*** GoT: House of the Dragon - Season 2***

123,615 Views | 1231 Replies | Last: 2 mo ago by TyHolden
The Dog Lord
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bobinator said:

I think criticism leads to more discussion so it can make it seem like we're overly negative, so wanted to take a second for one thing that I did like in this episode:

The scene with Aemond running the small council was good. Each of the people on the council are coming with their own perspectives, each of them has justifications to think they're view is correct, he is disagreeing with all of them and some of them thinks its youthful impetuousness, and yet, from what we know, he's the most correct.

In kind of a "firstest with the mostest" way, the faster they can attack Harrenhal, the better off they're going to be. The longer Daemon has to raise an army and Rhaenyra has to find dragon riders the worse it gets for the green army, even though they don't really know that.

I thought all of that interplay was pretty good.
Agreed that there are still some good scenes mixed into these most recent episodes. It's just tough when they had Blood & Cheese and then Battle at Rook's Rest in the first half of the season.

With such a short season as well, it feels like there isn't time to waste. There is still a chance it progresses significantly in the last 2 episodes, but I honestly thought we'd be further along by the end of this season after Rhaenyra realized she had to use the dragons.

I think having most of the show taking place on Dragonstone and in the Red Keep is also part of the issue. If we saw some of the same conversations happening elsewhere, we might feel like they are doing more. For instance, if Aemond and some of their councilors were holding a meeting in a tent with the army versus in the small council chamber. I know the story is smaller in scope than GoT, but it'd be great to get more of the world involved like with Jace going to see the Freys.
bobinator
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That's kind of what I'm talking about the time compression thing. Nothing in this show takes time to happen like it did in GOT. Dragonstone, Driftmark, the Riverlands and King's Landing are all fairly close together, but still, characters and armies just teleport around on this show. It's more late-season GOT than early season GOT.

Not a huge deal, but like it seems like Daemon has been at Harrenhal for a week or so when it's probably been several months. Or when everyone was freaking out about Rhaenyra being gone earlier this season, they mentioned it in one line of dialogue but as viewers we didn't get that same perspective that she was gone for weeks and nobody knew where she was. Seemed like a few days. And then one time it was a few days when Rhaenyra snuck in and out of King's Landing but that basically seemed like it happened overnight.

Again, it doesn't *really* matter, but it doesn't quite have the same gravity of the people movement that GOT had.
easttexasaggie04
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At first glance I thought Aegon was working customer service.
tk for tu juan
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IMDB Rating:
Episode 4: 9.6 (highest for the series)
Episode 5: 7.5 (2nd lowest for the series)
Episode 6: 6.3 (lowest for the series)
Josepi
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DannyDuberstein said:

Cole saw him pull his sword to finish Aegon. Aemond also knows Cole is banging his mom and he's trying to eliminate her influence, so you marginalize him at the same time to marginalize her. You don't leave the two of them together in the council and in Kings Landing to conspire against you
I watched the producers talk after the episode, and they talked about why Aemond booted his mom off the small council. They said he is all black and white, 100% rational, and he literally didn't see her purpose in being there. They said it wasn't out of spite, or malice, or scheming.
redline248
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This is one of those things where, unless the show tells you in interviews, the viewer doesn't really know. Rational, black and white thinking doesn't take a giant dragon to scare the piss out of his cousin, causing that cousin's death and inevitable war. It also doesn't attempt to kill it's brother in order to chase power.

Not much of what Aemond has done in the show supports that claim, imo. The mom basically asks him if he is doing all this out of vengeance for his childhood
bobinator
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I guess you could argue that he's gotten a little smarter and is willing to play a longer game now that Aegon is neutralized, but yeah, "100% rational" is a wild stretch for a character we've seen shoot from the hip several times.
Belton Ag
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Quote:

I'm just comparing it to Game of Thrones, where a character could be introduced and impact some of the side plots in the show for a while before they really take center stage.
Like Euron Greyjoy?
bobinator
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The Euron Greyjoy storyline was basically a House of the Dragon storyline inside Game of Thrones even before Game of Thrones itself completely descended into madness.
redline248
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"Hey, uh, George...what are you planning to do with Euron Greyjoy?"

"Oh, well, he is gonna sail around and capture some stuff. He wants to, you know, catch a dragon with his horn thing, so I guess eventually he'll make his way over to Slaver's Bay and..."

"Yeah ok." *whispers among selves "Can we just put him on a boat and have him smash a fleet?"
Mega Lops
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It seems to me the HotD Inside the Episode featurettes is further fluff and ad-libbing fan fiction the showrunners have put together when GRRM's source material was ambiguous.

I don't have to agree with it or like, hell I don't even watch it, but I can see where some viewers require dots being connected when intent or actions are not cut and dried. What's more is it gives HBO a few extra minutes of HotDporn to keep eyeballs on the tube.

Honestly I didn't even know Inside the Episode was thing until accidently letting the TV stay on through the credits earlier in the season. The entire aftershow phenomena is super unappealing because it is either used as a vehicle to explain something which shouldn't be that tough to get or as a trick for lowbrow viewer engagement purposes.

In the specific case of them saying Aemond is somehow black and white, that's nonsense. He clearly patronized Alicent right out the Red Keep with his domestic pursuits comment. That was malicious and he has disdain for her presence. Whether it is because of she distanced herself after the Luke fiasco or Alicent just favored Aegon more as heir, those points can be debated a lot more than directors/producers just saying he didn't find her useful so he axed her from the small council.

Only other explanation would be that he is autistic like Haelena (you know, due to all the incest), but high functioning, and was placating her with what he thinks she would like. However that is as ridiculous as the creators having to s-p-e-l-l out their intent and not worth discussing further.
canadiaggie
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redline248 said:

This is one of those things where, unless the show tells you in interviews, the viewer doesn't really know. Rational, black and white thinking doesn't take a giant dragon to scare the piss out of his cousin, causing that cousin's death and inevitable war. It also doesn't attempt to kill it's brother in order to chase power.

Not much of what Aemond has done in the show supports that claim, imo. The mom basically asks him if he is doing all this out of vengeance for his childhood
He seems like an extremely competent strategist who is driven by severe childhood neuroses.
redline248
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100%. Makes good plans, acts on impulse.
zap
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Al Bula said:

The entire after show phenomena is super unappealing...

Agreed. If it has to be explained in the after show, it was not sufficiently communicated in the real show.
deer corn
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redline248 said:


Also, I think he got rid of Cole b/c he's afraid he'll tell someone what he did to Aegon. Or was Cole unconscious at that point?


Or that he is banging his mom and can't be loyal to both of them. I also think that's why he dismissed Alicent from the council. "You smell of unwed sex and whoring, mother. Begone."
LB12Diamond
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He will not give club foot power bc he betrayed his own family. So no reason to trust him.

He removed his mom bc of her speaking up against his commands. That simple. Makes sense when he now has the power.
FancyKetchup14
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How anyone takes Aemond seriously is beyond me. That guy MAYBE weighs 120 pounds soaking wet and has an eye patch. Probably couldn't see a jab much less a haymaker coming from his left side. Without his dragon, where the only explanation is she must have felt bad for him cause he's the weird black sheep who likes porking the same old strange when he could be spending his youth with the finest harlots in flea bottom, he's a joke.
easttexasaggie04
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Aemond does make a pretty good villain. His smirk alone is enough reason to hate him.
pb488
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FancyKetchup14 said:

How anyone takes Aemond seriously is beyond me. That guy MAYBE weighs 120 pounds soaking wet and has an eye patch. Probably couldn't see a jab much less a haymaker coming from his left side. Without his dragon, where the only explanation is she must have felt bad for him cause he's the weird black sheep who likes porking the same old strange when he could be spending his youth with the finest harlots in flea bottom, he's a joke.
Charlie Conway
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this is just incredible interneting
The Dog Lord
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Al Bula said:

In the specific case of them saying Aemond is somehow black and white, that's nonsense. He clearly patronized Alicent right out the Red Keep with his domestic pursuits comment. That was malicious and he has disdain for her presence. Whether it is because of she distanced herself after the Luke fiasco or Alicent just favored Aegon more as heir, those points can be debated a lot more than directors/producers just saying he didn't find her useful so he axed her from the small council.

Only other explanation would be that he is autistic like Haelena (you know, due to all the incest), but high functioning, and was placating her with what he thinks she would like. However that is as ridiculous as the creators having to s-p-e-l-l out their intent and not worth discussing further.
It could still be true that he legitimately doesn't see any use for her even if he condescendingly tells her what she can go do now that she serves no purpose with the small council.
Zombie Jon Snow
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The Dog Lord said:

Al Bula said:

In the specific case of them saying Aemond is somehow black and white, that's nonsense. He clearly patronized Alicent right out the Red Keep with his domestic pursuits comment. That was malicious and he has disdain for her presence. Whether it is because of she distanced herself after the Luke fiasco or Alicent just favored Aegon more as heir, those points can be debated a lot more than directors/producers just saying he didn't find her useful so he axed her from the small council.

Only other explanation would be that he is autistic like Haelena (you know, due to all the incest), but high functioning, and was placating her with what he thinks she would like. However that is as ridiculous as the creators having to s-p-e-l-l out their intent and not worth discussing further.
It could still be true that he legitimately doesn't see any use for her even if he condescendingly tells her what she can go do now that she serves no purpose with the small council.

Not arguing with you just joining the fray....


He is obviously (to me) making a play to remove Aegon permanently. Whether it's by killing him or making sure he gets minimal treatment either way it is easier without mom around. Just as the maester is telling him he has regained consciousness and is stronger than he thought he visits him and dismisses the ones treating him and then says it is going to be a long process to the measter seemingly like he wants it to be. Then we see club foot withholding his medication to lecture him. I think he intends to make sure he never gets better one way or another.

redline248
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Zombie Jon Snow said:

The Dog Lord said:

Al Bula said:

In the specific case of them saying Aemond is somehow black and white, that's nonsense. He clearly patronized Alicent right out the Red Keep with his domestic pursuits comment. That was malicious and he has disdain for her presence. Whether it is because of she distanced herself after the Luke fiasco or Alicent just favored Aegon more as heir, those points can be debated a lot more than directors/producers just saying he didn't find her useful so he axed her from the small council.

Only other explanation would be that he is autistic like Haelena (you know, due to all the incest), but high functioning, and was placating her with what he thinks she would like. However that is as ridiculous as the creators having to s-p-e-l-l out their intent and not worth discussing further.
It could still be true that he legitimately doesn't see any use for her even if he condescendingly tells her what she can go do now that she serves no purpose with the small council.

Not arguing with you just joining the fray....


He is obviously (to me) making a play to remove Aegon permanently. Whether it's by killing him or making sure he gets minimal treatment either way it is easier without mom around. Just as the maester is telling him he has regained consciousness and is stronger than he thought he visits him and dismisses the ones treating him and then says it is going to be a long process to the measter seemingly like he wants it to be. Then we see club foot withholding his medication to lecture him. I think he intends to make sure he never gets better one way or another.


Aemond and Lorys are there for different reasons. Aemond to intimidate and see if Aegon is gonna be an issue telling people what happened. Lorys b/c he wants someone that can/will give him more power. They don't have anything to do with the other.

Lorys needs a powerful ally, and Aegon - who was previously dumb enough to fall for his tricks - is in an even worse position. Aegon is gonna need Lorys to help keep him alive.
Zombie Jon Snow
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redline248 said:

Zombie Jon Snow said:

The Dog Lord said:

Al Bula said:

In the specific case of them saying Aemond is somehow black and white, that's nonsense. He clearly patronized Alicent right out the Red Keep with his domestic pursuits comment. That was malicious and he has disdain for her presence. Whether it is because of she distanced herself after the Luke fiasco or Alicent just favored Aegon more as heir, those points can be debated a lot more than directors/producers just saying he didn't find her useful so he axed her from the small council.

Only other explanation would be that he is autistic like Haelena (you know, due to all the incest), but high functioning, and was placating her with what he thinks she would like. However that is as ridiculous as the creators having to s-p-e-l-l out their intent and not worth discussing further.
It could still be true that he legitimately doesn't see any use for her even if he condescendingly tells her what she can go do now that she serves no purpose with the small council.

Not arguing with you just joining the fray....


He is obviously (to me) making a play to remove Aegon permanently. Whether it's by killing him or making sure he gets minimal treatment either way it is easier without mom around. Just as the maester is telling him he has regained consciousness and is stronger than he thought he visits him and dismisses the ones treating him and then says it is going to be a long process to the measter seemingly like he wants it to be. Then we see club foot withholding his medication to lecture him. I think he intends to make sure he never gets better one way or another.


Aemond and Lorys are there for different reasons. Aemond to intimidate and see if Aegon is gonna be an issue telling people what happened. Lorys b/c he wants someone that can/will give him more power. They don't have anything to do with the other.

Lorys needs a powerful ally, and Aegon - who was previously dumb enough to fall for his tricks - is in an even worse position. Aegon is gonna need Lorys to help keep him alive.

I know Lorys was not (presumably) there at Aemonds direction but between the two of them Aegon is done. I think they find common ground despite the animosity of the last encounter (fetch Otto for me you toad - paraphrasing). As you say they need each other and that does not bode well for Aegon.

redline248
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I was suggesting Aegon and Lorys need each other. I think Lorys knows between the 2 brothers, he ain't getting anywhere with Aemond.
canadiaggie
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redline248 said:

I was suggesting Aegon and Lorys need each other. I think Lorys knows between the 2 brothers, he ain't getting anywhere with Aemond.
I agree, I think Larys knows Aemond sees right through him. Aegon he can manipulate.

I thought the scene and dialogue where he spoke to Aegon about what it's like to be disabled was masterful. Like Season 1 GoT level stuff. All that emotion was real, it just speaks to the kind of snake he is that he can direct that real, raw emotion into a manipulative conversation. He knows he has Aegon hooked forever.
LB12Diamond
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He point blank told him I cannot trust you bc of what club foot did to his own family.
bobinator
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Lorys is basically a mix of Littlefinger and Varys. I mean even his name is kind of a mix of the two. He has no real allegiance to anyone, just trying to worm his way into as much power as anyone like Littlefinger, but like Varys he does have a very good sense of the mood of the people and has the ability to move the needle on the mood if he wants to and a very real network of people loyal to him.

I don't know it's so much that Aemond "sees through him" as much as it he just doesn't think he has any need of any such subtlety.
Another Doug
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Just caught up with this season, my general impression is the season is a big step forward from a pretty good season 1, really enjoying the dragon warfare.
joerobert_pete06
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Step forward? You have to be joking. If Daemon remains at that ****ty castle for this next episode tonight, I'm giving up on HOTD
Aggie_2463
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That squirrelly dude who claimed the final dragon I thought he was going to be running back to aemonds side

Glad that didn't happen, he's still on my shady sketchy radar.
PatAg
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What an ending scene
CFTXAG10
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Rhaenyra taming Vermithor before the first round of the bassturd draft was sick!
PatAg
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canadiaggie said:

redline248 said:

I was suggesting Aegon and Lorys need each other. I think Lorys knows between the 2 brothers, he ain't getting anywhere with Aemond.
I agree, I think Larys knows Aemond sees right through him. Aegon he can manipulate.

I thought the scene and dialogue where he spoke to Aegon about what it's like to be disabled was masterful. Like Season 1 GoT level stuff. All that emotion was real, it just speaks to the kind of snake he is that he can direct that real, raw emotion into a manipulative conversation. He knows he has Aegon hooked forever.
Thats because we already saw that scene, when Tyrion speaks to Bran.
LB12Diamond
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Well I nailed the blacksmith.

Funny they sent the brand new guy to be the bait for Aemond.

Also funny they start the talk all throughout Kingslanding looking for Dragon riders and club foot hears nothing. He also squashed the rumor on sea smoke having a new rider. It seems he would be the first to die next episode bc he's so bad at his job.
 
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