The Best House of the Dragon Episode (that everyone forgot)

[@Gleebful]

“And what has Ser Criston Cole done?”

[@ferdinandfoch7816]

My favorite line delivery in the whole show

[@josephbulkin9222]

Cole knew who the rightful king was. My Kingmaker.

[@NoSympathyGiven]

GOES SO HARD

[@robertfaucher3750]

"He put a whoopie cushion underneath Maester Orwyle before the small council meeting."

[@lordfreerealestate8302]

Aegon's mom. 😏

[@sirunfunnyiv7600]

I quite like the idea that Otto actually never left Kings Landing, and Larys just kidnapped him immediately and placed him in the Black cells

[@ngin98]

I think this might be the case & when rhaenyra takes kings landing & aegon isnt there she is still going to want a head & who else to pick then ottos 🫢 would make for some great dramatic tension in the red keep w/ her & alicent

[@azmob8909]

I think it kind of ruins his character

[@tinahs8269]

I also think it went like this

[@made-line7627]

Whose? ​@@azmob8909

[@andalilbitqueer]

I remember going from "oh this is amazing" after Daemon and Rhaenyra's argument to "I am in love with this episode" when Rhys Ifans started screamin

[@aegorbittersteel2154]

Grandpa Otto is such a great character and Aegon was killing it.

[@lordfreerealestate8302]

Yes, (and portrayed by Rhys Ifans who is profoundly talented) which is why I feel stuffing him in a dungeon for much of the season while sending Tyland Lannister to do the plotline that was originally his made no sense and was disappointing. I wish Otto had killed the ratcatchers instead of Aegon (as is canon).

[@theanarchistcook]

I've been saying exactly this since this episode came out. I would add that Rhaenyra's life is saved specifically because she let Mysaria go when she didn't have to. It builds trust both ways.

[@lukesguywalker]

It’s some of the best writing in the show for sure. The part that struck me the most was Rhaenyra telling Daemon something to the effect of his reservedness being something her younger self “took as a challenge, but I am older now, I have challenges enough” it was like she was realizing in the moment that Daemon lowkey groomed her. Broke my heart a bit

[@MyCarnageExtreme]

"The king is my grandson and my grandson is a fool!" The way I laughed 😂 Otto was a cool character to watch.

[@Grace-er9ep]

This line got me so good! He deserves massive recognition for that scene I honestly want to watch it again right now lol

[@Sianic12]

I already know you're right because the best scene in the show is in the thumbnail. 10/10 scene!

[@Joe-rk9uy]

😅😅😅 wrong best episode was episode 4....Best scene? Why the dance of the dragons ofcourse

[@EvanMonroe]

What boiled my blood was when people turned on Sara Hess yet again toward the end of the season. I think most can agree that she's written some episodes with rough plot elements, arguably even bad episodes. But how can you call her a bad writer when she wrote the best episode of the show? And anyone saying otherwise needs to really think about it, because this episode is the one. The culmination of so many unsaid sentences and conversations from characters who were wound like a top in season 1. In a lot of ways it feels like the proper finale of season 1.

[@danika9411]

I think she is good with dialog, but apart from that she screws up. She doesn't know Game of Thrones or the universe, is proud she never watched the show or read asoiaf. She doesn't know the world or source material well enough. Because of this she makes lots of mistakes or introduces plotpoints that have no consequences. F.e. she wrote "The green council", she wrote Rhaenys breaking through the ground of the dragonpit and it had no consequence. She invented child fighting pits, that do not exist in the source material. Westeros is strictly against any form of slavery, because the people who live there fled from being slaves. Both the Andals and the Rhoynar ( people of Dorne ) ran away from the valyrian empire who wanted to enslave them. The only place that we know has fighting pits is Meereen in slaver's bay. She invented these things, because she disliked Aegon. And then they realized there mistake and it is never mentioned again. But generally Hess doesn't know or understand the world she writes about and it shows. She also wrote the episode Rhaenyra the Cruel. Mild spoiler for Fire and Blood. She switched Helaenas and Rhaenyras story. Helaena was beloved by the smallfolk and they later riot for her in Helaenas name against Rhaenyra. They switched their stories. Helaena was also known to love to fly with Dreamfyre. She also doesn't understand the logistics of the world. At that point there was no famine. They still got food and crops from the Crownlands, the Kingswood is nearby for hunting, they have around 300 miles of bay to fish directly in front of their doors and they have access to the royal treasury, which Rhaenyra has not. Technically Rhaenyra is supposed to struggle with payments right now. Because she is on an island, banks won't give her enough credit and she struggles to pay her army. So she has to take Kingslanding at one point, because she can't finance the war. I could write a huuuuge essay why the writing decisions of Hess arenot good. She doesn't know the source material or understand the world she is writing for. So a lot makes no sense. So it's not the dialog that is a problem, I think she is very good with that. Edit for typos.

[@lordfreerealestate8302]

Sarah Hess is not without her flaws but I also feel she has been treated as a scapegoat and the entirety of the season's/show's problems were pinned on her unfairly. She wasn't the only one making choices. She deserves a slice of the blame but not the whole cake.

[@danika9411]

@@lordfreerealestate8302 I agree with that. Condal and the other writers are also to blame.

[@GrinMonister]

The child fighting pits were in the book .​@@danika9411

[@gabrielgzz7585]

Corlys walking around the dock all season doing nothing was such a missed opportunity and made me angry. It’s as if in GoT Tyrion in kings landing would have walked around a dock all season talking to the same character about the same conversation 💀💀💀

[@Hazelcake]

i literally clapped after the Otto scene

[@S0M3GUY778]

Tom Glynn Carney and Rhys Ifans were standouts in this season. I never felt strongly about Aegon in season 1 but season 2 made me really sympathize for Aegon. Its a return to form for the political drama that made this series so great

[@animemaniak6236]

Episode 2 of Season 2 is my favorite episode of the entire series (i like it even better than episode 4). The entire opening sequence with the music and the servants running around the Red Keep, Aegon's rage, argument between Rhaenyra and Daemon. Just perfection. If only the rest of the season was of the same quality...

[@pissedoffnation]

Rhys' performance as otto is a real enormous standout for me

[@punkthatiscyber9091]

If someone called my dastardly plot of assassination a "prank".... I would fold immediately and sue for peace. Clearly I would not be cut out for this. The fact that the word that comes to mind is PRANK would break me.

[@lordfreerealestate8302]

Blood and Cheese when they get caught killing a child: "ITS JUST A PRANK BRO"

[@benethrax]

Absolutely agree! The other fact to keep in mind about Otto’s apparent coldness about the murder of little Aegon; Otto was advocating massacring Rhaenyra’s children on the accession. Whatever Otto is, he’s not a hypocrite. But he is an actual statesman and statesmanship requires denying emotion. His eulogy for Viserys also presents the contrary view to the common belief expressed that the old king was weak. Otto obviously saw it differently.

[@motorcitymangababe]

The maid rushing away with the bloody bedding reminded me of the scene of Nurses piling up the radioactive gear of the firefighters in HBO's Chernobyl. Left me with the same chilling feeling of "This is bad enough but my gods its going to get worst. The poison is spreading and you cant even see it" Still gives me goosebumps. ETA: its dumb to send hate to actors of characters you dont like. That i absolutely loath Criston Cole means his actor is doing a fantastic job. And i mean, we all know some arrogant asshole who keeps failing upwards and we ALL hate that guy.

[@7dragons7swords]

Otto: I am going to incarnate my inner Tywin! 5 minutes later Otto: noone ever fire Tywin!

[@fantasyhaven1]

I hear you did an amazing livestream about this episode that one time

[@KarlKarsnark]

I made sure to tell him about the shoutout you give him in the latest vid. I'm sure he'll love it :)

[@ethanharris6226]

I stand by the fact that the first half of the season IS AMAZING, ESPECIALLY EPISODE 2!!!! I know peeps are pissed and whining about the changes and the lack of a conclusion at the end - but there's some amazing stuff in this show; don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.

[@sirunfunnyiv7600]

Yeah, I think Otto’s absence is one of the leading causes for the season’s clunkiness

[@quiquemarquez3211]

Quite so, Rhys did carry the first chapters at his back without the man the show's quality plummeted.

[@sirunfunnyiv7600]

@@quiquemarquez3211 I don’t think it was that, more so just that he pushed the plot forward, which would have voided the season’s biggest weakness

[@EmaAgafitei]

Rhaenyra the Cruel is the best HotD episode and one of the best adaptation of the GRRM's writing. Reminds me of Got season 2 and 3

[@thedragondemands5186]

Yeah

[@bigdingus5359]

When he took the broach off an said “Insolent pup.” Like a dark souls boss i was so locked in

[@FullScreenTV_]

I have quite literally downloaded this episode in 4k, because its so rewatchable. I go back to it over and over and over, and I truly think it's one of the best episodes of any TV show ever. Every single element in it is perfect.

[@status_quo_post]

For the record I didn't forget this episode. In fact Rhaenyra and Daemon arguing is my favorite scene from season 2 (Emma D'Arcy god damn what a talent 🤩) And this thumbnail is truly peak. Cole perfectly framed in the E, this is cinema 🙌

[@samwall8390]

Episode 2 from season 2 was so hype and had me so excited for the next episodes....

[@ingen_nate_kenny6588]

Quinn there's a typo. In the thumbnail, you put "PEAK" when you meant to write "PEAKE".

[@joey4592]

Rhaenyra the Cruel was absolutely amazing. In the UK (with no HBO and a broken TV) I had to stay up until 4AM to wait for the websites to release the episode, and genuinely those late 4am mornings were some of the greatest times, and this episode had me on the edge of my seat. Tom, Olivia and Rhys’ acting was absolutely amazing and the action this episode was thrilling and genuinely gave me such an engaging feeling as if I were literally reading one of the books. I genuinely don’t know why people don’t talk about this episode more.

[@chrisAclaes]

For me, the best was the Red Sowing. Rhaenyra’s haunting speech to the would-be riders, the horrific Vermithor scene, it was all just magic. Then the finale came right after and shat the bed.

[@carastone3473]

Because ‘the finale’ was not intended to BE the finale; it was meant to be episode 8 of 10.

[@kynan1232]

The scene with Otto, Aegon, and Cristen is my favorite scene if television ever. I'm an actor myself and I have a deep apreciation of their craft. We in America are truly not taught the same level of technique.

[@hmmuhhh5715]

I love that your a critical role fan

[@lordfreerealestate8302]

Also a Critical Role fan! 💙💙

[@booyakuhsha24]

Love everything you do! Great work

[@saxpackabs]

Ulf is played by an actor who played Del Boy in the West End. Del Boy is a famous character in UK sitcom history who is your classic charismatic Wheel Dealer. Seeing how Ulf is in this you can see how much of the character he took with him.

[@Loki-g3k]

This episode has several scenes that i rewatched over and over after the final.

[@mementomori771]

8:00 Aegon watches children death matches killing someone wouldnt affect him lol

[@robertsmiley2207]

We're u harmed your grace I could've been that line alone was hilarious 😆😂😅

[@samd2013]

I really like your ASOIAF videos, I’ve been watching them a lot lately. This was a great episode of HOTD, honestly though I enjoyed the whole season. I didn’t think it was as bad as alot of people are saying.

[@rashelleobey7626]

This was an amazing episode!!

[@jonathanvarney2876]

Great video man loved this style of content

[@CaptainLore]

I agree with this 1000%. Every actor and actress in Rhaenyra the Cruel gives their best performance and the writers truly show the full scope of their prowess. Every single scene in this episode from the smallness of Aegon destroying Viserys' table to the massive incredible fight between Rhaenyra and Daemon as well as the impeccable scene where Otto is removed from being the hand is just so hard to match. I think I've seen very few episodes of TV better than this, the only one in the Thrones universe being Rains of Castamere. Just an incredible episode.

[@iainhansen1047]

Giving Otto his best moment of humanity plus his best 🔥

[@animesempai0]

Otto absence cause the downturn in quality of the show, he was brilliant in that scene when he abashed Aegon, kind of like when Tyrion killed tywin in game of thrones

[@Claire-x6s]

Tom Glynn-Carney needs an Emmy

[@ededdneddy4ever34]

Rhaenyra the cruel is my favorite epsiode of the entire series. It has so many highlights. The fight between daemon and Rhaenyra is easily the best acting from Matt and Emma in the entire series thus far. The open scene of aegon having a meltdown is crushing. And Rhys Ifans shutting down aegon as an idiot is a masterclass of acting. Also the cinemetagrophy of the funeral for Jahaeris is beautiful

[@eviesholette]

Wonderful video! I did like the format. I always enjoy your opinioms.

[@eviesholette]

Also your opinions 😂

[@HNfilms]

Easily my favourite episode of the season, and definitely up there with episode 3 of season 1 was one of the best

[@bellamitchell6017]

This was by far my favorite episode this season

[@unreal306]

They need to make Rhaenyra more of a villain as she was horrible in the books

[@jacobseed2123]

Alicent: I have sinned Otto: I do not wish to hear of it 😎

[@cadencumming7795]

Otto was just happy because he was no longer going to have to provide pony rides to the petulant heir. A literal weight off his shoulders, how nice!

[@johnvalentine5917]

Its hilarious how stupid Cole's plan was from the perspective of Otto yet ironically from the audience perspective we see it would have succeeded or came close to succeeding the actors did a terrific job

[@tinahs8269]

I agree with you about this episode..when it comes to dialogue and story progression this was the best. (In terms of action..its ep 4). One point of disagreement i have is...Ottos fate..Im 99 percent sure he never left kings landing. The walls have ears in the red keep..and their own agenda.

[@matthewburdick4966]

Hey just a little correction! Top/Bottom/Vers is a different spectrum than Dom/Sub/Switch. Corlys saying he likes to take commands from his wife would indicate that he's a submissive (or a switch) but not necessarily a bottom (or vers). Just wanted to chime in. I love the video! You always do such a good job.

[@tankdesant5486]

First half of S01E03 was the peak for me. More houses and more colours were good.

[@tomfrakking9426]

I really love this episode and still think that this season is pretty good, if not flawed. Most scenes are very intruiging and entertaining and I'm not bored for a second.

[@KabbalahSherry]

When he called Aegon "triflin" I was like: "I'm Team Black, and blame Otto for a lot of these problems HOWEVER.... " 😌🤣 lololol #HeToldNoLies

[@RodrickMarsMoon]

"THE KING IS MY GRANDSON, AND MY GRANDSON IS A FOOL!!!" Still think about that once in a while 😆.

[@jf_kein_k8590]

That whole twins in conflict thing really feels like the biggest hint towards it being Jaime who kills Cersei. Also cause Cersei being so sure it's Tyrion, and when is someone ever right when thinking they know how a prophecy will go?

[@iamai_iggs]

missed opportunity to put that pink butterfly on George's temple 😒

[@juliusmunemo8754]

Also perhaps the only coherent episode politically

[@ThommyofThenn]

I honestly loved series 1 of this show and s2 must have been daunting trying to live up to the very high (imo) standard of the first one. As such, I think many viewers were so busy thinking "this isn't the same as series 1," that we found ourselves focusing too much on negative aspects while underappreciating the great parts! Still, i would love to see some commentary as to their thought process when storyboarding how to pace S2. With the way some characters were handled or omitted , it can seeem like a very salient question it has to be said.

[@panhardey]

16:57 made me laugh so hard

[@carastone3473]

😂😂 🍆

[@WheatthinCraft]

Disappointed this isn’t your second House Peak video

[@silverwolfe3636]

I don't understand how or why people are still praising this show. Its like seasons 5 and 6 of Game of Thrones all over again where I feel like I'm the only one calling this show bad like I'm taking crazy pills or something. Its like the dragon fight is Battle of the Bastards all over again where the spectacle is sooooo spectacular that people immediate forgive just how stupid the situation is. Its soooo nonsensical but people don't care I guess because girlboss and dragon fights make people forget and forgive stupidity and bad writing and total contrivance. That being said, the music is still amazing, costume is fine, set design is great, effects are awesome, and the performances of Tom, Rhys, and Fabian are legendary. Ewan Mitchell also is wonderful when he gets to chew the scenery. But none of these positives can save the show.

[@jackhamey659]

That my friend is the sad side effect of having mainstream appeal. I binged Got like 2-3 years ago and fell in love with westeros. This was after years of not watching or reading anything todo with asoiaf as i assumed it was just a lotr knock off due to sean beans presence on the posters, and fans saying its better than lotr purely because "its more violent and gritty, also there's tits". This always put me off watching because none of those things are what make lotr brilliant. For years i was unaware that asoiaf was the fantasy world i had been yearning for. I think all those people who were driving you mad upon season 5s release are the same people who put me off watching it for so long. They simply did not understand what the show/books are actually about, they miss the meaning completely. On my 1st binge of the show, season 5 ep1 let me down so hard, to the point i actually told my self i wouldn't bother to finish the show as i knew season 8 was shit anyway just from being on the internet, so i went and read the books instead aswell as watch hotd s1 all of which i loved dearly. Season 2 of hotd re-broke my heart which really hurts to say, but the latter half really really suffers from writers issues ect. And even though its still good, they changed things in the 1st half of the season to the point that they now cannot tell the story which i like already. So dont worry, the only person taking crazy pills is hbo

[@MolotovVids]

The thumbnail goes haarddd

[@ryangaffney2373]

THANK YOU. I’ve been saying this!!!

[@durjoymaitra3840]

Love the vid! Was wondering if you've read The First Law by Joe Abercrombie and if you'd consider making any videos about it!

[@error-err-1016]

The only thing that would've made this episode better is if Darkstar made an appearance.

[@lordfreerealestate8302]

House Dayne is underrated.

[@ianweir3608]

And rhaegar

[@wisdommanari6701]

Troll title, but I'll happily take the bait 😁 to this date everyone I have seen still praises this wonderful episode. I think it's so well received as it's an episode of consequences and logically character progression. Everything flows naturally and logically from the previous episode. Characters talk like real people AND they act within their established character.

[@jacobwillis7596]

I loved this episode and blood and cheese as an autistic person because personally Helena is like so accurate. Everything she did I just nodded and was like “yeah checks out”

[@n.l.3776]

Hey quinn, do you know when you ll have time for the next Livestream? Really looking forward to it :)

[@TonttuTorvinen]

Great episode. You can relate with almost all characters. You might not approve their choices but I felt like I understood them. But this kind of drama requires good setup. I can relate to the guys doing poor decisions when their personality and motivations have been previously established. Without the personality and motivations it is just stupid instead of tragic. When the writers will take shortcuts and are not consistent with the characters and their motivations they will lose the ability to make such great episodes that rely on careful setup in earlier episodes.

[@jf_kein_k8590]

Didn't Mysaria notice Arryk cause he was walking towards the castle, but she had seen Erryk when she was leaving said castle?

[@leachlaneboys8328]

I rlly thought we were in for an amazing season after this episode

[@user-ti5cw1ug6l]

Definitely also thought this was the best episode. It's the only episode that felt like it had the tone shift the season is supposed to have, mainly because of Aegon actually being affected by things and not just forgetting them and trying to make peace. The fact that other characters like Alicent set out to do this in literally the next episode really ruins the momentum and hype from episode 2. The clashes between Daemon and Rhaenyra & Aegon and Otto were very engaging and organic. Especially with Aegon and Otto, you couldn't so clearly understand where both of them were coming from, especially Aegon. With the Daemon and Rhaenyra conflict, I wish they didn't have a full reconciliation so as to retain some mystery about Daemon's intentions till the very end. It would contribute to the pay off at the end of his story. As for some higher rates episodes like 4, I personally felt they were tainted by certain narrative changes.

[@jimmiejohnson8126]

I wasn't ready for Euron 😂

[@carastone3473]

This episode was very good. Most of the season was…meh. Tom Glynn-Carney & Rhys Ifans just KILLED it! They’re both amazing, even though I hate both characters. 😅

[@DzikiDelfin]

Literally yes

[@QuinnFirstOfHerName]

Where is GRRM's blog post on what REALLY went wrong with this season : Otto Hightower was only in two episodes.

[@Prince_of_Ruins]

Yeah it was the best episode of season 2

[@thepowerofsand6180]

The first 3 episodes were peak House of the Dragon. It kinda lost its way half way through...

[@montyparata3507]

"Insolent pup"

[@caitlin7092]

I feel like Otto is going to fill Maelor’s role when it comes to Bitterbridge.

[@samuelleask1132]

Loved thisnep

[@Mink-yu8nu]

I'd like to know what your least fave episode of HOTD is and why because I'm evil like that.

[@QuinnTheGM]

Probably Regent, bad title and nothing happens

[@dee-taylor]

After this episode aired I was so incredibly pumped that this show was about to truly pick up the mantle of early GOT...🤦‍♂️

[@shinymk6562]

HOTD S2 would be one of the best episodes in the series if everything surrounding Mysaria in S2 made any sense. The only reason Rhaeynyra lives was because she let her go, which is something she never should have done because she is not to be trusted, especially after she was playing dumb and refusing to answer your questions. Yes, it poetic and beautiful that showing forgiveness is what saved Rhaenyra's life, but it doesn't make any sense and I think te book having the two twins happen to find each other, while convenient, is something that makes far more sense and is far more likely AND doesn't make Rhaenyra look really dumb.

[@shinymk6562]

The Otto scene though, now that is some PEAK HOTD.

[@Eyoballin]

Imagine if D&D simply had Robb and Cat poisoned because it was too graphic, and then everyone both in universe and out forgot about it 2 episodes later like blood and cheese. Or if by season 2 everyone forgot about Neds death like Helaena and Rhaenyra forgetting about Jaeheadless. They would be shamed but these amateurs get a pass. The pacing is one of many problems. The real pervasive problem is that nothing has consequences or matters in HOTD.

[@Al-ji4gd]

It's weird seeing such a good scene in such a bad season of television.

[@robertsmiley2207]

I don't like season 2 but the greens outshined the black's mainly Aegon Aemond and Sir Otto

[@ragabutler89]

1.59 quin gets flicked in the balls

[@oradarling7245]

I loved the argument scene but unfortunately Damon's stupid hallucination story ruins the whole situation by taking away Damon's free will when re-commiting to his queen which would have been better for his character

[@Firmth]

Pretty sure glidus and alt shift x called this the best episode of the series at the time, but I could be imagining that.

[@iDeathMaximuMII]

You are bold to say that Lord of the Tides isn't the best HotD episode.... Joking aside for me, this episode was 2nd or 3rd best. It's so good.

[@thedragondemands5186]

Sara Hess deserves a writing Emmy for this episode.

[@melissarowell1503]

I really like HOTD, but the problem i have with it is, we havent seen any of these characters interact together or develop any kind of relationship. We've never seen Aegon and Rhaenyra even talk to each other. We didnt get to see anything about their relationship. We didnt see nearly enough of Daemon and Viserys. They shouldve taken more time laying the background for these characters instead of time jumping and leap frogging. We have not had time to invest in these characters. They are FAMILY. But we dont get to see any of that. So nothing that happens means nearly as much. This isnt a house divided its a family ripped into. And there is no sign of that. If they had added even the smallest bond between any of these characters, like they did young rhaenyra and alicent. The betrayal would be so much better. We dont get to see a bond between adult rhaenyra and Alicent. Its way too rushed. They rushed through to the main event, and they didnt build the foundation for this show. They didnt show us what kind of relationship rhaenyra and Daemon have. And then they had Daemon leave and waste how many episodes in those stupid dreams. It was a waste of Matt's talents and it stalled the story.

[@ngin98]

the show lost something when they sent otto away 😭 season 2 of hotd feels like part 1 of a 2 part film series, maybe this season will go over better in the future being watched back to back w/ season 3

[@1STofHisName-l7r]

❤❤

[@Liberaven]

That everyone forgot??? Mate, this episode is talked about frequently as the best episode in the series and your favourite scene is frequently talked about as the best scene. Don't pass this off as an unorthodox opinion

[@JacobSBierman]

first half of season 2 was very good but second half was just plain boring and poorly written tbh