For those of you wanting to hate on Aemond: with all respect, get your facts straight. So far nearly every comment attacking Aemond has been wildly distorting the order of events, the facts of the matter, etc. If you want to criticize this young dragon, please get your facts straight, or you are just being a mindless hater. I discussed what he did wrong as well, but for some reason "Team Black" folks are struggling with dealing with this in anything close to a realistic way. Just stop and pretend that's young Daemon doing what Aemond did and see if it looks different. He had every right to try to claim Vhagar, the kids had no right to stop him from returning to the castle, and the other kids were the ones to start the physical fight. Aemond was provocative too - as I discussed - but this halo of innocence being placed on the four bully kids is ridiculous, and Jace especially had no business pulling a knife after Aemond let his brother go and didn't' hit him with his rock when he easily could have. Let's be real here people. Just because you like one side doesn't mean you should lose the ability to be objective.

I only wish that they had the sound of Vhagar roaring when aemonds eye was cut out to show their connection. in the books it says that she roared when it happened and we see other times when the dragons feel their riders physical pain.

“I lost an eye but gained a dragon” Aemond One-Eye, my little psychopath badass, and I love him.

The child actors did well but the actor who played Aemond was particularly good. A large part of that episode rested on his shoulders. I also loved how calmly Aegon said "We know, Father. Everyone knows. Just look at them." It was much more forceful than if he raised his voice. Interestingly, after Aegon said that, no one said anything to dispute it. Even Viserys stopped using words like lies and calumnies and shifted to words like family and apologies.

Altough Aegon being a "douche teenager", I really respected the fact that he had the courage to say the truth out loud in front of everyone when asked about the "rumors" regarding Rhaenyra's children. Rhaenyra literally said It is high treason and King Viserys also threatened anyone who dares to speak about it before. The reaction to Aegon's statement really shows how ridiculous the lie is, but it still wasn't an easy thing to say.

I don’t know if watchers also noticed another symbolic parallel . On the same beach, both the blacks and greens gained the most powerful dragons .. aemond gained vhagar … Rheaynera gained deamon.

Also aemond one eye and the kids in the cave is one hell of a band name

leo ashton played young aemond perfectly! He has set up ewan mitchell to bring it home and really make us love/hate this character

Remember Helena says the HAND turns the loom. Implicating Otto in instigating conflict and perhaps hinting at the maester conspiracy.

Aemon had every right to try to claim Vhagar. Dragons choose their rider you can't steal a dragon.

I’m also very excited to see Aemond be a more three-dimensional character. With Alicent as his mom and Criston as his pseudo-father, it seems like he will take aspects of both of them. He seems to be very family-oriented and dutiful for such a young kid, definitely Alicent’s influence. After the brawl when Viserys questions him he throws Aegon under the bus just to protect his mother, just like Criston is her sworn protector. He comforts both Alicent and himself while also letting everyone in the room know what a threat he is with his “lost an eye, gained a dragon” thing. He seems like he’s suddenly very mature and grown up, but then he goes to his mother for a hug and holds her hand. All in all, can’t wait to see him grow to become mommy’s little war criminal!

I especially love how you can tell that Vhagar is old old. The cow esq roaring she does, how worn and rough her exterior is and when in flight she just feels heavy.

Alicent's children are all such fun little weirdos

Aemond: dohaeris vhaegar! Nana: visenya? Did we win the war yet?

What a nice little boy to adopt an elderly rescue 😂

I'm gonna need them to stop casting such talented young people. I got so attached to these kids!

While reading Fire & Blood, Aemond was the character I hated the most during the Dance of the Dragons chapters, yet he's my favorite character of the show so far. 🤣

I just love the sound effects in the show that let you hear how big and heavy Vhagar is The weight of the wings when they’re flapping, just great details 😅

Interesting point on Aegon immediately calling out Brother, like that's who he expected to kick him. Good catch, didn't even think about it that way

I'm Team Black, but it's hard to deny Aemond is a true badass.

“You’re mother is dead. Vhagar has a new rider now.” That was some stone cold shit

Im going to defend Aemond a little more. Jace doesnt pull out the knife because of the rock. he only pulls it out when he is called "lord strong" which is a terrible reason to pull out a knife. but this also parallels the dance of dragons when an older aemond says "let us drain our cups to these three strong boys" and chaos erupts. based on the fact that Aemond tosses luke aside its pretty clear he didnt want to use it. he was using the rock while holding luke to keep them from ganging up on him so he can get back in the house. Jace doesnt pull out the knife for Luke but rather because he was offended by the name "lord strong".

I think they will have Aemond with his sapphire in his eye, Laenor said that Ser Qarl obtained "sapphires the size of walnuts" during the war in the stepstones. Could be a little foreshadow 🤔

I’m not why the nanny Vhagar is so funny to me but I giggle every time.

Man, once the Dance of the Dragons begins, it’s going to be nonstop ball busting action

Kids "it's him" Him "it's me" 😅😌

I also noticed that Aemond lamented he wanted a dragon. The next episode he took a dragon regardless of cost? Last episode he lamented that he wanted Helaena. He used the words “if mother had only “ when speaking on her betrothal. The “had only” is significant. Will he against take what he wants regardless of cost. I’m just hoping Alicent has to watch her daughter and the wrong son pull a Rhaenyra m/Harwin right under her nose. The Greens need a couple to root for.

I think the girls sees Vhagar as the closest thing to their mothers memory. They took too long because it was their mothers funeral, as means of respect they didn't claim her dragon.

Always love hearing from Nanny Vhagar! She's always a hoot.

Pedantic correction because I'm obsessed with family trees, Baela and Rhaena *are* Jace and Luke's cousins. Officially, they're first cousins because Laenor and Laena are siblings, but even discounting that, they're still first cousins once removed through their Targaryen parents (Daemon is Rhaenyra's uncle, making his children her cousins, so his kids would be her kids' first cousins once removed).

"Helaena the Dreamer...and freestyle poet" 🤣😭

Regarding whether it was Aemond's right, I'm fairly certain Rhaena wouldn't have been able to claim her anyway. I feel like he was able to steel his nerves and calm the dragon because he was there watching in the dragonpits, learning the commands, etc. I don't know the extent to which Rhaena observed the process of training a dragon, especially as both parents already had their dragons before she was born. Her demeanor is more mild from what we've seen, I believe if she had approached Vhagar they would've been mourning two(well, "three" later). Also most importantly, the rule of drama. If the Blacks had Vhagar, the Dance likely wouldn't have been "The Dance" as opposed to just another failed uprising, and we wouldn't have this fabulous tv spinoff to watch 😄

Grown up Aemond sure looks like Uncle Daemon. Alicent, you got some 'splainin' to do! 🤣

Aemond watching for the sun to disappear before claiming Vhagar also is a nice callback to Rhaenyra using the sun to swoop in on Syrax in episode 2. Sun symbolism!

Aemond is my favorite character so far. Can't wait to see how they make this scorned lad on a power trip become the diabolical carpet-bomber he eventually becomes!

“sharply questioned" means tortured It is a euphemism. it not having a reaction that is what put Alicent on edge in my opinion.

The best part is when Laenor walks in to the room with bloody kids and his wife being stitched together and says “ is everyone ok” ha ha that made me laugh 😂

odin cut out his eye and was hung upon the world tree in order to gain knowledge. bloodraven lost his eye and was hung upon the weirwood and also gained knowledge. aemond and bloodraven both had their eyes removed by bastard family members. the bloodraven/odin similarities are definitely noticeable but i'm curious if you've noticed any more subtle similarities between odin and aemond?

I appreciate you taking a stance to be more objective about the children's altercation. People act like the other children could do no wrong. And even wag the finger at Armond for picking up a rock in a 4 on 1 fight. I didn't understand this mindset until I started thinking about Sansa and how people bashed her in GoT. Then it all started making sense.

It's a disgrace that they cut that Vhagar dialogue.

Aemond One Eye went from bullied kid I identified with to the coolest Targ this side of Blood Raven. It's like that kid that grows 7 inches from freshman year to sophomore. Lol

In the book I hated Aemond, but he’s quickly taken the title of my favourite character. Maybe that means it’s not book loyal, but if so I kind-of prefer the show.

Helaena mentions the Hand which I took as meaning that Otto is the one who manipulated the loom/spools of thread.

When it starts with night queen visenya you know the video will be too good

I personally assumed that Rhaena didn't claim Vhagar right away because she was grieving. I mean SHE DID lost her mother and probably didn't think someone would claim her during her mom's funeral lol

“Enter the Dragon” has a whole different connotation in light of those tapestries

There's always that one player on the other team. You hate the fucking team, but have nothing but respect for that player and just wish they were wearing another uniform. Preferably that of your team.

"So.....when are we burning Pentos"?- Mima Vahgar

I think Aemond brought Otto to drunken Aegon to get Aegon out of his way. Maybe Aegon even had an idea of Aemond’s intent bc he planted himself in the stairwell and immediately said “brother” when Otto grabbed him. Edit Add: Aemond also threatened to burn Baela with Vaghar at her mother’s funeral. A mother who died by being burnt by Vaghar. That, imho, was worst than any of his other taunts.

This channel deserves an abundance of subscribers. The content is very in depth and entertaining

THE BEAT OVER HALAENA im deceased 🤣🤣🤣

Love this breakdown you gave especially about the cave and Helena’s prophecy ❤this was my fav episode so far!

Lmaooo the beat with Helena's words 😂😂😂

I absolutely love the Helena Low-Fi remix! You should totally remix all her prophecies

Thank you for the enhanced Vhagar audio, can’t believe I missed it🙌🏽

Great video. The Nanny Vhagar dialogue is delightful.

Loved this video! Agree with all your points about Aemond.

Another killer video! Always love how you consider all perspectives.

Despite knowing the allegory of the cave, i didn't put that together. Thanks for your insights, David!

Wow!! Your shorter, edited videos are amazing! I love your 2+ hour-long live streams, but man, you really know your ASOIAF lore and just pack SO much info, knowledge and symbolism into perfect, concise packages. Just excellent content, David.

That intro was so well put. Amazing

As a reader of the source material, I don’t like how much I like aemond in the show

I commented this last weekend but I’ll put it here too. While I definitely agree with the breakdown you gave of Helaena’s dragons of thread dragons of flesh lines, I was also very much reminded of Dany’s mummer’s dragon prophecy from the main series when helaena said dragons of thread. As if Rhaenyra’s children are the bastard born mummers dragons of thread, and Alicent’s children are the true born dragons of flesh. As an additional bit of symbolism we have the spider listening to it all, just as Varys is listening in the shadows waiting for the right time to bring his own dragon of thread into the fray (Young Griff). Just a cool thought I had that I wanted to share, I definitely see your interpretation making more sense tho, but that’s the beauty of asoiaf! So many different meanings to find in every line!

Great video David!

I’m laughing so hard at the musical inserts, laced throughout the video 😂 David, you’re a trip

Bloody hell David , you are so good at this

10:03 haha that gave me a good chuckle. I love your videos man.

You have a good vibe. I just discovered your vids this year with HotD. Good work :)

Always listen to Minty. Aegon and Helena are for sure a thing. It explains so much that was a mystery in the book.

Missed this video! Till now 🤙🏽

Meemaw Vhagar watching all these humans squabble over who gets to sit in the pointy chair, knowing the three heads of the dragon shouldn't be killing each other for it.

Was already watching your old winds of winter readalongs when this went live LMAO I clicked SO FAST

I'm super grateful for this audio enhancing technology. You should patent that!

Haleana said the hand turns the loom that weaves the threads too. I believe she is saying otto started it all as he has been poisoning Alicents mind from her teen years

I’m with you on this one. Aemond had every right to claim Vhagar.🐉

yay caught you early! thanks again for the great content….bang those symbols David!!!!

Aemond claiming Vhagar gives me vibes of Jon "Stealing" Ygritte. Ultra dangerous, ultra reward

New BDE= Big Dragon Energy

I'm glad I caught this early!

Great vid Thanks :)

The little girl was probably waiting to finish mourning her mom. Not sure about the book but here it happened the night of her funeral.

Fantastic video David! I started off the episode with love for Aemond but at the end of the episode, I was like noooope this little kid is fucking scary. 😂

Almost all reactors on KZfaq and people on Twitter blamed on Aemond, they clapped when he fell down and was kicked by the 4 kids. Aemond was 1 v 4, and the girl started the fight by pushing him. (Aemond pushed her too, he did not hit her). Tbh, I hate fanatism towards Team Rhaenyra, people are so biased against her that they always but always blame the greens. I mean Daemon killed his innocent wife by crushing her head, Daemond and Rhaenyra killed an innocent servant in this episode too. Why no one judge them or talk about it? They are murderers tho. Most of the characters in this show are gray but people dont wanna see it, they really like to see the greens as evil, heartless monsters.They like to hate them, which is nonseless for me. I dont claim that the greens are saints tho but they are as bad as the blacks. Both side do terrible things, I hope people are able to see that.

Another great video David!!! "Nana Vaghar" lmao 🤣 😂 😆...

What I also find interesting about Helaena is that she is for telling the future and yet no one listens to her and just thinks she’s weird. That makes me think of Cassandra from Greek mythology. She was a Trojan priestess who could see the future but no one believed her ( How she got it varies but the version I hear the most is that Apollo gave that gift to her to get her to sleep with him but she turned him down after receiving it and so he cursed her so that no one would believe any of her prophecies)

I love the Nanny Vhagar audio 😂

Can't wait to herbally enjoy this video afterwork lol

ngl when Aemond held up the rock, I really thought he was gonna kill Jace I thought it was a pause for dramatic effect type moment

I am glad that you're bringing the symbolism analysis to HotD!

That intro was sick

Aemond was such a fascinating watch during the post-fight scene in the Hall of Nine. He read the room and everyone in it and is the reason the situation eventually diffused - not because of Viserys. Because of Aemond’s words. I will disagree about him being ‘bullied’ by the other four. They didn’t set out to ambush Aemond, whereas he did set out to claim Vhagar. He had every right to, but, as with his comments to all four of the other children, he was incredibly thoughtless about the timing of claiming her.

Omg, you can't stop besting yourself at content creation, can you man? 🥺 This essay was simply fabulous 🤩🤩🤩 loved everything about it. Ty Very much for It ☺️☺️☺️

I'm rewatching the series and rewatching your episode's commenting videos. I find them explicative, fun and entertaining. It's a pity I can't relike them as well, they deserve it 😉 I like that every character is not totally good or bad, I think the majority of them are being human and trying to do the best they can with a handful of complex circumstances and tragedies. I never thought I'd enjoy such a dramatic show, but then, by comparison my life seems good and my problems lighter, I can say to myself "At House of the Dragon they have it much worse" 😜😜

House of the Dragon should just be renamed to Whole lotta treason at this point

They should not have cut the Vhagar dialogue. 💥💥💥

Wow, you went pretty far back in the mythical astronomy shit with this one lol! Love it!! Time to start at the beginning and binge "Bloodstone Compendium" it's been a while...I'm feeling disconnected from my symbolism lol

Thank you for another entertaining video. I appreciate getting to hear the enhanced dialogue. Maybe I will change my mind, but I still find the characters to be gray. No one is standing out as being pure evil although Larys is definitely someone I would not want looking after children, the elderly or animals.

I saw a caption of when he was yelling “SOVES” said “Bitch SOVES yourself it’s 3 am.” Also, crazy how you have that exclusive clip of the enhanced audio! Everything makes sense now! Always getting the secret interviews!

So excited for more Nanny Vahgar!!

The new Aegon actor, the older actor, is giving off Joffrey Baratheon vibes.