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Rhaenyra, my queen. She broke my heart twice during this episode. As she tried to bring Visenya into the world and wrapped her up for burial while the Silent Sisters watched. The second time, when she bowed in shattered grief after Daemon brought news about Lucerys. Yet, she also shone brightly and showed herself a worthy heir, in her temperance and restraint during her council meetings. No queen of ash and bone. Even Rhaenys recognized it, her slight nods and mild smiles, the first signs of acceptance and even pride in a ruler worthy to sit on the Iron Throne. Whatever the next seasons of the show may bring, at least here, it’s clear why Rhaenyra was the right choice. Her last scene left me thinking, they’ve woken the dragon now. Consistent characterization is one thing this show does poorly or not at all. People changed and behaved inexplicably, in contrast to their earlier behavior, for whatever reason the showrunners deemed expedient. D&D made a travesty of some characters in the last seasons of Game of Thrones by rushing, so when I knew HotD wanted to start the Dance, I also knew the time jumps would not help developments. The only person I felt was even remotely consistent was Alicent Hightower. I totally got why the emotionally repressed, obedient daughter became an equally repressed broodmare. But one theme that resonated with her is that she wanted to be loved for herself, beyond whatever her father and husband thought they needed her to be. I’ll be doing my usual binge rewatch now that this first bit is over. Maybe I’ll see something I missed, but likely not. Otto Hightower, Ser Crispy Coal, and Aemond Targaryen will remain cunts. Aemond was bullied as a child, and I’m sorry for that experience, but he’s gone too far now. This entire season left me feeling conflicted, mostly about Alicent, because I’ve been Team Black for a long time, but it also affirmed the Dance was a useless waste that might have been avoided. Which is probably the saddest part.

For the first time, I don't know how to feel about an episode. Except to say that Paddy Considine may be one of the finest actors in the world. I never expected to be so moved by his characterization. That walk into the throne room. A king until the end and a man who loves his family. But that scene with Alicent? Are we expected to believe the Dance starts because of a misinterpretation of Viserys' last words to his wife?

Thank you! There's no Dance without the Greens' determination to make it happen. First, Otto with his assumptions (even talking about a dragon on THEIR side), which he passed on to his daughter, and she in turn indoctrinated her children. Rhaenyra gave them a way out with a Jacaerys - Helaena union. They decided not to take it. The Dance is even more of a tragedy, because it could have been avoided.

Another great, if not excellent, episode. This insistence on Daemon as a complete sociopath is getting a little tiresome. But at least there weren't any King's Landing rat metaphors this time. The alliance of Daemon and Rhaenyra, cause that's what their relationship is based on, is surprisingly as dull as Jon and Danaerys' relationship. I remember laughing at people who freaked out about them. "But he's her nephew! Oh, the incestuous horror." Now apparently there's people looking up getting it on with your uncle on Pornhub. Alicent truly has gone too far - if that had been Robert Baratheon, she would have been wearing his hand-print on her cheek like a badge of honor. Oh, wait a minute, Viserys is missing a hand. Wish he would just die already. Weakest. King. Ever. Also, never expected to be proud of Aemond and his determination to claim Vhagar; beautiful scene, although he's almost on par with his brother. Way to go, Alicent and Viserys; you win the worst parents award. Wonder if we'll hear a peep out of her about plans for Aegon and Helaena's union. I seem to recall her having something to say about Targaryen ways.

The show has done something I never expected; make the youthful Alicent Hightower sympathetic. I've been Team Black since reading F&B, so it was surprising. But the more I think about, and perhaps when I do the season re-watch, I can better understand the thing that puzzles the most: how has Alicent been harmed so far by Rhaenyra's lies? Alicent's got this self-righteous bent about her. After having done everything expected of her, I assume she's jealous because Rhaenyra flouts her kids and breaks the rules. She certainly hasn't been the Realm's Delight, but her behavior doesn't rise to the level that explains why Alicent refused to consider a reconciliation, ala Jace and Helaena's marriage. It actually makes the Dance even sadder and more destructive because up to this point, there seems to have been a way to avoid it.

Now paging Ser Criston Cole, bitter, part of one. After that crap characterization of him last week at Rhaenyra's wedding, no worries about any attempt to redeem him going forward. He's an ignorant, bitter shit. The episode was so good, maybe because last week ended so poorly. Laena! The actresses who portrayed her have been stellar. They shouldn't have cut the claiming of Vhagar. Loved seeing that old hoary bitch. Everything I expected her to be down to the tears in the wings. And I also loved that, given the choice Viserys had with Aemma, Daemon did not take it. Though, his pregnant, bleeding wife slipping past a bunch of people until he has to go belatedly look for her is complete nonsense. But we can't have everything.

Very disappointing about Criston Cole. I had so hoped, as the showrunners have done a decent job of fleshing out why broodmare and reluctant bedmate Alicent Hightower does as she does eventually, for a bit of fleshing out of Ser Criston's future motivations for being a turncloak. But we can't have everything. Instead, we got, "Come away with me and live poor and have cinnamon and orange-spiced married sex" immediately followed by, "I soiled my white cloak for you!" Later he BEATS THE FUTURE KING CONSORT. Ah, that's no big deal. Kills a man at a feast. Ah, no biggie. All so Alicent can have a pawn in her pocket? WTAF. And damned Viserys. Easily, the weakest Westerosi king ever. As Tywin Lannister said, "You really think a crown gives you power?"

Opinions are like... Anyway, these initial episodes are set up for the Dance, just like the first few episodes of GoT set up the Lannister-Stark confrontation. There are legitimate issues of character development; specifically with Rhaenyra the brat and her clueless father, but this article did come across as whining, "where's the T&A?" more than anything. Hopefully HotD is different from it's predecessor AND it does the job of fleshing out what Fire & Blood didn't.

Which is why it's a bit ridiculous that Rhaenyra spent an entire night with a kingsguard alone in the woods and no one makes any stink about that the next morning when they show up. But, you know, the plot.

Where is the button that let's me like this six million times? The show is doing an excellent job of laying out character motivations. Rhaenyra has as much reason to lie as does Alicent for doing her duty by her king and by her father - it's what society expected of her. I'm glad the last scene established that Viserys was in no way fooled by his daughter. I'm reserving judgment on Ser Criston. So far, I can see clearly why Alicent does as she eventually does. Hopefully, Criston doesn't get a weak sauce motive for compounding breaking his vows before becoming a turncloak.

So, Cole betrayed not only his kingsguard vows, but also Rhaenyra in the end. Not entirely unexpected. But what did surprise me was the sympathy Alicent Hightower stirred.

1, because again there's no negative rating. If this is GRRM's ending as well, I'm sure someone will mention it to me. Someday.

Just a shame there is no negative million choice.

Hizdahr. She at least slept with him once that I remember

As penultimate episodes go, this just didn't do it for me. Too much of this entire season has been rushed and disjointed. The wight hunt was long a stupid, terrible idea but the consequences really hammered that home. D&D really should not have shortened the season.

10 easily.; Theon and Yara, Arya, Varys and Dany just embodied their characters' feelings so well. Even Cersei, grudgingly; although she did exactly what I thought she'd do and played to people's fears. My only quibble; a big crossbow? That's what they come up with? I expected something more inventive to be honest from UnGregor creator. So glad to see Hot Pie and Nymeria again. And Billy Bones as Dickon Tarly. I can't decide if I like Olenna or not; she's just a polarizing figure from one ep to the next. And while I did initially think the Grey Worm thing was pointless and still believe it can only herald death, I liked the way that scene played out, very believable. Poor Jorah; how does he still manage to look hot with grayscale?

Solid 8. Best opener and kudos to Walder Frey actor; he gave away a little of the farce without giving away too much. Jaime's jealousy is still sickening, but I suppose understandable if you go along with the idea that he's loved his sister all his life. Euron was a little too animated in that scene; I wish Jaime had run him through for that alone. The scenes of Arya breaking bread with the Lannister army and Sandor being forced to confront guilt possibly for the first time in his life were so well-done. For both Arya and Sandor, a code of life might be easily formed but when you see how a certain approach to things impacts the lives of those just trying to go about theirs, gives you a different perspective. Things I could have done without; Sansa's petulance in the great hall; save that shit for private convos with Jon, and speaking of shit, yeah, we all know Sam's job at the citadel is revolting - how many times did we need to see him doing it? Glad GoT's back.

Yes.

Wish I could rate it an 11. The best GoT episode ever. Even more satisfying than Frey pie. Bring on season 7.

9/10. Nothing beats Hardhome. The cinematography of Jon and Ramsay's battle was beyond incredible. Too bad Dany's not bi on the show because I could totally ship her and Yara. I'm assuming Viserion and Rhaegal were highly motivated by the sounds of their brother cause they busted out quite easily. For whatever reason they did it, the reunion of the dragons was second to Jon and Sansa's. Ramsay Snow - talk about the dogs of war indeed. Very satisfying end; now if only the show could come up with something equally entertaining for the High Sparrow.... Anyway, I've always loved Sansa; she is in my top five of characters, but the woman who watched Ramsay get ripped to death amazed me. Will that same woman have the courage to one-up Littlefucker too? Is it bad that Wun Wun's death hurt more than Rickon's?

So good; if the next few episodes can open with Sandor, not the Hound, I'd be so happy. Jaime and Brynden's meeting was perfect, but the Jon Snow scenes less so. Except for that Lyanna Mormont is quite feisty; I enjoyed her scenes very much. But watching Margery and the High Sparrow is slow torture - please, make it stop soon! Can't wait for next Sunday.

Great episode, loved it. Benjen and Edmure! Walder Frey needs the second most painful death in Westeros; worst being reserved for Ramsay Snow. I guess being abused for so long cowed Sam at the dinner table, but I can only assume it was best done that way to first secure a space for Gilly and baby. Still brutal to watch. Can't even speak of Tommen's conversion, except Margery is playing the High Sparrow, whose death ranks high on the priority list. And somewhere, Ser Barristan Selmy is laughing his ass off at Jaime Lannister right now. Although Dany's speech was a repeat, loved that it was delivered from atop Drogon's back - how many damn sheep has that dragon eaten? Glad that next week the North returns.

Can't rate it yet. Rewatching so I can understand what the hell happened in those Bran scenes. 10 for Sansa delivering the best goddamn lines in, "Did you know about Ramsay? If you didn't know, you're an idiot. If you did know, you're my enemy." Been saying that shit all along.

It keeps getting better; except for those Davos / Melisandre / now Brienne scenes. Davos: "Where's Shireen, my good and gentle lady?" Mel: No answer. Brienne: "Oh, by the way, Ser Davos, I know we just met but I killed Stannis! Sucks, I know." Just really irritates me. I'm not even gonna mention how the sight of Littlefinger just disgusts me. The sooner Sansa can stab him in his heart What I loved most of all was the strength of all the other women on display. From Sansa, Cersei, Olenna & Margaery, even a little in Asha / Yara, & firestarter Dany, the women were tough tonight, planning their futures. Admired the scenes with them a lot. Just with Osha - goddamit.

Loved it for the confirmation of UnGregor, Jon! Olenna! and the Umbers versus Ramsay Snow, but dammit, Shaggydog? Goddammit! I mean how much more. Somewhat behind this but a distant boring second is Tyrion in boring pointless scenes. Please D&D make it stop, such a waste of a good actor.