The Burning Mill | Review & Analysis | House Of The Dragon Season 2 Episdoe 3 Review & Analysis

[@WorldOfWesteros]

i just want to add, it doesn't matter what Twitter think, what Reddit think, what other ASOIAF channels think or what i think. If you like and enjoy something no one can tel you otherwise or ruin it for you, if you don't like something your equality have a valid opinion. What matters at the end of the day is what you personally feel and think and you are entitled to those feelings. Oh PS.... the comments have been glitching last few days, i will be spending some time tomorrow to reply to all the comments that have been missed over the last week

[@verihimthered2418]

Wait you read comments.... I'll be right back, got some edits to make hahahah😅

[@aegorbittersteel2154]

Thank you for being amazing and making amazing videos. Hope it won't be too annoying reading me screaming about Blackfyres 99% of the time😄

[@JoseGonzalez-pn5zl]

Did you see the picture of Haren the black on Simon Strong seat also the room were the great council took place in episode 1.

[@hankhill7827]

WHat I think IS IRRELEVANT

[@aegorbittersteel2154]

@@hankhill7827 😂😂😂

[@hubertdenise3100]

After blood and cheese there should be no way Alicent would ever hear her out.The death of her grandchild and trauma of Heleana should have spurred Alicent to immediately pressing full throttle on violence.The only only way you could have any peace would be to kill off Daemon, and Rhaenyra would never allow it, because even if Jaeharys death was disgusting to her, she clearly didn’t care enough to punish Daemon.She was more mad he did it behind her back rather then the actual deed.And it feels like Alicent doesn’t care about her kids or grandkids at all, if this was book Alicent she would have strangled Rhaenyra if she showed up to try and talk.Book Alicent loved her children and was fully faithful in them coming back to retake city and defeat Rhaenyra and Daemon, and her grandchildren who she would see everyday and say goodnight to often, and was ready to murder Rhaenyra and her sons after blood and cheese, while show Alicent feels like she’d sell her children and grandchildren out if it meant a bit of time with Rhaenyra, the fact she’s at all still willing to meet with her after blood and cheese is ridiculous.I can tell we will not be getting her defiantly promising her sons will be back to avenge her, nor her cursing Rhaenyra for Heleana’s death or begging for her sons life, S2 Alicent feels like a truly awful parent while S1 Alicent was still trying to be a good parent and actually had a decent moment where she put herself in harms way to protect Aegon.

[@RockChick63174]

🥱

[@Morfe02]

@@hubertdenise3100 agree Is like they trying to wash the fact the Dance happens BECAUSE ALICENT AND RHAENYRA PUT DRESSES and they want to protect the family by killing the other family But no, in HBO men want War and all women want peace and they are better politicians because emmm i dont know At least that work with Rhaenys not with the other two that has no good decisions at all

[@jc0495]

You’re not supposed to take the book seriously. It was written by biased accounts that are mostly pro-green. Of course, they are going to write Alicent to be a good mother when she really is not. She might seem a good mother in season 1 but you can clearly tell she’s disassociated when interacting with the kids even annoyed at times.

[@Chasingdreams25]

What do you say about the greens killing Luke?? Or is his blood just easily wasted unlike Baby Jaehaerys ???

[@ucnguyenanh9414]

@@jc0495 Only people who hadn't read the book would said it was pro-green. Because the book wrote down both the green and black versions of the same accounts.

[@juho9703]

As mostly a book fan, your reviews are quite refreshing after taking the occasional dive into the toxic pools that are some of the other social media comments sections. Thanks for your perspective, especially the professional critique on adapting books! That's definitely a big reason why your channel appeals to me. Keep up the great work!

[@WorldOfWesteros]

Thank's, i try my best to be a bit more objective somewhat.

[@simplestgamerz691]

The show is biased towards black, i will not be surprised if they removed or cut actual character's like nettles,some changes like the coronation of aegon ii and rheaneys makes no sense at all

[@apelincoln1616]

At this point, it's almost a certainty that Nettles won't be in the show.

[@ucnguyenanh9414]

A silver lining that they didn't cut Daeron.

[@singstreetcar5881]

What is the distance between dragon stone and King's landing, cause the way characters travel back and forth like it's a 5 minute drive.

[@GeeNoniGee]

If they're flying dragons, it wouldn't take that long at all, apparently.

[@ebenezerejemai912]

@@GeeNoniGeebut they aren’t. Daemon and Rhaenyra have both come by ship and even if they flew their dragons close to Kings Landing, Aemond would spot them.

[@tiniestavenger6329]

They can't win People were already complaining about Otto not being in the last episode because he's traveling to Oldtown, and you have another section of the fanbase complaining about characters moving around too quickly. What do you want? For them to waste a few episodes while the characters travel from one place to another? It's all very silly.

[@WickedCool23]

Dragonstone is meant to be about 400 miles from King’s Landing. That’s about a 10 hour trip as the dragon flies, I would approximate

[@theindiancop]

'The prince that was promised' prophecy makes no sense in the show as well since it turned out to be Arya Stark in the end thanks to the stellar writing in Season 8 of GOT.

[@Marlboro-lights1]

EXACTLY!!! This is the first time I’ve seen someone point out how idiotic this is. It also makes no sense that Alicent would hear rhynera tell her about this “prophecy” and just go “oh I’m sorry I was mistaken. Please forgive me and take the throne”

[@WorldOfWesteros]

It's honestly why i was so baffled they chose to include it in the first place.

[@ucnguyenanh9414]

@@WorldOfWesteros Unless HBO has any plan to retcon what happened in GoT, it was idiotic.

[@tiniestavenger6329]

My understanding of it was that prophecy was still fulfilled by Jon Snow because he's the one who brought Ice and Fire together. The Northeners were stubborn as expected, and without Dany and her armies, the North would've been crushed.

[@peterwhitehead6479]

Jon is still the Prince that was promised, Arya and Dany would not be in winterfell to fight the Night King if it wasn’t for Jon uniting the realm against their common enemy. Prophecy isn’t so specific, it’s vague and grey, and often misinterpreted.

[@MartieMewMcBoltund]

I think there’s too much jumping to the conclusion that the takeaway from the conversation between Alicent and Rhaenyra should be that the whole war happened because of Alicent when we know that isn’t the case. There’s a possibility that had she not made the mistake she might have done more to keep tempers in check at best. It’s more about both of them realizing it was a mistake. For Rhaenyra, it’s about knowing she did try to avert war, something I think she felt duty bound to attempt (even if the scene is widely seen as ridiculous) and the realization of the mistake is about reaffirming for her that Viserys chose her. For Alicent it’s about realizing what she actively participated in. It’s hard to imagine she doesn’t feel like she’s participated in stealing the throne, which led to the death of Luke, which led to the death of her grandson. Given the constant revisiting of her sense of guilt and sense that she’s being punished it’s hard to think that this isn’t more about her character arc than pretending she alone caused all this. It’s also why I think Helaena saying she forgave her wasn’t about Alicent and Cole.

[@jeffcordova9633]

For the Lord commander!! For the Watch!!! Break out the Ale & Dornish wine & some ladies from Lys for Brother Bittersteel!!! Im digging every episode so far, I haven’t read all of fire & blood so certain things I’m not 100% educated on but I am really enjoying the show this season !! May those that watch this channel be blessed by the Old Gods & The New

[@lawrencereid2767]

First ranger!!! We fight for our queen 👑!!!!!!!!!

[@aegorbittersteel2154]

🍻🍻🍻🍻

[@JoseGonzalez-pn5zl]

You forgot the Lord of light my lord

[@richardruiz2383]

The show well may not be canon , but the acting is phenomenal and pulls you in …..

[@gimmedaloot]

Not really. 😂

[@richardruiz2383]

@@gimmedaloot ok?lol …. Then I’m certain you’ll stop watching right 👍🏼

[@JoseGonzalez-pn5zl]

Ramin Djawadi score was on point. Man to see the over view point of the work Aegon & balerion did to Harrenhal that was great. Great to see Milly back 😊also love the mic drop Rhaenys say to the black council about Jaehaerys. The Aegon reference are heavy as hell this guy dead and still feel like he living in Westeros.

[@WorldOfWesteros]

i've been very impressed with Ramin Djawadi score this season. he always nails it but i really like how music is being used

[@alfieingrouille1528]

They didn't even include the actual battle the episode is litterally named after!!!😭😭😭

[@cam6406]

The battle is a metaphor for how quickly all this spiraled out of control. It's not that important.

[@spencerhurley5360]

​@cam6406 the showrunners suck dick. How easily could they cut to the end of the battle give us literally 4 mins of fighting show the retreat. Nope they chose the cheap route and then people like you get on here and try to defend them not showing what we want to see. I don't want to fucking see Cole banging alicent I wanna see fighting this is a war.

[@Robertthachickenwrangler]

Because budgets are a thing and since no big names were in it would be silly to have a long drawn out and costly battle on screen

[@alexanderfurrows7946]

The battle not being shown I think was an excellent decision. In the grand scheme of things, the battle is irrelevant - just a moderately important fight between two houses aligned with two rivals for the throne. The argument serves as a perfect microcosm of the ancient feud, while the cut to the aftermath shows us the senseless butchery of their dumb feud without lionising any battlefield valour.

[@isaiahdaddys9379]

Great video as always! CC and the Rogue Prince were really well done in this episode. I'm very excited for next week. The breakdown was excellent, and I didn't even realize the Sylvi/Essie connection - wow! The writing has been inconsistent this season, but I think next week could change everything for the better.

[@WorldOfWesteros]

yeah it kinda feels like we've been treading water so far, hopefully rooks rest will change that.

[@ayiza8511]

Everytime I har Septa Rhenyra I brust out laughing I just can't help it.

[@Betrayed_King]

History of VVesteros shout out, nice 🔥

[@JayThaInformant]

Well Done as always!

[@EntertainMeTV]

I never even considered leaving Maegor out a possibility, but here we are I suppose. All it would take is a few adjustments to B&C…

[@nont18411]

You mean Maelor?

[@DarkKing009]

I do like how they show runners compared the Bracken & Blackwood rivalry to Hatfields & McCoys Feud. For those unfamiliar, it is a feud between two American families after the American Civil War. in the backcountry of West Virginia and Kentucky. It was incredible and those outside the region were shocked at the violence between two families that had known each other for decades over the smallest incident. Initially over a pig.

[@Marlboro-lights1]

It wasn’t over no damn pig! Don’t slander my kinfolk or we’re gonna have problems

[@Fairlyfloss4]

THANK YOU. I am so tired of people going "DA SHOW IS WHAT REALLY HAPPENED!" when it is a misquote🙄 My problem with the reunion scene. - Team Green is lacking so much that the enemy can sneak into KL? - The other septas weren't like "We don't know her?" - After B&C and Rhaenyra being "guilty by association" and seeing the pain Helaena went through why would Rhaenyra think Alicent would be merciful? - Rhaenyra had to know it would be too late. Luke died, Jahaerys died, Burning Mill. What could Alicent even do now? To quote Tyrion it is hard to control a dog when u put a crown on his head.

[@MartieMewMcBoltund]

I think it’s not about whether she believed it was too late, it was about her giving it one last chance. The show is deliberately showing Rhaenyra trying to avert a war. The whole scene might be ridiculous, but I’m willing to just take it more as an indicator of Rhaenyra’s effort to avoid war. While I think the show and book are separate I do think it’s worth noting that GRRM is an EP and friends with Ryan Condal, so while I wouldn’t jump to the conclusion the show is how everything really happened in the book I am leaning towards the idea that the characterization of Rhaenyra might more true to what the real woman in the books would have been like. And it certainly fits with the way the histories Martin finds inspiration from have treated women.

[@Groovybiha]

George himself said the show is only canon to GOT the show but not canon to the books

[@Captain_Insano_nomercy]

​@MartieMewMcBoltund I get that but Jesus they are beating the horse at this point, Saint Rhaenyra apparently can do no wrong

[@Captain_Insano_nomercy]

@@saintcrx6567 full retard take

[@ucnguyenanh9414]

- Having people just come and go to King's Landing so easily really just undermind the significance of the place to the story.

[@avamarlow5989]

I don’t understand the emphasis everyone seems to place on the whole “your grace” thing with Daemon. Alicent, who is now the dowager queen, is literally called “your grace” in the next scene as she’s been called since she became queen. Why wouldn’t Daemon also be called “your grace” as the queen’s husband just as Alicent was called “your grace” as the king’s wife?? I guess I took a completely different view from this scene. Rather than seeing it as a power play by Daemon, I took it as showing how there has never been a queen before so the people don’t know how to properly address the queen’s husband/consort as they do a king since it’s all they’ve ever known. Therefore, showing the new era the realm finds itself in with a woman on the iron throne.

[@KabbalahSherry]

That's how I took the scene too 🤷🏻‍♀️😄 lol

[@ShubhamPatil-rl4jk]

its how daemon takes it not what it means, he still has that arrogance of second son, he has multiple kids and queen as wife yet he still thirsts for pettiness. he literally thinks rhaenyra being queen is also ploy from his brother lol

[@Chasingdreams25]

​@ShubhamPatil-rl4jk But it kinda was. He only named Rhenyra to send Daemon away upon Otto's request, so Daemon wasn't wrong in his argument as well as Viserys insecurities about his reign in which he discussed this with his hand Lyonel strong so Daemon isn't completely delulu. Also Rhaenyra saying he used her to grasp at his stolen inheritance is bs it's like she forgot what she told him in ep 7 " I want you" and " I need you uncle, I can't fight the greens on my own" dude was minding his business in pantos he even declined Viserys invitation to return to KL

[@laurelsilberman5705]

I have a theory as to why we so briefly got a serious Aegon, and now he’s back on his usual BS, being a jerk and caring about nothing. He was only trying to be a decent king between when he was crowned, which coincides with him believing (or later chosing to believe) that Viserys did indeed name him heir on his death bed, and being cheered by the small folk, and when Otto shattered his illusions of legitimacy by laughing when he insisted that Viserys made him king. Since that fight with Otto, he’s off the leash and doesn’t care anymore. His son is dead. He sits the iron throne and feels untouchable, but now back to the full-on indifference regarding other people’s suffering, specifically the small folk, and is going to be treating all of it like a game since he now had a madman enabler as his Hand of the King.

[@gig7932]

I just hope that since Helaena isn't braindead in the show that she and Dreamfyre actually do something. Maybe have her recruit the triarchy or some sh*t like that.

[@CalebMay-bf1ci]

Dreamfyres. Only job left is to kill peasants and bring down the dragon pit. Halaena is gone

[@ayiza8511]

i have a question for you: We have yet not seen Sunfyre, it seems like the next episode is the rooks rest. Are you worried that the only scenes of Sunfyre we are going to see are this episode? Like we see Aegon going to the battle and the battle it self then Sunfyyre is injured and that is how he is going to remain the rest of the show

[@WorldOfWesteros]

unfortunately i think that will be the case they missed there change with the dragonpit in season 1, and i'm not sure what else they can fit in before Rooks Rest

[@MartieMewMcBoltund]

I just wish people would stop thinking the book version of events is meant to be reliable. So much of the toxicity does have a certain amount of book fans insulting show fans, but their arguments all seem to stem from an assumption that the book is meant to be trustworthy. A lot of show fans then turn it around and have their own toxic behavior towards book fans and on it goes.

[@browniebear]

The book is not 100% reliable but it's certainly more reliable than most show & even some book fans would think. The whole "biased accounts" argument gets blown totally out of proportion. Most fans need to ask themselves this; why would GRRM have bothered with F&B at all if practically nothing about it could be deemed reliable?

[@jessjess23brooks89]

​@@browniebearExactly. There are plot points that need to be hit that are indisputable because of multiple witnesses or a general sense of agreement between the three POV's of F&B. Blood and Cheese was one of those points. It's the only part of the story that has multiple quotes. Alicent, Jaehara and Maelor were all witnesses, which probably means there is some written record of the exact events bopping around the Red Keep. They do have record keepers. Now, I don't think the show's take on the event was awful and I understand why logistically they had to make certain choices. But when show watchers or casual book fans try to interject with the unreliable narrator aspect, it is incredibly frustrating. Because they haven't studied the book enough to understand the narratives that have tons of wiggle-room and bias, and the few narratives that are pretty much irrefutable. I think it turns toxic real quick when casual fans insult the knowledge agreed upon by a very avid fandom, who either go over F&B each week before the episode drops, hit the forums for refreshers or watch weekly Livestreams to boil down the exacts of what can legitimately happen or what can certainly be changed and the why's of such. As it is, I stepped away from interacting with casual fans after one called me a terrible person and mother for being confused on choices made this season. It's like battling foul mouthed teenagers.

[@Captain_Insano_nomercy]

Well said @browniebear The show made the Velaryons black for real world political reasons (which makes zero sense in the lore) They erased Criston Cole killing Joffrey Lonmouth and beating down Ser Harwin at the tourney (viewed by thousands of people) They added Rhaenys at the dragonpit and there's no way that tale wouldn't be told EVERYWHERE by the Greens because it's great propaganda They beheaded Vaemond Velaryon in the throne room as opposed to on Driftmark Not to mention all the characters they already cut out All these examples are complete proof that the book and show cannot coexist as canon

[@aakkii5271]

@@Captain_Insano_nomercy Noone ever said the show is cannon?

[@Jesussaves7811]

​@@browniebear That's just an excuse those hacks use to shoehorn their fanfiction in.

[@Morfe02]

Criston Cole : Homelander dead stare Aegon 2 : Homelander and the Seven The best of the episode and maybe Daemon 😂

[@SvenskaKrig1709]

Honestly I feel like the only way to do justice to the Dance is via animation. You would be able to show a lot more characters, dragons, and battles without having to have an insane budget. For instance I know why the cut the Silent Five, but I liked them in the book and kind of wish we could have seen them. I also kind of also wish you could have multiple adaptations of the Dance, each with its own take on the events. But that is not realistic given HBO owning the rights.

[@prettycyber8332]

I am ASOIAF book fan first. And a Marvel comic book fan before MCU. It’s the same debate. But with MCU we just say that true for that universe and the comic book is different universe. Thats how I take it for HBO Got as its own universe to keep myself sane. Thats my own opinion

[@Fairlyfloss4]

Well I found a video to listen to as I eat lunch.

[@TheFantasticFox822]

Really loved the meeting with Rhaenyra and Alicent. While very risky, of course, it showed that Rhaenyra is brave and no coward who is afraid of war, but a genuinely thoughtful leader doing all she can to avoid both a disastrous war in the short term, and the possible long term failure of the realm (given the prophecy). And it gives me great satisfaction to see that Alicent now knows Aegon’s ascension holds no legitimacy.

[@Marlboro-lights1]

Nobody but rhynera knows about this super secret “prophecy” its kind of insane to think that Alicent would hear her say “oh sweetie you misunderstood my father, he was actually talking about this thing that’s gonna happen and a knife… it’s really complicated. Hey can we just stop this war now that I’ve told you about our super important prophecy” that makes absolutely zero sense

[@Marlboro-lights1]

She doesn’t know anything. She’s being told a silly story called “a song of ice and fire” which she’s never heard 😂

[@kb4903]

Why did they only give Jace 5 minutes in the north? They could have had it as an arc over 3 episodes rather than a quick scene. Would have given Jace something to do.

[@WorldOfWesteros]

Honestly why they insisted on time skipping and us not seeing the reaction to Lukes death and Jace in the north really does baffle me. I guess it's when season 2 became 8 episodes it didn't fit the new structure. I mean Jace hasn't exactly done much so far in the first three episodes so they sill could have spent more time in the north.

[@kb4903]

@@WorldOfWesteros exactly. I would have loved to have seen a targ in the north and the politics of winter more. The wall could have been in ep2. Winterfell ep1. Even a love story like the supposed marriage so it had Robb stark duty vibes. Could have backed up ice fire theory more too. Feel like a missed opportunity. And as walkers don’t decend on the wall for 100 years or so, the wall seems pointless.

[@lawrencereid2767]

Wonderfully Done. 🏰🖤 Steel first ranger!!!!!🖤

[@nahumsemret4043]

Is the map you use for your videos available for download?

[@jackhamilton9732]

Totally agree about the meeting with Alicent at the end. Those council members had devised that plan the day Aegon had been born. It’s also a highly risky choice for Rhaenyra. If she had been taken and killed, her cause would have been rudderless and her children even more exposed.

[@WorldOfWesteros]

i called a meeting happening between them in my final review last season but i thought it would have been the other way around with Alicent sneaking to see Rhaenyra after they find out about Luke to try and prevent something. I predicted they would reach some kind of deal given Alicent apparently Alicent had Aegon under her control at the end of season 1 and then it all goes to crap when Daemon goes rogue with blood and cheese. There are ways they could have made it work and makes sense but i think the time skip at the start of the season stopped any logical way of doing it.

[@ucnguyenanh9414]

Her cause would continue on after her death, just like in the book. Her being taken as hostage, however, would be a completely different story.

[@jaieregilmore971]

The scene with daemon entering harrehal just felt like dark soul and elden ring vibes.

[@Morfe02]

DND Knight doing stealth mission

[@jaieregilmore971]

@@Morfe02 Yeah but I think he should bring a shield just in case.

[@Morfe02]

@@jaieregilmore971 Valyrian armour i think He has Dark Sister maybe has another armour Or is just Daemon he fought like 3 Wars or something like that

[@leiana_yt]

The more I rewatched it, the more the episode/ending scene soured on me. & it all boils down to: PLOT ARMOR -- the death of GoT -- & things happening "bc plot needs it to happen to get us to this next event" with no regard for reality, believability or basic commonsense. There is no other way to explain how or why that scene even occurred. Logistics & contrivance aside, while Rhaenyra is known for ballsy stunts in the past (tho I argue it never required plot armor to pull those off!) & Alicent has been shown to predictably go to the Sept on her own, it screams plot armor & these 2 actresses are on our payroll & are "main characters" so we need to have them interact, even if it's nonsensical. I felt strongly in S1 that forcing this deep loving friendship between Alicent & Rhaenyra (which doesnt exist in the books) was going to be a crutch for the show, the writing, how the characters develop & it's proving to be correct. They really had to lower the stakes, the tension & defy belivability/suspend disbelief (& audience immersion) in order to get that scene to "work". I feel that the showrunners/writers are handling Rhaenyra with kid gloves bc they're hyperaware of how Daenerys was handled. But in doing so, they are really shortchanging her character. By toning down alot of her "rougher edges" & her "darker" aspects/impulses, it's making her very bland & frustrating to watch as she dithers around aimlessly at times. The writers DON'T seem to know what they want to do with her character & it's starting to show...& it is giving massive red flags of S7-8 GoT. I tried to find/read/watch as much as I could of what insights the showrunners, writers or director could give to better understand how THEY understand the scene &/or character motivations & that only made me more confused on their direction: Geeta Patel, Ep3 director said, "When Rhaenyra came to Kings Landing, she wanted Alicent to make a deal with her. The problem is that she didn't offer Alicent anything. There was no collaboration, nothing that they did to work together. So coming out of that scene, Rhaenyra is thinking 'I have no choice, I have to go to war with you.'" Now, I ask you, is THAT what YOU got from that scene?? Condal said, in BTS, Rhaenyra was going to risk herself before sending thousands to war/possibly kill millions & that she needed confirmation of the truth of whether or not Viserys changed his mind & now that she's got it & she now knows war is inevitable, she's ready to do what needs to be done. ^^That's slightly better than Patel's take, BUT I feel we could've got there regardless of this scene. Other than clearing up the misunderstanding of Aegon's Dream for Alicent & Rhaenyra personally -- that scene had ZERO point. It was ALWAYS going to lead to war. Otto made sure of that when he had Alicent married to Viserys & she bore Sons. For Rhaenyra (or Rhaenys, for that matter) to think that "If I can just appeal to Alicent, SHE can stop the Greens side" was a farsical notion. What "power" has Alicent ever truly had?? What Viserys wanted NEVER mattered, in life or death. Otto (& his co-conspirators) would've always crowned Aegon II. At this point Alicent should be very aware of that fact AND Rhaenyra should've surmised as much. So if Rhaenyra truly wanted to "avoid war," she would've had to abdicate/surrender & allow the Greens to take the throne. But she wasn't going to bc she knows she is supposed to be "rightful" Heir/Ruler & she WANTS to be Queen. Plus, the Prophecy if you want to tie that into her motivations. So the last 3 episodes have been all the WOMEN denying reality which is staring them in the face: As soon as Aegon was crowned (which would've happened regardless of Alicent mishearing Viserys) & Rhaenyra crowning herself, this was ALWAYS going to result in war. Why was that scene needed to FINALLY convince Rhaenyra of her course of action?? It doesn't make much sense. But yes, you're right...the show is it's own "canon/show adaptation" & the books = book canon. They're separate, always will be. If ppl enjoy the show version, fantastic. If ppl have (harsh) criticisms, that's also valid.

[@Captain_Insano_nomercy]

Very well said, and I would reply to more but I pretty much agree with you on everything. The book version was darker and more interesting for it! Come on, she was an echo of Cersei for all intents and purposes, and Cersei was an interesting villain. I definitely agree with you that the writers seem to not understand these scenes at all, and that the commentary they give actually makes less sense

[@Marlboro-lights1]

I’m pretty sure it’s going to get worse considering the cult like behavior of many in this shows fandom. I even changed my name here to this because people rage over it. It’s bizarre. It’s like they think it’s real. The writers are not going to kill her in the end. I’m certain of it.

[@Captain_Insano_nomercy]

@@Marlboro-lights1 yeah my expectations are set as low as possible, and truthfully I knew this show would be full retard as soon as they raceswapped the Velaryons

[@danielgreen2788]

The acting saves the whole thing. Very entertaining. Not as good very good none the less

[@DarkKing009]

"Don't matter who did what to who at this point. Fact is, we went to war and now there ain't no goin' back. I mean, shit, it's what war is, you know? Once you in it, you in it. If it's a lie, then we fight on that lie. But we gotta fight." Slim Charles

[@robinnussbaumer5943]

The Battle not beeing included was okay for me because i think like you said they did a good job with how they showed it. It would have been wy worse if they would have just cut it I really loved everything in Harrenhall this Episode! Was hyped when Alys was shown the first time! And thank you for the talk about the lore thing. "the book is the book the show is the show" i had to stop looking in comment sections and reddit because everyone is just pissing off each other... i love asoiaf and i like 90% of this show so i don't want it to be ruined by those 10% i don't like... Thank you for you're Videos!

[@singstreetcar5881]

The show runners hate the greens. Always humiliating them and painting them in a poor light. What was the point of alicent sleeping with criston Cole? It's ridiculous Shame aemond at the brothel also was stupid

[@pattamon9432]

The point of both things are extremly obvious. Alicent and criston cole are similar people in believing in the moral codes of their society and basically failing at is in their own eyes. That makes sense. The second thing makes sense as well. Aegon bullied his younger brother all the time. In his eyes is it just teasing. I think it is a setup for Aemond attacking Aegon at Rooks Rest "accidentally".

[@RockChick63174]

"They hate the Greens!" Get a grip.

[@Koko-gp6vn]

Well thieves are bad and what did the greens do? Stole rhaenyra's throne

[@Marlboro-lights1]

@@Koko-gp6vn you mean they’re following thousands of years of precedent to avoid a massive war because daddy had a super secret conspiracy he need to only tell his spoiled daughter? Yeah that’s a great stiry

[@Captain_Insano_nomercy]

​@@Marlboro-lights1based

[@shyguy4317]

You are nicer than me. I think the scene where Rhaenyra sneaks into the capitol to talk to Alicent is beyond the pale. The actresses are great, but the scene makes no sense in the book or in the show and it was entirely unnecessary. There are so many logistical issues it’s baffling. I gave it a 5/10. I think it is the worst episode so far. I enjoyed your review

[@Marlboro-lights1]

He can’t go that hard. He will get hate bombed by this insane fandom. It’s amazing how even a name in KZbin can create so much nasty behavior and comments over a fake story about dragons.

[@WorldOfWesteros]

i was close to a 6/10 truth be told but the acting pulled it up to a 7. If i enjoyed it but had issues with stuff i tend to go for a 7/10. For me you've really got to do something special to get higher than a 8/10 out of me. I'm hoping we get something like that this season but it's not looking great so far. Without the top tier performances elevating the writing i really think the season would be well below par.

[@WorldOfWesteros]

@@Marlboro-lights1 no joke last season when i had like 5k subs someone found a video i made about the fact you can't steal a dragon, which a lot of people were saying Aemond did when claiming Vhagar, and emailed my then boss saying i was a sexisit bigots who defends woman beating (when Aemond gets into a fight with The Stongs, Baela and Rhaena). Lucky i was already leaving and they didn't take it seriously, but that was WILD. Fortunately i'm my own boss now, so if anyone wants to report me to myself then i will investigate myself thoughtly. As much as i love ASOIAF it's not that deep.

[@kb4903]

They have made Rhaenyra a much more calm and level headed leader this season. Where are her flaws? I guess they will come out later.

[@Marlboro-lights1]

None. She’s flawless and it will stay that way until she sits the throne and reigns for 1000 years

[@Chasingdreams25]

​@@Marlboro-lights1Stay bitter

[@WorldOfWesteros]

I think, or hope they are gonna slow burn her descent into desperation and desperation, i can kinda see the ground work being laid. it really depends on how they writer her after Rooks Rest and The Gullet. I think the show runners are all to aware of the Daenerys backlash and want to ensure they set it up properly. Or she's just gonna be flawless and nothing is personally her fault. gonna have to wait and see....

[@thatamericanbritishbloke5672]

They have to. Especially after the Gullet and (*spoiler*) losing another son, there's no way she's not gonna be angry and hateful like she is in the book. Also, becoming viciously paranoid later in the war is what costs her some of her allies, so I think it's kind of necessary that she develops into more of an anti-hero for the story to be told properly.

[@verihimthered2418]

No body no death. Plus cannibal goes missing😊

[@melbrooks1192]

Love the actors and the writing. They have to tell the story and entertain. Not everyone has read the book , and it’s ok. The story telling is key. So far so good.

[@tiniestavenger6329]

I thought the eggs being Danys is an easter egg in the same vein as the old soldier in the battle of Endor being confirmed as Rex. It doesn't change anything, it's just a nice tie in

[@singstreetcar5881]

Heleana's reaction to losing her child is too calm. Her child was beheaded for christ sake. She's too calm

[@GeeNoniGee]

She's neurodivergant, hence her reaction was spot-on.

[@rijoenpial]

The only possible explanation for her abnormal calmness is that she most likely had foreseen it a long time ago and so she had had more than enough time to adjust to it... We know she already knew about the murder of her son when she mentioned "the rats"...

[@Fairlyfloss4]

​​@@GeeNoniGee as a neurodivergent person myself please stop lying.

[@Fatasha776]

@@Fairlyfloss4Just because ur neurodivergent doesn’t mean she can’t act like that. Not all neurodivergent people will act the exact same..

[@Strafe0Way]

@@Fairlyfloss4 lol you see visions of the future too?

[@aranielleb7718]

If the books are 2nd hand telling of what happened and the show is the 1st hand accounts from the characters pov, which exactly is canon?

[@WorldOfWesteros]

The show is canon to the show world. The Dance Of The Dragon's we see on screen is the actual events that happen within the HBO canon. Where as the book, despite being second hand account with multiple different version of the same events is all still canon to the universe of the books. Where it gets a bit difficult is in the book canon there is is no TRUE telling of the dance that 100% happened and i don't think we will ever get one. All the conflicting version of events in the book are canon until GRRM tells us what the true telling in the books is. Cole being spurned by Rhaenyra is equally part of the book canon as Cole being the one to reject her. There are a few exceptions to this in the sense some event's in the book 100% did happen as written. For example Laenor was definitely killed in Spice Town where in the show he lived, or the sheer existence of Maelor and character ages. From what i understand the only thing the show has done that GRRM has confirmed is part of the book canon is the idea of Aegon's Prophecy being the reason for the conquest. In my head i just keep the two seperate things.

[@theindiancop]

Alicent should have ordered Rhaenyra to be captured. Her grandchild was butchered barely a few days ago. That sept scene made zero sense.

[@thatamericanbritishbloke5672]

Yeah, that was my biggest issue with the scene. Otherwise, it would've been a great episode. Alicent could've ended the war right then and there by having Rhaenyra killed onsite. Obviously, because of how hard she pressed Aegon to spare her before the coronation, it kinda makes sense, but at this point, it just seems dumb to let the leader of the Black faction just walk away after literally having her within reach.

[@jlworrad]

I do wonder, given the nature of prophecy in this world, whether 'you will die in this place' is literal or metaphorical. Perhaps Daemon uses his apparent death to escape into obscurity and become a new and better man. Either that or he's dragged out of the lake by Alys Rivers and sacrificed to the tree or something, literally 'in this place' and not the lake nearby.

[@WorldOfWesteros]

it did strike me as a bit odd given technically he did die over the god's eye. I'm becoming more inclined to the possibility of Daemon faking his death in the show, but i'd still put my money on him dying.

[@Marlboro-lights1]

Guys, can we please stop using the book as some sort of reference for this story? It’s totally different and not meant to at all represent the story George Martin originally wanted to tell. It even says in the book that the people telling George about how bad the blacks were are biased so even George can’t trust them. It’s literally like a history book written by colonizers and their enablers. Like seriously stawp! Even George knows that the greens caused the whole thing to happen. I’m pretty sure the writers of the show actually went there and talked to the people who were there. Rhynera is a queen in every sense of the word! You go girl! And don’t ven get me started on sir crispy Cole’s. Hes literally like the worst! And ewwwww! What is up with Alicents foot fetish? Anyway can we please just stop trying to use the original source material as some sort of guide to what a show based on it is supposed to be? Team 🖤 and if you don’t agree you’re gross.

[@jay-t1030]

I just wanna know how the Bracken boy got killed with his OWN SWORD??

[@simplestgamerz691]

He fuck around and find out but I think he was killed by bloody ben

[@allysstark5276]

4 fucking siblings and then we got this pygmy thing over in Dragonstone

[@Thetrinitytruckbutcher]

Please do a video on House Justman 🙏🏻

[@jimspetdragons3737]

I'm still puzzled about Aemon in HOTD between his killing of Luke and Blood & Cheeses. The show made a point of Aemon being "angry" and seeking "revenge." Angry & revenge for what? What am I missing? He has his revenge for losing his eye already. The blacks haven't done anything yet. What's left at that point? Why does the show make a point of this w/ no resolution or reasoning behind it?

[@clairisalong126]

I think the eggs aren’t the same ones simply because there are 4 here and 3 there. I know one could have gotten lost, but I think there were a lot of unhatched eggs at some times of the history because the conditions weren’t met for their hatching.

[@WorldOfWesteros]

I've heard some people saying the blue one is Morning, but if recent leaks are to believe then i'm not sure how that would work. I don't hate the idea of them just going missing and it being left ambiguous

[@leulasmare9309]

Massive fan of your content look forward to almost as much as the episode. But as someone who hasn’t read the books, would it be possible to not speak on future events when doing these history and lore videos?

[@WorldOfWesteros]

These review videos are made on a quick turnaround given how time sensitive they are. Normally videos are made 4 weeks in advance so its not my normal workflow and i find it hard to manage. Thus in the case of this specific review there were some elements as you described that slipped through the net of the review process due to time. When i was made aware i edited what i could via youtube and have outsourced the review process of the videos out to a friend to double check issues such as this don’t happen in future reviews. Where my channels core audience is book fans given the nature of the content i hadn’t considered with house of the dragon bringing an influx of show only viewers during the review for the first few episodes i wrote them as if i was talking to my regular audience, thus why i changed how i write the reviews now. When HOTD was last on tv this channel had less than 3000 subs so having this kind of reach during season 2 wasn’t something i was expecting or prepared for. I do appreciate feedback like this as it allows me to highlight problems with how i approach things and allow me to make the needed changes. Constructive feedback is always welcome and listened to

[@leulasmare9309]

@@WorldOfWesteros Very understandable! I actually started reading fire and blood right after GOT ended but then I stopped once this show was announced. And I’m halting reading any of the other books because of the new series’ being announced. However I really appreciate that you do these book version videos and the review and analysis. Currently watching you asoif history videos. Preciate the work!

[@lao1634]

I like your show Thank you for your time I agree with you show is show books are books I remember the back & forth While GOT played on SM alot from books left out Alot of people speculating & hoping for scenes like Stark warging Lady Stoneheart ect ect Your stance on Helena yes show is diffrent their painting her as a seeier If you look at her scribbling on the walls in her room It shows events that happened in GOT & past Like a man with a wolf's head dire wolves poision viles & Wildfire explosions White walkers along with a few other scenes The camera dosent stop long enough to look at all of it You got to pause for those eggs. I think it's cool their giving her Character this. In books she was devastated as well as her mother seeing blood & cheese held down Alicent & strangled her handmaid When Helena came into room to say good night & we know how that went down horrible. So the show took another turn It's all good but diffrent. The only thing I don't care about on the show is the dragging of it Tomuch time on unnecessary things but still enjoyable though Great break down Another thing in GOT in show a true dragon dosen't burn perhaps Dany was an exception

[@cjordn]

I see lots of new people! Welcome!

[@apelincoln1616]

A show or movie being 100% faithful to the book.... wouldn't that be a sight

[@jaredculbertson3800]

Absolutely cosign this assessment.

[@AlexanderJoneshttps]

Fan of the book also myself but I find both are seprate , I find the book is eye witness accounts of events and the show true telling of whats happening but I enjoy both through

[@Ninjamaster227-]

One thing you can’t seem to avoid with any Targaryen in Westeros’s history they always eventually go full fire and blood. I doubt Rhenera will be different in the show…Ah see even you agree with me considering your Aemond theory.

[@diogobigateixeira9106]

They totally messed up Joffrey and Daemon's boys ages. I'm very worried about what they're gonna do since Joff is a child of 6 instead of the fiery 13yo boy he is in the books. They should be giving more screentime to Rhaenyras sons, developing Joffrey personality since he's going to be her heir from almost now till the end of the war. And in the books he is a boy hungry for revenge for his brother's deaths so I can't get why they infantilize him this much, they could instead kind of LyannaMormontized him.

[@daveskill2002]

I disagree with you about Alicent and Rheanyras meeting. It was perfect. And it shows how Alicent is losing control of her sons and the one legitimate reason she thought she had to name her son as king wasn’t what she thought and now she has made a terrible mistake and knows it. I think we all need to stop being so judgmental about it and just enjoy the fact we have it to watch.

[@Marlboro-lights1]

Wrong

[@cam6406]

Let's get the map brah!

[@aegorbittersteel2154]

1st to take the Black for House Blackfyre 🗡 House Bracken had to bravely defend themselves from tree monsters.

[@JoseGonzalez-pn5zl]

Well it was Bracken land.

[@aegorbittersteel2154]

@@JoseGonzalez-pn5zl exactly!!!! Good to see you again. Hope you are well.

[@anna_luin]

That bracken lad was quite good looking. Almost had me questioning my Blackwood allegiance. 😭

[@aegorbittersteel2154]

@@anna_luin 😄 it's the Bracken genes they just too hot.

[@Godzilla00X]

Have Alicent and Cole sit down for a proper date and tell them not to discuss R or smash. Theyd literally have nothing to discuss or even in common

[@neilbodwell9172]

Honestly I found the book so open ended that the writers have a lot more wiggle room for interpretation. The book itself gives so many different perspectives that are so varied on the same events that as for what happened I just do when I got two people in my life telling me vastly different things about an event from their perspective on an event. Reality is somewhere in the middle

[@WorldOfWesteros]

Honestly it's why i'm not to pressed about a lot of the changes, i may not enjoy some of them or agree with the pov of the showrunners, but this was always going to happened when adapting fire and blood given the nature of the book. Each reader has there own interpretation of events based on the sources they believe. The show was always going to piss off some people because of that. I don't mind changes, they've just got to be consistent with it.

[@neilbodwell9172]

@@WorldOfWesteros I agree on the consistency aspect. The book was and the show is spotty on it so far, but they could turn it around

[@zanekorvek8643]

Show Is Fine

[@Inzanti]

Oh thank god, someone understands the unreliable narrator/cannon situation.

[@singstreetcar5881]

The writing is bad. They are afraid of showing the women in a bad light. They have taken away their agency and that's why they look silly making decisions

[@CalebMay-bf1ci]

worst episode of the series by a lot of

[@Hero_Of_Old]

I get why they made the justification for Rhaenyra going to war being Aegon's prophecy. It gives her a higher purpose for going to war. When adapting for a visual medium, we can't just see two miserable families fighting a nihilistic war. The audiences need morally good people to root for.

[@Captain_Insano_nomercy]

Because the audiences are dumb (Look up the OSHO quote to get my true feelings)

[@Hero_Of_Old]

@@Captain_Insano_nomercy true, but watching just the worst type of people is not engaging.

[@Morfe02]

I dont like, not the changes but the fact they push the narrative "Rhaenyra, Rhaenys and Alicent are the true queens of peace and Aegon-Daemon-Cole-Aemond want war because emmm they are men, men bad, women good" At least Rhaenys acts like a queen but Rhaenyra is dumb and Alicent is dumber and i dont care ANY OF THE DIALOGUE THEY SAY like they think the war has not coming and they can change SOMETHING by talking 😂😂😂 Rhaenyra in 3 episodes is repeating this: they stole my throne and i dont want war THATS THE DEEP CHARACTER at least Alicent and Rhaenyra have good scenes/quotes when they are talking LITERALLY ANY OTHER THEME with Mysaria, Daemon, etc

[@RockChick63174]

That's your insecurity coming out.

[@Morfe02]

​@@RockChick63174nice argument but the Septon scene changes nothing in the War Maybe the plot, the arc of Rhaenyra thats It

[@JamesLee-ky4dx]

Small minded take

[@leiana_yt]

12:03 Disagree with Rhaenys. It's IRONIC AF that Rhaenys of all ppl gets to have this sentiment of being cautious about unleashing the dragons, the death/destruction that come with them...when SHE pulled her dragonpit stunt in S1/Ep9 🙃 Something she has yet to show ANY remorse over & there's been ZERO in-world consequences for. Otto lost his sh¡t on Aegon over the Ratcatchers...why didn't he immediately use Rhaenys' murder of hundreds/injuring of thousands of smallfolk to their propaganda cause? The way he used Jaehaerys? To that same issue, why aren't the SMALLFOLK already pretty pissed off with Rhaenys & Rhaenyra's side BC of that dragonpit incident? Why isn't Mysaria wary or show to have a mislike of Rhaenys bc of that same incident...since Mysaria cares so much abt the smallfolk (of KL)? It's one of the biggest plot holes in the show & I still don't get why Rhaenys gets to walk around smugly preaching abt "anti-war", when she has perpetrated the biggest war crime to date in the show.

[@DeoAsh]

Not read books. But from what I heard about books is there is no direct mention of Alicent riding Cole. Book kept it ambiguous as much a s possible. The show could have done the same. Just show Alicient meeting Cole bit too frequently, Cole coming out of her chambers talking to her, sharing wine and stuff and just leave at that and have certain people talk about these as rumors behind the back. That could create suspense similar to books about what is right and what is not. The show runners took direct simplistic way to just take 1 side.

[@JamesLee-ky4dx]

Simplistic? It adds so much more complexity to the characters than vague implications.

[@WorldOfWesteros]

For me there is 100% no indication in the book Alicent and Cole is a thing. However going into season 2 i had a feeling they were gonna do something like this given there were a few moments in season 1 that could allude to it. I think they just went to far to fast, which i think is simply down to the time skip between season 1 and 2 where they could have teased it. It almost feels like your reading a book and accidentally skip a page

[@bobcam8353]

I 💯 Totally Disagree with You, the last Scene was the best of episode 3! I think you missed the whole point. Alicent found she made a Big Mistake! Rhaenya Finds out her Father did not change his mind, he was talking about Aegon the conqueror Song of Ice and Fire.Queen Rhaenya gets Closure, that the Iron Throne for sure belongs to her🔥Team Black🇺🇸

[@Fairlyfloss4]

🤡

[@Fairlyfloss4]

🤡🤡

[@Hero_Of_Old]

We know what happened. It was just the premise was a bit silly.

[@JoseGonzalez-pn5zl]

The only thing I can take from it was when in later season when Rhaenyra send out her dragon riders to finish off Alicent's sons. Alicent point out to split the realm into two. But I don't know if they'll use that to say see I tried early you said it was too late now it's beyond late.

[@bobcam8353]

@@Fairlyfloss4 🥸🥸

[@62iq64]

This is like Season 5/6 writing.

[@ayiza8511]

As a book fan I am severely disappointed. I suppose I expected better after the first season. Blood and cheese was specially a let down for me. I can't say I enjoy Alicent flip flopping and being this sympathetic to Rhaenyra. This episode and the comment she made "you know what Aemond is"

[@ayiza8511]

I feel like the whole relationship between Cole and Alicent is unnecessary it makes both of them hypocrites and changes their actions and thoughts from season 1

[@angryyoungman66]

Can someone change those writers , I feel like they want to make a brabie movie not the dance of dragons

[@dennispalacio6317]

The last scene for me was the writer's decision to justify how rhaenera change and be the same as the rhaenera in the F&B.

[@Marlboro-lights1]

No, it’s going to justify her being a hero with no flaws.

[@thatamericanbritishbloke5672]

@@Marlboro-lights1 Don't be ridiculous. Rhaenyra already has flaws from her season 1 storyline about her sons being bastards. In any case, the story can't unfold properly if Rhaenyra doesn't become an anti-hero towards the end of the war. The whole point of the story is that neither Aegon nor Rhaenyra deserved to be on the throne because they both sucked!

[@ScarlitWidow]

So, I disagree with your take on Chris and Alicent. I think it's important to see how Alicent is using the power imbalance between her and Cole. These sex scenes express that in a way we've had to see with men in power for years. Also, sex is totally acceptable for consenting adults, as long as you're willing to overlook any vows in the way.

[@fmango]

Considering how open the book is and how you have different points of view... Show could be cannon, or not.

[@thatamericanbritishbloke5672]

Eh, I think it's fine to accept that there are simply two separate continuities for the story. It really doesn't matter what's canon and what's not.

[@anna_luin]

I didn't like the addition of a young Rhaenyra cameo. I will not elaborate. 💀

[@SirBolsón]

Ironic how the Blackwoods in this f**ed around and found out, lmao! 😂

[@Koko-gp6vn]

100th comment

[@shawngiver5570]

Just don’t mention you want more dialogue AND battles otherwise the ACKTUSLLY budget police will call you a child