#alicole larys and otto all in one episode

[ode-to-fury]

Alicent fucking Hightower you are just that bitch

[cinematic-phosphenes]

HoTD S2x01: A Son for a Son (I have thoughts and I'm keeping them here)

The Stark theme and Cregan doing his best Sean Bean accent have me nostalgic.

If getting conscripted to the Wall is an honour, then why does budget Jon Snow look unhappy about it?

No Sara Snow, okay. I’ll live with it. No Jace/Cregan (b)romance, not okay. Tumblr made me want it, only to be so denied by the showrunners.

Not more Targ colonialism erasure. "We colonised an entire continent to save the world, no really. And look, even the noble Starks agree with it!" is such a shit take, even if it's canon. I like the Targ characters, but let's not erase the original Aegon's colonial crimes.

Jace looks so pretty! Major glow up.

Dragonstone has a dragon hangar! Yay for worldbuilding!

Daemon calling Vhagar a hoary old bitch reminds me of this absolutely amazing Vhagar POV fanfic I read. (Soon the god's hoar by eldritcher on AO3) (The fic is spoiler-y for the rest of the Dance, jsyk.)

Yes, Rhaenys! Put Daemon in his place! Also, her dragon riding outfit!!!

Alyn, I see you doing an Egg by shaving your head.

Why in the hell does no one take Helaena’s visions seriously?! She’s right every time. (Can I blame ‘I had a dragon dream once’ Viserys for this? Because I want to blame Viserys for this. Look at the mess you left your kids in, Viserys! I hope Balerion bites your ass in the afterlife.)

And here we see the 'Our lives are in danger, so let's fuck about it' trope in action. I’ve heard a lot of Alicole hot takes. “Criston Cole is ‘unmanly’ for going down on a woman” is the absolute hottest of hot takes I’ve had the misfortune of encountering.

Otto giving Alicent and Criston Cole that look as they walk in. He knows what they’ve been doing.

Aegon grinning at his son like a fool. Aegon giving Jaehaerys attention and wanting him to learn how to rule even though he’s only six. Aegon trying to do better than deadbeat Viserys did. Aegon talking about pony rides in a way that suggests Jaehaerys often gets pony rides, possibly from Aegon himself. If you told me last season Aegon would somehow turn out to be the best father on this series ….. (Yes, I know that when it comes to being a dad the bar is in hell’s basement here. Yes, I know the way Aegon treats his illegitimate kids is horrific. I think there’s definitely been some retconning here and S2 Aegon is not the same character as S1 Aegon. They should have portrayed him this way from the start.)

Alicent wrote Rhaenyra letters to apologize for Luke's death and she's expecting a response?! Girl ....

My kingdom for a scene of the Greens finding out that Aemond killed Luke. My kingdom for a scene of Aemond deciding to just fully commit to the villain persona and lie to say he killed Luke intentionally. Such a missed opportunity.

Larys being an intimidating creep to Alicent again. He should go fall down some stairs.

Alicent scrubbing her skin raw. She is not okay. (I want to see Alicent cracking. Let Olivia Cooke act!)

Rhaenyra’s grief over Luke is heartbreaking. Emma D’Arcy is acting their heart out. And Syrax crying too, nooo.

Aegon walking in sync with his fratboy squad. You know they practised that entrance during one of their nightly seshes in the throne room.

Are they going to show the throne cutting Aegon?

“On further thought, I have decided ….” Aegon is hilarious.

It’s Hammer time!

Larys already angling for the Hand’s position. I know this guy is ambitious, but damn.

Just Alicent looking ethereal reading letters.

Mysaria’s accent has been toned down! (Why was Mysaria fleeing King’s Landing though? Maybe I’m missing something but I don’t get it?)

“We swore an oath to protect the whole of the royal family. So what were we to do when they turned against one another?” Jaime Lannister echoes.

"I want Aemond Targaryen." Chills. Rhaenyra only says four words all episode and it's these four words.

Jace trying to keep it together and be professional to give his report. Jace looking so much younger and more vulnerable when he’s back with his mother. I’m not crying, you’re crying.

Scenes with Rhaenyra at Luke’s funeral interspersed with scenes of Alicent paying tribute to the dead, including Luke. My heart. That empty space next to Alicent in the sept where Rhaenyra used to pray. They are an absence in each other’s lives.

Rhaena crying for her betrothed, nooo.

Why didn’t they have a dragon light Luke’s funeral pyre?

The return of the Daemon crime hoodie, now upgraded to a war crime hoodie.

Making it unclear if Daemon told B & C to go after another son if they can’t find Aemond or if B & C just went rogue – that’s a cop out by the writers. Unless it comes up again. EDIT: Daemon said 'a son for a son.' He was giving them carte blanche to go after another son if Aemond is MIA.

Daemon reluctantly admitting Aemond is a good fighter. I love to see it.

Why do I get the sense that Aemond also knows about Alicole?

“Rhaenyra is a cunning spider. Long ago she pulled Alicent into her web. Intoxicated her. It is not your mother’s fault.” “Her Grace speaks with two tongues. Alicent holds love for our enemy.” So they’re both obsessed and very much not over Rhaenyra. Do Alicent and Cole both think of Rhaenyra while being unholy together because it kinda seems like it?

Ewan Mitchell as Aemond is so mesmerizing. That man has presence.

Why the fuck has no one tried to map the secret tunnels into the Red Keep and close off the ones that allow randoms to sneak in/royal minors to sneak out?

The entire Kingsguard is in the throne room guarding Aegon? And they don’t stop the ‘rat catchers’ working at night? Even if the rat catchers were supposed to be there, I feel like it would still be protocol to stop and question them. Have none of these writers been pulled over by the cops for no reason/even slightly suspicious behaviour?

I think the build up to B & C should’ve focused on Helaena and her kids instead of B & C creeping around, arguing for no reason and committing gratuitous animal abuse. (That dog kicking scene looked so real, I watched the end credits for a disclaimer that no animals were harmed in the making of.) They could’ve shown Helaena getting the kids ready for bed, reading them a story, etc. They established a connection between Aegon and Jaehaerys pre B & C but none between Helaena and the kids before it happened. Lost opportunity.

B & C was very different than I expected before I was spoiled. I guess I see what the writers were going for with Helaena’s response to B & C. She’s dissociated rather than hysterical. She’s been painted as a character who’s distanced from the world around her in general, so perhaps this is an in-character trauma response for her. Plus you could see the absolute terror in Phia’s eyes. Helaena was terrified and traumatized. She was just quiet about it.

As for her just pointing out Jaehaerys instead of trying to bargain or plead more for his life … I guess it’s because they’re characterizing her as very literalist, straightforward and honest to a fault as part of her ‘strangeness’? So she just took B & C at their word and didn’t try to change their minds because after the necklace offer failed, she assumed they couldn’t be swayed and would definitely kill her and both kids like they threatened to if she didn’t point out Jaehaerys to them. As for not pointing to Jaehaera – that wouldn’t accomplish anything. If they didn’t check that they really had the boy, one of her kids would still be dead. If they checked and discovered she’d lied, they might kill both kids. She was a mother who didn’t want either of her kids to die but perceived she couldn’t do anything to save both of them, so she felt she had no choice but to point out Jaehaerys. And then she grabbed Jaehaera and got her to safety when she saw the chance. At least she could save one of them.

As for Helaena saying they killed ‘the boy’ instead of saying his name Jaehaerys – I don’t see that as her being insensitive and uncaring about her kid. I think she was just repeating B & C’s exact word use in her dissociated state. She was on auto pilot at that point.

I do get what the writers were going for … but it’s not going to translate well to most of the audience I don’t think. I see many people interpreting it as Helaena not caring about Jaehaerys and not trying hard enough to save him. “Why didn’t she offer up her own life like any mother would?” If a large part of the audience misinterprets or misunderstands a scene or a character’s intentions or motivations, then that’s a failure on the part of the writers IMO. I’m not upset they didn’t make B & C more graphic or violent in the physical or psychological sense. (In the book, their twisted mind games were just as horrific and brutal and every bit as violent as the physical violence). But I do think that scene could have been better executed in a different way. And including Maelor probably would have worked better to illustrate the horrific, inescapable situation Helaena found herself in between a rock and a hard place.

Where the fuck are the guards? In the throne room with Aegon? Sent away by Cole to hide the fact that he’s in the queen dowager’s bed? The Greens never considered infiltration or a stealth attack? They really got complacent because they have Vhagar guarding the city.

Alicent and Cole doing it in Rhaenyra’s old room, in Rhaenyra’s bed!! Are they both imagining they’re with Rhaenyra too?! Because this is giving … high levels of dysfunction. They’re both haunted by Rhaenyra

The only thing I’ll say about Alicole is that they really should have shown them getting together for the first time. When, how and why did that happen? Who instigated it? How did they both feel about it? Again the writers don’t show the motivations they had in mind for the characters, resulting in the viewers drawing different conclusions than they’re ‘supposed to’ and it works against the story. The interviews I’ve watched seem to say it’s consensual on both their parts. (I know there’s a power imbalance that makes it problematic, but I don’t think the writers see it that way.) Again, showing the start of their first sexual encounter would have been better writing (IMO) because it could have been used to illustrate consent.

The last thing I’ll say about Alicole (okay, so I wanted to say two things) is that showing it after B & C that way by having Helaena walk in on them cheapens B & C. The true shock and horror here is that a child was murdered in front of his mother. Why add the cheap shock value of someone walking in on their parent in flagarante?

All in all, okay episode, kind of weird. Looking forward to see what they do with the rest of the material.

[snowblack-charcoalwhite]

Thoughts on HotD Ep1 Season 2

What I liked:

Scenes with Aegon. It's so great to finally see him as a father who tries his best to be there for his children and as someone who is starting to assume responsibilities he evaded before. Big kudos to Tom for his performance.

Aemond and his vibes. I was fully aware we would not get that much of him in the first few episodes (the focus is supposed to be on Aegon at the moment) so I did not expect a lot of character development for him. But the vibes were immaculate, as usual. So glad to see Ewan hasn't lost (if anything, only perfected) the ability to portray an emotion without moving a single muscle:)

Plus I really loved the subtle power play between the Targtowers - and the way it was portrayed without them actually communicating on screen. The reluctant "Gods, I hate it, but you really are my King now so I have to and I will" pledge of loyalty from Aemond vs some mix of deprecation and appreciation as in "you are a twat but you are my twat" from Aegon. A weird love, indeed. I am quite afraid to see where their relationship goes next with these writers in charge of it - but let's take one step at a time.

Phia's acting. For me her performance was the most powerful of the whole episode. Shame it wasn't enough to fix the mess the writers made.

Honorable mentions: Otto and Larys (huge respect for Rhys and Matthew), Ser Erryk (the only Black character who didn't make me either yawn or roll my eyes even once) and the way Emma portrayed Rhaenyra's grief when she found Arrax's wing with a bit of Luke's cape and during the funeral.

What I didn't like (very much so):

It's going to be short and not very specific.

The script is a mess. The story jumps from one scene to the other pretty much at random, and the entirety of it felt so very rushed. The way they skipped the Greens actual reactions to Aemond killing Luke? The way they treated B&C as if it was a filler and not one of the most important parts of the beginning of the Dance? The way sexual aspect of Alicole was presented (can't say it was entirely random but it definitely was underdeveloped)? The way Daemon was turned into some kind of pathetic boy who literally no one takes seriously (God knows I am very far from being a Daemon fan but have at least some respect for the character, even if only for the story's sake)?

And 90% of TB scenes were just plain boring.

In conclusion, if it keeps going on like this, the show is doomed. No matter how talented and dedicated the actors are, they can't save the story if it doesn't save itself. After all, acting is a tool of storytelling and not the other way around.

[bluektw]

Let's talk about episode 2 shall we?

(there's a bit of cursing here)

Ok ok

TGC, Olivia, Phia and Emma all going to compete for the Emmy apparently

Aegon grieving, god, my heart (The Ending when Alicent couldn't comfort him my heart was breaking), also killing Blood, and hanging the rat catchers, I can't say I don't understand why he did it, but I agree with Otto that doing so publicly was about stupid (I blame Larys)

(WHY IS THE DOG SAD? HE WAS KICKED FOR CHRIST SAKE WHY IS HE SAD? WHY THEY HUMANIZING A GUY WHO MURDERED A FUCKING CHILD?? OH WAIT, IS CAUSE THE SAID CHILD IS PART OF GREENS, CAUSE AGAIN GOD FORBIDS THE GREENS BE PAINTED IN SYMPATHETIC LIGHT)

Haelena being overwhelmed by the crowd makes so much sense within her character (I thought for a hot second that Jaeherys body would fall) and the little look between her and Aegon. Also was not having Alicent worried Haelena would tell someone about her and Criston, ma'am your grandson is dead??? Who cares about your relationship right now? You're not doing anything wrong your dead beat husband is already rotting more than when he was alive

(Criston is going against his vows though, so MAYBE she's worried about him, but I don't think the writers would let them have this)

The funeral was way faster than I thought it would be btw, everything kinda was.

Again, bleach my eyes from THAT Aemond scene (though apparently everyone but Aegon and Haelena were having sex during B&C???)

Blacks story is so uninteresting right now, I for real wanted to skip their scenes they gave NOTHING the whole episode (only the Rhaenyra and Mysaria interaction was merely interesting). I couldn't care less about Rhaenys, Corlys and the Velaryons.

Also, Laenor's dragon is back apparently? Is Laenor dead? Are we ever going to find out?

Also also, so the scene of Alicent "drowning" herself didn't led to anything? Ok ok, God forbids we get sympathy for team green right?

Alicole nation I believe we won and keep winning? And at the same time why did we end both episodes with them having sex? (Not that I'm against it, just think they could have ended differently)

Otto spilled a couple facts but mostly bullshit, and we had a Daeron mention thank God he exists. Also I actually like this whole weird relationship between him and Alicent, they way he has no idea how to comfort her in the beginning, than saying he didn't want to hear about her sins (which let's be honest he knows already) I mean is toxic as hell but also a bit endearing.

Yep, it was much better than the last one. Not that it was hard to do that though.

[zephyrrr101]

OMG OMG OMG!!! HOTD SEASON 2 EPISODE 1: BLOOD AND CHEESE!!!

Okayyyyyy! Boy! I just saw it and I have so much to rant and talk about!!!

But before we go into it, for those who hasn't seen it yet,

this is a spoiler! Below the cut

So don't venture if you don't want to loose your fun.

The first and foremost thing we see is Wolf Woods and Winterfell. And man! Did I not feel nostalgic!

Cregan Stark is carrying a sword through out the journey to top of the wall, probably Ice.

I really like the way they have changed Jace here. The hairstyle, the words, the way of talking to a Lord. This Jace is what I connect to, the one we know about in books.

Emma D'Arcy! You woman! I love you! I love you so so so much. Rhaenyra doesn't has more but one dialogue in the whole episode but through out it all I can see her speak. Every scene made me cry. Rhaenyra stands at the edge of castle, looking to anything she could, I would say to even hold a false hope of Luke being alive. Her desperate climb through the stones when she hears fishermen yell about the Dragon wing (Arrax's), her clutching Luke's clothes, looking at last memories that she has of his. It's lovely.

We finally also see Mysaria. Her interaction with Daemon is brilliant. She is shown as who she is. A woman who works for gold. I have no disappointment here.

Larys, you foxxy bastard, look at you trying to put Otto out of his position. Filling both Aegon and Alicent's ears with poison against him.

Aemond, struts into the council room, you cunty little bastard. I loved Ewan every moment of him. That is exactly how I expect Aemond to be.

Aegon. Loved it too. We see him in more than just a sorry ass drunk. Fine-fucking-ly. I like how he takes control of the throne room the second time Otto tries to tell him what to do. I'm really ready to see Otto get kicked out of his position. But boy. You sweet not to sweet anymore summer child, what are you doing. You can't call your unhinged brother loyal as a dog when he's planning war behind your back, something even your granddad is pointing at.

ALICOLE!!! Woohoo you people! Yes they are fucking! They are fucking right the moment when Blood and Cheese come and kill Jaehaeyrs.

While speaking on the matter, (Please don't attack me, this is only my analysis of show and somethings I compare from the book). Blood and cheese is disappointing. To me atleast. Child murder, of course it's not right, very, very, very bad. But I rather like the book part. We have no Maelor up until this stage in the show so it's basically making Helaena choose between her twins which, I'm sorry, looks stupid. The whole point of it was making a choice between two sons. The Greens basic usurpation is based on the fact that Rhaenyra is a woman. So why the hell would Helaena be forced to chose between her daughter and son. It would have been obvious that she would have chosen Jaehaera to be dead over Jaehaeyrs. She is not an idiot. We know.

And if we talk about the show sow why she did it? My reason, perhaps she doesn't wants her son to see or face what is coming. Or maybe she had seen what he doesn't wants it.

Helaena at the start in the first scene when Aegon comes looking for Jaehaeyrs tells him "What if he doesn't want it?" It feels like a call back to times when Aegon didn't want it. But still, she knows a woman's life is much worse in Westeros specially in time of war, so why save a girl who would lead a bad life instead of the son who actually had a chance to get out of that. Is it a call back to Viserys choosing Rhaenyra over Aegon? Wouldn't know until next scenes.

Rhaena. We see her on the council table and while they are burning Luke's and Arrax's remains. I wanted to cry just seeing her. She looks so distraught.

Daemon wearing his MURDER CLOAKKKKKK!!!

YAYAYAYAYAY!!!

I love how he paid that Gold Cloak to do his bidding and how that man went "Commander" and "Fuck the Hightowers". We see the loyalty of the Gold Cloaks to Daemon that we know from books and the first season. Loved every moment of that.

Well, that's what I think about it.

[arabellasleopardcoat]

My thoughts on Episode 2. SPOILERS AHEAD

First thought, before even watching: I have had a week to form an opinion on Alicole, and I have warmed to it. Mostly because I am thinking ahead, when Aemond fucks up or Cole fucks up, the dynamic between them and Alicent will be *chefs kiss*

Second thought: I will never get over the new intro. Great references to Helaena's prophecy in the first season, too.

Third thought: I sort of get annoyed by Daemon's voice (Matt Smith's, really, I cannot stand when he screams) in the original, but I also hate the spanish version in everything I watch, so I don't even bother. Subtitles. Ugh.

Onto the episode

Finally, the guards appear. Great opening shot with the maid carrying the bloodied blanket.

Aegon demolishing Viserys model. Is he still drunk or has the grief and fear sobered him up? Either, both, it seems equally as devastating.

Aemond getting out of the murder cloak and finding a golden coin. Hm.

Otto I love. I didn't like Tywin much and I like he is kinder, since I was afraid he was going to be his clone. But taking advantage of it? Devious. I see why he has been Hand for so long. He is a whole other sort of manipulative, one much more insidious. In fact, I would not call Tywin manipulative after this display.

Alicent full of catholic guilt, she is back to being endearing. I want to wrap her in a blanket.

Chill, Aegon. Using so many sex related insults in one breath must be tiring.

Otto proposing the public funeral and crucifying Rhaenyra, of fucking course. Great political advice, though. Ordering them to cry? Too far.

"I don't want them close, I don't know them." My poor, poor girl.

Larys continues to be creepy. He pulls out his little sack of torture instruments as if it is nothing. Aegon taking his revenge, brutally.

Stunning costumes once again. I like the open casket carrying of the body. It reminds me of one of the last scenes from Frida, where she is carried in a similar manner in her bed. Must be all the flowers. Oh, god. Helaena panicking as people scream and the body shakes, the camera motion feels sickening too. I am curious about why they are not seen running, I was sure it was going to be this scene. Also, setting up the smallfolk's hate to Rhaenyra!

Daemon suspiciously quiet in that council meeting. Jace looking all grown up. Ser Alfred, stop putting your foot in your mouth. Ah, Daemon confessing to Rhaenyra but conveniently avoiding taking responsability. Do I believe him? No. It was a good choice in the writer's camp to not show him outright saying the words.

Ah, the accusations. The lunge, and how he stays his hand? I like how Rhaenyra is being perfectly reasonable and not screaming and Daemon is doing the hysterics for both. He is a teenager. Now Daemon insulting Viserys, and calling her a tool for Viserys not to give him the throne? Classic daddy issues, father loved me more, and only gave you my leftovers. I love the quiet rage and the dignity Rhaenyra has. She is right, she cannot trust him. She has become Viserys, and it is poetic, really.

Rhaenyra sending Baela!!! Daemon's daughter!!! in the mission Jace wanted to go himself and she forbade him????? Right after the argument??? Miss!!

Daemon back on Caraxes ready to relax go on a murder spree.

Looks exchanged (or avoided) between Aegon and Helaena. Criston watching as the nursery is taken apart.

I feel like the only thing Alicent does is to take baths lately. Nice insight on how the clothing works, though. A lace up dress, long sleeved, under the velvet dress, long sleeved. Laces in the back, no underwear of any sort. No bands on the chest. I recall seing hose the last episode, worn by her, but now she is barefoot.

Ser Arryk here looking at Cole like he is dumb while he spouts nonsense about purity and white cloaks. Good for you, Ser Arryk, he is in fact fucking the Queen. Is he accusing the poor guy of being involved? He is, and here comes the catch, ordering a murder attempt on Rhaenyra.

Jace looking for Baela because he missed supper. Aw, they are so sweet. Remiscing about fathers, and now Jace doesn't shy away from his bastardy. I love she asks about both of them.

Aemond with his much older companion, the same one that took his virginity and the relationship is oddly maternal. I was right, he likes milfs. She gives good advice, apparently. Aemond is so into Daemon though, he takes assesinations attempts as flattery.

Hugh! We meet him, interesting. Tiny daughter with fever, wife with great sense.

Addam! Addam too! What is going on, why are they introducing me to so many people? First Allyn last week, now Addam and Hugh. Agh, I see now why on his tomb it says loyal. He is very idealistic.

Rhaenys is right, devotion might not be his forte. I love that they in bed together and it is implied that they fucked. Older people do have sex lives, and it's rare to see it portrayed in fiction. I love too, that they are the staunchest Rhaenyra's supporters. But Corlys doubting her in favor of Daemon, nope. Harrenhal as a forgive me present?

Rhaenyra with Alicent's book. And now Mysaria explaining herself, the recognition in her eyes. She will not be released, it seems. For a second, I thought Rhaenyra might show her kinship. I really love Mysaria. Deeply. She is shaping up to be my favorite female character at this point. And if she is kept as a prisoner, I can understand how she will later act.

One note on Addam: The boy dreams of dragons.

Well, it seems they have outdone themselves. All of the goodwill from the funeral is gone. Killing all rat catchers, even if they got him in the end was too much. Poor dog, reminds me of my girl when I got her. Otto is the only sane person here, surprisingly. Criston has shown himself as unhinged as ever, and Aegon, in an oddly, much less senseless way, reminds me of Joffrey and the Baratheons bastards. Instead of being a sadist, he is just mad with grief. Ugh, if I were Cole I would be shitting myself. Otto is right, though the praise to Viserys is overkill. I'll disagree there. The evil laughter, though? Otto being dismissed! Criston's puppy eyes at being offered the brooch? He looks surprised and honored, but how long until it goes to his head? Otto threw the brooch, would have been a great ending to the episode. I feel like it makes the next scene lackluster.

Rhaenyra exiling Mysaria, but she looks pleased at the thought, so good for her. Ser Erryk looks great next to Rhaenyra. That she is the one to notice Arryk's trick is great, too. I like Rhaenyra's Arryn blue nightgown. She looks as bewildered as I am. Brother against brother, never more apt. Born together, dead together.

Alicent, your dad is criticizing your lover, what will you do?

This episode has felt way too long. I do not like getting tricked into watching a movie when expecting an episode, my attention span is short.

So Daeron does exists. Funny they choose now to namedrop. Alicent about to confess and Otto already knows. Poor Aegon.

Alicent slapping and pushing Criston as foreplay. They are your usual catholic pair, it seems. Will every episode end up with them having sex?

[gojuo]

one of the things that scares me the most about season 2 is Criston and Alicent's post-B&C relationship. especially towards Alicent, because while she's a complex character, she keeps changing personalities throughout the EPS and she has this weakness for Rhaenyra, despite all the feud they have and where does Criston fit into that? well, post B&C is the time when Aegon will want to take things into his own hands and with the help of Criston, who will become the new Hand of The King. I'm afraid this will tear Alicole apart, because Alicent will still want to spare Rhaenyra and Aegon and not Criston, so he'll trade the unwavering loyalty he had to Alicent for Aegon and Alicent will lose her sworn shield and friend/love interest and will be more vulnerable to manipulations by Larys, who is one of the last to die in this war, so he's going to get up to a lot of stuff and GA seems to hate Otto more than him (and Otto did the same thing Corlys did, only successfully) even though he's a kinslayer and an abuser, it looks like they'll have to wait until he's behind the riots in king's landing to kick the kween out of town (According to Mushroom, but I think it's very likely, Book!Larys actually plotted Rhaenyra's downfall more than Aegon's rise) to really start hating him

They gave the Alicole secret romance to Rhaenicent so Alicole won't get any sort of development besides a few barely-10-seconds scenes where they stand close to each other and talk in cryptics that won't have any lasting impact on their characters in any significant way, is what I believe. Criston will be closer to Aemond than Aegon anyways since he'll be bedridden and high on milk of the poppy by episode 4 and then most likely written out of the story to make place for other characters.

Alicent and Larys' relationship is unsalvageable. She 100% will continue to be sexually assaulted by him and no one will save her bc women in HOTD are either 1. rape victims or 2. silver-haired princesses who ride dragons and "break the wheel".

[fromtheboundlesssea]

Thoughts on episode 9

I like how solemn the opening is.

Who’s the blind kid? Aegon’s bastard?

Good lord. Olivia’s acting. Beautiful.

I sort of think it would have been fine to have Alicent lie and pretend that Viserys named Aegon heir instead of the stupid prophecy.

I still don’t understand the marble things at the small council.

I would feel horrible for the guy making a joke and then learns that the king is dead.

But good lord, I have no idea who all these people on the council are.

They are making Alicent look more innocent in all this.

The king was well? The king was well? He was falling apart?

The actual heck? I really don’t understand the Beesbury death. Was it in the books? I hardly know him as a character.

We don’t even get to see any of the council members politicaling. At all.

The thing is that even though Alicent truly thinks Aegon has been named heir, she still doesn’t want Rhaenyra dead.

Can we talk about how Alicent actually worries about Rhaenyra when it comes to what it would mean for the safety of Rhaenyra and her family’s safety while Rhaenyra has shown no actual forethought.

I don’t understand Westerling either. Like he seems loyal to Rhaenyra but he seemed kind to Alicent.

And Helaena’s words were definitely about the children arguing over a toy, but the squabbles of children is what the Dance is.

I saw people complain about how looking for Aegon takes too much of the episode and I can already imagine that it does. Although I suppose it separates the greens into factions loyal to Otto and loyal to Alicent.

Okay, but why is Rhaenys still in the Red Keep? Why is Baela not with her?

Alicole is actually the softest and greatest thing in this. Like it’s beautiful. Sansa would have swooned at a song made about them.

I wish the women were allowed more agency. Truly.

I love how Aemond felt like he could be vulnerable with Cole. 😭

Question, was Daemon formally placed as Prince of Dragonstone? So did they switch allegiances then as well.

Why are they loyal to Rhaenyra anyway, other then swearing vows? She hasn’t done any ruling at any point. Otto and Alicent have been active members of court.

I hate that they introduce twins and. Have I idea how to tell them apart.

I agree with Tom (Aegon’s actor) they don’t allow him to have any nuance. Any nuance he gets is thanks to Tom’s acting from the gifs I have seen.

I think I heard the fighting pits are only from Mushroom’s account, who was not in King’s Landing at the time.

Y’all realize that Mysaria implied that Daemon preferred young girls as well. Y’all remember that right?

This already taking too long. This should be more about politics than finding Aegon.

I hate Larys. I don’t understand why Otto didn’t have him taken care of. Or Criston.

The fact that I’m guessing we won’t see Alicent destroy the model of Valyria is a CRIME.

Olivia deserves all the awards. But my gosh he was her ABUSER. Why can’t the writers acknowledge that?

Rhaenys’ son wasn’t just cuckholded. They think he was MURDERED

Why are they concerned about Rhaenys’ dragon? They have Vhagar? VHAGAR! And then Aegon and Helaena are riders too? They really kept Rhaenys here to kill smallfolk huh.

Also, I love Alicent being the one to offer Baela getting the Driftwood throne.

Rhaenys, you have no room to talk. You did the same thing. You let your husband try to sell your twelve year old daughter to the king.

And of course Alicent never imagined herself on the throne. She’s not a Targaryen by blood. She has no right to it.

Did they bring back Mysaria so we could remember she was a character that will be important next season?

Mysaria, girly, you were ready to give Daemon young girls. And the gold cloaks were emboldened by Daemon.

They really do make these characters we haven’t noted or haven’t Ben highlighted all season and make them randomly important.

Aegon wanting his mother immediately. Lol

But I’m pretty sure Aegon was found under the candles Alicent and Rhaenyra lit for their mothers. The candle Rhaenyra prayed that her father would see her. 😭 can’t tell if that was on purpose.

Aegon literally went for the one she his brother has. Most realistic brotherly relationship in this entire series.

We should have gotten more of Alicent and her father being on opposite sides of the Greens.

I hate when Otto brings up his wife to Alicent and comparing her to him because we don’t know who she is. I honestly thought Viserys was in love with her and that is why he had her wear her mother’s dress when she went to Viserys

I hate that they have the crippled man a foot fetish. Imagine if they gave fan favorite Tyrion a height fetish. And good lord they really did not know what to do with Larys. I truly think they wanted to avoid him being too much like how Littlefinger was with Sansa.

Can we have ONE feminine woman in the showverse with a nice sex scene? All we have is Cat and Ned but that was barely a scene.

Those twin Kingsguard just make no sense. They weren’t characters in the show prior to this moment. At least with Harwin we got to see him.

Did they kill Aegon’s bastard too?

Sir. You are dressed as a Kingsguard. People will freaking notice you. You should have changed when you decided to help Rhaenys

The way Aegon started to tear up when he saw his father’s dagger 😭

So I’m betting some of those people Rhaenys was jostled with will be some of the people she murders. And she won’t care.

What throne is that in the coronation? It was the one during the great council in the prologue. But what throne is that?

And we don’t actually see any of the people needing to be encouraged to clap. They just did it on their own. They don’t care.

Ugh. Tom’s acting. I’m sorry, but Team Green as a whole has such great acting. Team Black got the short end of the stick because the writers just assumed they would be liked.

Lol, the random extra that coughed in the background.

Do you think Helaena looked away because she knows this crown will kill her family?

Gosh, Tom hearing the bells and the crowd cheer. It’s like this switch. The opposite of what happened with D.

And it truly shows the people don’t care. And tbh, the people probably know Aegon more than the other royals.

So, did Rhaenyra put on that armor all by herself because that would have taken time.

And so Team Black are now the first ones to draw blood in the Dance. I don’t think the writing team realized or understood that.

And you have OTTO falling for the doors to be open for the sake of the people. Good lord.

And Alicent telling Criston to get to Helaena. And Alicent standing in front of a dragon to protect her son.

Looked kick butt, but ultimately a stupid final scene.

If the writers had any sense they would point out that Rhaenys murdering a bunch of smallfolk is the death nail in the Blacks getting any love from the people they wish more directly to rule.

If the writers had any wisdom, they would let rumors spread amongst the smallfolk about Alicent facing a dragon for the sake of their king.

In the promo for the next episode, it has Rhaenys call the Targaryen-Hightowers “he Greens” but have they actually been called that in the show at all?

[sweetscarlettangel]

HotD Season 2 Episode 6 Live Thoughts

Kingsroad

I guess the Lannisters are on the move

Ugh this will mean more Jason Lannister

King's Landing

And Aemond's already proving he isn’t suited to ruling either

They want Alicent to marry again? As if! Or did they mean Helaena which means they killed off Aegon?

If he dares face you? You’ve been on one battle compared to the war Daemon fought

I love Alicent's hair

Aemond's taking away the safety wheels and he’ll regret it, I think

Dragonstone

Don’t know how to feel about Corlys being Hand…it doesn’t seem like it was needed to bring him back into the fold like in F&B

Ser Steffon's so confused

So because of his great-great-grandmother he should try to claim a dragon?

Well that's a man who values his vows and his duty

Harrenhal

What was so significant about this banishment for him to be haunted by it?

He should be hallucinating Ep8 instead

So 20 years later he's bitter Rhaenyra was named heir? If it wasn’t her, it would’ve been Aegon so he's better off as it is

Dragonstone

I guess Rhaenyra already knows Laenor died if they're attempting a bond with Seasmoke

This isn’t going to end well

Rhaenyra's face

This should keep her from attempting the dragonseeds but we know what will happen

Driftmark

They're changing Alyn's personality…he was described as rash and restless, not cautious

King's Landing

I’m glad we're seeing more of Dyana

Well, Rhaenyra's plan is becoming clear

They'll probably change it from the books to make it more Black-sided, with the smallfolk rebelling against Aemond instead

Dragonstone

Why didn’t Rhaenyra ask to learn to swordfight after being named heir? Viserys would have granted her every wish after he married Alicent

And they're pushing Rhaenyra/Mysaria

King's Landing

Aemond isn’t a people pleaser like Aegon so he won’t listen to Larys

Otto probably hasn’t reached the Hightower and he’ll be called back immediately 

Aegon's alive!

The parallels between Aegon and Viserys rn

Gosh I hope Aemond won’t kill him

I'd like to see Helaena visiting Aegon and maybe bringing Jaehaera to see her father

The Vale

Rhaena being an older sister!

Poor Joffrey probably wonders what his sister is saying

Stormcloud was supposed to be horse-sized

Honestly, I’m liking Jeyne

Rhaena will probably be blamed it the Gullet goes like in F&B

Driftmark

Ok, so they know they're Corlys' sons

And Addam is bitter because Corlys doesn’t talk to him

Dragonstone

Daemyra divorce era

King's Landing 

Rhaenyra sent food for the smallfolk…

So they're definitely changing it so the riots were Green propaganda (after all, F&B was written by mainly Green sources supposedly)

Alicent's probably questioning her purpose in life rn

I expected Aegon's burn scars to be worse

Alicent's face when she asks about Daeron ❤️

It must hurt to know that the son that turned out the best was the one she didn’t raise

"You did your best" She needed to hear that

The last time Alicole sees one another

Helaena!

And the unrest continues in King's Landing

Stupid Kingsguard…that will just make things worse

Alicent protecting Helaena!

From this scene cane the stills we thought would be from Jaehaerys' funeral

Does Larys want him to un alive himself?

Harrenhal

Don’t remember if Grover Tully died in F&B

Driftmark

Addam continues to be chased by Seasmoke. Poor guy is fearing for his life

Other dragons = are chased by their riders

Seasmoke = claims his human

Dragonstone

Is it just my idea or is Rhaenyra basically having Mysaria as her therapist?

Not sure if Mysaria is truly team Rhaenyra

Well, you don't just confess one of your deepest traumas to anyone

Seriously Rhaenyra? She confessed her sexual trauma and your response is to kiss her when you're already in an imbalance of power?

They probably want to make Mysaria's betrayal cut more deeply

Jace's face = worried mom

[goldoriole]

House of the Dragon S2 Ep 3

My thoughts/reactions on the most recent episode

Beautiful Bracken you rock

The immediate cut to a desolated battlefield, all the quiet dead, the blood, bodies in the river...chilling!!!!

Jace protesting burying the twins together because it sullies his grave...BABE we are all sullied by war!

RHAENYS DEFENDING OTTO? not on my bingo card!

Rhaenys is slaying this entire scene

"AS YOU PERMITTED THE MURDER OF A LITTLE BOY IN HIS BED."

Cutting to Criston having a quiet breakdown over his sudden promotion. This man does not know what he's doing.

AEGON MADE HIS FRIENDS HIS KINGSGUARD????

WHAT ARE THEIR NAMES I NEED TO KNOW

Does this mean that two of them will be entrusted to whisk Jaehaera and Maelor (if he exists) to safety? If so, very sweet that Aegon's friends will protect his children.

Well, if they get their act together! Imagine Visenya seeing some kingsguard sitting on the stairs. Instant death by Dark Sister.

Tyland logic

DAERON MENTION!!!

He must be mentioned as frequently as possible to make up for his absence in S1.

Aemond and Cole making eye contact at the table - Oof, Aemond is not happy Cole is putting him on the sidelines.

Aegon volunteering himself. He is so eager to prove himself.

"I'm as fearsome as any of them." I BELIEVE YOU!!

Knowing Mysaria's ending...girl GO HOME BE FREE GET OUT

Seasmoke is anxious!!!

RHAENA ALERT RHAENA ALERT

Aegon and Viserys going to the Vale? Not Pentos?

NO THEY ARE GOING TO PENTOS

"WHERE MY MOTHER DIED?" SHUT UP!!!!!!!!!!! THIS IS SO SAD!!!! RHAENA!!!!!

"I need you to be the mother to them that I cannot." Other people have already dissected this line better than I could. The implications are crazy.

Rhaena asking about Baela.

"Because she has a dragon."

"I cannot promise to make you happy." UGH

Daemon's armor is so ugly, maybe its just the helmet though.

HARRENHAL. HARRENHAL.

"I'm claiming Harrenhal." "Apparently so."

Who is this baller! Simon Strong? Simeon?

I WAS RIGHT.

I like this guy.

Cutting to Criston's new haircut. Traumatizing.

Gwayne!

"Modest beginning."

"Giddying ascent." Gwayne you do not talk like a serious person.

This is how Alicent and Criston say goodbye?

GRANT HER FAVOR

GRANT HER FAVOR

GRANT HER FAVOR??????

OH!!!

So sad Alicent is not vibing with him right now. Favors and chivalry are so important to me. Alicole breakup I guess.

Music as Criston rides out is great.

Jace is clearly frustrated at this meeting.

WHOS THIS GUY WHO LAUGHED AT RHAENYRA??? HIS QUEEN?

Corlys/Rhaenys scene!!!!

Feeding her tenderly.

Love that she's standing on a box.

Corlys bade farewell to Rhaena? Elaborate. What is your relationship like.

NAME RHAENA HEIR!!!!!

This conversation between the two of them will become so tragic in light of the next episode.

GO BACK TO HER, CORLYS!

little Joffrey!!!!!

Jace hugging his brother D:

Baela walking Rhaena out.

TWIN HUG!!!

"I feel sad about Jaehaerys." Something about the bluntness of that line made me laugh.

Oh, Helaena is trying so hard to cope. this is so sad.

"Sadness is a condition of motherhood."

Larys serving rn in an evil advisor sort of way

OG Aegon had ugly ass armor.

Aegon's friends are such fucking goons.

ULF!!

Every time a character appears for the first time on screen I react like a Marvel fan whenever an obscure superhero gets namedropped. Why am I excited for Ulf the White of all people.

Baelon???

If that's true, that's crazy. RIP Alyssa I guess.

Aegon is a boy's boy (derogatory)

aegon catching aemond.

full. frontal.

oh man this reminds me of that one time I got a hate comment on The Water Between Us and it ended with "I hope Aemond's cock was worth it." Guest User Raefa I hope you were okay after this episode

Gwayne is so dumb. Unserious person.

Baela, you wonderful reckless girl!

Moondancer! I like the stripes but I still wish she was a more vibrant green.

can jace get some dialogue PLEASE

I would have killed to not have been spoiled about Milly Alcock before the episode aired. curse you GQ article for being published too early

ALYS! She looks phenomenal!

Rhaenyra going to KL is so risky and stupid

Alicent's disgusted face is always so funny

"You know what Aemond is." Elaborate please

Scene is a bit silly but so well acted that I barely took any notes. Such a great performance from both Cooke and D'Arcy

Really liked this one, especially with all the Velaryon screentime. Hopefully this is not the last we see of Rhaena and Baela, and I am really hoping there will be time for Jace to step into the spotlight. He's such a remarkable young man in F&B.