---
title: 'House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 2 BREAKDOWN - Game of Thrones Easter Eggs You Missed!'
source: 'https://youtube.com/watch?v=xYgpTXs4puM'
video_id: 'xYgpTXs4puM'
date: 2026-06-29
duration_sec: 2346
---

# House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 2 BREAKDOWN - Game of Thrones Easter Eggs You Missed!

> Source: [House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 2 BREAKDOWN - Game of Thrones Easter Eggs You Missed!](https://youtube.com/watch?v=xYgpTXs4puM)

## Summary

This video breaks down the Easter eggs, references, and hidden details in Season 3, Episode 2 of House of the Dragon, focusing on the tragic aftermath of the Battle of the Gullet. The host analyzes character decisions, visual motifs, and parallels to the books, highlighting how the show emphasizes the horrors of war over glorified battle scenes. Key events include Jace's death, Rhaenyra's grief, and her eventual descent into a more violent, war-ready ruler.

### Key Points

- **Opening Sequence Adds Battle of the Gullet Imagery** [0:17] — The opening sequence now includes blood from Lowhar and Corus's duel, revealing Corus is still alive, and Jace's dead body, setting the tragedy that drives the season.
- **Underwater Shot Emphasizes Tragedy** [0:35] — The episode opens underwater, with muffled sounds of battle above and floating corpses, shifting focus from action to the human cost of war.
- **Blood as a Visual Motif** [0:56] — Blood from a body in the water floods the screen, symbolizing the bloodshed and scale of violence, reinforcing the show's anti-war theme.
- **War as Folly of Youth** [1:32] — A character states, 'None have known real war,' echoing the show's recurring theme that war is driven by inexperienced, bloodthirsty young men.
- **Dragon Seeds: Hugh Hammer, Ulf the White, and Adam of Hull** [1:48] — These three bastards with Valyrian blood claimed dragons last season. Hugh is son of Saera Targaryen, Ulf of Baelon the Brave, and Adam is Corlys's bastard son, possibly fathered by Laenor.
- **Adam and Alyn's Parentage Cover-Up** [2:46] — In the book, the boys are said to be Laenor's bastards, but since Laenor was gay, this is likely a cover to protect Corlys's honor.
- **Relatable Wrong Choices** [3:00] — The show highlights characters making flawed decisions (e.g., Daemon, Aegon), leading to 'what-if' scenarios that shape the plot.
- **Baela's Grief and Guilt** [4:39] — Baela flies home clutching Jace's body, feeling shame for disobeying Rhaenyra and contributing to Jace's death, mirroring earlier events.
- **Sir Lawrence's Folly** [5:25] — The Queensguard who locked Rhaenyra in her chambers realizes his mistake when he sees Jace's body, highlighting his poor judgment.
- **Hollow Victory** [6:02] — Baela reports the battle is won, but the somber tone underscores it's a hollow victory; Corlys later says, 'If this be victory, I hope I never see another.'
- **Rhaenyra's Heart-Wrenching Scene** [6:30] — Rhaenyra argues with Jace's dead body, shouting 'What have you done?' in grief. Emma Darcy's performance captures her emotional journey through facial expressions.
- **Parallel to Jaime Lannister** [7:07] — The Queensguard's oath of loyalty is compared to Jaime Lannister, who was called Kingslayer for killing the Mad King despite saving the city.
- **Rhaenyra Exhausted with Death** [7:25] — Initially rejecting Sir Lawrence's offer to die, Rhaenyra later remembers her rage and has him choose his death, showing her grief turning to anger.
- **Lady Jeyne Arryn's Introduction** [7:50] — Lady Jeyne, the Maiden of the Vale, supports Rhaenyra's claim. Her sigil (falcon and moon) and costume (broad shoulders, high collar) project strength, contrasting with future Lysa Arryn.
- **Rhaena and Sheepstealer's Bond** [8:36] — Sheepstealer's distress reflects Rhaena's fear, as dragon riders imprint emotions onto their dragons. Jeyne mentions Rhaena was supposed to go to Pentos.
- **Jeyne Deceived by Dragon Promise** [9:42] — Jeyne feels deceived because Rhaenyra sent hatchlings instead of full-grown dragons for protection, but through Rhaena, she can finally get what she wants.
- **Daemon's Host and the Winter Wolves** [10:04] — Rody the Ruin (Tommy Flanigan) leads the Winter Wolves, old men who accept death. They sing about the Battle of Lakeshore (Fishfeed), the bloodiest land battle of the Dance.
- **Oscar Tully and Black Aly Blackwood** [10:36] — Oscar Tully is shown as a capable leader, unlike his book counterpart Edmure. Black Aly Blackwood is a skilled archer and commander, set to have a larger role.
- **Fishfeed Aftermath** [11:31] — The show only shows the aftermath of the Fishfeed, where two-thirds of the Winter Wolves died, but they destroyed the Lannister host.
- **Sir Simon Strong and House Bracken** [12:30] — Sir Simon Strong is castellan of Harrenhal, loyal to Rhaenyra. Daemon used Blackwoods to blackmail Brackens into switching sides.
- **Alys Rivers and Her Age** [13:00] — Alys reveals she wants Harrenhal, claiming she's lived there her long life. The show hints she is much older than known, possibly mystical, with references to seeing Harrenhal pass hands for 60+ years.
- **Alys's Motivation** [14:11] — Alys wants Harrenhal for herself, echoing Ulf's greed. Daemon dismisses her, angering her, and she warns him not to return, referencing his death at Harrenhal.
- **Baela and Alyn Bond Over Corlys** [15:28] — Baela and Alyn share grief over Corlys, bonding for the first time. Alyn confronts Corlys about never acknowledging him and his brother Adam.
- **Corlys Legitimizes His Sons** [15:55] — Adam and Seasmoke find Corlys on the beach. Adam offers his hand, showing forgiveness. Corlys legitimizes Adam and Alyn as Velaryons, similar to Roose Bolton legitimizing Ramsay.
- **Aegon and Laris's Comedy Routine** [16:23] — Aegon and Laris are prisoners in a wagon. Aegon's line 'I'm not fucking speaking to you' is highlighted as funny, with their dynamic compared to a stand-up routine.
- **Aegon Kills with an Arrow** [16:38] — Aegon uses a broken arrow to kill a Triarchy soldier, showing his first act of agency after feeling powerless. Laris wants to go to Duskendale, but Aegon insists on Rook's Rest.
- **Aegon's Motivation to Go to Rook's Rest** [17:39] — Book readers know Aegon wants to reconnect with Sunfyre, his dragon, which was last seen dying at Rook's Rest. The show hasn't explained this yet.
- **Vhagar Flies to Harrenhal** [18:05] — Alicent watches Vhagar fly to Harrenhal, fearing for her sons. She has sacrificed them for her and Helaena's freedom, but remains terrified.
- **Luther Largent, Goldcloaks Commander** [18:20] — Alicent meets Luther Largent, commander of the Goldcloaks. In the books, he is a Daemon loyalist and turns the Goldcloaks against the Greens when the Blacks take the city.
- **Daemon Returns to Dragonstone** [19:11] — Daemon is greeted by Hugh and Ulf, but he rips into them for abandoning their post. Ulf calls him 'Rogue Prince,' referencing George R.R. Martin's novella.
- **Mysaria and Daemon's History** [19:36] — Mysaria was a sex worker and Daemon's lover. He falsely claimed she was pregnant to anger Viserys. She now works with Rhaenyra, and there is romantic tension between her and the queen.
- **Mysaria and Rhaenyra's Relationship** [20:56] — The show hints at a romantic relationship between Mysaria and Rhaenyra, diverging from the books where Mysaria was Daemon's paramour. They have become close allies.
- **Mysaria and Daemon Spar for Rhaenyra's Affection** [21:13] — Mysaria and Daemon argue, vying for Rhaenyra's favor. Mysaria says 'Not everything is about you, Daemon,' echoing Helaena's earlier line. They reach a truce, sitting down to talk.
- **Daemon Hints at Knowing Romance Between Mysaria and Rhaenyra** [22:03] — Daemon's smirk implies he is aware of the romantic tension between Mysaria and Rhaenyra, suggesting he knows more than he lets on.
- **Rhaenyra Orders Daemon to Find Sheepstealer** [22:32] — Rhaenyra orders Daemon to track down Sheepstealer and its rider, not realizing it's his own daughter Rhaena. Daemon tries to comfort her about Jace's death, using High Valyrian for private talk.
- **Daemon's Vision of Daenerys** [22:53] — Daemon reveals he saw a vision of Daenerys Targaryen from the future, confirming that the song of ice and fire prophecy is about preventing the end of the world. He tells Rhaenyra she must be queen for that future to happen.
- **Alicent Gathered Jewelry for Escape** [23:28] — Alicent packs jewelry to sell for her escape, but is stopped by Lord Jasper Wylde, who accuses her of sneaking into power and references her affair with Criston Cole.
- **Alicent Kills Jasper with a Turtle Statue** [24:31] — Alicent hits Jasper with a turtle statue, a symbolic act of fighting back against patriarchy. The turtle references George R.R. Martin's childhood turtle stories that inspired Game of Thrones.
- **Symbolism of the Turtle Attack** [25:25] — The scene is shot with horror, not eroticism, contrasting with Game of Thrones' treatment of sexual violence. Alicent finally fights back against the patriarchal system that has controlled her.
- **Maester Orwyle Arrests Jasper** [25:49] — Maester Orwyle, Alicent's ally, has Jasper arrested for treason. Orwyle made her moon tea after her affair with Cole and helped her contact Rhaenyra last season.
- **Rhaenyra Emerges as a Woman of Action** [26:08] — After Jace's death, Rhaenyra wears armor instead of Valyrian dresses, symbolizing her transformation into a warrior queen. She walks away from the painted table, leaving strategy for direct attack.
- **Rhaenyra Crowned by Mysaria** [26:35] — Mysaria gives Rhaenyra the crown of Jaehaerys the Conciliator. Rhaenyra now resembles Aegon the Conqueror more than her father. Mysaria and Daemon represent two ideologies: justice vs. fire and blood.
- **Rhaenyra Flies to King's Landing** [27:18] — Rhaenyra, Daemon, Hugh, and Ulf fly over the debris of the Battle of the Gullet, emphasizing the tragedy driving her action. She leads the attack on the capital.
- **Helaena's Butterfly Journal** [27:28] — Helaena writes about a butterfly called 'Alisoni of Naath,' which is said to cause death to those around it. This may foreshadow Alicent's deadly influence on those near her.
- **Helaena's Prophecy About Battle** [28:36] — Helaena asks 'Will there be a battle?' and later talks about keeping chickens, showing her innocence. Alicent tries to save her by persuading the guards to stand down.
- **Alicent's Redemption Plan** [29:30] — Alicent tells Helaena she may yet be redeemed, accepting Aegon and Aemond as lost causes. She wants to save at least one child from becoming a monster.
- **Vhagar Returns Hope to Criston Cole** [30:18] — Vhagar flies overhead, cheering Criston Cole's soldiers. He sees it as hope, but it also signals Aemond's ruthless attack on Harrenhal.
- **Aemond's Parallel to Daemon** [30:36] — Aemond bursts into Sir Simon's dinner like Daemon did. Unlike Daemon, Aemond shows no mercy, killing Simon and his sons, ending House Strong.
- **Aemond Injured by a Random Soldier** [31:26] — Aemond is wounded by a clumsy strike from Simon's son, showing overconfidence. He is left cowering before Alys Rivers, begging for help. Alys enjoys the power reversal.
- **Dragons Descend on King's Landing** [32:26] — Rhaenyra's dragons arrive over King's Landing. The small folk cower, and Hugh's wife and Ulf's friends look up. Rhaenyra returns to reclaim the Red Keep.
- **Daemon Lets Rhaenyra Enter First** [33:14] — Daemon shows deference by letting Rhaenyra walk into the throne room first, demonstrating his acceptance of her authority after his visions at Harrenhal.
- **Rhaenyra Draws Sword, Guards Laugh** [33:37] — Rhaenyra draws her sword, but the Green guards mock her. Daemon's Goldcloaks arrive, led by Luther Largent, rescuing the duo. Daemon's loyalty wins again.
- **Daemon's Gold Cloak Power** [34:05] — Daemon sweeps through the halls in his Gold Cloak, paralleling his first episode scene. The power of the city watch is once again his, showing how far he has come.
- **Laris Strong's Double Agent** [34:55] — Daemon finds Laris Strong's gift: Otto Hightower in the black cells. Laris has been playing both sides, keeping Otto hidden since last season.
- **Otto Hightower's Imprisonment Revealed** [35:13] — Otto was trapped by Laris in the black cells, not killed. Daemon is gleeful to see him, recalling their mutual hatred. Otto asks about his family, fearing they are dead.
- **Rhaenyra Is Forced to Kill Otto** [36:50] — Daemon urges Rhaenyra to kill Otto, pushing her toward violence. Otto says, 'If your father could see what it's come to,' just before Rhaenyra hacks him to death.
- **Violence as Bloody and Awful** [37:23] — The scene shows violence is not elegant; it's messy and horrible. Daemon kills Lord Jasper as well. Rhaenyra's steps are drenched in blood as she ascends the Iron Throne.
- **Rhaenyra's Bloody Ascension** [37:53] — The shot of Rhaenyra stepping up to the throne, reflected in Otto's blood, symbolizes her transformation into a queen bathed in blood. The price of the throne is questioned.
- **Alicent Confronted with Her Father's Body** [38:03] — Alicent and Helaena are captured. Alicent sees Otto's headless body, confirming her fears that Rhaenyra will be a bloodthirsty ruler. The episode ends with Rhaenyra steeling herself on the throne.

### Conclusion

The episode masterfully uses visual storytelling and character moments to highlight the tragic cost of war and Rhaenyra's transformation into a hardened ruler. The final shot of Rhaenyra on the Iron Throne, reflected in blood, questions whether victory was worth the immense personal and political price paid.

## Transcript

Rea has finally taken her rightful place
on the Iron Throne, but it might have
just cost her the only thing she
actually cares about. Welcome back,
Screen Crush. I'm Ryan Ary, and this is
all the Easter eggs, references, and
little things you might have missed in
season 3, episode 2 of House of the
Dragon. We have some additions to the
opening sequence this time around to
commemorate the Battle of the Gullet.
Last episode, Lowhar and Corus duel in a
Valyrian ship, and we see blood seeping
out from behind Lowhar, but not Corus.
So, this reveals, even before the
episode does, that Corus is still alive.
Then we see the great tragedy of last
episode with Jace dead in the water.
This is the inciting incident that all
of this season is going to be tied to.
We begin the episode with a shot from
the battle of the gauntlet from
underwater. Now, the battle still rages
overhead with a fiery projectile and
then dragon flame visible from beneath
the corpses in the water, but the
muffled audio and lack of clarity don't
place the importance on the action of
the battle. Instead, this places the
dead in the forefront. We'll highlight
this again and again in this episode.
This battle was not a victory. It was a
tragedy. Blood seeps out from this body
in the water and floods the camera's
gaze. And only then can we see the full
view of the battle. This is emphasizing
how blood soaked all of these events are
and the sheer scale of the violence that
has just been committed. House of the
Dragon often chooses not to show battles
at all and instead just focuses on the
aftermath like with the Battle of the
Burning Mill or the battle at the Red
Fork last episode. The glory of battle
is not what this show is about. The show
has stated over and over that war is the
folly of the young, bloodthirsty men who
have no idea what the horrors of battle
are actually like.
>> These nights are as green as summer
grass. None have known real war.
>> The action and fighting of these battles
isn't the point of this show. It is
about the violent scars they leave on
Westeros and its people. Yeah, but it's
also cheaper to have less battles,
right? Fewer. And yeah, that's actually
part of it, too. So, the dragon seeds
have joined the fry. That's Hugh Hammer,
Ulf the White, and Adam of Hall. All
three are bastards with Valyrian blood.
So, they were able to claim dragons last
season. Hugh is the son of Sarah
Targaryen, one of the children of
Jiharis, the Consiliator. That's the old
king we saw in the very first episode of
this show. Now, Sarah was involved in a
scandal and then sent to the faith.
Basically, the Westeros version of being
sent to a convent, but she escaped and
crossed the Narrow Sea to work in a
brothel. Hugh mentioned some of this
last season.
>> She used to tell me I was no different
to her brother's boys, Osaris and Damon.
Ulf is the son of Balon the Brave,
another of Jiharis's kids. Balon's death
was what caused the question of
succession in the first place, which
ended with Viserus being named heir to
the throne. Finally, Adam of Hall is one
of Corus' two bastard sons along with
his brother Allen. In the book Fire and
Blood, it's said that the two boys are
Lighor Valyrian's bastard children.
Lighor was Reneer's first husband and
Corus and Raine's son. However, just
like in the show, Lighor was widely
known to be gay. Considering he didn't
father children with his own wife, it
seems unlikely he'd have two bastards
with another woman. Instead, this is a
cover up used to protect the honor of
Corus. Now, in the book, the dragon
seeds were present from the beginning of
the Battle of the Gullet. But here, they
just shown up for cleanup. Now, this
show does one thing that I think is
incredibly relatable. It continually
allows its characters to make the wrong
choices, especially when it comes to
leadership positions, their jobs, and
careers. Like if Damon had chosen to
just be a better brother and not as
ambitious, or if Aegon would have
supported Rene's claim. The show is full
of these giant what-ifs that all hinge
on relatable character-based decisions
that could have changed the course of
their entire lives. Like, I'll give you
an example of why this is relatable for
me. One of the reasons I can do this job
is because I got a college degree in
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and find your own path forward. Now,
back to what I was saying. Baya is
flying home to Dragonstone through her
tears, clutching Jayce's body. The two
of them have known each other since they
were children. In season 1, Reira
arranged marriages between her oldest
sons, Jace and Luke, and Damon and
Lena's children, Baya and Raina. Rea
already lost her betro to this war, and
now it's Baya's turn. It's Baya's grief
that hammers home the tragedy of this
loss of young love. Baya's grief is also
mixed with shame. She knows she
disobeyed Reneer to go along with
Jayce's plan and that ended up getting
him killed. Now, we mentioned it last
episode, but this whole scenario was a
mirror of season 2, episode 5, when Jace
took off without permission to strike a
deal with the phrase. He also consulted
with Baya before he did that and she
allowed it to happen.
>> Don't tell her,
not until I'm away.
>> That was a huge success for Team Black,
but it didn't go all smoothly the second
time around. Sir Lawrence, the queen's
guard who locked Reneer in her chambers,
also sees how foolish his decision was
when he sees Jace's body. The men around
Rene were willing to rally behind Jace
and ignore Rene's authority. But now
they see that she was right to not let
him go. This is also the Queen's guard
who was tricked into leaving Reneer
alone with Sir Eric when he attempted to
assassinate her.
>> I will stand this evening's duty.
A few moments later,
>> Lawrence really needs to learn to stop
being talked into stuff. He asks, "The
battle,"
>> and Bao replies, "It's won."
>> The somber music, dark tone, and misery
on Baya's face make it entirely clear
that this was a hollow victory. As
Corass will say later,
>> "This be victory. I hope I never see
another."
>> The second Reneer enters the room, you
can also see on her face that she knows
exactly what has happened. As always,
Emma Darcy's performance is stellar. So
much of Reneer's emotional journey is
visible entirely from minute facial
expressions. When Rene first says,
>> "What have you done?"
>> It seems like she's talking to Ba and
Sir Lawrence. But then the tragedy
becomes apparent. She is arguing with
her dead son. This scene is just
heart-wrenching. Rene has lost her
firstborn son to the war and to his own
recklessness, and all she can do is
shout at his dead body. Sir Laurent
offers her his sword since he knows that
he must die for betraying his duties.
Even if Jacece's plan had worked,
Lauren's life would have been forfeit
for locking Rene away. As Jace made
clear last episode, your life
for hers. The king's guard, or in this
case, the Queen's Guard, have to be
loyal to their ruler no matter what.
That's why Jaime Lannister was known as
the king's slayer in Game of Thrones.
Even though the mad king was trying to
slaughter half the city, Jaime was still
considered a betrayer for killing him
and breaking his oath. Tell me, if I
stab the mad king in the belly instead
of the back, would you admire me more?
>> But Rene initially rejects Lawrence
offer to die, saying,
>> "And what good would that do?"
>> Rene is exhausted with death. She is so
overcome with grief that it all seems
pointless to her now. But later in the
episode, when she gets her fire back,
she remembers her rage at Lauren's
betrayal.
>> Let Sir Lauren choose how he will die.
>> Back at the gullet, some last vestigages
of battle break out on the shore. Allan
of Hall is in a small boat searching for
his father Corus who we saw disappear
into the water while fighting Lowhar
last episode. And then we cut to the
veil where Lady Jane Aaron is riding out
of the Eerie. Now Lady Jane is also
known as the maiden of the veil since
she has never married. That's part of
why she supports Rene's claim since her
right to rule as a woman has also been
challenged. Jane is also Rene's cousin
since Rene's mother Ama was born in
Aaron. Accounts differ on exactly why
Jane never married, but many maesters
believe that she would rather spend time
with her roommate, Jezamine Redford.
Happy Pride Month. The sigil for House
Aaron bears a falcon and a moon, which
is on the front of Jane's cloak. You can
also see a moon pattern on Jane's
dublet. She is wearing a silhouette much
like future members of her house, Lysa
and Robin Aaron from Game of Thrones
with billowing sleeves meant to resemble
bird wings. Unlike Liza, however, Jane
wears a high popped collar and has broad
shoulders built into her cloak,
projecting strength rather than frailty.
Rea turns to Lady Jane for help.
Remember, Jane sheltered Raina last
season, as well as Rene's two youngest
sons, Aegon III and Viserus. But Jane
and Raina never really got along.
>> When your bread and shelter now depend
on my pleasure.
>> Raina says,
>> "Sheepstealer was frightened.
>> I don't care."
>> As we discussed last episode, dragon
riders imprint some of their emotions
onto their dragons. Part of the reason
sheep stealer was so distressed was
because he was reading Raina's fear.
Jane mentions
>> you were supposed to be on a ship to
Penthouse.
>> When Reneer sent Rea and her sons away
for their safety, she instructed Rea to
write to Prince Reio and Pintos across
the narrow sea. Prince Reio shelter
Damon, Lena, and their daughters when
they left Westeros to escape the
politics of King's Landing. Rea didn't
want to go back to Pintos, however,
since she only has painful memories of
that place. when my mother died.
>> Lena wanted to return to Westeros before
she died, but she never got the chance.
And Rea was afraid of meeting the same
fate, stuck far away from everything and
everyone that she knows. Instead, at the
end of last season, Rea snuck off to
find Sheepstealer, leading to the
disastrous events of last episode. Jane
dismisses Rea until she says, "Do you
want a dragon or not?" Part of Lady
Jane's agreement with Rene was that Rene
would send dragons to protect the veil.
But Jane felt deceived because Rene sent
two hatchlings instead of a full-grown
dragon.
>> Both still wet from the egg.
>> The Eerie is a nearly invulnerable
castle because of how treacherous it is
to reach, except from the air, where a
dragon could easily attack it. Through
Raina, Jane can finally get what she
wants, protection. Then we cut back to
Damon's host of rivermen and the winter
wolves who are singing a battle song
surrounded by the heads of lions and
Lannisters. Now, we didn't mention this
last episode, but the Lannister army
brings actual lions with them to war,
which we saw last season and at the
Battle of the Red Fork.
>> So, what do the tallies bring fish into
battle?
>> Actually, according to Night of the
Seven Kingdoms, kind of.
Among the singers is Rody the Ruin, the
leader of the Winter Wolves we met last
episode, and he is played by the great
Tommy Flanigan, who you might recognize
from Sons of Anarchy and Braveheart. We
also see Oscar Tully, Young Lee, Lord of
the Riverlands, and Black Alley or
Alisine Blackwood. She's a very big deal
in the book. She is a talented archer
and battle commander and we are very
excited to see a lot more of her soon.
Among the soldiers, there's a lot of
familiar House Crest. House Tally is of
course present as Oscar Tully's host is
leading the Riverlands. The Tully
soldiers also have shoulder armor that
is shaped like fish scales which is a
nod to their sigil. In the original Game
of Thrones, Catelyn Stark was born a
Tolly and her uncle the Blackfish was a
fierce warrior. It seems like Oscar is a
lot more like the Blackfish than
Catelyn's brother Edmure.
>> Bad rain. Bad rain. terrible rain.
>> We also see soldiers wearing the sigil
of House Mallister. Now, Jason Mallister
is a character who pops up frequently in
the Song of Ice and Fire books, and is
an ally of the Starks. Behind Oscar
Tully is a soldier of House Piper, whose
seat is near Redfork, which is where the
battle last episode took place. They are
singing about the Battle of Lakeshore,
also known as the Fishfeed, known as the
bloodiest land battle in the Dance of
Dragons. Similar to many other battles
in the show, we are only seeing the
aftermath, but the casualties were
enormous. More than twothirds of the
winter wolves died in this terrible
battle as well as many nobles. But they
destroyed the Lannister host. Where's a
winter wolf? So the winter wolves
basically in the north when the winter
gets really bad, the old men go out in
the winter to die. So these are
basically old men who have already
accepted that their deaths are
inevitable and they fight for Reneer.
And by the way, if you want to be a
winter wolf, you can get our new winter
wolf shirt at our merch store. I love
this shirt and I want to show you this
brand new shirt we're debuting today.
This is the Dance of the Dragons tour
shirt with dragons fighting on the front
and on the back you can see all of the
battles listed in this war. I love this
shirt and I cannot wait to get one. We
also have our brand new Duncan egg shirt
and of course we have classics like
Sery's Wine Mixer, Team Green and Team
Black shirts, Sir Pounce on the Iron
Throne and Hammer and Fury named after
one of my favorite characters from the
book, Hugh Hammer. And if you become a
store member and just at our $5 tier you
get an additional 15% off storewide.
Links are below. Sir Simon Strong is
introduced by a soldier of House
Bracken. Now, the Brackens initially
sided with Aegon last season, but Damon
used their historical enemies, the
Blackwoods, to bring them around to his
side with blackmail and cruelty.
>> There are things the crown itself must
not be seen to do.
>> That was a risky maneuver that turned
the rest of the Riverlords, against
Damon until Oscar Tully helped him sway
them back towards Reneer. We can also
see the Blackwood sigil here among the
fighters. So, Simon Strong is the
current Castellan of Harrenhal or the
person overseeing the castle. He is
Laris's strong great uncle, but unlike
Laris, he's firmly on Reneer's side. He
and his sons are all that remains of
House Strong after Laris murdered his
own father and brother in season 1.
Harwin Strong, Laris's brother, was
Reneer's lover and the father of her
three bastard children, Jace, Luke, and
Joffrey. Laris had him killed to take
over the power of his house. And because
Allison wanted vengeance for Reneer's
adultery,
>> I did not wish for this.
>> Damon gets news of Jayce's death and
responds the way he always does to news
of grief and tragedy with action. He
quickly dispatches his army on various
missions, but you can see his stepson's
death has really hit him hard. Alice
talks with Damon and says what we're all
thinking.
>> I would thank you for your help, but I'm
not sure yet what your purpose has been.
>> Alice reminds him that it's because of
her that the Rivermen have come to
Reneer's side. In season 2, Damon was
stuck because the lege lord of House
Tully, Lord Grover, was slowly dying and
unable to marshall his forces. Oscar
couldn't take over and take action
because his grandfather was still alive.
Alice promised Damon that all he had to
do was wait.
>> In three days time, the winds will
shift.
>> She went to Riverrun herself to heal
Lord Tully. And would you look at that?
He was suddenly dead. And Damon got
exactly what he needed. And this season,
Alice has finally revealed what she
wants out of all this.
>> I want her.
>> She says she's lived there all her long
life. And different maesters have
debated exactly how long that life is.
According to some, she is the same age
as Harwin and Laris and was the bastard
daughter of their father. According to
others, she is much, much older. Now, we
think the show is actually going with
that more mystical route that Alice is
older than anyone knows. She says she
has seen Harrenhal pass from hand to
hand. House of the Dragon takes place
around the year 130 AC or after
conquest, but the last time Harrenhal
passed to a different house was in 73 AC
almost 60 years ago. Now, of course, she
could be referring to it passing from
Lionel to Simon Strong, but we suspect
that she is much, much older than anyone
realizes. This is partially why she
feels like she has a right to the old
decrepit castle. I've lived there all my
long life and I've seen it given from
hand to hand and yet none seem to
cherish it. Why should it not come to
me?
>> Damon refuses to even consider this
which infuriates Alice. There's also a
parallel here to Ol from last episode.
Ul is an idiot, but ultimately they want
the same thing more than what Rene is
willing to offer them. As she leaves,
Alice says,
>> "Do not come back here. Remember why I
told you."
>> And she is referring to what she said to
Damon the very first time she met him.
You will die in this place.
>> Even though she's not happy with him for
dismissing her, she still cares for him
to some degree. Back at the gullet,
Allan picks over the dead looking for
his father. But this time, he's joined
by Baya. Baya tells Allan that it was
for Reneer's sake that Corass ignored
them. Corass never acknowledged his two
bastard sons, which Allen gave him hell
for last season.
>> Now you wish to suddenly to scatter the
crumbs of your favor.
>> Baya and Allan bond over their memories
of Corass and their grief. And this is
the first time these characters have
actually met on screen. But we are
looking forward to seeing more of them
together throughout this season. Adam is
also searching for Corass and the House
Valyrian theme plays as we see him on
Dragon Back. This is a little bit of
foreshadowing that Corus will officially
name his son's Valyrians in this
episode. Semoke and Adam both spot
Corus' white hair on the beach and fly
down to rescue him. Even the dragon is
also related to the Valyrian since Sea
Smoke was Lenor Valyrian's dragon before
he was Adams. We return to Laris and
Aegon in the Raven Cart, now prisoners
of the Blacks, after Laris revealed
Aegon's identity last episode. And this
line really made me laugh.
>> You no longer ask for milk of the
puppet.
>> I'm not [ __ ] speaking to you.
>> For all his many faults, Aegon has
always been the funniest Targaryen.
>> And now he and Laris are teamed up to
deliver Westeros's best new standup
routine.
>> I was mistaken. I am surprised. Their
wagon is being attacked by Tarashi
soldiers, which you can tell from this
guy's blue hair and beard. We saw the
same styles when Tylen Lannister visited
the Triarchy last season. Now, these are
the remnants of the Triarchy forces from
the Battle of the Gullet. Aegon has
hated feeling powerless, so the first
chance he gets, he claims a weapon, a
snapped arrow from a dead body. Laris
clubs this squire over the head with the
Raven Cage, and Aegon puts that arrow to
use.
Laris wants to head to Duskondale, a
port city, so that they can travel onto
Dragonstone. And about a hundred years
after the show, Donald of Duskandale in
the Night of the Seven Kingdoms is a
member of the King's Guard. We saw
Kristen Cole sack Duskondale last season
and kill its lord. So, the Greens do
control that territory, but Aegon
insists on traveling to Rook's rest.
Now, Rook's rest was where Aegon fell
from the sky during the battle, burned
by his brother's dragon fire. It was
also the last we saw of his dragon
Sunfire. I left a mega garrison behind
to protect it and the king's dragon.
Sunfire was long in the dying. So,
>> the show hasn't told us yet why Aegon
wants to travel there, but book readers
may have an idea. Back on the beach,
Corus sits with his closest family, his
two sons, Adam and Allen, and his
granddaughter and former ward, Bale.
Adam offers Corass his hand to stand
since he has always been the more
forgiving of the two brothers. Corass
legitimizes Allen and Adam as Valyrians,
which can be done with the permission of
the king or queen. Bruce Bolton did the
same thing with his bastard Ramsay in
Game of Thrones. At the Red Keep,
Allison watches Vaggar fly off towards
Harrenhal. Her plans have worked so far,
but there is still fear in her eyes.
Even if everything goes exactly as she
has designed, this is still a terrifying
time for her. She's agreed to sacrifice
her sons in exchange for her and
Helena's freedom. She goes to find the
commander of the Goldcloaks, Luther
Largeant. Now, we haven't seen him
before in the show, but there is a bit
of history behind him in the book. When
the Greens took control of King's
Landing, they summoned all of the City
Watchers captains and questioned them.
Five of seven were deemed loyal to
Aegon. And of those five, Luther Larent
was named the new commander. Gane High
Tower is Larent's second in command in
Fire and Blood, but in the show, he
seems to be playing a different role.
Largent is also a loyalist to Damon in
the books, turning against the Greens
when the blacks take the city, as he
does in this episode. And when he's
called a turncloak, Larent says, "Damon
gave us these cloaks, and they're gold
no matter how you turn them." Damon has
been able to use the gold cloaks to his
advantage before since blood of blood
and cheese was also loyal to him.
Ironically, Damon was given his position
as commander of the city watch by auto
high to Tower as an attempt to remove
Damon from the small council.
>> Putting Damon in command of the city
watch was your solution.
>> Not a great plan.
>> On Dragonstoneone, Damon returns and is
greeted by Hugh Hammer and Ol. Now, Ol
attempts a hug, calling Damon the rogue
prince. This was the name of George R.
Martin's novellet about Damon and
Viserus as well as the name of season 1
episode 2. Ol is Damon's half brother
which might be why he acts so familiar
but that doesn't win him any points with
Damon who rips Hugh and Ult to pieces
for abandoning their post near Harrenhal
where they were waiting for Vaggar.
Damon and Misaria have quite the history
together. Now when they were younger,
Misaria was a sex worker at a pleasure
house and he was her customer. He then
promised to protect her and took her to
Dragonstone with him. But instead of
keeping her safe, he told the realm that
he was going to make her his second wife
and that she was pregnant with his
child. And neither of these things were
true. As far as we know, Damon had no
plans to marry her, and she revealed in
season 2 that she cannot have children.
>> I cannot bear children.
>> He was just trying to make Vaserus mad
after he was banished from King's
Landing. Afterwards, Misaria left Damon
after he put her in danger and
accumulated power instead in King's
Landing as a spy master called the White
Worm.
>> I think he will wish to hear what the
White Worm can tell him. Misaria ends up
helping the royals to find Aegon at the
end of season 1 when he was trying to
run from his responsibilities. All she
wanted in return was for Otto High Tower
to look out for the small fold.
>> Remember, it was me who put him there.
>> But instead, Loris torched her
headquarters and left her fleeing across
the narrow sea. Then in season 2, she
was picked up as a stowaway and brought
to Dragonstone. So, she made a deal with
Damon, giving him information on King's
Landing that he used to hire blood and
cheese in exchange for her freedom. But
instead of freeing her, Damon left. But
Rene honored his word and let Misaria
go. On her way out of Dragonstone,
remember Misaria spotted Sir Eric
arriving to kill Rene and she warned the
Queen's Guard. After she saved Rea's
life, the queen offered her a seat at
her court. And since then, she's been a
valuable ally for Rene and her cause.
The two women have also become quite
close in more ways than one. Happy
Pride. In the books, Misaria or Lady
Misery was an important character, but
she was more Damon's paramore than
Reneer. She did in fact become pregnant
with his child at one point, but lost
the baby. Misaria and Damon spar with
each other and it's clear that they're
both vying for Reneer's affections. They
keep exchanging positions on the stairs
as they argue, indicating the shifting
balance of power between them that is
continually changing. Finally, Misaria
brings herself level with Damon, showing
that she sees herself as his equal and
will not lower herself in front of him.
She finally says,
>> "Not everything is about you, Damon."
>> And this echoes what Helena said to him
last season.
>> "It's all a story,
and you're but one part in it." Damon
has had to learn time and time again
that he is not the most important person
in everyone's lives. Damon and Misaria
seem to make an unspoken agreement to
have a truce both sitting and discussing
things frankly. Misaria asks if it's
possible that there is truly still a
bond between Allison and Reneer and
Damon responds with that pain you
>> with his knowing smirk. It seems to
imply that Damon is somewhat aware of
the romantic tension between Misaria and
Reneer. Back at the Red Keep, Allison's
sworn protector, Sir Rickard Thorne,
confronts her about her actions, but she
dismisses him. We saw Sir Rickard
escorting Allison on her field trip to
the Kingswood last season. You may also
recognize the actor as Garp from the One
Piece live action. I want these spiders
taking a life.
>> And we go quickly to Dragonstone where
Damon tries to comfort Rene. Now Rene
orders him to track down Sheepsteeler
and his rider, which isn't going to be
good for Damon once he realizes that the
rogue dragon rider is in fact his own
daughter. Rea mourns her part in this
war, saying that this is because of her
quest to the throne that her sons are
dead. But Damon won't let her give up.
Last season, Alice River showed him
visions of Aegon's dream, the song of
ice and fire. He now knows the truth
that unifying the seven kingdoms is
about more than Aegon versus Reira. It
is about preventing the end of life in
Westeros. He saw a vision of Daenerys
and her dragons far in the future. Damon
talks to Rea in High Valyriion, like
when she was young, and they use the
language to have private conversations.
This prophecy is also a Targaryen secret
and he speaks in Valyrian so he doesn't
run the risk of being overheard. Last
season we thought that when he saw a
vision of Dany, he assumed it was Rene.
But this speech makes it clear that he
knew it was a different woman.
>> But he believes that in order for that
future to come to pass, Rene must be
queen. In her chambers, Allison is
gathering her things for a life on the
run. She takes some jewelry, perhaps
thinking it can be sold to help her and
Helena survive, but she is stopped by
Lord Jasper Wild, the master of laws on
the small council. Jasper, as known as
Iron Rod, for his strict attitudes on
the law. Lord Jasper and Allison have
clashed once before when she was
horrified to discover that the Green
Council had plotted to put Aegon on the
throne without informing her. And
>> yes,
>> one more word and I'll have you removed
from this chamber and sent to the wall.
Jasper accuses Allison of snaking her
way into power since she was a girl,
which is a particularly nasty way of
phrasing that she was married off to a
man who was three times her age and then
forced to have his children. At that
point in her life, Allison was basically
just Otto's political pond, that he
maneuvered straight into Viserus. But
Jasper makes it sound as though all of
these events were Allison's doing.
Jasper makes a sleazy reference to
Allison's affair with Sir Kristen Cole
last season. After Viserus's death, it
was something of an open secret at court
that Allison and Cole were sleeping
together, but she broke it off with him
after he refused to stand by her at the
small council and instead elected Aeund
as regent.
>> Aemon is the next in line.
>> Allison grabs a small turtle statueette
and hits Jasper over the head with it
when he attacks her. Now, turtles are
significant not necessarily in Game of
Thrones directly, but to its author,
George RR Martin. He had pet turtles as
a kid and he said he made up stories
about them becoming kings and fighting
in wars, which is where he claims the
ideas for Game of Thrones originated
from. Jasper says, "Plead with me."
>> And with that, Allison has had enough.
This is a momentous occasion for her
character. For so long, she has used her
body as a tool and an object. She has
never had control over her own sexuality
since she has been a victim of sexual
violence all of her life. When Aean
kissed her romantically last episode,
she had no choice but to go along with
it in spite of her horror because she
needed to control him to save herself
and her daughter. But here, finally, she
fights back against Jasper, and
symbolically, she's fighting the
patriarchal system that has ruled her
body and her life, and she fights
viciously.
>> Plead with me.
>> House of the Dragon has shot its sex
scenes very differently from Game of
Thrones. This show tends to avoid
showing its main actors bodies during
intimate scenes, and the same goes here
for this attempted assault. Game of
Thrones received criticism for the
sexualization of its many assault
scenes, and this may be House of the
Dragons answer to that critique. This
scene is not at all filmed in a sexual
light, but instead with a horrific tone.
Jasper is interrupted by Maester Orws.
He tries to implicate Allison in
treasonous behavior. Instead, Orwh has
him arrested. Now, Maester Orw has often
been Allison's ally at court. He helped
her reach Dragonstone to talk to Reneer
last season, and he also made her moon
tea, a form of birth control after her
affair with Kristen Cole. Back on
Dragonstone, Reira finally emerges from
her chambers after Jayce's death. In
Fire and Blood, the Maester writes that
Jayce's death hardened her, burning away
her fears, leaving only her anger and
her hatred. This is immediately visible
in her costumes. She's not wearing her
Valyrian dress anymore, but instead
armor and a sword. Rea is emerging as a
woman of action. When she says,
>> "I'm done with,"
>> she walks away from the painted table as
a visual metaphor. She's leaving behind
strategy in favor of direct attack.
Misaria gives Rea her crown, the one
that once belonged to Jiharis the
consiliator and her father, Viserus.
Aegon II wore the crown of Aegon the
Conqueror at his coronation. But in this
moment, Rene has become far more
conqueror than Consiliator. Misaria asks
Rene to send for her in King's Landing
and urges her to
>> remember which one of us has been
faithful. Misaria and Damon are Reira's
two closest adviserss and they represent
two different ideologies. Misaria
represents the interests of the common
folk and the belief in being a just and
kind ruler. Damon represents fire and
blood and burning everything down to
rule over the ashes. In this moment,
Rene is much more aligned with Damon
than she is with Msaria. Damon's smirk
at Msaria when he leaves shows that he's
also aware that he has been chosen. Rene
finally flies to King's Landing along
with Damon, Hugh, and Ul. They fly over
the debris from the battle of the
gullet, showing that this is the tragedy
and loss that is driving Rea to action.
At the Red Keep, Helena is entertaining
herself with the caterpillar and the
leaves. She has always loved bugs ever
since she was a little girl. She says,
>> "This is strange. It isn't the season."
>> Now, there are a few possible meanings
of this since Helena's statements are
often cryptic and layered in mystery.
Helena has prophetic dreams and often
foreshadows future events.
>> You will have a dragon one day.
>> You'll have to close an eye.
>> Not the dragons, the rats. The queen is
an enduring mystery, is she not?
>> So, this could mean that the winter is
coming early, perhaps talking about the
arrival of the winter wolves, or even
more momentous, it could mean that the
Starks themselves are coming south.
Helena also has a journal that she seems
to be filling with notes on her insects.
The butterfly is called Alisoni of Nth.
Helena has written, "They are said to
cause death to people around them while
living, but so far I remain alive." Now,
there are a few things to note here.
First, Nth is an island in the summer
sea where Missande was born in Game of
Thrones. It's also known as the aisle of
butterflies, and there is a fever known
as butterfly fever. It is said to infect
and kill anyone who isn't native to the
island. This could be partially what
Helena is writing about. Also, remember
that she planned to run away with
greyworm to this island.
>> North, I'd like to see the beaches
again.
>> Then I will take you there.
>> Second though is the name of the
butterfly. We don't think it's a
coincidence that its name, Alison, is so
similar to Allison. This could
foreshadow that Allison is deadly to
those around her. Much like the
butterfly, whether she wants it to
happen or not, her life creates tragedy
for everyone in her vicinity. Helena
asks,
>> "Will there be a battle?"
>> She has always been the most innocent
and peaceful of Allison's children in
King's Landing and has never had the
will to fight. Even when Aean tried to
make her fight last season, Helena
refused. Allison says,
>> "You told me not many days ago that you
were happier before you were queen."
>> And we heard Helena say those words last
season.
>> "I was happier before I was queen."
>> Not only does Allison feel great love
for her daughter, but Allison can also
relate to that sentiment. Allison was
much, much happier when she was a girl
before she married Viserus and became
queen. She wants that freedom back, not
only for herself, but for her daughter.
Allison goes on to say,
>> "You I may yet redeem."
>> She's accepted Aegon and Aemon as a lost
cause. her irredeemable children. But we
think that Allison believes that there
is some hope for herself if she can save
just one of her kids from becoming a
monster. Elena says,
>> "I think I might like to keep chickens."
>> Oh, Helena. We hope she gets her
chickens someday, but it doesn't seem
too likely.
>> I wouldn't get your hopes up, farm,
girl.
>> Allison to Helena persuade the guards on
top of the walls to stand down. And
Helena adds,
>> "Her sons were always kind." The last
time the family met in peace, the
evening before Viserus died, Jacece went
out of his way to be kind to Helena and
ask her to dance. These soldiers wear
the Targaryen dragon, but in gold on
green rather than red on black. And this
is the personal sigil of Aegon II,
adopted to reflect his gold dragon,
Sunfire. In the forest, Vaggar flies
overhead and brings some hope back to
Kristen Cole. His soldiers cheer and we
see the emblems of House Stokeworth and
House Rosby, both from the Crownlands.
Now, in the original series, Bronn ended
up being betrod to Lawless of House
Stokeworth. She's dimwitted. If I wanted
wits, I'm out of you.
>> Vaggar arrives at Harrenhal, burning
what's left of Damon's host there. Damon
and Amon are always put in parallel to
each other as characters. And one of
Damon's visions at Harrenhal last season
even included himself dressed as Aemon.
Now Aean burst into Sir Simon's dinner
the way that Damon did when he took over
Harrenhal. Unlike Damon though, Aean is
not so inclined to show mercy. In both
the book and the show, Aean demands that
Sir Simon take up a sword to fight him.
>> Draw your sword. In Fire and Blood,
Aemon specifically says, "If you are
innocent, the warrior will give you the
strength to defeat me." But here in the
show, it seems even more evident that
Aemon just doesn't want to look like a
coward striking down an unarmed man. But
in the end, he decides he's okay with
it.
>> There's nothing to stop you.
>> He kills off all of Sir Simon's sons as
well. And in Fire and Blood, this event
is the end of House Strong when Aemon
executes every remaining member of the
house. Harrenhal does not tend to bode
well for the houses that live there.
>> It's your new house. Say lovely.
>> In this adaptation though, one of
Simon's sons gets in a strike. And this
is the perfect way for Aean to be
injured at the hands of some random guy
who has probably barely held a sword in
his life. Aemon is too cocky, which is
evident from the way he left Vaggar
outside and took off his helm before
facing these men. He believes that no
one could touch him, but one lucky hit
reminded him that he is still human.
He's left cowering in front of Alice
Rivers, begging for her help. The way he
falls in front of her almost looks as
though she may be exerting some kind of
magical power over him, but it's equally
possible that he's just bleeding out.
And you can tell that Alice is enjoying
this moment of power. She's so used to
being subservient or overlooked. And now
one of the most powerful people in the
seven kingdoms is begging at her feet,
and she can choose whether he lives or
dies. Damon may regret his choice to
dismiss her earlier in this episode.
This war is giving power and authority
to second sons, bastards, and common
folk instead of enforcing the status
quo. And this reflects the way that real
life wars often realign societies.
Dragons descend on King's Landing while
Allison Helena and Helena's surviving
daughter Jihira try to escape. Jiara is
the twin of Jiharis, who blood and
cheese murdered last season. The small
folk cower beneath the might of the
dragon. Hugh Hammer's wife, Cat, looks
to the sky, seeing Vermathor and her
husband fly far above her. two of Ol's
old drinking buddies are staring up as
well. And I wonder if they know that Ol
is now a dragon rider. We also see
Sylvie, the brothel madam that Amid was
with in season 2. After a full season
away, Reneova finally returns to the Red
Keep. Now, King's Landing is not a
particularly strategically important
city for conquering Westeros, unlike
Harrenhal, which is the largest castle
in the Seven Kingdoms. However, from a
place of appearance, having Rene
actually sit the Iron Throne does
wonders for her legitimacy. She now has
the crown and the throne, and this will
make her much harder to dismiss as a
pretender. Damon fights his way through
a courtyard that looks like the area
that Cersei turned into the map room
toward the end of Game of Thrones. Now,
for the first time, Damon is showing
true difference to Reneer, letting her
walk in first into the throne room.
After his visions at Harrenhal, he
finally has accepted that he will not be
king and that he needs to support her
wholeheartedly. Allison's protector,
Rickard, and the Greens fill the throne
room to stop Damon and Rene. In rage,
Rene draws her sword and the guards
laugh at her.
>> Now, here's a thing I haven't seen
before. Even when she wears the
masculine trappings of strength, she
still isn't taken seriously. But Damon's
loyalty with the gold cloaks wins yet
again as Sir Luther Larent and his men
come in to the duo's rescue. All of the
guards throw down their swords except
Sir Rickard, who is dragged away,
presumably to his death. Damon in his
gold cloak sweep through the halls. And
this is a parallel to the very first
episode of the show where he used his
new city watch to violently cut down
crime in King's Landing. After all these
years, the power is his once again.
Damon goes directly to Aegon's chambers,
but of course, as we know, he has fled.
>> In episode 1, Aemon accused Orw of being
the agent of Aegon's escape, and now he
gets the same from Damon. Instead, Orwh
offers up Lord Jasper in his place.
Allison and Helena are recognized by
some of the small folk as they try to
run, which, you know, makes sense. After
Jiharis's murder, Otto made Allison and
Helena ride in a funeral procession in
order to blame Reira for the child's
death. Because of this commodification
of their grief, they can no longer be in
hiding. Damon goes to the dungeons to
seek out Lord Jasper and also frees all
of Rene's loyal followers who have been
imprisoned. There, he finds out that
Laris, like any clever schemer, has been
playing both sides. A gift for you from
Lord Laris Strong.
>> Last season, Aegon dismissed Otto High
Tower as hand of the king after he
dressed down Aegon for killing all the
rat catchers and for generally being
stupid.
>> Instead of judgment, you display
impetuousness AND DIMINISH US.
>> ALLISON tried to reach out to her
father, but was unable to get word to
him. And at the end of last season, we
saw Otto in a mysterious prison. Now the
answer is clear. Laris somehow contrived
to trap Otto before he ever left the Red
Keep, keeping him under everyone's noses
in the black cells. These are cells with
no light that are reserved for high
crimes. Ned Stark was kept in a black
cell after Cersei had him arrested.
Damon is gleeful to see Otto imprisoned,
which is a good reminder that the two of
them absolutely hate each other.
>> If you're in want of a woman to warm
your bed, your own lady wife passed
recently.
>> Are you so desperate for the king's
attention that you've resorted to
skullking about like a common cut? Nera
greets Lord Merryweather and Lady Fel
who have been freed from the dungeons
after they refused to kneel to Aegon. We
saw them being led away by guards in
this very room in season 1. Damon drags
Otto into the room. There is true hatred
in Reneer's eyes. She has known Otto
High Tower since she was a little girl,
but in the end he plotted to overthrow
her and have her killed just to put his
own grandson on the throne. Otto is a
complicated character and on some level
I do believe that he thought that Rene
on the throne would mean war in the
realm. Reme succeeds him, war will
follow. Do you understand?
>> But at the same time, you can't deny his
selfish motivations and evil actions. He
was another second son who was set to
inherit no castle or power, who instead
contrived to make his family the seed of
power in Westeros. And there's pain on
Otto's face when he says,
>> "I assume everyone else is dead."
>> He's probably thinking of Allison in
this moment. He may be a terrible
father, but he does love his daughter.
He has no way of knowing that Reneer's
ascension is actually the result of
Allison's actions, and he never will.
Rene has not prepared to face Otto since
she was stealing herself to kill Aegon.
Damon then urges her on, serving as the
devil on her shoulder, pushing her
towards her worst, most violent
instincts. He believes that she will not
truly be seen as queen unless she shows
the capability to do violence because
all of Damon's own strengths always come
from violence. Otto says,
>> "If your father could see what it's come
to,
>> the nerve of this guy, right?" Rene
misses her first strike, but hits the
second. Unfortunately, not fulfilling
Otto's last wish. Spare me at least from
being hacked at.
>> This is a horrible moment that reminds
the audience that violence isn't
elegant, but instead it's bloody and
awful. Damon quickly dispatches Lord
Jasper before he can finish his last
words, but honestly, [ __ ] that guy.
Damon says to Rene before she kills
Otto,
>> "In this moment, you will become queen."
And the thing is, he ain't wrong. When
she kills for the first time, she does
become queen, but not the queen her
father wanted her to be. She becomes a
queen bathed in blood, which is why her
steps are drenched in it as she finally
makes her way to the Iron Throne. This
shot of her stepping up to the throne,
reflected in Otto's blood is just
perfect. She finally has what she
wanted. But was the price worth it?
Because then in comes Allison. She and
Helena were captured as they attempted
to make their escape. And Allison is
immediately confronted with her beheaded
father. She had accepted that Rene would
have to kill Aegon, but this is a death
she was not prepared for. This may
confirm Allison's worst fears that Rene
will be just as bloodthirsty a ruler as
her son was. And Rene, for her part, is
stricken with horror and grief. Allison,
her childhood friend, betrayed her sons
to help Rene. And Rene turned around and
murdered her dad. But Rene steals
herself in the final seconds of the
episode. What's been done is done. And
now they're all going to have to live
with it. Guys, huge shout out to Harriet
Lingal Inright who wrote this video. You
can find her links down below. And let
us know what you thought about the
episode. Were there any Easter eggs we
missed? Let us know in the comments.
We're on our free to join Discord
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for Screen Crush. I'm Ryan Ery.