Thumbs up for everyone who hates Criston Cole:

I liked Otto's chuckle/laugh when Aegon told him his father wanted him a king

Otto's dialogue and reaction are the best of this episode.

This is one of the best episodes in the entire catalogue. The acting and character development while moving the plot along quickly yet smoothly, truly enchanting.

Daemon had this "what did I do?" look when Rhaenese stared at him.

I don't think Rhaenyra wanted to make out with Mysaria. It felt to me like Rhaenyra was circling around Mysaria like a dragon circling around the little white worm to see if Mysaria is worthy of being on team black. That moment felt dangerous to me not sexual.

There is no redeeming qualities in Cole. He has no honor. He is a coward

This episode took me back to the early days of GOT. It was glorious to watch, can't wait until the next episode. It's good to be back.

To call into question The twin's loyalty was proof he is a hypocrite. It was a great performance from all parties.

I despise Cole more than Ramsey and The Mountain put together. He's good with violence, good-looking Dornish features, and glides through life on those two virtues, alone. When real sh*t happens, it's project, project, project. He's directly responsible for the deaths of both Cargyll brothers, because he needed to hurt someone to feel better about himself.

They were really laying a lot of seeds this episode.

This episode was very well done from start to finish. There was never a dull moment. I hope it keeps going like this!

Aegon, "My hand will be an iron fist!" Cole, "Yeah, in your mom."

Arryk and Erryk actually represent everything that Ser Criston is not. Ser Criston knows that Ser Arryk is a much more honorable man, than he could ever be so he has to belittle/demean Ser Arryk and send him on this fool’s errand to his death because the more he looks at Arryk gives him a constant reminder of what Ser Criston will never be. Ser Criston has dug in his heels and gaslit himself into embracing his own delusion that Rhaenyra is the sole cause of his ruin.. He looks at Rhaenyra as if she is Eve who told him to eat the apple.. which gives him this reason for the personal vendetta against Rhaenyra (and anyone who is associated with her). I think he feels that her causing him to break his vows was a sin so great that he felt he was just too far gone to come back/repent from🤷🏾‍♀️…setting him on this dark path and obsession of hate for Rhaenyra (and also hate of himself). While Rhaenyra did initiate the romance between the two, Ser Criston takes no accountability in giving in to his own desires and continuing the mutual fling…. Because of his insecurities and lack of his own self-worth he really needed to seek professional help…but instead, found Alicent. Alicent, realizing he was vulnerable and mentally broken, unintentionally or intentionally (I’m not sure which, since she also felt betrayed by Rhaenyra) convinced/manipulated Ser Criston into redirecting his self-loathing back to Rhaenyra. Alicent basically took him under her wing and enabled him into thinking that he could do no wrong (now he needs Alicent’s validation) creating an even worse monster (similar but different monster than she created with her sons Aegon & Aemond). Ser Criston HAS to blame Rhaenyra so that in his mind he can stay above it all and he can remain pious. He has to continue to convince himself that his case against Rhaenyra is a just cause, otherwise he has no reason to continue on living… so that’s why I think he continues to be this sanctimonious little sh!t🤦🏾‍♀️😅 --Ep2 scene Alicent & Ser Criston Alicent: Have you told anyone? Ser Criston: what do you take me for? Alicent: One who seeks absolution. Ser Criston: There is none for what I’ve done.

“They're like a match made in hell” 😂

Cole is the biggest disgrace in the history of the Kings guard but he still gets a raise 😂

Criston Is the biggest hypocrite of them all.

Aemond should never take his clothes off again he looked like Voldemorts Rudimentary body 🧐😂😬🤭

Cole makes tactical decisions from an emotional place, then projects his shame onto others… the worst kind

Some way, somehow, Criston managed to get under my skin way worse than Joffrey and Ramsay. Maybe because, unlike those two, I think we are likely to meet someone like Criston in our day to day life. He’s too real.

2:35 to be fair. Thr books are a 3rd hand account after the fact. They did never "find" Cheese. Because they got him with the other rat catchers and didn't realize it. Aegon just assumed and hoped. That makes sense to me.

When Otto called sending eric to pretend to be his brother a prank, I cracked up laughing 😂

I just assumed that since Larys Clubfoot dismissed a bunch of people from the castle earlier, that this may have included some of the castle guards, hence why the castle was pretty much empty when Blood & Cheese came through. 🤷🏻‍♀️

The acting in this episode was tooo good. Otto vs the king, Rhaenyra vs Daemon. It was sooo good.

Helaena has one of the largest dragons in the series, Dreamfyre. She should've just flown to Dragonstone with her children and their dragons in hand. No one would've been able to stop her from leaving King's Landing.

From hating Cheese to feeling sad for him and his Doggo. Fantastic Writing.

I hate Criston and Alicent so much. They are the worst people on this show hiding behind righteousness.

Haven't seen anyone talking about the scene with Aemond and the coin. The way he holds it directly over his good eye.

"Make out with her!" 😂 There wasn't anything in the slightest, that suggested that b.s. Damn bro,😂!

I think they had to find a way to remove the twins from the show since they do not have any part to do with the future scenes. I have to hand this to the Director, what a clever way they did this. A moment of silence to Ser. Eryk, he truly served team black well. Things are interestingly escalating now. Best episode so far.

MVP of this Episode: Otto Hightower!!!

Possibly the first time 'balls deep" has been used in a TT video. ..and he totally dead-panned it. Love it!🤣

I was waiting for this!!! Thank you!!!

I agree with everything you said... and yes! Otto's reactions had me laughing out loud too. And even though I hate Criston Cole, his face when Aegon named him hand was hilarious too 😂

criston never lied. he said he was abed.

This was a great episode. I really enjoy episodes that focus on plot and character development.

Hey man, there was no sexual tension between Rhaenyra and Mysaria - that's you projecting. Rhaenyra was sizing up Mysaria... trying to determine if she truly was a threat.

Not Ser Crispin Cole & his inflated sense of self righteousness chastising Rhynera only to end up as Alicent’s “wh*re”. This guys sucks.

Man, how lucky is Criston Cole? He got the HAWK TUAH from Rhaenyra & Alicent! He's like, barely highborn.

Here's hoping Criston Cole get's Vaemond Velaryon'd at some point soon.

It’s like the old classic Game of Thrones episodes that makes it more interesting. The good stuff is waiting in the. Wings the dragons battles

I hate to admit this but this show is wonderful!!! I love it , it almost saves the fact that GOT ended as crappy as it did. These actors are amazing ,each and every one! Its almost like they learned something from the last series and are correcting the mistakes of the past! The dialog is great, the acting is superb and the action is right on time! The Dragons are Fantastic! I look forward to each episode! I still want SNOW!!!!!!

Seven hells….im hoping this season being 8 episodes is a one off due to the writer’s strike. Waiting almost 2 years for only 8 episodes feels like a raw deal. Gods be good we will get 10 episode seasons and faster without sacrificing quality.

"Balls deep" 😂😂😂😂😂😂

I liked the episode the looks from Rheanera and Rheynes at Daemon in the black small council were priceless 😂

Balls deep!!!! You are hilarious!!! Glad to have HOTD back, love your posts!

Great episode breakdown!

The Lord Commander of the KG is in charge of the Red Keep's security. He would've more than likely have relieved most of their duties

Thought this episode has set all the pieces on the board, all the players in place. We have seen the motivations, the calcutions, the emotional responses. And now, the War will start. The physical fighting begin. I found it so telling, the 2 mothers' reactions to their losses. Alicent can only mention her liaison Helena interrupted, or walk away from Aegon when she finds him alone, sobbing. Whereas Rhaenyra openly cries at Luke's funeral fire, and hugs Jace when he returns. She would have been a magnificent Queen given the opportunity.

You was on fire this video hahaha he went off 😂😂😂

Amazing episode!! Can’t wait for the next one!!

Great episode I just sat there when it was all over trying to take it all in, so much going on. Loved it.

In "The House the Dragon Built" is a MUST SEE that's on after each episode. They talked about how Erryk and Arryk had to give each other the same wounds making it impossible to tell which one was which.... For the first time, I was mad Otto was fired. But.... it's good for Team Black!

The other thing about having Rehnera killed is that would strengthen Daemons claim to the throne

Loved that thumbnail 😂 bro

You're right! Sir Otto is like the US government. Never let a good tragedy go to waste. As always, I enjoyed your video.

Duty was the death of love for Erryk and Arryk.

I almost forgot about your channel and am so glad I saw this recap! I liked and commented so I see your videos on my homepage again!

I liked this episode much better than the first. I felt the funeral procession, the bloodied bed, and some emotions of the characters made up for what the Blood and Cheese scene lacked. I liked how Daemon took off on his dragon in full armor. I loved the scene with Aemond talking with his lady of the night. It gives you a different perspective on him. And I liked the scene with the dragonseed on the beach and the dragon flew overhead.

I've seen multiple wrap ups of E2. Yours is the best.

I think Aemond definitely knows 👁 Alicole... Aemond feels closer to Cole than to anyone else. It's almost like a father-figure dynamic. Although Cole is low-born, Dornish ... he seems to respect him more than anyone else.

Great writing, wonderful acting and just overall great episode.

Aemon definitely has an Oedipus Complex

I been waiting where ya bin lol!

You are awesome thank you ❤

Should have described baela and moondancer little more. I was curious about your take on both.

Was SO waiting for your review !! Thanks for always keeping US in perspective as well as the story.

Criston Cole is a disgrace

Good video 😊

Thank you 😊

Your the best at explaining episodes 😊

I initially thought it was Erryk that won the fight too. And while I haven't rewatched the scene. Based on what I've heard and based on how I personally would see it going, from the perspective of a writer... I think Arryk won the fight now. The brother from Kings Landing. This has to do with their personalities and decisions when one decided to stay and the other decided to go to Dragonstone. The one that stayed is clearly the one that would rather avoid confrontation more than his brother. Meaning he took the easy path in choosing Aegon. The other brother would be the more active/ confrontational one. He made off with the crown and travelled miles to serve Rhaenyra. Another way to look at it is that the Dragonstone twin is basically the one that is fully aware that eventually he would have to face his brother. The Kings Landing twin was nervous from the get go about what if he and his brother are seen together. He obviously did not want to run into his brother at all during the mission. He did not want nor expect to fight him. So after he ends up killing his brother, he already knew deep down he was in the wrong, especially remembering who the real heir is. So he apologizes to Rhaenyra and commits suicide. Killing his brother is what turned him. Had that be another random guard, he would have continued with his mission. I don't really see anywhere close to as strong a case for the Dragonstone twin killing himself. His job is to protect the queen, which he did. And he was already the more aware twin when it came to there being a day when he would face his brother. Killing yourself after all that seems less likely. For Arryk it makes more sense. & by confrontational. I don't mean it in a bad way. They are both good guys. The Dragonstone brother overall though, was the more daring of the two. I will rewatch the scene before the next episode drops. Maybe even start a HotD channel in the meantime 😅. But looking at it so far from my own writer's perspective... I wouldn't let Erryk be the one to fall on his sword based on their arcs leading up to that.

I miss you saying 'Whatsup ladies ans gentlemen...' I used to watch your video during last season of GOT and after these years im back at your channel. Im loving the humour and explanations 👍

Larys also unalived all the household staff,so that also has to piss off the smallfolk. Larys Strong is one to watch for sure.

I think halena was upset at the flowers or whatever the people were throwing. Think she foresaw the riot in kings landing and those flowers resembled ash. I thought the episode was great and I think it's popular to find reasons to hate on hotd. My only criticism is stop with the criston+allicent sex every episode, they trying to drill the green hypocrisy into the viewers head. I hate both characters already so there's no need to give me more reasons

Aemond knows he is the catalyst for the chaos with heightened tensions and the revenge killing of Helaena’s son. Intended or not, he set out to terrorize Lucerys. Let’s call it second-degree murder.

Seems like the end of every season 2 episode is cole and alicent boning

I'm gonna really need to rely on your recaps. I am legally blind and have face blindness, every white, blond haired person in this show looks the same to me and I am SUFFERING!

This episode was incredible ❤

Yeah, I thought it was Rhaenyra’s soldier who won and took himself out just because he said “Your Grace.” I also was thinking maybe he took himself out so she wouldn’t have to wonder if he was the real one and having her paranoid 🤷🏽‍♀️ This would kill any doubt

In the secret book, Hugh feeds his family with the cheese dog. So sad.

So when can we get to Criston Cole being used as a pin cushion? I am so done with that character.

I share your feelings towards Ser Crispy Creme. I had a tiny bit of hope that he’d be decent but he solidified himself as pure scum after his hypocrisy towards Ser Arryk and sending him to his death.

Can t w8 for the next episode

I would very much like for Aegon to catch his mother and his new Hand in the act.

I think they miss the mark with twin knights. It would have been an amazing subplot, not knowing which brother it was. At least for a few more episodes.

Never thought of Blood being used to point out Cheese as an idea until you mentioned it. Good point. Missed opportunity. And agree , wish kept book and Cheese wasn't found. Thought Blood is dead after they cut when he got hit.

I loved this episode!

The first season concentrated on 2 themes. 1. The overall development to the war and 2. Rheyneras "sin". The second season concentrated on the start of the war and Alicent's "sins".

Glad you’re back.

One thing I saw in this episode that really got me was, the scene with cristen Cole leaning over the table. His head down. Actually, all you can see is his body. Anyways, It looks like he has no head. I'm thinking this is a hint at his death. At least l, I hope so!

I think Sir Eric took his own life out of shame because he killed his own brother, and his real identity would be a mystery.

If/when HypoCriston Cole dies....proceed to party !!

This eps is as solid as game of thrones season 1 was. Great eps

One of the best episode

Best episode of the series thus far imo

Arryk should just have disobeyed Criston Cole knowing its a suicide mission hes getting into...he should have just joined his brother Erryk with team Black since hes already in Dragonstone

"Balls deep in Alicent" 😮

Kinslaying is a pretty big sin in Westeros right? It makes sense why Ser Erryk offed himself.

I think the bad brother threw himself on his sword. Before doing so he changed sides.