House of the Dragon

[The Cat]

If she was banned as a spammer, why did the spam stay up? She is sullying the 100% Targaryan purity of this thread!

It takes a while for the crabs to devour the ad zombie. But the spam they posted is most certainly not up. The Crabs are happy though, well as happy as crabs get. They're eating well and that's what matters.

 

[Totenkindly]

 

[ceecee]

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

I never finished season 1. This must be rectified.

 

[Totenkindly]

Talk about having fun with the concept...

 

[Totenkindly]

Episode s2e1 airs tonight at 9pm est.

--

I should really rewatch the first season entirely.

But I did just rewatch the last 20 minutes.

Just really nice TV drama, starting with Lucerys landing his dragon, seeing the shape of the monstrous dragon off to the side, going in, then the whole conflict there after Borros tells him to shove off and Aemond demands his eye price. (I know in the text, Aemond was seemingly goaded further in regards to his manhood.)

The show's telling has Aemond being just kind of a stupid teenager, bully Lucerys around, and then harassing him with Vhagar. It looks like Arrax could have gotten away in better weather, but Aemond's harassment freaked Arrax out enough that with Lucerys being so young couldn't rein him in, and the fire attack pissed off Vhagar who was already a war veteran and used to killing his enemies, and Aemond now was unable to control the larger dragon.

This whole freaking war (which was probably going to happen regardless) was triggered early by bad fortune, crossed paths, and teenage stupidity. So typical.

It's so sad when Daemon goes up to Rhaenyra and then she hunches over before the fire. Now there will be hell to pay.

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

I was going to go with mobsters tonight, but perhaps I'll try to get caught up.

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

I'm partway into the second episode, lol, and I already figured out why everyone hates Alicent Hightower.

 

[Totenkindly]

For the record, I have purposefully not read the book so I can be shocked and appalled by what goes down.

And of course I am shocked and appalled but not actually surprised by the things that go down in S2E1.

I think the two big things:

• Fucking Larys. Did he just maneuver himself into becoming the new Hand of the King? I hate that guy
• The beheading of li'l tyke Jaehaerys -- who will apparently NEVER get that pony ride now. Out of all the insane things to do. AEMOND. she wanted AEMOND. Dammit, Daemon!!! Your shit plan went to shit and now we're beyond just pure revenge for Lucerys' death, you've also killed their supposed "heir to the throne" and he was barely a boy. By stealing his head. Damn, this show is cold.

I'm also amazed that they could just walk through the throne room like that, but I guess being a rat catcher makes you invisible. "Yeah, it's the exterminators, passing through!" Exterminators is the right term.

I hope the dog is okay.

Also interesting choice by Helaena. Is this a minor act of rebellion on her part? Or at least standing up for women and down with the patriarchy?

I will state again how much I despise Criston Cole.

I should also mention that conversation between Daemon (making demands) and Rhaenys. I love how she just kind of brushes his demands aside, even when he tries to get a rise out of her. She is such a boss!

 

[Totenkindly]

I'm partway into the second episode, lol, and I already figured out why everyone hates Alicent Hightower.

I think you read the book, didn't you? But I will try to not spoil the first season for you, aside from my earlier post. I changed it to spoiler in case you didn't know anything.

I do feel like this is a return to form for a franchise property, at least. Maybe it could be better, but it feels more like original GoT quality at least. And interesting story-telling, including the parallel between Rhaenerys at the pyre and Alicent lighting candles. Like, the storycraft and dialogue is actually decent.

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

I think you read the book, didn't you? But I will try to not spoil the first season for you, aside from my earlier post. I changed it to spoiler in case you didn't know anything.

I do feel like this is a return to form for a franchise property, at least. Maybe it could be better, but it feels more like original GoT quality at least. And interesting story-telling, including the parallel between Rhaenerys at the pyre and Alicent lighting candles. Like, the storycraft and dialogue is actually decent.

I've read all the books of ASIOAF that have been released, but I have not read Fire and Blood. I think I didn't watch more because I was going through a lot and it wasn't the kind of thing I felt like watching at the time.

I like recognizing all the locations in the Red Keep from Game of Thrones, but it doesn't detract from the story being told. It does seem like they aren't abandoning story for spectacle, the way the later seasons did.

 

[Julius_Van_Der_Beak]

How gross was the thing with the maggots? Apparently, this is a thing people have actually done. I'd do more research but I'm about to eat.

 

[Totenkindly]

How gross was the thing with the maggots? Apparently, this is a thing people have actually done. I'd do more research but I'm about to eat.

I don't recall at this point how they factored into Season 1, but yeah it's actually a thing in terms of letting the maggots eat the necrotic/dead flesh around wounds to assist in healing. (You'll see it in Gladiator as well.)

 

[ceecee]

Haven't read the book and don't plan to as I also want to be shocked and appalled lol.

Very bleak episode, as expected. The scene where Rhaenyra finds the remains of Lucerys and Arrax was crushing. (Rhaenyra dragon Syrax was the mother of Arrax so the two grieving mothers was terrible). The scene when Jacaerys returns home after he got the news of his brothers' death, also terrible.

I knew some of the details surrounding Blood and Cheese and I don't think the scene would have been as impactful without the excellent acting of Phia Saben. Running to her mothers's room clutching her surviving child, only to find Alicent cowgirling Christon Cole (isn't he suppose to be keeping watch, not banging the dowager queen?). Poor Helaena.

Aegon. Gave me all the laughs this episode. He isn't Joffrey. From his idiotic frat boy knight bros introducing him to Otto cockblocking everything decent he wanted to do for the smallfolk to said bros all being drunk hanging out in the throne room, his scenes were unexpectedly great.

Anytime Daemon puts on that murder hoodie, you know it's going to be crazy. From dog kicking to infanticide.

Cregan Stark - for some reason I think I remember them saying he wouldn't be in much of this season. Which would be a bummer.

Rhaenys - she will always be my favorite.


The wigs are SO much better this season. From Corlys to Jacaerys and his handsome locks, everyone looks better, including Rhaenyra.
I also loved the new intro.

 

[Totenkindly]

I didn't realize that angle on Syrax -- yes, that makes it doubly heart-breaking now. And yes, the counterpart scene when Jacaerys flies home to report back to his mother...

Didn't Alicent say something in the earlier part of the episode to Criston about "we can't do this again"...? I wasn't sure if I misheard it. [update: Yeah, she says, "We cannot. Again." and he acknowledges it.] I guess we can see how well that sticks...

Trying to follow what's going on with the Corlys' bit -- namely where this thing with Alyn is going to go...? "I am indebted to you."

It was kind of ironic to see Aegon trying to do some things right -- but damned is the head that wears the crown, nothing is simple.

 

[ceecee]

I didn't realize that angle on Syrax -- yes, that makes it doubly heart-breaking now. And yes, the counterpart scene when Jacaerys flies home to report back to his mother...

Didn't Alicent say something in the earlier part of the episode to Criston about "we can't do this again"...? I wasn't sure if I misheard it. [update: Yeah, she says, "We cannot. Again." and he acknowledges it.] I guess we can see how well that sticks...

Trying to follow what's going on with the Corlys' bit -- namely where this thing with Alyn is going to go...? "I am indebted to you."

It was kind of ironic to see Aegon trying to do some things right -- but damned is the head that wears the crown, nothing is simple.

I thought he was Corlys' bastard although maybe that has not been made known to even Alyn.

 

[SensEye]

Color me surprised House of the Dragon is based on any books.

Has Martin just decided never to finish the Song of Ice and Fire? He's going to be dead soon and he should stop pissing around with prequels and the like until he finishes his magnum opus. Unless he is already content with the TV series and just isn't going to bother. Martin strikes me as a bit of a jerk although I don't really pay much attention to him outside of wondering when the hell he is going to finish the series every couple years (and checking to see if he's dead).

 

[The Cat]

I like to believe that GRRM has all the things done, and just pushes back the release day by three days for every question, complaint, or request to hurry up and release the books. I wonder how many bookies are taking bets on when the next book drops.

 

[Totenkindly]

I guess this is what Brandon Sanderson is for....

 

[The Cat]

I guess this is what Brandon Sanderson is for....

The mistborn trilogy is on my to read list. Ive heard good things.