Second of His Name

“I did waver at one time. But I swear to you now, on your mother’s memory, you will not be supplanted.”

Viserys Targaryen, to Rhaenyra Targaryen

Major Plot Points: Rhaenyra goes on an awkward family car ride. Viserys takes down a stag. Daemon refuses to let his big brother win his war for him. Aegon does baby stuff.

Observations from a Book Reader:

1. The sword that Daemon wields in his battles, Dark Sister, originally belonged to Visenya Targaryen, the older sister-wife of Aegon the Conqueror.
2. The gigantic retinue that travels with the royal family is more in line with how George R.R. Martin portrayed hunts in his book series. They were giant, weekend long parties with very little actual hunting. In Season 1 of Game of Thrones, we saw King Robert’s “Hunting Party” but due to budget constraints, it was literally just Robert, his brother, and 2 other people. GRRM claims it is the scene he hates the most from all 8 seasons of the show.
3. When Viserys exits his carriage, Hobert Hightower announces to the crowd that they are there to celebrate Aegon the Second on his 2nd name day. Now, baby Aegon is not actually the second Aegon since Aegon the Conqueror. There was another one years before, but that Aegon never lived to be crowned. The convention in Westeros is to only add the number to a persons name when they are crowned King. This is a not-so-subtle way to depict how the crowd all clearly believes baby Aegon to be the future heir, a detail that does not go by Rhaenyra.
4. Larys “The Clubfoot” Strong, one of the 2 sons of Lyonel Strong we see this episode, is shown to be the only man to sit with the ladies in the royal tent. As we will see throughout this series, this is a man to whom information is everything. Lyonel’s other son, Harwin, is known as the strongest knight in Westeros at the time, and is whom Viserys assumes Lyonel will suggest to marry Rhaenyra, before he suggests Laenor Velaryon.
5. Viserys being so against Rhaenyra marrying Aegon is interesting. At this point in history, Targaryens marrying one another is so ingrained in culture that it is surprising how against Otto’s suggestion he is. I wonder if this was done because the show-runners do not trust the audience enough for them to understand why Viserys would actually contemplate it. It can be justified though that we already know Viserys has an aversion to young children being married off and that is why he is disgusted.
6. Vaemond Velaryon is outspoken in his negative feelings towards Daemon. This is a man who has seen his house be placed beneath the Targaryen’s his whole life, and his discontent does not end with just Daemon.
7. Laenor Velaryon is seen flying the dragon Seasmoke. While this was a fun reveal, it was a bit tough to actually see who was flying, and I think many people may have been confused as to how he even had a dragon since it wasn’t outright stated that it was Laenor, Corlys’ son and a half Targaryen himself (his mother being Rhaenys, the queen who never was).

Other Points to Notice

1. The mask that the Crabfeeder is wearing looks identical (albeit worse condition) to the masks worn by the Sons of the Harpy in Mereen, who constantly sabotaged Daenerys’ attempts to rule.
2. Caraxes immediately stomping on the soldier that Daemon was there to “save” was a pretty overt metaphor to who really suffers when these “Great Houses” go to war.
3. It seems that Otto Hightower is but a pawn to his older brother Hobert’s ambitions. We see him immediately be pressured by his brother to have Aegon placed upon the throne.
4. Rhaenyra is pretty against the idea of going to kill a boar in the hunt. Interesting that she of course is the only person that does kill a boar in this episode, showing that she does not hesitate to get her hands dirty when the situation arises. Similar to her uncle.
5. Jason Lannister really comes off as a prick when he casually tries to “propose” to Rhaenyra. At this point in history, while rich, the Lannisters certainly do not command the same prestige as they did under Tywin. Another reason why the offer annoyed Rhaenyra so much. It’s also hilarious his name is Jason.
6. Otto is one sly bastard. He immediately breaks up a potential blow-up between Rhaenyra and Viserys, and does it while mentioning how the sighting of a white hart stag is a “regal portent” for Prince Aegon’s nameday. This not only quiets down the argument, it also is him planting the seed to King Viserys that the gods are showing favor to Aegon (his grandson) as heir. He then doubles down on this later.
7. Lord Lyonel’s suggestion of Rhaenyra marrying Laenor is actually brilliant. It would bring the Sea-Snake (Corlys Velaryon) back into the fold, and he is also a dragon-rider. Even while drunk and angry, Viserys seems to greatly calm down after this because he knows Lyonel is the only person trying to genuinely help him, just like last episode when he gave good advice on his marriage suggestions. Something to keep an eye on.
8. Viserys failing to kill the stag in one blow could be interpreted in a number of ways. I believe it is just showing that while good natured, Viserys does not have the real stomach to rule or do what needs to be done, especially when considering that the stag was tied up and defenseless. It is a stark difference from the non hesitation we see from both Rhaenyra and Daemon this episode to kill when it is needed
9. Daemon agreeing to a suicide mission is a desperate attempt to save his own pride. He would rather die than be embarrassed by only winning against the Crabfeeder with his big bro’s help. Luckily, Daemon seemed to be allergic to arrows in this otherwise incredible sequence. It does make sense why the Crabfeeder falls for this trick, as killing Daemon would cause massive issues to the stability of the army, and Westeros as a whole.

Stray Observations:

1. Miguel Sapochnik will not be returning as co-show-runner next season. Which is a shame because he’s done great here so far, as well as directed some of the best episodes from the original Game of Thrones. He will be staying on as a consultant, and the split was completely amicable. The general theory is that he is just ready for new projects with HBO.
2. At this point, Alicent seems to be the much more willing one to try to salvage her relationship with Rhaenyra.
3. This show takes place back when instead of using an iPhone, you could just pay a minstrel to play the same song on repeat for hours.
4. The Crabfeeder appears to have late stage Greyscale all over his face. Not totally sure why this detail was added, but he looks insane so mission accomplished.
5. “That man’s pride has pride”. I wonder if Viserys intentionally said this due to the Lannister’s always being referred to as lions, who of course travel in prides. Probably not but it does kinda work.
6. Only time will tell if Viserys actually did have a prophetic dream of a son on the throne, or it was just a regular person dream.
7. If the white stag is a “regal portent”, then it sure is interesting that it appears to Rhaenyra and not to her father who was there for her brother.
8. Daemon is shown here to not be all bark and no bite. He easily dispatches the less trained soldiers of the Triarchy’s army. He also does not speak a single line this entire episode.

RIP: The brutally murdered stag, Craghas “The Crabfeeder” Drahar, and of course that one random soldier who got absolutely pancaked by Caraxes

The Heirs of the Dragon

The idea that we control the dragons is an illusion. They’re a power man should never have trifled with. One that brought Valyria its doom. If we don’t mind our own histories, it will do the same to us.

Viserys Targaryen, to his daughter Rhaenyra

Major Plot Points: A tourney in honor of the King’s new heir, Aemma Targaryen gives birth, Daemon is granted a new job title, Rhaenyra gets some new responsibilities, Alicent talks to the King about history

Observations from a Book Reader:

1. The (highly expository) intro refers to the time as 101 A.C. This means 101 years since “Aegon’s Conquest”.
2. Rhaenys was the daughter of Jaehaerys Targaryen’s eldest son Aemon. This is why some believed she had more right to rule than Viserys, who was the son of Aemon’s younger brother, Baelon.
3. Syrax was Rhaenyra’s dragon, and you can hear Alicent remark she may one day be as large as Caraxes. Caraxes was Daemon’s dragon and his violent temper was legendary.
4. The Velaryons are also from Valyria like the Targaryens. The two families intermarry frequently. In the show the only Velaryon we have seen so far (besides a quick camera pan that shows his 2 white haired children) is Lord Corlys, he’s in the below picture second from the right, next to his wife, Rhaenys, the queen who never was.
5. Rhaenyra and Alicent weren’t described as being such close friends in the book, but the book took a much higher level at describing the events portrayed on the show, so I think it makes perfect sense.
6. Fun little detail I discovered, the marbles that the small council members place on their table before discussion is a tradition that comes from Valyria, where marbles represented honor. So they place them down to display their commitment to being honorable. Definitely doesn’t work but still a cool thing
7. The Baratheons and Targaryens are loosely related from some marriages, which is why Rhaenys calls the Baratheon knight “cousin”.
8. Criston Cole (the guy who beats the Baratheons, and then eventually Daemon) is from the south, and of Dornish descent. At this point in Westeros history, Dorne is not yet part of the Targaryen kingdom. However, King Viserys is still called “King of the Seven Kingdoms”, because they lay claim to it. In actuality the crown has 0 control or power over Dorne.
9. Targaryen’s were forced to “convert” to the Westeros dominant Faith of the Seven in order to appease the people and prevent a religion fueled revolution. However they still followed the strictly Valyrian practice of funeral pyres, and their ashes were all brought to King’s Landing.
10. It is always discussed as a myth, or wives tale, that any ruler who sits upon the Iron Throne and is cut by it, is not fit to rule. It is seen as the throne itself rejecting their sovereignty. Not a great look for our boy Viserys.
11. Some VERY interesting stuff from Viserys at the end here. He mentions that the doom of Valyria was brought upon by the taming of dragons. This is new info for book readers as well, the fall of Valyria is still shrouded in secrecy. Next up, he talks of the fact that Aegon invaded Westeros based on a prophetic dream, which also predicts the Long Night, and by extension, the white walkers. Apparently GRRM made them put this information in the show which means that Aegon had these dreams in the books too. Not as exciting for show watchers who know how it all ends, but this is great for book fans, adds some fresh intrigue for the first time since 2011.
12. Let’s get our tinfoil hats on. Rhaegar Targaryen (Jon Snow’s father, Daenerys’ brother) was seen in a vision by Dany in the House of the Undying (Season 2 blue lipped wizard house from Qarth) playing a song on his harp, and told Dany it was the Song of Ice and Fire (this was book only). We now also hear that Aegon referred to his dream of the Targaryens saving the world from the winter as the same thing. For some unknown reason Rhaegar forsook his wife/children and then ran off with Lyanna Stark. She grew pregnant and then Rhaegar was killed by Robert Baratheon at the Battle of the Trident. It could be imagined that his actions were prompted by a knowledge of this prophecy, hence why he uses the prophecy name in his song

Other Points to Notice

1. Interesting to see how the people of King’s Landing do not find a dragon flying over their city to be anything special at all. No one even looks really. 172 years later things were quite different.
2. The triarchy that is raiding pirates and controlling sea routes mentioned by Otto Hightower surely won’t come up again?
3. The heraldry of the different houses in this show, along with the crazy helmets and armor, was all put in the show at the request of GRRM, who felt that the original Game of Thrones lost some of the magic the books had in terms of ridiculous color and outfits.
4. Immediately we see tension between the king’s brother Daemon and his hand, Otto Hightower. The Hightower’s are the lords of Oldtown, one of the largest cities in Westeros and where the Citadel is located (where the maesters go to school to get their chains and questionable medical knowledge).
5. Alicent does not get an approving look from her father, Otto, when she grants Daemon her favor. It was a power move by Daemon to even ask her, seeing as how he had just beaten her brother in a joust by a dirty play, and was known to never get along with her father on the small council.
6. When Rhaenys remarks that the knights at the tournament were “green as summer grass”, it was very reminiscent of when Catelyn Stark makes the same observation on Renly’s army before he was to fight his brother Stannis in the field. Usually not a great foreshadowing of military prowess.
7. Otto sending his daughter to the King’s chambers can’t be written off as him just trying to help his grieving friend. The fact that he made Alicent wear her mother’s more mature fitting clothes make his intentions pretty clear. The man is certainly ambitious and has no problem using his daughter in a power play.
8. The dagger that Viserys gives Rhaenyra, is in fact the same exact dagger that we first see in S1 of Game of Thrones, when an assassin uses it to attempt to …assassinate Bran Stark. Many conspiracies and plot-lines later, in Season 8 that same dagger is used by Arya to kill the Night King. Very long journey for that knife.
9. “Promise me Rhaenyra, promise me.” is a DIRECT callback to, in my opinion, the most iconic line in Game of Thrones: “Promise me Ned, promise me” said by Lyanna Stark as she held baby Jon Snow in her arms and begged Ned to never reveal his true father. Let us hope this promise does not cause quite as much trouble.

Stray Observations:

1. It’s cool seeing Harrenhall as a place where actual events happened, not just acts of torture and random conversations between Tywin Lannister and Arya.
2. I like how they took the original iron throne that has become so famous from Game of Thrones, and made it look more brutal again.
3. Did you have “watch a man’s peen get sliced off” on your episode 1 bingo card?
4. The tournament in season 1 of Game of Thrones was so much lower budget it’s hilarious. HBO basically could only afford one set of bleachers.
5. Took me my second viewing today to notice that Daemon’s horse has a fucking dragon scale helmet on it. Targaryens take the “dragon” thing way too far sometimes but I’m here for it.
6. I’ve never given birth personally but that no anesthesia C-section was so hard to watch what the fuck HBO.
7. I was shocked when Daemon actually yielded to Criston Cole. Maybe not such a prick after all?
8. Heir for a day. Daemon is incredible. Calling his brother weak was probably not a good move if he wanted to stay in King’s Landing though.
9. The last shot shows Rhaenyra and then plays Daenerys’ theme music. Pretty cool but I kinda hope this show tries to keep its distance from Game of Thrones. I probably could have done without the winter prophecy as well, but if GRRM wanted it in then we just have to hope it does not spiral out of control. People are still mad at the other show’s ending. If you need a refresher on the Game of Thrones finale, past me did a fantastic job covering it here.

RIP: Queen Aemma Targaryen, and the “Heir for a day”.