Rob I was thinking the same thing about Rhaenys. She's acting in the capacity as a hand and she's also giving the best council to Rhaenyra so far. Rhaenys really is the queen that never was.
It’s interesting how Alicent misunderstanding Viserys’s words seems like such a huge plot point when really it had no impact on the events of the show. The Green Council were already planning to install Aegon on the throne with or without Alicent’s approval, and Otto’s words to Aegon in the previous episode suggest they never believed her in the first place. So all Alicent’s involvement did was stop Otto’s assassination attempt on Rhaenyra way back in S1E9.
It's probably because Alicent did have some level of sway with her sons before the coronation. It is why Cole being the one to retrieve Aegon was such a big deal, because she pushed for them to not kill Rhaenyra outright. It was her idea to have the coronation asap, and it was her idea for it to be the Conqueror's crown and sword that Aegon wore. The point is, if Alicent was not on board, she could have pushed back or perhaps set up some sort of peace talk situation that might have averted the rash decisions that were made. Aegon was still quite gullible, the coronation gave him all the legitimacy he needed. But of course it's all a big "what if".
@@rooroo-99 there was never any mention about who decided on when Aegon’s coronation would be, all we do know is the Green Council immediately launched into plans of crowning Aegon the second they found out Viserys was death. All Alicent did was say Aegon would wield the conqueror’s sword and wear his crown. If Alicent had tried to get Cole to take Aegon somewhere or hide him, all Otto would have to do is order Cole to stand down since he has higher authority than Alicent. Otto speaks with the King’s voice, therefore he didn’t need Alicent’s cooperation though it was nice to have it. The only sway Alicent had was in convincing Aegon not to kill Rhaenyra. Even Aemond who would rather have Aegon on the throne than Rhaenyra would not have listened to her had she supported Rhaenyra.
@@Baelthebard Well, it depends on the conflict you’re focused on. I kinda think we’re seeing the tapestry in the intro because this season focuses more on the two main women at/near the heads of their families. Rhaenyra and Alicent share a bond, and THEIR disconnect was because of Viserys’ dying rant. Alicent was ready to bend the knee until that moment, and may have supported Aegon in running away from the throne, as he wanted to do, in spite of her father. So it does matter in that regard. It started the final break in their bond, and their respective struggles for respect and cooperation. The difference is, Alicent is useless and unimportant. Other women (Rhaenys, White Worm, Baela) are also more important to the story this season. The fight is actually between siblings: Rhaenyra and Aegon. But what are the optics HBO used: Rhae vs. Alicent. Same story, with a paradigm shift.
The Harrenhal sequences were perfect, the vibe of the castle is exactly how I imagined it. The castle is said to be haunted which is why you get this feeling of unease right from when Daemon first arrives.
the word "prince" in High Valyrian is gender neutral so the prophecy would be "the prince or princess who was promised" it could be jon or daenerys in game of thrones and well... they fucked that up too
The Brackens and Blackwoods are a fun part of the books, both Fire and Blood and the ASOIAF series. They absolutely hate each other, the pettiest feud of all time. The history book puts the Battle of the Burning Mill as the first battle of this civil war. Which is kind of funny because it didn't really have anything to do with Rhaenyra or Aegon, it was just two houses who want to kill each other finding this war as an excuse.
Harrenhall looks that way bc Aegon the Conqueror fought Harren the Black (dude who built harrenhall and at that time ruled the riverlands) and Aegon's dragon Balerion the Black Dread burned a good portion down with dragon fire and its been looking like that ever since
It's not just Alicent taking Viserys' word at his death bed. During Aegon's birthday feast he tells her that he had a dream where his son was sitting the Iron Throne. But it doesn't matter. No one really believe Alicent besides Aegon. The council was already at work
There being multiple names that are the sane does make it confusing lol agree with Bryce on they got to sort out these names lol can’t wait for the next episode this was clearly the set up ep
Any time I think about complaining about the names, I remind myself I'm English. We've had 8 King Henrys, 8 King Edwards, (both with several back to back), 6 King Georges and another George as a current Prince, 3 Charleses, back in the day we had Edmund followed by Eadred followed by Eadwig followed by Edgar followed by Edward, and then soon another Edmund. And those are just some of the ones that were actually King. Our Royal history is fucked for names.
@@duggs4456Don’t know why people complain about this lol it’s been a real thing since the beginning of humans. We’ve always named people after great people over and over again. How many Muhammeds are there in the world? I believe it’s the most popular name
So for info on King Jaehaerys and Prince Baelon; Jaehaerys was a good king but a shitty father, he fought in a rebellion and basically set up the roads of Westeros and brought stability and created the peace that Viserys continued. He became king incredibly young and followed his psycho uncle Maegor the Cruel who had usurped the throne. He married his Sister-Wife was who was known as "Good Queen Alysanne" as they were both beloved by the people and smallfolk. He rode the dragon, Vermithor, the bronze fury, which is the 2nd Biggest Targaryen dragon after Vhagar currently. Baelon was his second born son, he became heir after his older brother (Rhaenys's father) was killed. He was also hand of the King and was known as Baelon the Brave, he also rode Vhagar. However, for Ulf, the smallfolk man who claims to be his bastard son. It is really unknown, he obviously claims to be but with his age, this would mean Baelon cheated on his wife, Alyssa. Though, it was said in the book that Baelon was completely in love and devoted to his wife and refused to "bed" anyone even 2 years after her death. Obviously, the book can be inaccurate at times but there is such emphasis on their relationship, that I don't think he would cheat. Though I guess that's the thing about the show and the book, we can't really trust anyone or anything.
how would he know his dad could be VizzyT or Damon they bragged about bedding ladies when they were teens. i It's not they like kept much records and why do you think it couldn't have been before Big J was married?
i like that we get to watch s2 with you guys for the first time cause we didn't get to watch s1 with you so we're all just learning these things along the way together lol (besides book readers). but yes rob, jon snow's targaryen name is also aegon!
Jon being Aegon I believe is a TV show thing, not so much a book thing. the more distance we get from the show, the more GRRM reveals that he kept his major book spoilers to himself... and sort of steered Dean in Dan towards their own theories
You guys should watch “The Great” with Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult lol an interesting and satirical take on period dramas and court intrigue shows. Truuust me.
It was confirmed by the director of this episode that three of the dragon eggs Rhaenyra sent with Rhaena are the three eggs that eventually end up with Dany.
Jon being a Targaryen was horsesh*t. Even GRRM said himself, Dany is what GoT is about, her in essos with her dragons, and the white walkers beyond the wall of ice, is what he made a song of ice and fire to be.😅
GRRM said it was horseshit? i never saw that. so, what's the deal with Jon Snow's lineage then? not totally surprised, the more distance we get from the show the more GRRM seems to reveal that - he never gave up the good on his story and just sort of steered Dean and Dan towards their own theories.
How is a huge plot reveal and longstanding theory that came true “horseshit” 💀 GoT wasn’t just about Dany; there were a myriad of other characters people enjoyed.
The prince that was promised was actually dany as confirmed by Grrm. Shes fire and the walkers are ice. The translation isnt exact, its prince or princess, its not gendered. So thats when Viserys last words were “it is you” he believes Rhaenyra is the prince/princess who was promised. Remember he thought he was talking to rhaenyra, alicent was on the side where he had no eye. Edit: Everyone bring up Jon Snow got rocks in their brains. GRRM literally said she’s fire and walkers are ice. It isnt a debate. Hes still dead in the books. Everything else is just theories moving forward.
@@penoyer79 i mean its not confirmed jon is even a targ and if he is he would be a bastard bc annulments werent allowed. Rhaegar already had a multiple children before jon and one was named Aegon already. D&D were just coming up with anything towards the end of the show to get to the ending they planned. Even Dany flying over the wall dont make sense since dragons always refused to before. A lot of plot holes unfortunately. Jon didnt even bond with the dragon, like he rode rhaegal but he had like 0 connection, same way he forgets about ghost.
@@penoyer79 It's about Jon Snow. And always has been. He is born out of ice and fire. George hasn't confirmed it being Dany at all. It's just Dany fans being salty over her ending. When in fact. It was very well known. That the Targaryens had madness running in their bloodline. Im guessing as side affect of all the incest. They practiced it more than any other house. From what I understood. And often the closest relations with siblings. Where as other houses stuck more to cousins.
i believe it’s both dany and jon, personally. dany is fire and jon is ice. neither one of them completely fulfill the prophecy on their own, but together they do.
The show never really digs into Criston Cole’s past or his perspective as a commonborn man living amongst royals so I appreciate them highlighting the casual racism (Dornish) & classism he’s likely faced on his way to the top and still faces now even as Hand and LC of the Kingsguard from nobles who are far less deserving of their titles. Because despite his more questionable character traits, it’s undeniable that he’s an extremely skilled fighter and a good strategist who did earn his place at court.
@@KelliFranklin his strategy of take houses for Aegon’s side one by one until they reach Harrenhal or gather a host strong enough to take Harrenhal is a good one and the best that’s been laid out so far in the Green Council.
@@KelliFranklin I don’t blame you tbh, the show doesn’t really highlight his skills nor knowledge and he’s pretty unlikeable so it’s hard for a lot of the audience to care
The scene with young Rhaenyra spooked me. Not only was I not expecting to see that actress again, but because of the pure emotion on Daemons face. That look on Rhaenys' face in that one scene! I think within the next episode she is going to volunteer herself to go. That look felt like her making the decision because Rhaenyra was struggling to make that decision herself. Although Alicent's misunderstanding wouldn't have changed anything, that's what she used to justify her actions. Makes me wonder just how many times she told herself that to make herself feel better.
In viserys's mind, he was talking to Rhaenyra, not Alicent. He was answering to her... 24 hours later. Bracken and Blackwood are Tully's banners. Combined they have like a 40k army BUT they hate each other and they clame a different king/queen. Both sides want that army ofc... that's the problem
Who would recognise Rhaenyra? The common folk don’t really know what the royals look like anyway and she hasn’t been in Kings Landing for years. They have no reason to even look at a random Septa walking by
I find it interesting how you hate Criston (who is admittedly an unlikable character) but call Daemon “my guy” when he’s done equally horrible things and even physically abused Rhaenyra. The Blacks definitely have their flaws as well.
Jon Snow's Targaryen name was Aegon, but there was no way for anyone to have known what he would be named. Aegon the Conqueror's dream only told of "the prince who was promised", not the name of the prince
Viserys said "Aegon" when he was dying because he was talking about Aegon the Conqueror's dream -- the prophecy of "The Prince That Was Promised", which in the GoT show canon refers to Jon Snow being a Targaryen and uniting the realm in the fight against the army of the dead. However, in the books the real identity of the "Prince" from the prophecy has not been revealed yet.
Yeah in Game of Thrones Jon's real name was Aegon Targaryen but I think there's almost a 0% chance that's what his real name turns out to be in the books. I'm pretty sure they mashed Jon's story up with another character who is also called Aegon and decided to try and tie it up with a bow by making that Jon's real name. I would be extremely surprised if it turns out that way in the books
Hey guys, I'm a new subscriber, and I noticed which series that you guys have watched and which movies that you have watched. If I may, can I interest you in watching the Penny Dreadful series, it has Josh Harnett, Timothy Dalton, and Eva Green, and it has ghosts, vampires, witches and werewolves. And if you haven't seen it yet, I HIGHLY recommend The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, starring Henry Cavill and it is based on a true story about a group of soldiers who help with the invasion of Normandy.
I HATE Alicent. Let me sneek up in there. GRRRR. Rhaenyra is so amazing! With this series as a whole with HOD and GOT, it is SO male dominated that I am sure that Aegon would have been pushed on the thrown by the men, maybe through killing Rhaenyra so maybe we should be happy she didn't get the throne immediately. DAMN I love this show!
that's the dichotomy in a nutshell. Alicent is a pawn and powerless to stop the machinations of the men around her... where as Rhaenyra rebels, resists, and pushes back against them as illustrated in this episode. Rhaenyra is what Alicent wishes she could be. this is why she has become so resentful and jealous of rhaenyra, but she masks it under the guise of "duty and sacrifice". Alicent was against usurping the thrown as her Father was plotting behind her back. it was only her misinterpreting her husbands final words that made her go along with it because she felt they were right in the end. but now the cat is out of the bag... Alicent realizes she was wrong and now they're going to war over a mistake - the blood is on her hands and we will see how she handles it
Both of your statements were correct Rob. Aegon the Conqueror is the one who had the dream about the song of ice and fire, which is about the prince who was promised, who many fans believe to be Jon Snow (Aegon Targaryen)
criston & alicent are so annoying. i need them GONE. after everything the greens including alicent, has done to her, the deserve no mercy or compassion.
So are they only required to watch a select amount of shows? Even people in real life who aren't on RU-vid watch a lot of different shows and they get things and plots and characters confused or forgotten. They're just human.
No Rob, you were right it was Ageon the conqueror who had the dream/prophecy about "the Prince that was promised" who would unite the realm (A song of ice and fire), and that prince is Jon Snow indeed cause his real father was Rhaegar Targaryen (Fire) and his mother was Lyanna Stark (Ice)