to execute his sister by feeding her to his Dragon. I'll take the one who sleeps around thank you very much. As it stands if Aegon the Conquerer had come back from the dead to decide the dispute he'd have chosen Rhaenyra becuase he'd have seen Aegon II for the shit he is. Also consider the fact that he was the king that Joffery personally praised and if you are the idol of Joffery Lannister then you are clearly an evil man and unworthy to be king which is why if when it comes to leader selection I'm team Black all the way but reality I'm actually team smallfolk and would be more for them if they weren't full of so many morons. And above all else I'm on the side that the Maesters and the Faith aren't on because if anyone is to blame for the shitty state of the setting its them with the Maesters hording knowledge that could be used to help so many people and the Faith encouraging a system of repression and constant warfare.

[@WatashiMachineFullCycle]

@@DavidLightbringer Oh I mean, there's absolutely no evidence that she would've been a good ruler lmao you're right about that! I just meant that the glimpse we were given was tarnished sure to the circumstances (which to be fair you could make the same argument for Aegon II as well, his entire rule was revolved around the dance and the aftermath left him a broken man) I mostly stood behind Rhaenera on the surface level solely for the way she was mercilessly usurped and the way they just let king Viserys essentially rot in his bed while they set about disrespecting his wishes. But if not forced to choose one over the other they really were both terrible

[@WatashiMachineFullCycle]

@@jedinathan and yeah that was essentially my point about Rhaenera having bastards, like yes it is technically treason but just about every other king of westeros also had bastards beyond counting, so it's clearly rooted in misogyny and that double standard that men can sleep around (and are even honoured for it if we look at dragonseeds) but if women do suddenly they're unfit and wanton and must die for it. Like yeah, she was trying to pass them off as true born children there's an argument there for that, but it's not like they would have treated her any differently if she set them aside for her actual true born children with Daemon. 🥴

[@JonathanVegaa]

Can’t wait to see such Strong people riding dragons

[@DavidLightbringer]

the steed is Strong

[@Some_Call_Me_Pietro]

OOOOOOOOO

[@kirkwright2292]

😂

[@freddiemckellar7586]

I would always be team black, not because Rhaenyra was right to do all of that. I do agree the common folk didn't deserve that and was in the right (Apart from storming of the dragon pit) however the throne should have gone to Rhaenyra and maybe if she was given it straight away. There would have been better governance.

[@loucypherdamorningstar]

Do you know who originally was gonna be her hand? Couldn’t she have made her brother her hand and possibly prevented everything?

[@iangallagher5448]

@@loucypherdamorningstar Corlys was always gonna be hand and Aegon was the least likely and least competent for the job he was nothing more than a drunk idiot

[@maatthecat3966]

if her mothering skills were anything to go by, no. She treated Aerea like a possession rather than a person. And she drove Alisa Farman away by refusing to let her go sailing. Rhaenyra -- selfish to the bone.

[@iangallagher5448]

@@maatthecat3966 That’s Rhaena: daughter of Aenys, Wife of Maegor; not Rhanerya (daughter of Viserys)

[@maatthecat3966]

@@iangallagher5448 All those Rhaen- names! Cheers, Ian :)

[@goaway6181]

That CUT with Joffrey getting hit KILLED me, man

[@goaway6181]

…even more the second time …

[@shelleyj3704]

Thanks for this great content. I really love your take on this; I've always felt that GRRM isn't nihilistic, but rather deeply humane (and even, sometimes, hopeful?). I appreciate how he always mentions the suffering of the horses when describing the horrors of battle; his compassion extends to the animals in his world.

[@DavidLightbringer]

great point about the horses. And he got the "real psychos torture animals as kids" thing with Joffrey dead on

[@Pentagathusosaurus]

I really hope we get to see how Edmure Tully progresses in the books, he's one of very few lords who actually seems to care much about protecting his own small folk. Or maybe he simply just wasn't savvy enough to realise his smallfolk were a tactical disadvantage in his own castle. I like to think he's a reasonably good dude, would be nice to see him retain his identity despite all the horrors, but then again it would also be pretty cool to see him become a vengeful psycho. The fact that he's still alive gives me some hope he has some part to play, maybe he'll even be the one to put Lady Stoneheart to rest.

[@nidohime6233]

Edmure is was some characters said in the books, he is useful during peace but not during war time. Also being too busy to notice his entire family was slaughtered down stairs doesn't make him a bright person.

[@DavidLightbringer]

I agree Edmure was judged harshly. He did the right thing by protecting his smallfolk. Pressing the attack was the mistake but only because Robb didn’t share his whole plan. That’s on Robb imo. And yes I’d like to Edmure play a role in the restoration of House Tully

[@BillyBasd]

@@nidohime6233 I don't count the Red Wedding against Edmure. We don't have a pov, it's likely that he was held from doing anything

[@stephenjenkins7971]

@@blaubeer8039 Unfortunately, being a good person, then and now, doesn't mean you're not a naive tool that screwed your own people. Good intentions doesn't equate to good outcomes, and while it's 100% fair to crap on the nobility who turn their noses at smallfolk getting food and protection, it was also 100% a tactical blunder for Edmure to do what he did. These aren't mutually exclusive. Often taking the moral road is infinitely harder than the ruthless one.

[@therogueprincess3091]

90% of the fandom is team black. I wonder if this will change when we actually get to know the characters. I can't wait!

[@jschoma11]

Don't we know the characters? We have a full start to finish canonical story. The show is just going to be an interpretation of it.

[@roryedward2631]

@@blaubeer8039 mushroom is obviously 100% the most reliable source.

[@a.a677]

based on the comments theres a lot of psycho and/or sexist green edgelords, dont underestimate how many incels there are

[@jschoma11]

@@blaubeer8039 ok..so by your logic a second hand interpretation adapted to the screen by the show runners of "completely unreliable information" is going to produce a true and factual representation...?

[@jschoma11]

@@blaubeer8039 Right. I think where we differ is I don't feel that adding yet another level removed of convoluted perspective is going to give us a "better" view or grasp of the characters. Trust me, I'm here for it..I'm pumped for the show. But are we going to "know the characters" better after this?..I don't think so.

[@kolotchelemanassanecouliba178]

Team green

[@andrewbahlman7768]

Congrats topping 50k LML! I can only imagine how stoked new subscribers are to find the encyclopedia of content you have on your channel

[@tayathornhill715]

Team Black, but no war would always be best.

[@fujiwarakeiichi5882]

no war means no show bro💀

[@ahmedtn3396]

Team Green

[@anapaulalacerda4077]

I feel that ultimately, what could have (maybe) prevented this whole Dance of Dragons (other than not denying Rhaenys her throne) would have been Viserys straightening out the laws regarding succession. I get the idea that they used to have a way of doing things: for instance, Jaehaerys himself kind of usurped his niece who was the actual heir at the time, but since she was very young and her mother wanted nothing to do with the throne after the whole Maegor The Cruel mess, nothing came out of it. Rhaenys herself was unquestionably her father's heir until Jaehaerys decided to hold a Great Council about it twice (and Alysanne was very right to be furious with him for it). I get that the lords of Westeros had a vested interest to uphold male priviliedge in succession in order to validate their own claims over their female relatives, but it's also true that everybody kind of knew the Targaryens did things differently from everybody else, like marrying siblings and riding dragons. Then Viserys named Rhaenyra his heir. To me it seem this is all based on precedent. More specifically, the Greens amd the Blacks are using two different existing precedents to validate their claims. The best way to avoid it is to set in law how the succesion of the throne works, rather than letting people pick and choose from a varied set of precedents. If, for instance, Viserys set in law that the eldest child and their line shoul inherit regardless of gender, or maybe that the children of the first marriege should always have precedent over the childre of subsequent marrieges, the succession would be clear and Rhaenyra would be the undisputable heir. This would also mean that anyone trying to uphold Aegon would be clearly and explçicitly going against the law and would be traitors, which I think would make a lot of Aegon's supporters a lot less willing to throw their lot in with him. It would also make Aegon much less of a threat to Rhaenyra's rule (and I do think that in canon, the fact that Aegon's existence in itself was a threat to Rhaenyra was part of Alicent's motivation to go for the throne. Itwould also mean that Alicent wouldn't marry Viserys with any illusions of having her future sons inherit before Rhaenyra, which I think is also a contributing factor to Alicent's actions (other than her father Otto, but that could have been solved if Viserys didn't allow Otto to so blatantly overreach his authority).

[@developmentalist]

Until another King or Queen comes in (either peacefully or especially after another succession war) and changes the laws that Viserys would have established. "What one King does another may undue". The problem is dragons gave the Targs enough power to mess with tradition. And both times the lords were asked they chose a male heir and a male line heir. Forcing pledges from them is a bad way to institute reform. Either consult the great lords in council for every succession or be more brutal and clear the path for your chosen heir. Viserys did neither. Laws won't work when tradition is so strong. The underlying culture/religion/something major has to change in Westeros before true primogeniture will be accepted. I think he should have stripped Rhaenyra of Dragonstone and given it to Aegon. Declare his son the new heir and begin taking new pledges of loyalty. Then wed Rhaenyra eldest son Jacaerys to Helaena and wed Aegon to Baela (Daemon's daughter by Laena Velaryon). Establish Rhaenyra and her younger children in a new palace. Keep all the rest in Kings Landing and increase Aegon's men in the city. Once the King is dead, long live the new King. With plenty of hostages and loyal Hightower men the line would be secured. And Daemon and Rhaenyra have a lot to lose if they try. My two cents.

[@B_B463]

By changing a law you can not undo a culture or biological perception. Specifically the fact that a son is an immediate product of a father, while a daughter is a product of the mother. This is the main reason why males always had precedence to inheritable titles, because a male Targaryen would seem more Targaryen than a daughter, especially when their mother is from another house. Which is the case for both Rhaenyra and Aegon (Arryn / Hightower). Even in real life the odds that a son will physically resemble his father more then his mother is way higher, just look at Rhaenyra's bastards...

[@rebbaonisa6765]

Typing all that for nothing. How cowardly.

[@happilyevernever4289]

​​​@@B_B463hat do u mean son is the product of the father and daughter is the product of the mother?😂😂Did u skip basic biology in school? Sex of the baby, be it female or male, is determined by the chromosome that comes from the dad.

[@B_B463]

@@happilyevernever4289 Notice how I said ''culture and biological PERCEPTION''. Now read that again and charge your brain.

[@chungchung7662]

You are right, the real team we should be concerned for are the common people. Really enjoy your videos. As a viewer of the TV show I feel it's easy to get swept up in the inter-house drama intrigue and politics and stories of antagonists/protagonists rather than the larger message of G.R.R. M. (Almost a bit like people get caught up in celebrity gossip, or how in history class everyone talks about Henry the 8th of England's 6 wives rather than what people in power are doing to screw people at the bottom's lives over) These discussions/videos also remind me part of the reason why I fell in love with G.O.T. in the first place - the links and references to real history - almost like a commentary, while bringing to life individual characters and their struggles and motivations. A small example is your video on the maesters brings up questions like: who gets to write history? Also love your enthusiasm and knowledge of the world in which G.O.T. & House of the Dragon are set.

[@DavidLightbringer]

Thanks a lot! And yes we enjoy the same things about George’s writing. Its worthy of serious analysis

[@edpistemic]

Despite having read a LOT of real history I have rarely been so emotionally moved about the truly tragic plight of common folk during wars as I was when I read Martin's A Clash of Kings. It really was a very powerful experience for me. That's the power of well-written fiction. Thank you, George!

[@sinthoras1917]

Have you read historical accounts by poor people afflicted by people having to suffer the wars of the rich? I find them much worse than GRRMs prose, despite it still being very good

[@edpistemic]

@@sinthoras1917 No, I haven't read any detailed personal accounts. A lot of the secondary sources focus a lot more on the overall numbers which are horrifying in themselves, but not as visceral. Obviously in the medieval context there is a dearth of surviving evidence of all types from the perspective of the illiterate masses. Also, I imagine that there is an understandable reluctance for some modern people who experience such brutality to write extensively about it. I do recall seeing some truly shocking photographs of Russian peasants having to resort to cannibalism during the famines of the Civil War which was truly shocking. This is where I would normally ask for a recommendation, but in this case I'm a little nervous to do so as it would obviously be very troubling reading. I'm sure the knowledge it is real people only intensifies the horror. Although, that's what I was sort of getting at - GRRM's prose really helped me imagine what the real accounts might be like. So... any recommendations?

[@lizardbreathh]

Another wonderful video! Thanks for keeping our fandom spark alive!

[@GC-ps9mn]

I just discovered your channel and I've watched a few videos already. I really appreciate your take on here on green vs black vs small folk with the nuance of the philosophy behind ruling and heirarchies. I strongly agree with what you said about fantasy fans in general and especially ASOIAF fans being quick to stan certain rulers / nobles without even acknowledging how the small folk are generally disregarded. Also how very few if any of them seem to be treated well or even acknowledged by their rulers. Even the name small folk is humiliating and othering.

[@DavidLightbringer]

Yes that’s absolutely true, when I say hashtag team smallfolk I’m kinda of making fun of the demeaning nature of the name, exactly

[@DavidLightbringer]

And yeah, we can take sides and root for people but we do at least have to take a minute for the responsibility since George, you know, writes about it a lot

[@amandaofhouserobinson6707]

Bravo 👏 👏 you always find the best perspective !! Such a well put together video too! Thankyou !

[@christianlouboutin4663]

I know that Im not the only one who believes that Jahaerys Targaryen made 2 great mistakes. Number 1 is that he didn't make Rhaenys queen, instead he asked the lords of westeros instead. Second, and maybe the worst of it is that he built the dragon pit, If the dragons were free to fly then they wouldn't be able to be killed. Plus the dragons would be bigger aswell.

[@rebbaonisa6765]

He doesn't have absolute power. Sitting on the thrown means you still have rules to follow. You have the most power, but that's not absolute power. You're not that smart.

[@amyra8159]

He isn't stupid to name Rhaenys his heir. He himself got the claim to the throne skipping his elder sister and his niece's claim to the throne. Sp he wouldn't make that mistake and let the lords of the westeros question his authority. And when he has so many male.heirs, why would he go after a female heir and make his decision even more unstable than naming male heir? Dance would have would have started even before between Rhaenys and viserys. The dance that we are seeing is the outcome of long term political rift between the house Targaryen and the external schemes to destroy their power. So Jaehaerys isn't at fault for that.

[@amyra8159]

​@@rebbaonisa6765yes, he is good politician who uses soft power instead of showing his ultimate might, the dragons to influence his subjects.

[@ssima9126]

In the end green 💚💚💚

[@lo-ts9bs]

💚

[@DavidbarZeus1]

The traitors to their king, husband and father?

[@lindsey7951]

​@@DavidbarZeus1No bastards can be king. They aren't Targaryens or velaryons. Aegon III is legitimate through his father Daemon as long as The three bastards aren't heirs team Green wins.💚

[@DavidbarZeus1]

@@lindsey7951 Who says bastards can’t be kings? So long as they ARE of royal family, what keeps them from inheriting?

[@pedrofernandes2466]

​@@DavidbarZeus1Dude, read the books

[@lenasantos2413]

Loved this vídeo. Great content. Kudos to you ! Thank you 🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞

[@staticdynamic1605]

as always, love your work!

[@phousefilms]

Greens. They were in the right.

[@OwnYourBaldSpot]

If by in the right you mean self-righteous then sure lol there is wrong on both sides but green is just gross

[@phousefilms]

@@OwnYourBaldSpot Black is just wrong, especially as the Dance goes on, yes, thank you.

[@OwnYourBaldSpot]

@@phousefilms That’s a rather simplistic way to see it. That line of thinking doesn’t really go anywhere as it shuts down critical thought of ones own side, and dismisses the others more legitimate moments. Besides, the books are stories and conflicting accounts anyway, we’ll see where the show goes.

[@OwnYourBaldSpot]

@@phousefilms for the record, I am neutral, but if I had to pick a side thus far it would be black. But by no means does that mean I think they’re innocent, neither side is “just wrong” or totally “in the right” it’s an overall tragedy

[@bierwolf8360]

@@OwnYourBaldSpot what a load of garbage. Inheritance is a clear, regulated matter. A king is followed by his oldest son. Kings especially must be bound to the law. Thus, Aegon's claim is supreme, second in line is Aemond.

[@ericwomack4584]

definitely team small folk as well but for this video always team black

[@rebbaonisa6765]

That just shows you're a selfish coward with nothing below the waist.

[@fingerpasta]

Good vid David, thank u for making my day better

[@doctorajaguar]

Loving you channel and sense of humor David! 🔥 new subscriber

[@MrLiljerk23]

So I’m reading F&B for the first time to get hyped for HotD! I’m about halfway through the “Rhaenyra Overthrown” chapter and MY GOD has it been a tuff read! 🔥If I had to choose a side I’d be team black mainly because it was declared by King Viserys himself. I love how even after the Great Council of 101 AC and having sons w/ Alicent, he was never swayed from proclaiming his daughter as his heir. Even though the show isn’t out yet nor have I even finished the book (got about >200 pages left) I KNOW this show is going to be pretty good and definitely has the potential to be better than GoT. Your vids are building my hype so keep em coming! 😤😁

[@Raleyg]

Stannis would have supported Aegon. Aegon the Conqueror came before Visenya, Jaehaerys came before Rhaena and Viserys came before Rhaenys. Aegon II was the rightful king by law

[@pedroamaral8988]

I would love to have a collection with all of these wonderful illustrations you keep showing on your videos! 😁

[@DavidLightbringer]

you'd have to grab them from all over the net but I always put the artists name below the art

[@pedroamaral8988]

@@DavidLightbringer Thanks 😊

[@antoniomolinagarcia]

Love to see your subs rising!

[@chrisryan1501]

Team green - viserys and his weakness caused the dance of dragons. He should have renamed aegon heir after his birth. He knew what the precedence was, and the culture of westeros. It was incredibly naive to believe this path was the lesser of two evils. Rhaenyra also demonstrated to be a poor choice for monarchy - she and daemon are much too chaotic. Viserys tried to change tradition just by deciding it and not by setting her up to be a well liked and accepted ruler. This was doomed to happen from the start and it’s his fault.

[@plague3987]

To add about how doomed the situation was from the start. Viserys had kind of 3 option 1- either mary Rhae to Aegon, but this would create problem with corlys who doesn't have any access to the trone, and is rejected for the third time by viserys, so it would've end up like the dance but with corlys, deamon and rheanys instead of the hightowers 2 - Renamed aegon to be his heir, like you said, and also marry him with a daughter of Rhaenys to prevent a conflict with corlys. 3 - Not making children after naming Rhaenyera hier to the trone to solidify her position, but viserys and making an actual reel decision don't go together

[@OwnYourBaldSpot]

I find it interesting how team Green is always so concerned with tradition and societal norms no matter how messed up they are. Team green would definitely jump off a bridge if their friends did. Don’t get me wrong, team black has done plenty wrong, neither is innocent, but team green is more annoying ignoring personal responsibility for terrible decisions simply because they’re the norm

[@sapnashetty12]

No

[@bierwolf8360]

@@OwnYourBaldSpot can you name one good example?

[@chrisryan1501]

@@sapnashetty12 cope

[@zipblockarchives900]

I'm team Black and Team Black (House Velaryon).

[@bensonfang1868]

Corlys married rhaenys when she was 16 and he was 37. Then in his 50s he cheated on her with a teenager

[@stephenjenkins7971]

Velaryon aren't Black in the source material, only in the show -though that really doesn't change anything in reality.

[@bryantblalock4173]

@@bensonfang1868 you’re so funny trying to change peoples minds😪

[@yogadork_namaste]

It's nice to see your channel growing. I bet you'll hit 100k if hotd stays good! To the algorithm with ya!

[@sinthoras1917]

Congratulations on 50 000 subscribers!

[@CorMan426]

As a show viewer I’m more so on Team Green because I feel more tragedy towards Alicent in how she’s portrayed. As a teenager she got thrust into a position she didn’t want but made the most of it, literally devoting her life and body to her perceived duty. Considering she did try and throw Rhae a bone and got lied to in the godswood & is constantly dismissed despite everyone knowing the truth, I can get her snapping at the sight of Aemond losing an eye and Viserys-the most powerful person in the world-not wanting to do jack shit about his own child losing an eye. Idk I think morally so far I’m more so on Team Green cuz I just can’t get behind Rhae doing all she’s doing with no repercussions, cuz how are people gonna expect her to be as a queen when she takes over for Viserys & becomes the most powerful person in the world?

[@bensonfang1868]

Fun fact: whether you use absolute or male primogeniture, Rhaenyra isn’t the rightful heir. Absolute: rhaenys-Laena-Baela. Male: Viserys-Aegon.

[@chandlerdoeswhatifs9399]

True

[@asunayuuki5369]

How can you say that when the king himself proclaimed Rhaenyra as his heir to the throne long before he remarried Alicent? Don't make the counsel as an excuse because the king didn't change the succession. The king is the law not the counsel

[@keeganstephen9844]

It was a different situation back when Rhaenyra was chosen as heir by her father. He didn’t have any sons at the time, and therefore the succession was seriously called into question. The error was in the King not changing the succession upon the births of his son Aegon. Even then, it’s hard to blame Viserys. He gave his daughter his word, and made his vassals give his daughter theirs. Honor is a big thing, and it’s admirable that he stuck to it.

[@bensonfang1868]

@@asunayuuki5369 not the council, I'm referring to real world succession laws in places like the UK and almost every other European monarchy. If kings can pick and chose heirs at will, there would be chaos. King's have an obligation not to select their youngest son for example

[@bensonfang1868]

@@keeganstephen9844 it's normal to change the heir after births.

[@luminyam6145]

I just love your nuanced and sophisticated take on all of George's work. This is a very thoughtful video, thank you. Oh yes heading right over to watch that Dany video!🥰🥰🥰

[@DavidLightbringer]

Oh right on, you’ll like the Dany video then ❤️

[@LauraGS564]

Have you planned to do a video on Larys and Alys? Hopefully!

[@Smoug]

Have you read the Wars of the Roses book by Dan Jones? It is really good and entertaining, like a Fire and Blood with actual real scholarly history. Your comments about the civil war being essentially a failure of governance remind me a lot to his introduction, he speaks in very similar terms and also tries to dispell the usual villains narrative to explain with more nuance how the spiral of aristocratic violence became inevitable. The one about the Plantagenets is also pretty cool.

[@ace-vb7lw]

I actually read that book because I’m obsessed with the Plantagenets so when a friend told me that GoT is loosely based on the War of Roses it got me hooked!

[@DavidLightbringer]

I have not and I don’t know much about the War of the Roses. I do however have a strong moral compass so glad to hear I’m talking about war the right way! No but seriously thank you I’ve been meaning to school up on this topic

[@aaronford4159]

I’m more team green then black but untimely both sides were horrible for the throne and would not have been great rulers

[@shamankaangel-heart7509]

great video . thanks x good to be reminded of that dany clip and of course the never ending story ;) xx

[@trumanberlin3522]

Been waiting for this one!

[@maylynbayani]

Im leaning towards greens. We can credit the peace of the realm to Sir Otto's governance. Both rhynaera and aegon did not care about the common people so I would side with someone who atleast had experience in good governance.

[@jonstark153]

SER OTTO IS A PLOTTING TRICKSTER

[@manyeyedcrow9391]

Great take on the conflict. I am wondering if we can think of the Maesters as representing Team Smallfolk, in the long run? While they may have stoked much of the conflict, if the aim was to disarm all the nuclear weapons, not sure if there was a less brutal alternative that would have worked.

[@emilybarclay8831]

The Maesters serve to gain power for Oldtown and their birth houses. Just because they pretend they’ve given up their last names doesn’t mean they have. The maesters are more than eager to spread war and pestilence as long as it benefits them. The maesters are just the nobility in funny little robes and they want dragons gone because dragons are the threat to their power

[@manyeyedcrow9391]

@@emilybarclay8831 Agreed that they are largely second sons and have the same political aspirations as other nobility, but they also have a philosophical bent against magic, and dragons seem like the ultimate ‘sword without a hilt’. The Magna Carta was signed by nobles largely for their own political power, but it still advanced the cause of democracy. This may be another case where the interests of petty nobles and the common folk align.

[@DavidLightbringer]

yeah I can see both sides of the question of the motivations of the Citadel. Great comments from both of you

[@jedinathan]

@@DavidLightbringer Personally I think the Citadel is only interested in itself and hording the secrets contained within along with the power that comes with it, every court has a Maester, yet the Maesters tend to the Lords only and not to the smallfolk at all. Also can we consider House Hightower in all this perhaps the Maesters are tied back to the Empire of the Dawn, they've been around a long time much like Oldtown itself, perhaps their origins can be tied back to that Empire and they want to prevent an Empire of its like from rising again, maybe the Hightowers in ages past rode dragons but those dragons were killed over time by the Maesters thus allowing the Maesters to have power over them and also isn't a bit unusual that both the Faith and the Maesters have their power in Oldtown, in fact Oldtown itself is a mystery considering the fact of how old that City is. In fact a look into the lore Oldtown proper and of its people would be worth looking into I find it VERY suspicious that two of the strongest organizations in Westeros both the Citadel and the Faith have their power based out of there especially considering it is the oldest city in Westeros, the Asshai of Westeros if you think about it as its so old nobody knows how out it really is, there is something up with the Maesters and I'm of the opinion they've been screwing the Kingdom of Westeros over from the conquest and even before that.

[@andyfletchxr]

i laughed waaay too hard at the “this guy for sure” next to otto near the end of the video. Lmaooo

[@DavidLightbringer]

He’s the one guy we don’t have to try to sympathize with. What a creep

[@andyfletchxr]

@@DavidLightbringer certainly! i’m hoping he portrays some of the charisma in the show that we saw in characters like Tywin, Littlefinger, and Roose. all the pieces are there for him to join that class of ~villains?

[@stephenferguson9756]

This whole conflict about the two sides and the damage to the smallfolk reminds me of the real life conflict that the dance was based on. It's called The Anarchy. It's about a very similar conflict in England between a female claimant to the throne and her Male relative. It even ended in a somewhat similar way. You guys should look it up, it's pretty interesting.

[@downtown_clownybrown]

still loving these a.m. videos. i keep playing them on the speakers for the whole kitchen before we open. you know jus peer pressuring my crew until they're all full-on myth-heads 😏

[@staytuned2L337]

Good. Goooood.

[@downtown_clownybrown]

@@staytuned2L337 lol so glad you're back

[@Glamuel]

I find you perfectly capture the nuance of dragons here 👏 I agree and hope as well that book Dany resists the temptation of the throne in the end ..

[@stephenjenkins7971]

Unlikely. Book Dany accepted that she was "the Dragon", so she's liable to become more ruthless. You can't solve many problems in a Medieval fantasy without slaughtering millions of smallfolk, as it turns out.

[@yugrise1286]

Queen Rhaenyra will soon be alive.. so much excitement!

[@SmoteMyRuin]

Morning MythFam!! Thanks LML HAPPY HUMP DAY 🖤🔥🤘

[@Methus3lah]

Daenerys: “[The common folk] are sewing dragon banners and praying for Viserys to return and free them.” Jorah: “The common people pray for rain, healthy children, and a summer that never ends…It is no matter to them if the high lords play their game of thrones, so long as they are left in peace…They never are.” (A Game of Thrones, chapter 23)

[@MissyAmy88]

You: «I am Team Smallfolk!» Me: «My condolences!» Its the team that suffers the most.

[@DavidLightbringer]

Which is why the high lords are pretty damn culpable

[@MissyAmy88]

@@DavidLightbringer I could not agree more!

[@johnashley2160]

Both were bad choices, but Team Green is the correct choice. King Viserys made an emotional choice picking Rhaenyra.

[@Zardichard]

He made an emotional choice by picking a second marriage - David can be oh so convinced of Rhaenyra being a bad person (and I'd agree, to an extent), but before the war fucked with her psyche, she at least gathered experience in ruling by sitting with her father when he was ruling, whereas Aegon was nothing but a rich, spoilt brat she also raised Aegon III and Viserys II, who both went on to be great rulers, whereas the children of the usurper were mostly dicks GRRM is certainly also depicting the fact that out of two shitty political sides, one can be much worse than the others, something that is reflected in the politics that he is most familiar with, namely those of the US

[@vanessaprincesssa]

@@Zardichard Finally, I completely agree with you! I dunno why we are suddenly sympathising with Alicent and NOT Rhaenyra? :D

[@snortsalineoflavender]

he picked rhaenyra because she was his firstborn and only living child at that point

[@arianewinter4266]

totaly agree, the only true answer is: "Neither!!!" I am already confused about the massiv black bias in the fandom, those people are/where horrible and I totaly fail to see any moral superiorety on any side. . . .yeah sometimes one likes the bad ones, but I do not get excusing the blacks and demonising the greens for doing the same thing . . . neither side focused on what we should route for in a ruler!

[@DavidLightbringer]

Yeah I am walking people up to the realization that Rhaenyra is a very bad person. Just like the other high lords. She’s among the worst though.

[@DoktaVODKA]

As I listened to "A World of ice and fire" A Hightower Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. Tried to have his son inherit his Title" Gotta watch the "Reading Rhyeghar Reading Corner" again!

[@DavidLightbringer]

those arrogant Hightowers, eh?

[@jschoma11]

Blacks all day and all night..the best case I've seen for the Greens is "Daemon really crossed the line with blood and cheese!" That's so weak, I just don't think you usurp an heir and start a war and then cry foul when things get messy. Not to mention Aemond drew the first royal blood.

[@RiderOfKarma]

Daemon was a total sociopath dude! How could you want that guy anywhere near power? Wasn’t the whole reason Vaserys named Rhanera [I am not looking up the spelling otg, sorry] his heir to keep Daemon out of power??? The whole impetus behind her succession was usurped by that creeper. And her choosing to have Strong boys. Like don’t tell me the line is the most important thing and then have three bastard kids, talking out both sides of their mouths.

[@jschoma11]

@@RiderOfKarma But...Rhaenyra was the heir..not Daemon..they weren't a couple until well into the Dance. Who knows if they would have even ended up together without the absolute chaos that the Greens created? And if Daemon is so crazy and dangerous, why would the Greens so foolishly provoke him..like he's such a loose cannon let's give him a reason to go off?

[@jschoma11]

@@RiderOfKarma You're also putting 100% of this blame on Rhaenyra? Like she chose her arranged marriage to a gay man? She was the heir and slotted to rule..she needs heirs. I'm not supporting extra martial affairs but don't act like she just chose everything that happened to her.

[@RiderOfKarma]

@@jschoma11 Rhaenyra was chosen to head off Daemon’s power grabbing machinations, but then he just turned around and groomed her. Pretty awful. This dude is like the 2nd coming of Maggie the cruel, trust you do not want that as your King [Queen’s consort w/e]. And I agree, the greens were foolish… TO NOT KILL HIM. I mean you’ve got a sneaky coup going on, could’ve assassinated him before he knew what was up. Instead they decided to be “merciful” and let the blacks all live. Like dumb move Greens.

[@RiderOfKarma]

@@jschoma11 Yo, gay dudes can make babies like every other dude. She should’ve had a kid with him, and they both coulda had side pieces. Having three obviously Strong boys was creating trouble on top of trouble. And I do have sympathy for her as someone who was abused and groomed, but that does mean she would make a good ruler either. She was pretty batshit from the abuse and never really had a fair shot at being herself. Sad, but sadder for the people who’d live under Daemon via her.

[@UTFR58]

Team green for me, far more interesting and cool imo 🐲

[@snortsalineoflavender]

u do realise that if u r team green u want aegon on the throne and if u r team black u want rhaenyra? thats why I'm team black but alicent(only show) and helaena are my favourites

[@tracys169]

If it were between Team Black and Team Green, I would lean on Team Black. But I understand Alicent's motivation too. It was a tragic story, dance of the dragons, indeed. From all those dragons to almost none standing.

[@OwnYourBaldSpot]

I agree!

[@nathanwimberley4587]

I am ready for the show to start, I want to watch your break downs!!! Your content is great and easy to listen to, cmon flying d’s! 🔥

[@varunchauhan8014]

The green because they had the more sane people and could have been great kings.

[@joaquinbigtas1396]

the only sane person there is aegon and haleana. the rest are crazy brats

[@WhoIsCalli]

Good vid, thanks 👏👏

[@aakashnash9901]

Team Stark. The true gigachads of the Dance.

[@THI5GUYY]

Team Green all the way….just because everyone else is choosing Black lol. Who’s cares it’s a TV show. Really liking it so far

[@tau6103]

based

[@jjh2456]

@@tau6103like the Strong boys.

[@elijah5182]

Bro don’t say you team green just because everyone choosing team black you gotta have a good reason for why you are team green cause mines is visreys Targaryen never paid much attention to his other kids ageon aemond Helena and daeron all of them I like and in the books aegon wasn’t never a grapeist as far I see it

[@THI5GUYY]

@@elijah5182 Aemond & Vhagar

[@debrickashaw9387]

Havnt seen the video yet but its definitely team Black all the way

[@0hMyLife]

11:46 GOOSEBUMPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EVERY friggin time!!!! Every time I watch this scene!!! Head to toe GOOSEBUMPS!!!!!! THIS is the real Daenrys!!!!! 💯

[@edpistemic]

OMG, yes!!

[@DavidLightbringer]

I had to let it roll, yeah. Was just gonna grab a couple seconds of it but… it’s too good

[@edpistemic]

@@DavidLightbringer No word of a lie, when I first watched that episode on TV I was completely alone and it was totally involuntary but as the camera panned and the flames spread around her I literally found myself standing up from the sofa, my hands reaching to the TV screen as - out loud! - I gasped "I love you!" Your Rhaegar Reaction just made me grin at the memory! Excellent vid.

[@evannesbitt7852]

The class analysis is crucial here. I've always appreciated from George's books that the class struggle is inevitable and that feudalism, as a microcosm for all modes of production based on the existence of classes, is an inherently, bloody, oppressive and exploitative system.

[@DavidLightbringer]

Well I believe we have our comment of the day winner. Well said Evan. I sometimes wonder that anyone could miss picking up on… at least *some* form of this critique of class and power, because it’s not exactly subtle.

[@evannesbitt7852]

@@DavidLightbringer I think the Poor Fellows speach from Septon Merribald is one of the starkest examples of George stuffing class analysis in his works to the brim

[@GreyWasteTim]

Don't forget WWI era chemical warfare with all the poison, plague and corpse launching going on

[@Brickwinds]

The first time I listened through HotD on audiobook, I was absolutely team Black. However, after several playthroughs, I think the one reason that I could support team Green would be to find out what Daemon Targaryen is really like. He is obviously a very complex character, and it will be interesting to see if he is helping Rhaenyra out of love or avarice. The way his story is written, it seems to me that he believes he should be king by right, as his father Baelon came to the throne by inheriting it through his brother, Aemon. Why wouldn't he believe he should receive it the same way? Hoever, he does give me a bit of a Littlefinger vibe. To me, this is what will set the tone for how justified Otto, Alicent, and Criston are in wanting to keep him away from the throne. Super stoked.

[@Krombopulusryan518]

Love the video!

[@KaoticVibes]

Great video!

[@playinggames9212]

Team Rhaenys

[@danielkim7205]

I am always Green. There were few reasons why I am still supporting Green even today. First, Jaehaerys already declared only male could claim the iron throne from the Great Council of 101. In back then, women successor meant to be fail of maintain their houses that many various houses dominated a single kingdom for several century. That is why most of the lords support Viserys because he was Targaryen and skipped all Aemon’s (Jaehaerys’s first son) descendant. If Rhaenerya become queen then her Velaryon (most likely Strong 99.9%) son succeeds after her. Then house Velaryon controls the iron throne even thought there are still male Targaryen alive. If you are the real Targaryen fan, then could you allow Velaryon controls the iron throne? Also, there was a black supporter who argued Rhaenerya’s sons (Velaryon) could switch to Targaryen by matrilineal marriage but it will bring conflicts with Corlys and he will not allow his grandsons became members of Targaryen. Second, there is no reason or justification of Viserys’s decision of Rhaenerya as his heir. At first, there is no problem when Viserys forced the lords swell fealty to her daughter because she was the only child at that time. Also, king and many of them disfavored Daemon became a heir. However, after three sons had born, there was no reason to maintain Rhaenerya as his heir due to my first claim. Even Viserys forced her to marry Laenor that Viserys pushed Velaryon to close to dominate the iron throne after he rejected the marriage between Rhaenerya and Aegon. Lastly, king should not do anything he wanted to do. If a king wanted to do anything he liked, then why are the laws existed? Jaehaerys already decided to follow the andal’s succession law and settled down the succession crisis. However, Viserys ignored it and led to further crisis that almost brought destruction of Targeryen. Sometime, changes could bring the disasters that king should consider everything before he took the actions. I think Vierys’s decision was not good for a kingdom and not worth it. All of my claims are based on period of medieval and historical for the realistic of the show.

[@DavidLightbringer]

yeah Daniel I tihnk you're correct about all of that. To me, it's a major indictment of both Viserys and Rhaenyra that they thought they could make exceptions to the law without actually changing it. If Viserys had convened the small council or a new Great Council to change the laws so that women could inherit going forward, I'd have a lot more respect. That would be actual reform. Instead they just wanted an exception for Rhaenyra.

[@iangallagher5448]

If Jaehearys Andal Sucession law Rhaenys would’ve been Queen. 101 was precedent not a law but remember in 92 Jaehearys did make it law that the King can chose their own when he choose Baelon over Rhaenys. Also I don’t think Corlys would fight to keep the Veleryon name matter of fact his wife still goes by Targeryen even though she has no titles or land to claim under that name

[@danielkim7205]

@@iangallagher5448 Well, You are half right and wrong for the Andal succession based on my perception. Andal succession favored the elder son’s descendant; however, the succession was based on the medieval male preference primogeniture that favored elder son and male heirs than female members. Rhaenys could become a future queen if Aemon became a king, but he did not. Based on the andal’s male preference succession, Rhaenys could not become Jaehaerys heir because he had his male descendants (Baelon, Vaegon, Viserys & Daemon). The primogeniture worked based on a current king and not the dead prince. After Baelon died, Jaehaerys summonded his third son Vaegon to become his heir, but he refused and recommended to hold the great council to decided a heir. In that great council, everyone except Corlys supported Viserys because he was the eldest male Targaryen (Vaegon gave up the throne) and Laenor’s motherside was Targaryen that ended up disadvantage for him. 101 could be the precendent, but all the houses except Martell already decide the male preference as their succession law and Jaehaerys followed their decisions. One of the argument that both green and black supporters fought was rather 101 decided the succession law or not. And because I am not super bias on the green that I respect your argument, but to me, Aegon has more claim to the throne over Rhaenyra.

[@jschoma11]

If you're a "real Targaryen fan" you support the Hightower coup to usurp a true born Targaryen heir? That logic just doesn't fly for me.

[@iangallagher5448]

@@danielkim7205 That’s actually first men law of succession there had been many cases before and after the dance where women took up lordship from their father due to Andal law. And more than likely that council was a farce set up by Vaegon and Jaehearys to install Viserys. Because if they had installed him directly there would be backlash because not only did Rhaenys have a male heir who claimed a dragon but she herself would be more experienced than Viserys. Plus even post-dance they didn’t follow this succession because the son of Aerion who was heir was passed over for Aegon V

[@shawncunningham6922]

Are the graphic novels worth buying?

[@moiraferreira]

Thnx David

[@OctopusWithNoFriends]

💚💚💚 the Rheading Rhaegar Reaction Corner 😂 \\m//

[@wserthmar8908]

💚

[@Revolution-tl5wo]

Awesome video and analysis! "There's no war but the class war" is a truth in our world and in fantasies about human power dynamics. It's so easy to get caught up in the characters of these dramas and side with them, forgetting that every one of them is an aristocrat, most of the time merely serving themselves and their petty whims. Rule #1 of class politics is don't collaborate with the bourgeoisie. Root for the small folk. \m/ @David Lightbringer

[@DavidLightbringer]

Someone’s gotta say it

[@Revolution-tl5wo]

@@DavidLightbringer Yes. I say it IRL all the time, it was definitely time to bring it up in the context of ASOIAF. Art imitates life, after all, and we know GRRM purposely weaved these themes into his writing.

[@jona.scholt4362]

NBA Finals Question; With the Dubs down after Game 3 I was wondering what your thoughts are on the series so far and what the Warriors have to do to win 3 of the next 4 games. It doesn't look as though Steph's late foot injury was anything serious and I read he should be fine and ready for Game 4, so at least that's not as bad as the news could've been. More worrying is the C's domination of the glass and the paint and Draymond's ineffectiveness on the defensive end. It'll be interesting to see what Kerr has planned for Game 4 as he and the team know Game 4 is do or die. A 3-1 hole wouldn't be insurmountable (Warriors fans know that all too well) but the hole it would put them in would be very deep.

[@Professor_GonZo]

Watch as the old bear paces around waiting for the coffee to finish. In this pre-coffee state, the old bear is known for loud displays especially with its broken tooth. Hmm, the old bear has stopped pacing and sits calmly... What has he found? Ah, a new LmL video has dropped. Strangely this LmL has soothed the savage beast better than coffee...

[@spideregg]

I'd argue that before the Dance, the Targs were doing quite a bit for the smallfolk. Yes, the Conquest was violent, but once it was done, it pretty much put an end to all the conflicts that were almost certainly a regular part of life in Westeros. The obvious comparison to Aegon is William, and before his conquest, the British Isles were constantly in conflict, either through wars between the kingdoms or the continuous raids. Then the Targs set about doing things like building infrastructure and passing what were some pretty progressive laws. The use of dragons as weapons of mass destruction became a problem during the Dance, but I think we're agreed that the Dance was initiated by the Citadel. And if there is one group in Westeros that should have been aware of the looming threat of the Others it would be the Citadel. So why is the Citadel trying to destroy the Targs when the latter seem to be preparing Westeros, by uniting the continent and strengthening the Watch? And one of the few times we actually get a perspective of the smallfolk, Nimble Dick declares that "we're all good Dragon men up Crackclaw way." As for Green vs. Black, emotionally I'm Team Black, but at the same time realize that no matter which side wins, humanity in Westeros loses.

[@anatoldenevers237]

The Maesters certainly have done some meddling, but I don't think it's fair to say they initiated the Dance. The Targaryens are responsible for their family's dysfunctionality, and killing each other isn't really a new thing.

[@rebbaonisa6765]

You do pay attention to things well. You have bad friends and family.

[@vanessaprincesssa]

One more comment for the Algorithm Gods: 😁😁 after having seen the video, I completely agree with you LML, team Smallfolk, a ruler MUST protect the people. This is also a brilliant defence and analysis of Dany ❤️ in a bite-size format, great job, much like the “Who’s the real Dany video” 😌😇 Other than that, I have a theory about the symbolism of my girl Rhaenyra’s death, but I will wait for her own video to share it with you, just so I don’t confuse the topics here. 😄

[@DavidLightbringer]

she "drank the fire of the sun" didn't she

[@vanessaprincesssa]

@@DavidLightbringer Yes! That too! You'll see ;)

[@devoleno]

Finally someone admits it. I too am small folk. Some people in the fandom act like they are Westerosi lords. I speak from the perspective of the "Red Shirt" crew. Maybe I should change my username to GhostofRedShirt. The senseless murder of the small folk is one of the main points that bother so much about the Dance. It's one thing for 2 powerhouses to engage in combat with one another but the things done to the small folk during this war is unforgivable. My respect for House Targaryen dropped significantly after the Dance. That said, #TeamBlack The King's word is the word.

[@jac7895]

Yeah, its almost like picking your favourite gang in a shootout.

[@sanctuary6689]

Please do a video about other Magics we might see! Edit: Rhaegar’s Reaction Corner was PERFECT!

[@bryndensnow]

I'm just excited to see Lamentation and Orphan-maker!

[@j.gregoryhenderson6032]

The veil used here was spectacular. I legit forgot we were talking about the greens and blacks lol 😆

[@bloodyneptune]

This would have been a great video to try and get sponsored by that "but a lord/lady title" thing lol

[@QueenDaenerysTargaryen]

My reign is just begun!

[@saiyan8338]

Great video.

[@jishnuadhikari5234]

I side with whatever brings an end to the dragons and their riders. Too much power in one hand can never be good.

[@kingaemond12345]

Even if Greens didn't have any ambition for throne and let Rhaenyra be Queen after Viserys, there would be succession war after Rhaenyra too. Obviously Daemon's sons won't like the Strongs/Velaryons bastards to be kings, even if Rhaenyra named Jace as heir. A war was inevitable when Rhaenyra claimed her bastards were true born over her sons with Daemon.

[@lindsey7951]

I'm only team Green until Jace Luke and Joffrey are gon after Thanksgiving Aegon III is legitimate and lawful until then Aegon II is king👑

[@teamblack204]

Think again. Aegon & Viserys worshipped their older half brothers. They wouldn't fight against them.

[@enzobodean2599]

"They had it coming" XD

[@espalier]

LML, many of Jean-Françios Millet’s paintings would be great for illustrations of peasant life.

[@DavidLightbringer]

Ah thanks for the rec. I got stuck with the Monty Python smallfolk

[@manaash4316]

As a Canadian, I was very pleased by that intro lol

[@DavidLightbringer]

Thought the Grizzlies reference was a nice touch ❤️🌲🐻

[@quaithe1]

About "Canada remembers:" for what it's worth, Quebec literally has "I remember" (in French) printed on license plates. Anyhow, to a larger question, here's to a world with rules, but without rulers. May we see it some day.

[@radiorules]

Exact. Je me souviens.