[Spoilers] Episode 110 Discussion

[Fool Stands On Giant’s Toe]

FUN WITH EDITING.

Rheanyra giving birth to baby. Her face contorts in pain. Bared teeth gnashing.

•Edit. Quick Cut.
Dragon gnashing teeth.

•Edit. 
Rheanyra continues birthing.

•Edit. Quick Cut.  
Xenomorph Queen from Aliens gnashing teeth.

•Edit. 
. Rheanyra continues birthing.

•Edit. Quick Cut.  
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s face from Total Recall under atmospheric pressure.

•Edit.  
Rheanyra continues birthing.  
Baby is delivered and held by Rheanyra.

•Edit. Quick Cut.  
Kuato from Toal Recall. “Open your mind…”

 

 

Edited October 24, 2022 by Fool Stands On Giant’s Toe

[Cashless Society]

3 hours ago, Ingelheim said:

What's your take on Aemond not wanting to kill Luke and losing control of Vhagar?

To me it's the most significant change they've made to the book story, even more than Alicent's.

I think it gives Aemond depth but also deprives him of agency. He basically starts the DoD by accident.

I like it though, show Aemond didn't seem half as mad as his book version.

I really enjoyed this change as it is a solid way of telling the audience that dragons don't just do whatever their rider tells them and have a mind of their own (providing some context for the fight between Vermithor, Tessarion and Seasmoke).

As for the lack of agency bit, I think this was done for narrative progression. Aemond is probably going to get worse from here on out, it would be more interesting to have him start out at a point where audiences can root for him until certain events make them turn against him á la Walter White as opposed to him being straight up villainous from the start of the war.

Personally, I think demanding that every action be dictated by a characters agency is overblown and quite often leads to boring and deterministic storytelling. Having spontaneous events allows for better story avenues and exploration of character interiority based on reactions to the event. The writers could explore both the shame and pride Aemond might feel by telling everyone that he deliberately killed Luke and how every action he takes on from this point forward is him living up to this image of ruthlessness. Alternatively, he could be a sort of Jaime figure where everybody immediately assumes that the action was deliberate and now has to ruefully have to live with it and perhaps him attending the Battle Above the God's Eye is his more of a suicide mission (not unlike how some people over here interpret Daemon's motivations for doing so as well, which would neatly tie up their parallel narratives).

2 hours ago, Stannis is the man....nis said:

I dunno there was the scene when they were kids were Aemond indicated he wanted to marry her and a few scenes that shows he’s annoyed with Aegon’s cheating 

But that still doesn't mean he's having an affair with Helaena. 

1 hour ago, Leticia Stark said:

From “Dany kinda forgot about the ships” to “Aemond chased Lucerys but didn’t want to kill him, it was an accident ”

That's progress.

24 minutes ago, Minsc said:

Does the show do anything to portray those actions as being horrible in eyes of the viewers?

Why should the show portray it this way to the viewers?

[GeorgeIAF]

4 minutes ago, Jason Cha said:

On that weird Daemon-Vermithor scene, what are we supposed to take away from that? 

I'm familiar with what happens with Hugh Hammer down the line, but not clear to me if the HOTD scene is connected to that.

Basically he's petting Vermithor or making him accustomed to be bonded with someone. Something like that. 

[GeorgeIAF]

2 minutes ago, Cashless Society said:

I really enjoyed this change as it is a solid way of telling the audience that dragons don't just do whatever their rider tells them and have a mind of their own (providing some context for the fight between Vermithor, Tessarion and Seasmoke).

As for the lack of agency bit, I think this was done for narrative progression. Aemond is probably going to get worse from here on out, it would be more interesting to have him start out at a point where audiences can root for him until certain events make them turn against him á la Walter White as opposed to him being straight up villainous from the start of the war.

Personally, I think demanding that every action be dictated by a characters agency is overblown and quite often leads to boring and deterministic storytelling. Having spontaneous events allows for better story avenues and exploration of character interiority based on reactions to the event. The writers could explore both the shame and pride Aemond might feel by telling everyone that he deliberately killed Luke and how every action he takes on from this point forward is him living up to this image of ruthlessness. Alternatively, he could be a sort of Jaime figure where everybody immediately assumes that the action was deliberate and now has to ruefully have to live with it and perhaps him attending the Battle Above the God's Eye is his more of a suicide mission (not unlike how some people over here interpret Daemon's motivations for doing so as well, which would neatly tie up their parallel narratives).

But that still doesn't mean he's having an affair with Helaena. 

That's progress.

Why should the show portray it this way to the viewers?

 

Probably Aemond will be called kinslayer in Season 2. Aegon will have a party for him when he returns.

[Raksha 2014]

2 hours ago, Rockroi said:

Okay, considering we are unlikely to do this for about 18 months (or so) and I did NOT watch this episode early, here we go:

What I liked:

Queen and Mother of Dragons: Rhaenyra’s emotional roller-coaster crystalized the import of this episode: everything all at once.  We first see Rhaenyra have to deal with the loss of her father, then loss of her child, then the loss of her realm.  As she struggles with what to do (Spoiler: it was always war), she must both command and protect – her realm and her children.  Then, just when she thought she was at her safest, her husband physically assaults her (or as they call it in Westeroes: Thursday).  She is not safe and cannot keep anyone else safe.  And when that finally reaches a boil she looks us dead in the eyes and announces that she will burn them all.  Yes, that look was a wee bit over-the-top but it was well-earned.  The story of this Queen is how her life is split between her children and her realm and how she is both attacked and forced to defend both.  This is much like Viserys, but different: Viserys could afford his vacillations; he was never at war.  His daughter has no such protections: she will spend the rest of her life at war.  

Oh, and I loved that coronation. 

Storm’s End’s Beginning: I liked everything about Storm’s End; I liked Lord Baratheon (and his apparent illiteracy); I liked the high-stakes game; I liked that Luke (or whichever one he was) was both unprepared but also serious; I liked how it was a constant storm and I loved that fucking seat.  No King should sit comfortable and, as usual, the Baratheon’s turned it to 11, This is not a seat that will simply take an oath and be like “Yeah, we said it so guess we will follow it blindly.”  No, that’s House Stark’s job.  Anyway, I liked this visit to the last of the realms.  

Oh, and I liked that Luke seemed overwhelmed by everything.  I think its an incredible pivot from the trope that merely because a child has had a few lessons or has a nice person to hang out with that they somehow become quick witted, able swordmen, and masters of the Game of Thrones (but enough about the last 2 seasons of GoT).  Instead, they have a script, they try to stick to it and then they do what they can, but they are NOT in control.  Luke acted like … a little kid.  And that worked.  

A Dance of These Two Dragons:  That was bad-ass!!!  

Okay, next!  

 

 

…. Okay, just kidding.  Yes, it was bad ass but I think we saw – in stark terms – how dangerous actually fighting with dragons will be.  And that not all dragons were created equal.  Just like that, one dragon, Arax (I think) is dead.  Poof… or Puff… look, I’m trying …  The point being that they can be slain just like anyone else and just like that.  Oh, and that Aemond and Vahgar are bad asses.  

But I also think it showed how susceptible- and unpredictable – the dragons are to the emotional state of their riders.  The dragons either acted on instinct OR because they are tapped into the sub-conscious of their riders and acted the way they thought their riders would act.  And that can make it so the dragons don’t do what the riders … “wanted” them to do.  We think.  Free will is suddenly more uncertain than a prophecy.  

But even Aemond one-eye seems … upset by this.  And I get that but a part of me wants to as … “What did you think was gonna happen?!”  Chasing Arax around Storm’s End will likely lead to, at best, lead to a confrontation and that, by definition is uncertain.  What would have happened if wings got clipped or Arax zigged when he should have zagged?  Or, you know, they start breathing fire?  I get that the excuse will be “I didn’t mean it…” But you meant to go out there on a dragon and zoom past another dragon… Intent follows the Maw.  

The Table: Painted Table was brought into greater relief with fire.  An improvement over Stannis’ “It’s a fucking Table; we sit around it!”  Actually… Regardless, it was a great touch.  

War Council Paying Attention: I liked that the talk of troops and territories was trumped by “We have dragons.”  Done and done.  That is vastly more important.  

What I am on the fence on:

Camera Closer… Closer … CLOS… We are in Rhaenyra’s Tonsils: This was the most high-concept episode in terms of the use of the camera and it was … fine… fine … ish?  The camera seemed to always be tight and looking up at the character and the characters … seem almost to know it.  Lots of characters with their backs to the camera; staring off at the scenery.  This, to e, was too passive use of the camera for what we were actually witnessing.  This was a calm within the storm, not before it.  I think the camera use was misplaced.  

What Were You Going To Name This One: So that dead baby got a LOT of screen time, huh? Now, with that said, I think it was portrayed REALLY well and had a lot of emotional weight.  She did a great job and it was pretty good.  Also, kinda gross.  

Daemon: Starting to think he’s JUST an asshole.  

The Meeting on Dragon Stone … Part II: So, Otto shows up… again… on Dragonstone to face Daemon.  And what did he learn from the first one?  I kind of feel like that meeting could only have ended two ways – with the Hightower contingent to leave emptyhanded OR dragon roast.  I feel like there was nothing else that could have happened.  Don't get me wrong; I love me some Otto, but what was he hoping would happen? Unconditional surrender?  Feel like they don't learn from their mistakes.  

And this time.. she is not on your side . . . 

What I Did Not Like 

Doubling Down on Dumb: So, in this episode, the story tried tried TRIED to justify Rhaenys’ absolutely stupid decision to not kill Aegon et al.  They had her say “This is not my war.”  Like her grandchildren are NOT standing a few feet away.  Just ridiculous.  Then we have like 15 shots of her standing in the background and not kneeling and basically trying to send the message that she is above it all.  Then, the Sea Snake shows up… I guess… and he says “We will sit out this war!”  And Rhaenys says, with a straight face, we can’t.

FUCKING PICK ONE!  Either she gets to sit on the sidelines and justify her decision Not to kill Aegon OR she gets to say how just she thinks Rhaynera is the rightful queen and throw in on them.  But she cannot do this whole “One-foot-in-one-foot-out” hokey-pokey.  

And this NONSENSE that she did not know this would lead to war or that this is not HER war just ash to go.  Its as if the showrunners did not see how dumb this was, wanted the spectacle and then realized “Oh, shit, this makes literally no sense… LET’S DOUBLE DOWN!” And they TRY to make it seem like it’s a close call OR she is undecided OR that she is above it all.

Its never was; she isn’t and she’s not.  

And when Corlys says that he will declare for nobody, she says that Rhaenerya is the only one holding the realm together. Showing restraint… 

Oh, and she killed like 100 people.  Down the memory hole with you!  

To me, this represents something I am ready, willing and able to overlook, but I am also not going to pretend it didn’t happen.  Its like a bruise that will stain.  You can look past it if you can, but you cannot pretend it’s not there.  

So stop. 

ANYWAY… 

What a great season.  What an absolutely incredible correction of what we had left for dead under the Bells.  This was 10 episodes of rebuilding good will with the fans and trying to reintroduce us to this land and these people.  The acting was as great as anything in GoT; each episode had incredible import; the fissure started as a small crack and has since grown into a massive chasm that will swallow this realm and we all buy it.  

These are great characters involved in a fantastic conflict and one that is being handled with care, understanding, craftmanship and intelligence.  We are lucky to have it.

Oh, and Paddy should get the Emmy.  

Awesome season, 9 out of 10; just terrific.  Loved it and will watch again.  
 

 

I actually thought that Lucerys acted like more than "a little boy" when he went out on the mission that would claim his life:  despite his lack of self-confidence in his destiny as the future Lord of the Tides or his own fighting skills, Lucerys conducted himself with considerable dignity and confidence as a queen's envoy to Lord Borros (a hostile host) under the smirking eye of Aemond.  Lucerys did not panic when Aemond tried to coerce him to cut out his own eye; but reiterated his own status as an envoy rather than a warrior; though he drew his sword in answer to Aemond's threat, not in panic but in answer, despite Aemond's greater age and height.  When Lucerys reached his dragon, he did his best to calm Arrax, despite their having to leave suddenly in the terrible weather.  Not every 14-year-old boy would behave so well.  And even when Aemond, on Vhagar, set upon Lucerys, attacking and harassing him and shouting threats, Lucerys did not panic; he tried to hide in crevasses (a fairly successful strategy). 

Lucerys didn't act like a little boy; he acted like the brave and resilient prince he was growing up to be.  What he didn't act like was Superman; since he didn't have any special advantage; like the largest dragon in Westeros or a fantastic talent for fighting.

And I agree that Paddy Considine should get an Emmy!

Edited October 24, 2022 by Raksha 2014

[Fool Stands On Giant’s Toe]

Man Why do I always get the top of an old page on these threads. No one ever reads these. 
 

Moderators! I demand you make a place where I can exhibit my genius of the comedic arts! A section for those of us who serve a higher calling of silliness!  
And this place shall be called…Camelot. The Spam Hall of comedy. (Not to be confused with The Spam Hall of Spamelot and Spam Camelot.)

This shall be a place where those who complain of darkness within the episodes will be shot with magic missiles and forever fetching Mountain Dew.

This shall be a place where fart jokes reign. A safe place for dead parrots. A place where those who lack impulse control and attention spans can muse with their peers. A place called Camelot.

~Celestial Choir Sings~
…Camelot.

Edited October 24, 2022 by Fool Stands On Giant’s Toe

[ShadowKitteh]

3 hours ago, BlackLightning said:

Can we take a moment to talk about how good Storm's End and Shipbreaker Bay looked?

Good God...Condal and Sapochnik have really, really captured the World of Ice and Fire. D&D never put this much effort in.

To be fair, HOTD shoots on a Volume when they’re not on location or in smaller interiors where it’s not needed. 

That tech didn’t exist when GOT was in production. The Mandalorian was the first to shoot on one. 

Edited October 24, 2022 by ShadowKitteh

[C.T. Phipps]

https://unitedfederationofcharles.blogspot.com/2022/10/house-of-dragon-1x10-black-queen-review.html

Do you hate the Greens? I know I do. George R.R. Martin stated when he wrote The Dance of the Dragons, he expected fans to be divided on which side to support. Then he found out that it was something like 90% in support of the Blacks and 10% in support of the Greens. The show has actually probably modified those numbers but it's now, 80% support of the Blacks and 20% people who think the Greens aren't being portrayed right due to treating them as the scumbags they are.

I admit, if you couldn't tell, I'm a bit biased in my Pro-Rhaenyra support. I think the Greens being a bunch of scheming evil bastards is one of the things necessary to give any weight to the Dance of the Dragons. I feel like they should be the most contemptible scummy monsters imaginable while the Blacks should be antiheroes who are facing someone worse with just a DASH of a question whether it matters which side is on the throne because the common people will suffer the most no matter what.

However, whether or not you support #TeamAlicent or #TeamRhaenyra, the fact is you've been waiting for the civil war to happen between House Targaryen's three branches. Yes, I'm throwing in the Velaryons there. Everyone knew there was eventually going to be a war between the dragonriders and we all just wanted to see how it would come about. Indeed, HBO executives reportedly wanted to start with the Dance of the Dragons and had to be persuaded by George R.R. Martin to give it a season of build-up.

The premise is that Rhaenys arrived at Dragonstone and tells Daemon and Rhaenyra that Aegon has crowned himself King of Westeros. Rhaneyra is furious but not quite ready to start a war since it's clear that not nearly the level of support she expects is available and House Velayron is an uncertain ally at best. Corys and Rhaenys decide to throw their lot in with Rhaenyra anyway, mostly because Rhaenyra is showing restraint, but Otto provides an unexpected offer of terms that would allow her to back down with dignity. Daemon, of course, is furious and almost strangles his wife over it.

What follows is an interesting depiction of Rhaenyra's mindset as she really does want to be a good ruler and not tear the realm apart. I like Daemon's reaction, though, because he points out Viserys may have been a fan of omens as well as prophecies because it allowed him to think he was more important than he was--a mediocore king over an utterly uninteresting time. However, the losses she suffers in this episode pile up with her father dying, her baby being stillborn, and the horrifying death of one of her sons. I can understand when and where she breaks in deciding to burn them all ala Aerys II.

Speaking of which, the actual beginning of the Dance is interesting to interpret from the perspective that Aemond didn't intend to kill his nephew. He was clearly interested in scaring the living crap out of him by chasing him down but lost control of the world's largest dragon. Which is a a nice callback to Viserys trying to warn everyone that the dragons are not really under their control. It's also still Aemond's fault, like aiming a gun at his nephew to scare him only for it to go off.

This episode was tense and built on a lot of the things I liked about the previous episodes. As stated, without the time jumps, the show feels much-much stronger. We needed the cast to be able to follow-up on events from story to story. Plot elements are also not being tossed away like Corys thinking Rhaenyra had something to do with Laenor's death. I'm not sure I quite buy the fact that he still intends to support her but since he does view her children as his grandchildren, maybe that's enough.

Overall, I've had my issues with the season. I've felt the time-jumps have absolutely killed the pacing, that some of the plot twists were unnecessary (like Viserys' delerium being misinterpreted or Criston Cole not getting any punishment for multiple murders), Alicent's characterization has been all over the place, and way too many deleted scenes. They cut away a lot of scenes that deserved to be in the story. Still, I think we've finally reached a point where actions can be properly followed up on.

[GeorgeIAF]

We, of course, as hardcore fans of GRRM's work, are nitpicking everything here. But let's be honest, it is the best TV-Show on screen right now. The majority of GOT fanbase loves the show as the ratings/reviews are showing it. Also, after the clusterfuck of last 2 seasons of GOT, the mass following of HOTD is a big surprise.

I also think that the show will only get better from now on. The introduction of Starks will be a big focus and fan-service, most will find in Cregan a redeeming of the Starks and a big fuck-yeah moment 

Edited October 24, 2022 by GeorgeIAF

[DMC]

One note on Daeron-watch I just noticed.  Daemon says they have 13 dragons to the greens' 4.  Assuming he's not counting the twins' young dragons - that haven't been mentioned yet either - that leaves Tessarion as the 4th.  Which is the counting in the books too.

[The hairy bear]

A very good finale. Some missteps here and there, but I'm ending the season with good sensations.

Good things:

• Again, estricting the episode to what happens on the black side is a risky decision, specially for a finale, and it pays off.

• The episode started strong, with the very powerful scene of Rhaenys bringing the bad news at Rhaenyra and Daemon, and following with the nice juxtaposition between Rhaenrya's labor pains, Syrax growls and Daemon war councils. Great flow.

• It's great that we can keep identifying noblemen by their dresses. This week we had lords Celtigar and Staunton.

• Storm's End and Luke's flight and death were great tv. Having the riders lose control of the dragons and Arrax opening fire against Vhagar are not choices I would have made, but I feel that are perfectly valid.

• The last scene without dialogue was excellent both in design and execution.

Things that I didn't like:

• Erryk claims that Otto's ship arrives at Dragonstone with a three-headed green dragon banner. I would have preferred to keep the golden dragon from the source. Also, I feel it's a little too early for any faction to develop a separate emblem, not to mention to produce them. How long does it takes to sew one of those?

• Otto certainly seems to love suicidal visits to Dragonstone's bridge. I don't think it's very realistic to have him there. Maester Orwyle would make much more sense. Even if Rhaenyra was unwilling to harm Alicent's father, it's not like her only options were killing him or leaving him go free. Why not taking all of them as hostages? At the very least made them stay until she decides on how to answer to Alicent's terms.

• Are we supposed to assume that Erryk jumped on the black bandwagon without saying a word to his brother? I'll add the Cargyll twins to the list of sadly underdeveloped stories.

• Rhaenyra mentions that Jeyne Arryn was her mother's cousin. I don't think that's consistent with the few hints we have in FiB. Aemma was the daughter of Lord Rodrik, who had elder sons. The most logical scenario would be for lord Jeyne's father (a Lord of the Eyre) being one of those sons, making Aemma Jeyne's half-aunt. In order to Aemma be Jeyne's cousin, all of Rodrik's sons hsould have died, and then the succession bypass Aemma, which a Targaryen king wouldn't allow.

• I didn't like Daemon strangling Rhaenyra. Not a fan with what they are doing with him in the adaptation.

Random thoughts:

• Not only the painted table is carved instead of painted, but it's also really inacurate. Particularly around the Blackwater Bay, which is the area that should be of more importance for their makers. Dragonstone spans along the entire Cracklaw Point, Driftmark is just off the coast of Rosby, and Claw Isle doesn't exist. Not sure how useful would this to plan actual strategies in a war.

• Also regarding the painted table, there are a few inaccurancies: King's Landing shouldn't appear, Bitterbridge should be Stonebridge, Riverrun shouldn't be the most prominent keep in the Riverlands,...

• So now we have a semi-official confirmation that Celtigar is supposed to be pronounced Keltigar. While Jacaerys is Jasaerys, but still produces the nickname Jake. Valyrian is a complicated language.

• It's confirmed that the two kingsguard with Rhaenyra at Dragonstone are Steffon Darklyn and Lorent Marbrand, joined by Erryk Cargyll. That make an even split with Aegon, after the Lord Commander apparently disappeared.

[Fool Stands On Giant’s Toe]

49 minutes ago, C.T. Phipps said:

many deleted scenes.

Do you mean from the book or is there another copy of the show somewhere?

 

49 minutes ago, C.T. Phipps said:

interesting to interpret from the perspective that Aemond didn't intend to kill his nephew. He was clearly interested in scaring the living crap out of him by chasing him down but lost control of the world's largest dragon. Which is a a nice callback to Viserys trying to warn everyone that the dragons are not really under their control.

I liked it. And I didn’t at the same time it’s weird. They make almost everyone having no intent to cause harm. I feel if they are doing this for everyone it requires more screen time or at least a silent contemplation to show some sort of struggle. 
The dilemma for me is I dislike a story with a cookie cutter protagonist and antagonist, but man I’m really missing it here. I want my Tragedies of violent delights. I want to hear them curse each other’s names and cry havoc!

…plus more tities. Actresses making 100k an episode, I want tities. However much they paid Daemon I got to see that ass. Where. My. Tities?     
(joke) ((The last part here))   
 (again. Joke.)
 

Edited October 24, 2022 by Fool Stands On Giant’s Toe

[Fool Stands On Giant’s Toe]

12 minutes ago, GeorgeIAF said:

is a big surprise

Was it a surprise? Like media speculation? Was there concern?

[C.T. Phipps]

3 minutes ago, Fool Stands On Giant’s Toe said:

I liked it. And I didn’t at the same time it’s weird. They make almost everyone having no intent to cause harm. I feel if they are doing this for everyone it requires more screen time or at least a silent contemplation to show some sort of struggle. 

The dilemma for me is I dislike a story with a cookie cutter protagonist and antagonist, but man I’m really missing it here. I want my Tragedies of violent delights. I want to hear them curse each other’s names and cry havoc!

The only two genuinely evil characters seem to be Larys and Otto who plan evil and do it.

Oddly, the showrunners seem to want to AVOID humanizing Daemon as they've deleted huge numbers of Matt Smith scenes where he shows his softer side.

And yeah, there's a list of all the deleted scenes like the wedding of Viserys and Alicent, the claiming by Laena, Daemon mourning his wife, and so on.

Edited October 24, 2022 by C.T. Phipps

[Fool Stands On Giant’s Toe]

8 minutes ago, The hairy bear said:

Erryk claims that Otto's ship arrives at Dragonstone with a three-headed green dragon banner

That bugged me to. I wanted to see the ship and banner sail in. Then I was like “oh is he speaking of something else.”.  
Was it budget?
 

 

11 minutes ago, The hairy bear said:

and Lorent Marbrand

I didn’t know that was a Marbrand.

[Cashless Society]

24 minutes ago, GeorgeIAF said:

Probably Aemond will be called kinslayer in Season 2. Aegon will have a party for him when he returns.

I can definitely see Aegon throwing his brother a huge party, calling him a badass etc. I'd be interested to see if this provides a genuine bonding moment between the two before the events at Rook's Rest make Aemond revert back to wanting to be king.

15 minutes ago, Raksha 2014 said:

I actually thought that Lucerys acted like more than "a little boy" when he went out on the mission that would claim his life:  despite his lack of self-confidence in his destiny as the future Lord of the Tides or his own fighting skills, Lucerys conducted himself with considerable dignity and confidence as a queen's envoy to Lord Borros (a hostile host) under the smirking eye of Aemond.  Lucerys did not panic when Aemond tried to coerce him to cut out his own eye; but reiterated his own status as an envoy rather than a warrior; though he drew his sword in answer to Aemond's threat, not in panic but in answer, despite Aemond's greater age and height.  When Lucerys reached his dragon, he did his best to calm Arrax, despite their having to leave suddenly in the terrible weather.  Not every 14-year-old boy would behave so well.  And even when Aemond, on Vhagar, set upon Lucerys, attacking and harassing him and shouting threats, Lucerys did not panic; he tried to hide in crevasses (a fairly successful strategy). 

Lucerys didn't act like a little boy; he acted like the brave and resilient prince he was growing up to be.  What he didn't act like was Superman; since he didn't have any special advantage; like the largest dragon in Westeros or a fantastic talent for fighting.

Not that I disagree with you, but I was under the impression that @Rockroi was referring to his lack of confidence due to his inexperience in dealing with such matters which is in turn due to his age. The actor's performance gave off the feeling that, internally, the Luke had to keep reminding himself of what he should do/say and keep the promise made to his mother as, again, he's not a natural at this. This portrayal is very consistent with how "a little kid" who is really trying would approach the situation. 

[Fool Stands On Giant’s Toe]

28 minutes ago, The hairy bear said:

Erryk claims that Otto's ship arrives at Dragonstone

Also how did Erryk  get there. Randomly shows up at the perfect time to crown. He walked or rode to the island? Exits a ship dressed like that and just walks right up. Security kinda shit the bed on that. 
Suspicious!

Edited October 24, 2022 by Fool Stands On Giant’s Toe

[The hairy bear]

3 hours ago, BlackLightning said:

I don't think Daemon is an more evil character than his book self. People who feel like that need to reread Fire and Blood. I think that both versions are about the same.

Only if you go with the most egregious versions of the rumors provided by the different sources. And again, most of our sources are biased against him to begin with.

What are the evil deeds that we are sure that Daemon committed? Whoring and gambling? Making an tasteless joke about her nephew's death? Slaying Laena's bethroted in a duel?

The show's version of Daemon is not someone that would be described as "made of light and darkness in equal parts." Is not someone that Laena Velaryon or anyone else would have been happily married with. They have invented new evil deeds for him (such as killing Rhea) and have cut anything that could have made him look good.

I think impetuous, ill-tempered and moody would have been more interesting that outright psycho.

[Adaneth]

There were few things I didn't like in this episode but I loved the ending.

Makes Aemond even more interesting because I can't wait to see what he does after. Will he even admit that it was an "accident"? I bet not. 

Maybe to Alicent and Otto? Not that it will change anything because nobody, at least from the Blacks would believe him. I wouldn't. But it's a nice twist and very credible. Although,there are a bit too many "misunderstandings" happening. 

[SeanF]

4 hours ago, Minsc said:

How has making Aegon a rapist that watches blood sports involving children softening him up?

Well, he doesn’t kill or rape children, himself.  That makes him better than average, in this world.