#and alicent appealing to rhaenyra worked for me idk what to say

[llaw-eurog]

The finale worked for me 🤷🏻‍♀️

[futuregws]

What's your opinion on the "standalone" episode in season 3 being focused on Aegon?

Am I the only one who thinks that it's Aegon fans being delusional that the episode will be on him? I have only seen them saying that it will be him. I haven't read F&B in a long time, so correct me if I'm wrong, but I feel like there wouldn't be enough material to cover in an hour episode with Aegon alone.

I also just don't think he is likable enough for the entire general audience to be interested in an entire episode of him. I have only seen people in the fandom itself who like him (mostly because of the book), but the general audience don't really care about him. I think the episode will be Rhaenyra tbh. I have a feeling his storyline will be boring next season compared to everything else that will happen, and why I really hope the episode will not be on him. I also just don't see the appeal of his character (and this is coming from someone who is not on either side. So can't say I am a biased TB fan lmao).

I'm gonna be completely honest this is the first time I'm hearing about anything at all so I don't even know what this standalone episode is or why people think it's for Aegon, but based on what you said here's my opinion, and I'll try to be unbiased but tbh even my unbiased opinion is that Aegon really is not that popular or loved to get something like that do I think the directors would do it bc they love favoring team green/Aegon, and you can't tell me they don't when a writer literally insults Rhaenyra all the time for basically existing pretty much, so yeah I could see it just based on that but I do agree with what you said about the general public/fans I think from the book alone he doesn't have many fans, so the ones he has is bc of Tom, and his looks too, so in popularity with the general public he doesn't win especially bc HBO constantly pushes the Rhaenyra vs Alicent bs so he's been sidelined, and I don't think it would be smart but I also wouldn't be surprised, now about fans even they lean more towards Rhaenyra most people are team black, like a big chunk.

So anyway considering I don't have any knowledge on this whole thing so maybe I'm missing some stuff that could go against my theory, I'm solely focusing on the fact that there is a standalone episode, I think it could be about Alicent and Rhaenyra as kids and when they met, bc a while ago there was a casting call (idk if it was bs or real) for two read head kids and people thought it would be Alicent and Gwayne, and I feel like it could work in a way, not that there's a lot to go off of but there's even less for Aegon

[lemonhemlock]

Ugh, you’re so brave for saying that you don’t agree with the Madonna/Whore complex. I agree, it feels dismissive to me.

The way I rationalize Criston’s berserker moments are: 1) lazy writing ofc 2) almost like a trauma response? When he lashes out he seems to do so in response to an affront on his character. Joffrey’s whole deal comes off as blackmail when you look at it from his perspective, and Beesbury, I’m gonna need to expand on his relationship with Alicent for a bit: 

Criston has spent nearly 20 years watching as she tries to adhere to her values and duty while Viserys (who she ends up taking care of) and co. abuse and humiliate her. 

Like Alicent (and Aemond and Otto), I’m sure he’s tired of watching the Targs they have to serve get away with things that would get them killed. And still they’re held to a higher standard than the Targaryens who rule and use them. So when Beesbury accuses her of regicide, he sees it as his duty to protect her and the sacrifices she’s had to make. 

 I feel like they validate each other and the people they want to be. It must be exhausting being surrounded by people who do what they want for pleasure over duty. Their bond makes them feel less lonely and maybe even less stupid/naive: “I have to believe, that in the end, honor and decency will prevail. We need to hew to that and to each other.” (That’s why their scene in the Godswood took place during a wedding, they’re practically married imo 🙊 it’s a play on the nuclear family.)

Sorry for the essay lol, my reblog function is nonexistent on my phone idk why and I clearly had a lot to say. You’re the best for entertaining this tangent 💚.

Ugh, you’re so brave for saying that you don’t agree with the Madonna/Whore complex. I agree, it feels dismissive to me.

Thank you! Like, I have no illusions that the showrunners might feel the madonna-whore/incel thing is appealing to the audience, so they're milking it, but even so, it doesn't vibe with what ended up on the damn screen. I never understood the incel allegations for Ser Criston either. Incel describes a person who can't access sex/romance, no matter how hard they try. Whereas Criston could absolutely get it??? Even Rhaenyra is willing to keep fucking him? 😑

These modern labels get so stupid sometimes, for real. Imagine calling a medieval queen a tradwife. JFC. As opposed to what? A fourth-wave intersectional feminist? An independent self-supporting woman working her way up the corporate ladder by the skin of her teeth? 🙄

The way I rationalize Criston’s berserker moments are: 1) lazy writing ofc

Well, kind of, yeah. In the text, Criston kills Joffrey during a tourney, so there's more ambiguity on whether it was accidental or not. And makes much more sense (it happens during a socially-acceptable framework for ending someone's life), because now, for the show, they have to invent a far-fetched reason as to why this person is allowed to indiscriminately kill people at a wedding without facing any consequences. Not exactly something you could do 100% organically and seamlessly - you have to pull some ridiculous explanation out of your arse.

2) almost like a trauma response? When he lashes out he seems to do so in response to an affront on his character. Joffrey’s whole deal comes off as blackmail when you look at it from his perspective

In the show, this is the most likely explanation for his actions, yeah. He's been on a rollercoaster of emotions, from renouncing his vows, convincing himself he is in love or that Rhaenyra loves him, contemplating a radical life change (i.e. fleeing to Essos), rapid disillusionment, fearing for his life to being forgiven by the Queen and thinking he has a second chance to being threatened/blackmailed while in a vulnerable state. In a social situation where he has to watch the woman he cared for willingly marry another, after carelessly disregarding him.

and Beesbury, I’m gonna need to expand on his relationship with Alicent for a bit:  Criston has spent nearly 20 years watching as she tries to adhere to her values and duty while Viserys (who she ends up taking care of) and co. abuse and humiliate her.  Like Alicent (and Aemond and Otto), I’m sure he’s tired of watching the Targs they have to serve get away with things that would get them killed. And still they’re held to a higher standard than the Targaryens who rule and use them. So when Beesbury accuses her of regicide, he sees it as his duty to protect her and the sacrifices she’s had to make. 

Beesbury's death is presently differently in the text, too. Grand Maester Orwyle, who was present, claims he was arrested and died of a chill in the black cells. Although this can still be interpreted as lack of care, it's more reasonable than outright murder. Septon Eustace, who was NOT present, claims Ser Criston slit Beesbury's throat, so you know. 🤷‍♀️ At least for this action, they had something to go on. I think that in the show he is trying to make him sit back down and ~accidentally~ uses too much force on him.

What I find interesting is that Orwyle is supposed to give an account that is more biased towards Rhaenyra and he claims that Beesbury was arrested, whereas Eustace is supposed to be more biased in favour of Aegon and he claims Beesbury was killed on the spot.

Though I do have to mention the ridiculousness of HOSUE BEESBURY OF HONEYHOLT, A REACH HOUSE, SIDING WITH RHAENYRA. 😐

 I feel like they validate each other and the people they want to be. It must be exhausting being surrounded by people who do what they want for pleasure over duty. Their bond makes them feel less lonely and maybe even less stupid/naive: “I have to believe, that in the end, honor and decency will prevail. We need to hew to that and to each other.” (That’s why their scene in the Godswood took place during a wedding, they’re practically married imo 🙊 it’s a play on the nuclear family.)

Yes! It is telling that Alicent's interruption of Criston's planned suicide takes place under a weirwood tree (considered sacred) and the frames are interposed with imagery from Rhaenyra's wedding! She's also filmed a little in the distance and has to walk towards him off-screen - kind of like walking towards the altar (i.e. weirwood) to her groom, whose new life begins with her by his side. They're cute. 💚

Sorry for the essay lol, my reblog function is nonexistent on my phone idk why and I clearly had a lot to say. You’re the best for entertaining this tangent 💚.

No worries! You're very welcome, lol. I'm glad to see a fellow fanon revisionist. 😅