#and she returns to side with rhaenyra/help her reclaim the throne

[theirmadness]

for @aeghon, with love. ♡

❝ no one sent for me, brother. i wanted to get the measure of you, in person. it is much harder to fight a faceless enemy than one you know, ❞ daenerys spoke so casually, after she and her brother had both descended from their dragons. she was, truthfully, most curious to see what aegon looked like. curiosity is what drove her to arrange this meeting, and to ride out alone on drogon. her dragon was twice the size of her brother's, and so, she saw no threat meeting him.

here he was, the usurper king, and he was no more than a boy. there was less of a difference between daenerys and aegon in age than the rightful queen, rhaenyra, but he was still so young. she could see it in his eyes. she wondered, if he looked like their father. all she has is the words of others. ❝ though i wish we met not as enemies, but as brother and sister. tell me, brother: why are you so eager to slay your own kin? ❞ she took a step forward. drogon made a discontent noise. he didn't seem to trust aegon, but he was in a mood since their arrivel in westeros. it seemed he didn't trust this land in the slightest.

daenerys looked up at her son, reaching up to brush her fingers across his scales as he lowered his great head towards her. she smiled. ❝ his name is drogon. i ride him, but i am bonded to two others. they're not far. ❞ and indeed, as she looked up, almost as if on cue, two dragons were heard screeching above them, circling ahead. ❝ i do not wish to harm you, nor any of our kin. but brother, if it comes to war, you will not win. so tell me: is it worth it? the queen might forgive you. you are a boy. there is still time for peace. for family. ❞ perhaps, she was being foolish. but, she had to try...

daenerys had spent too many years alone. a targaryen alone in the world is a terrible, terrible thing. she would not forgive herself if she did not do everything in her power to save all of her siblings' lives.

[pessimisticpigeonsworld]

Rhaenyra and Motherhood

Motherhood is an integral part to Rhaenyra's character, both in the show and the book. So many of her actions are based on her children and her legacy is carried by her sons Aegon III and Viserys II. However, her antis are obsessed with removing motherhood from her character or claiming that she was simply a bad mother.

Rhaenyra's motivations throughout the Dance were driven by her love for her children. From the loss of Visenya fueling her desire to reclaim her throne to Joffrey's death causing her to return to Dragonstone. Even before the Dance, Rhaenyra's desire to protect her children was part of her motivation for marrying Daemon so quickly.

Despite these facts, Rhaenyra's antis always want to portray Rhaenyra as a selfish woman who doesn't care about her children and only wants power and to get laid. They blatantly ignore how Rhaenyra loves her children so completely.

Rhaenyra raised Jace to be someone even Mushroom agreed would be a great king. He was kind, intelligent, protective, a good military strategist even at fourteen, and a skilled fighter. Even though the show decided to give many of his attributes to Aemond, he's still a good man and much wiser than his older uncles. He was also respectful towards women and had a good relationship with Baela.

Lucerys was greatly loved by Rhaenyra, in the show she calls him her sweet boy. She raised Luke to be a kind and brave boy, he was respectful to Rhaena and had a sweet relationship with her. He was protective of his siblings and just wanted to make his mother proud.

Joffrey was a brave boy, perhaps too much for his own good. He wanted to defend what was left of his family, which led to his untimely death. But in life he was loved by his siblings and Rhaenyra and she was fiercely protective of him.

"Nor would she suffer to be parted from Prince Aegon, her last living son...day and night the boy remained by her side like a small pale shadow."

Even though the show hasn't yet given us any stills of Rhaenyra and Aegon the Younger, we know a lot about their relationship from the book. After the deaths of her other children, Rhaenyra held Aegon closer than ever. He grew to be a good king, despite his severe PTSD. He was firm with his advisors, stabilized the realm after the Dance, strove for peace, visited the sick, and tried to bring back dragons using magic. The only reason he isn't remembered fondly is because he wasn't happy or interested in kissing up to the lords.

Due to Viserys' age at the time of the Dance and his subsequent separation from his family, we don't know much about his relationship with Rhaenyra. But we do know that his disappearance was greatly grieved by her and that he was very close to his brother Aegon. Regardless, Viserys was a good king and such a skilled politician he was compared to Jaehaerys himself.

Visenya may have been stillborn, but she was greatly loved by Rhaenyra. Rhaenyra's only daughter, she was mourned greatly by her parents and it was her loss that helped spur Rhaenyra in her desire to reclaim her throne.

Motherhood is one of the key aspects of Rhaenyra's character. Her trauma revolving around the tragic death of her mother makes her love for her children and happiness as a mother even more compelling. She was at her happiest when she was able to live with her beloved husband and children unbothered by the Greens. She deserved to reign with her children around her. Their loss destroyed her emotionally and removed any hope Aegon and Aemond had for mercy from her or her faction.

Even though the misogyny of Westeros prevented her from being remembered as a true queen, her children are still fondly remembered. It's through them her legacy and final victory over the Greens live on, and the Green stans hate that so they try to remove her connection to her children. But their efforts are as useless as their favs, as Rhaenyra's legacy is alive and well in ASOIAF through Daenerys and their beloved usurper and his bitch mother are only remembered as war mongers and power hungry thieves.

[mademoiselleparapluie]

My House of The Dragon ideal timeline

Season 1

First Cracks

Episode 1

-We meet the Targaryens, Velaryons and Hightowers. Nyra is 13 Alicent 15 and Laena is 13. They are all friends. -Aemma and Viserys are established as blissfully married if plagued with fertility issues. -Daemon seen as a brutal commander of the city watch. -Otto seen as a competent if a bit sly He and Daemon keep sniping at each other. -Episode ends with Aemma announcing her pregnancy. Some mention of her history of miscarriages.

Episode two

-Nine months later. Like the actual episode 1 but the scenes between daemon and Nyra are sort of less creepy but more creepy and Laena is there. -The tourney for Aemma's upcoming birth is held, we meet Criston Cole who still beats Daemon because it's funny. -Aemma dies. -Daemon gets kicked out of court by being ordered to deal with the Stepstones, but goes to Dragonstone instead. -Rhaenyra is declared heir as a girl of fourteen. -Otto tells Alicent to offer comfort to the king

Episode three

-Six months later: Laena and Nyra are worried about Allie who has gotten more and more anxious as she gets closer to the king. Her father is pushing her to cross boundaries she'd prefer not to. -Nyra let's it go as Viserys invites her to serve as his cup bearer to prepare her for the throne. Otto isn't happy, and doesn't know this was Alicent's suggestion. -We meet the small council and the family Strong, Lyonel, Harwin and Larys the Clubfoot -It is suggested that the king should remarry. Viserys is visibly uncomfortable with the idea. -Daemon in Dragonstone situation and stealing of the Dragon egg. Otto is send to reclaim it but can't before Rhaenyra joins him on Syraxes. Daemon and Rhaenyra have a moment before he returns the egg. -Daemon is told to either go to the Stepsstones to handle it or face the King's Wroth. He goes.

Episode four

-Episode begins by showing the devastation at the Stepstones. Even with a dragon the battle is proving difficult. They have been fighting for several months now. -Daemon is seen looking serious as he considers his options. A suggestion to write to the king for aid is made. He beats the man who made it. There has to be another way. -At court the pressure for the king to remarry is growing stronger. -Velaryons are pushing for their daughter Laena to be a queen but she is more interested in claiming a dragon. -A new king's guard is needed. Rhaenyra names Criston Cole who she has been seen to look at with almost admiring eyes through out the series. He is also had battle experience. He is named her shield by the king. -Alicent is ever closer to the king. He considers himself almost in love. Alicent sees him as an uncle and is quite horrified when the king announces his intention to marry him. -The engagement makes Rhaenyra feel accute betrayal. Alicent was her friend. How could she not tell her she was going to marry the king? She runs from the Small council chambers, with Alicent following. They are heard arguing. Alicent cries that this isn't what she wants. -Later Rhaenyra watches as the Velaryons leave. Laena turns to wave at the princess. -Episode ends with Corlys brooding in his study when his page announces the Prince Daemon. Episode Five

-The wedding. Six months have passed since the engagement and the wedding is upon king's landing. -Rhaenyra helps Alicent dress to a magnificent gown before Otto steps in to speak with his Daughter. Rhaenyra bids her farewell and promises to meet Alicent at the sept. -Otto smiles to Alicent. All his plans are finally coming ahead. He tells her to get pregnant as soon as she can, to secure the succession. Alicent grimaces but nods. Together they make to the sept. -The wedding ceremony. Viserys is looking alarmingly pale as if he is a little ill. -In the feast afterwards Alicent and Rhaenyra toast each other. -King Viserys declares that Alicent will have a seat at his side on the small council. Rhaenyra's face sours. She is the heir but is still at nearly 16 a cupbearer. Later she laments to Criston that she no longer has any friends. Laena still writes but it is not he same and now Alicent will take her place as the leader of the women's court. "At least I have you and Syraxes." She sighs. Episode ends with the bedding. It is obvious that Alicent hates this.

Episode six

-At Driftmark Rhaenys has been ruling capably in her husbands absence for two long years. However her knights have spotted the dreadful Vhagar approaching the island. She prepares to send word to the capital and to Corlys, not noticing that her daughter Laena has heard the news as well. -At court it is declared that Rhaenyra is of age to marry. She is to be send to tour the kingdoms to look for a consort. Viserys advices her to marry someone who can support her claim and shows her the prophecy dagger. -Otto suggest Rhaenyra marry Alicent's son Aegon but is immediately dismissed. Aegon is barely two. -We can see that the court is starting to divide into two. Alicent and her two oldest children keep the company of grand older ladies while Rhaenyra chooses young merry ones to accompany her. She laments the lack of Laena at court. -We return to the Stepstones. Velaryon fleet has joined Daemon in his efforts. He and Corlys are getting on well. They are often joined by Corlys' son and his very close friend, Ser Joffrey. -Even with two dragons fighting for them the battle feels endless. Crab feeder is cunning foe. Word comes from the capital that help will soon be send. Daemon is furious and decides on a hail Mary attempt to finish this before it arrives. -The battle of the Stepstones. Daemon's plan works and Crabfeeder is dead. Daemon is declared king of the narrow sea, by Corlys

Episode seven

-Rhaenyra's tour is not going well. She and her ladies find ways to mock any suitor that she finds unsuitable, and she finds most unsuitable. Certain great families are starting to take offence. -When asked in private what she is looking for, Rhaenyra answers that she has someone very specific in mind. The others titter and shoot knowing glances at ser Criston who looks decidedly uncomfortable but Rhaenyra shakes her head. She has heard of her uncle's victories at the Stepstones. She is glad that they are returning to court. -Daemon returns to court, wearing his quickly fashioned crown. With him arrive the Velaryons, lead by Laena on Vhagar. He takes notice and congratulates the girl. -In the throne room the welcome is frosty. Even Rhaenyra looks disapproving until Daemon lays his crown at his brother's feet and declares him to be king of kings. They embrace and a feast is held. -At the feast it is clear the Daemon disapproves the new Queen and her children. Alicent is visibly pregnant. -Laena and Rhaenyra are glad to meet again and plan a dragon ride immediately. Alicent's posture breaks as they pointedly ignore her. She meets her father's eyes and straightens. Who cares about silly girls? She's the queen and soon her son will be declared heir. -Episode ends with Daemon slipping note into Rhaenyra's rooms.

Episode eight

-We open at a tavern. Daemon is showing Rhaenyra around. Once again they have left the palace under the cover of darkness to see the city. No one knows of their secret trips. Daemon is slowly seducing his niece and ticket to the throne. After months of gifts and surprisingly perfectly honest flattery, she is nearly where he needs her to be. -At the morning he and Rhaenyra meet at the Dragon pit. After the Velaryons returned to Driftmark, he has become her flying companion. Syrax and Caraxes get along fantastically as well. Ser Criston looks disapprovingly as uncle and niece fly off. -At the keep Alicent watches as the dragons fly by and soothes her younger son, Aemond who is maybe three months old. Aegon and Heleana play at her feet with Viserys. She asks if he worries about the closeness between Rhaenyra and Daemon. He brushes her concerns of, but admits he had hoped, she'd be betrothed by now. -Otto is seen talking to at common girl. So far he hadn't found anything damning enough to get Daemon kicked out of the capital but he knows a thing or two about biding his time. -A week later Rhaenyra arrives to her room, bidding good bye to her ladies, to find another note. Her smile widens as she slips into the secret passage excited to see her uncle, where ever he might take her. -The brothel scene and the kiss. Daemon leaves Rhaenyra to make her way back to the castle alone, but not before they are spotted by Otto's spies. -Rhaenyra coerces ser Criston to have sex with her. The knight is reluctant but gives in and takes her virginity. In the morning he is horrified by his actions. His honour is tarnished. -Otto reports on Daemon to the king. Viserys confronts Daemon who suggest he marry Rhaenyra. Viserys flies to rage and has him arrested for the crime of treason. -Otto suggest they should behead him. Alicent leaves to interrogate Rhaenyra who swears she is a virgin. Ser Criston flinches but says nothing. -Ser Lyonel Strong opposes Otto and points out that kinslayer is the most cursed of men. Daemon is banished to make peace with his wife in the Vale. Otto is send to Old Town and Lyonel Strong assumes the role of the Hand. -At night Viserys orders moon tea to be brought to Rhaenyra. She receives it bitterly. Her father has ordered her to marry Laenor Velaryon.

Episode nine

-Daemon kills his wife at the Vale making it look like a hunting accident. No one knows he was even there. -Viserys and Rhaenyra arrive at Driftmark and meet with Corlys at his grand hall. Corlys when finding out what the king proposes welcomes them warmly. Rhaenyra and Laenor talk agreeing that after some time they can pursue their own interests. -Laenor meets with Joffrey who deduces that Rhaenyra also has a lover. -On the boat ride home Ser Criston proposes that he and Rhaenyra elope to Essos. Rhaenyra rejects the proposal wanting to keep him as a lover while remaining as she is. Ser Criston is furious and rebukes her. She seems honourless to him now. -At court Alicent bids farewell to his father who warns her that her children will never be safe if Rhaenyra is allowed to rule. She nods bringing her hand to her belly. She suspects she is pregnant again. -After Otto leaves Alicent meets with her ladies who all are from houses opposed to Rhaenyra after she spurned their sons. Lady Lannister s particularly bold. Privately Alicent agrees with the lady but does her duty and starts to prepare the celebrations for the wedding. -VIserys and Rhaenyra return with the Velaryons and are surprised to be welcomes by not only Alicent but also Daemon. Viserys is annoyed but mollified as Daemon acts mournful while telling him that Lady Royce is dead. A hunting accident. -Lord Larys tells Alicent about the moon tea. She decided to speak to ser Criston who confesses all. Alicent is furious. Her Father was right! -Rhaenyra meets with Daemon in the God's wood and dares him to take her to Dragonstone and marry her there. He knows he can't if he wants the throne. He watches as Rhaenyra storms off. Vhagar flies over the castle carrying Laena. A smile rises to Daemon's lips. He can play the long game too.

Episode ten

-Rhaenyra's wedding. We open at the ceremony, which is of course as opulent as opulent can be. Laenor is attended by ser Joffrey. Rhaenyra looks resplendent, glittering, the picture of a princess. People claim her to be the Maiden come down to earth. These whispers anger Ser Criston. -A tourney is held to celebrate the wedding. Alicent is purposefully late and when she arrives all the stadium fall quiet as she is for the first time since her marriage, dressed in Green that matches the flame of the Hightower when the banners are called to war. She greets Rhaenyra coldly as her step daughter before sitting down and offering her favor to ser Criston Cole. -Rhaenyra winces and gives her favor to the handsome ser Harwin Strong who has been in her company since the wedding. Laenor jests that he should give a favor to ser Joffrey. -Ser Criston wins the tourney but injures Ser Joffrey fatally. He crowns Alicent his Queen of love and Beauty. She asks him to be her shield and Viserys declares it to be so. -Ser Joffrey is dying. Laenor is weeping and Rhaenyra tries her best to comfort him. When he asks her to leave she meets Ser Harwin outside the tent. They banter about the knights and Rhaenyra laughs when Harwin makes a mean quip about Ser Criston. Not much later they are seen having sex against a tree.

Episode 11

-A scream echoes in the Red keep. Rhaenyra is giving birth. The king and the queen are alerted, the queen nursing her youngest son, Daeron. They run to Rhaenyra's rooms. -Rhaenyra is being walked by her midwives while the grand maester makes his notes. The babe is a month early but will most likely survive he tells the king and prince Laenor. -Rhaenyra screams again. "The baby is coming!" One of the midwives says and helps her to the birthing stool. She had sworn to use it after hearing of her mother's births on the bed. -A wedding is being celebrated at Driftmark. Laena meets Daemon at the beach and Corlys leads them in the ceremony. Dragons roar as the groom takes his new wife near the waterline. -Rhaenyra plays with her dark haired babe on her bed. He his a robust little thing. Laenor leans in over them and smiles. "Our son." He says though they both know this boy isn't his. Still he swears to be the best father he can. Rhaenyra smiles at him. -Later they stand before the iron throne. Harwin Strong who is now Rhaenyra's sworn swords stands with them. The court welcomes prince Jacaerys Targaryen, first son of the Princess of Dragon stone. Viserys is positively giddy to be grand father. The boy is given lavish gifts, much more so than his own youngest son Daeron. Alicent exchanges a look with Ser Criston. They both know that Jacaerys is bastard no matter how much Viserys compares his hair to that of princess Rhaenys (who in this version has Baratheon black hair.) -On Driftmark Corlys and Rhaenys receive word of the new birth and watch as their daughter and son in law fly towards Essos for their honey moon. We end the season as the dragons fly to the horizon.

[litcityblues]

The Mandalorian Season 3: Do We Need A Movie?

(Yes, I know I'm late getting around to this. No, I haven't watched Ahsoka yet. I'm getting there, all right?)

I don't think Star Wars has quite the problems that the MCU does. We're not being drowned in a firehose of content that merely by the sheer amount of it degrades the quality of it-- no, Star Wars has a slightly different problem: it's in a galaxy far, far, away and can't stop showing us the same characters and/or planets.

Thankfully, Star Wars at least seems to be somewhat aware that it has this problem as a franchise and while they might not be taking too many concrete actual steps towards fixing the problem, shows like Andor and The Mandalorian at least suggest that they're trying to remedy that a little. They're trying to acknowledge that not every story needs to end on Tatooine and involve a member of the Skywalker Clan- they've got a whole galaxy to work with and they're at least thinking about how to do that. It's refreshing.

But, having watched Season 3 of The Mandalorian and heard the news that Season 4 is apparently going to be released as a movie, I'm left tilting my head slightly to the left, screwing up my eyebrows, and thinking: Do we need a movie?

Don't get me wrong: Season 3 of The Mandalorian has a lot going for it. First of all, the return to Mandalore itself was a really interesting choice for this show to make. There was really no other place for it to go, as Djarin needed to be redeemed for removing his helmet in violation of the creed of the Mandalore-- but returning to the ruins, him diving into the waters of Mandalore and then bringing back Bo-Katan (Katee Sackhoff) to show her that surface was still habitable after all this time was a great choice.

If I have a weakness, it's probably for side characters that are far more interesting than the story intends them to be. (In House of the Dragon, for instance, you can keep Daemon, Rhaenyra, Otto Hightower, and Alicent-- Rhaenys (Eve Best) is the most interesting character in the show.) Here, that title is shared by Bo-Katan and to some degree by Carson Teva (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee.)

Bo-Katan is interesting because she's got an agenda. Whether she admits it or not, she wants Darksaber back so she can set about reclaiming her rightful place on the throne of Mandalore, restart the Great Forge, and reunite her people. The fact that Djarin just randomly ends up with the Darksaber (I mean, he does earn it by defeating Moff Gideon), makes her character a little... twitchy, in a way. She's kind of giving Djarin some side-eye, trying to figure out if she can take back the Darksaber and how and when he's pulled under in the waters of Mandalore, she does go and save him, but she also thinks about it for just a second. This was an aspect of this character that the show could have played with more-- there's a conflict within her over power and honor and she's reluctant to help Djarin, not believing that Mandalore is habitable again, but once she sees that it is-- it's game on. She also has to deal with her past (and the fact that surrendered to try and save her people when the Empire took them down) and that's another interesting thing we don't get to see. What happened on the Night of A Thousand Tears.

Carson Teva is back as the X-Wing pilot who is trying like heck to get the New Republic to actually do something for once. There's a whole-ass show centered around not just this character, but the New Republic of it all. How does the Rebellion go from rag-tag Rebel Alliance to an actual government? How come they're so effective at rehabilitating former Imperials but can't seem to protect systems from pirates? How come the New Republic still exists at the start of The Force Awakens, but there's also The Resistance as well? Like... how does it all work, post-Death Star?

(Also: what's up with The Armorer? Mysterious character. Suddenly is down with Helmets being removed? I'm... curious.)

There are a couple of standout moments for this season: the first is a delightfully unexpected detour to the planet Plazir-15 (Episode 6, 'Chapter 22: Guns For Hire') where Bo-Katan, Djarin, and Grogu go to get Bo-Katan's now mercenary army, the Axe Wolves back to go and retake Mandalore. They are currently in the employ of Captain Bombardier, the Duchess (played by Jack Black and Lizzo respectively), and the head of Planetary Security, Commissioner Helgait (Christopher Lloyd.) Three people I would never have expected to see in an episode of this show and it works. It's just delightful. It's fun. It's great.

The second moment comes courtesy of a vision Grogu has in Episode 4 ('Chapter 20: The Foundling') where he recalls his rescue from the burning Jedi Temple by sympathetic members of the Naboo Armed Forces and Jedi Master Kelleran Beq, who is played by Ahmed Best. Best, of course, is known for playing Jar-Jar Binks in the prequel trilogy and he has gotten an incredible amount of abuse and stick for it over the years. Whether this was a deliberate choice by the showrunners or just a happy accident, I don't know- and it definitely floated around my TikTok feed a lot when this first aired, but seeing this moment and seeing this actor get a shot at, if not redemption, then certainly a chance to be seen as someone else in the Star Wars franchise was fabulous. A+ work.

Here's where I'm at with this show: the ending is perfect. Gideon is defeated, and his Force-Sensitive clones are destroyed. While you can quibble about Djarin just giving the Darksaber to Bo-Katan, he does and she gets to restart the Great Forge and the Mandalorians get to be back on Mandalore. Djarin formally adopts Grogu, they take up Greef Karga (Carl Weathers) on his offer of a bit of land on the outskirts of Nevarro's capital and Djarin goes to Carson Teva looking for some more honest work while he raises Grogu.

So, let me ask the question again: Do we need a movie?

I mean, there are some aspects of the story we can still explore. Bo-Katan and getting Mandalore going, Imperial Shenanigans and whispers of Grand Admiral Thrawn, Carson Teva, and the struggles of the New Republic. I'm not disagreeing with the notion that there's more story here, I'm just saying- in terms of Djarin and Grogu: do we need a movie? This is perfect. You couldn't ask for a better ending to their story. That doesn't mean they can't show up again at some point, but man, this felt like the perfect bow to tie on top of this show.

I'm probably going to watch Season 4/The Movie or whatever it winds up being, never fear-- but sometimes it's okay for things to just end, you know. And I almost wish they'd just put this down and walk away for a bit.

Overall: It's great. The action scenes work. They don't get stuck on Tatooine or some other planet we've seen before- in fact, we get to go back to Mandalore! That's rad. It's got awesome moments for all the characters, a trio of excellent guest stars, and a nice moment for Ahmed Best tucked away in here. If it's got a fault, it's that it doesn't go as far as it could with some characters (I think Bo-Katan could have faced far more of a struggle over Djarin having the Darksaber, for instance) but I can't complain about the ending either. My Grade: *** out of ****