At this point, I think Aegon is the realest one in this family, despite his repulsive behaviors, he's the only person in this family who isn't scheming and plotting, he's just trying to live his life and sleep with maids, what a simple man in a complicated world.

the scene where otto slaps aegon for being a twat is just hilarious

This episode made every character so grey. It was a rollercoaster of an episode where every scene would make you go from loving a character to absolutely hating them and then back to loving them. Also a perfect balance of action, drama, and slow build up paying off. More of this please HBO.

They've had so many opportunities to have Viserys yell "STOP THIS MADNESS IN THE NAME OF YOUR KING" and I'm sad they didn't use any of them

I gotta give props to the CGI-team for doing such a good job of showing that Vhagar clearly isn't young anymore, the loose skin on her throat, her relatively slow movements and her almost hoarse roar. Good job

The scene with the kids all awkwardly watching their parents incest marriage was so unintentionally funny.

The whole family confrontation scene had me on the edge of my seat the whole time 😦

God, the way Alicents tears reflect in the camera… the dagger scene was the best scene so far. I love Aemond’s character, and I can see him becoming a mirror to Dameon, the other badass younger brother, as he grows up (their names are anagrams of each other, after all)

I want to point out one dialogue from Viserys in this episode. When he was going to bed, he mistaken Alicent for Aemma. This goes to show that he still loves his dead wife and feels guilty over her death, and it helps encapsulate as one of the main reason why Viserys is still holding on to Rhaenyra as the heir, when there were a lot of red flags that said disinheriting her would save the realm a lot of trouble. He’s choosing love over duty, and by marrying Alicent for love and making Rhaenyra his heir for love, it’s a recipe for war.

This one really felt like game of thrones s1-4, no battles, nothing stupid, just good writing, great dialogue inducing conflict.

I love that absolutely everybody thinks that this episode is the best yet. Before this, the ratings were all over the place for each episode, but not for this one.

*This* is peak Game of Thrones. No overblown battles, no spectacle. Just great conversations in elegant rooms. The tension, the stakes, the ACTING! Olivia Cooke is coming for her Emmy, and she won’t be denied.

This episode really established how tragic the conflict is going to be for all of the kids. Aegon doesn't want anything to do with it, he just wants to chill and have a good time, Helaena is completely different is going to be used as a pawn, Aemond has a cruel streak to him and is going to be very important, Jace has to live the knowledge of his real father, and Luke is too young to really understand the stakes of the conflict surrounding him, and Baela and Rhaena seem to be closer to their Velaryon family than their Targ family. It makes me hate Alicent even more because she continued the cycle of abuse started by Otto.

I actually laughed when Aegon said, “Me?”, after Aemond threw the blame at him. I know Aegon was just saying that because he couldn’t believe his brother is throwing the blame at him like a jackass, but I took it as something else. It’s like he’s questioning when was he a part of this whole family drama? 😂

The whole scene where nobody was willing to admit Rhaenyra’s children were bastards and Alicent snapping like that was just amazing and that alone made this my favorite episode so far

I can't stress enough how good Emma is with their facial expressions. Doesn't speak much but says a lot.

They said that this was the first episode they shot - imagine that. Putting your cast to interact with each other HERE, where their characters are all matured, having nuances and layers and mannerisms set by the previous episodes. Knowing this makes the episode seen even more incredible, specially the actings

I really liked how Corlys is more concerned with the name and legacy then the actual bloodline put him at odds with Vaemond.

Corlys gained my respect when he ignored the illegitimacy of his grandsons, not because he wanted to live in blissful ignorance like Viserys, but because he saw them as the scared children they are, not as devices to link Driftmark to the throne

Aemond claiming and flying Vhagar is my favourite dragon moment in all of game of thrones tbh

I love how no one expected this show to be so good after how bad GoT ended

Vhagar is a she-dragon and the oldest one alive right now. She’s always been female I think Vhagar tested Aemond many times especially when he climbed on. She was basically like “you have to earn me” but she probably wanted a bond too because of Laena’s death. Rhae’s anger is justified but it indicates she’s not ready for a dragon, Vhagar wasn’t going to become hers just because she’s Laena’s daughter. Dragons are not heirlooms. Aemond’s response to marrying their sister if it meant keeping the bloodline “pure” is something I imagine Visenya saying. Great episode and I loved the ending.

Alicent really took "an eye for an eye" literally huh? Fantastic episode

I mean she doesn't kill Laenor but she does kill an innocent servant and destroys Rhaenys' soul lol

This was the episode I was waiting for ALL SEASON. I knew what would happen with Aemond losing his eye but this show is so great at showing the HOW it happened. This show is amazing for both the book readers and just the HBO fans.

After watching Steve Toussaint’s incredible performance as Corlys Velaryon, I’m actually now excited for the Sea Snake tv show (hoping it isn’t cancelled like Bloodmoon half way through the development stage)

Daemon laughing during the eulogy was to actually shift focus from Rhaenyra and her bastards to him. If someone starts laughing during a funeral, everyone will definitely notice them. I feel that in Daemon's own way, he was actually helping Rhaenyra.

Regarding the night time shots I know that it was clearly obvious that it was shot during the day. But in my experience living in a poor country that gets lots of blackouts and the nights gets lit up by a very bright full moon, the shots were quite accurate. Me and my siblings used to play outside with only the moon lighting us and everything casts a shadow. Everything looks almost black and white but this episode brought back those memories.

I don't think Rhaenyra saving Laenor is a triumphant moment for her character. She did a nice thing for Laenor but at what cost? An innocent was sacrificed to be a body double, Corly and Rhaenys have lost their only remaining child just days after burying their daughter, and the realm will whisper that Daemon and Rhaenyra killed Laenor to get married.

I agree that this was the best episode thus far. The only reason why people would dislike this is because they are so used to everything being spoon-fed to them and explained to them in every detail. So when a show decides to actually ''show and not tell'' they think it's boring. As you said some of the most tense moments where the moments in silence, because you could tell so much just by how good the acting was. I hope they keep this up!

I took the dark lighting effect as a heavy storm brewing in the middle of the day. A sort of metaphor for the building tension. Laenor fled the storm and Rhaenyra braces for it.

I watch this show with my dad and he’s never watched GoT or any show like this (he watches cable). Every episode I’ve had to explain things to him for an hour afterwards, but this episode, I didn’t have to explain anything. That’s how perfectly executed this episode was that me, someone who has read F&B, and my dad, we’re on the edge of their seats. Also, my dad still has no idea what the show is “actually” about (the civil war) but he’s starting to piece it together 😂

That “where is duty, where is sacrifice” scene…Olivia Cooke doing some Dinklage level lifting there. The agony, the passion! That’s a Emmy nomination scene. “We Know Father. Everyone Knows”. That’s Aegon’s “the Prince will remember that little Lord” moment. Aemond taming Vhagar & holding his own in a 1v4 makes him the real chad in my eyes. Only wholesome moment, our Prince resting his head on his mom’s shoulder to let her know she can depend on him. Last but not least, GOATTO Hightower says “in time you and I together will prevail” and I’m the meme of Homer Simpson decked out in a green tee, sitting on green cushions, wearing a Hightower snapback, holding a Go Greens flag with a Alicent poster on the wall😂. Meanwhile checking in on Blacks: “What is honor compared to a woman’s uncle” - Maester Aemon 😳

Aemond & Vhagar killed it

Otto is literally Tywin if his family wasn’t in control of the throne from the beginning of GOT. Very happy he was back, I think he’s probably the most interesting character.

Great episode, I love that they didn't hold back in the children fight. I was worried that they are going to PG-13 it or have it happen off-screen.

The quote "Questioned Sharply" that Rhaenyra mentions when talking about Aemond is quite significant in the Asoiaf books, because the quote "questioned sharply" is basically a fancy way of saying to torture someone. Meaning Rhaenyra wanted to torture a maimed young boy, Aemond, because he had the guts to say the truth that everyone, even Rhaenyra herself, knew. Her sons are bastards.

Despite having no battle scenes, this episode is the most exciting for me 😄

This episode made me remember the old good times with GOT. Amazing episode and the best of the season so far for sure. The only thing that annoyed me was the mega dark scenes.

The writing of the first GoT seasons mixed with the budget (and lighting lol) of the latter GoT seasons = perfect redemption of Martin's legacy

IF we had episodes like the relationship between Harwin "the peak" Strong and Rhaenyra started to love each others it would've been great

The actress who plays adult Rhaenyra is awesome! She really sells the "not entirely good or bad" just very human. I want to see more of her in other shows.

Alicent stabbing Rhaenyra was the best part. She finally showed her frustration, and it was understandable. She married the king at around 14 yo, and never got to live-out her fantasies and dreams, about marrying a handsome knight and all of that, while Rhaenyra got to hookup with Cole unpunished. Alicent basically did everything she was told to do, while Rhaenyra disobeyed without getting punished.

Update: EP8 just aired and it is now the best episode.

My favourite character this episode was Daemon, despite not really doing much at all. His mood of just sitting back and watching this chaos unfold, like he knows that he’s no longer needed to do something to rock the boat. He’s content to just watch as things spiral out of control, but he will take action when he needs to, like stopping Cole.

I don't think that the twist with Laenor really redeems Rhaenyra at the end. Yes, she and Daemon did not kill Laenor, however, Rhaenyra does literally ask Daemon to kill him. If Daemon hadn't been quicker on is feet and suggested 'setting him free' instead, she just would have had Daemon kill Laenor.

"I should have been there." "That should be our house words." Gold. Put that on my headstone.

This episode was something out of Shakespeare. On another level. Game changer series. The detail of the drama is so griping you feel the tension in the scene. A whole character study in a few words of a dialogue. Btw is it dialogue or a sonnet? Masterclass. This episode will be well studied.

season 1 really should have been split into 2. i really wish we had more time to form attachment to these characters. it feels like every episode has new characters coming and going before i even know who they are.

I really liked the decision to place us in the shoes of certain characters as different events occurred, like us being in Daemon's shoes during Alicent's breakdown.

How is anyone saying its boring? we're getting so much character drama.. I love it.

Blood and Cheese is what I'm waiting for the most

Rheneyra is not redeemed . She still got an innocent man killed to replace Leanor's corpse

Side note, though. When Aemond held that rock up and was legit ready to bash in Luke's face, I was on the edge of my seat. Luke was bleeding all over and he was crying. That part where he tearfully says "my father's still alive!" just was so heart-breaking to watch. All these kid actors have done a terrific job!

Love watching your weekly recap videos, really helps fill me in on little moments I missed.

I look forward to these every single week. I wasn't sure about Matt Smith as Daemon at first simply because I've only known him as The Doctor. But omg does he absolutely kill the role!

By far my favourite episode of the series so far. So many emotions, like I do not like Aemond, but his taming Vhagar was epic, his ride being wild, I was kinda scared for him. Aemond sorta throwing Aegon under the bus to protect Alicent, and Aegon sorta taking the fall, I give him some props. Best scene was the brief showdown between Rhaenyra and Alicent. The emotions off the charts. Felt like whatever softness they had for one another was extinguished and now the former besties are sworn enemies. Felt so engaging and conflicting that I was stunned at the performance. Bravo, loved every bit of it.

I think this episode is only a sign of good things to come. It doesn't have to deal with the rocky pacing that episodes 5 and 6 had, nor focus on building up the world like 1-3 had. It's like episode 4 for me. Everyone is grey, no one is wholly in right for reacting how they did but no one is wholly wrong either. Only I think Driftmark did it better purely because there's been more time to build up the conflict and because of how violent it became in this episode. I had been waiting for the confrontation over Vhagar for a while and when it finally came I was visibly cringing. Everything before was fantastic and everything after was fantastic. I'd say it's the only episode so far I feel is willing of a 9 or even 10/10.

Man what a performance by Alicent’s actress.

Tyrion made a blueprint for Bran's saddle but not smart enough to suggest a dragon saddle for his queen

Omg love your review! You cleared things up to want to see it again and again! Great watching!!

Aemond's grown up actor looks like he was born to play a Targaryen

My favorite episode so far I was waiting for your video

Quotes/Lines from the book were being dropped left & right. Definitely the best line was when One Eye Aemon said "I lost an eye but gained a dragon."

I am loving HotD, as someone who was heavily invested in GoT since season 2, this is a refreshing wave of nostalgia for the earlier seasons. I just hope they continue at this quality.

Aegon: *Not doing anything* His family: "AEGON!"

I loved seeing the lord comander having to put Ser Christen in his place, then when the dagger comes out Daemon is like "Opp where do you think your going boi". Like if the men got involved it would have turned out so much worse, best to let the girls sort it out. I love the perspective from both sides of Green and Black that it's 2 girls who were besties that ended up hating each other

Lol that explosive family scene was basically every Christmas dinner 🤣

I found the twist with laenor going to essos, such an l move The show tries to depict rhaenyra as a hero rather than the Black Princess that shes supposed to be

I completely agree, this episode absolute banger. The issues you listed at the start of the video didn't really bother me that much, but it's true it would have added more. I can't believe how awesome that Vhagar taming scene was, I was holding my breath and it delivered. The whole showdown between the Blacks and the Greens after the fight was fucking awesome, and Aemond's line afterwards was badass.

The funeral scene made me think of the dinner scene in the Dune novel. So much subtext conveyed with so little, absolutely enthralling!

Aegon drinking while everybody beats up on him and blames him for everything is hilarious.

1:21 Day-for-night shots are usually unconvincing for a number of reasons, but to the show's credit, a full moon really does cast crisp shadows in an otherwise unlit outdoor scene. It's an exciting thing to witness if you've spent most of your life in an urban area.

I've been saying this! It was such an incredible, understated episode. There are so many moments of just looks and glances, it was amazing. If they keep this up, I'm going to like this more than the entire original series.

I noticed the shadows too during the supposed night scenes. But I just reminded myself that the full moon justified the direction of the shadows too. If you've ever been on a beach with no electricity, the light that the moon reflects could be very magnificent. Thus, the fully defined shadows.

This episode reminded me of GOT's greatest hours. Great dialogs, character development, politics, plots, conflicting emotions, stakes...

9:04 one of my favorite scene shots of this family. Everyone’s stance stays so much of what they are thinking. Also love how uniquely weird everyone here looks. I’m really liking HoD so far, it feels like a unique/fresh take on the GoT world.

Not going to lie... been waiting for this video since I saw the episode, thank you supercuts !

The episodes keep getting better and better, I'm ready to jump into the next one. The kids beating the crap out of each other had me howling. I simply didn't know where the writers were going and the build up of this episode was just masterful. My favorite episode, so far, and I'm officially in love with the show. The acting, writing, effects, everything is superb and I'm ready for the next stop on this doom-train.

I love how they pretended to kill laenor only to show him later on 😂🤣 super cool

This was my favourite episode too along with episode 3,4 and 6! I’m surprised that laenor faked his death but I can’t wait to see where they go with this

I agree with you on everything you said. I can't wait for the proper Dance to begin. It's going to be INSANE.

"Fire is such strange power. Everything that House Targaryen possess is owed to it." - Rhaenyra I don't know why I love this line 😭😭😭

I absolutely loved the awkward family funeral scenes as think lot can definitely relate to that. We visited st Michaels mount where this is set (although presuming indoor scenes studio work) really beautiful place to visit but was very disappointed as not one dragon or incestuous moment so was let down during my visit lol.

I loved every bit of this episode. Especially kids fighting. That was brutal.

Of all the episode reviews I wait to watch, this one is definitely my favourite.

This was indeed great and I appreciate your analysis. . Vehgar looked massive but you can also see she’s very old. It was lovely seeing Leonar leaving in the boat in the end with a shaved head and companion

I think that having the Dragon being tamed in the night sold better the scene, in plain light the CGI still looks uncanny valley (ish), especially with a Dragon as chungus as her, as showed in the previous episode In this episode Eve Best and Steve Toussaint literally STOLE my heart, very powerful performance from both of them, it broke my heart when she mourned over her burned son, and it hurts more when I think that she mourned him for nothing since he's still alive and she will probably never know. 8:42 I also loved how Paddy Cosidine scared the shit out of Ty Tennant when he screamed in his ears 🤣

U can have shadow in the moonlight too, u just need full moon

A great episode and analysis!

This episode is peak Game of Thrones! And I was so happy to be able to experience it again. This is what the show can be without D&D at the helm and GRRM on it. Another thing that I was thinking about is how multifaceted the argument/conflict was. Everybody had a valid argument for doing what each of them did. From the adults to the kids. What Aemond said and did, what Rhaenyra's kids said and did, LaenRhaenyra, Alicent, Viserys, Cole, everyone! I loved how most of were right and wrong at the same time. This is masterful writing (and directing) to give all of them all such valid reasons and show them which makes this conflict so much more explosive and have so much weight. But another amusing thing is. Even if Viserys is a bad king (per say) he is foresighted. He knows that the only thing that can destroy house Targaryen is itself. That is why he was so desperate to crush this conflict. If he would have properly resolved it instead of forcefully trying to stop it like he did, things might have died down. I was also finding it amusing how he is the one who sowed the seeds of his family's demise. 1. Pressurizing his first wife for an heir, to the point of killing her 2. Not marrying Laena and marrying Alicent instead. This was a double whammy. Not only did this upset the Valeryons and make Rhaenyra have to marry Laenor which led to a future mess, but it also placed both Alicent and Otto in positions of power to cause all the future conflicts. 3. He pressurized Rhaenyra to marry Laenor which eventually led to mess of them having bastards. 4. He pushed Daemon away. If he was there, he would have looked out for Viserys.

Did they cut Alicent's and Viserys' last son Daeron ? I would be so pissed since he is such an interesting character on the Green side ! And appears in cool battles too...

The twist of Laenor's fake out death redeemed Rhaenyra for you? Hold up though. Was this a ploy orchestrated by Daemon, Qarl & Laenor behind Rhae's back? or did she set it up so Laenor wouldn't be killed? (Though, she'd have nothing to gain and everything to lose)... hmmm I gotta rewatch! Good theory though!

Best episode yet. Just stacked with dialogue and plot twist. The plot thickens and now the show is going to more tense than ever

I actually thought my computer was glitching with some of the dark scenes. only fault I could really find with the episode was that weird 10 minute patch where I was struggling to see anything. What's crazy is that your edited clips of the night scenes just look infinitely better and even more beautiful, can't really believe that was overlooked. Superb episode though

It was great! Can't wait to see the next one

Each episode is better than the last one

Look, the only episode where I can agree 100% with the pacing issues was episode 6 with the change of actors where it was a MASSIVE challenge to have a second pilot. They could've probably "dragged" this season a bit more, yes, but I feel that the quality we're getting is so good that it doesn't matter (to me). This episode for me was perfection. At this point in time it felt like there was only the issue with Rhaenyra morning the loss of Sir Harron (?), however to compensate it didn't feel like the writers didn't do it on purpose, meaning they still layed out multiple comments and scenes that mentioned that fact and the characters still felt how they would feel had those scenes existed and to me that's just quality writing all around. Also, the kids fightings, aemond claming vhagar, the climax with the greens and blacks, the laenor conflict and that fucking perfect of a scene in the beginning...like my god man this episode to me was just perfection.

I saw in one of the behind the scene clips that second issue you illustrated about the wake/funeral scene. They were struggling a lot with the weather on the island and had limited time to shoot (i believe, may be recalling it wrong.) so they had to shoot over a course of several days where it would go from sunny to overcast, rainy and windy so they admitted they edited some of the shots to place them at different moments of the day time wise. They had similar struggles during the great hunt in earlier episodes where a big rain storm came in and basically drowned their set! As someone said there was a "river flowing through the hair and makeup tent" The price of realism. XD

Rhaenyra doesn't hate rhaenys. It's just that they don't love each other very much.