House Of The Dragon discussion thread

[Progatron]

As one of the annoying people who read all the books, I won't spoil anything re: what's to come, but if anyone is interested, Joffrey (Baratheon/Lannister) explains the fate of one of these main characters when he is taking Margaery through the sept of Baelor in GoT season 3 (while Olenna Tyrell, who later murders Joffrey, and Cersei, who later murders Margaery, walk and talk behind them).

[SteveSly]

Good episode last night, especially the scenes with Larys Strong (the 'Clubfoot'). That last scene was brilliant! I could have done without the realistic birthing sound effects at the beginning though. And although the new Rhaenyra is a good actor, I don't see why they had to change her. She only aged 10 years, they couldn't have done that with makeup? People keep talking about what fantastic casting it was, but to me she doesn't look anything like the younger one. I find it a tad distracting, though I'm sure I'll get used to it. Alicent, on the other hand, is almost a dead ringer for the younger one (so again, why was the change necessary?). Everyone else gets to continue playing their characters (apart from Aegon, obviously, who was a toddler and is now a young man - played by David Tennant's son BTW) so it's a shame to me that Millie Alcock is gone.

I love the way the story is shaping up. It's going to go by too quickly now from here on out, I think!

I got a little bit confused near the end as to what was going on, but really enjoyed the episode. Maybe it is just me, but I seem to sometime have a hard time keeping track of who is who, especially with the new cast members.

[Scott Bails]

I got a little bit confused near the end as to what was going on, but really enjoyed the episode. Maybe it is just me, but I seem to sometime have a hard time keeping track of who is who, especially with the new cast members.

That whole thing with Rhaenyra's and Alicent's kids took me a little while to figure out.

[Progatron]

I got a little bit confused near the end as to what was going on, but really enjoyed the episode. Maybe it is just me, but I seem to sometime have a hard time keeping track of who is who, especially with the new cast members.

Alicent has grown very bitter towards Rhaenyra and was angry that nobody will acknowledge the elephant in the room (Rhaenyra's clearly illegitimate children, sired by Harwin Strong and obviously not the darker-skinned and gay Laenor Velayron). When she turned to Larys Strong, a.k.a. 'The Clubfoot' (Harwin's brother) for advice, he assembled a rag-tag team of criminals from the dungeons, giving them their freedom in exchange for having their tongues cut out so they could not tell anyone what they were about to do. He has them set fire to the keep (in Harrenhal, which you may remember from GoT when Twyin Lannister set up base there and Arya Stark was his servant 'boy'), burning alive his brother and his father (Lord Lyonel Strong, the King's hand whose resignation Viserys earlier refused). It's all rather Shakespearean!

[NogbadTheBad]

I thought Daemon was impotent, is he the father?

[SteveSly]

Alicent has grown very bitter towards Rhaenyra and was angry that nobody will acknowledge the elephant in the room (Rhaenyra's clearly illegitimate children, sired by Harwin Strong and obviously not the darker-skinned and gay Laenor Velayron). When she turned to Larys Strong, a.k.a. 'The Clubfoot' (Harwin's brother) for advice, he assembled a rag-tag team of criminals from the dungeons, giving them their freedom in exchange for having their tongues cut out so they could not tell anyone what they were about to do. He has them set fire to the keep (in Harrenhal, which you may remember from GoT when Twyin Lannister set up base there and Arya Stark was his servant 'boy'), burning alive his brother and his father (Lord Lyonel Strong, the King's hand whose resignation Viserys earlier refused). It's all rather Shakespearean!

Thanks!

[Progatron]

I thought Daemon was impotent, is he the father?

No... Harwin Strong is the father. Which is why Ser Cristan was able to rile him up so much while training the boys in swordsmanship, first by favouring Aegon and encouraging him to show Rhaenyra's boys no mercy, then by insinuating that Harwin showed unusual interest, 'almost like a father'.

When Daemon is told of the birth of Rhaenyra's new son, he dryly asks if he - like his older brothers - bears a 'striking but coincidental resemblance' to Harwin.

[NogbadTheBad]

I get that but Daemon now has 2 daughters with his wife, I thought he was impotent.

[Rick L.]

I get that but Daemon now has 2 daughters with his wife, I thought he was impotent.

I don't think he is permanently impotent. It just "arises" (pun?) sometimes. I think it happened when he was trying to get it on with his neice because she was getting into it. That "ruined the moment" for him and took away his sense of power.

[NogbadTheBad]

Thanks!

[Progatron]

I get that but Daemon now has 2 daughters with his wife, I thought he was impotent.

Right, sorry, I misunderstood what you were asking but I can see it's been answered!

[Plasmatopia]

He has them set fire to the keep (in Harrenhal, which you may remember from GoT when Twyin Lannister set up base there and Arya Stark was his servant 'boy'), burning alive his brother and his father (Lord Lyonel Strong, the King's hand whose resignation Viserys earlier refused). It's all rather Shakespearean!

This part of the show could've used a few more seconds on the screen. It took me a minute to figure out who was being burned and where they were. I could have missed something, but the last I remember was when they left and the criminals were in pursuit. Next thing I know somebody's getting torched.

[Hal...]

As for the new cast members, I guess I mostly agree with you guys. Incidentally, there's eight year's difference between the two actresses playing Rhaenyra and the two playing Alicent.

That scene where Daemon's wife, Laena, ordered her dragon to kill her was pretty interesting. What a way to commit suicide.

I couldn't remember exactly what her name was and when I looked her up discovered three actresses have played her. I then I ran across this. No wonder I've/we've been confused about who some of the characters are.



WRT Laena, I have no recollection whatsoever of the middle actress. And how about the one married to Daemon? She gets to appear in one whole episode before they offed her.

I'm not sure I remember Laenor as a boy, either. And why did they feel it necessary to have two "grown up" Laenors?

Oh, and the kid playing Aegon looks like he's the guitarist in a heavy metal mockumentary.

As one of the annoying people who read all the books, I won't spoil anything re: what's to come, but if anyone is interested...

I quit reading your post at that point. lol

It's all rather Shakespearean!

Indeed.

This part of the show could've used a few more seconds on the screen. It took me a minute to figure out who was being burned and where they were.

Yeah, I didn't feel that whole scene was directed all that well. The problem I had was that I didn't pickup right away on the fact that it was Larys' cohort who set the fire.

Another thing I've noticed lately in shows and movies, in general, is that there might be a note or a text a character has to read and they'll show it but not long enough for me to read it. Why even show it if they're not going to leave it on screen long enough for a person to read? Maybe they figure people will rewind and hit pause.

As for that scene (or others) in HotD, it could also be a strategy to generate buzz and get people talking about it on social media. Who TF knows?

[Scott Bails]

Credit to the Leana actresses. They, to me, really look like different stages of the same woman. Leanor doesn't necessarily look like the same character, but his adult actor just nailed the part, IMO.

I'm still not yet sold on the new actresses portraying Rheanyra and Alicent, but we'll see how that progresses.

[Progatron]

I'm still not yet sold on the new actresses portraying Rheanyra and Alicent, but we'll see how that progresses.

Alicent I like just fine; I feel like I'm watching the same character. The same cannot be said for Rhaenyra unfortunately, who to my eyes simply does not look like the same person, whether aged 10 years or otherwise. And that's nothing against her acting ability, as I think she's quite good. But I really wish they had kept Milly.

[Quantum Cat]

Yes, Rhaenyra certainly doesn't look like the same person, but IMO opinion the new actor was excellent in her series debut and her acting and gravitas overall is a plus. I also think this last episode was the best so far and it feels to me like it's picking up steam.

[Hobo Chang Ba]

I think the older Rhaenyra works. Maybe not 10 years...more like 20, but still...I do miss Milly, but I do think all the new actors were good choices thus far.

[Hal...]

The only character where I think they nailed the casting is Alicent. It's too bad I don't like her character. lol

[Scott Bails]

The only character where I think they nailed the casting is Alicent. It's too bad I don't like her character. lol

I don't think you're supposed to like the character. Which is a testament to the actor's portrayal.

[Klonk]

It was cool to see some dragon action...that's about where I'm at.

[Hal...]

I don't think you're supposed to like the character.

<shrugs> Boyd Crowder was a smarmy, sleazy, unlikable character and I loved him.

[Jerjo]

My feeling is that this episode felt like three episodes compressed into one. The three criminals set upon Harrenhal - that tale alone was worth at least a full 20-30 minutes with the tension ratcheting up. Same with Daemon's wife committing suicide by dragon. And Daemon's penis seems to have gotten over its inability to get it across the goal line? That alone needed some more elaboration. SHOW YOUR WORK! This shit reeks of the last season of GOT. These moments have to be earned, motherfuckers.

[Jerjo]

<shrugs> Boyd Crowder was a smarmy, sleazy, unlikable character and I loved him.

Now THERE was a well-written show. So many glorious scumbags but Boyd was special.

[Just Eric]

All the good comments were already taken! But man Alicent's kids are super creepy. Like children of the corn crossed with the demon seed and imagining the texas chainsaw massacre family as kids.

[Hobo Chang Ba]

My feeling is that this episode felt like three episodes compressed into one. The three criminals set upon Harrenhal - that tale alone was worth at least a full 20-30 minutes with the tension ratcheting up. Same with Daemon's wife committing suicide by dragon. And Daemon's penis seems to have gotten over its inability to get it across the goal line? That alone needed some more elaboration. SHOW YOUR WORK! This shit reeks of the last season of GOT. These moments have to be earned, motherfuckers.

I would agree that a ten year time jump was too much, but as far as I understand it that is basically what happened in the book. I would have liked an episode in between to see the fallout from the wedding/how Daemon and Laena got together and fleshed these things out a bit more, but this still is way better than the last season of GOT imo.