House of the Dragon S2: Episode 1 Review 

I absolutely love Helena. I can’t believe some were saying her reaction at the end wasn’t enough. Phia has some unbelievably expressive eyes

Rhaenyra's performance in this episode was my favorite. Such powerful silent moments. Even the way she walked showed how broken she is.

I love the dimension of Aegon's total lack of seriousness. It's a nice way forward from the sometimes more sullen version we saw of him before, like this is how his coronation changed him. He's not the evil guy, he's not Joffrey Baratheon, he would genuinely like to help people (and, perhaps more importantly, be seen as a good guy in doing so), but he just isn't serious enough to think it all through. Seeing how that transforms after B&C is going to be fun.

Another season of perfect previews and reviews 👏

Really loving Sean's contributions to the discussion, and love to hear from a non-hardcore book reader POV. Also ViseRIZZ 😂

And here's to hitting the 100,000 milestone this season, too 🙏👏🏾

Sean's insight, as usual, was very valuable. Really looked forward to HoW's coverage of the episode!

History of Westeros! 🔥

Caraxes greeted Meyles, the best reptilian doggos

We are SO back! Sean4ever!

I think the first episode was a solid 4/5, with Emma D'Arcy BRINGING the fire. That performance was breathtaking. I'm very much NOT a fan of the relationship we're seeing between Alicent and Criston, and I think doubling down on it in the final scene takes away from the shock we should have been left with after Blood and Cheese - beginning the credits with Halaena's pause as she flees would have been my preference. One thing I noticed that I haven't heard anyone mention yet - Aegon is super comfy on the Throne. We've seen him just plop down on the seat, casually rest his arms, even drunken lounging - sprawled, with no sign that he's been injured by it. Given the strong focus on Viserys' cuts during his time on the throne, it's important. Thanks team for your excellent coverage!!

That intro SLAPS 🔥

Just a correction; Red Ned Waters is not played by an African American, Aziz. Tok Stephen is an English actor. African American is not a catch-all term for black people.

The new intro is RIDICULOUSLY good!

Earlier in the episode they showed 2 kingsguard on the walls watching for dragons too. So they were obviously focused on threats from the air

I missed y'all 😊

Love the new intro! ❤

I have been listening in podcast form for years must have forgotten there is a whole video uploaded as well! That is a really neat graphic guys great job!

Larys might be undermining Otto to get back at Alicent for sleeping with Criston

I'm pretty sure Alicent and Cole has been going on for quite some time. It was specifically mentioned that he was supposed to be on duty when Aemond lost his eye and later when searching for Aegon she has that 'with everything you feel for me as your queen' line.

This is fantastic

Love that intro

This is awesome

Ya, while some book readers are complaining about B&C, I'm here to compliment the excellent dialog tonight.

They aren’t referring to taking harrenhal as in gaining the support of Larys’ seat. They mean taking control of it from a geographic, strategic standpoint. The riverlands will follow Tully (mostly) but you want the positioning of harrenhal either way

How do we know Benjen didnt end up at the Wall because he drew the black stone from the decibag?

I am also desperately trying to figure out what Helaena whispered at the start of her first scene.

One thing that bothers me is how quickly these Targs are concluded to kill dragons off. Seems odd. Obviously strategically it makes sense, but they keep talking about how valuable dragons are but show no sadness/grief or care for them at all. Shouldn’t it pain Targaryens a bit to murder dragons, even if they’re not their own and they’re forced to. Ofcourse after Lucerys was killed they’re all operating from rage/emotion but I really hope they include a couple of scenes of them commenting on how they’re destroying the very thing that makes them valuable. I would expect atleast someone like Rhaenys to have a moment of self awareness.

Beyond the wall was a horrific episode and not book canon. I would say it’s safe to assume this was a retcon by George rather than being confused about it changing

Out of curiosity. Do you know if Cregan at this time is the Warden Of The North? Is that a thing at this juncture of history?

You might wanna try saying duty the English way, mate 😉 With a strong 'you', 'd-you-ty'

Here so at least Sean sees the comments that this version of blood and cheese was far inferior to the book and they need to make an original theme song

They just ignore cole and alicent scene😂

Cannot stand slut shaming and hypocriy. Alicent and Cole need to have a walk of "Shame" from the Sept to the Red Keep. They maligned Rhaenyra so much for doing the exact same thing with the exact same thing! Poor Nyra. Shame (on Cole and Alicent) 🔔

Big plot hole. How did that stark kid who was going to the wall end up with Jace’s s1 wig. V angry. They should stick to the books!

To the people upset about blood and cheese.. you're sick. We have Dragons?!?! Hellooooooo? no one else is giving us dragons like this.

Unbelievable that they would destroy alicents character AND undermine the one brilliant performance they hinged blood and cheese on in one swoop. idk if it was the writers strike or just creative shifting with miguel and his wife no longer being a part of it but i am shocked they flopped this hard after such an enjoyable first season. the writing contradictions are immense

This whole Alycent Hypocricy theme is lame It should be a passing thing not a main theme. They will ruin HOTD with all these obsession with Alycent's pussy. Depiction of War and War Crimes isshould be the main thing in the show and right now, I am very disappointed with what I am hearing. The Dialogs are lame for most parts, Characters that should be talking to each other, Otto and Larrys, are not because the fake writters didn't craft witty dialogue scenes for them. Also, Rhenyra not talking is a problem. It is a problem when dialogs are lame and a key player is not talking.

Anyone else notice King Aegon when he's looking for Jacaerys to bring him to the meeting- he enters the room with Helaena knitting and possibly mistakes Maelor for Jacaerys ? Foreshadowing the end of the episode when Blood & Cheese cant tell the difference between the children either.