HOTD Musings

[The Dragon Demands]

Season 2 outline as best we can discern it so far, as of the short summer break in production that started July 14th:

• 1 - Alan Taylor (apparently); reintroductions, Daemon bloodlessly takes Harrenhal without a fight
• 2 - Clare Kilner (confirmed); Blood & Cheese
• 3 - Geeta Patel (confirmed); aftermath of Blood & Cheese; an invented subplot in which the Greens hold a funeral procession for young Jaehaerys through the streets of King's Landing (Caceres) but when they reach Flea Bottom food riots break out due to the Velaryon naval blockade. Patel said she's directing two episodes out of 8.
• 4 - Taylor or Patel (probably Taylor) - Battle of Rook's Rest (confirmed)

Second half a little fuzzier:

• 5  - Clare Kilner: Rook's Rest aftermath, Meleys's head is paraded through the streets of KIng's Landing (Caceres) (confirmed)
• 6 - Andrij Parekh - confirmed by an IMDB leak
• 7 - Loni Peristere - the Sowing of the Dragonseeds (confirmed by spy photos)
• 8 - Taylor or Patel (probably Patel, process of elimination) - Cliffhanger that Triarchy fleet is heading towards Dragonstone? (makeup department accidentally leaked that "Triarchy" members are in Season 2)

Notes:

• We have absolutely no idea how they're intercutting the A or B plots involving Jace's trip to the Eyrie and Winterfell (though that's PROBABLY in the first half of the season)
• We have no idea how Daeron the Daring's campaign in the Reach figures in (speculation he'll appear at Jaehaerys's funeral before heading back to Oldtown - the war hasn't begun in earnest yet, closing the highways). Neither Jace nor Daeron subplots seem to have filmed yet. 

It's pure speculation based on flimsy news that Triarchy characters show up this season that it ends on a cliffhanger that their fleet is on the way, pushing Battle of the Gullet to the Season 3 premiere (I thought it would be the Season 3 finale but evidence increasingly points the other way). 

The Dragonseeds might be introduced in episode 6, but the actual trials to claim dragons are in episode 7. 

Speculation:

• Based on filming reports, I somewhat suspect that the Battle of the Burning Mill is in episode 2 or 3 (more probably 3 ), the first real battle, between the Blackwoods and Brackens, ending with Daemon cutting off the Brackens' retreat. Using Daemon as a "bridge" to introduce the Blackwood characters. 
• We know less about the second half of Season 2 or what the Greens are doing in it. The next phase of the war would be Aemond's plan for the main Lannister army to invade the Riverlands from the west while the main royal army in KL under Aemond and Criston invade from the south, trying to catch Harrenhal in a pincer movement. Not just a battle but a full-on campaign. So the opening battle of this, "the Battle of the Red Fork", might be around episode 6 or so? Or some variation on it. One of the times the Greens employ intelligent tactics instead of just relying on superior numbers (picked knights dismount, shed their heavy armor, and swim across the river upstream to attack the defenders in the rear completely by surprise and force the passing of the ford). The ONE hint at this, if you can call it that, is that casting news indicates a "Martyn Reyne" is introduced in Jaehaerys's funeral (ID'd in spy photos), probably a condensation character with Lefford et al from books, who will be the right hand lieutenant of the main Lannister army. But that's just a guess.
• Also possible Battle of the Honeywine might happen in the blank spaces we currently have for episodes 6, 7, or 8. In the book, Honeywine happened after Rook's Rest so Aegon couldn't help, but also right after the Gullet. I wouldn't mind if it happens slightly before the Gullet as they're on other sides of the continent. The point was that this one-two bunch of defeats for the Blacks led some in Rhaenyra's faction to wonder if the time had come for peace negotiations while they still at least had some bargaining strength left. It would follow through on the introduction of Daeron in episode 3. 
• I don't think Battle by the Lakeshore will have time to happen in Season 2 itself, though it MIGHT if they want a big action finale to Season 2. But it doesn't ring right to me: they want the Season 2 finale to be "Rhaenyra's darkest hour" right? Wouldn't make sense to have a crushing victory over the Lannister army in the west only for a direct attack in the east. Plus the Lannister invasion isn't one battle but a long campaign of several battles CULMINATING in the Lakeshore. Personally I hope they save it for Season 3 to give it the breadth it deserves. 
• The combined effect would be: episode 4 the Blacks lose at Rook's Rest, episode 6 they lose Red Fork as Lannisters invade, episode 7ish Honeywine, and episode 8 the Triarchy fleet is bearing down on Dragonstone.  Only partially offset for the Blacks by 1 - Aegon badly injured (arguably a good thing for the Greens as Aemond is a better fighter), 2 - assassination of Aegon's elder son, 3 - early Black victories at Harrenhal and Stone Hedge. 

Then in Season 3 we'd start with Battle of the Gullet, followed by string of Black victories as they fake-out at Harrenhal resulting in Fall of King's Landing AND the Battle by the Lakeshore (destroying the Lannister army). Assuming an 8 episode season the Lakeshore would be around episode 4 ish. Episode 5 or 6, the Butcher's Ball - Rhaenyra triumphant. Only for episode 7 and 8 for the Blacks to realize their money is exhausted while fresh Green armies remain in the Hightowers and Baratheons, with Hightowers moving up. Season 3 finale is First Battle of Tumbleton. 

PURE speculation territory but while I'm here;;; Season 4 covers Storming of the Dragonpit, Battle Above the God's Eye, Second Battle of Tumbleton, ends with Rhaenyra's death at Dragonstone (perhaps showing the Fall of Dragonstone in quick flashback).  Then Season 5 - they've admitted they're considering a Season 5 - is the Baratheons retake King's Landing afer the Moon of the Three Kings, then the Lads gathering, and the climactic Battle of the Kingsroad.

Yeah...I can see this working out.

 

 

[The Dragon Demands]

SHORT VERSION: the easier to "quote" short outline:
 

• 1 - Alan Taylor (apparently); reintroductions, Daemon bloodlessly takes Harrenhal without a fight
  • Speculation: we'd probably see Jace's trip north in the first half of Season 2, unclear for how long or if he'd miss the premiere. But he goes to the Eyrie first then Winterfell. Possible Eyrie in episode 1 or 2, Winterfell in episode 2 or 3. 
• 2 - Clare Kilner (confirmed); Blood & Cheese.
  • Speculation: Battle of the Burning Mill between Blackwoods & Brackens (some battle photos that didn't have sigils but which were separate from Rook's Rest filming; plus Kilner's the one who introduced the Blackwoods/Bracken feud in episode 1.4)
• 3 - Geeta Patel (confirmed); aftermath of Blood & Cheese; an invented subplot in which the Greens hold a funeral procession for young Jaehaerys through the streets of King's Landing (Caceres) but when they reach Flea Bottom food riots break out due to the Velaryon naval blockade. Patel said she's directing two episodes out of 8. 
  • Speculation: it's possible that Daeron the Daring and Ormund Hightower are introduced at the funeral, as the war hasn't begun in earnest and the highways aren't blocked YET (until right after they return to Oldtown). Spy photos do indicate 3 prominent Green vassal lords / lieutenants introduced at funeral as well, among them Martyn Reyne (and a black lord, possibly a Hightower bastard?)
• 4 - Taylor or Patel (probably Taylor) - Battle of Rook's Rest (confirmed). A LOT of catapult props seen at Dinorwig Quarry.
• 5  - Clare Kilner: Rook's Rest aftermath, Meleys's head is paraded through the streets of KIng's Landing (Caceres) (confirmed). Aemond takes command in King's Landing and devises their grand strategy to catch Harrenhal in a pincer movement. 
• 6 - Andrij Parekh - story unconfirmed, possibly introducing the Dragonseeds first
  • Speculation: main Lannister army passes into the Riverlands after forcing the fords at the Battle of the Red Fork commanded by Jason Lannister and "Martyn Reyne" among others. War hits the Riverlands in earnest as it's a drawn out campaign, both sides burning out towns to deny their crops to the other side.
• 7 - Loni Peristere - the Sowing of the Dragonseeds (confirmed by spy photos)
  • Speculation: episode 7 or 8, Daeron saves the main Hightower army using his dragon Tessarion at the Battle of the Honeywine, a heavy blow to the Blacks which basically secures the rest of the Reach for the Greens (in the books it was right after the Gullet, but could easily be right before it; the point is it was a one-two punch)
• 8 - Taylor or Patel (probably Patel, process of elimination) - Cliffhanger that Triarchy fleet is heading towards Dragonstone? (makeup department accidentally leaked that "Triarchy" members are in Season 2) This leaves the Battle of the Gullet for the Season 3 premiere. 

Edited July 22, 2023 by The Dragon Demands

[The Dragon Demands]

Thinking on it, credit where credit is due, I think it's really a stereotype that the Greens didn't make intelligent military decisions in the war - we often joke that the Battle of the Red Fork was the ONLY time they ever did something clever, but that's really an exaggeration if you go down the list:

• Battle of Rook's Rest - Aegon & Aemond successfully lay a trap for an enemy dragon, killing the formidable adult dragon Meleys. Rook's Rest also falls to the Greens. Aegon and his dragon WERE badly wounded as a result but that's not due to lack of intelligence or anything. 
• Battle of the Gullet -  a surprise attack by Green allies in the Free Cities, who DID know to use anti-dragon weapons like hooks / scorpions and not panic at the mere sight of one....it's just that they weren't facing ONLY one, big SIX. Even then the Blacks took such grievous losses I'd hardly call the battle a "blunder" by the Greens/Triarchy. They even realized Dragonstone was too well defended to attempt a landing, so surviving ships bypassed it to sack Driftmark. 
• Battle of the Honeywine -  Ormund Hightower's scouts revealed the Rowans and their allies had a host of comparable size to his own advancing from the north, while their retreat was cut off by the smaller Tarly forces to the south. Instead of rushing against one or the other he dug in at a defensive position and called for dragon reinforcements. Aegon was injured and Aemond heading to Harrenhal, but Daeron did come with Tessarion and turn the tide. Moreover, Daeron is smart enough to use young Tessarion as essentially light cavalry; she can't wade into battle like Vhagar but she's the maneuver element, used to hit the enemy rear or in flanking attacks, and as they advanced north through the Reach he continued to intelligently use her as a scout IN THE AIR who the enemy couldn't reach, to find enemy traps before they got there. 
• Battle of the Red Fork - everyone agrees this was sound tactical action; repulsed several times from the Fords, 100 picked Green knights discarded their heavy armor to swim across the river upstream, and hit the enemy's undefended rear completely by surprise, causing them to panic as the main force attempted another crossing. 
• First Battle of Tumbleton - Ormund Hightower had some of his men disguise themselves and intermix with refugees fleeing into the castle, who opened the gates to the Greens after the battle ended so there was no need for a lengthy siege. Both sides also effectively used combined arms: when the Blacks' cavalry charged the Greens they were repulsed by archers, though the Blacks' won archers similarly covered their cavalry's retreat. 
• Second Battle of Tumbleton - admittedly a surprise attack, but worth mention is that the cunning Unwin Peake managed to finish off Ulf the White with poison, and had the sense to take what was left of the Hightower army and retreat in good order back into the Reach to live to fight another day.
• Battle of the Kingsroad - admittedly kind of dumb, but not inexcusably so. On paper, Borros Baratheon had a fresh full strength army against the rags and remnants of the riverlords' armies. He didn't factor in that his army was unblooded while the riverlords were battle hardened. Then Borros attempted a cavalry charge uphill. In the mud. At dusk. Not a total folly as after the Baratheon cavalry was lost their infantry nearly broke through...until flanked from the forest. Okay, Borros Baratheon isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer....

The real issue with "the Greens made stupid decisions" is the central and inter-related switcheroo with the Fall of King's Landing and the Battle by the Lakeshore:

• On paper, Aemond's strategic plan was sound enough: hit Harrenhal in a pincers movement with the Lannisters from the west and the royal army from the east (smaller but with Vhagar shadowing it). 
• Daemon's plan was to lure Aemond away from King's Landing, left with only a skeleton force, then have the Velaryon fleet quickly arrive...backed up with new dragon-riders. And then the Gold Cloaks were still loyal to him so six out of seven gates opened without a fight. 
• Was it reckless for Aemond to leave KL with only a skeleton defense force? 1 - Did he know the Gold Cloaks would mutiny en masse? SHOULD he have known? 2 - Did he know the Blacks had gained four more Dragonriders? SHOULD he have? (probably...if word had reached of the Battle of the Gullet)
• As for the Blacks' land army at Harrenhal, they couldn't possibly face Vhagar alone, so faced with double pincers they focused on the non-dragon one to the west, while harassing Aemond's pincer with guerrilla warfare and scortched earth. 
• For their part, the Lannister army to the west had some indecision but this was due to the deaths of commanders in rapid succession. Even then, when they found out they'd been outmaneuvered, they dug in at a defensive position with their backs to the lake and waited for reinforcements. They inflicted SIGNIFICANT casualties on the Blacks, who had to force a quick end to the battle with grievous losses - if they didn't rush the Lannisters' strong defensive position, Vhagar would eventually arrive. So no, the Lannisters did not act stupidly at the Lakeshore. 

Aemond of course then flew into a rage and *abandoned his army* - not that the dragon would have been much good against harassment attacks that bled them dry, but that MIGHT have prevented the Butcher's Ball. Criston himself behaved intelligently. 

Conclusions:

• The Hightower army consistently used intelligent tactics (no stroke of genius, but "assume a defensive position when surrounded", "use combined arms with archers and cavalry", "use scouts" - though sending men disguised as refugees as pretty clever). They only stopped functioning well when their commander was killed (but even then, had Addam not attacked, Unwin and Daeron would have killed the Two Betrayers and continued on to King's Landing)
• The Lannister army consistently used intelligent tactics - maybe not Jason himself (killed in the third attempt to force a breaching action across a ford), but the "Westerlands" army as a whole did with other commanders; problem was again that they lost commanders TWICE and were on their third commander by Lakeshore; even then, they wisely assumed defensive position and had to be ground down by attrition. 
• Aegon himself wasn't particularly stupid, as the trap at Rook's Rest worked ( maybe not his idea), though he rushed to fight after his son was assassinated instead of waiting for the Triarchy, overall not the worst idea. 
• Borros Baratheon was an overconfident fence-sitter, not bothering to join the fight until the end then totally underestimating his enemies. That's more a point against him than "the Greens" as a whole. 
• Aemond lost King's Landing by leaving it with a skeleton force.

I keep coming back to that; why didn't Aemond fly directly against the surviving Riverlords army after the Lakeshore? Vhagar could have done a lot of damage. Did he fear arrowfire? They didn't have Caraxes with them anymore. He both lost King's Landing AND abandoned his own men to later die at the Butcher's Ball. 

Well, bit of a ramble   Point is that it's really Aemond and Borros who made stupid decisions, but there's plenty of intelligent military actions by the Greens.

[The Bard of Banefort]

On 7/22/2023 at 7:46 PM, The Dragon Demands said:

Season 2 outline as best we can discern it so far, as of the short summer break in production that started July 14th:

• 1 - Alan Taylor (apparently); reintroductions, Daemon bloodlessly takes Harrenhal without a fight
• 2 - Clare Kilner (confirmed); Blood & Cheese
• 3 - Geeta Patel (confirmed); aftermath of Blood & Cheese; an invented subplot in which the Greens hold a funeral procession for young Jaehaerys through the streets of King's Landing (Caceres) but when they reach Flea Bottom food riots break out due to the Velaryon naval blockade. Patel said she's directing two episodes out of 8.
• 4 - Taylor or Patel (probably Taylor) - Battle of Rook's Rest (confirmed)

Second half a little fuzzier:

• 5  - Clare Kilner: Rook's Rest aftermath, Meleys's head is paraded through the streets of KIng's Landing (Caceres) (confirmed)
• 6 - Andrij Parekh - confirmed by an IMDB leak
• 7 - Loni Peristere - the Sowing of the Dragonseeds (confirmed by spy photos)
• 8 - Taylor or Patel (probably Patel, process of elimination) - Cliffhanger that Triarchy fleet is heading towards Dragonstone? (makeup department accidentally leaked that "Triarchy" members are in Season 2)

Notes:

• We have absolutely no idea how they're intercutting the A or B plots involving Jace's trip to the Eyrie and Winterfell (though that's PROBABLY in the first half of the season)
• We have no idea how Daeron the Daring's campaign in the Reach figures in (speculation he'll appear at Jaehaerys's funeral before heading back to Oldtown - the war hasn't begun in earnest yet, closing the highways). Neither Jace nor Daeron subplots seem to have filmed yet. 

It's pure speculation based on flimsy news that Triarchy characters show up this season that it ends on a cliffhanger that their fleet is on the way, pushing Battle of the Gullet to the Season 3 premiere (I thought it would be the Season 3 finale but evidence increasingly points the other way). 

The Dragonseeds might be introduced in episode 6, but the actual trials to claim dragons are in episode 7. 

Speculation:

• Based on filming reports, I somewhat suspect that the Battle of the Burning Mill is in episode 2 or 3 (more probably 3 ), the first real battle, between the Blackwoods and Brackens, ending with Daemon cutting off the Brackens' retreat. Using Daemon as a "bridge" to introduce the Blackwood characters. 
• We know less about the second half of Season 2 or what the Greens are doing in it. The next phase of the war would be Aemond's plan for the main Lannister army to invade the Riverlands from the west while the main royal army in KL under Aemond and Criston invade from the south, trying to catch Harrenhal in a pincer movement. Not just a battle but a full-on campaign. So the opening battle of this, "the Battle of the Red Fork", might be around episode 6 or so? Or some variation on it. One of the times the Greens employ intelligent tactics instead of just relying on superior numbers (picked knights dismount, shed their heavy armor, and swim across the river upstream to attack the defenders in the rear completely by surprise and force the passing of the ford). The ONE hint at this, if you can call it that, is that casting news indicates a "Martyn Reyne" is introduced in Jaehaerys's funeral (ID'd in spy photos), probably a condensation character with Lefford et al from books, who will be the right hand lieutenant of the main Lannister army. But that's just a guess.
• Also possible Battle of the Honeywine might happen in the blank spaces we currently have for episodes 6, 7, or 8. In the book, Honeywine happened after Rook's Rest so Aegon couldn't help, but also right after the Gullet. I wouldn't mind if it happens slightly before the Gullet as they're on other sides of the continent. The point was that this one-two bunch of defeats for the Blacks led some in Rhaenyra's faction to wonder if the time had come for peace negotiations while they still at least had some bargaining strength left. It would follow through on the introduction of Daeron in episode 3. 
• I don't think Battle by the Lakeshore will have time to happen in Season 2 itself, though it MIGHT if they want a big action finale to Season 2. But it doesn't ring right to me: they want the Season 2 finale to be "Rhaenyra's darkest hour" right? Wouldn't make sense to have a crushing victory over the Lannister army in the west only for a direct attack in the east. Plus the Lannister invasion isn't one battle but a long campaign of several battles CULMINATING in the Lakeshore. Personally I hope they save it for Season 3 to give it the breadth it deserves. 
• The combined effect would be: episode 4 the Blacks lose at Rook's Rest, episode 6 they lose Red Fork as Lannisters invade, episode 7ish Honeywine, and episode 8 the Triarchy fleet is bearing down on Dragonstone.  Only partially offset for the Blacks by 1 - Aegon badly injured (arguably a good thing for the Greens as Aemond is a better fighter), 2 - assassination of Aegon's elder son, 3 - early Black victories at Harrenhal and Stone Hedge. 

Then in Season 3 we'd start with Battle of the Gullet, followed by string of Black victories as they fake-out at Harrenhal resulting in Fall of King's Landing AND the Battle by the Lakeshore (destroying the Lannister army). Assuming an 8 episode season the Lakeshore would be around episode 4 ish. Episode 5 or 6, the Butcher's Ball - Rhaenyra triumphant. Only for episode 7 and 8 for the Blacks to realize their money is exhausted while fresh Green armies remain in the Hightowers and Baratheons, with Hightowers moving up. Season 3 finale is First Battle of Tumbleton. 

PURE speculation territory but while I'm here;;; Season 4 covers Storming of the Dragonpit, Battle Above the God's Eye, Second Battle of Tumbleton, ends with Rhaenyra's death at Dragonstone (perhaps showing the Fall of Dragonstone in quick flashback).  Then Season 5 - they've admitted they're considering a Season 5 - is the Baratheons retake King's Landing afer the Moon of the Three Kings, then the Lads gathering, and the climactic Battle of the Kingsroad.

Yeah...I can see this working out.

 

 

Ironically, there have been a few likely-fake leakers online who have claimed that S2 ends with a cliffhanger of the Triarchy approaching King’s Landing. Personally, I think that would be a poor place to end. It would mean that, with the exception of Rhaenys, almost the entire main cast will die in S3, and I think the image of a stone faced Rhaenyra on the Iron Throne, her hands dripping blood, would make for a much more powerful ending to S2.

What makes you sure that we’ll see Jace go to the Eyrie? That seems like something that could easily happen off-screen.

[Ser Arthurs Dawn]

On 6/17/2023 at 8:46 AM, The Bard of Banefort said:

Looks like r/asoiaf has gone off the deep end. Rather than doing the two-day strike like all the other subreddits, the mods have basically locked it down indefinitely (quite selfishly, I might add). I wonder if we’re going to see an influx of people come here now. 

I literally just got here for the sole purpose of getting away from them smdh

[The Bard of Banefort]

George recently made a Notablog post showing his support for the actors strike: https://georgerrmartin.com/notablog/2023/07/22/actors-join-the-strike/

I agree that it's very cool that George, despite having to put many of his own projects on pause, is so openly supportive of the strike(s). But if I can offer just a tiny bit of criticism, if GRRM really wants to support American actors, then the best thing he can do is. . .well, hire them. He is an executive producer now, after all. Most TV shows have a mix of US/UK/AUS/CA/NZ actors, but it's very weird that a TV show produced by an American company and based on a series written by a guy from New Jersey has an entirely British cast, especially for one that's as big as HOTD's (they had two Australian actors in S1, but they were both written out mid-season). Maybe this is something he has supported behind the scenes, but still, it's probably a much more effective way of supporting the union than picketing is. 

Edited July 26, 2023 by The Bard of Banefort

[The Dragon Demands]

Redanian Intelligence is suddenly claiming that Danish actress Amanda Collin, Mother on Raised by Wolves, has been cast as Jeyne Arryn.

I had no advanced word on this and there’s no confirmation 

Edited August 7, 2023 by The Dragon Demands

[The Bard of Banefort]

I’m starting to suspect that S2 will end up getting pushed back to 2025. With the way the strike is going, they won’t be doing rewrites/reshoots anytime soon. 2024 is going to be the reality TV renaissance.

[The Dragon Demands]

Some brave beautiful bastard got their hands on some casting sheets. Jeyne Arryn confirmed. 

also Oscar Tully.

background Riverlands soldiers identified by heraldry will introduce even more from books like Darry, Piper, VANCE

Edited July 27, 2023 by The Dragon Demands

[Thomaerys Velaryon]

11 hours ago, The Dragon Demands said:

Some brave beautiful bastard got their hands on some casting sheets. Jeyne Arryn confirmed. 

also Oscar Tully.

background Riverlands soldiers identified by heraldry will introduce even more from books like Darry, Piper, VANCE

Apart from just standing there in his great-grandfather's court when Daemon visits Riverrun (like he hinted at during the finale), what would Oscar even do in Season 2 ? Introducing the pro-green Grover and the pro-black Elmo in season 2 makes sence but Kermit and Oscar have no role before season 3, I wonder if they have a line of dialogue or if they are just named extra for now.

[The Dragon Demands]

...it looks more like, rather than introduce multiple new locations, we won't actually see Riverrun - something like that Oscar Tully will come as an ENVOY to Daemon at HARRENHAL, to explain "look our grandfather is a Green supporter but he's on his deathbed, we'll have to wait for him to die to openly declare for Rhaenyra". Why build two sets?

Why Oscar but not Elmo or Kermit? I don't know. It's possible that Elmo and Kermit are there AS WELL but just weren't on the sheet we saw. 

[Ran]

I would not be surprised if they just compress Elmo, Oscar, and Kermit together, and decided of the three that Oscar was the least Muppetish name.

[Thomaerys Velaryon]

15 minutes ago, Ran said:

I would not be surprised if they just compress Elmo, Oscar, and Kermit together, and decided of the three that Oscar was the least Muppetish name.

Oscar and Kermit are always together during the war, it would change a thing if they were combined into one character. It's only after the war that Oscar goes on to form a sellsword company in Essos and Kermit goes home to rule Riverrun. They are the Hoster and Brynden of their era except they seem to get along very well.

As for their father Elmo, his conflict with his grandfather is interesting but he does not act until Addam Velaryon rally the riverlords. Grover gets mad about his grandson's defiance but dies immediately, then Elmo dies shortly an uneventful death.

GRRM was having fun naming the Tullys after the muppets but they kind of all blend into each other. I think you're right we might see our first combination of book characters on the show with them, we only need an old Grover and a young Kermit or Oscar to tell the story.

[The Dragon Demands]

Ah, multiple leaks have pretty much confirmed the director schedule now:

• Episode 1 - Alan Taylor
• Episode 2 - Clare Kilner (Blood & Cheese)
• Episode 3 - Geeta Patel
• Episode 4 - Alan Taylor (Rook's Rest)
• Episode 5 - Clare Kilner
• Episode 6 - Andrij Parekh
• Episode 7 - Loni Peristere (Sowing of the Dragonseeds)
• Episode 8 - Geeta Patel

This made more sense after it was pointed out that Loni Peristere has a lot of experience working with VFX scenes, which will be prominent in the Sowing (he was seen in spy photos of the Sowing).

As of yet, even the spy community isn't really sure what the end point of Season 2 is supposed to be at episode 8. 

But I will say, I haven't heard any rumors I didn't like as a book fan. Not yet anyway.

[The Bard of Banefort]

20 minutes ago, The Dragon Demands said:

Ah, multiple leaks have pretty much confirmed the director schedule now:

• Episode 1 - Alan Taylor
• Episode 2 - Clare Kilner (Blood & Cheese)
• Episode 3 - Geeta Patel
• Episode 4 - Alan Taylor (Rook's Rest)
• Episode 5 - Clare Kilner
• Episode 6 - Andrij Parekh
• Episode 7 - Loni Peristere (Sowing of the Dragonseeds)
• Episode 8 - Geeta Patel

This made more sense after it was pointed out that Loni Peristere has a lot of experience working with VFX scenes, which will be prominent in the Sowing (he was seen in spy photos of the Sowing).

As of yet, even the spy community isn't really sure what the end point of Season 2 is supposed to be at episode 8. 

But I will say, I haven't heard any rumors I didn't like as a book fan. Not yet anyway.

The Battle of the Gullet was the first battle with the dragonseeds, right? I think there’s still a very good chance the season ends with Rhaenyra taking King’s Landing then. Nothing else would cap off the season as well. 

[The Dragon Demands]

I increasingly doubt it. Unless they do something weird.

[The Dragon Demands]

Basically....for lack of a better term, there's a "heraldry porn" scene, when Daemon is surveying the Riverlord armies assembling at Harrenhal. The actual script page describes all of their heraldry in loving detail, like a dozen minor lords.

[$erPounce]

From the looks of it, non-public information seems to be making the rounds on the Internet. As someone who has followed the set leaks and the site of Redanian Intelligence, I have not yet encountered anything about "leaked casting sheets" and "script pages." This is new information to me.

[The Dragon Demands]

Because I was specifically told not to share them, but they’re circulating in private. I’ve seen photos taken of the pages. I won’t repeat anything they didn’t say in public other than “I believe them”.

in other news, Redanian just identified one of the other two lords along with “Martin Reyne”, the black actor, as “Eddard Waters”.

So he’s not a Hightower bastard. I’ve speculated before…is he Marston Waters? Renamed? Or have the silent dove Velaryons been condensed to Vaemond’s bastard? 
 

or perhaps is their take that Marston WAS a Velaryon bastard? Book mentions in passing he’s from Driftmark 

Edited August 2, 2023 by The Dragon Demands

[The Bard of Banefort]

Looks like they’re filming scenes at the Wall this season. I expect the S2 trailers to really hype up the North. The only problem is, Rhaenyra didn’t tell Jace about the prophecy in S1 (at least not that we know of), so he won’t be visiting the Wall with that foreknowledge.