@Kira TheKillerNote That difference is literally good enough. Milder means she won't openly insult or kill lords and ladies at little to no provocation which, given she has a dragon, is definitely preferable to "the rogue prince." Sure she verbally backhanded Redwyne and clowned on Jason but Redwyne was pushing a subject Rhaenyra was clearly defensive about and she likely thought Jason too slow to pick up on it. And though you'd certainly want your king to be self-reliant, I imagine it's a small comfort to the more conservative lords that the queen appears less headstrong than Daemon and more dependent on her male advisors.
@simaaa You shouldnt be comparing this to modern generations like at all? This is a fictional story about kings and queens. Remember the context please. A king that attempts to please everyone will only end up pleasing no one. That is not a king, that is a servant. Whos to say his own self interests cant benefit others? Id rather have a king that is not afraid to get blood on his sword instead getting nothing done trying to appease to everyone. Vicerys is pathetic, this was demonstrated at the hunt when instead of hunting the stag himself, he had a a whole clan do it for him just to take the credit at the end. Take off your rose-tinted glasses please.
@ThaBootyBandit well yeah Maegor the cruel was more brave and a better king then! Cause man have got guts! Raging war, oppression and having stories about you being told to the future generations doesn't make you a good king. You better take a good look at today's world leaders if you think he was weak beacause of peace! A nation doesn't need to be at chaos and wars all the time beacause of a king's ego and bravery, it needs stability and peaceful times too. Viserys was not flawless of course but in terms of being a ruler he was a better option. Daemon might be more interesting as a character on the screen to make the audience laugh! But he us no good option as a ruler. He puts his personal interests and benefits over everything else and it's been shown already even Rhaenyra's love was more used by him to get to where he wanted.
@S3npai Daemon is a true targaryen as he deserves that seat as he demostrated through blood and fire is why he should be king. Viserys is soft, dreamer who heistates to take action because of DREAMS. The Council has seen this weakness.
@Possibly Maybe point here is that in real world or in those days rhaenyra ain't qualified for being a ruler. If you want to be a ruler you must fight for it . ! Gosh y'all don't understand just Blinded by pro women . Ans me why don't women participate in wars 😑 . soldiers who are dying in Ukraine are men but women are given all conveniences. Equal participation in everything!.
@starry eyes GRRM is a feminist! My god do you guys have any media literacy? He is criticizing Westeros for being misogynists. Why do you think the story starts off with a trial vote for who should rule between viserys and rhaena? The whole point of the dance of dragons is that none of this would have happened if rhaena was allowed to rule but she couldn’t bc she’s a woman. George doesn’t think it’s right to not allow women to lead, he wrote the whole damn story to criticize people like you. Also her children are technically not bastards bc they came out of her womb and she’s the heir. Both her husband and the king legitimize her heirs meaning they aren’t considered bastards. But it’s clear you don’t understand George’s books at all so I shouldn’t be surprised
@Possibly Maybe rhaenyra and her children are not the rightful heir of the throne ,alicients children are . Rhaenyra has all bas t ard children not to mention the kingdom disliked her being the queen . Then why should a ruler be forced on the people . Alicent and her children sacrificed a lot for the throne . What did rhaenyra do cheated on her husband. And forced feminism on other .
@Possibly Maybe its not tradition but the one who fits for the realm . Did rhaenyra ever go and fight her wars . Daemon was tge one. The one who fights his war is a true king. Rhaenyra is unfit for the throne .
@{[BlackWolf]} well u can make some detecitve work and think on what happened before episode 5. Something similar happened here again. Aslo read some forums when other try to put their input on the thing that have happened til now. It gives you better insight and understanding what was or might have been going inside their head. Daemon could be for example
This episode is about Alicent, she "lights the way" with that green dress, sending the message to her family that she will fight for her house's interests and will embody their values to the max. In these episode she realizes and supports the motives of her father to get her son into the iron throne. I do believe that the Hightowers and Maesters have been planning to get into power to erase the incestuous and magical traditions that come with the Targaryen family. Alicent feels betrayed and treated as a fool by the King Viserys and Rhaenyra...the bonds are already broken and soon enough the seeds of war will bloom and when they do they'll cry blood.
've noticed there is a lot of inter racial relationships in these woke Fantasy shows now. Not that I'm complaining, but couldn't we at least learn where these Black dragon controllers come from? Same with Rings of Power where did the Black Elves and Black Dwarves come from? Or maybe we aren't supposed to ask those questions? 🤔
@FreeBird P that's not really my point 🤔 mine is about how there are widely known implied truth that the Maesters of Citadel and House Hightower conspire to slowly weaken and overthrow Targaryen dynasty due to Maegor I 's cruelty few decades before the Dance. And to some extent, they succeed. The dragons (sole power of Targaryens) are basically diminished after the Dance
@Daniel Kioko He likes the "leechs," the king needs nothing more than that. i laughed my ass off, like hell yes he does if you only provide that to him and suck his life force away xd, like the disease is not a poision, even a fool could realize that. They just dont want to treat him the right way, which suggests to me by the young apprentices that's actually trying to help, but Maester refuses like "ehh, leave it be."
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Criston did my boy Laenor dirty, he didn’t need to see that, but story structure-wise it’s great to see rhaenyra’s thought inconsequential actions multiply on bigger and dangerous consequences, I swear every week I’m on the edge of my seat and angry that the episodes end…
FINALLY someone traces all these chaos to rhaenyra's actions,,, istg her and daemon are the villains in this story (so far anw) and to think i started the show, even without seeing got, just for them
in the books Cole is a raging homophobe who is not a fan of Laenor. So Joffrey comparing Rhaenyra and Cole to his own relationship with Laenor, probably sent Cole over the edge
Whenever Daemon and Rhaenyra speaks their mother tongue to each other - it's like magic in the air around them. A bond that nothing can break it, a bond that created by blood and now with lust only fires it up 🔥
Milly Alcock and Emily Carey really breathed life into their characters. I love that the director of this episode really let some moments linger so you could feel their internal struggle, like when Rhaenyra has to turn away from Criston after he asks her to run away together. You could see the conflicting emotions play out before she turns back around and reaffirms her desire to be queen.
@Wain Oh, she likes him. She liked him from day 1, when she chose him among all the others. And she started liking him even more, when he saved her from the boar. Then in the years we don't see I'm sure she was drawn to him, but she never acted on it, cause that's what she believed was the right thing, that's how she (and women like her) was raised to be/act. Sooo when Daemon told her that you can actually take control over your own life and sexuality (and get pleasure from that), and then left her waiting (for more from him)... Criston Cole was right there for the taking, so she decided to finally act on her crush on him. Yeah, it was purely physical for her, cause she was, is and always will be in love with Daemon... but for Cole it appears to have been more than mere sexual attraction.
Daemon not standing up when Alicent enters the hall because she turned his smug badass entrance into the second best for tonight 😂 Once a second son always a second son
I have to say, with episode 4 and this one, Clare Kilner's kinda becoming my favourite HotD+GoT director. She knows how to get into the psychology of a sex scene, and she knows how to make a scene feel violent even before any act of violence actually happens. Already looking forward to her episode 9.
@TheFreshTrumpet Are you joking right now? This moron was obsessed with showing the scene "from a woman's POV" and "as a woman director" basically implying that every sex scene made by male directors was only made form the man's POV and I guess treated the woman as an object or something. It was really insulting to every other director. Also, her opinion on why Daemon left her has already been proven wrong by the following episodes. She made it about power because that's what feminists are obsessed and Daemon was "scared" of Rhaenyra showing initiative. Yeah, right, that why he and the stronger, more mature, adult Rhaenyra who made the first move become lovers and a couple in the future. His word to her about the scene where he left her "You were a child". I don't know what you are interpreting from what the director was saying but it was all feminist bullshit.
@Γιάννης Νικολάου respect that i didn’t list the quote you were referencing, but if that’s all you got from the one i did list then holy. fucking. yikes dude lol i’d genuinely be curious to hear your actual interpretation/paraphrase of it if you can muster one
@J 1283 My advice is to watch the show and ignore the behind the scenes because they make it look worse. This particular director is a fucking idiot, inserting feminist power politics into a scene that has nothing to do with them. It looks like they shot the show and then some parasitic department gave them some talking points they had to say in interviews to fill the "current poilitical bullshit bingo". The show is good so far and I will continue to enjoy it unless it takes the GoT route and turns into shit.
@Γιάννης Νικολάου Yes, very true. It was a bit silly how they focused on how it was a 'woman's perspective' showing pleasure and passion and intimacy in a sex scene when male directors like Zack Snyder in 300 have already done that. It isn't something exclusive to females or female directors, so it was really odd they channelled that energy in the behind the scenes. Again, Mary Harron, a female director, filmed a sex scene that was narcissistic, exhilarating but purely sexual and without intimacy in American Psycho, specifically because that was what the scene called for. It didn't have anything to do with her being a woman, it was simply that she knew that was best for the movie, female, male or whatever. To keep hinging it on it being some kind of feminist statement is so off the mark.
@blsm cherry Everything I wrote simply went over your head and you proceeded to reply with a few pre-packaged lines about listening to women in an industrial society. Reading what people like you write reminds me of the cringe answers models give in beauty pageants.
I love how basically everyone in the show think that they figured everything out and Rhaenyra's love interest is Criston, even Criston himself believes that. And only the three Targaryens know and see the truth 😂
Loved the episody, mostly because of Fabien's acting. I don't like much Criston but on this episody you could see his feelings, his motives and how it leads to this breakdown. We saw lots of his emotions, the rage, shame and then dispair. To me it was one of the great moments of a character in the entire series (including Game of Thrones).
@Alex Wittig Exactly. A history book. But they change already so much stuff. You can't just say that's it's unreliable every time something is different. As GRRM stated. This is show canon and there is also book canon. So yeah those are changes.
@Starwood Summer do you have braindamage? dont watch thrones if your little brain needs an explanation for logical events. only the worst shows have to explain. the best shows leave the stupid ones confused
@Starwood Summer many speculate me included that he lost his temper after Joffery opened his mouth about knowing the stuff between him and princess, he seemed cool at first but nervous already he wanted to grab a sword or hit him but let it pass, iguess moments later he realized that could lead to some seriously bad chain reaction events, so he took care of it by killing him. Joffery was anyway loudly talking to Laenor about them two, so it's maybe alright if he killed him. Never reveal secrets lmao
@Regenmacher175 Lmfao, I never said your opinion of GOT season 8 was wrong, not even once. I also never said you need to do penance or whatever nonsense you are talking about, more misconstruing of what I said. You lost an argument and chose to lie and deflect instead of conceding, it's that simple. There you go, you finally understand my point at least. It only took you writing essays of nonsense and going around in circles for hours to understand. You could've written that all the way up there at like my third comment and saved yourself some pain, but your ego was too big for that. Good luck in life dude, with an ego that size you will need it :)
@Voidphoria Oh no I interpreted a generic comment online my way and wrote a response. Never seen that before on the Internet. What a crime. I'll have to do penance forever now LOL. I do agree that there is no right or wrong in terms of opinions about a tv show. You like what you like, that's fine. But that means when you bash the later seasons of GOT I can also say that's just your opinion and one which I do not share. At all.
@Regenmacher175 You claimed his statements about the episode were wrong, you were wrong. You claimed his statement about the books was wrong because Cole killed Joffrey in the books, that wasn't what he claimed so you were wrong. Now you are claiming because Cole defeated him in combat in the books its the same as going crazy and beating him to death at a wedding in public, this claim is also wrong. Not only did you misconstrue what he said, you misconstrued what I said, and then accused me of misconstruing what you said lmao. It's really amusing that you can't just admit you said he was "WRONG" because you didn't like his opinion, he didn't say anything wrong, you did. There is no "right" or "wrong" when it comes to opinions about whether a show is good or not, it's entirely subjective. Right and wrong are for specific claims, like all the specific claims you have made above that were wrong. Good day :)
@Regenmacher175 Okay, so now instead of claiming it's about being wrong "in terms of what they say actually happened in the episode", you are claiming it's about what he said didn't happen in the books being wrong. In other words, you are admitting your previous claims about what you thought was "WRONG", was wrong lol. And now that you know your claim was incorrect you have changed your story again. I'm not misconstruing your claims, I quoted you directly dude. The original message in this thread refers specifically to Cole going crazy and beating Joffrey in this scene, not to "Criston killing Joffrey" like you claimed. His statement that it did not happen in the books is true. So you are still being dishonest even after changing your story for the second time. You made specific claims, and those specific claims were incorrect. Again, I am being charitable by assuming you think his opinion is wrong, because both his statements about the book and episode are true. Either you are misconstruing what he said and calling it wrong or you were calling his opinion of the show wrong, those are the only 2 possibilities as far as I can see. All the same, I respect you for engaging with the conversation to this point in a respectful manner and adjusting your position in light of new information. Good luck in life dude :)
@Requierem because we always had Ned think about the “promise” he have to Lyanna (well in the books) and that was actually important? Bran is the one to see it bc he needed to know. In HOTD, the reason why they’re showing us as them being younger was to already give us the important details we won’t miss in the future of the dance of dragons. We shouldn’t need flashbacks…
The way they're setting up Larys is brilliant. The writing, especially in the scene between Alicent and Criston is masterfully done. And all this from a book with next to no dialogue. Just excellent.
I'm not sure who he'll end up being (haven't read the books, no spoilers please) but he seems like a really intriguing, Littlefinger-esque character. Can't wait to see what he does. I love the show at this point because it feels like we're getting to understand the many different factions looking towards the throne and their various goals, and the powder keg is just now (like episodes 5 and I'm betting 6) starting to explode. I could see the Strongs becoming a major power now, they all seem smart and very cunning.
@KNIGHT NXK I don't know...there wasn't a mention of a weirwood tree in the books, this is a showrunners' addition. Whether they want to make a coonection to GoT with this is up to anyone's guess, but this kind of magic is not even aknowledged in the south any more, so...
Brilliant! That subtle not so subtle entrance by Alicent was louder than any words she could have spoken. The whole wedding scene you could just see and feel the tensions, the raw emotions building and churning and I was like "okay, what's the straw that breaks the camels back gonna be?" Definitely didn't expect how it happened but it really played well into the human emotions and how much a person can take before they snap. My anxiety level was pretty high this episode lol great job!!
@cheddar his acting is so above and beyond. effortless! i laughed too when he was stabbing his chicken while trying to keep an eye on his brother with his daughter, and alicent was looking at him at wtf
@raemon Targaryen i didn't notice that 😂 paddy is smart to add those tiny details for viserys! viserys's reactions to other people's nonsense is one of my favourite things this season
Alicent just gave the middle finger to Rhaenyra, the way she called her “stepdaughter” you just know that whatever feelings she had left for her are gone!!!
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@Prithvi haas she was on her side in "her incest with her uncle before her marriage" thing and she even talked to the king that she trusts Rhaenyra she doesn't lie. She thought it's good if her father leaves as he plots against Rhaenyra to take her down and at the end she undrestood she was lied to and probably thought they just plotted against her father to get rid of him. So his other warnings about her children future could come true as well that her Rhaenyra may even kill them if she sees her position at danger. Also it was no difference if the king married another woman other that Allicent as long as she give birth to a son. Rhaenyra's situation as the heir could get much worse if Viserys married Corliss's daughter!
@Black panther From the point of history in which the series arises, I don't care either. That said, I hope GRRM doesn't allow the abuse of "artistic license",
I believe Rhaenyra's misbehavior was the excuse she found to start validating her own children as heirs. The story here starts from Viserys's coronatio, but in the book they hint that Alicent is almost as ambitious as her father. They even suggest that she "did more than just read" for Old King Jaehaerys at his bedside, so......
I absolutely loved the subtle drama of this episode. I wonder if people who don't watch these inside the episode clips or read the books fully understand this episode. It's going to be interesting to see people's reaction to this.
@Alejandro E For people who didn't read the book, there's loads in this episode that probably won't make sense. For instance, no one knows wtf is going to happen with Breakbones further down the line, or Criston, but they're setting up all these small tensions and relationships so that when it does happen, it'll all make sense.
I think this episode was plain as day and didn't leave much to the imagination, unlike the previous episode. In the previous episode Daemon's actions and motivations are left up to the interpretation of the viewers. Even those who made the episode aren't fully of one mind.
Absolutely love that we finally see more of villain part of Daemon, remember that GRRM himself said he could be both a hero and a villain. Also, Rhaenyra and Alicent are now both firmly in the race against one another to be the first lady of the realm and the court. The idea is that both sides are neither fully good nor fully bad, and this episode really captures it. Alicent abandons any loyalty to Rhaenyra, feeling betrayed and also she realizes that between her children and her friend, she is a mother now first and foremost. That realization on her face when Otto tells her to choose had me thinking of that epic sentence : "When you play the Game of Thrones you win or you die". Great episode !!
The only complain I have with the episode was the way the significance of the color green was thrown in in the moment. It would have been much weightier (and more GOT like) if the significance was thrown in earlier seemingly randomly, maybe as a conversation earlier between Otto and Viserys, for the audience to then see Alicent dressed in green and be in awe as they made the connection themselves. Leaves a much greater impression. Other than that, solid episode
I feel sorry for Viserys. he's doing his best. I caught him knowing that Daemon is behind Lady Rhea's death and he started to worry about Rhaenyra. either he worry that Daemon would kill her or kidnap her. it seems to me, he has no trust left to Daemon. he's a good father and he did his best to protect his daughter.
Is it me or has this episode made it clearer that the maester is part of the reason Viserys isn't getting better? When his helper offered an alternative solution, he immediately dismissed it, even when he sees that the leeches are not helping. 🤔
@FreeBird P maybe the hightowers don’t know about the plan to kill all dragons , and just believe that the maesters are helping too install Aegon as heir
In the books there is an ongoing conspiracy theory that the Maesters are involved in a centuries old plot to purge magic and dragons from the world. This plan involved weakening the Targaryen (The civil war, as the Hightowers are the patrons and protectors of the Maester's Citadel) and then removing them altogether (some suspects they played a role in forming the Stark/Baratheon/Tully/Arryn alliance that defeated the Targaryen regime), The archmaester was platanty on Otto's side since day one.
@kallemort Well, unless Otto/The Maesters are subscribing to some level of the chaos is a ladder philosophy. Viserys named an heir but tradition, his council, and the general public would rather see a boy on the throne. There's also incentive to weaken Viserys while Daemon is away.
This show is masterfully crafted beyond belief. The fact that they made the whole death of Daemon’s wife a mini story with so much tension and action, and some stunningly beautiful filming and characterisation, is incredible. Beautifully written, acted and filmed. Every minute of this show is to be savoured so far. Hope they keep it up.
I don't know why a lot of people aren't saying this, but to me, Alicent's changed stance and so-called 'declaration of war' against Rhaenyra had more to do with how Rhaenyra inadvertently used her to remove Otto from his station leaving her alone in a tricky situation with very few allies.. and NOT because she was lied to or jealous of Rhaenyra's freedom. Plus, Otto was right. Rhaenyra's claim will be challenged and she will come for Alicent's children to secure it.
I absolutely ADORE Alicent as a character. She is that kind of character that has to work with a reality that she didn't choose and makes the best of to survive
This show was very, very go up until now. It just passed into the realm of amazing with this episode. All hell will break loose after this episode, just like it did in GOT after episode 5. The tradition is kept, I hope they will keep it as far as episodes 9 go as well. I hate Criston Cole, I hate Larys Strong. I love Harwin Strong, I love Rhaenys Targaryen. Those are one of the things this episode underlined. I love the direction they took with the Rhaenyra/Cole affair, I love the choice they did there. Since I read Fire and Blood a few times now, I did not expect to feel any other way at this point, so that is great.
There was so much going on in that wedding scene, it was absolutely mental. The different relationships, conflicts, tension forming between all these characters is just perfectly setting up the epic shit that's coming. Truly exceptional.
I like a lot of things about the episode but how could criston Cole leave the room without consequences after killing without consideration a guest that was so close to the future king consort ,his squire,he also punched that same king consort? . Also what happened with Daemon,he was almost kissing Rhaenyra and then he just vanished and Rhaenyra didn't care bc she was just asking for Laenor ?it doesn't make sense.
What happened in this episode is mostly Rhaenyra and Cole fault. Rhaenyra for bedding her sworn sword and compromising his morals and Criston for compromising his morals and being stupid enough to think the future Queen would pick him over ruling the 7 Kingdoms. Now Rhaenyra has made two enemies when should could've had none. Criston and also Alicent.
@MuffinHydra Absolutely right. Fabien said the same thing. From his perspective, Rhaenyra has whined and sooked and complained about every duty to do with her oncoming marriage, from openly running away from celebratory hunts, dismissing the entire remaining list of potential suitors Alicent and her father arranged, and then consciously losing her virtue to Criston, having totally disregarded his oath, his vows and his honour by kissing him twice, locking him in her room, undressing him and doing all of this after he asked her to stop, simply because she wanted to get off and pleasure herself at his expense. When he then gave her, admittedly a totally unrealistic, impossible offer, she didn't even think twice before suddenly bringing up those same responsibilities she had such an issue with for years (and despite happily throwing his out the window) and now was suddenly ready to play the part of the princess fully committed to doing her duty when all he's ever seen is her chafing at it and finding every issue with what's expected of her. Add in that Alicent would have told Criston about how Rhaenyra totally forsook her own honour by lying to her about her virtue, and then repeating these behaviours by possibly birthing 3 bastards (with the proof in the pudding with their features and her relationship with Harwin) who will sit the throne, it makes so much more sense why Cole would be so infuriated by her.
@Captain Pike-a-chu Rhaenyra is the one to blame here, she as a princess and heir to the throne should know that a knights vows are sacred, her desire to sleep with Ser Criston was an abuse of power, and mistrust.
@Captain Pike-a-chu And what could happen if he didn't sleep with her? She's in a position of power and practically owns him. She took advantage of that in my eyes and she clearly doesn't even give a fuck about the aftermath of how he feels. His vows meant alot to him and all of it has been compromised.
You could also say it’s Daemon’s fault since if he never instigated things with Rhaenyra, she never would have felt free and bold enough to sleep with Ser Criston
@CodiakLBJfan Neither Alicent nor the king had a choice here. Even then what they did was not unethical or essentially illegal as did Rhaenyra who forced herself on Ser Criston, losing her virginity and lying about it. Or even Daemon for seducing Rhaenyra and setting all of this off.
Alicent's grand entrance is a statement in it's own not needing any words to say what she wants say. I think her green dress not only represent her family banners, but also that she is so green in envy with Rhaenyra who, not only gets to do and have things Alicent the queen can not, but can get away with things she is not supposed to do. Alicent has always made sure that Rhaenyra lives up to be the ruler she is meant to be, but I think she is realizing how Rhaenyra just doesn't give the crown the regard she does. Alicent plays by the rules and Rhaenyra doesn't and yet she seems to be having more fun without facing any true consequences to her wrong actions. I think this pushes Alicent over the edge and is consumed by envy because she has never been as free to love and choose as Rhaenyra.
I also absolutely loved that Criston asked Rhaenyra to leave with him and abandon everything and she was like nah-ah, and then she asked Daemon the same😂 to risk everything and take her away
@Ivana Cvetanovic 😂 I've never said she wasn't supposed to feel entitled or that it is bad, I am team black all the way, the throne is Rhaenyra's. But I was explaining how I understand her mindset at that point in the story and why I think she meant what she said Young age + strong feelings towards her uncle + not being afaid of the consequences, because of her upbringing and position
@Ирина Иванова I never said she didn't love him. I said she wouldn't give up her claim to the throne and status. And why should she? Why is she a "very entitled person"? They are all "entitled" - they are nobles/royals, raised to think they should ascend the throne, or become lords, have possessions etc. I never hear anyone say that of any of the male characters who are the same. It's always only women who are said to be "entitled" for wanting the throne they have a legal claim to.
@Ivana Cvetanovic As I see it, Rhaenyra is a very entitled person, and she was even more reckless and free-spirited when she was a teen, because the princess was raised as the only child in the family and was always put on the pedestal and surrounded with love of her father. That is why I do believe at that moment she was bold enough to think that running away with Daemon wouldn't much affect her claim and position, at best it would make the king very angry. So yeah, I think she meant it and she wanted her uncle to take her even though she was bitter. Plus, even though the latter proposal to Daemon was mainly a political step, it is obvious to me that she loved him for all the years. In the docu series "the house that dragons built" a member of the team who worked on DxR wedding scene stated that one of the reasons their wedding was supposed to feel so different was because Rhaenyra was marrying someone she actually loved. And some teens even very reserved ones tend to do crazy things when they are in love.
@Ирина Иванова No, we don't. Because she didn't mean it. She was pissed off at Daemon for leaving, and taunting him, knowing he wouldn't do anything, and we know that she sure has no intention of abandoning her position as heir, if that wasn't already always clear. In episode 7, she proposed to Daemon to be her husband AND help her as a future king consort, against the Greens. At no point was Rhaenyra about to run away, whether with Criston or Daemon or whoever, and leave her future crown to Aegon.
I love Lady Rhea so much, she deserved better than Daemon. And I love the decision to make her such a badass, it can be inferred that the reason Daemon hated her so much was because she saw right through him and he couldnt stand that he couldnt manipulate her.
I really hope this show keeps going the way it is. Bravo to the writer's 👏 this show has literally got me reinvested into GOT when after season 8 I thought that would be impossible. Great job 👍
Omg, this is incredible, spin offs rarely work, but the whole crew has achieved an amazing feat! Love it. We have battles, weddings, complex characters, Dragons, intriguing and intelligent dialogues, but it's not a copy of GoT. Way to go!
Great episode! No senseless and extravagant fight scenes, just great writing, superb acting and costume and compelling drama. Just like Martin intended with ASOIAF. Enjoyed it immensely!
i love how this shows having alot of brothers dynamic. how Daemon is such a contrasts to Viserys’s nerdiness and peace loving nature. Otto trying to take his part as a Hightower(probably to outdo his older brother by placing his daughter as a wife to the king to make his heir to be a future king). the contrasts between the Lannister twins (the wise and the arrogant) and larys and Harwin strong . one the muscle and other the “brain”. ❤❤❤. SPOILER ALERT cant wait to see the dynamic between Alicents sons.
I hope we get a good explanation for how Criston is allowed to walk around freely after striking the future king consort and murdering his favored knight. I know he is the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, so I guess only the king and queen can order his arrest, but still.
Had Rhaenyra been born male, what she did with Ser Criston wouldn’t have meant anything, but because she’s a woman she’s expected to be ‘chaste’. I found this episode intriguing to see both young women develop their characters & how Rhaenyra is a modern woman in a rather backwards setting.
You forget that Ser Criston swore a vow of chastity too, Rhaeneyra knew this, and still abused her power in goading him into sleeping with her. She is as much in the wrong here, too.
@Monalisa Das A claim that medieval women have no agency is historically innaccurate. And also a lot of men had reduced agency - as serfs to landlords, as being forced to marry as well etc. But wt the same time people of all classes laid claims to different rights in medieval era and excersised them. In fact historians of law say that origins of natural/human rights lay within medieval canon law. Often ignored fact is that the canon law of the Church demanded a willing consent of both man and woman to marry. That is why i.e. Blessed princess Isabelle, sister of king Saint Louis IX, did not marry even though the pope himself wanted her to do so.
@Nick Rubin Yup!!! A person in a position of power throwing themselves at someone beneath them. If it was reversed people would say the guy forced himself on her and had no right to. She could have him killed for refusing her.
@Nick Rubin in GOT verse there are plenty of high born women or from good families having bastard children. it’s not just the common folk. even the kings of england/uk have had this situation with their aristocrats’ daughters and/or queens’ ladies in waiting 🤣🤣
Fantastic, brilliant episode. This show continues to blow me away with each episode! Seeing the classic heavily political drama that GoT started at has me more excited than I've ever been! The only thing I will say is that I felt Criston's turn could've been a bit more subtle/gradual, instead it felt a bit too fast. But given the pacing of the show I can completely understand why it had to be a little quick. That being said, everything else was brilliant, really nothing other than praise comes to mind. Man, I'm going to miss Emily and Milly so much!! But I'm very excited to see the new actresses
The story writing and portrayal of these characters is so spot on that I'm conflicted to which side I am on. Originally Team Black but Rhaenyra's actions are so selfish and suspect...I'm conflicted! Excellent show...can't wait for episode 6!!
Gonna miss Milly and Emily, but I do look forward to seeing them on the big screens in the future! Also excited to welcome Emma and Olivia in the next episode. HOTD is seriously getting better with each episode. Also dang, Ramin Djawadi is truly the goat!
THE GREEN WEDDING. And BOY was it BRILLIANT, in a totally different way to the red wedding. EQUALLY as dramatic providing just as much a massive turning point in the story. I cannot express enough how satisfying this episode, let alone the entire series so far, has been to watch. I LOVE this show.
Can we also appreciate an entrance to the wedding the Lannister guy makes? He carries his body and moves in a very epic way. Like a monument to himself.
Damn who knew Criston Cole was a true idealist romantic at heart… he didn’t want to be a Paramour or sideshow he wanted to become her husband in a far away place, I’m not saying Cole’s future actions is justified and forgivable but I understand…😂😢💔
No, I think he just wanted the reason he broke his oath to be a real one, rather than admitting to himself that he was just being used by a horny Rhaenyra!
@Harry's Home but still he shouldn’t have feel threatened if anything Criston had more dirt on Joffrey simple because liking the same sex was considered a sin or was hated on. He could’ve used that on him.
the last shot left me with goosebumps. its bareley switched into 2nd ger and this show is in my opinon will becoe the better show. 1 because it is a cooler period 2. the show runners give a shit 3. they've got the right amount of money/backing to properly sell the world of ice and fire. It's hard to judge HotD against season 1 of thrones, just merley because that first book is very rich and methodical with it's developments and the transisition from book to show was bound to succeed simply because of how good the source material. Having said that this show is more colourful and lore heavy. Which is a must in these fantasy shows and is kinda why The rings of power (tRoP) hasn't really failed yet. The emphasis on lore really drags in fans just because of how grand most fantasy lore's/mythos can be. Love this show it's topping tRoP by a mile. When this show ends, ill legit be praying for some Aegon the conqueror/Valaryia spin off show. Like I reckon GRR martin is really happy and thrilled to be apart of these shows, where he's allowed to build upon hs own works/world. Like the whole dagger thing i reckon will be mention in the up coming books. im waffling. fuck
Moment of the episode : When Alicent confronts Ser Criston with that night's details, and Ser Criston unaware of what she would ask ends up telling the actual truth she had no clue of. That expression on Alicent's face clearly states she was in shock and more, saddened. I think she has a soft corner in her heart for Ser Criston. As we also see in the last scene when she stops him for killing himself.
@FreeBird P Do you truly think any other house wouldn't have tried the same thing if they had the same level of access to the King? Viserys made the decision of marrying Alicent with full faculty of his mind. Otto didn't send Alicent to sleep with Viserys. He sent her to talk to Viserys. Yes, it was a calculated move. But there is nothing wrong with it. There was no danger to Alicent's children until Viserys decided to be stubborn and give Aegon's inheritance to Rhaenyra. As I said, no one could've predicted Viserys would be such an utter fool. But he was, and the realm suffered for it. And House Targaryen and their dragons suffered most of all.
@Just Some he did not openly proposition his daughter’s hand in marriage ad it would expose his ambitions. no one said ambitions are not okay but he was sneaky about it where as other houses were open. if he actually cared about the danger the issue with the line of succession would create for his future generations, he should not have played his daughter like a chess piece.
@Indian Kid maybe not in the book but even the actress stated that her character feels a little betrayed by rhaenrya as she knew about alicent’s crush on ser criston cole. the show doesn’t do a good job of showing it. i think the only inkling we get of it is that tourney when we are first introduced to him
@Mark My Words None could predict that Viserys would be so stupid as to put a daughter over a trueborn and healthy son. Viserys had to marry someone because Targaryen line was awfully thin at the time. So why shouldn't Otto want his daughter to be queen and grandson to be king. He isn't doing anything illegal or immoral. He didn't force Viserys to marry Alicent. Viserys made a sober decision, and he chose Alicent. Is it wrong to have ambition? If yes, then first of all blame Aegon the conquerer, for he had the greatest ambition of all.
@Just Some sure. but I can fault Otto for positioning them to be birthed in the first place. Remember it was him who went on the offensive right after Aemma died. In fact, he was the 1st to know of Aemma's birth troubles even before Viserys did. If he's working with Mellos and other kingdom's maesters, any treatments of Aemma and Viserys is put into question. Remember the root cause of this scheming is they can't accept Rhaenyra (or any woman for that matter) to be the heir. So he had to complicate matters by getting his family thrown in the ring of possible heirs, despite Viserys' proclamation.
As someone that''s read the books, all I will say is the action/bloodshed/# of dragons we encounter only skyrockets from here, and I'm here for it. ALL of it! Alicent in that green dress had me in fanboying to the umpteenth degree even though I'm #TeamBlack. Awesome job by Milly and Emily for portraying Alicent and Rhaenyra PERFECTLY!
This episode was hands down the best episode thus far! What a turnaround from the last episode. We pretty much got a lot of what was lacking in this one. Someone died, awesome! 🤣 The Queen is definitely getting on my bad side ! 😦
The great irony of Viserys’ laminations on never facing a crucible is that he failed to see that not all crucibles are faced on a battlefield with blood and steel.
Lamentations my dude, butt good comment! Laminations involve manufacturing something in multiple layers to some purpose, be it greater durability, aesthetics, etc.
Haven't read the books so I don't know how everything plays out in this story. I was rooting for Rhaenyra until the fourth episode. Rhaenyra let her foolish desire cloud her judgement of duty she is to uphold as future Queen. Alicent didn't chose the King or what came after. That was forced upon her by her father. Alicent defended Rhaenyra against the accusations even from her own father. I'm torn in this dispute but do feel sympathy for Alicent Hightower.
I love Ryan Condal's insights in these. You can tell he's such a nerd with the books because he's always talking about how they adapted certain things.
Team Green all life! The actors who play Otto, Alicent and Criston are great! Can’t wait to see all the other greens in action like Ser Tyland Lannister, Lord Larys Strong, Aegon II and his siblings, Lord Jasper Wylde and Gran Maester Orwyle
While I feel that this episode was the perfect culmination for Emily as Allicent (you see her becoming an adult in her desicion making so an older actor is the next step), I don't feel the same way about Milly as Rhaenyra. She is still a teenager here, playing with her prospective lovers. I hope we got to see her turning point, when she realised there was a bigger plan around her.
Great episode. Could have done without director Clare praising Rhaeneyra’s ‘open relationship’ as some sort of trailblazing progressive moment. She has a real issue of trying to conflate events of the show with today’s social justice issues.
I just want to say this episode stands as the paragon of storytelling, masterfully done. Each and everything was done so flawlessly, nothing for a moment felt wasted, and the ending was such a surprise. From now onwards, I'm sure weddings in the world of ice and fire do not go that easy and in the future I'll be prepared. Also, much love and thanks to Milly Alcock and Emily Carey for such stupendous start and eloquent performances, I'll definitely miss them and wish to see again on screen.
That was an amazing episode and I was on the edge of my seat waiting for chaos to ensue. So happy the green dress appeared. Christon Cole has a deep sense of honor and I was so glad he was stopped from his guilt trip
If he values his honor more he wouldn't have slept with Rhaenyra in the first place. Also, running off with Rhaenyra and marrying her wouldn't have restored his honor. In fact, it would have made things worse.
I can literally watch Fabien playing Criston, who fell head over heels in love with Rhaenyra and being naive or something, with no sound and understand everything his obsessed character goes through, what an amazing acting! This episode is like an avalanche moving towards you - everything is just getting worse and worse with every minute, and there is no way to stop it. That's lovely🔥
Whoa I was NOT expecting Cole to react like that and literally explode! That was terrible for poor Laenor. But did ser Criston really believe Rhaenyra would have just eloped with him?? Come on ser Criston! Poor Viserys had yet another feast ruined and is sick, the guy just can't catch a break :( as for Alicent, I gotta say I see her reasons and I feel for her, though I am team Blacks.
Wailing like a widow next to his lovers corpse; cries echoing in the hallways. Surely, others will catch on there was more between those two than friendship?
Before watching HOTD, I blamed Viserys for the civil war. Now, I am more symphatetic towards him. He really tried to do his best. He had to name Rhaenyra as heir to keep his unstable and cruel brother from the throne. He had to marry Rhaenyra off to The Velayrons to protect her and the Kingdom. After Aegon is of age, he could not just change his heir without risking war with the Velaryons. The poor man is doomed.
You definitely should've have Sir Crispan killing that guy on tournament so he can walk out without consequences, or at least have him arrested after this scene. Other than that another great episode, I've enjoyed the build up and looking forward to the next one.
It's sad that Alicent falls to Otto's paranoia and manipulation. There is no reason for there to be war if Rhaenyra ascends the throne. However, war is necessary if Aegon II is to rule. Make no mistake: Otto is the culprit and should pay the price for his overreach.
@Moe Well I of course disagree. Otto was looking to insert himself in the politics of the Iron Throne since the end of Jaehaerys' reign. He brought Alicent to court in an obvious ploy to get her to marry someone important. He succeeded through the marriage of Alicent and Viserys. He also orchestrated the naming of Rhaenyra as heir, to block Daemon, whom he hated. If he had succeeded in marrying Alicent to Daemon he probably would have supported his claim. Otto was a schemer and an opportunist of the worst kind. If Alicent coached herself and her kids into accepting Rhaenyra's rule, then neither her nor her supporters have a tactical reason to threaten them. They also aren't scheming assholes so there is no desire to do so either. Pay in mind that Rhaenyra did no direct violence to her side until Aemond murdered Lucerys above Storm's End. Lucerys was the Queen's envoy, so attacking him even though there was war is an evil and unlawful act.
It isn't paranoia, Alicents children are in danger and even if Rhaenyra doesn't order it they could still be killed by her supporters. Plus Rhaenyra broke Alicents trust so Alicent has no choice but to assume the worst. This is all Rhaenyra and Visery's fault.
@CampusMania I was originally attacking Otto for destabilizing the realm with talk of Alicent needing to insist that her children should inherit. That is a recipe for war. Otto is instigating war, not avoiding it with his talk. If the queen's party were deeply behind Rhaenyra and her claim as they should be, since their liege-lord swore an oath to uphold it, then there would be less instability and less reason for war. If it was made clear by them that Aegon is not going to be king, then any lord who would support that claim would be less inclined to push for it, if their favoured candidate isn't even up for it. Insisting on Aegon's claim is the path to war. And choosing to advocate it is advocating for war, and putting him and his siblings in danger. The Greens caused the war and ultimately gained nothing from it. Comparing Cersei and Rhaenyra does nothing, since Cersei is not ruling queen, when Rhaenyra is. The implication of their infidelity, while similar, is still different. If Cersei's infidelity is proven, she is executed. The same is not certain for Rhaenyra since she is the de facto monarch, and her husband is only a consort. Aegon and Robert were both whoremongers but nobody cared because they were men. THe point of this story is that people are selective about gender and moralise about one person's acts and ignore the same committed by another of a different sex. That is [the Message].
@psevdhome I'm not sure why you are defending Rhaenyra to be honest! She slept with her guard and asked him to keep doing it even after marriage. The same thing Cersei was doing with Jaime. Does love matter here? Saying Cersei did it because she didn't love Robert, how is that an excuse? By the way, Rhaenyra doesn't love Leanor too! Again, no one is innocent here. If you want someone who is innocent then it would be the night king who was willing to kill them all because none of them is innocent lol
Alicent's talk with Otto was so powerful for her! The episode was so much about her keeping her composure with all the shit going on around her. I would have lost clumps of my hair if I was her!
I felt an unexpected strong emotion when I saw the queen in the green dress, didnt know what it was. I knew it was big, without knowing the meaning. I when online and saw that it is the start of the greens vs the blacks. Biggests deep goosebumps in years for me. This may be the most powerfull rewatchable scene when the other seasons will come out
You can't make a show without drama and without action. This was the first episode that had some good drama, but still not enough for what we are used to. There was something else in this episode that I never saw anywhere else before. When editors play with cuts, dialogs and music it is always too much. But here it was done so perfectly I was enchanted. It was some new feeling like a new type of art. Or it was only me.. obsessed with these things.
Although the throne is rightfully Rhaenyra's, with each passing episode she proves (to me at least) that she wouldn't be a very good ruler, even more when we consider Daemon's influence over her. She has good traits, ofc, but the chaotic ones seem to be outweighting them. They should've just crowned Rhaenys instead of Viserys lol.
Daemon Targaryen is the kind of person who hates being manipulated and he will make sure to permanently remove that of which people constantly use as his weakness to control him. What he did in the beginning of episode 5 proves this 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 the man can't be tamed, as he controls both horses and dragons 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
When Alicent made her entrance, while everyone stood up, Daemon was the only one who remained seated. Loved that detail.
@Kira TheKillerNote That difference is literally good enough. Milder means she won't openly insult or kill lords and ladies at little to no provocation which, given she has a dragon, is definitely preferable to "the rogue prince." Sure she verbally backhanded Redwyne and clowned on Jason but Redwyne was pushing a subject Rhaenyra was clearly defensive about and she likely thought Jason too slow to pick up on it. And though you'd certainly want your king to be self-reliant, I imagine it's a small comfort to the more conservative lords that the queen appears less headstrong than Daemon and more dependent on her male advisors.
@Kira TheKillerNote how is rhyneara disrespectfull towards anyone?
@simaaa You shouldnt be comparing this to modern generations like at all? This is a fictional story about kings and queens. Remember the context please. A king that attempts to please everyone will only end up pleasing no one. That is not a king, that is a servant. Whos to say his own self interests cant benefit others? Id rather have a king that is not afraid to get blood on his sword instead getting nothing done trying to appease to everyone. Vicerys is pathetic, this was demonstrated at the hunt when instead of hunting the stag himself, he had a a whole clan do it for him just to take the credit at the end. Take off your rose-tinted glasses please.
@ThaBootyBandit well yeah Maegor the cruel was more brave and a better king then! Cause man have got guts! Raging war, oppression and having stories about you being told to the future generations doesn't make you a good king. You better take a good look at today's world leaders if you think he was weak beacause of peace! A nation doesn't need to be at chaos and wars all the time beacause of a king's ego and bravery, it needs stability and peaceful times too. Viserys was not flawless of course but in terms of being a ruler he was a better option. Daemon might be more interesting as a character on the screen to make the audience laugh! But he us no good option as a ruler. He puts his personal interests and benefits over everything else and it's been shown already even Rhaenyra's love was more used by him to get to where he wanted.
@S3npai Daemon is a true targaryen as he deserves that seat as he demostrated through blood and fire is why he should be king. Viserys is soft, dreamer who heistates to take action because of DREAMS. The Council has seen this weakness.
I’m team black always but Alicent’s dramatic entrance to the wedding wearing her green gown was everything.
@Possibly Maybe heresy
@Possibly Maybe point here is that in real world or in those days rhaenyra ain't qualified for being a ruler. If you want to be a ruler you must fight for it . ! Gosh y'all don't understand just
Blinded by pro women . Ans me why don't women participate in wars 😑 . soldiers who are dying in Ukraine are men but women are given all conveniences. Equal participation in everything!.
@starry eyes GRRM is a feminist! My god do you guys have any media literacy? He is criticizing Westeros for being misogynists. Why do you think the story starts off with a trial vote for who should rule between viserys and rhaena? The whole point of the dance of dragons is that none of this would have happened if rhaena was allowed to rule but she couldn’t bc she’s a woman. George doesn’t think it’s right to not allow women to lead, he wrote the whole damn story to criticize people like you.
Also her children are technically not bastards bc they came out of her womb and she’s the heir. Both her husband and the king legitimize her heirs meaning they aren’t considered bastards. But it’s clear you don’t understand George’s books at all so I shouldn’t be surprised
@Possibly Maybe rhaenyra and her children are not the rightful heir of the throne ,alicients children are . Rhaenyra has all bas t ard children not to mention the kingdom disliked her being the queen . Then why should a ruler be forced on the people . Alicent and her children sacrificed a lot for the throne . What did rhaenyra do cheated on her husband. And forced feminism on other .
@Possibly Maybe its not tradition but the one who fits for the realm . Did rhaenyra ever go and fight her wars . Daemon was tge one. The one who fights his war is a true king. Rhaenyra is unfit for the throne .
Episode 5 was a work of art, I will miss Milly & Emily. They did a fantastic job bringing Rhaenyra & Alicent to life 👏
@KNIGHT NXK any links to some forums to read??
@{[BlackWolf]} well u can make some detecitve work and think on what happened before episode 5.
Something similar happened here again. Aslo read some forums when other try to put their input on the thing that have happened til now. It gives you better insight and understanding what was or might have been going inside their head. Daemon could be for example
@{[BlackWolf]} No flashbacks, this story is linear.
i hope at least they ll explain what happened between rhaenyra and daemon later in the show (like little flashbacks or something)
This episode is about Alicent, she "lights the way" with that green dress, sending the message to her family that she will fight for her house's interests and will embody their values to the max. In these episode she realizes and supports the motives of her father to get her son into the iron throne.
I do believe that the Hightowers and Maesters have been planning to get into power to erase the incestuous and magical traditions that come with the Targaryen family. Alicent feels betrayed and treated as a fool by the King Viserys and Rhaenyra...the bonds are already broken and soon enough the seeds of war will bloom and when they do they'll cry blood.
've noticed there is a lot of inter racial relationships in these woke Fantasy shows now. Not that I'm complaining, but couldn't we at least learn where these Black dragon controllers come from? Same with Rings of Power where did the Black Elves and Black Dwarves come from? Or maybe we aren't supposed to ask those questions? 🤔
@FreeBird P that's not really my point 🤔 mine is about how there are widely known implied truth that the Maesters of Citadel and House Hightower conspire to slowly weaken and overthrow Targaryen dynasty due to Maegor I 's cruelty few decades before the Dance. And to some extent, they succeed. The dragons (sole power of Targaryens) are basically diminished after the Dance
I never liked the maesters in the books.
@Samuel Pablo clearly you haven’t read the book if you think the incest and dragons are not in the future of Hightowers 😂
@Daniel Kioko He likes the "leechs," the king needs nothing more than that.
i laughed my ass off, like hell yes he does if you only provide that to him and suck his life force away xd, like the disease is not a poision, even a fool could realize that. They just dont want to treat him the right way, which suggests to me by the young apprentices that's actually trying to help, but Maester refuses like "ehh, leave it be."
Ser Breakbones getting the nod to become the bully bouncer at the club and start throwing bows was the greatest moment of this entire show.
@Terry D Just does away with the cutlery and breaks the damn leg in two lmao
Too bad he gets his bones absolutely broken by Criston
Breakbones was me in my past life.😏
22 year old #mahsa_amini murdered by the iran morality polic for improperly wearing hijab this week,please viral this name #mahsa_amini and search this name to realize what happen to her🖤🖤
#مهسا_امینی
@Wizz Show does a pretty bad job for non-book readers to make sense. Pacing is too high.
A Westerosi wedding never disappoints
not a proper wedding less some blood spills
@Gaby Green and targaryens never went extinct, again are you joking or are you for real?
@Darkstar what? the fire was a tragedy not rheagars birth itself, or were you making a joke?
@Darkstar probably foreshadowing for what happened. I mean Rhaegar is the reason Targaryens were extinct and the reason why the world is saved.
@Gaby Green Even Rhaegar's birth was a tragedy for his family
Criston did my boy Laenor dirty, he didn’t need to see that, but story structure-wise it’s great to see rhaenyra’s thought inconsequential actions multiply on bigger and dangerous consequences, I swear every week I’m on the edge of my seat and angry that the episodes end…
FINALLY someone traces all these chaos to rhaenyra's actions,,, istg her and daemon are the villains in this story (so far anw) and to think i started the show, even without seeing got, just for them
in the books Cole is a raging homophobe who is not a fan of Laenor. So Joffrey comparing Rhaenyra and Cole to his own relationship with Laenor, probably sent Cole over the edge
@KNIGHT NXK Stop eating the brownies!
@LR 84P nah, it's a reality
@KNIGHT NXK I think you need to relax because this just fiction.
Whenever Daemon and Rhaenyra speaks their mother tongue to each other - it's like magic in the air around them. A bond that nothing can break it, a bond that created by blood and now with lust only fires it up 🔥
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Milly Alcock and Emily Carey really breathed life into their characters. I love that the director of this episode really let some moments linger so you could feel their internal struggle, like when Rhaenyra has to turn away from Criston after he asks her to run away together. You could see the conflicting emotions play out before she turns back around and reaffirms her desire to be queen.
@Charsy she only likes Daemon.. else she is not much intersted in sex.
@Charsy Nah. She called for him cause he was there. She doesn't like him like that, she fucked him thinking of daemon
@Wain Oh, she likes him. She liked him from day 1, when she chose him among all the others. And she started liking him even more, when he saved her from the boar. Then in the years we don't see I'm sure she was drawn to him, but she never acted on it, cause that's what she believed was the right thing, that's how she (and women like her) was raised to be/act. Sooo when Daemon told her that you can actually take control over your own life and sexuality (and get pleasure from that), and then left her waiting (for more from him)... Criston Cole was right there for the taking, so she decided to finally act on her crush on him. Yeah, it was purely physical for her, cause she was, is and always will be in love with Daemon... but for Cole it appears to have been more than mere sexual attraction.
I don't think she really likes him. He's more of a rebound and fun for her imo and he's caught feelings big time
Daemon not standing up when Alicent enters the hall because she turned his smug badass entrance into the second best for tonight 😂
Once a second son always a second son
I wasn’t surprised he was seated😂
I have to say, with episode 4 and this one, Clare Kilner's kinda becoming my favourite HotD+GoT director. She knows how to get into the psychology of a sex scene, and she knows how to make a scene feel violent even before any act of violence actually happens. Already looking forward to her episode 9.
@TheFreshTrumpet Are you joking right now? This moron was obsessed with showing the scene "from a woman's POV" and "as a woman director" basically implying that every sex scene made by male directors was only made form the man's POV and I guess treated the woman as an object or something. It was really insulting to every other director. Also, her opinion on why Daemon left her has already been proven wrong by the following episodes. She made it about power because that's what feminists are obsessed and Daemon was "scared" of Rhaenyra showing initiative. Yeah, right, that why he and the stronger, more mature, adult Rhaenyra who made the first move become lovers and a couple in the future. His word to her about the scene where he left her "You were a child". I don't know what you are interpreting from what the director was saying but it was all feminist bullshit.
@Γιάννης Νικολάου respect that i didn’t list the quote you were referencing, but if that’s all you got from the one i did list then holy. fucking. yikes dude lol i’d genuinely be curious to hear your actual interpretation/paraphrase of it if you can muster one
@J 1283 My advice is to watch the show and ignore the behind the scenes because they make it look worse. This particular director is a fucking idiot, inserting feminist power politics into a scene that has nothing to do with them. It looks like they shot the show and then some parasitic department gave them some talking points they had to say in interviews to fill the "current poilitical bullshit bingo". The show is good so far and I will continue to enjoy it unless it takes the GoT route and turns into shit.
@Γιάννης Νικολάου Yes, very true. It was a bit silly how they focused on how it was a 'woman's perspective' showing pleasure and passion and intimacy in a sex scene when male directors like Zack Snyder in 300 have already done that. It isn't something exclusive to females or female directors, so it was really odd they channelled that energy in the behind the scenes. Again, Mary Harron, a female director, filmed a sex scene that was narcissistic, exhilarating but purely sexual and without intimacy in American Psycho, specifically because that was what the scene called for. It didn't have anything to do with her being a woman, it was simply that she knew that was best for the movie, female, male or whatever. To keep hinging it on it being some kind of feminist statement is so off the mark.
@blsm cherry Everything I wrote simply went over your head and you proceeded to reply with a few pre-packaged lines about listening to women in an industrial society. Reading what people like you write reminds me of the cringe answers models give in beauty pageants.
I love how basically everyone in the show think that they figured everything out and Rhaenyra's love interest is Criston, even Criston himself believes that. And only the three Targaryens know and see the truth 😂
I am in love with your statement🥰
Because they are used to keeping it in the family. In any meaning you want :)
say uncle. say uncle
Lmao 😂
Loved the episody, mostly because of Fabien's acting. I don't like much Criston but on this episody you could see his feelings, his motives and how it leads to this breakdown. We saw lots of his emotions, the rage, shame and then dispair. To me it was one of the great moments of a character in the entire series (including Game of Thrones).
episody
@Nnemicvids they combined events to keep it moving and pretty much everything was in the books wtf you talking about?
@Edem Ama LOL. For me it made him him a like grown up baby.
@Alex Wittig Exactly. A history book. But they change already so much stuff. You can't just say that's it's unreliable every time something is different. As GRRM stated. This is show canon and there is also book canon. So yeah those are changes.
@Nnemicvids this episode was sooo gooood wtf
Game of Thrones had the Red Wedding and the Purple Wedding. House of the Dragon has the Green Wedding👑💚
@Starwood Summer do you have braindamage? dont watch thrones if your little brain needs an explanation for logical events. only the worst shows have to explain. the best shows leave the stupid ones confused
The Golden wedding
Lol... Ok
@Starwood Summer many speculate me included that he lost his temper after Joffery opened his mouth about knowing the stuff between him and princess,
he seemed cool at first but nervous already he wanted to grab a sword or hit him but let it pass, iguess moments later he realized that could lead to some seriously bad chain reaction events, so he took care of it by killing him. Joffery was anyway loudly talking to Laenor about them two, so it's maybe alright if he killed him.
Never reveal secrets lmao
"black wedding" not bcos black ppl play in it, but cos just one guy gets brutally murdered and black is a sign of someone's death.
Fabien literally killed it, I mean what a wonderful actor he is, his emotions were so raw that one could actually feel the pain in his eyes 😐
He did a good job portraying Criston's desperation to leave everything behind.
Criston Cole going crazy when Beating Joffrey was really chilling. Great acting by Fabien.
@Regenmacher175 Lmfao, I never said your opinion of GOT season 8 was wrong, not even once. I also never said you need to do penance or whatever nonsense you are talking about, more misconstruing of what I said. You lost an argument and chose to lie and deflect instead of conceding, it's that simple.
There you go, you finally understand my point at least. It only took you writing essays of nonsense and going around in circles for hours to understand. You could've written that all the way up there at like my third comment and saved yourself some pain, but your ego was too big for that. Good luck in life dude, with an ego that size you will need it :)
@Voidphoria Oh no I interpreted a generic comment online my way and wrote a response. Never seen that before on the Internet. What a crime. I'll have to do penance forever now LOL.
I do agree that there is no right or wrong in terms of opinions about a tv show. You like what you like, that's fine. But that means when you bash the later seasons of GOT I can also say that's just your opinion and one which I do not share. At all.
@Regenmacher175 You claimed his statements about the episode were wrong, you were wrong. You claimed his statement about the books was wrong because Cole killed Joffrey in the books, that wasn't what he claimed so you were wrong. Now you are claiming because Cole defeated him in combat in the books its the same as going crazy and beating him to death at a wedding in public, this claim is also wrong. Not only did you misconstrue what he said, you misconstrued what I said, and then accused me of misconstruing what you said lmao.
It's really amusing that you can't just admit you said he was "WRONG" because you didn't like his opinion, he didn't say anything wrong, you did. There is no "right" or "wrong" when it comes to opinions about whether a show is good or not, it's entirely subjective. Right and wrong are for specific claims, like all the specific claims you have made above that were wrong. Good day :)
@Voidphoria Criston Cole beat him with a morning star in the tourney, cracking his helmet so...he beat him one way or another. The end. Good day.
@Regenmacher175 Okay, so now instead of claiming it's about being wrong "in terms of what they say actually happened in the episode", you are claiming it's about what he said didn't happen in the books being wrong. In other words, you are admitting your previous claims about what you thought was "WRONG", was wrong lol. And now that you know your claim was incorrect you have changed your story again. I'm not misconstruing your claims, I quoted you directly dude.
The original message in this thread refers specifically to Cole going crazy and beating Joffrey in this scene, not to "Criston killing Joffrey" like you claimed. His statement that it did not happen in the books is true. So you are still being dishonest even after changing your story for the second time. You made specific claims, and those specific claims were incorrect.
Again, I am being charitable by assuming you think his opinion is wrong, because both his statements about the book and episode are true. Either you are misconstruing what he said and calling it wrong or you were calling his opinion of the show wrong, those are the only 2 possibilities as far as I can see. All the same, I respect you for engaging with the conversation to this point in a respectful manner and adjusting your position in light of new information. Good luck in life dude :)
Im going to miss milly as rhaenyra. She is awesome.
@Queen B Flashbacks aren't lazy writing at all, you've just picked up stupid Internet buzzwords.
@Requierem That meant nothing to the series cuz Jon was exiled anyway
@Requierem because we always had Ned think about the “promise” he have to Lyanna (well in the books) and that was actually important? Bran is the one to see it bc he needed to know. In HOTD, the reason why they’re showing us as them being younger was to already give us the important details we won’t miss in the future of the dance of dragons. We shouldn’t need flashbacks…
emma will have so many kids? no way milly could pass as a middle age mother
@Requierem But that was a younger Ned Stark and not the one we got to know in Season 1
The way they're setting up Larys is brilliant. The writing, especially in the scene between Alicent and Criston is masterfully done. And all this from a book with next to no dialogue. Just excellent.
I'm not sure who he'll end up being (haven't read the books, no spoilers please) but he seems like a really intriguing, Littlefinger-esque character. Can't wait to see what he does. I love the show at this point because it feels like we're getting to understand the many different factions looking towards the throne and their various goals, and the powder keg is just now (like episodes 5 and I'm betting 6) starting to explode. I could see the Strongs becoming a major power now, they all seem smart and very cunning.
@KNIGHT NXK Maybe they think it's just sap running from inside the tree...strange remnants from the time of the first men.
@kateris1976 Oh okay makes sense. But still dont they wonder why trees cry red? xd
@KNIGHT NXK I don't know...there wasn't a mention of a weirwood tree in the books, this is a showrunners' addition. Whether they want to make a coonection to GoT with this is up to anyone's guess, but this kind of magic is not even aknowledged in the south any more, so...
@kateris1976 why was the tree crying red in this episode? someone's wathcing and crying over the events?
Brilliant! That subtle not so subtle entrance by Alicent was louder than any words she could have spoken. The whole wedding scene you could just see and feel the tensions, the raw emotions building and churning and I was like "okay, what's the straw that breaks the camels back gonna be?" Definitely didn't expect how it happened but it really played well into the human emotions and how much a person can take before they snap. My anxiety level was pretty high this episode lol great job!!
@King King nice
man 👌😂
This small dialogue about the color green, says no less than Alicent has declared war to Rhaenyra.
@King King haha and that is was my friend!😆
The straw is going to be a eye 😂😂
It was so good I was rewinding it again and again not to miss a single dialogue.
loved that bit when daemon came uninvited and a servant had to pull up a chair for him. and viserys stress eating was funny
Stress eating! So apt. Come here you wretched chicken 🐔. I thought it was so funny too!
@cheddar his acting is so above and beyond. effortless! i laughed too when he was stabbing his chicken while trying to keep an eye on his brother with his daughter, and alicent was looking at him at wtf
@raemon Targaryen i didn't notice that 😂 paddy is smart to add those tiny details for viserys! viserys's reactions to other people's nonsense is one of my favourite things this season
viserys scratching his cheek out of confusion was making it funnier . he was like “why is he here? uhm okay, anyway...”
Alicent just gave the middle finger to Rhaenyra, the way she called her “stepdaughter” you just know that whatever feelings she had left for her are gone!!!
22 year old #mahsa_amini murdered by the iran morality polic for improperly wearing hijab this week,please viral this name #mahsa_amini and search this name to realize what happen to her🖤🖤
#مهسا_امینی
@Prithvi haas she was on her side in "her incest with her uncle before her marriage" thing and she even talked to the king that she trusts Rhaenyra she doesn't lie. She thought it's good if her father leaves as he plots against Rhaenyra to take her down and at the end she undrestood she was lied to and probably thought they just plotted against her father to get rid of him. So his other warnings about her children future could come true as well that her Rhaenyra may even kill them if she sees her position at danger. Also it was no difference if the king married another woman other that Allicent as long as she give birth to a son. Rhaenyra's situation as the heir could get much worse if Viserys married Corliss's daughter!
@Black panther From the point of history in which the series arises, I don't care either. That said, I hope GRRM doesn't allow the abuse of "artistic license",
@Klara Hvar yeah in the book alicent and rhaenyra are not close but the show make them as friends to add more drama which I don't mind.
I believe Rhaenyra's misbehavior was the excuse she found to start validating her own children as heirs. The story here starts from Viserys's coronatio, but in the book they hint that Alicent is almost as ambitious as her father. They even suggest that she "did more than just read" for Old King Jaehaerys at his bedside, so......
I absolutely loved the subtle drama of this episode. I wonder if people who don't watch these inside the episode clips or read the books fully understand this episode. It's going to be interesting to see people's reaction to this.
@Ilex ok one of those is way more reasonable than the other lol and it’s not the cunt-struck one 😂
No they dont understand it at all. I've already seen Criston Cole being called homophobic, and Daemon a cold, calculated murderer.
@Alejandro E For people who didn't read the book, there's loads in this episode that probably won't make sense. For instance, no one knows wtf is going to happen with Breakbones further down the line, or Criston, but they're setting up all these small tensions and relationships so that when it does happen, it'll all make sense.
@Nnemicvids Why tf are you spamming the same comment?
I think this episode was plain as day and didn't leave much to the imagination, unlike the previous episode.
In the previous episode Daemon's actions and motivations are left up to the interpretation of the viewers. Even those who made the episode aren't fully of one mind.
Absolutely love that we finally see more of villain part of Daemon, remember that GRRM himself said he could be both a hero and a villain.
Also, Rhaenyra and Alicent are now both firmly in the race against one another to be the first lady of the realm and the court. The idea is that both sides are neither fully good nor fully bad, and this episode really captures it. Alicent abandons any loyalty to Rhaenyra, feeling betrayed and also she realizes that between her children and her friend, she is a mother now first and foremost. That realization on her face when Otto tells her to choose had me thinking of that epic sentence : "When you play the Game of Thrones you win or you die". Great episode !!
@Vignesh It's not better than the books, stop over reacting lmao. The true canon is ASOIAF books, not the show.
@Nnemicvids yeah... but I like the villain take. It is badass.
@Vignesh Dude is super weird spamming the same comment on every channel
@Nnemicvids This episode was so much better than the books. If you want to be a booknut stay away from the series.
@Dreams Love Well he is a little rat so obviously he'll be accused
If I had a nickel every time a dude named Joffrey died at a wedding I would have two nickels. Thats not a lot, but its funny that it happened twice.
the other coincidence is that everyone named Joffrey is loathsome and handicapped In the world of George Martin 🤣
@Nnemicvids can you stop spamming the same comment everywhere? We get it. You don't like it.
@Nnemicvids Yes it does. Just a few days later at a wedding tournament.
@Nnemicvids i think you're confused and wrong because plenty of other people were talking about the book, and it unfolds just as that.
Hope the third Joffrey doesn't die at a wedding 😅
The only complain I have with the episode was the way the significance of the color green was thrown in in the moment. It would have been much weightier (and more GOT like) if the significance was thrown in earlier seemingly randomly, maybe as a conversation earlier between Otto and Viserys, for the audience to then see Alicent dressed in green and be in awe as they made the connection themselves. Leaves a much greater impression.
Other than that, solid episode
I feel sorry for Viserys. he's doing his best. I caught him knowing that Daemon is behind Lady Rhea's death and he started to worry about Rhaenyra. either he worry that Daemon would kill her or kidnap her. it seems to me, he has no trust left to Daemon. he's a good father and he did his best to protect his daughter.
But I don't think Daemon would do anything harm rhaenyra, I think despite his ambition deep down he really cares for rhaenyra.
Is it me or has this episode made it clearer that the maester is part of the reason Viserys isn't getting better? When his helper offered an alternative solution, he immediately dismissed it, even when he sees that the leeches are not helping. 🤔
@FreeBird P maybe the hightowers don’t know about the plan to kill all dragons , and just believe that the maesters are helping too install Aegon as heir
@FreeBird P Well, i said its a conspiracy theory within the universe.
@Urobolos that doesn’t make sense when the next generation of hightowers are targaryens themselves
In the books there is an ongoing conspiracy theory that the Maesters are involved in a centuries old plot to purge magic and dragons from the world. This plan involved weakening the Targaryen (The civil war, as the Hightowers are the patrons and protectors of the Maester's Citadel) and then removing them altogether (some suspects they played a role in forming the Stark/Baratheon/Tully/Arryn alliance that defeated the Targaryen regime), The archmaester was platanty on Otto's side since day one.
@kallemort Well, unless Otto/The Maesters are subscribing to some level of the chaos is a ladder philosophy. Viserys named an heir but tradition, his council, and the general public would rather see a boy on the throne. There's also incentive to weaken Viserys while Daemon is away.
This show is masterfully crafted beyond belief. The fact that they made the whole death of Daemon’s wife a mini story with so much tension and action, and some stunningly beautiful filming and characterisation, is incredible. Beautifully written, acted and filmed. Every minute of this show is to be savoured so far. Hope they keep it up.
I don't know why a lot of people aren't saying this, but to me, Alicent's changed stance and so-called 'declaration of war' against Rhaenyra had more to do with how Rhaenyra inadvertently used her to remove Otto from his station leaving her alone in a tricky situation with very few allies.. and NOT because she was lied to or jealous of Rhaenyra's freedom.
Plus, Otto was right. Rhaenyra's claim will be challenged and she will come for Alicent's children to secure it.
Agree
I absolutely ADORE Alicent as a character. She is that kind of character that has to work with a reality that she didn't choose and makes the best of to survive
This show was very, very go up until now. It just passed into the realm of amazing with this episode. All hell will break loose after this episode, just like it did in GOT after episode 5. The tradition is kept, I hope they will keep it as far as episodes 9 go as well. I hate Criston Cole, I hate Larys Strong. I love Harwin Strong, I love Rhaenys Targaryen. Those are one of the things this episode underlined. I love the direction they took with the Rhaenyra/Cole affair, I love the choice they did there. Since I read Fire and Blood a few times now, I did not expect to feel any other way at this point, so that is great.
have some sympathy for my boi Criston
There was so much going on in that wedding scene, it was absolutely mental. The different relationships, conflicts, tension forming between all these characters is just perfectly setting up the epic shit that's coming. Truly exceptional.
I like a lot of things about the episode but how could criston Cole leave the room without consequences after killing without consideration a guest that was so close to the future king consort ,his squire,he also punched that same king consort? . Also what happened with Daemon,he was almost kissing Rhaenyra and then he just vanished and Rhaenyra didn't care bc she was just asking for Laenor ?it doesn't make sense.
What happened in this episode is mostly Rhaenyra and Cole fault. Rhaenyra for bedding her sworn sword and compromising his morals and Criston for compromising his morals and being stupid enough to think the future Queen would pick him over ruling the 7 Kingdoms. Now Rhaenyra has made two enemies when should could've had none. Criston and also Alicent.
@MuffinHydra Absolutely right. Fabien said the same thing. From his perspective, Rhaenyra has whined and sooked and complained about every duty to do with her oncoming marriage, from openly running away from celebratory hunts, dismissing the entire remaining list of potential suitors Alicent and her father arranged, and then consciously losing her virtue to Criston, having totally disregarded his oath, his vows and his honour by kissing him twice, locking him in her room, undressing him and doing all of this after he asked her to stop, simply because she wanted to get off and pleasure herself at his expense. When he then gave her, admittedly a totally unrealistic, impossible offer, she didn't even think twice before suddenly bringing up those same responsibilities she had such an issue with for years (and despite happily throwing his out the window) and now was suddenly ready to play the part of the princess fully committed to doing her duty when all he's ever seen is her chafing at it and finding every issue with what's expected of her. Add in that Alicent would have told Criston about how Rhaenyra totally forsook her own honour by lying to her about her virtue, and then repeating these behaviours by possibly birthing 3 bastards (with the proof in the pudding with their features and her relationship with Harwin) who will sit the throne, it makes so much more sense why Cole would be so infuriated by her.
@Captain Pike-a-chu Rhaenyra is the one to blame here, she as a princess and heir to the throne should know that a knights vows are sacred, her desire to sleep with Ser Criston was an abuse of power, and mistrust.
@Captain Pike-a-chu
And what could happen if he didn't sleep with her? She's in a position of power and practically owns him. She took advantage of that in my eyes and she clearly doesn't even give a fuck about the aftermath of how he feels. His vows meant alot to him and all of it has been compromised.
You could also say it’s Daemon’s fault since if he never instigated things with Rhaenyra, she never would have felt free and bold enough to sleep with Ser Criston
@CodiakLBJfan Neither Alicent nor the king had a choice here. Even then what they did was not unethical or essentially illegal as did Rhaenyra who forced herself on Ser Criston, losing her virginity and lying about it. Or even Daemon for seducing Rhaenyra and setting all of this off.
Alicent's grand entrance is a statement in it's own not needing any words to say what she wants say.
I think her green dress not only represent her family banners, but also that she is so green in envy with Rhaenyra who, not only gets to do and have things Alicent the queen can not, but can get away with things she is not supposed to do. Alicent has always made sure that Rhaenyra lives up to be the ruler she is meant to be, but I think she is realizing how Rhaenyra just doesn't give the crown the regard she does. Alicent plays by the rules and Rhaenyra doesn't and yet she seems to be having more fun without facing any true consequences to her wrong actions. I think this pushes Alicent over the edge and is consumed by envy because she has never been as free to love and choose as Rhaenyra.
Word and She always chose her, now that must change 😂.
Clare Kilner is an amazing director. She absolutely nailed the last 2 episodes. Can't wait for E9!
Farewell Milly Alcock and Emily Carey, both delivered an incredible performance and will be missed on the further episodes/seasons.
I also absolutely loved that Criston asked Rhaenyra to leave with him and abandon everything and she was like nah-ah, and then she asked Daemon the same😂 to risk everything and take her away
@Ivana Cvetanovic 😂 I've never said she wasn't supposed to feel entitled or that it is bad, I am team black all the way, the throne is Rhaenyra's. But I was explaining how I understand her mindset at that point in the story and why I think she meant what she said
Young age + strong feelings towards her uncle + not being afaid of the consequences, because of her upbringing and position
@Ирина Иванова I never said she didn't love him. I said she wouldn't give up her claim to the throne and status.
And why should she?
Why is she a "very entitled person"? They are all "entitled" - they are nobles/royals, raised to think they should ascend the throne, or become lords, have possessions etc. I never hear anyone say that of any of the male characters who are the same. It's always only women who are said to be "entitled" for wanting the throne they have a legal claim to.
@Ivana Cvetanovic As I see it, Rhaenyra is a very entitled person, and she was even more reckless and free-spirited when she was a teen, because the princess was raised as the only child in the family and was always put on the pedestal and surrounded with love of her father. That is why I do believe at that moment she was bold enough to think that running away with Daemon wouldn't much affect her claim and position, at best it would make the king very angry. So yeah, I think she meant it and she wanted her uncle to take her even though she was bitter. Plus, even though the latter proposal to Daemon was mainly a political step, it is obvious to me that she loved him for all the years. In the docu series "the house that dragons built" a member of the team who worked on DxR wedding scene stated that one of the reasons their wedding was supposed to feel so different was because Rhaenyra was marrying someone she actually loved. And some teens even very reserved ones tend to do crazy things when they are in love.
@Ирина Иванова No, we don't. Because she didn't mean it. She was pissed off at Daemon for leaving, and taunting him, knowing he wouldn't do anything, and we know that she sure has no intention of abandoning her position as heir, if that wasn't already always clear. In episode 7, she proposed to Daemon to be her husband AND help her as a future king consort, against the Greens.
At no point was Rhaenyra about to run away, whether with Criston or Daemon or whoever, and leave her future crown to Aegon.
So, after ep7-8 I think we can all agree she did mean it
A Westerosi wedding without a death is considered a dull affair.
It is known.
Lady whistledown would love This😂😂
The night has not even started until the first assasination attempt lol
A truly emotional episode. All strangled up. Can't judge how it's gonna procced & who is gonna turn evil. Eagerly waiting for the next episode.
I love Lady Rhea so much, she deserved better than Daemon. And I love the decision to make her such a badass, it can be inferred that the reason Daemon hated her so much was because she saw right through him and he couldnt stand that he couldnt manipulate her.
Seriously? You love a character that was in the show for 5 whole minutes?
I really hope this show keeps going the way it is. Bravo to the writer's 👏 this show has literally got me reinvested into GOT when after season 8 I thought that would be impossible. Great job 👍
Omg, this is incredible, spin offs rarely work, but the whole crew has achieved an amazing feat! Love it. We have battles, weddings, complex characters, Dragons, intriguing and intelligent dialogues, but it's not a copy of GoT. Way to go!
"What a boring wedding"- dothraki everywhere, seeing only 1 body in the procession
This show gets better every episode, the green dress was definitely a Rains of castermere moment, I got goosebumps
The Show Just Gets Better And Better🔥
Great episode! No senseless and extravagant fight scenes, just great writing, superb acting and costume and compelling drama. Just like Martin intended with ASOIAF. Enjoyed it immensely!
i love how this shows having alot of brothers dynamic. how Daemon is such a contrasts to Viserys’s nerdiness and peace loving nature. Otto trying to take his part as a Hightower(probably to outdo his older brother by placing his daughter as a wife to the king to make his heir to be a future king). the contrasts between the Lannister twins (the wise and the arrogant) and larys and Harwin strong . one the muscle and other the “brain”. ❤❤❤.
SPOILER ALERT
cant wait to see the dynamic between Alicents sons.
yes. The brother dynamic is very cool in this show. Cant wait to see Aegon, Aemond and Daeron
I hope we get a good explanation for how Criston is allowed to walk around freely after striking the future king consort and murdering his favored knight. I know he is the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, so I guess only the king and queen can order his arrest, but still.
Had Rhaenyra been born male, what she did with Ser Criston wouldn’t have meant anything, but because she’s a woman she’s expected to be ‘chaste’. I found this episode intriguing to see both young women develop their characters & how Rhaenyra is a modern woman in a rather backwards setting.
You forget that Ser Criston swore a vow of chastity too, Rhaeneyra knew this, and still abused her power in goading him into sleeping with her. She is as much in the wrong here, too.
@Monalisa Das A claim that medieval women have no agency is historically innaccurate. And also a lot of men had reduced agency - as serfs to landlords, as being forced to marry as well etc. But wt the same time people of all classes laid claims to different rights in medieval era and excersised them. In fact historians of law say that origins of natural/human rights lay within medieval canon law. Often ignored fact is that the canon law of the Church demanded a willing consent of both man and woman to marry. That is why i.e. Blessed princess Isabelle, sister of king Saint Louis IX, did not marry even though the pope himself wanted her to do so.
@Nick Rubin
Yup!!! A person in a position of power throwing themselves at someone beneath them. If it was reversed people would say the guy forced himself on her and had no right to. She could have him killed for refusing her.
Criston Cole also has an expectation of him or did you forget that. He broke his vows. Not good.
@Nick Rubin in GOT verse there are plenty of high born women or from good families having bastard children. it’s not just the common folk. even the kings of england/uk have had this situation with their aristocrats’ daughters and/or queens’ ladies in waiting 🤣🤣
Fantastic, brilliant episode. This show continues to blow me away with each episode! Seeing the classic heavily political drama that GoT started at has me more excited than I've ever been! The only thing I will say is that I felt Criston's turn could've been a bit more subtle/gradual, instead it felt a bit too fast. But given the pacing of the show I can completely understand why it had to be a little quick. That being said, everything else was brilliant, really nothing other than praise comes to mind. Man, I'm going to miss Emily and Milly so much!! But I'm very excited to see the new actresses
The story writing and portrayal of these characters is so spot on that I'm conflicted to which side I am on. Originally Team Black but Rhaenyra's actions are so selfish and suspect...I'm conflicted! Excellent show...can't wait for episode 6!!
Gonna miss Milly and Emily, but I do look forward to seeing them on the big screens in the future! Also excited to welcome Emma and Olivia in the next episode. HOTD is seriously getting better with each episode. Also dang, Ramin Djawadi is truly the goat!
Going to miss young Rhanerya and Alicent. The actors did a realy good job. All the best for their older halves.
THE GREEN WEDDING. And BOY was it BRILLIANT, in a totally different way to the red wedding. EQUALLY as dramatic providing just as much a massive turning point in the story. I cannot express enough how satisfying this episode, let alone the entire series so far, has been to watch. I LOVE this show.
Matt smith is killing it in this show wow
Yep
Can we also appreciate an entrance to the wedding the Lannister guy makes? He carries his body and moves in a very epic way. Like a monument to himself.
Episode 5 gave us more than what we could expect! Kudos to the creators!
Damn who knew Criston Cole was a true idealist romantic at heart… he didn’t want to be a Paramour or sideshow he wanted to become her husband in a far away place, I’m not saying Cole’s future actions is justified and forgivable but I understand…😂😢💔
No, I think he just wanted the reason he broke his oath to be a real one, rather than admitting to himself that he was just being used by a horny Rhaenyra!
@claude_j4 Ah yes my apologies
@Harry's Home but still he shouldn’t have feel threatened if anything Criston had more dirt on Joffrey simple because liking the same sex was considered a sin or was hated on. He could’ve used that on him.
Alicent is also done with rhaenyras bullshit
Makes completely sense he snapped
the last shot left me with goosebumps. its bareley switched into 2nd ger and this show is in my opinon will becoe the better show. 1 because it is a cooler period 2. the show runners give a shit 3. they've got the right amount of money/backing to properly sell the world of ice and fire. It's hard to judge HotD against season 1 of thrones, just merley because that first book is very rich and methodical with it's developments and the transisition from book to show was bound to succeed simply because of how good the source material. Having said that this show is more colourful and lore heavy. Which is a must in these fantasy shows and is kinda why The rings of power (tRoP) hasn't really failed yet. The emphasis on lore really drags in fans just because of how grand most fantasy lore's/mythos can be. Love this show it's topping tRoP by a mile.
When this show ends, ill legit be praying for some Aegon the conqueror/Valaryia spin off show. Like I reckon GRR martin is really happy and thrilled to be apart of these shows, where he's allowed to build upon hs own works/world. Like the whole dagger thing i reckon will be mention in the up coming books. im waffling. fuck
Moment of the episode : When Alicent confronts Ser Criston with that night's details, and Ser Criston unaware of what she would ask ends up telling the actual truth she had no clue of.
That expression on Alicent's face clearly states she was in shock and more, saddened. I think she has a soft corner in her heart for Ser Criston. As we also see in the last scene when she stops him for killing himself.
@FreeBird P Do you truly think any other house wouldn't have tried the same thing if they had the same level of access to the King? Viserys made the decision of marrying Alicent with full faculty of his mind. Otto didn't send Alicent to sleep with Viserys. He sent her to talk to Viserys. Yes, it was a calculated move. But there is nothing wrong with it.
There was no danger to Alicent's children until Viserys decided to be stubborn and give Aegon's inheritance to Rhaenyra. As I said, no one could've predicted Viserys would be such an utter fool. But he was, and the realm suffered for it. And House Targaryen and their dragons suffered most of all.
@Just Some he did not openly proposition his daughter’s hand in marriage ad it would expose his ambitions. no one said ambitions are not okay but he was sneaky about it where as other houses were open. if he actually cared about the danger the issue with the line of succession would create for his future generations, he should not have played his daughter like a chess piece.
@Indian Kid maybe not in the book but even the actress stated that her character feels a little betrayed by rhaenrya as she knew about alicent’s crush on ser criston cole. the show doesn’t do a good job of showing it. i think the only inkling we get of it is that tourney when we are first introduced to him
@Mark My Words None could predict that Viserys would be so stupid as to put a daughter over a trueborn and healthy son. Viserys had to marry someone because Targaryen line was awfully thin at the time. So why shouldn't Otto want his daughter to be queen and grandson to be king. He isn't doing anything illegal or immoral. He didn't force Viserys to marry Alicent. Viserys made a sober decision, and he chose Alicent.
Is it wrong to have ambition? If yes, then first of all blame Aegon the conquerer, for he had the greatest ambition of all.
@Just Some sure. but I can fault Otto for positioning them to be birthed in the first place. Remember it was him who went on the offensive right after Aemma died.
In fact, he was the 1st to know of Aemma's birth troubles even before Viserys did.
If he's working with Mellos and other kingdom's maesters, any treatments of Aemma and Viserys is put into question.
Remember the root cause of this scheming is they can't accept Rhaenyra (or any woman for that matter) to be the heir. So he had to complicate matters by getting his family thrown in the ring of possible heirs, despite Viserys' proclamation.
As someone that''s read the books, all I will say is the action/bloodshed/# of dragons we encounter only skyrockets from here, and I'm here for it. ALL of it! Alicent in that green dress had me in fanboying to the umpteenth degree even though I'm #TeamBlack. Awesome job by Milly and Emily for portraying Alicent and Rhaenyra PERFECTLY!
Episode was insane! Can't wait to see 6. Really going to miss Milly and Emily though, they both played their characters so well.
This episode was hands down the best episode thus far! What a turnaround from the last episode. We pretty much got a lot of what was lacking in this one. Someone died, awesome! 🤣 The Queen is definitely getting on my bad side ! 😦
@Indian Kid Relax kid lol. I’m a down to earth person in real life. Can I enjoy one of my fav shows?
@Indian Kid its a show lmaoo
Someone died in episode 4 as well, stabbed by a boy
Wow calling someone's death awesome. What kind of person you would be in real life 🙄
The great irony of Viserys’ laminations on never facing a crucible is that he failed to see that not all crucibles are faced on a battlefield with blood and steel.
Lamentations my dude, butt good comment! Laminations involve manufacturing something in multiple layers to some purpose, be it greater durability, aesthetics, etc.
This episode was really, really good at building tension. Well done!
Haven't read the books so I don't know how everything plays out in this story. I was rooting for Rhaenyra until the fourth episode. Rhaenyra let her foolish desire cloud her judgement of duty she is to uphold as future Queen. Alicent didn't chose the King or what came after. That was forced upon her by her father. Alicent defended Rhaenyra against the accusations even from her own father. I'm torn in this dispute but do feel sympathy for Alicent Hightower.
I love Ryan Condal's insights in these. You can tell he's such a nerd with the books because he's always talking about how they adapted certain things.
Team Green all life! The actors who play Otto, Alicent and Criston are great! Can’t wait to see all the other greens in action like Ser Tyland Lannister, Lord Larys Strong, Aegon II and his siblings, Lord Jasper Wylde and Gran Maester Orwyle
I laughed out lout when the king fell on the floor yet again, at the end of the episode. Great comedic timing!
A artistically perfect episode with all of it's dramatical aspects, worthy of the name "Game of Thrones" with it's signature wedding.
It would be wonderful if in season 2, Mily and Emily come back for some flashbacks. Very good acting from both of them.
While I feel that this episode was the perfect culmination for Emily as Allicent (you see her becoming an adult in her desicion making so an older actor is the next step), I don't feel the same way about Milly as Rhaenyra. She is still a teenager here, playing with her prospective lovers. I hope we got to see her turning point, when she realised there was a bigger plan around her.
This
The green dress was so beautiful, I just can't get enough of it. This episode was unreal, I am so excited for the next episode!!!!
I am loving House of the Dragon. It has been amazing so far, and I am certain that it will be this way in the future. Thanks for it.
I love how the director give us the feeling inside of some characters.
This episode is a masterpiece!
Great episode.
Could have done without director Clare praising Rhaeneyra’s ‘open relationship’ as some sort of trailblazing progressive moment. She has a real issue of trying to conflate events of the show with today’s social justice issues.
I just want to say this episode stands as the paragon of storytelling, masterfully done. Each and everything was done so flawlessly, nothing for a moment felt wasted, and the ending was such a surprise. From now onwards, I'm sure weddings in the world of ice and fire do not go that easy and in the future I'll be prepared. Also, much love and thanks to Milly Alcock and Emily Carey for such stupendous start and eloquent performances, I'll definitely miss them and wish to see again on screen.
I love how they meant the use of Green as a Hightower signal of war and why she uses it.
Idc what anyone says I LOVE the love triangle between Rheneyra, Ser Cristen and Daemon. Im so invested in it 😭 whyyy
That was an amazing episode and I was on the edge of my seat waiting for chaos to ensue. So happy the green dress appeared. Christon Cole has a deep sense of honor and I was so glad he was stopped from his guilt trip
If he values his honor more he wouldn't have slept with Rhaenyra in the first place.
Also, running off with Rhaenyra and marrying her wouldn't have restored his honor. In fact, it would have made things worse.
It gets better and better and fabien's acting this ep was amazing
And the tension starts
I am loving it
Best episode so far
I can literally watch Fabien playing Criston, who fell head over heels in love with Rhaenyra and being naive or something, with no sound and understand everything his obsessed character goes through, what an amazing acting! This episode is like an avalanche moving towards you - everything is just getting worse and worse with every minute, and there is no way to stop it. That's lovely🔥
Whoa I was NOT expecting Cole to react like that and literally explode! That was terrible for poor Laenor. But did ser Criston really believe Rhaenyra would have just eloped with him?? Come on ser Criston!
Poor Viserys had yet another feast ruined and is sick, the guy just can't catch a break :( as for Alicent, I gotta say I see her reasons and I feel for her, though I am team Blacks.
I want to give sir Leonor a hug
@Sara Kilburn It is known.
@Sara Kilburn I think they already knew see how fast they got tf out when he crawled to his body. They were definitely like “time to go”
Wailing like a widow next to his lovers corpse; cries echoing in the hallways. Surely, others will catch on there was more between those two than friendship?
His voice was breaking during the vows. I got super sad for him.
Before watching HOTD, I blamed Viserys for the civil war. Now, I am more symphatetic towards him. He really tried to do his best.
He had to name Rhaenyra as heir to keep his unstable and cruel brother from the throne.
He had to marry Rhaenyra off to The Velayrons to protect her and the Kingdom.
After Aegon is of age, he could not just change his heir without risking war with the Velaryons.
The poor man is doomed.
He should have just married Rhaenyra and Aegon.
You definitely should've have Sir Crispan killing that guy on tournament so he can walk out without consequences, or at least have him arrested after this scene.
Other than that another great episode, I've enjoyed the build up and looking forward to the next one.
They should show more of daemon
We want to see him in more screen space
It's sad that Alicent falls to Otto's paranoia and manipulation. There is no reason for there to be war if Rhaenyra ascends the throne. However, war is necessary if Aegon II is to rule. Make no mistake: Otto is the culprit and should pay the price for his overreach.
@Moe Well I of course disagree. Otto was looking to insert himself in the politics of the Iron Throne since the end of Jaehaerys' reign. He brought Alicent to court in an obvious ploy to get her to marry someone important. He succeeded through the marriage of Alicent and Viserys. He also orchestrated the naming of Rhaenyra as heir, to block Daemon, whom he hated. If he had succeeded in marrying Alicent to Daemon he probably would have supported his claim. Otto was a schemer and an opportunist of the worst kind.
If Alicent coached herself and her kids into accepting Rhaenyra's rule, then neither her nor her supporters have a tactical reason to threaten them. They also aren't scheming assholes so there is no desire to do so either.
Pay in mind that Rhaenyra did no direct violence to her side until Aemond murdered Lucerys above Storm's End. Lucerys was the Queen's envoy, so attacking him even though there was war is an evil and unlawful act.
It isn't paranoia, Alicents children are in danger and even if Rhaenyra doesn't order it they could still be killed by her supporters. Plus Rhaenyra broke Alicents trust so Alicent has no choice but to assume the worst. This is all Rhaenyra and Visery's fault.
@CampusMania I was originally attacking Otto for destabilizing the realm with talk of Alicent needing to insist that her children should inherit. That is a recipe for war. Otto is instigating war, not avoiding it with his talk. If the queen's party were deeply behind Rhaenyra and her claim as they should be, since their liege-lord swore an oath to uphold it, then there would be less instability and less reason for war. If it was made clear by them that Aegon is not going to be king, then any lord who would support that claim would be less inclined to push for it, if their favoured candidate isn't even up for it.
Insisting on Aegon's claim is the path to war. And choosing to advocate it is advocating for war, and putting him and his siblings in danger. The Greens caused the war and ultimately gained nothing from it.
Comparing Cersei and Rhaenyra does nothing, since Cersei is not ruling queen, when Rhaenyra is. The implication of their infidelity, while similar, is still different. If Cersei's infidelity is proven, she is executed. The same is not certain for Rhaenyra since she is the de facto monarch, and her husband is only a consort. Aegon and Robert were both whoremongers but nobody cared because they were men. THe point of this story is that people are selective about gender and moralise about one person's acts and ignore the same committed by another of a different sex. That is [the Message].
@Mariana Totally agree. Otto's concerns make total sense.
@psevdhome I'm not sure why you are defending Rhaenyra to be honest! She slept with her guard and asked him to keep doing it even after marriage. The same thing Cersei was doing with Jaime. Does love matter here? Saying Cersei did it because she didn't love Robert, how is that an excuse? By the way, Rhaenyra doesn't love Leanor too! Again, no one is innocent here. If you want someone who is innocent then it would be the night king who was willing to kill them all because none of them is innocent lol
The writing and characters just keeps getting better and better
Alicent's talk with Otto was so powerful for her! The episode was so much about her keeping her composure with all the shit going on around her. I would have lost clumps of my hair if I was her!
The episode was superb !! We are slowly getting to early GOT level
I felt an unexpected strong emotion when I saw the queen in the green dress, didnt know what it was. I knew it was big, without knowing the meaning. I when online and saw that it is the start of the greens vs the blacks. Biggests deep goosebumps in years for me. This may be the most powerfull rewatchable scene when the other seasons will come out
You can't make a show without drama and without action. This was the first episode that had some good drama, but still not enough for what we are used to.
There was something else in this episode that I never saw anywhere else before. When editors play with cuts, dialogs and music it is always too much. But here it was done so perfectly I was enchanted. It was some new feeling like a new type of art. Or it was only me.. obsessed with these things.
Nope not just you. This episode was very artistic
Although the throne is rightfully Rhaenyra's, with each passing episode she proves (to me at least) that she wouldn't be a very good ruler, even more when we consider Daemon's influence over her. She has good traits, ofc, but the chaotic ones seem to be outweighting them.
They should've just crowned Rhaenys instead of Viserys lol.
Yeah. I am starting to like her less and less.
Claire Kilner is an amazing director
Characters randomly snapping and killing people is what made GOT S8 great, so nice to have that back
Daemon Targaryen is the kind of person who hates being manipulated and he will make sure to permanently remove that of which people constantly use as his weakness to control him. What he did in the beginning of episode 5 proves this 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 the man can't be tamed, as he controls both horses and dragons 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣