This made me reflect on the strange irrelevance of religion in the Dance of Dragons, and Asoiaf to some degree. Maybe it’s because I’ve been reading about the tudors and Stuart’s recently but I think religion should be key in this succession dispute. The way I would chose to frame it would be thus: Rhaenryas side should hold the ancient religions of Valyria as sacred, and notions like Targaryen exceptionalism and supremacy. While Alicent, after the kings death, reverts to the Faith of the Seven, and raised her children in the faith, and as a result she opposes incest marriages. Perhaps she attempts to have the dragons integrated into the faith, having them be blessed, adorned with Faith Iconography, named after the 7, and incorporated into the Faith Mythology. Really, one would think that the place of dragons within the Faith of the 7s religion would be a key matter of theological debate: are they angels or demons? Perhaps some septon could dig through old tomes to find apocryphal writing concerning dragons, written closer to the time of the founding of the faith of the 7- which I assume has some connection to the original long night. Wasn’t it said that Hugor of the Hill was a key (andal?) figure to the Faith, and in World we learn that Hugor is a regional form of Azor Ahai? I’m which case the Faith certainly does share something of an origin to Rhllrism at least, and therefore should have some theological framework through which to interpret dragons.
This was a great summary! ❤Would you guys consider doing a quick dive into what additions from the show on the lore about Valyria? I was interested to see Viserys talk about the Anogrion, I don't remember reading that in the world book!
Great recap of series 1 (big fan of both of you for 9 years going now) the only thing I feel is missing is info recap about the dragons (and maybe a bit of speculation/ your opinion about how some dragonriders for certain dragons share a particular personality trait or attribute)
About Cole. Very interesting Idea to imagine a man seducing a septa.👍 But Rhaenyra acts with Cole exactly as Arya with Gendry in Season 8. But Gendry will never insult her and get revenge on Arya's children.
The show is its own universe, different than the books. In that light, its a normal, good fantasy show. 6/10. The lore changes dont matter much, as long as they work within the story being told.
One thing that could be mentioned regarding the perception of Daemon is the huge shift mid-season, at least for me. I couldn't stand him in the first half/pre being a dad, and in the second half he seemed decent, almost reasonable (relatively speaking)
Funny that you mention Erik Northman in conjuction with Daemon. I wish Alex Skarsgård played Daemon istead, he would have killed it. Matt Smith lacks that dominant presence although he channels the chaotic energy pretty well. Considering Alex is basically on permanent HBO contract, it must have been a schedule issue :'( Hope we get him as a Targ one day though
I personally find some fan reactions very weird and contradicting: For example, feminist fangirls call Ser Criston an incel, without considering his naiveness and unfair treatment by Rheanyra, yet they get hot and bothered by Daemon who deliberately killed his wife in cold blood...
I'm not totally sure of that. This scene is ambiguous : 1rst Daemon doesn't touch the horse. 2) When she felt on the ground and he realuzed she was paralized, he began to walk away. Rhea was too proud to beg him ; so she used the provocation to ask him to "finish" her. The treatment of this murder is very odd.
I'm glad to see the back of it. Adaptations are for people who either don't read or whose imagination has failed them; how could anything on screen compare to the world created in the reading mind? These shows are pollution. I'm turning my back on GRRM adaptations, for the sake of the beauty, power and majesty of his books and their life in my heart.
On twitter fandom, you should look into the "Reylo" stuff, if you're not already familiar with it, to see just how weird and obsessive "shippers" can be.
HOTD had so much potential. Its starting off with GOTs season 8 budgets, I just hope they follow thru this time.
Excellent discussion. This was such a great listen !
I like how you're both tied with george and the books in a professional way but still state your opinions and what you dislike freely
This made me reflect on the strange irrelevance of religion in the Dance of Dragons, and Asoiaf to some degree. Maybe it’s because I’ve been reading about the tudors and Stuart’s recently but I think religion should be key in this succession dispute. The way I would chose to frame it would be thus: Rhaenryas side should hold the ancient religions of Valyria as sacred, and notions like Targaryen exceptionalism and supremacy. While Alicent, after the kings death, reverts to the Faith of the Seven, and raised her children in the faith, and as a result she opposes incest marriages. Perhaps she attempts to have the dragons integrated into the faith, having them be blessed, adorned with Faith Iconography, named after the 7, and incorporated into the Faith Mythology. Really, one would think that the place of dragons within the Faith of the 7s religion would be a key matter of theological debate: are they angels or demons? Perhaps some septon could dig through old tomes to find apocryphal writing concerning dragons, written closer to the time of the founding of the faith of the 7- which I assume has some connection to the original long night. Wasn’t it said that Hugor of the Hill was a key (andal?) figure to the Faith, and in World we learn that Hugor is a regional form of Azor Ahai? I’m which case the Faith certainly does share something of an origin to Rhllrism at least, and therefore should have some theological framework through which to interpret dragons.
This was a great summary! ❤Would you guys consider doing a quick dive into what additions from the show on the lore about Valyria? I was interested to see Viserys talk about the Anogrion, I don't remember reading that in the world book!
I really liked the OST as well as the cinematography (except for the lighting). I hope they make a new opening theme for the show next season.
Great recap of series 1 (big fan of both of you for 9 years going now) the only thing I feel is missing is info recap about the dragons (and maybe a bit of speculation/ your opinion about how some dragonriders for certain dragons share a particular personality trait or attribute)
Yes Andor is great too!
Love your honest opinions. Something that seems more rare everyday.
About Cole. Very interesting Idea to imagine a man seducing a septa.👍
But Rhaenyra acts with Cole exactly as Arya with Gendry in Season 8. But Gendry will never insult her and get revenge on Arya's children.
The show is its own universe, different than the books. In that light, its a normal, good fantasy show. 6/10.
The lore changes dont matter much, as long as they work within the story being told.
One thing that could be mentioned regarding the perception of Daemon is the huge shift mid-season, at least for me.
I couldn't stand him in the first half/pre being a dad, and in the second half he seemed decent, almost reasonable (relatively speaking)
Thankyou for not buying into the crap of the present moment and being clear and rational and learned people. Respect to you both.
Is there any word on if Mushroom will make an appearance or is he totally cut?
Funny that you mention Erik Northman in conjuction with Daemon. I wish Alex Skarsgård played Daemon istead, he would have killed it. Matt Smith lacks that dominant presence although he channels the chaotic energy pretty well.
Considering Alex is basically on permanent HBO contract, it must have been a schedule issue :'( Hope we get him as a Targ one day though
I personally find some fan reactions very weird and contradicting: For example, feminist fangirls call Ser Criston an incel, without considering his naiveness and unfair treatment by Rheanyra, yet they get hot and bothered by Daemon who deliberately killed his wife in cold blood...
I'm not totally sure of that. This scene is ambiguous :
1rst Daemon doesn't touch the horse.
2) When she felt on the ground and he realuzed she was paralized, he began to walk away. Rhea was too proud to beg him ; so she used the provocation to ask him to "finish" her.
The treatment of this murder is very odd.
If they hadn't double standards they wouldn't have none at all
I'm glad to see the back of it. Adaptations are for people who either don't read or whose imagination has failed them; how could anything on screen compare to the world created in the reading mind? These shows are pollution.
I'm turning my back on GRRM adaptations, for the sake of the beauty, power and majesty of his books and their life in my heart.
On twitter fandom, you should look into the "Reylo" stuff, if you're not already familiar with it, to see just how weird and obsessive "shippers" can be.