Pretty excited for this after watching almost all of the trailers and promo interviews.
I’m going to try to go in with a fresh pallete, as the worst parts of GoT fade into memory. I did a brief read up on the timeframe of the show and it seems like its going to be a great story, if they keep it on track, since its a much more focused tale then its predecessor.
Anyone else planning on checking it out?
I’m only partially familiar with the overarcing story and honestly didn’t want to get too far into the saga and ruin any surprises for myself, so endeavour to put things in spoilers for those that haven’t read ahead!
Another distraction for George not to finish the darn books..
But it'll be interesting to see if Dumb and Dumber's dragon gak sandwich of everything post books seasons has put folks off the franchise and we see a one and done season for this
I’m up for it. But will wait until I can binge the whole thing, as I don’t want to have to sign up for NowtTV for any longer than absolutely necessary.
No plans to watch it.
noting in the trailers for this Dragons show was exciting or interesting as far as I could tell so meh.
We just watched the first 4 seasons of GoT a few weeks ago and I hated nearly every minuet of it. And we only like those 4 seasons.
Turnip Jedi wrote: Another distraction for George not to finish the darn books..
I’ve come to terms with him never finishing the books, at this point.
Turnip Jedi wrote: But it'll be interesting to see if Dumb and Dumber's dragon gak sandwich of everything post books seasons has put folks off the franchise and we see a one and done season for this
Ya, that is going to be interesting. I hope it (and Rings of Power) succeeds, as its always great having more fantasy out there. And if either fail, it’ll be a spectacle to watch burn regardless.
Gert wrote: I'm still not entirely sure what the plot is beyond "Its the Targaryens".
We start Thrones with dragons considered extinct, the idea that they were once huge beasts ridden into battle almost a myth, and the last two Targaryen children exiled and powerless.
We start this one with a Targaryen on the throne and dragons both powerful and relatively numerous.
So I guess we're seeing how we get to the former position from the latter. Insanity, inbreeding, paranoia, murder and betrayal. In other words, more Thrones.
Nope. George lost me around book 3, didn't bother to watch the misery porn show.
So when sites talk about this being an 'even darker' prequel I just stare at the screen funny. Why would I want that?
I feel you on the misery porn thing. There are quite a few shows that just stay in my queue because I can’t work up the energy to start/finish them. On the other hand, this’ll be a change of pace from the “zero stakes, formulaic action/comedy, maybe briefly push into PG-13 type territory” that so much “geek content” feels like to me right now.
Honestly, looking forward to some bloody betrayals, murder and intrigue.
nels1031 wrote: On the other hand, this’ll be a change of pace from the “zero stakes, formulaic action/comedy, maybe briefly push into PG-13 type territory” that so much “geek content” feels like to me right now.
Too true, it is either edgy, swearing, misery porn or what you described. Guess that is why I just can not get on with a lot of modern 'geek content'. That and I'm bored of 'Fantasy' meaning 'psedo medieval europe setting'.
As for the show, nah won't be bothering with it at all. The disaster that was the last 3 seasons of GoT killed the franchise for me. I'm sort of glad that GRRM won't finish the books now.
So we are basically just getting the Dance of the Dragons as a show right?
Honestly it is probably a better foundation because at least it has a set end point and way the story can pan out. Unlike the main show which was building the train tracks as the train was traveling down them.
Just watched the premiere and I gotta say I'm very impressed. Matt Smith and Milly Alcock were great in this. I'm definitely not going to be reading any source material for this one, I want to be surprised this time when things happen
creeping-deth87 wrote: Just watched the premiere and I gotta say I'm very impressed. Matt Smith and Milly Alcock were great in this. I'm definitely not going to be reading any source material for this one, I want to be surprised this time when things happen
Everything was fine, but I dislike the casting choices for pretty much all of the Targaryens. None of them have the familial look as described in the books. They're just average people with long white-blonde hair.
creeping-deth87 wrote: Just watched the premiere and I gotta say I'm very impressed. Matt Smith and Milly Alcock were great in this. I'm definitely not going to be reading any source material for this one, I want to be surprised this time when things happen
Is there source materiel for this?
I thought the show was based on the Fire and Blood book George put out. I could be wrong though.
To me it was pretty meh. But I'll give it a few episodes to see if it picks up speed. None of the current characters are likable in anyway yet except maybe McTavish and some stuff was just shock value for shock value like the wife scene.
creeping-deth87 wrote: Just watched the premiere and I gotta say I'm very impressed. Matt Smith and Milly Alcock were great in this. I'm definitely not going to be reading any source material for this one, I want to be surprised this time when things happen
Is there source materiel for this?
I thought the show was based on the Fire and Blood book George put out. I could be wrong though.
Ah, I never remember that he's put out several related books.
trexmeyer wrote: Everything was fine, but I dislike the casting choices for pretty much all of the Targaryens. None of them have the familial look as described in the books. They're just average people with long white-blonde hair.
Well, its tough to find a bunch of people who look super related like the Targaryens are supposed to be. Heck, actual biological children can differ from their parents wildly such that there is only minor resemblance. The doppleganger-esk resemblance that they have really can't be found in the real world without finding some actual incest babies, and none of them would look like the Targaryens. They'd be more like the Hapsburgs, ugly and deformed.
Reading that it had the highest premiere viewership of any show in 2022, though I give all streaming site statistics a suspicious side eye.
If its true and it keeps up the quality, this may be another cultural phenomenon.
Also :
Spoiler:
Anyone else find it weird that they leaned hard into the "prince that was promised" prophecy at the end of the episode, as well as showcase more discussion of it in the sneak peak footage? Just seemed strange that it was given a lot of attention when we know as viewers that it means nothing.
Unless that Jon Snow sequel series is legit happening and will expand on the prophecy.
"Game of Thrones" fans may not have seen the last of Jon Snow
According to the Hollywood Reporter, a sequel to HBO's hit fantasy drama is in early development, with British actor Kit Harington set to reprise his role as the world's favorite bastard from the North turned heir to the Iron Throne.
Described as a live-action spin-off series, the Jon Snow-centered show is expected to take place after the events of "Game of Thrones," which ended in 2019 after almost a decade.
'Game of Thrones' prequel official teaser is here
'Game of Thrones' prequel official teaser is here
HBO declined to comment. Representatives for Harington did not immediately respond to request for comment.
The reopening of Jon Snow's story would upend the divisive eighth-and-final season and provide a chance for viewers to learn the fate of the surviving characters in the Emmy-winning series. Jon Snow was last seen leaving traveling north beyond The Wall with the wildlings, after being exiled from Westeros.
A sequel series could also open the door for the return of other familiar faces, including Jon Snow's half-siblings Sansa and Arya Stark, played by Sophie Turner and Maisie Williams. It would also be a sign that HBO will extend George R.R. Martin's GOT universe beyond the source material. (Like CNN, HBO is a unit of Warner Bros. Discovery.)
'Game of Thrones' star Kit Harington opens up about getting sober and becoming a father
'Game of Thrones' star Kit Harington opens up about getting sober and becoming a father
News of the possible Jon Snow spin-off comes ahead of the premiere of the franchise spin-off "House Of The Dragon" on August 21 on HBO. The 10-episode series, set 200 years before "Game Of Thrones," is based on Martin's "Fire and Blood" novel and follows House Targaryen, the dragon-riding family from which Daenerys Targaryen descended.
Harington was nominated for two Emmys, for best supporting actor and best lead actor in a drama series, during his time on "Game of Thrones." He has since appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, playing Dane Whitman in "Eternals," appeared in an episode of Amazon's "Modern Love" and starred in the title role in Shakespeare's "Henry V" at London's National Theatre.
Is it weird to say that I'm surprised at how much I enjoyed it?
Going into this I was kinda of "Meh!". Only vaguely curious. Firstly, did we need more GoT? Secondly, how much do people really care about more GoT given that never has there ever been a show that vanished so quickly from the cultural zeitgeist as GoT after S8? Thirdly, is this just HBO clawing desperately at a sullied IP in the hopes of making it relevant again? And finally, would the writers amp up what people expect with GoT and just start slaughtering main characters for the shock value?
The answer to the first question you can debate forever, but the answers to the remainder are:
2. Clearly they care a lot. The ratings speak to that.
3. No. It's HBO. The production quality is all there. This is anything but rushed, and certainly not a quick cash grab.
4. Having 'read ahead', I don't think that's what they'll do.
So yeah, I was surprised as how much I enjoyed it. I realised afterwards that I had been concentrating on it intently the entire way through, and found myself really wanting to see what's next. Unlike something like She-Hulk, this show didn't need to air 2-3 episodes to begin with to get people invested. One was enough to hook me.
Looking forward to this going forward, and certainly the craziness of who sides with who (and who marries who!) as the two girls grow older.
It was alright. The biggest thing for me is just that I'll never be able to get over Matt Smith as the Doctor and seeing him say some naughty words is just extra funny because of that.
The dumbest thing is that it isn't the violence or graphic scenes that made me uncomfortable, it was nail-biting and scraping from Alicent. 0/10 please don't show more of that.
Gert wrote: It was alright. The biggest thing for me is just that I'll never be able to get over Matt Smith as the Doctor and seeing him say some naughty words is just extra funny because of that.
I saw him and was all like I know this actor! Who is it… Oh! The Doctor! It’s David Tennant!
My biggest issue is that none of the current crop of characters from the first episode were likable to me except McTavish. And he's not a lead. Generally I have to like someone in the lead roles for a show to take off and good leads can keep me in something I should have ditched a while ago. But I'll give it a few more episodes.
H.B.M.C. wrote: ...never has there ever been a show that vanished so quickly from the cultural zeitgeist as GoT after S8?
Battlestar Galactica.
But yeah, I find myself agreeing on all your points - I still live by the three episode rule but I'm very much liking what I see so far.
BSG had 2 spin off shows that slowly let it all bleed out. GoT was a public execution via decapitation. One moment the most popular show on TV for about a decade. The next nobody wanted to talk about it or look at anything to do with it.
While I'll happily acknowledge the show was flawed, a significant portion of the fan base did whip themselves up into such a froth over the show, from quite early on in its lifetime, that even if it had unequivocally stuck the landing by any reasonable measure there'd still be people moaning about it.
It feels to me that as a lifetime fan of the genre across all sorts of media, I naturally tempered my expectations, and consequently wasn't massively disappointed by the end. It was rushed, no question, but I felt the majority of the pieces ended up on the right square of the board.
Conversely, Thrones seems to have attracted a lot of fans that wouldn't normally become involved in the sort of property that creates "fandoms" and those people especially let their expectations soar completely unchecked, made no allowance that those expectations may not be met, or that things may not turn out the way they wanted/expected. When things panned out as they did, it was those people especially that came crashing down hard, and the vibrations from that impact are still being felt.
It'll be interesting, should HOTD take off in a similar way, given we fundamentally know the ending already, how the fandom reacts this time around.
I think it's kinda weird how they played off the c-section as being some mysterious little known procedure that the queen didn't know about, nor that they told her about. Just seems weird and gave an odd vibe. Like they tried to add extra drama to a scene that already would have had enough. Forcing it against her will(?) and without her knowledge, it was just off and seemed unnatural for how this stuff would go under normal circumstances. A society at this level of knowledge would have been doing c-sections for a long time and they would be, if not commonplace, at least known about. Just added a creepy vibe to the whole thing that just seemed out of place.
Gert wrote: It was alright. The biggest thing for me is just that I'll never be able to get over Matt Smith as the Doctor and seeing him say some naughty words is just extra funny because of that.
I saw him and was all like I know this actor! Who is it… Oh! The Doctor! It’s David Tennant!
Yeah, it is interesting to see him in a very different role. I think he's doing a good job though.
Grey Templar wrote: I think it's kinda weird how they played off the c-section as being some mysterious little known procedure that the queen didn't know about, nor that they told her about. Just seems weird and gave an odd vibe. Like they tried to add extra drama to a scene that already would have had enough. Forcing it against her will(?) and without her knowledge, it was just off and seemed unnatural for how this stuff would go under normal circumstances. A society at this level of knowledge would have been doing c-sections for a long time and they would be, if not commonplace, at least known about. Just added a creepy vibe to the whole thing that just seemed out of place.
Otherwise I liked the rest of it very much.
As someone who deeply disliked Season 7 and 8......
I thought it was more that she was heavily dosed on Opium and so did not realise what was happening at first - historically it usually meant death so was a last resort as here.
I enjoyed the first episode as well - I read and enjoyed Fire and Blood - just a little disapointed we did not have the invasion era to begin with.....
Maybe, but I don't think so. They were quite explicit they gave her as much as was safe, so I doubt she was in a stupor. Yes, it was definitely a last resort historically, but given her difficult pregnancy you would think they would have gone it with it as an option and all prediscussed beforehand.
Like I said, I think they added some creepy vibes that really weren't needed. IDK for sure if it was on purpose, but it was definitely off.
2nd episode in the books! Not much going down, but Rhaenyra’s enterance was pretty baller and the stage is set for what looks to be a big battle next week.
I have a feeling that until we get to the grown up actresses of Rhaenyra and Allicent the time jumps are going to be pretty jarring.
Absolutely loved ep2. I can't believe how well done it is, found myself shouting at the tv when the credits rolled because I just wanted more. The acting and writing are absolutely top notch.
Grey Templar wrote: Maybe, but I don't think so. They were quite explicit they gave her as much as was safe, so I doubt she was in a stupor. Yes, it was definitely a last resort historically, but given her difficult pregnancy you would think they would have gone it with it as an option and all prediscussed beforehand.
Like I said, I think they added some creepy vibes that really weren't needed. IDK for sure if it was on purpose, but it was definitely off.
Its a interesting point and would need to be quite wide ranging - ie could they have saved his wife or only the baby (who died anyway) or were they both doomed. I am not sure if this sort of discussion was had historically? The king is not best at making the hard choices....so he may have not wanted to talk about it....
Also I wonder if (as the Queen says) would hot baths been helpful - Targaryians are not quite human.
There really isn't any reason a medieval society can't successfully perform c-sections without killing the mother, at least not any riskier than any other surgery. Its limited more by their knowledge than lack of capability or technology. And I get the impression that they are somewhat more advanced at least medically than the late medieval era.
And sure, maybe the King wouldn't have been interested in such a discussion, but surely the Queen would have been worthy of having a discussion with.
The setup is better in this episode.
I've not read F&B but I'm liking how at least Viserys isn't too interested in shacking up with kids as much as certain characters in GoT were.
Gert wrote: The setup is better in this episode.
I've not read F&B but I'm liking how at least Viserys isn't too interested in shacking up with kids as much as certain characters in GoT were.
Yes, because shacking up with the 14yo is way better than the 12yo......
Considering Alicent Hightower is 21 at the beginning of the series according to the ASoIaF wiki and Viserys is opposed to marrying the Valeyrion child, I'd say it's doing well so far. The only issue is they don't make it explicitly clear how old Alicent is in the show but it certainly is a departure from the norm.
For the sake of splitting hairs, didn't they say she was 15? I'm in no way condoning that behaviour in real life, but in the context of the show, there's likely a significant biological difference between the two.
I also think there's a deliberate ambiguity at play as to how much she likes Viserys and how much is her just doing what her father has told her, but she's at least projecting a certain level of maturity which, from Viserys' point of view, probably allows him to justify his actions to himself.
I think they've changed her age to same age as Rhaenera. So 18-20ish.
In the book she is like 25(?) and Rhaenera is 8 when the queen dies. They've made them roughly the same age to simplify things, and I guess make their eventual feud more interesting as they used to be friends. Either way, she is definitely more age appropriate for Viserys.
Honestly the only weird thing about the age of Rhaenera and Allicent in the show is that they're somehow not already married off. And book Allicent should have definitely already been married.
In Deep Geek's video on this was pretty good. While both Allicent and the Valeyrion girl are good matches politically, Allicent is at least someone he knows and gets along with. As opposed to the mostly stranger of a 12 year old.
And if Heirs are the main goal, Allicent is the better choice. She's not too young and isn't inbred.
Grey Templar wrote: There really isn't any reason a medieval society can't successfully perform c-sections without killing the mother, at least not any riskier than any other surgery. Its limited more by their knowledge than lack of capability or technology. And I get the impression that they are somewhat more advanced at least medically than the late medieval era.
And sure, maybe the King wouldn't have been interested in such a discussion, but surely the Queen would have been worthy of having a discussion with.
Regarding episode 2, it was pretty great.
Whoa, there's multiple major arteries of the body around that area, add in that she was not under anaesthetic... It wouldn't have took much to hit one of those, and the chance of infection afterwords would have been through the roof. I'd say there are many reasons it would not succeed, not impossible but highly unlikely.
Just so it's clear, a 35-year-old king marrying the clearly coached 18-20-year-old daughter of a high-ranking lord is still very weird. Just not as offputting as GoT was at the beginning (the books especially).
Gert wrote: Just so it's clear, a 35-year-old king marrying the clearly coached 18-20-year-old daughter of a high-ranking lord is still very weird. Just not as offputting as GoT was at the beginning (the books especially).
It's weird for modern day. It would not have been weird in prior times. Marrying a 12 year old would have been weird even in medieval times. It did happen, but it would have been still offputting. So I think that was portrayed perfectly.
Allicent is an adult by any standard, in the show and the book, so while there is a definite age gap it is not really super weird. This isn't Walder Frey
Yes, she's being coached to do it. And I think he's clever enough to know it. But at the same time they get along genuinely well, so I don't think it is weird considering the circumstances. If anything, the age difference is quite normal for the setting. Women of Viserys's age are all either going to be already married or widows, so his options are mostly going to be 18-20 year olds. Anybody older is going to be married or otherwise ineligible.
Grey Templar wrote: There really isn't any reason a medieval society can't successfully perform c-sections without killing the mother, at least not any riskier than any other surgery. Its limited more by their knowledge than lack of capability or technology. And I get the impression that they are somewhat more advanced at least medically than the late medieval era.
And sure, maybe the King wouldn't have been interested in such a discussion, but surely the Queen would have been worthy of having a discussion with.
Regarding episode 2, it was pretty great.
Whoa, there's multiple major arteries of the body around that area, add in that she was not under anaesthetic... It wouldn't have took much to hit one of those, and the chance of infection afterwords would have been through the roof. I'd say there are many reasons it would not succeed, not impossible but highly unlikely.
Of course it is still very dangerous, but not more dangerous than any other surgery at the time. So idk, maybe 15-20% chance of surviving.
Watched second episode and seems to be rattling along nicely and they even managed a epsiode without a brothel etc scene so step (forward?) from GOT
On historical marriages I think people forget how often people died and their other half's remarried, it would have been quite often a complicated extended family!
I liked that they did confirm the difference between Betrothal, Marriage and Consumation. 12 years old would have been very young and risks the girls/babies life if she did get pregnant. Edward I and Eleanor his queen were a devoted love match and lost their first child due to consumating too young....she later tried to ensure her daughters would wait a bit longer....
The King could have actually used this to get out of the Valerion marriage - he needs to be making a new hier now, not in few years.....its a legit reason and reduces possible friction a bit.
I'm a little more lukewarm on this episode and I don't know if it's the episode's fault or if I'm just tired from watching people bicker back and forth on the internet over Rings of Power.
I'll watch it again and see how I feel.
At the moment though, I'm wondering how much longer are we going to have these time skips? Seems like the next episode takes place at least a year later, and I hope we settle down on a specific time period at some point because...
Spoiler:
we seem to be jumping from turning point to turning point without giving much attention to the maneuvering that happens in between. Subsequently, certain characters are coming across more two-dimensionally than I would like.
I'm most worried about Rhaenyra, so far I feel like she's gone from unhappy for not being in the line of succession, unhappy for the tenuousness of her hold on the line of succession, to now, unhappy that she's expected to marry and have children in order to maintain her hold on the line of succession. The show goes to great lengths to show that she has all these figures at court conspiring against her and every time we seem to be wheeling out a potential supporter she shoots them down.
Well, we need to remember that she is only 17. She lost her mother and now very soon after her dad is married to her best/only friend. I will say the deterioration of her friendship with Alicent could have been better justified, it seemed a little handwaived. We could have used a scene after the announcement where they actually work through the issue and have a falling out.
She's also feeling a little trapped. She should be the most carefree person, she's a dragon rider and the heir to the throne, but she keeps getting pressured to do things and her dad has left her for someone else.
We are probably going to have a couple more time skips though. Nothing kicks off till little Aegon is an adult, so we've got a lot of ground to cover.
I presume that Alicent and Rhaenyra are the same age. That makes Alicent 15 when she married the king, because as of episode 3, Rhaenyra is 17 . And yes that is better than the king marrying a frickin' 12 year old. And I believe we have one more episode with one of the actresses, and two more with another, before they switch to their older versions.
Anyway, as someone who was 'Meh' on the idea of more GoT, I have to say that I am 100% in with this show. I just hope they stick to the story as it's written (you can cut out a few of the offspring, as Rhaenyra has something like 6 kids, and I doubt the story needs all of them), then it should be great. Certainly better than the corpse-wearing fanfiction we're getting from the other big-budget fantasy show that's also out at the moment.
GoT was a worldwide phenomena, and, it seems, now is again.
Azreal13 wrote: It'll be interesting, should HOTD take off in a similar way, given we fundamentally know the ending already, how the fandom reacts this time around.
I can already hear the screeching should they follow the story and go through with the part where one particular character is fed to a dragon.
GoT was a worldwide phenomena, and, it seems, now is again.
Honestly yeah, it wasn't even close - but that was the first thing that came to mind.
It certainly sounded like it was going to echo BSG, the way people professed their total lack of interest in it (and the total lack of interest Caprica got).
But given that we've gone from popular show with big numbers on its series finale to a new spinnoff show with big numbers and seemingly booming popularity, can it be said to GoT actually dropped off at all? Or did we just go from super hot to super cold back to super hot again?
Automatically Appended Next Post:
Grey Templar wrote: We are probably going to have a couple more time skips though. Nothing kicks off till little Aegon is an adult, so we've got a lot of ground to cover.
Wait, so we've been in prologue mode all three episodes so far?
Captain Joystick wrote: But given that we've gone from popular show with big numbers on its series finale to a new spinnoff show with big numbers and seemingly booming popularity, can it be said to GoT actually dropped off at all? Or did we just go from super hot to super cold back to super hot again?
After the finale in Season 8, the show just vanished. There was the talk about the episode, and then it was just gone. So gone in fact that I'm surprised they bothered spending this much money on spin-offs, and I was worried that the reaction to the finale would condemn this show to a very early grave.
The Dance of Dragons is a multi-generational Targaryen civil war. Other than the older members of the cast that we started with, many of the cast have 2, sometimes even 3 actors set to play them as they grow older. Aegon II, who turned 2 years old in this most recent episode, is one of the more significant characters in the story. We have to get to him being old enough to talk, let alone be a new potential king.
Azreal13 wrote: It'll be interesting, should HOTD take off in a similar way, given we fundamentally know the ending already, how the fandom reacts this time around.
I can already hear the screeching should they follow the story and go through with the part where one particular character is fed to a dragon.
It's totally on-brand for GoT so I don't think it'll offend anyone.
Grey Templar wrote: It's totally on-brand for GoT so I don't think it'll offend anyone.
It'll offend tons of people - the types of people we should neither listen to or care about, but it'll offend them nonetheless - and we'll get endless hit-pieces from places like Salon, The Mary Sue, and even The AV Club all decrying the show for it.
We'll get similar things in regards to Laenor if they tell his story as it is in the books. Which, I'll admit, I'm not convinced they will, purley for expediency (they'll skip him and go straight to Daemon*) but I hope they do tell that part of the story. That family is a pretty big part of The Blacks after all (and that's another thing... will they keep that name?).
Hm. Was that the actual Crab Feeder he killed there at the end? We don’t See him die, and the body’s face appeared more pale than the living version we saw with all the greyscale scabs. I’m calling shenanigans.
Shadow Walker wrote: Another good episode. I wonder if they will now time skip to when Rhaenyra is older, and therefore portrayed by another actress?
I believe there is at least 1 more episode, maybe 2 before the big time skip. Still a bit more groundwork to be laid for explaining how certain bridges are burnt and how the sides begin to form in the pending civil war.
Shadow Walker wrote: Another good episode. I wonder if they will now time skip to when Rhaenyra is older, and therefore portrayed by another actress?
I believe there is at least 1 more episode, maybe 2 before the big time skip. Still a bit more groundwork to be laid for explaining how certain bridges are burnt and how the sides begin to form in the pending civil war.
I have just seen the trailer for episode 5, and she is in so you may be right about 1-2 more with her.
I think both of the girls are doing a great job. Would be neat if they do more throwback scenes in the future seasons to further show how close they were as kids on this show and juxtapose that with how distant they will become.
Yeah, and they did a good job matching the older actresses too. Honestly, if you told me they were actually the same people and this was filmed 10 years apart I might believe you.
Grey Templar wrote: Yeah, and they did a good job matching the older actresses too. Honestly, if you told me they were actually the same people and this was filmed 10 years apart I might believe you.
I keep seeing people saying this and it baffles me. Emma and Milly look absolutely nothing alike. Emma doesn't have an underbite like Milly does, totally different jaw, totally different nose, literally the only thing their physical appearance has in common are the eyes. That's it.
I hope I can roll with the change when it comes, but Milly has left such huge shoes to fill at this point that I'm pretty much certain Emma is gonna fall flat with me. Really hope I'm wrong.
Shadow Walker wrote: Another good episode. I wonder if they will now time skip to when Rhaenyra is older, and therefore portrayed by another actress?
I believe there is at least 1 more episode, maybe 2 before the big time skip. Still a bit more groundwork to be laid for explaining how certain bridges are burnt and how the sides begin to form in the pending civil war.
I have just seen the trailer for episode 5, and she is in so you may be right about 1-2 more with her.
Spoiler:
According to IMDB, Emma D'Arcy takes over onscreen as Rhaenyra in episode 6 as does Olivia Cooke taking over the role of Queen Alicent.
Shadow Walker wrote: Another good episode. I wonder if they will now time skip to when Rhaenyra is older, and therefore portrayed by another actress?
I believe there is at least 1 more episode, maybe 2 before the big time skip. Still a bit more groundwork to be laid for explaining how certain bridges are burnt and how the sides begin to form in the pending civil war.
I have just seen the trailer for episode 5, and she is in so you may be right about 1-2 more with her.
Spoiler:
According to IMDB, Emma D'Arcy takes over onscreen as Rhaenyra in episode 6 as does Olivia Cooke taking over the role of Queen Alicent.
So
The measter is in the hand of Otto Hightower correct?
He constantly refuses his apprentices advice, and he delivered the tea last episode.
He is trying to slowly kill the king.
hotsauceman1 wrote: So
The measter is in the hand of Otto Hightower correct?
He constantly refuses his apprentices advice, and he delivered the tea last episode.
He is trying to slowly kill the king.
I just think the maester is incompetent and/or out of his league. First episode kind of expressed that when we first see the kings condition, imo.
hotsauceman1 wrote: So
The measter is in the hand of Otto Hightower correct?
He constantly refuses his apprentices advice, and he delivered the tea last episode.
He is trying to slowly kill the king.
I just think the maester is incompetent and/or out of his league. First episode kind of expressed that when we first see the kings condition, imo.
Although I would not totally exclude some kind of conspiracy (it is GoT after all), I think you are right that he seems to have no idea how to properly cure his king. He is also arrogant and/or afraid to lose his face, and that is why he keeps ignoring any advice.
Good episode. Glad that guy got sorted out quickly. It was a character that was going to annoy me. Homeboy wasn't ready for the big leagues.
Rest of the episode was good. It's picking up steam from where it started. Honestly could have taken or left it at episode 1-2. Now I'll tune in every week. This is why I give it a few episodes.
Another great episode in the books, though the pregnant lady teleportation scene bothered me. I get it though, since we’ve already had a pregnancy death. Gotta change it up!
Unless something monstrous happens, I’m firmly on Team Rhaenyra at this point. Shame that the kids are being made to oppose each other, as they looked to be somewhat friendly to each other and not the least interested in “The Game”.
Anyway, very good episode. Though I do feel like maybe it was too much of a time skip. We could have used a bit of the intervening time to show what happened. How Daemon actually got to a point of marrying and kinda settling down, how Rhaenyra got tied up with Robert Strong, etc...
nels1031 wrote: Shame that the kids are being made to oppose each other, as they looked to be somewhat friendly to each other and not the least interested in “The Game”.
The game was never kind to kids, and that kinda is expected to happen, creating all the interesting, even if cruel, interactions in the future. That aside, I really like how the various dragons look a bit different from eachother. Some are leaner, some more bulky. I wonder if there were different breeds in Valyria from the beginning or it was all work/experiments done during the ages of the Freehold.
Just seemed weird how pain wracked Laena went from the bed surrounded by nurses/servants to outside alone, with no apparent resistance. Minor thing.
Grey Templar wrote: Anyway, very good episode. Though I do feel like maybe it was too much of a time skip. We could have used a bit of the intervening time to show what happened. How Daemon actually got to a point of marrying and kinda settling down, how Rhaenyra got tied up with Robert Strong, etc...
Yeah, I agree with the time skip. One or two more episodes of setup would be nice, though it would run the risk of repetition. Showrunners could do some flashback scenes in the future, hopefully.
Biggest reason I think the time skip was too much was that too much happened here and we didn't get any real emotional connection with Breakbones or Laena in their current situation before they both died. Any narrative weight in their deaths is kinda lost because it feels like "Welp, gotta kill these guys off quick because the plot needs to move forward".
That I think was what killed the later seasons of GoT. They forgot how to linger in place for long enough to allow the story to unfold.
Every episode I’ve wanted to rewatch immediately. No exception for Episode 7.
Still firmly Team Rhaenyra.
I did falter abit towards the end at the seemingly cold and merciless murder scheme, but the reveal of the second boat passenger was a genuine eye raising twist. Perhaps one of the happiest endings for a character in GoT?
Allicent’s kids aren’t at Joffery hate level yet, but the punk who claimed the dragon got what was coming. Going to feel reeaally bad for the sister.
D+R’s poor kids having to see their parents remarry so soon after their own mom/dad died was a dick move.
Wish the head of the kingsguard got more screen time/talking bits. Just his head tilts towards Criston Cole made him falter when put on the spot. Such an authoritative presence.
While I’m immensely enjoying this, I do feel like it would’ve helped the overall product to build up some of the previous events.
nels1031 wrote: Wish the head of the kingsguard got more screen time/talking bits. Just his head tilts towards Criston Cole made him falter when put on the spot. Such an authoritative presence.
Thing is, they've got Graham McTavish playing him, and he's in the opening credits of every episode, yet he's had maybe 3 lines in 7 episodes. It's frustrating.
nels1031 wrote: Wish the head of the kingsguard got more screen time/talking bits. Just his head tilts towards Criston Cole made him falter when put on the spot. Such an authoritative presence.
Thing is, they've got Graham McTavish playing him, and he's in the opening credits of every episode, yet he's had maybe 3 lines in 7 episodes. It's frustrating.
He reminds me a bit of Lord Commander Mormont of the Nightwatch. And yeah, he could have more screen time. Maybe in some future episodes/second season?
I had a hunch fake dad wasn’t dead when we didn’t see him go into the fire or know sure who they pulled out of it. Then again I had that same hunch over Crab Feeder and that was seemingly wrong. At least this time my hunch was quite quickly proved correct. It almost seems out of place for Matt to be that merciful though. Feel bad for his parents though. Wonder if we’ll see fake dad again later.
I felt like it was a bait and switch the minute the boy ran out yelling "I'll get the guards". Glad they laid it out for everyone though.
Honestly it would have felt icky if they'd actually done the deed. He wasn't the best husband but you could tell they were both genuinely trying and he was good people. For goodness sake he treated kids he knew weren't his like they were his and endured all the whispers all the while minimal complaint.
I am a little sick of the direct copy past of certain characters though. The Queens dad and the crippled dude being the most obvious.
The kid scene was excellent. Though I don't understand how a kid that put the older boy back on heels suddenly can't fight a kid more his size but meh, plot movement.
Apparently people are complaining the scenes in the last episode were just too dark? Can’t say as I particularly noticed a problem myself. I mean it was certainly no Battle of Winterfell.
I think gakky and poorly calibrated TVs have a lot to answer for. My complaint, if I were to make one, was that it was really quite obviously filmed through a filter in the daytime. But I'm not really bothered by that, it was just noticeable.
Everything was going so well and One-eye had to open his mouth.
Still Team Rhaenyra. Wish they’d make the choice a bit tougher before the Dance kicks off, but I seem to dislike all of the Hightower brood.
Spoiler:
Having read the wiki on this saga, looks like we’re missing some kids on the green team? I suppose they could get inroduced later, but isn’t Aegon supposed to have some young kids?
Yes, though I think they are only a few years old when the Blood and Cheese incident happens, so we might have another small time jump so they can happen.
GoT family gatherings are always so fun. I cannot wait for the next episode. I wonder if the prophecy will be somehow used in the upcoming conflict or it will become the victim of it, and forgotten in the result. In the modern era it is not mentioned outside of Red God's cult (and even then only in their own version of it), if I remember properly?
Having read the wiki on this saga, looks like we’re missing some kids on the green team? I suppose they could get inroduced later, but isn’t Aegon supposed to have some young kids?
Helaena mentions her and Aegon's children fairly early on in the episode, after Alicent is confronting Aegon over his actions, we just haven't seen them yet.
From what I’ve heard, the scene where Daemon helps Viserys with his crown was improvised. Paddy lost his crown while shambling up the throne and Matt Smith took the ball and ran with it. Probably best scene of the series, given their relationship, in my eyes.
That whole scene was a triumph,one of the greatest Thrones moments of all for me. Not only for how it was portrayed but for everything it represented. Totally nailed it.
Another king that should never rule. Hope for some draconic action in the last episode but probably it will be saved for the 2nd season. Easily the best fantasy show this year.
Hulksmash wrote: Massive filler episode. Honestly this could have been 15 minutes of a normal episode.
That said bargain brand Tywin is going to have some trouble.
I loved every minute of it, myself*. Showed that there were divisions right from the onset. Kingsguard divided, Queen + Hand on different pages, prominent lords not ready to bend the knee, spies everywhere, a king not ready/worthy to lead. Really hit home that despite the Green team plotting, its going to be an uphill battle.
*Well, aside from the Queen and Clubfoot scene and the child fighting.
Hulksmash wrote: Massive filler episode. Honestly this could have been 15 minutes of a normal episode.
That said bargain brand Tywin is going to have some trouble.
I loved every minute of it, myself*. Showed that there were divisions right from the onset. Kingsguard divided, Queen + Hand on different pages, prominent lords not ready to bend the knee, spies everywhere, a king not ready/worthy to lead. Really hit home that despite the Green team plotting, its going to be an uphill battle.
*Well, aside from the Queen and Clubfoot scene and the child fighting.
Meh, I didn't need to see the Lord Commander have an issue with it. Same with lords not being willing to bend the knee. All of these things were going to happen based on what we've seen so far (let alone Martin's penchant for just rewriting the same thing). The only thing I was even relatively surprised or interested in was that the Hand was looking far enough ahead to remove the crazy grandson and install the one who was ready to lead.
nels1031 wrote: Say “dracarys“ and its all over before it even starts!
Kinslaying = Bad.
Easy fix for that. Just give the Westerosi execution speech. Then its not kinslaying, its executing traitors and usurpers. Besides, they were also holding her prisoner...
Yeah, it would kinda ruin the whole plot of the Dance, and it really is a plot hole because I think that her character absolutely would have executed them if that situation happened IRL. They should have written it differently in some way where she couldn't do that for some reason. Maybe everyone is able to scamper away or Vaygar is nearby...
I wonder what Daemon is doing at the end there. Is he going into Dragonstone to confront some of the other unclaimed dragons that live there, like Sheepstealer or... *gulp* Cannibal!
Hulksmash wrote: Massive filler episode. Honestly this could have been 15 minutes of a normal episode.
That said bargain brand Tywin is going to have some trouble.
I loved every minute of it, myself*. Showed that there were divisions right from the onset. Kingsguard divided, Queen + Hand on different pages, prominent lords not ready to bend the knee, spies everywhere, a king not ready/worthy to lead. Really hit home that despite the Green team plotting, its going to be an uphill battle.
*Well, aside from the Queen and Clubfoot scene and the child fighting.
I also really enjoyed it - nice bits of politics and actual character stuff. Show going from strength to strength for me
Finale leaked early. I’ll not go into specifics, but aside from one incredibly disturbing scene, even by GoT standards, I thought it was pretty good. Can’t wait for more seasons.
Great finale, and the ending scene was awesome. Greens may have less dragons but the big girl is really worth her weight. Now imagine how Black Dread could turn any battle if it lived.
Pretty awesome finale. Things are going to be intense right from the onset next season.
Honestly not sure how I feel about Aemond "accidentally" killing Luke, but I guess its a creative decision to add some depth to him, and to add further tragedy to the whole situation.
The "the feth he just say?" head tilt from Rhaenys when Daemon mentioned that they have Meleys amongst dragons loyal to Draonstone was pretty funny.
Daemon also made the point of Rhaenys could have ended this war before it began, and Rhaenys had sound logic in why she didn't fry the lot of them last episode.
Still think they could have done more "table setting" with some of the previous events(getting to know Strong before he was murdered, more of the kids being kids before getting wrapped up in generational trauma), but I get that the main focus is on the war to come. That's probably my only complaint about this season. Just high quality entertainment start to finish.
nels1031 wrote: Pretty awesome finale. Things are going to be intense right from the onset next season.
Honestly not sure how I feel about Aemond "accidentally" killing Luke, but I guess its a creative decision to add some depth to him, and to add further tragedy to the whole situation.
In Deep Geek had an interesting take. It shows how dragons are more than just dumb beasts, they have their own will which is difficult to control, and these boys are still just boys. Not capable of controlling their dragons yet, but they(mostly Aemond, but Luke to an extent) are meddling with things beyond them. Tying in with Visyerys believed about them being something 'men should never have trifled with'.
I may be a bit late, but I've just watched the first episode, that I found promising and pleasant to watch up to...the jousting scene.
Yep, this one, in which the nobles of the kingdom actually kill each other. For fun.
And then HBO pretends to have taken inspiration from the real world The brother of the king and the son of the hand of the king are participating in a tournament where people actually and actively kill each other and that didn't seem dumb to anyone ? Tournament and jousting were stopped in real life because accidents happened and people died and there we have on screen a kingdom actually destroying itself in a single day Is the rest of the show as dumb as this or does it get better ?
godardc wrote: I may be a bit late, but I've just watched the first episode, that I found promising and pleasant to watch up to...the jousting scene.
Yep, this one, in which the nobles of the kingdom actually kill each other. For fun.
And then HBO pretends to have taken inspiration from the real world The brother of the king and the son of the hand of the king are participating in a tournament where people actually and actively kill each other and that didn't seem dumb to anyone ? Tournament and jousting were stopped in real life because accidents happened and people died and there we have on screen a kingdom actually destroying itself in a single day Is the rest of the show as dumb as this or does it get better ?
It did strike me as very over the top but the rest of the show is much better IMO
godardc wrote: I may be a bit late, but I've just watched the first episode, that I found promising and pleasant to watch up to...the jousting scene.
Yep, this one, in which the nobles of the kingdom actually kill each other. For fun.
And then HBO pretends to have taken inspiration from the real world The brother of the king and the son of the hand of the king are participating in a tournament where people actually and actively kill each other and that didn't seem dumb to anyone ? Tournament and jousting were stopped in real life because accidents happened and people died and there we have on screen a kingdom actually destroying itself in a single day Is the rest of the show as dumb as this or does it get better ?
There are explanations for this.
While most Tournies in the real world were not to the death, there were some where killing an opponent was allowed. And in situations where the combat is "till the opponent yields", if the opponent doesn't yield then you kinda have to kill them to end it. And of course, accidents did happen, real or otherwise. But you then can consider the context. Westeros has not had a real war in over 100 years. The nobles of the realm are itching for it, and it is not out of the question for things to get out of hand in a big tournament.
As for the political risks of certain people dying... Daemon isn't going to let anyone tell him he can't do dangerous stuff. He is also somewhat expendable. The king is still producing heirs at this time so its fine. Otto's son is probably in a similar situation. He's the son of the Hand and probably is itching for fighting. He's not going to not participate.
The poltical fallout from not participating in a dangerous tourney is probably greater than the risks of someone dying. At least from the perspective of those involved.
So no, its not as dumb as you might think it. But the rest of the show is quite good so I wouldn't worry.
godardc wrote: I may be a bit late, but I've just watched the first episode, that I found promising and pleasant to watch up to...the jousting scene.
Yep, this one, in which the nobles of the kingdom actually kill each other. For fun.
And then HBO pretends to have taken inspiration from the real world The brother of the king and the son of the hand of the king are participating in a tournament where people actually and actively kill each other and that didn't seem dumb to anyone ? Tournament and jousting were stopped in real life because accidents happened and people died and there we have on screen a kingdom actually destroying itself in a single day Is the rest of the show as dumb as this or does it get better ?
It did strike me as very over the top but the rest of the show is much better IMO
It was excessive for sure, but I believe that was the point.
1. To show that violence is ready to break out, despite the peace and relative prosperity of the time. I think Rhaenys even comments to that effect.
2. To juxtapose the visuals of the deadly violence against the visuals of the deadly birth calls back to the earlier comment by the queen that the womb is the battlefield for women of this world.
3. It was really the only way to win renown in that era, given that there seems to have been no invasions or rebellions for one to win fame. The more dangerous, the more renown possibly. A second or third son would be pretty motivated to bet his life on the tourney field to win his fortunes.
