whitegownsandflowercrowns

[whitegownsandflowercrowns]

What leads you to favor the show’s portrayal of Rhaenys and Corlys, both as a couple and as individual characters, over their depiction in the books (where Corlys is the most politically astute and charismatic man, who never backs down and speaks his mind without hesitation, and Rhaenys is imposing and formidable - literally a dragon)?

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess you prefer the book? And my answer will generally, always, be: because they're more complex. Because they are people. I'll always favour that. I like seeing my characters flawed. I like seeing an arc and a journey with a character rather than something static or unchanging. Humans change.

I also don't consider the characters in the books to be particularly well-drawn, especially when it comes to the time that the first season covers. Even the second, to be honest. We have archetypes, a lack of context, gossip or just radio silence on the two of them. That's not something I gravitate toward. It works for some, especially if you want to make them whatever you like, but I prefer the more realised couple in House of the Dragon.

And whilst there are clear book-show changes, the majority of those made to their story make sense for me. I don't feel like there is anything massive that they took away that I disagree with, given the choices the show had to make. I'm not mad at anything.

I really like that we have no age gap, and that they aged Corlys down. I like the emphasis on that it was a match for love, but they can never cast aside the politics. I like, broadly, what they did with the Hull boys - that they're a source of shame for Corlys and that Rhaenys was aware but silent. It made her have the choice on how it was going to effect the marriage, and she made it, whether we as viewers agree or disagree. I much prefer that to some gossip over Corlys being scared of his wife and the assumption that Rhaenys would act like some... I don't know, shrewish scorned woman.

I like the relationship Corlys has with Rhaenys's claim, often seeming to care more about it than she did. I like the value he puts on her: we had no idea of that in the book. I like the clear pride that Rhaenys has for her marital house, and that she rules Driftmark in Corlys's stead when he's gone. And I like that we have concrete things to work with that we don't in the book, simply because of it's nature and focus.

I like that we see both the private and public versions of these characters. And, frankly, I like that we have them with issues. It's real. I love the physical intimacy we see on screen. I like that we see them fighting, I like that they are presented as equals in every sphere. I like them having different perspectives than one another - really understandable perspectives, given who they are and how they are.

I like that we have Corlys as a vulnerable, wavering man who makes mistakes but we also have his ambition and drive, with the ability and intellect to push things with the King and raise his voice in the Small Council. He's imposing. He's fierce for his family but he also fails his family, which is the crux of his tragedy.

As for Rhaenys, I adore the soft power she holds. I adore that she's steady, and enduring. That she is fierce but she's fierce in her intellect and political acumen as much as any rage. I love that she was advising peace and she didn't want to throw the dragons into battle but not because she was scared or weak. She knew the damage she could do and she chose not to until she had to. And when she did, she had no hesitation.

It's funny, when I get asks like this, with descriptions like you've put, it makes me wonder. Because, to me, Corlys is as you've described him. You see him in those Small Council meetings - a place and position that he didn't hold in the book, at this time. We see him reach by offering Laena as a bride - something we don't have record of in the book (I think the Grand Maester suggests Laena, Corlys is just mad when it doesn't happen). We see him being politically astute when he deals with Viserys for Laenor's hand. Even in Series 2, we have glimpses, such as when he commands attention at the Black Council, or when he advises Rhaenyra at the docks. We see him being charismatic with his wife, and in other scenes.

Rhaenys is also as you've described her. I mean, she's so imposing and formidable. Viserys's face literally drops when she gets involved in the conversation in 1x02. In the two scenes in Series 1 that Rhaenyra has with her, Rhaenyra is the one that comes out of it near-tears, not Rhaenys. She doesn't back down to anyone and she very rarely shows any sort of fear. She doesn't cower when Vaemond shoots his mouth off, when Alicent tries to strong-arm her, when Daemon tries to boss her around, when Alfred Broome yells at her. The faces on everyone when Viserys calls to her in front of the court tell you how imposing she is.

But they just aren't these things all of the time. And no one can be, all of the time, in all contexts. Especially when these characters suffer and grieve and are bound as they are. Corlys has his weaknesses, as does Rhaenys.

In fact, can I ask you a question: in the book, in the version you prefer - what are the flaws these characters have and how do you come to that conclusion?

[whitegownsandflowercrowns]

Conclave today

[whitegownsandflowercrowns]

LMAO

Thanks for the tag! No pressure: @amberofember @lovelybeautifulwasteland @justa-personn @icanmakewords @pathetic-girlwoman @sansacel @mariska

tagged by @angelsnfuselage to publicly expose my music taste

👉👉https://volt.fm/roast

tagging @save-a-horse-amen @antiquesintheattic @bl00dslushie @blue-honey @olympianess @ribscarvedlikebutterflies @phrear @probablymoons @freakoutgirl :3

[whitegownsandflowercrowns]

https://x.com/westerosies/status/1882149175137325280?t=93I5O-J14Vww26L-_GWt1A&s=19

hot take actually think 16 episodes is enough to finish out the story but they're gonna have to merge/cut out a number of events and end the show with rhaenyra's death. and in the process most of the supporting characters will get shortchanged...but it can be done

yeah it can be done if they wrap it up with rhaenyra’s death, which is mostly fine by me. honestly i have been blessed to have chosen daemon rhaenyra and alicent as my favorite characters from the jump and once both daemon and rhaenyra are gone…i don’t really care about these other guys…sorry…i would PREFER 20 more episodes, sure, but i have always said we are not getting the hour of the wolf or much at all of aegon iii’s reign. since this is the planned order - as opposed to s2, where it was originally going to be 10 and got cut down to 8 at the last minute and boy can you tell - i don’t think it will have as detrimental an effect on writing quality. warner brothers is hemorrhaging money to the degree i am frankly grateful we are even getting the originally intended 4 seasons at all. it is what it is, and it’s almost certainly an executive choice, not the showrunners, and i hope people keep that in mind.

[whitegownsandflowercrowns]

PLEASE SHARE! (I have attached the English and Spanish versions but MANY more languages are available at the attached link)

One way to support the undocumented community is by sharing resources, reminding individuals of their rights, and standing in solidarity with them. Here's one effective way to offer support: provide Know Your Rights cards to empower our communities.

You can print these cards for free! I am sharing a resource from the IRC, which can be downloaded and is available in multiple languages.

Let's work together to empower our communities!

Una forma de apoyar a la comunidad indocumentada es compartiendo recursos, recordándoles sus derechos y mostrándoles solidaridad. Aquí hay una manera efectiva de ofrecer apoyo: proporcionar tarjetas de "Conozca Sus Derechos" para empoderar a nuestras comunidades.

¡Estas tarjetas se pueden imprimir gratis! Estoy compartiendo un recurso de IRC, que se puede descargar y está disponible en varios idiomas.

¡Trabajemos juntos para empoderar a nuestras comunidades!

[whitegownsandflowercrowns]

ICE raids happening in Chicago on Tuesday January 21st. Get organized and get prepared.

[whitegownsandflowercrowns]

thalia: “The difference between an ICE warrant and a JUDGE warrant.”

ACLU‏: “The ICE warrant on the left does NOT authorize agents to enter a home without permission. La orden de ICE a la izquierda NO autoriza a los agentes a entrar al domicilio sin permiso.” 

[whitegownsandflowercrowns]

I guess I’m dying on the lonely hill of saying it’s bad to gloat over deportations, and that it’s pretty callous to use the god damn Kermit sipping tea gif here. If someone is in danger of being deported, then they cannot vote and aren’t responsible for Trump. Fucking stop. You are not immune to scapegoating immigrants just because you lean left. If your issue is with Latinos who voted for Trump, then just say that instead of being smug over deportations.

[whitegownsandflowercrowns]

I don’t know if this will end up reaching to the right people, and I hope it does, and I don’t know if it’s been mentioned yet. But ICE raids are happening in Bakersfield, California. Immigrations and Customs Enforcements.

For all my Californians out there, and especially those out in Bakersfield right now, and immigrants especially living in CA. Please know your rights, and have a lawyer contact.

The House has just passed the Laken Riley Act, it’s the middle of the night for me right now.

[whitegownsandflowercrowns]

There is a sadness in this world.

“Log Lady Introductions" | David Lynch | Twin Peaks

[whitegownsandflowercrowns]

[whitegownsandflowercrowns]

in heaven, everything is fine ♡