Yes, I think that was the implication -- not only that he was going after Rheanys and her dragon, but also opportunistically taking out his brother, who blocks Aemond's path to the throne [or at the very least, not caring that his brother was in the line of fire].
I think this was foreshadowed by the earlier scene, where Aegon uncomfortably realized that Aemond was developing battle strategy and making decisions without bothering to consult his king.
And unless I'm mistaken, the point about Aemond's intentions was further drilled home by the final scene of the show, where Criston is frantically trying to locate the downed king, only to come across Aemond pulling his sword when he discovers that his brother is still breathing, despite the crash.
Or did I misread what was happening in that scene? Sure looked to me like Aemond was preparing to strike him down, before realizing that he was being observed.
slightly ruined at the end by the extremely cliche move of acting like a character is dead when they 1000% will survive. There is no way Aegon is dead unless they clearly showed his dead body at the end, so the cliffhanger they were attempting to create has zero suspense attached to it. Maaaybe he is seriously injured and out of the picture the rest of the season, but even that seems unlikely. As they say in the world of sports, I bet he is out for two weeks before doctors reevaluate.
Didn’t he make noise and/or move when Aemond pointed to him? Even if he didn’t, the preview for the next episode mentioned he’s alive, albeit very injured and maybe on the verge of death. There was the chance he died but they ‘resolved’ that without leaving it as a cliffhanger, or at least only leaving it as a cliffhanger (if he wasn’t moving or making noise when Aemond and Cole found him) for the length of the credits before the next episode preview.[\SPOILER]
Very good. I do have a few ehhh thoughts but maybe I am overly critical.
the master of whispers didn’t hear about the whispers (and actual yelling) recruiting people from lowborn to get on a ship to dragon stone? Also the magnitude of people it reached and how many showed up was a little eh for me but again, maybe being critical
When this show started in 2022, I struggled to get through the first episode. Watched the first 10 minutes or so a couple of different times, before I finally forced myself to sit through more. It just didn't grab me.
By the time that finally happened, I think the show was 4 or 5 episodes in, which I had DVRd. The show just didn't grab me until the beginning of the third episode [going off memory], where Daemon killed his wife from the Vale. That grabbed my attention, and the show really seemed to take off for me from that point forward.
I know that it is qualitatively different -- and often slower paced -- than the original GoT. But I'm enjoying this show far more than the last couple of GoT seasons. The plot and acting are awesome.
When this show started in 2022, I struggled to get through the first episode. Watched the first 10 minutes or so a couple of different times, before I finally forced myself to sit through more. It just didn't grab me.
By the time that finally happened, I think the show was 4 or 5 episodes in, which I had DVRd. The show just didn't grab me until the beginning of the third episode [going off memory], where Daemon killed his wife from the Vale. That grabbed my attention, and the show really seemed to take off for me from that point forward.
I know that it is qualitatively different -- and often slower paced -- than the original GoT. But I'm enjoying this show far more than the last couple of GoT seasons. The plot and acting are awesome.
It is a much smaller, talkier show than GoT. Last year, I compared it to a soap opera version. It’s freaking amazing, though. So ‘deep.’ I thought I was watching in rapt attention, and then I found recap/easter egg videos on YouTube and realized just how much I was missing and not aware of. There is soooo much stuff in every episode, much of it hidden or referential or alluded to or whatever. So much stuff. I didn’t even realize the opening credits changed from episode to episode, reflecting what has or will happen.
Gotta say, the casting of Emma D’Arcy was a master stroke. She’s fantastic on the show and fascinating in interviews.
A few things about the last episode(s) I didn’t like, though.
Call me ‘sensitive,’ but it’s kinda (not so) funny how the dragon is named Seasmoke” and how that sounds and works like “see smoke”—the racial epithet. Which is what the thing did…. Sorry. Consider me still wounded after my hick Ohio high school experiences almost 40 years ago. And I’m prolly still a bit pissed at how many similar/worse items there were in The Acolyte….
The Dragon Trials, Pt II. Queen assembles a group of potential bloodliners. Doesn’t qualify or disqualify anyone. Doesn’t check to see if any are armed or who might have infiltrated the group to do her harm. After all, this is a group from the other jurisdiction, found by whisperings and gossip. She just walks in amongst them. Whatever. Then, even though she had previously shown great remorse over the BBQing of the last guy, she marches them into the pit without the Dragontendants and their long sticks. Doesn’t tell them the Dragon Rules—okay, I guess, because they didn’t work last time, but, hey—they were the rules because they had been working for hundreds of years prior. Then she leaves to watch from the observation deck. Poor dragon is not given an opportunity to discern who’s a pretender and who’s a snack. He basically has to roast a bunch just to sort them out by getting them to spread out so he can sniff out the good blood.
Then, after all the very serious bits of people getting incinerated alive, we get the very silly, cartoonish shot of the liar/lush riding the dragon like Slim Pickens road the bomb in Dr Strangelove. “YAAAA-HOOOO!”
Ohh! And also—why is Addam wearing denim? The only time i've ever seen anything like that in either series. From the House of Girbaud? Reminds me of when Serena Williams wore an atrocious denim and boots outfit at the US Open. She got excoriated for 'bringing Compton to tennis.'
When this show started in 2022, I struggled to get through the first episode. Watched the first 10 minutes or so a couple of different times, before I finally forced myself to sit through more. It just didn't grab me.
By the time that finally happened, I think the show was 4 or 5 episodes in, which I had DVRd. The show just didn't grab me until the beginning of the third episode [going off memory], where Daemon killed his wife from the Vale. That grabbed my attention, and the show really seemed to take off for me from that point forward.
I know that it is qualitatively different -- and often slower paced -- than the original GoT. But I'm enjoying this show far more than the last couple of GoT seasons. The plot and acting are awesome.
I hate the new norm of TV waiting years for a show for 8 episodes. It's so annoying. But at least next year we get Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which should be a pretty cool story. The cinematography, acting and set/costume design are always going to be top notch with HBO.
I hate the new norm of TV waiting years for a show for 8 episodes. It's so annoying. But at least next year we get Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which should be a pretty cool story. The cinematography, acting and set/costume design are always going to be top notch with HBO.
Is it the norm? It is when discussing the few shows with such enormous budgets and production standards. But, with the GoT franchise, it gives me an opportunity/rationale to rewatch, and the material is so strong, i really don't mind.
Not sure i was even aware of Knight of the Seven Kingdoms... Googling now...
Okay. And there's another one: Aegon's Conquest.
We have The Penguin coming soon-ish to fill the void.
It is a much smaller, talkier show than GoT. Last year, I compared it to a soap opera version. It’s freaking amazing, though. So ‘deep.’ I thought I was watching in rapt attention, and then I found recap/easter egg videos on YouTube and realized just how much I was missing and not aware of. There is soooo much stuff in every episode, much of it hidden or referential or alluded to or whatever. So much stuff. I didn’t even realize the opening credits changed from episode to episode, reflecting what has or will happen.
Gotta say, the casting of Emma D’Arcy was a master stroke. She’s fantastic on the show and fascinating in interviews.
A few things about the last episode(s) I didn’t like, though.
Call me ‘sensitive,’ but it’s kinda (not so) funny how the dragon is named Seasmoke” and how that sounds and works like “see smoke”—the racial epithet. Which is what the thing did…. Sorry. Consider me still wounded after my hick Ohio high school experiences almost 40 years ago. And I’m prolly still a bit pissed at how many similar/worse items there were in The Acolyte….
The Dragon Trials, Pt II. Queen assembles a group of potential bloodliners. Doesn’t qualify or disqualify anyone. Doesn’t check to see if any are armed or who might have infiltrated the group to do her harm. After all, this is a group from the other jurisdiction, found by whisperings and gossip. She just walks in amongst them. Whatever. Then, even though she had previously shown great remorse over the BBQing of the last guy, she marches them into the pit without the Dragontendants and their long sticks. Doesn’t tell them the Dragon Rules—okay, I guess, because they didn’t work last time, but, hey—they were the rules because they had been working for hundreds of years prior. Then she leaves to watch from the observation deck. Poor dragon is not given an opportunity to discern who’s a pretender and who’s a snack. He basically has to roast a bunch just to sort them out by getting them to spread out so he can sniff out the good blood.
Then, after all the very serious bits of people getting incinerated alive, we get the very silly, cartoonish shot of the liar/lush riding the dragon like Slim Pickens road the bomb in Dr Strangelove. “YAAAA-HOOOO!”
Agree about some of the points. I said the same above.
In terms of not "vetting", I am assuming that was done by guards/knights prior to them ever walking in, so that part I am okay with. I do however think the whole, "alright good luck everybody" was a bit much, and like I said above, how all of them found out about this plan in King's landing without the master of whispers hearing about it is kind of not believable. OK, there are Targaryeon bastards. But that many? And how do they know (some surely don't, or were just average people) they have some level of Targ. blood?
Agree 100%. Very underwhelming season finale. They're just stringing us along. Ending the season w/ a dramatic montage that shows everyone marching to battle is weak.
Agree 100%. Very underwhelming season finale. They're just stringing us along. Ending the season w/ a dramatic montage that shows everyone marching to battle is weak.
On the other hand, I get that the fanbase is ready for war. I assume season 3 is going to be heavily action oriented. But the confluence of all of the plot points pulled together pretty well in this season 2 finale -- that last scene, where they showed the various groups converging toward the inevitable conflict was poignant, even if it postponed what's to come.
On the other hand, I get that the fanbase is ready for war. I assume season 3 is going to be heavily action oriented. But the confluence of all of the plot points pulled together pretty well in this season 2 finale -- that last scene, where they showed the various groups converging toward the inevitable conflict was poignant, even if it postponed what's to come.
I thought it had some drastic ebbs and flows. This was the first episode where i actually picked up the ipad and played some spider solitaire for a few minutes. Then it got good again.
I haven't looked at any of the recap/easter egg videos for this one yet. I'm sure there's a ton of stuff i missed again, though i'm trying to be more attentive toward looking for that stuff. I'm going to rewatch the whole season pretty quickly. But, yeah, this episode wasn't great, despite the potentials and intended tensions.
Didn't like the cartoonish Ulf, at all. Even if you think you need him, that scene at the dinner table should have been a 'stark' warning that he's not to be trusted. He could very easily—more likely than any of the other scab riders—just dragonjack and go back to fly for the other guys. He's the type of mercenary who wouldn't care who he flies for. I have a feeling that's where this is going to turn, but if so, it's too obvious. So, maybe they're just leading us that way. Still, again, too cartoonish/buffoonish for such a serious tone otherwise. And, again, especially with that rodeo/Slim Pickens thing from the previous episode.
So, Aegon suggested to Mr. Whispers that he could/should just have his brother arrested. Which would have been the logical move. Why doesn't he have a trusted bodyguard like anyone else in his position would have? Someone he could trust, if only to get word to his mum that he wanted to see her to spill on what happened in the air. They should have written that into the show, and Aemond could have resolved that by just being seen by Aegon or Larys or Grand Maester, whispering to Aegon's man about sports scores or somesuch, and it would have convinced Aegon that he couldn't trust his own bodyguard.
Anyway, so, it's an easy supposition that Rhaenyra will be furious at Allicent and suspect she was the one who got her so out of town, but it was kinda ridic to hinge the entirety of a peace plan on mom saying it's okay for her to take her son's head. There had to be a better way. Especially since that kid never really wanted to be king anyway. Exile wouldn't work because of the potential for him to try to make a comeback? Even after he would have bent the knee and been seen as disfigured and crippled? And was it said or just implicit that the plan also involved/required Aemond's death? So, Alicent was conceding two sons to death? That doesn't seem likely. Not sure how Rhaenyra could/should have trusted that.
I do like the conflict of a plan for peace being agreed upon, yet there will inevitably be a lot of action/conflict which precludes that plan.
Oh, well. We get one more season of this. Regardless of my gripes, it's still easily the best thing on tv, and the best thing since GoT. While i was originally disappointed that it was to be a 'smaller' production in comparison to the vastness of characters and universe of GoT, i'm so glad they (mostly) stuck to an even more serious tone in HoD. I'm excited to see the next series.
i just finished season two last night and thought "what?" is that the best you got ? the dragon is dragging on . i really hoped that for a season finale episode something really explosive would happen . alison whips out a dagger and starts stabbing or alison jumps off the cliff. at the very least i thought Alicent would offer up Aemond for Aegon and Helena. in the good old GOT days they would whap a surprise killing practically every episode. none of this glacial plodding and plotting about. also had a question about young lady rhaena and her dragon quest. was that dragon happy meal the caravan she set off with ? her face suggests maybe. you know she's gonna ride it anyway. also maybe the highlight of the episode was the introduction to cap'n bulldyke. a bit of humor and i'm sure a formidable foe for the sea snake.
