Daemon was unbanished for a whole half episode before being banished again lmao

Sapochnik's interpretation that Daemon's impotence is due to guilt makes more sense to me than the idea that it was due to a loss of control. Because ultimately he was still pretty in control, and he was getting what he ostensibly wanted. I think the guilt angle is also more interesting in terms of portraying his character as being very morally questionable but not 100% bad.

Daemon was unprepared for Rhaenyra's reaction. He didn't expect her to want him too and that freaked him out. His, "I will take Rhaenyra for wife" speech to Viserys was sincere. He really does want to do things right, but all Viserys sees is Daemon's ambition. And that kid was Mysaria's spy, not Otto's. Mysaria's pissed that Daemon's trading her in.

Writers are doing a master job with Alicent Hightower. They took an “evil queen” from the books and keep adding layers and layers. Very interesting character to watch

I left this episode with a changed perception of both Rhaenyra & Alicent. There is no purely good or purely bad, each character has flaws & strengths & I think this episode highlights them all brilliantly. The young women portraying them are fantastic!

such an interesting exploration on this episode, seeing the contrast of sexuality for rhaenerya and Alicent was both haunting and fascinating, the image of a decaying body lusting over you is nightmarish, but seeing the princess get her desire fulfilled made me happy for her, daemon still very layered and I love it

The fact that the interactions between rhynera and daemon were filmed in such a “female gaze” way is so amazing and really appreciated

I love how Daemon's character is a constant class between his love for his family and his own ambitions. We've seen plenty of times throughout these episodes how he loves and cares for the family, but he will still act on his ambitions, ambitions which hurt his family. He rejoices at the death of Viserys' son, Baelon, because it ensures that he'd remain the heir, yet we saw him sincerely empathize with Viserys and Rhaenyra at the funeral after the deaths of Aemma and Baelon. He tries to "sully" Rhaenyra by sleeping with her (which puts her in an extremely bad position within this society) so that he can marry her and get closer to the throne; yet during the bridge scene in episode two, we saw that he isn't even willing to fight/kill her for the throne because he cares for her. Perhaps for Daemon, to some extent, ambition is the death of love.

"Young women want sex as much as young men" thank you, you've done a brilliant job conveing that message. a message so important. this was one of the most astonishing displays of young female sexuality ever. everything in this episode was directed brilliantly, but that part stood out. as a male, this was so refreshing to see, not because of naked bodies but because it is a complete new perspective, and because we can see a real learning curve compared to most of GoTs sex scenes.

I loved the scene between Alicent and Rhaenyra seemingly reconciling. It was genuine and you can feel they have missed each other's friendship.

"She comes home and Criston Cole seems to be the nearest person available" LMFAO

No wonder the acting is so good. They're all defending their own characters

now i understand why i feel so excited watching scenes between rhaenyra with daemon and criston. it was a female gaze. thats why i feel excited rather than disgusted or as if im watching porn. i also really liked how the show potrays the sex life differences between alicent and rhaenyra, this is very well made. and i love the way each actors have enough time on screen for us to really see all the emotions and changes in their voices, facial expressions etc.

Milly's commentary is gold here 😂

i noticed that the sex scenes were different from usual , they didn’t look like they came out from a porno, but were more sensual and less graphic. now i understand the reason. having a female director really makes a difference

Milly and Emily will soon be out of the show but they'll rule the world after it. Great GREAT performers

Thought so from the first 1-2 episodes, but now I’m sold. The casting of this series has been impeccable. Top to bottom. The world building of this period in Westeros through only 4 episodes is impressive. Even the characters with little screen time or dialogue make an impression- Ser Harwin Breakbones, the Lannister twins, the other representatives of houses that’ve made brief appearances- all top notch.

Such a well written episode! Also, Emily Carey is making Alicent Hightower more than just a pawn in the Game of Thrones now! Alicent Hightower is going to emerge well, Rhaenyra Targaryen will make herself more than just a trophy to win, and I know Emily and Milly will conquer their roles next week💚➕🖤👑

I really wanted to see Matt Smith in this interview ,listening his perspective of Daemon's actions and conflict.

The way that they build the character of rhanerya is brillant and represent so many teenagers real life who can't stand that life about politics and duty. The sex scenes from the female director was really good. And the fact they talk about control. It’s well done !

See, I was actually wondering why I found the brothel scene so enticing and honestly hot?? But it makes perfect sense now knowing a woman directed it. Like it really felt like Daemon awakened something in Rhaenyra in that moment and honestly I could not help but be pulled into it, despite you know... The incest of it all.

This episode showed different kinds of "action" than the previous one but it's equally as captivating. Very well written. 👏

"Over the centuries, House Targaryen has produced both great men and monsters. Prince Daemon was both. In his day there was not a man so admired, so beloved, and so reviled in all Westeros. He was made of light and darkness in equal parts. To some he was a hero, to others the blackest of villains." there is a duality to Daemon Targaryen and you can see that in his relationships with his brother and Rhaenyra... he clearly loves them and wants their attention but he is also destructive in how he hurts Viserys and tries to corrupt Rhaenyra

Loved the performance by Emily Carey on this episode. She was really good. Allicent without her father's influence could become a good queen.

I'm so glad the writers take this course instead following straightforwardly to the novella. Alicent is a much layered character here, and we would easily sympathized with her. the one most resembles it's novella's counterpart must be Daemon, he's as chaotic and yet still a likeable character

Emily and Milly both owned this episode, Rhys owned the few seconds when his character was dismissed. I also love how it shows the dark side of Daemon and Rhaenyra’s “relationship” from a non “how romantic” view and show it as weird.

I’m gonna miss Milly and Emily when they do the big time jump to the older versions of Rhaenyra and Alicent. They have both been amazing!

I’m loving how they’re fleshing out the story especially this being the episode where Rhaenyra is given the ultimatum by her father.

The commentary for this episode is amazing and I loved how everything was shot, the care they put into it. I'm so glad the director for this one was a woman!

This episode focused on person relationships, It was well put together

I think Daemon taught Rhaenyra a lot in this episode. He taught her how to find out what the people believe when they think royalty is not around. He taught how to get away from the Ivory Towers that can be very much a prison as it is a home. And most importantly, he taught her how to get it in 🤪🤪🤪. Viserys finally woke up with Otto. And that guy will still be a problem.

I love the balance between good sides and evil sides of each character ,none of them is perfect nor purely evil ,and alicent becoming more reall and not just the evil queen is my fav change so far

A bit more dramatic way for Otto to get the boot as Hand than in the book; in the book he just won't shut up about having Aegon becoming heir to the throne until Viserys finally fires him and replaces him with Lyonel Strong, saying, "This Hand will not hector me."

4:05 “he knows his hand being corrupted” while showing his actual hand slowly rot. love these methapors and analogy.

I honestly thought 'wow finally the directors are making it sensual instead of graphic". The fact it was a female director now makes more sense.

To see a spark of friendship again between Rhaenyra and Alicent makes me so happy

Best episode of the season so far definitely. It was also really good directed

Hahahaha I like how they worded it. “wel criston cole was there so yeah she was like better than nothing” 😂😂😂😂 The lack of romantically between Criston and Rhaenrya shocks me as in the novels it was described so differently. Like she actually did feel for him. And here they made it seem like she was so turned on by her uncle that she just needed to get it out of her system after he left her wanting

This show keeps getting better and better with each episode. I always enjoy the insights of inside the episode. Bah bye Otto.🐉🐉

Loved the scene where he takes the role of the Hand from Hightower. GoT and HoT D are usually death and gore, but sometimes you work for a whole lifetime and it ends with a whisper, not a bang.

Great episode. Lot of character development.

Now I know why the love scenes were so dignified. A woman directed it. So good. Kilner killed it🔥

The fact thay i could immediately feel that the scene was written/directed by a woman was amazing, perfectly portrayed ✨✨🙌

The insight we get from these videos from the directors and show runners is awesome! I love this show so much, IT ACTUALLY HURTS! This show is amazing and literally single handedly saved the Thrones FANDOM!

This show is so good.

"It's not my daughter that you lust for, it's my throne" ✨reminder✨

It is fantastic to see such passionate and talented individuals are running the show. Makes me very excited for upcoming episodes.

I really enjoyed episode 4! 👍 Congratulations to the whole team for delivering it. Basically actors were amazing in their roles and every scene had me engaged. 🖤❤

I loved everything about tonight's episode. This show just gets better and better.

The character development in this show is remarkably good and it feels so real portrayed by these fabulous actors.

Viserys was the MVP of this episode. I never really cared or even disliked him in the book. He was just one of those characters that were just there. But the portrayal in the show is beyond phenomenal. This episode truly showed what it means to be a king and a father. This was some Jaehaerys type action.

I thought Daemon genuinely felt guilty in that moment with Rhaenyra and he just couldn't go through with it.

Incredibly well written and superbly acted episode. Loved it

The Blackwood boy at the beginning of the episode must be Benjicot's father, if not Benjicot himself aged for the show. By showing him facing an older man they wanted to demonstrate that despite his age he is brave and skilled in arms. Also, in the books there is a mention of a duel between a Blackwood and a Bracken for Rhaenyra's hand. The attention to detail is astonishing.

This episode was nuts, but oh so gooooooooooood!

IMO this episode was 10/10. Very very good

I liked seeing the dynamics between Rhaenyra & Criston. It's one of the things I've been looking forward to since the beginning. Now that it has begun I can't wait to see what exactly happened between these two.

Best episode BY FAR, so dense and tons of character conversation

I loved this episode so much, esp how the director being so careful and thoughtful with the sex scene was amazing to watch. Outstanding performances from all the actors as well, esp the nuances between the characters, also fantastic script. Just wonderful storytelling and artistry on all levels.

So we are actually given 2 different views on what happened with Daemon @2:11 - Miguel and Clare provide these 2 angles that make up the interpretation of Daemon's character. These perspectives are important because it develops the character's depth which I believe Daemon is suppose to have. Daemon loves his family above anything else, and yet feels scorned so he creates these machinations. Daemon, however capable he is, seems to be his own worst 'road block' as his emotions that he didn't count on get in the way. Clare mentioned the power shift, and realizing he has nothing - this seems like 2 different specific outcomes from the scene. Miguel sheds some light on this further where he mentions Daemon's emotions get in the way - he was their to may be steal Rhaenyra, tarnish her name effectively getting back at Viserys, or that she was actually into it much more than he thought which stoked his emotions further because she is truly the one person he wants (this could be the power shift Clare is mentioning but there is more depth than simple power dynamic here. Not that he needs to be in control, but that his plans have disintegrated because they are now both in the throws of passion, "equaling the playing field", and the purpose he started with isn't something he wants anymore - you could say Rhaenyra brings him out of his dark place with his brother), but realized too late that what he was doing was wrong, and the damage is now done with the rumors. Its another gray area when he asks for Rhaenyra's hand as this was may be his intention all along, but now the motive has changed; he truly wanted her. I think bottom line is Daemon is upset with his brother, and attempts to get back at him putting Rhaenyra in the cross fire (immature nature on Daemon's part, but hey, realistic character flaw). When Daemon realizes that he's actually hurting someone he loves (Rhaenyra) he beats himself up for it - this could also be a form of self hatred that we see where he never denies the allegations brought up to him throughout the series as he thinks people have already made up their mind about him so why should he try. That and he's royalty who thinks it shouldn't matter - yet he seems to care about the lower born people. Complicated dude.

Best episode of the season so far, I think. Good on the writers and director for that!

BEST EPISODE SO FAR!!!!

Every time Daemon and Viserys are on the screen together, it’s special..

This explains so much why the sex scenes felt so unique and well directed.

How does it keep getting better episode after episode

Daemon's plan backfired.. Rhaenyra becomes grey character, meanwhile Alicent is the real victim of her father ambition

The episode keep getting deeper and more complex as they go on. So much better than i expected over all with house of the dragon.

Probably the best Episode to date. Loved every minute of it !

i love the fact that just when you think you're completely rooting for daemon from his victory over crabfeeder, they hit you with this episode of showing him essentially corrupting rhaenyra, in a brothel no less. she consented sure, but if you needed more proof that daemon is still an unapologetic ass, here is the cherry on top. super strong episode. everyone involved is so very well written and very well acted.

House of the Dragon is delivering and surpassing any and all expectations I had - this episode in particular was a real standout for me. I absolutely love that HotD is giving me something totally new and exciting with all the feels I had watching this episode, that I had not yet felt when watching a episode from the GoT universe so far. It really felt like being in a teenage dream, seeing new experiences through Rhaenrya's eyes. I loved the contrast in the scenes between between Rhaenyra and Daemon, and Rhaenyra and Ser Criston. The scene between Rhaenyra and Ser Criston was full of wonder and passion and I absolutely applaud the director for realising that sex scenes are often seen through a male lens - this one was one of the most beautiful I have watched, not just on GoT but EVER. The pacing was perfect, the emotion, the joy.... GoT has a lot of sex, but this was the most pure experience I had seen between two characters who only wanted each other in that moment. I have read the books, I know how it ends up - this moment was a wonderful surprise, in contrast to the accounts of the unreliable narrators in Fire and Blood - can we just stay here now, freeze this moment? I am scared of what is to come 🥲

Love every episode so far keep up the good work best series on tv.

Fantastic, brilliant episode. You guys are doing god's work with this season! Please keep it up!!

Best episode yet

I loved it sooo much, my favourite episode this far definitly. I love all the love plots, especially Daemon and Rhaenyra. I dont believe Daemon is just using Rhaenyra, he really cares for her in his own way. They have insane chemistry. Im on their side, but also respect the King, he is a good king, trying to get everyone to go along. Im surprised Daemon didnt deny it and even wanted to marry Rhaenyra

So they basically admitted that criston cole was “carrying a torch for her “ aka was attracted to her for some time now. Im predicting that he will b in his feelings when she ends up not choosing him

What a great great episode !!! I never think that i could enjoy a show more thé GOT but here we are… GOT was inbelivable. House of the dragon is perfection to me…

Them hormones went hyperdrive at that brothel then it was as full blown hot girl summer 😂

I think both losing control and guilt drove Daemon to stop...the way he looks a Rhaenyra when she tries to kiss him, it's in complete shock hahaha

The show is wonderful, we wish Sunday was the next day! 👏👏

This show is so good! Love it!

That Criston Cole 😍😍😍🔥🔥🔥 Awesome episode though. I love these slow burns.

I disliked every character except Daemon until episode 4. This episode made Alicent much more redeemable, made Rhaenyra an official player in the “game of thrones,” made Viserys finally not be utterly incompetent and infuriating, and Daemon actually not being a terrible human being for once but also still being terrible. Masterfully done. Up to this point I really missed Cersei or Sansa, to put Alicent in her place 😂

One of the best episodes so far...

Without doubts the best episode so far🔥🔥🔥 Rhaenyra and Criston… if only their relationship wouldn’t turn out to be tragic 💔

Excellent episode 👏 👌

we can really see, feel and experience how a female's perspective is expressed through the vision of director Clare Kilner.

Such a good episode. Im so proud of Condal and Sapochnik.

Best episode so far? No CGI/action spetical, just good drama. I'm glad to see they're mixing it up like that.

I like the fact that Otto was dealt the hammer blow. But the damage has already been done

Like Viserys said Rhaenyra and Daemon are chaos

This is my Favorite Show Right now Period

Such a fantastic show well done

I love the fact that GOT has always been able to show u that the character thar u love and trust and grow to understand can even betray YOU in most shows u see the character point of view and grow to understand them and even defend them because u know the root of their action but with GOT even tho u know and understand the character sometimes they do things that even u once though they would never be capable to do why??? Because were so use to seeing shows were the character is predictable and GOT makes u see characters for what they are people and human

Great episode also brilliant way to indirectly address Jon by mentioning “the prince that was promised” prophecy in a much more cooler way than the first episode.

Watched the episode 3 times! Great Show so far

I love how all the actors mostly represent their characters pov

The episode was very good it started interesting but when viserys is like taking control unexpectedly to the others that episode felt like the great times of game of thrones and even better! There is so much more female perspective than it was in GOT and it’s making the show better. When daemon did the marriage proposal he did it to free himself and rhaenera because for him there is nothing to go. Against his brother he will always be sub and he can’t change or manipulate his way through that.

Miguel's take on why Daemon could not perform makes sense to me, it wasn't about being in control and frankly Daemon never lost control to begin with.

Keeps getting better.

This episode was sooo good.