The sexual tension between Daemon and Aemond was so thick you’d need Dark Sister to cut it.

Viserys pulling the knife when Vaemond calls the kids bastards is incredibly savage. The last of his strength went into that day, and it was awesome.

I didn't see Vaemond's beheading coming, but at the same time I was like "Dude, just be cool. You are totally not playing this game right" lol.

The court room scene was an astounding example of the top notch writing in this show IMO. I felt both disdainful AND sympathetic for Vaemond, to where I wanted him to stfu, while also totally understanding, and almost agreeing with him, both on a rational and emotional level. Like damn bro, you might be right but this aint it, my man, this aint it.

If they gave Norman Reedus a star for the Walking Dead, than I demand one for Paddy Considine as Viserys. I can't wait to meet Cregan Stark.

All Rhaenyra needed to do is when Viserys was on the throne, say "Your current Hand was willing to hear petitions on the legitimacy of my sons and thus my claim to the throne, if you wish that I succeed you name Daemon or I Hand now, otherwise name your Hand's grandson the heir and put and end to it.". There, war ended unless he really refuses to choose one or the other

People were already saying it in the community post, but i think Helaena is set up to be on the spectrum, and is covering her ears because of sensory overload. She seems kind of awkward at the dinner table too (with Otto reassuring her after her toast). Also fits into that speculation that the Targaryens who dream of the future do so because their brains work differently from the rest. That dreamers dont just have some magical superpower but interract with the world slightly differently because of neurodivergency

Anyone even notice not only did Aemond take Jaces best shot and didn't get phased, but also easily pushed him to the ground with one arm and NEVER SPILLED A DROP OF HIS DRINK!!!??? That's pretty gangster.

Viserys was serving Targaryen realness this episode. 11/10 👌🏼🐲

I believe Halaena is coded as being on the spectrum, covering the ears is a very common behavior when over stimulated. I don't think there's anything magical there, though she is a dreamer so you never know! Great video as always!

A lot of bs could've been avoided if Rhaenyra and Laenor found a valaryon guy for Rhaenyra to bone instead of Harwin. There's plenty of them on Driftmark, I'm pretty sure Lord Corlys himself would've found one and kept it quiet if it meant that someone from his house would one day sit the throne.

I was just remembering that Helaena was a fussy baby - nice touch that when we saw her as an infant, she was overstimulated and crying.

Anyone else think it's kinda wierd how alicent wholeheartedly believes viserys wanted to name aegon as his heir considering viserys actions ever since he named rheanyra as his heir? Like even on the same day he apparently said that he defended her honor and her sons from being threatened by vaemond.

In my opinion, Vaemond simply committed suicide. He felt his case was lost and decided to scream the truth before he died. The moment Daemon said "say it", Vaemond knew it was over. In a way, I like him because he was right and he was telling the truth. Even so, my heart is on the side of Daemon Targaryen, the Rogue Prince. The whole scene in the throne room is my favorite so far. Paddy deserved an Emmy just for that scene. Overall, this episode was 100% his, even though everyone was great. It has been a long time since no actor evoked such emotions and tears in me as Paddy Considine in episode 8.

You know, if Viserys really wanted to 'set things right' he probably should have fired Otto and made Daemon the Hand during his final day of lucidity.

The thing that gets me with the Green's use of Rhaenyra having mothered bastards as a MASSIVE part of their claim, is that that's fallen apart now, too. Even if they were to disinherit her first 3 boys and name them as bastards, she and Daemon have had 2 kids, with a third on the way who are all perfectly legitimate and have full claims. So even if Rhaenyra herself was also punished for her kids' parentage, and was taken out of inheritance order, because she was still Viserys' named heir, then her sons would take up the claim before Viserys' children with Alicent did. So no matter which way you slice it, the Greens are just out to do a coup with only the fact that Rhaenyra does not have male genitalia - something which Viserys has made abundantly clear no longer matters when it comes to succession - as their only evidence.

Re: the courtroom scene - let us speak of colour symbolism. Notice the Hightower Hand in SERIOUS GREEN and the Hightower Queen in SERIOUS GREEN and the Hightower alt-Heir in SERIOUS GREEN and the Hightowers' own Mart-of-the-Wal version of Daemon in SERIOUS GREEN and right in the middle we see Luna Lovebugs in patterned gold like she totally hasn't noticed that there's been a dress code for 16 years now...

Maybe I didn't pay enough attention (too busy sobbing from all of the feels) but I did not notice any rats in this episode. I guess Larys is busy picking out the curtains for Harrenhal?

"Wouldn't wanna sleep through your own coup?" LOL! Actual laugh out loud on that one! 🤣

I already suspected Heleana to have ASD from her previous seemingly obsessive behaviour over her insects and just the general way she acted in those scenes, but her covering her ears kinda confirmed it to me as someone with it. Basically being sensually overstimulated so shutting off one avenue of sensing (hearing) as a coping mechanism, its common af

I now think that the phrase "the patience of Doran Martell" should be the Westeros verion of "the patience of Job".

For a lot of time it looked like Hightowers / Maesters tried to either kill or induce sickness in Viserys but after episode 8 it looked more like they tried to keep Vizzy T living as long as possible drugged up on Milk of the Poppy to have de facto rule over seven kingdoms. It's also interesting that just like you said - it took Hightowers a looooong time to set this coup ready. From when Hobert was fully on in the plan to when finally Alicent came to terms with what was bound to happen on that day. Would Rhaenyra & Daemon even be there if Baela wouldn't sent a message from Driftmark? It was a good plan & Hightowers were (luckily for us) unlucky to see it fail.

As someone somewhere on the spectrum, my guess is Halaena was just over stimulated in the moment. HOWEVER, I do love a more magical explanation. If I were to guess, I would say she might have been hearing the song of Valyrian steel when Daemon killed Vaemond with Dark Sister. From what I recall, there's multiple instances of Valyrian steel "singing" or "wailing" in the books, like during the first Blackfyre rebellion, when Lady Forlorn and Blackfyre struck each other, and it was said you could hear a "scream" for leagues around. Not to mention all of the weird blood magic related to forging Valyrian steel. Perhaps Halaena could hear Dark Sister relishing in her latest blood sacrifice. 😈

Vaemond was completely wrong for bringing this to court. Driftmark should have passed to Rhaena first through Laena before going to any of the uncles or cousins. He was not only overstepping Lucerys, he was doing exactly what lord Karstark was doing to Alys Karstark in ASOIAF.

Seeing Rhaenyra’s boys labeled with the last name “Waters” activated my fight or flight😤🔥

The House of the Dragon told Hightowers "NOT TODAY!"

I love Paddy and acknowledge his greatness, but no one ever comes before Daemon for me. Matt actually got some decent screen time and dialogue this episode. But yes, he conveys a lot with his eyes

It makes no sense that someone whose every action shows that he wanted Rhaenyra to remain heir to the point of him painfully holding court on that day for her. She only heard wanted she wanted to here to justify what her family’s been planning for years

Great video, as always, LML❤️ My favorite lines so far both come from Daemon: "Welcome to Dragonstone Ot-to" "Say it..." The way he pronounced Otto during the standoff scene made my skin crawl and excited me at the same time. 🏠 Of The 🐉

Also another symbolism i found interesting is, haelena is the one starts dancing first denoting coming of dance of dragons

Aegon the unsoberd is his new name we keeping that

Excellent analysis per usual 👍 The Queen Who Should've Been is a woman of honor and integrity. When she told Rhaenyra she "stands for herself" that plays into the theme as a whole imo. Fun "Easter egg": King Viserys' mask replicates Dany's bro Viserys' "golden crown".

Ser David of house Lightbringer lights the way!

I bow down to you for bringing us such quality content every week.🙌

Dope video! I love the part ab Helaena “hearing something we can’t” along with the fact that she’s a dreamer. It’s one of my favorite changes/additions from F&B!! 🔥🔥 I know we still got 2 episode left but maaaaannnn am I ready for season 2!!!! 😆

Has anyone noticed how Daemon never stands up when Alicent enters the room?

King Vissy wanted to be tested and looked strong with the blade. He did rise to the fight, as he always wanted 🥺🥺

I believe King Viserys started the war the moment he decided to keep Rhaenyra as his heir because he felt guilty for killing her mother, The moment he had a son everyone assumed Aegon would be heir because he's the firstborn son. Even if he married Laena instead of Alicent their firstborn son was expected to be the heir and am pretty sure lord corlys would be the new otto because of his ambition he would also want his grandson to be king. He even reassured Rhaenyra that he will not remove her as heir to honor the memory of her mother he was a good father but a weak king. What makes me blame him more is the fact that he knew that for him to become king it was voted by the Great council to avoid the same thing that he just did by putting her daughter as heir. Rhaenyra was never gonna have a peaceful reign even if the greens were not against her, people and most lords would prefer Aegon and they were gonna fight her, for to continue sitting on the iron throne she would have to kill Aegon and the moment Aegon was dead the next in line would be Aemond after killing Aemond it would be Daerion. Alicent's sons will forever have a stronger claim, and if Rhaenyra wanted to put her son with Daemon as heir she would have to admit that her other children are bastards, therefore, putting them in danger and further weakening her claim. When she dies No lords would ever kneel to her bastards' children. If she decides not to kill Alicent's children then she would have to kill a lot of people and High lords who went against her then she would rule a kingdom where everyone hated her and wanted her to die. Never underestimate the power of small folks. If I'm getting this correctly most people would rather let Alicent support Rhaenyra and pray that Rhaenyra would show mercy to her sons and just kill everyone who opposes her. Everyone who believes Rhaenyra and Daemon are not capable of killing anyone to get what they want, then they must be blind. The guard Daemon killed did not have much in the story but it is to show that Rhaenyra and Daemon would do anything to get what they want, even if an innocent has to die. The big difference between Rhaenyra and Alicent is that Alicent got the "strongs" killed unknowingly without even planning it. All Alicent's sons have to die in order for Rhaenyra or her sons to rule peacefully without a fight and most people are saying she should gamble by supporting Rhaenyra and hope for the best why?

Wow, many thanks for this video. Prior to this, I have never realized the extend of Otto's planning. I think I finally understand why senior green members were in dismay when the event in episode 10 is supposed to happen. If that event have not had happened, Otto can have all the time to gather more support, especially from the High Septon in Old Town to formally question Jace's parentage and eventually disinherit him...ending the claim from the Black. Really makes me look at the event in a whole different light. A blessing in disguise.

I *think* they were going for the autism route. Individuals often will resort to covering their ears or even their whole head when they are anxious, scared, or even angry. People on the spectrum have sound oversensitivity as well, so while they have normal hearing but their brain amplifies it to make it very uncomfortable. I think both for H.

That Vaemond/Hamster edit is pure gold!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

I could totally burn down with the great Lightbringer while discussing ASOIAF! 🔥 💨 🐉

Imho vaemond didn’t care about the marriage pact because it still meant bastards on the driftwood throne. People in Westeros don’t just have contempt for bastards but outright superstitions about their inherent evil.

"beware the beast below the floorboards." I think she's referring to Mysaria, She's called the white worm, that could be the beast, and under the floorboards could be referring to her spies acting the shadows.

the last scene with viserys and alicent, I think alicent is now finding ways to justify her actions against Rhaenyra cuz much like crispin, she cannot live with them, and alicent knows that viserys always wanted Rhaenyra to be queen, if he really wanted aegon to be king he would have declared in front of the court, which he didn't and over that alicent knew viserys always wanted to avoid war, so it doesn't really makes any sense why would he tell her that especially after he dragged his sick body to the throne room.

Your analysis of this show and story, is the very best on youtube. I watch alot of channels about this show, good shows and good people. You are the best of them when it comes to simply explaining what is going on in this story, and I appreciate it. Or, that's what I appreciates about ya

I’ve been rereading the books and I noticed Allicent’s misunderstanding is exactly what happens when Jon Arryn died. Lysa tells Cat that his last words were “the seed is strong” and “Robert” and she took it as if he was referring to their son Robert Arryn.

Seriously and FOREAL! Let me just say THIS about THAT......... I absolutely love your videos! The editing, the opening thematic music, yourself, it's just ughhhhhhhh!! All of it is a thousand pounds of glorious! I look forward to being your sub (not submissive, the other sub ;) FOR LIFE!!!

The sound accompanying the dagger reminds me of some of the soundscape used for magical/eerie moments north of the wall in GoT. It's that high-pitched, shimmery, icy sound...

Brilliant breakdown of this episode. Thank you :)

Another banger. I really glad that you have ramped up the output for HotD 😅. Keep hustling and growing, hopefully KZfaq won’t dampen your growth with all the demonization going on with HotD videos.

I hope paddy considine gets an Emmy for this ep

I love how everyone is calling Aemond, "Great Value Daemon" and "Wal-Mart Daemon", I did like when he asked his nephews if they came to train, it was a ki!

Love these videos my man. The lives are pretty lame for me but I love you have different things for different people on the channel! May you reach 1 million subs and many more Sir Lightbringer

The Green faction may have their faults but the whole conflict is because of King Viserys's own wrong decisions. Naming his daughter heir even when he have male heirs available was a bad choice. What was even more bad to expect the whole kingdom to accept illegitimate children as next in line to the throne. The best thing he could have done was to follow the conventions of the past and named his son heir. Even Jaehaerys preferred Baelon to be his heir not princess Rhaenys. The Great council also set the precedent that the crown will pass to the male children of the monarch. By sticking with Rhaenyra, King Viserys brought the realm to an inevitable conflict.

Youre videos kept me sane for years mahnnnnnnnnnn. Ever since your appearance on in deep geek's channel!!! Keep it up man!

Not only did Vaemond defy the king's authority, he also levied a grave and treasonous insult against the princess and heir's honor in open court. Can't be having that now.

My dad past away last monday and your videos are really good at distracting me from the chaos around this time, thanks 🖤

This is always my go to for an acurrate analysis of HOD thanks!

You’re my favorite!! Best house of the dragon content... I want you to release a book 🤩

I love Matt Smith! Great video 🖤

I am onboard with your critique of Vaemond. I hesitate to say that I am unreservedly so, but I cannot think of any reservations at the moment - I just dislike foreclosing that possibility.

Fucking great video dude. I really like when you break down the episode in that 20 minute format like this. I'ts just great. Keep them coming bro! Spiral out. Keep going.

Following what has been established in House of the Dragon, I really do not blame Rhaenyra for having bastards, she was forced into a marriage with a man who everyone knew was gay & tried to make the best of it. It was only a matter of time.

Vaemond = (Velaryon) Aemond.. who's name is an anagram of Daemon. They're all the rowdy second born sons and just like the Driftmark throne was a trial run for the actual succession of the iron throne..we got a trial run of some Aem on Aem action. In this case it was. dAemon on vAemond violence, with some dAem on Aem tension/foreshadowing sprinkled in.

Thank you so much! I thought I was the only one that noticed Helaena covering her ears! (Also diverting her sight.) Without a doubt, she is hearing Vaemond's soul screaming out in strong protest, probably as it was being dragged away forcefully by the Lion of the Night, The Night King, or something else. In respect to diverting her sight, she is the only one of the three children to look away. Yes, it is ghastly sight, so looking away would be normal, but I would argue she could probably "see" Vaemond's soul unwillingly being taken away. That sight scared her enough to look away, and hints that losing his head was only the beginning of Vaemond's misfortunes in the afterlife.

Amazing video and explanations as always! I get excited to watch the show then to watch the content here!!! I have just re-watched the ep3 bonfire scene where Viserys talked to Alicent about his dream. The bonfire scene + Alicent’s facial expressions while listening to Viserys’ last ramblings (they were alone and he was clearly delirious so there was no reason for her to “pretend” with fake facial expressions etc) gives me reason to think that MAYBE, just maybe, Alicent really lies to herself and (kind of) believes it (like Viserys never could bring himself in life to disinherited Rhaenyra and “betray” Aemma so he asks her in his final moments to “put things right” in line with his wondering years ago at the bonfire about his dream etc). It’s so convenient to her I think it was just too tempting for her not to buy it. She really lies to herself all the time to justify her own resentments (well if she didn’t she would be resenting her own father and not Rhaenyra after all), her actions and her hypocrisy. This was just credible enough to renew her righteousness after being a bit shaky and guilty after the family diner and the failed “coup” (also her son will obviously make for a horrible king so maybe she needed an extra reason to justify this to herself). Great writing and acting and mimics the premise of the book regarding “many possible truths”. Even as I write this I wonder “hmmm 20 years of actions of Visery’s makes her interpretation of this very unlikely”, but it would make sense for her character (even if deep inside in some hidden space she knows it BS). Within the series I don’t believe she feels her sons in danger if Rhaenyra becomes Queen, no matter what Otto says. She could have married Helaena and Jace and this issue would be over - she chose not to, so protecting her offspring is clearly not priority #1. She wants Rhaenyra to lose something as she feels she’s played by the rules and got nothing in return (“bad” marriage “bad” kids no enjoyment of life at all, also always chasing Otto’s approval), while Rhaenyra got to make her own rules and still get the “big” reward (not to mention love from her father). If Viserys could give Alicent 1% of words to enable her to justify usurping Rhaenyra, she’ll twist it and take it as gospel. But in the end the truth is, as David so clearly has explained, this coup has been in motion for many many years. She progressively assimilated it and is fully in, regardless of what she truly believes about Viserys’ dying wishes or any prophecy crap (she’s religious so she probably believes prophecies are not real or are like the devil’s work). Her possible misunderstanding changes NOTHING but her own “peace of mind”. She didn’t have ANY PROBLEMS AT ALL going against Viserys’ wishes for years (we’ll even earlier in the episode!!!) - she doesn’t care now of course, she just can’t admit to herself that she’s doing this in self interest and a sort of envy and vengeance for an imagined slight from Rhaenyra, so will grab any crumble of excuse she can. Also this keeps her from having to question Otto. She knows she’ll lose control when shit hits the fan and needs to hold on to some justification for all the horror about to come.

Viserys in the show really should have just beheaded Hobert Hightower when he called Aegon "The second of his name", and possibly Otto aswell. Would have prevented a whole host of problems

Thank you David

Excellent review. Thank you my good Ser! You are a true Knight ⚔️

It seems to me like Daemon killing Vaemond somehow solidified the future in which the war happens and everyone dies. Like it just went from 90% to 100% probable and it caused huge ripples in time that were unbearably loud to Helaena.

Great unbiased plead man (no sarcasm)! I don’t like their choice to try to make it seem like the Hightowers didn’t plan the coup for decades, but that it’s all based on a misinterpretation/misunderstanding. Referring back to a story Viserys told Alicent 20 years ago when he was drunk. It feels like a forced attempt to make them look ‘grey’. Alicent can’t possibly think Viserys is talking about her when he said ‘It is you, you’re the one’.

Monday Coupesday Wednesday ..just another week in house Hightower

Great episode & great analysis

So the only thing that didn't make sense was Vaemond wouldn't be next in line anyway. Even by the laws of the Seven Kingdoms. Even if they all agreed that Rhaenrya's sons were bastards, Laena's girls are legitimate, and therefore Baela would be the next in line to Driftmark. Overstepping his great-niece like that. What a jerk.

I love this guy. Dave I don't comment all the time but over the past 3 weeks I've binged your videos while I'm at work and or working out. People like yourself make me humble myself in public when I profess my love for this franchise/story/fictional world. Many blessings to you and I'd love for your channel to turn into some sort of after discussion show on HBO or something man. Seven blessings to you my bro

my favourite scene is where Daemond and Aemond had a minor stare down! and Aemond flinched!! Boy! what a scene!!!

Feels like those in charge slipped up with the casting here as the older version of Aegon looks by far "younger" in comparison to his little brother Aemond

Aemond took after his half sister He also wanna ride deamon 🤣

13:15 wow I remember seeing that video when I was a teen and died laughing at it like 17 or so years ago 🤣😱

In Daemond defense I must say he only took half of vaemond head

So something about the last theory at 19:47 I want to also add something to it. I was re-watching the show and when Alicent went and accidentally cut Rhaenyra, that same sound could be heard. And Rhaenyra could be seen staring at that knife. Yes she is probably scared but also it is almost like she was hearing the song this prophecy was saying. Idk if it was spoken of and if so I do apologize 😅 I think Helena is coded to be ASD. But also I think she may have been hearing the actual sound the Dagger was making.

Great video. Keep going. How am i just now finding you? The algorithm is stupid. You earned a sub 👍🏻

You blew my mind... 😒 Again! Huahaha I didn't notice any of that while watching the episode 😵 that's why I thought It was a weak episode... But now, I'm seeing the brilliance in It, thanks to you as always haha 😌😌

Thank you, David Lightbringer, SFM for adding in that beautifully edited DRAMATIC CHIPMUNK 🐿️ meemee... (yes I know it's a prairie dog, did you fkn know that? Yeah I fkn did.)

the meme editing in this one is so fresh, jeezus

1:04. I've been wanting to join the channel for awhile and that usage seals the deals. LOL

Covering the ears is not unusual in horror scenes. It’s kind of a trope - screaming in horror of what you see. Also look up the painting “The Scream” - by Klimt.

In an interview with episode director Geeta Patel with The Hollywood Reporter she said, "The intention was that she genuinely thought he was telling her that her son was going to be the heir. The only way to get even close to achieving that was to feel the vulnerability and innocence in Alicent"

I assumed when Aemond stepped aside for Helaena and Alicent to move to the back for their safety. I think Aemond might have feelings for Helaena

Maybe she hears her scream when rat and cheese show up 🤔🤔

Loved the Monty Python intro music.

I laughed so hard at daemons face at dinner lol

Viserys' death rattle breathing all episode was super hard to watch/hear. The sound was WAAAY to accurate and gave me the hebe-jebes. If you've ever heard it before, it's instantly identifiable and hard to forget. 😬

The King by law & tradition or the Queen by appointed position. In the end, the king cannot appoint whoever he wishes to be there for the heir. No one is above the law, not even Kings.

The tension between Aemond and Daemon is building up just as it should. I'm smirking and on the edge of my seat in anticipation for what's to come 😏

Im a firm believer in the Hightower/citadel/faith conspiracy to rid the world of dragons and re establish a status quo with no valyrian overlords in westeros. I believe they poisoned viserys over time, manipulated events to ensure a civil war that would wipe out the dragons and finally, influenced the creation of the coalition between houses stark, baratheon, tully and Arryn (southron ambitions) the same coalition which finally ended the Targaryen dynasty. Even before the show I always saw house Hightower as the illuminati of westeros. An ancient family with deep connections to magic and deeper connections to the major establishments and houses of westeros than anybody ever knew. Even some readers might not know that they’re actually richer than the lannisters and have the largest army in the seven kingdoms. They’re essentially the most powerful and dangerous house in westeros but humble themselves just enough for anybody to ever really take major notice of them. They are basically the noble house version of littlefinger. Having a vast amount of influence and power but appearing as if they dont. Also larys strong is absolutely a green seer, the rats and the weirwood are just dead giveaways.

What if Alicent did understand Viserys and that’s what is motivating her to try the coup again? She’s a Hightower so her family and the maesters are more intertwined than most houses and the citadel. According to the maester thirty the maesters want the magic gone. What if Viserys talking about prophecies to Alicent reinvigorated her because she was reminded that the goal is get the magic out? If she has an adversity to anything magic that would also explain why she feels so disconnected from her daughter, the one who is showing prophetic abilities. So she hears Viserys, understands he’s talking to his daughter and that he truly believes that she needs to rule for some magical reason. She doesn’t know exactly what that reason is, but it’s magic so it’s no good in her eyes. She was ready to let bygones be bygones in order to rekindle her friendship with Rhaenyra but her interacting with Viserys reminded her that the whole kingdom is at steak. I’m not making excuses for the woman. But wouldn’t it be interesting if Viserys changed her heart with his dinner speech and then her mind with his message for his daughter?

The old, scarred king does one last show of might before death. Ala his dragon The Black Dread.

Great vid, and I'm 100% onboard for the House of the Dragon stuff. 100,000% on point. Buuuuuut, there was one thing that is off topic. Studio Series 86 Hot Rod. His legs are transformed wrong, and being a TF fan too, the entire video, it was the only thing I could focus on. :P Love the setup btw. Ur' killing' it. Be well, my friend.