What makes Meleys death even more sad is that her previous rider was Daemon and Visery’s Mom and Vhagars previous rider before Leana was Daemon and Visery’s father. Vhagar and Meleys once flew together as a family in an era of peace and now they are fighting in a civil war of their own, not just the targaryans civil war, plus if you look at the family line of the dragons Meleys is technically Vhagars granddaughter
Losing Rhaenys is devastating both in the story and the show as a whole. Eve Best was one of the greatest parts of this show and I'm truly gonna miss her.
It's even more weird when you realize he didn't start sleeping with Alicent until she was the Queen Dowager and moved out of her apartments into Rhaenyra's old room. So this is the only room in the Red Keep where Cole has ever had sex, and he's screwing Alicent in the same bed where he screwed Rhaenyra. Kinda makes you wonder which woman he is thinking about when he's in that bed...
@@Skye_Writer I don't see it that way at all. He feels that she took away the one thing that mattered to him the most. He broke his Kingsguard oath because of her. Marrying her would've gone some way to mend his loss of honor. If it was just about having the hots for Rhaenyra, he could've just kept doing it with her. He didn't want that.
@@krissuyxshe didn’t take anything he didn’t give willingly. He’s a heartbroken pup who broke his oaths to fuck a princess and then a queen lol he’s not some poor knight being taken advantage of
I love how Viserys and Daemon's relationship mirrors Aegon and Aemond's. The only difference is that Aemond became what Otto feared Daemon would be. Viserys himself said "you think my brother would murder me? Take my crown?" and we see the opposite side of that coin playout here.
He would be if he got the crown thats why Viserys wanted him far away from crown and made Rahaenyra heir to spite him, but Daemon murder her husband and married Rhae to be closer to it and they Aegon and Aemond were born and he hated them because they put him even more far away from throne something show did not showed and makes a lot of sense
One thing I noticed, and I don't know if it's intentional.... when other dragon riders give an order, they shout. Rhaenys almost whispered, or just spoke normally, and Maelys understood her perfectly.
Definitely intentional. They're bond was amazing. Rhaenys is also the first dragon rider we've seen that didn't say dracarys when attacking. Idk if that is supposed to be anything important. I just thought it was an interesting detail.
@@Blinkptx You''re right. And when you think about it, it makes sense. Fire isn't exactly the best weapon against a dragon. Her tactics were to get in close, and use Maelys's talons to rip at the soft underbelly. Much smarter. Man, Rhaenys was the GOAT!
@@byronabrahams871 yea the director said they studied how predator birds fight, which is like Meleys, clawing through the skin and biting the neck, which is Vhagar’s fav move
Vhagar is the most experienced dragon alive. She was fighting with Aegon the Conqueror. Her weakness is that she is old and slow and Meleys is the fastest dragon
I don't think the series has portrayed what you mention very well. If Vhagar is slow then how did he catch up to his half brother's dragon and kill it? Also I don't understand why Rhenys turned back to fight Vhagar again if he's slow. She didn't sound very confident when she told Meleys to turn back to fight. It was as if she didn't feel like she had a choice. I thought she had to turn back to fight because she was afraid of Vhagar following and catching up to them.
@@oliviarivFrom a book reader, meleys is the fastest out of all targaryen dragons. Rhaenys knew she was supposed to keep the castle safe and its upsetting she knew it was suicide
@@fouff925fr like the fight didn't show how fast Meleys is.....like vhagar somehow sneak up??? That honestly doesn't make sense since Meleys is the faster dragon by common sense 😂
Rhaenys was killed by her daughter’s dragon. And Meleys was killed by the dragon of her first rider’s husband. And Baelon’s grandsons killed Aemon’s daughter… 🥲🥲🥲🥲
I'm glad you caught that Meleys had a good chance against Vhagar if she was not already taken up by fighting Sunfyre. Rhaenys had an actual chance to end the war there and then if she had managed to kill or seriously wound Vhagar. Even if she had died in process she would have won the war. That is why she went back.
"Princess Rhaenys made no attempt to flee. With a glad cry and a crack of her whip, she turned Meleys to her enemies." 💔 - Fire & Blood (Im fuckin cryin bros) RIP to the Red Queen, and The Queen Who SHOULD’VE Been.
I just want to clear this up because a lot of things were happening but I only ever referred to Vhagar by name otherwise I was referring to the rider. Vhagar is the only one who's gender I know 😅
@@oliviariv In season 1, the kid fight was about how one of the girls had the right to "claim her," and I think earlier in this season maybe Daemon said something about that "hoary old bitch." Plus, according to lore and all the references to this universe, Vhagar is referred to as she.
Was watching with my grandmum and Rhaenys was her favourite character. I already knew what was gonna happened, & I started crying when Rhaenys flies back into battle the 3rd time. She looks over at me & goes "NOOOO SHES GONNA DIE!????" & then started crying too 🤣🤣🤣
"What scooby-doo ass shit is about to happen now?" Lmaooo This episode left my mouth open for about 30m straight in the end. RIP to the queen who should've been ;-;
I knew Rhaenys’ end was coming but it was definitely hard to watch especially when Meleys looked back at her. They both knew 😔 RIP to the Queen who never was 🐉🖤🖤
I give this show such massive credit for making the narrative so compelling, but the fact is, they can't change the big events. I heard Aemond mention Rook's Rest, and it was, like, oh sh*t! Rhaenys is gonna die fighting both of them. They're basically narrating a history book. The events, and deaths, have to happen where they happen, and in a specific order.
I recall seeing somewhere that the showrunners, maybe Martin as well, mentioned that the book is a biased, outdated, mostly unreliable, in-universe text, made over 150 years after the fact, based on four (but really, three) different individuals accounts on events, none of which line up in any way, but for the most major events of the war, and that the show was supposed to be the events as they happened, no personal or historical bias distorting the perspective. So seeing that Aemond's first attempt at fratricide (improved, as well, because the drunken lout wasn't even supposed to BE there) gets remembered as a necessary strategy in a key battle, taking out the second most dangerous dragon of the opposing army, is a nice spin on the limitations of historical texts, much like how Viserys was quite different book to show.
One commenter said it best in another video: Everyone is so excited for dragon on dragon violence until we hear Sunfyre cry in pain and realize this more like dogs fighting than tanks battling. These are living creatures, not merely vehicles of war. And no, Cole didn't make a unicorn horn for his horse. Not technically. The metal headpiece of horse armor, the chanfron, often had a spike added to it as extra protection for the horse, but it was, yes, often meant to symbolize a unicorn since they were known as wild and powerful beasts. Kind of the same as putting a spiked collar on a big dog, it's there to make the horse look tough, and it's a common piece, not just on Cole's horse.
Say what you will about his fetishes, but I love Lord Larys' character and the actor's performance. His cunning, subtle expressions... his low, eloquent voice that never say what is really on his mind. Him and Littlefinger are equally formidable Master of Whisperers.
Littlefinger seems like an amateur compared to Larys. His desires were always pretty obvious once you knew how he operates. Larys is much harder to read. It's not as clear what his endgame is. Part of me wishes he has no endgame or desire for anything other than starting rumors & watching the royals tear themselves apart lol
Just to add: Criston Cole has actually fought in battles before so he did know what he was getting himself into to an extent, but of course, never a one fought between dragons.
Rhaenyra's speech to Jace gives me chills!! RIP to Rhaenys and Meleys, they're both brave heroes! 💔 and also Sunfyre is a beautiful dragon, I hope he's not dead, Aegon? eh. whatever lol
cole is the one person who has actually known battles. in season 1 he was chosen by rhaenyra as a kingsguard specifically because he fought in a war against the dornish, not like the other tourney knights. but yeah, generally, all the other young ones are hot-blooded and eager to go to war, from aegon to aemond to jace
Cole has fought in battle and he is good at it. A point is that he is inexperienced in dragon war. While it is understandable that Cole and Aemond wanted to keep Vhagar a secret, how do you keep this plan away from your King. Big miscalculation by Cole who was serving Aegon. I think that Aemond saw an opportunity and tried to kill his brother, but I have not read the books.
This episode really made me feel bad for Aegon. Alicent skewers him with the question, "Did you think wearing that crown would imbue you with wisdom?" But the same question could and should be turned back on her. She and Otto ruled in Viserys' name for years, but neither of them brought him to the council meetings as a teenager and groomed him for the role, the way Viserys did with Rhaenyra. Otto worked so hard to keep Daemon out of Viserys' council because Daemon was the stronger brother, but he didn't do the same for Aegon so Aemond has been sitting in council worming his way in until he, like you pointed out, metaphorically castrates Aegon in front of everyone. Yes, Aegon was an asshole to him in the brothel, but at least he had the excuse of being drunk. And then Alicent goes on to tell Aegon he is useless and he should just sit there and be a puppet king. OF COURSE he resents Otto and Alicent butting in on his decisions, they absolutely ignored him in the years when they SHOULD have been teaching him, and when he tried to do good things for the people, they cut him off at the knees, making it where he pronounced something in public but then had to take it back in public, too. With every public dressing down they give this young man, they make him look weak or they call him weak, so they are pushing him to prove that he is a man and can make decisions on his own. Alicent says to take the advice of his councilors, and when he asks her on the edge of tears what she would have him do, she cuts him down instead of giving him real advice. She is pissed at herself that she helped put Aegon on the throne when she knew even when he was a teenager that he wasn't fit for it. But she is taking it out on him.
You know, this show really gives me a sense of sympathy for the early seven kingdoms and respect for the Dornish. Imagine some foreigners suddenly show up one day, claim they're king now and you aren't really taking them seriously before three of those things turn up and make it so your entire army is going closed casket.
12:54 holy shit! that's the kid from season 1 who looked like he was about 14 years old when offering to marry Rheynera. The other guy insulted him and he gutted the asshole.
I think Aemond fully wanted Aegon to die there. He waited with going in/helping him, then shot fire at both of them. I think Cole knows Aemond delayed his entrance on purpose. If Aegon is still alive I wonder how he and Alicent will treat Aemond now. Alicent must be pissed af.
Sir Alicent is looking for the story of ice and fire to probably try to prove Rhaenyra wrong so she doesn't feel guilty. You give Alicent too much credit. Lol
12:52 "i once vyed for queen rhaenyras hand" fun little call back to him as a blackwood kid gutting a bracken man in season one after he spoke out of line.
I think Aemond saw an opportunity for revenge and he took it. They didn't do the whole brothel scene last episode just to show Aemond's schlong. Probably just a small peek into a lifelong history of bullying. This episode was equal parts amazing and devastating. Definitely rendered speechless, in any case.
I’ve loved eve best as a stage actress for years and it’s been fantastic to see her be so superb in this series. One of the best characters. I’ll miss her.
When you saw Aemond and Vhagar and realized Cole's plan, you had basically the same response that I had - horror and dread on behalf of Rhaenys. Even writing this now, the day after I first watched the episode, I am still getting choked up at her loss. I love this show and the actors are all nailing their roles, by Rhaenys is far and away my favorite. Once she saw Vhagar was there, we can't know for sure if she could have gotten safely away (injuries, flying speeds, all sorts of variables), but it's totally consistent with her aims since the war erupted for her to stay and try and make the sacrifice play, she and Malys injured Vhagar after all. Vhagar crashed to the ground from her injuries while Malys and Rhaenys maneuvered up and prevented their own crash after that serious stroke they scored on Vhagar. As far as she knows, she has helped take out Aegon and Sunfyre already - or at least grievously injured them - if she can injured Vhagar enough or take out Aemond (taking Vhagar off the Green team's arsenal) then she would have done what she was wanted most here... to end the war with the least possible deaths in the shortest time and serving the win to Rhaenyra and team Black. Even if it cost her her own life and Malys. It didn't quite work out that way, but they had a shot here and she can't have been sure she would have escaped if she ran, so she took the shot. For her side and for the realm, she judged this the best choice and was clearly willing throughout to put her own safety aside to get it. One of the things about this I am most moved by is how much this - and many of her other choices - show us that when the council chose Viserys over the Queen Who Never Was at Harrenhall all those decades ago, they made the wrong choice. One of the countless tragedies afoot in this story. The show has such great writing. I really think they've upped their game since the also excellent first season. This episode hurt. But exactly in the way I want tragedies to hurt as an audience member. That dragon battle wasn't an action scene, it was a war scene, meaning it was all dread and loss and me shouting "no no no" at my TV. As it should be. War is a horror and everyone it touches is damaged forever. Thank you for your reaction - I always look forward to yours most of all for HOTD especially. Liked and shared.
Wow, wow, what an episode. I see now why they call it a Dance of Dragons. Rhaenys was the best. She would have been a fantastic queen. I've seen a funny theory that Daemon simply doesn't remember what Aemond looks like beyond "silver hair, eye patch, can't miss him"
Great episode, really breaks the heart to see the peace Viserys fought so hard to preserve slowly descend into the conflict we all know is upon them all. Team Targaryen all the way, to hell with the usurping Greens.
When Aemond spoke High Valyrian at the green council meeting, it doesn’t really embarrass Aegon bc he doesn’t understand High Valyrian... which is why Aegon didn’t really respond.
The Andals brought the religion of the faith of the seven to westeros. The first men where there first and they believed in the old gods. They fought for thousands of years before the Andals took over most of the seven kingdoms except the north. Thats why the olds gods and most of the weirwood trees are still prominent in the north. The Targaryens dont really believe in the faith or the old gods either. They only act like they believe in the faith of the seven because when the Aegon the conquerer took over, the Andals were in power in most of the seven kingdoms and mostly everyone now believes in the faith except the north. Edit: Yes the Andals came from Essos. They were chased out by Old Valyria.
When Alicent was telling him how useless he was, the only thing I could think of was how much different he might have turned out if his parents had actually given a shit about him. Aemond was able to thrive, but Aegon really needed the help of his parents.
Another poster (I forget who) called Vhagar 'Godzilla with wings'. I can see why. Yikes. RIP to The Red Queen Meleys, and the Queen Who Never Was, Rhaenys. They fought well, and died with honor in fire and blood. They will be missed. 😪
Rhaenys has attacked again and again, because the accusations that Deamon has made to her several times have stuck with her. What she missed to do with Aegon back then, she wanted to finish here with Vaghar and Aegon this time. It would have been better for Aegon if he hadn't humiliated Aemond last time. It was foreseeable that Rhaenyra would die. However, Aemond was pleased with his brother's presence. Two birds with one stone. That's why he went up to his brother with his sword drawn to finish the job, but then Cole came along and he put the sword away. And of course, Aegon is still alive. In any case, he is not burned, because he is a Tagaryan and they don't burn so easily. He will have broken many bones, may be comatose, may never be able to walk again, but he is not dead. Otherwise, his body would have been shown longer and more obviously. The impression was to be given that he was dead.
In the book, the ambush is orchestrated by Aemond, Aegon and Criston together, but the show wants to make Aegon look as stupid and incompetent as possible, so we got his instead. It is clearly stated that Meleys might have had a chance if it had only been Vhaegar, but Sunfyre makes the difference and the two brothers together take her down. Rhaenys is so epic in the book she takes on two dragons and injures one to within an inch of his life, but here she is just suicidal for some reason and keeps returning having two chances to get away and regroup which just makes her look idiotic tbh.
I don't know why they're making everyone dumber. Aegon was definitely a badass at Rook's Nest, and Rhaenys managed to hold on against two dragons at once, at least for a while! To say nothing about loyal, duty bound Aemond (his only redeeming qualities in the book) betraying his brother. I don't know what the show writers are smoking.
I loved Rhaenys, but she did this to herself. Meleys is at least twice as fast and maneuverable as Vhagar, riding her anywhere near where Vhagar could ambush her instead of staying constantly out of reach was a rookie mistake worthy of Luke. Not to mention the fact that the battle was done, the army was annihilated, there was no reason at all for her to hang around loitering. Either she was stupid or the writers were.
Maybe you didn't realise but Meleys was wounded, she couldn't fly as fast as before, she had a wounded wing and a claw, so she couldn't fly faster than Vaghar, so Rhaenys had no choice to fight, but when she was going to turn around she was caught by surprise, dragons are living creatures, the mount is not stable, like in a horse, you not have a 360 degree view of your surroundings, I have to say that at difference from other media is a very realistic portray of riding a Dragon, is not smooth sailing.
I can't forgive this show erasing my Muppet Tullys (I shall not stand for the erasure of Elmo and Kermit Tully), but I will at least give this show a cheer for that brilliant bit of Aemond saying F U AEGON at Rook's Rest, amazing truly lol
Now House of the Dragons come had rise of the charts again, surpassing The Boys, like in the beginning of the season, maybe some people lost patients or got bored in the third episode, but now that the Dance of the Dragons began in earnest, House of the Dragons is right on top again.
How can everyone like Aemond but dislike Daemon????? All Alicent children are privileged and entitled. Not royalty. Sorry Alicent you Did Not have a royal womb as Queen Emma stated to her daughter in season 1 ep1. All the while Alicent stood in the back green with envy. She was never Rvaenrya's true friend but planted there per Otto doing. No matter how fat a leech grows he always wants for another meal- Daemon Targaryen
I honestly cannot comprehend how Vhgar was able to get up that fast and sneak up to Meleys aka the fastest dragon... idk why Rhaenys nor meleys didn't saw where they went after the crash😂 i guess the plot is like that since they wanted to change the battle from the books lol
aemond been tryin kill his broth next episode he is crowned king....he hated his brother was bout stab him but cole came....he will be bed ridden a year on milk of poppy armour melted into his body......
What makes Meleys death even more sad is that her previous rider was Daemon and Visery’s Mom and Vhagars previous rider before Leana was Daemon and Visery’s father. Vhagar and Meleys once flew together as a family in an era of peace and now they are fighting in a civil war of their own, not just the targaryans civil war, plus if you look at the family line of the dragons Meleys is technically Vhagars granddaughter
Omg I had no idea 😭 that’s so much more tragic
It's really like having people's pets battle to the death for nothing more than human drama. It's very tragic.
The look on Rhaenys face as she steels her resolve and turns back to fight vhagar, just an absolute phenomenal performance from Eve Best.
Losing Rhaenys is devastating both in the story and the show as a whole. Eve Best was one of the greatest parts of this show and I'm truly gonna miss her.
Rhaenys & Corlys are my favorite couple. I knew what would happen and it still was heartbreaking to watch...
God crriston makes it SO personal and weird whenever he talks about Rhaenyra. Boy was obsessed jesus
It's even more weird when you realize he didn't start sleeping with Alicent until she was the Queen Dowager and moved out of her apartments into Rhaenyra's old room. So this is the only room in the Red Keep where Cole has ever had sex, and he's screwing Alicent in the same bed where he screwed Rhaenyra. Kinda makes you wonder which woman he is thinking about when he's in that bed...
@@Skye_Writer I don't see it that way at all. He feels that she took away the one thing that mattered to him the most. He broke his Kingsguard oath because of her. Marrying her would've gone some way to mend his loss of honor.
If it was just about having the hots for Rhaenyra, he could've just kept doing it with her. He didn't want that.
@@krissuyxshe didn’t take anything he didn’t give willingly.
He’s a heartbroken pup who broke his oaths to fuck a princess and then a queen lol he’s not some poor knight being taken advantage of
I love how Viserys and Daemon's relationship mirrors Aegon and Aemond's. The only difference is that Aemond became what Otto feared Daemon would be. Viserys himself said "you think my brother would murder me? Take my crown?" and we see the opposite side of that coin playout here.
He would be if he got the crown thats why Viserys wanted him far away from crown and made Rahaenyra heir to spite him, but Daemon murder her husband and married Rhae to be closer to it and they Aegon and Aemond were born and he hated them because they put him even more far away from throne something show did not showed and makes a lot of sense
One thing I noticed, and I don't know if it's intentional.... when other dragon riders give an order, they shout. Rhaenys almost whispered, or just spoke normally, and Maelys understood her perfectly.
Definitely intentional. They're bond was amazing. Rhaenys is also the first dragon rider we've seen that didn't say dracarys when attacking. Idk if that is supposed to be anything important. I just thought it was an interesting detail.
@@Blinkptx You''re right. And when you think about it, it makes sense. Fire isn't exactly the best weapon against a dragon. Her tactics were to get in close, and use Maelys's talons to rip at the soft underbelly. Much smarter. Man, Rhaenys was the GOAT!
@@byronabrahams871 yea the director said they studied how predator birds fight, which is like Meleys, clawing through the skin and biting the neck, which is Vhagar’s fav move
I loved how Aegon had to talk in english lol
@@sproductionsinc Such a subtle, but brilliant assertion of dominance.
Vhagar is the most experienced dragon alive. She was fighting with Aegon the Conqueror. Her weakness is that she is old and slow and Meleys is the fastest dragon
was* 😔
I don't think the series has portrayed what you mention very well. If Vhagar is slow then how did he catch up to his half brother's dragon and kill it? Also I don't understand why Rhenys turned back to fight Vhagar again if he's slow. She didn't sound very confident when she told Meleys to turn back to fight. It was as if she didn't feel like she had a choice. I thought she had to turn back to fight because she was afraid of Vhagar following and catching up to them.
@@oliviarivFrom a book reader, meleys is the fastest out of all targaryen dragons. Rhaenys knew she was supposed to keep the castle safe and its upsetting she knew it was suicide
Apparently the writers nerfs Meleys and Rhaenys since they didn't saw that huge ass dragon flying and hiding behind the castle lol
@@fouff925fr like the fight didn't show how fast Meleys is.....like vhagar somehow sneak up??? That honestly doesn't make sense since Meleys is the faster dragon by common sense 😂
To my Team Black family, we not running away we fighting to the death.
Aemond said I’ll become a three time kinslayer for the sake of not being laughed at again😂
And they've called Rhaenyra a kinslayer while Aemond wasn't called that 😂
@@lgt.jne3mans killed his nephew and cousin and almost killed aegon but they refuse to call him a kinslayer😂
Rhaenys was killed by her daughter’s dragon.
And Meleys was killed by the dragon of her first rider’s husband.
And Baelon’s grandsons killed Aemon’s daughter…
🥲🥲🥲🥲
The way Meleys turned to look at Rhaneys made me tear up.. so sad 😢😢
Same, you could feel there bond through the screen, it’s so heartbreaking ☝️🥺💔 📺
Aemond looking like sephiroth in that last shot before he walks off
I'm glad you caught that Meleys had a good chance against Vhagar if she was not already taken up by fighting Sunfyre. Rhaenys had an actual chance to end the war there and then if she had managed to kill or seriously wound Vhagar. Even if she had died in process she would have won the war. That is why she went back.
If possible take out Aemond
"Princess Rhaenys made no attempt to flee. With a glad cry and a crack of her whip, she turned Meleys to her enemies." 💔 - Fire & Blood (Im fuckin cryin bros) RIP to the Red Queen, and The Queen Who SHOULD’VE Been.
I see a lot of people get this wrong, but Vhagar is a she :)
Thank you. I’ve been commenting this on a few vids tonight
That ol' biatch as Daemon once called her?
I thought dragons didn't have genders since they don't actually mate with each other. We've never seen a dragon penis in the series.
I just want to clear this up because a lot of things were happening but I only ever referred to Vhagar by name otherwise I was referring to the rider. Vhagar is the only one who's gender I know 😅
@@oliviariv In season 1, the kid fight was about how one of the girls had the right to "claim her," and I think earlier in this season maybe Daemon said something about that "hoary old bitch." Plus, according to lore and all the references to this universe, Vhagar is referred to as she.
Was watching with my grandmum and Rhaenys was her favourite character. I already knew what was gonna happened, & I started crying when Rhaenys flies back into battle the 3rd time. She looks over at me & goes "NOOOO SHES GONNA DIE!????" & then started crying too 🤣🤣🤣
Rhaenys and her dragon Meleys, The Red Queen will always be remembered to be a tandem of fire and bravery. 😢
R.I.P to a real Maniaco
"What scooby-doo ass shit is about to happen now?" Lmaooo This episode left my mouth open for about 30m straight in the end. RIP to the queen who should've been ;-;
I knew Rhaenys’ end was coming but it was definitely hard to watch especially when Meleys looked back at her. They both knew 😔 RIP to the Queen who never was 🐉🖤🖤
Rhaenys was one of my favorites. RIP to her and Meleys.
I give this show such massive credit for making the narrative so compelling, but the fact is, they can't change the big events. I heard Aemond mention Rook's Rest, and it was, like, oh sh*t! Rhaenys is gonna die fighting both of them. They're basically narrating a history book. The events, and deaths, have to happen where they happen, and in a specific order.
I recall seeing somewhere that the showrunners, maybe Martin as well, mentioned that the book is a biased, outdated, mostly unreliable, in-universe text, made over 150 years after the fact, based on four (but really, three) different individuals accounts on events, none of which line up in any way, but for the most major events of the war, and that the show was supposed to be the events as they happened, no personal or historical bias distorting the perspective. So seeing that Aemond's first attempt at fratricide (improved, as well, because the drunken lout wasn't even supposed to BE there) gets remembered as a necessary strategy in a key battle, taking out the second most dangerous dragon of the opposing army, is a nice spin on the limitations of historical texts, much like how Viserys was quite different book to show.
@@scotthadden9816 Agreed. What Aemond did, story wise, is fantastic. I didn't think it would go that far, and I'm so intrigued.
One commenter said it best in another video: Everyone is so excited for dragon on dragon violence until we hear Sunfyre cry in pain and realize this more like dogs fighting than tanks battling. These are living creatures, not merely vehicles of war.
And no, Cole didn't make a unicorn horn for his horse. Not technically. The metal headpiece of horse armor, the chanfron, often had a spike added to it as extra protection for the horse, but it was, yes, often meant to symbolize a unicorn since they were known as wild and powerful beasts. Kind of the same as putting a spiked collar on a big dog, it's there to make the horse look tough, and it's a common piece, not just on Cole's horse.
Say what you will about his fetishes, but I love Lord Larys' character and the actor's performance. His cunning, subtle expressions... his low, eloquent voice that never say what is really on his mind. Him and Littlefinger are equally formidable Master of Whisperers.
Littlefinger was never MoW. That was Varys (and later Qyburn). Littlefinger + Varys = Larys. It's in the name.
Yeah, I enjoy every moment when he's on screen.
Littlefinger seems like an amateur compared to Larys. His desires were always pretty obvious once you knew how he operates. Larys is much harder to read. It's not as clear what his endgame is. Part of me wishes he has no endgame or desire for anything other than starting rumors & watching the royals tear themselves apart lol
Just to add: Criston Cole has actually fought in battles before so he did know what he was getting himself into to an extent, but of course, never a one fought between dragons.
Nah aemond was gonna go for the kill shot on his brother 😂
Rhaenyra's speech to Jace gives me chills!!
RIP to Rhaenys and Meleys, they're both brave heroes! 💔
and also Sunfyre is a beautiful dragon, I hope he's not dead, Aegon? eh. whatever lol
cole is the one person who has actually known battles. in season 1 he was chosen by rhaenyra as a kingsguard specifically because he fought in a war against the dornish, not like the other tourney knights. but yeah, generally, all the other young ones are hot-blooded and eager to go to war, from aegon to aemond to jace
I read the book and I knew what's gonna happen, and I still cried 🥲
Cole has fought in battle and he is good at it. A point is that he is inexperienced in dragon war. While it is understandable that Cole and Aemond wanted to keep Vhagar a secret, how do you keep this plan away from your King. Big miscalculation by Cole who was serving Aegon. I think that Aemond saw an opportunity and tried to kill his brother, but I have not read the books.
This episode really made me feel bad for Aegon. Alicent skewers him with the question, "Did you think wearing that crown would imbue you with wisdom?" But the same question could and should be turned back on her. She and Otto ruled in Viserys' name for years, but neither of them brought him to the council meetings as a teenager and groomed him for the role, the way Viserys did with Rhaenyra. Otto worked so hard to keep Daemon out of Viserys' council because Daemon was the stronger brother, but he didn't do the same for Aegon so Aemond has been sitting in council worming his way in until he, like you pointed out, metaphorically castrates Aegon in front of everyone. Yes, Aegon was an asshole to him in the brothel, but at least he had the excuse of being drunk. And then Alicent goes on to tell Aegon he is useless and he should just sit there and be a puppet king. OF COURSE he resents Otto and Alicent butting in on his decisions, they absolutely ignored him in the years when they SHOULD have been teaching him, and when he tried to do good things for the people, they cut him off at the knees, making it where he pronounced something in public but then had to take it back in public, too. With every public dressing down they give this young man, they make him look weak or they call him weak, so they are pushing him to prove that he is a man and can make decisions on his own.
Alicent says to take the advice of his councilors, and when he asks her on the edge of tears what she would have him do, she cuts him down instead of giving him real advice. She is pissed at herself that she helped put Aegon on the throne when she knew even when he was a teenager that he wasn't fit for it. But she is taking it out on him.
Boy our Red Queen was destroying Sunfyre. He stood no chance
I've dreaded this episode just as much as I was excited about it. Seeing the dragons get hurt is so hard to watch.
Yeah definitely, hearing them in pain, breaks my heart 🥺💔
You know, this show really gives me a sense of sympathy for the early seven kingdoms and respect for the Dornish. Imagine some foreigners suddenly show up one day, claim they're king now and you aren't really taking them seriously before three of those things turn up and make it so your entire army is going closed casket.
Still Team Black ❤🖤
12:54 holy shit! that's the kid from season 1 who looked like he was about 14 years old when offering to marry Rheynera. The other guy insulted him and he gutted the asshole.
Great catch! Everyone in the show ages except for Christen Cole for some reason.
@@oliviariv😅
Yup that's Willem
@@oliviarivThem Dornish genes I suppose
I think Aemond fully wanted Aegon to die there. He waited with going in/helping him, then shot fire at both of them. I think Cole knows Aemond delayed his entrance on purpose. If Aegon is still alive I wonder how he and Alicent will treat Aemond now. Alicent must be pissed af.
This absolutely broke my heart. RIP Rhaenys.
Sir Alicent is looking for the story of ice and fire to probably try to prove Rhaenyra wrong so she doesn't feel guilty. You give Alicent too much credit. Lol
12:52 "i once vyed for queen rhaenyras hand" fun little call back to him as a blackwood kid gutting a bracken man in season one after he spoke out of line.
I think Aemond saw an opportunity for revenge and he took it. They didn't do the whole brothel scene last episode just to show Aemond's schlong. Probably just a small peek into a lifelong history of bullying.
This episode was equal parts amazing and devastating. Definitely rendered speechless, in any case.
There was nothing “small” about the brothel scene ha
RIP to Rhaenys: my favorite character, the Queen that Never was that SHOULD have been 💔🌹❤️
Best reaction to Vhagar’s reveal in the woods ha
I’ve loved eve best as a stage actress for years and it’s been fantastic to see her be so superb in this series. One of the best characters. I’ll miss her.
When you saw Aemond and Vhagar and realized Cole's plan, you had basically the same response that I had - horror and dread on behalf of Rhaenys. Even writing this now, the day after I first watched the episode, I am still getting choked up at her loss.
I love this show and the actors are all nailing their roles, by Rhaenys is far and away my favorite.
Once she saw Vhagar was there, we can't know for sure if she could have gotten safely away (injuries, flying speeds, all sorts of variables), but it's totally consistent with her aims since the war erupted for her to stay and try and make the sacrifice play, she and Malys injured Vhagar after all. Vhagar crashed to the ground from her injuries while Malys and Rhaenys maneuvered up and prevented their own crash after that serious stroke they scored on Vhagar.
As far as she knows, she has helped take out Aegon and Sunfyre already - or at least grievously injured them - if she can injured Vhagar enough or take out Aemond (taking Vhagar off the Green team's arsenal) then she would have done what she was wanted most here... to end the war with the least possible deaths in the shortest time and serving the win to Rhaenyra and team Black. Even if it cost her her own life and Malys. It didn't quite work out that way, but they had a shot here and she can't have been sure she would have escaped if she ran, so she took the shot. For her side and for the realm, she judged this the best choice and was clearly willing throughout to put her own safety aside to get it.
One of the things about this I am most moved by is how much this - and many of her other choices - show us that when the council chose Viserys over the Queen Who Never Was at Harrenhall all those decades ago, they made the wrong choice. One of the countless tragedies afoot in this story.
The show has such great writing. I really think they've upped their game since the also excellent first season.
This episode hurt. But exactly in the way I want tragedies to hurt as an audience member. That dragon battle wasn't an action scene, it was a war scene, meaning it was all dread and loss and me shouting "no no no" at my TV. As it should be. War is a horror and everyone it touches is damaged forever.
Thank you for your reaction - I always look forward to yours most of all for HOTD especially.
Liked and shared.
Poor Sunfyre...😢
Truly had the dumbest rider
@@MewzikMakerBro fr was Aegon the Idiot
He's an amazing creature! It's a shame he belong to a douche king...
@@MewzikMaker Same sentiment as dogs not deserving humans, our sunny boy deserved a better rider.
@@not_ian5543 Oh, don't you worry, Sunfyre has the highest kill count in the war; his rider managed him just fine.
Wow, wow, what an episode. I see now why they call it a Dance of Dragons. Rhaenys was the best. She would have been a fantastic queen.
I've seen a funny theory that Daemon simply doesn't remember what Aemond looks like beyond "silver hair, eye patch, can't miss him"
Great episode, really breaks the heart to see the peace Viserys fought so hard to preserve slowly descend into the conflict we all know is upon them all. Team Targaryen all the way, to hell with the usurping Greens.
Both team are Targaryen...that is why it's called a *civil* war.
@@teodorakoslov2929 True Targaryens are with Rhanerya.
@@DraculaTepes420 'True Targaryens' - they all have the same blood, same father, and the same last name lol.
everybody fighting a war and daemon's just lost in the Haunting of Harrenhal :))) watch him renovate and flip that castle
What would you expect after being responsible for the beheading of a child?
Aemond was about to kill Aegon not put the dragon out of his misery lol He's over the nonsense
Finally the fire of DRAGONS in episode 4 "Dracarys" 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🐉
Aegon isn't necessarily dead yet. But if he lives he isn't going to be pretty anymore.
Right when Meleys looked back at Rhaenys I knew she was gonna die I couldn't see clearly what happened to Aegon
It's funny how the biggest dragon is also the sneakiest.
I guess it has to be sneaky and use camouflage anyways due to its size so makes sense :D
What an incredible episode 🎉🎉
Complete Shocking Ending
When Aemond spoke High Valyrian at the green council meeting, it doesn’t really embarrass Aegon bc he doesn’t understand High Valyrian... which is why Aegon didn’t really respond.
another glorious video, thank you milord Omni!~
The Andals brought the religion of the faith of the seven to westeros. The first men where there first and they believed in the old gods. They fought for thousands of years before the Andals took over most of the seven kingdoms except the north. Thats why the olds gods and most of the weirwood trees are still prominent in the north. The Targaryens dont really believe in the faith or the old gods either. They only act like they believe in the faith of the seven because when the Aegon the conquerer took over, the Andals were in power in most of the seven kingdoms and mostly everyone now believes in the faith except the north.
Edit: Yes the Andals came from Essos. They were chased out by Old Valyria.
I don't think Aegon is dead. And Larys seems to know what is going on with Daemon somehow. Could Alys be secretly in cahoots with him?
I mean I never understand why they choose argon to be king like he clearly didn’t wanna why didn’t he refuse the thrown 🤦🏽🤦🏽 like damn
Rhaenyra is always so calm even tempered and in control.
Her death may bring out her lost gay son to the fore. Too bad mum died without knowing her son Laenor was alive this whole time.
can someone give aegon some affection an validation please the poor boy's only smiled genuinely twice once for jaehaerys and once for his dragon :((
When Alicent was telling him how useless he was, the only thing I could think of was how much different he might have turned out if his parents had actually given a shit about him. Aemond was able to thrive, but Aegon really needed the help of his parents.
I really like your t-shirt. What is the artwork?
My heart 💔 😭
I dread what's still to come, the part of the book I'm hoping they would change but alas, I don't believe they will.
Gotta admit it was a good plan to lure Rhaenyra out, but got the Queen Who Never Was Instead
Another poster (I forget who) called Vhagar 'Godzilla with wings'. I can see why. Yikes. RIP to The Red Queen Meleys, and the Queen Who Never Was, Rhaenys. They fought well, and died with honor in fire and blood. They will be missed. 😪
Rhaenys Targaeryan... never Queen of Westeros, but Queen of our hearts. All of us.
“what scooby doo ass shit is gonna happen now?” 🤣
Rhaenys has attacked again and again, because the accusations that Deamon has made to her several times have stuck with her. What she missed to do with Aegon back then, she wanted to finish here with Vaghar and Aegon this time.
It would have been better for Aegon if he hadn't humiliated Aemond last time. It was foreseeable that Rhaenyra would die. However, Aemond was pleased with his brother's presence. Two birds with one stone. That's why he went up to his brother with his sword drawn to finish the job, but then Cole came along and he put the sword away. And of course, Aegon is still alive. In any case, he is not burned, because he is a Tagaryan and they don't burn so easily. He will have broken many bones, may be comatose, may never be able to walk again, but he is not dead. Otherwise, his body would have been shown longer and more obviously. The impression was to be given that he was dead.
Poor Aegon is a victim of drunk driving at its finest
Thought Rheanys would be twist villian playing long game.
Vhagar is uh professional 🐉 killer
RIP Aegon
26:15 Hi. My name is Ash....
Aegon really isn't to blame tho, literally no know taught him to be king.,
In the book, the ambush is orchestrated by Aemond, Aegon and Criston together, but the show wants to make Aegon look as stupid and incompetent as possible, so we got his instead. It is clearly stated that Meleys might have had a chance if it had only been Vhaegar, but Sunfyre makes the difference and the two brothers together take her down. Rhaenys is so epic in the book she takes on two dragons and injures one to within an inch of his life, but here she is just suicidal for some reason and keeps returning having two chances to get away and regroup which just makes her look idiotic tbh.
I don't know why they're making everyone dumber. Aegon was definitely a badass at Rook's Nest, and Rhaenys managed to hold on against two dragons at once, at least for a while! To say nothing about loyal, duty bound Aemond (his only redeeming qualities in the book) betraying his brother. I don't know what the show writers are smoking.
best episode so far
I loved Rhaenys, but she did this to herself. Meleys is at least twice as fast and maneuverable as Vhagar, riding her anywhere near where Vhagar could ambush her instead of staying constantly out of reach was a rookie mistake worthy of Luke. Not to mention the fact that the battle was done, the army was annihilated, there was no reason at all for her to hang around loitering. Either she was stupid or the writers were.
Maybe you didn't realise but Meleys was wounded, she couldn't fly as fast as before, she had a wounded wing and a claw, so she couldn't fly faster than Vaghar, so Rhaenys had no choice to fight, but when she was going to turn around she was caught by surprise, dragons are living creatures, the mount is not stable, like in a horse, you not have a 360 degree view of your surroundings, I have to say that at difference from other media is a very realistic portray of riding a Dragon, is not smooth sailing.
Aegon isn’t dead
I can't forgive this show erasing my Muppet Tullys (I shall not stand for the erasure of Elmo and Kermit Tully), but I will at least give this show a cheer for that brilliant bit of Aemond saying F U AEGON at Rook's Rest, amazing truly lol
What. A. Episode.
I Love Aemond with Vhegar❤ love from 🇮🇳 I 🤔think Aemond is Next 👑 🫰Hope🤞.
Got here before that Alex guy comments the same thing in every reaction vid.
Too slow
@@Alex-bz8lj Get a life challenge!!!! (IMPOSSIBLE)
Wtf is going on here? ha
Now House of the Dragons come had rise of the charts again, surpassing The Boys, like in the beginning of the season, maybe some people lost patients or got bored in the third episode, but now that the Dance of the Dragons began in earnest, House of the Dragons is right on top again.
How can everyone like Aemond but dislike Daemon????? All Alicent children are privileged and entitled. Not royalty. Sorry Alicent you Did Not have a royal womb as Queen Emma stated to her daughter in season 1 ep1. All the while Alicent stood in the back green with envy. She was never Rvaenrya's true friend but planted there per Otto doing. No matter how fat a leech grows he always wants for another meal- Daemon Targaryen
R.I.P. Auntie Rhaenys
Neither Aegon or Sunfyre is dead btw
Great ep
Her death was so unnecessary. She gained nothing by going back a second time.
I hate seeing dragons fight 😢
Same, especially the sound they make when they are hurt 🥺❤️🐉
ayeeeee
Aegon is not death, but is burned and cripple, his dragon is seriously injury, and because the incest of between dragons, his wounds wont heal.
Is not the Dragon misery Aemond try 2 times kill Aegon. He wants the throne
Dang poor aegon and sunfyre
😅
Thank Goodness Aegon was wearing Valyrian Armor and that Sunfrye broke his fall otherwise he would be toast
Armour would break him more. No matter if it Valyrian or not.
He looked toast to me ha
He will be toasted and mad from now on
But true,that must be a reason of why he survived
I honestly don't where that valyrian steel crap came from lol. Those are supposed to be rare.
@@lgt.jne3 it is the conqueror’s armor
GANG GREEN 💚
I honestly cannot comprehend how Vhgar was able to get up that fast and sneak up to Meleys aka the fastest dragon... idk why Rhaenys nor meleys didn't saw where they went after the crash😂 i guess the plot is like that since they wanted to change the battle from the books lol
It could have been a w for the blacks if she ran away man. Trade rook rest for a dragon
aemond been tryin kill his broth next episode he is crowned king....he hated his brother was bout stab him but cole came....he will be bed ridden a year on milk of poppy armour melted into his body......