I have to applaud the consistent and touching performance of King Viserys throughout the series. He portrayed a truly benevolent and caring patriarch. His speech at the dinner-table was tear-inducing. With his every breath you could feel the sorrow, joy and hope for the people around the dinner table. Even though he was not born a great warrior nor a great conqueror, you believe he would die a thousand deaths if he knew it would save the life of any single person at the table. So with the last ounce of his fading strength, his only plea is that when he no longer has any life to live - nor give, that everyone at the table...simply not strike against the other. So tragic. R.I.P. King Viserys, First of His Name.
Viserys in this episode, aided to the Iron Throne by Daemon, gave such a gut-wrenching performance that I shed tears seeing him suffer in order to spend one last meal together with family.
We had the Expanse, we had The Orville. Never did I imagine that GoT would rise from the dead after season eight and give me the next great genre show. This thing is so good.
Talk about “subversion”: we are first made to believe the King died when we hear a Queen sits on the throne. Then we are surprised when the maid is spared. Then we are surprised when the King shows up on the throne. THEN we are surprised when Daemon gives swift justice. Just when we think the family is on good terms we get ANOTHER surprise fight as soon as the king leaves the dinner table. A++ episode.
@@angelfieseler5358 Rich powerful people don’t bribe poor weak people right before they kill them. However the tea may not have worked, as implied by Daemon’s former call girl bribing another maid. They cut close to the tea as if there was something more to it.
@ Joel D , not so sure make the maid believe she was safe .just remember Helena asking where Dyna was she was supposed to dress the children . AndAsk yourself what would Cersie do
When Viserys dropped his crown on the way to the throne, I wasn't sure who picked it up at first, then seeing Daemon tenderly help his brother up the remaining steps... It was an emotional moment for me. Like Daemon respected the shit out of his brother for the grit it took to drag himself to court. What an amazing ep.
That was all improv, Matt Smith has an interview where he says the crown falling off was not in any rehearsals and when it happened he did what he thought Daemon would do, picked it back up and put it back on his brothers head. I agree it added a lot more to the scene.
Having just gone through the whole hospice thing with my father in February, this was fucking hard to watch. What amazing acting. It actual may have been one of the most powerful episodes of TV I have ever watched.
A nice touch in the episode showing how much Daemon and Aemond are alike, is their very similar way of muttering a "hum" in an inappropriate moment and uncompromising way. Daemon does it in the king's chamber when the queen shows up and Aemond towards the end of the dinner scene. Shortly after you see Daemon intrigued by this young man.
You could tell Daemon was intrigued by Aemond when he learned he stole Vhagar in the family squabble. After all, Aemond is just Daemon with a d at the end :P
When seated at the table for the banquet, Visery's eye is on Rhaenyra's side and the mask on the other with Alicent and the Hightowers. Loved that symbolism. It has been theorized that the maesters and Hightowers have something to do with his decay. On top of that it is the same eye that Aemond lost, his son with Alicent. I don't put it past them to have made this choice intentionally, but I am so in love with this show's attention to detail and artful execution. Edit: oops guess its opposite eye, still feels a little like a nod to the side of his family that lost one. I'm actually rewatching the episode rn because it was so good. 10/10 Aemond looks the best with silver hair.
Great point! I don't think Alicent is capable of treachery in that way to harm her husband, any behind the scenes foul play i suspect is Otto is acting alone.
@@juju-vl7oj I dont think Alicent has ill intent toward him either. I think she has a lot of respect for Viserys and always has in despite her life not turning into anything ideal. Makes her more tragic. Even Otto is a puppet it seems, though far more culpable from what we can see.
Viserys entering the throne room was an amazing scene. I read that when his crown fell off his head Matt Smith improv picked it up and put it on his head. Apparently that wasn't in the script but to me made the scene feel that much more powerful, esp. after Viserys shunned everyone away on his walk besides Daemon. They were always brothers up until the end.
just caught up and can already see all the respeck Paddy is getting on his portrayal of Viserys so I'm gonna add to that I was applauding him when he stumbles down to the thrown and immediately exclaiming how fucking good is this guy its proved to be a brilliant casting decision. Also thank you James for these breakdowns I will always come after watching to make sure I haven't missed anything important lol cheers
This show experience for me is kinda like digesting Dark. I can understand it all in my head ie the names & connections but when I try to explain it out loud it's just mind bending at times🤯
It was a plan B tea, Alicent wouldn't kill her after warning her of why not to talk. That girl already fears for her life so she'll listen and not talk so it was definitely a plan B tea.
Another fantastic episode, one of my favorites so far!When Daemon sliced him open after he called out Rhaenyra I literally jumped off my couch! I can't wait to see how these last two episodes play out
Wow. Great episode. Daemon & Aemond are mirror images of each other. I loved all the eye f*cking they were giving each other in this episode. Btw I really enjoyed the latest episode of WR. In episode 210 of WR you predicted correctly that after the two Avenger films that there would be a Falcon & Winter Soldier film & that the Illuminati would show up due to multiverse shenanigans. I'm impressed.
Appreciate your quick reviews of this show James! Really nice touch they had Daemon and Viserys have some direct moments with each other. RIP Viserys. Paddy Consadine did an amazing job. Aemond is basically a total prick and I love it. Honestly, don’t need any connection whatsoever to TSOIAF. This book and show stand well completely on its own. Very pleasantly surprised. Honestly not one poor episode yet. RIP Corlys- if ur dead that is. Later Vaemond! My guess is the “Aegon” Viserys was referring to with Alicent on his death bed was Rhanerya’s son Aegon. Very Interested to see if I’m right and how the writers work that out.
James I have to disagree with you on Certain things because I never read the nooks and don’t care about how the Tv show diverges and since Martin is involved he approves. The episode was a fantastic sendoff for The King and I agree with you about that badass he can keep his tongue 😂I’m glad I’m not alone in being confused on their names on regular basic
Finally an episode I thought was actually great! The whole misunderstanding thing at the end is kinda silly when you think about it though. Maybe think of more than 5 names for your kids?
Ya I wish they would lay off the Song of Ice and Fire stuff. Someone should tell them that the Prince that was Promised didn't actually stop the threat from the North. His kid sister did. All he did was kill the last Targaryen Queen.
The dinner scene is a masterclass of building trepidation through melancholy. Viserys watching the kids in a last dance before the Dance. Fleeting moments of bliss. Everyone hoping for the best, expecting the worst. For something so uneventfully peaceful, this passing was one of the most foreboding & viscerally filmed deaths I've seen. Book Viserys also doses off to the great beyond in his bed, after telling stories to grandkids. The king who was most unlike Aegon the Conqueror in life ends up being most like the Conqueror in death. Ok enough jokes. Now the serious stuff. "You're no son of mine" - Alicent getting crossbowed in the loo on mother's day confirmed. Ep 9 is The Green Council😱!! Cue the Hoes Mad beat😤!! Our religion, tradition & patriarchy upholder Queen Mother & our redpilled Homelander King will make Westeros great again🙃/s
One of the best episodes the end is near for the King 👑 always this story of succession of the Throne the clan war becomes exciting 🗡. A final fight between the sons of Rhaenyra and the sons of the Queen.
Everytime i watch an episode of this show i am afraid i am going to wake up and its just a dream... I cant believe that content this good is accully a thing these days. Andor is also good... maybe some intelligent people is making a comeback????
If Luke marries the Valaryon girl then their children will still be Velaryons in both name and blood. So even if Luke inherits the Driftmark throne the Valaryon bloodline would continue to rule there. Because Luke’s surname is Valaryon.
I turned to my wife and said "I think Vaemond is justified and should clearly be Lord of the..." right as the slicey slicey happened. This show has been such an unexpected treat. I was extremely apathetic about it before it came out.
This episode shows how even when you quash the beef with an enemy, how you raised your offspring based on that same hatred, will still likely continue on. Sad..😕
I thin they’re not linking it to GOT with the song of Ice and Fire stuff they’re linking it to this Jon Snow show, I’d say they’re gonna attempt to fix the GOT ending with Jon’s new show and the white walkers may be returning
Yes, they're returning, because the Altar of Winter was never destroyed. Rumor has it that Jon Snow will tragically become the next iteration of the night king.
Nah. It's good , but not on the same level for me. Don't get me wrong, Andor is best SW project since original trilogy. Unfortunately, level is so low ,so it's easy to reach 😐
@@salomaonplanetsaturn6038 There's way more going on in House of dragon but the level of acting and the maturity of writing is just as good. They are totally different types of projects so they don't compare on that level but they are of equal quality. It all just depends on opinions and taste in the end, but these ahows put many others to shame.
@@Sticks_of_Truth that's why it's best SW )) show written for people who are ready to pay attention and soak in atmosphere. I like it myself. First episode and last one (5) - are my favourite. If only they released it in chunks of 3 episodes or cut episodes longer( 8 - one hour episodes , not 12 - 35 minutes)
@@salomaonplanetsaturn6038 They should have definitely released them all in their three episode feature length film formats from each director. That was definitely a suit decision to pad out Disney + to break them up because they definitely weren't written with that in mind.
My question is what is the point of a recap as if we can't figure it out for ourselves are we stupid it's stupid I mean it's such a waste of time and redundancy
I think it's interesting how House of Dragon and The Rings of Power are both taking liberties with their respective source material, but the hardcore fanbases of each are reacting in widely divergent ways. GoT fans, who lived through the bitter ending that were seasons 7 and 8, and loving and accepting the differences and liberties they're taking. Meanwhile, LoTR fans are clawing their eyes out at every change the showrunners take, even if the changes aren't actually bad in their own right. Both shows are very good, but they are different. LoTR has ACTUAL good guys. Whereas everyone in GoT is a self-interested douchebag.
I really don't think this show is on the same level as GOT seasons 1-5 but it's at least stable...and not a shit show with character assassinations. Worth a watch but hasn't reached the high bar that early GOT did.
I think GoT Seasons 2, 3, and 4, are better than HotD. But the other Seasons have been beaten. GoT Season 4, in my opinion, was the pinnacle of the show.
I have to applaud the consistent and touching performance of King Viserys throughout the series. He portrayed a truly benevolent and caring patriarch. His speech at the dinner-table was tear-inducing. With his every breath you could feel the sorrow, joy and hope for the people around the dinner table. Even though he was not born a great warrior nor a great conqueror, you believe he would die a thousand deaths if he knew it would save the life of any single person at the table. So with the last ounce of his fading strength, his only plea is that when he no longer has any life to live - nor give, that everyone at the table...simply not strike against the other. So tragic.
R.I.P. King Viserys, First of His Name.
This actor needs to win some damn award... i loved the character and the actor played him really well
Paddy Considine deserves an Emmy… such an emotional performance. This show is masterfully done 🙌
A tear I shed for his sire’s performance.
It was amazing!! He really does deserve it!!🎉
Paddy will be missed. He was truly fantastic 🙌👑
Agreed.
He deserved an Oscar for dead man’s shoes, love considine In everything he’s been in,excellent actor
The scene in Kings Court was both emotionally powerful and shocking
Admittedly I got a bit choked up when Daemon helped his brother up
Very true
There's an interview with Matt Smith where he says the crown fell off by accident and he decided to go along with it. These actors are all amazing.
Viserys in this episode, aided to the Iron Throne by Daemon, gave such a gut-wrenching performance that I shed tears seeing him suffer in order to spend one last meal together with family.
We had the Expanse, we had The Orville. Never did I imagine that GoT would rise from the dead after season eight and give me the next great genre show. This thing is so good.
Talk about “subversion”: we are first made to believe the King died when we hear a Queen sits on the throne. Then we are surprised when the maid is spared. Then we are surprised when the King shows up on the throne. THEN we are surprised when Daemon gives swift justice. Just when we think the family is on good terms we get ANOTHER surprise fight as soon as the king leaves the dinner table. A++ episode.
I don’t think the maid survived, poison of the poppy, for shadowing that Alicent has been poisoning or at the very least hurrying the kings death
@@angelfieseler5358 Rich powerful people don’t bribe poor weak people right before they kill them.
However the tea may not have worked, as implied by Daemon’s former call girl bribing another maid. They cut close to the tea as if there was something more to it.
@ Joel D , not so sure make the maid believe she was safe .just remember Helena asking where Dyna was she was supposed to dress the children . AndAsk yourself what would Cersie do
@@angelfieseler5358 the money was a trick, eh?
When Viserys dropped his crown on the way to the throne, I wasn't sure who picked it up at first, then seeing Daemon tenderly help his brother up the remaining steps... It was an emotional moment for me. Like Daemon respected the shit out of his brother for the grit it took to drag himself to court. What an amazing ep.
Viserys dismissing Otto right before made the scene even better.
When it really matters, Daemon comes through. He's both realist and romantic.
That was all improv, Matt Smith has an interview where he says the crown falling off was not in any rehearsals and when it happened he did what he thought Daemon would do, picked it back up and put it back on his brothers head. I agree it added a lot more to the scene.
RIP Viserys, the king who just wanted to continue playing with his Valaryian legos.
Having just gone through the whole hospice thing with my father in February, this was fucking hard to watch. What amazing acting. It actual may have been one of the most powerful episodes of TV I have ever watched.
A nice touch in the episode showing how much Daemon and Aemond are alike, is their very similar way of muttering a "hum" in an inappropriate moment and uncompromising way. Daemon does it in the king's chamber when the queen shows up and Aemond towards the end of the dinner scene. Shortly after you see Daemon intrigued by this young man.
You could tell Daemon was intrigued by Aemond when he learned he stole Vhagar in the family squabble. After all, Aemond is just Daemon with a d at the end :P
Always love listening to your break down of these eps! Great stuff
When seated at the table for the banquet, Visery's eye is on Rhaenyra's side and the mask on the other with Alicent and the Hightowers. Loved that symbolism. It has been theorized that the maesters and Hightowers have something to do with his decay. On top of that it is the same eye that Aemond lost, his son with Alicent. I don't put it past them to have made this choice intentionally, but I am so in love with this show's attention to detail and artful execution.
Edit: oops guess its opposite eye, still feels a little like a nod to the side of his family that lost one. I'm actually rewatching the episode rn because it was so good. 10/10 Aemond looks the best with silver hair.
Great point!
I don't think Alicent is capable of treachery in that way to harm her husband, any behind the scenes foul play i suspect is Otto is acting alone.
@@juju-vl7oj I dont think Alicent has ill intent toward him either. I think she has a lot of respect for Viserys and always has in despite her life not turning into anything ideal. Makes her more tragic. Even Otto is a puppet it seems, though far more culpable from what we can see.
Viserys entering the throne room was an amazing scene. I read that when his crown fell off his head Matt Smith improv picked it up and put it on his head. Apparently that wasn't in the script but to me made the scene feel that much more powerful, esp. after Viserys shunned everyone away on his walk besides Daemon. They were always brothers up until the end.
At least poor sod Viserys had a good evening with a family. It was all he ever wanted ☺️
Matt Smiths acting when he's looking at his brother is amazing. I think he is truly sympathetic towards his brothers ailment.
Damon head 🗡️ was legendary.
Indeed
I howled when that happened. Havnt laughed that hard in a minute.
just caught up and can already see all the respeck Paddy is getting on his portrayal of Viserys so I'm gonna add to that I was applauding him when he stumbles down to the thrown and immediately exclaiming how fucking good is this guy its proved to be a brilliant casting decision. Also thank you James for these breakdowns I will always come after watching to make sure I haven't missed anything important lol cheers
This episode was fantastic! All things good. 🔥
This show experience for me is kinda like digesting Dark. I can understand it all in my head ie the names & connections but when I try to explain it out loud it's just mind bending at times🤯
RIP King Viserys ☹️ Paddy Considine deserves every award 👌
Best Reviewer on UA-cam. Thank you.
I thought it was heavily implied that the serving girl was poisoned, possibly foreshadowing what happened to the King at the end
I think it was plan B tea, though I was expecting the maid to die that scene.
It was a plan B tea, Alicent wouldn't kill her after warning her of why not to talk. That girl already fears for her life so she'll listen and not talk so it was definitely a plan B tea.
Another fantastic episode, one of my favorites so far!When Daemon sliced him open after he called out Rhaenyra I literally jumped off my couch! I can't wait to see how these last two episodes play out
Wow. Great episode. Daemon & Aemond are mirror images of each other. I loved all the eye f*cking they were giving each other in this episode. Btw I really enjoyed the latest episode of WR. In episode 210 of WR you predicted correctly that after the two Avenger films that there would be a Falcon & Winter Soldier film & that the Illuminati would show up due to multiverse shenanigans. I'm impressed.
*Olivia Cooke’s acting is on another level*
Aemond is my favorite character so far
Can't wait to see him play more off of Daemon.
@@jaycollins2036 he is Daemons secret fanboy
@@salomaonplanetsaturn6038 yeah and I'm here for more of that kind of energy. Aemonds actor is fantastic.
I really enjoy your takes, thanks for sharing!:)
Best genre reviews on youtube.
It is only Viserys and possible Rhaenyra who cares and are motivated to any degree by the Song of Ice and fire. I like it
Paddy Considine was amazing in this episode!
Appreciate your quick reviews of this show James!
Really nice touch they had Daemon and Viserys have some direct moments with each other. RIP Viserys. Paddy Consadine did an amazing job.
Aemond is basically a total prick and I love it. Honestly, don’t need any connection whatsoever to TSOIAF. This book and show stand well completely on its own. Very pleasantly surprised. Honestly not one poor episode yet. RIP Corlys- if ur dead that is. Later Vaemond!
My guess is the “Aegon” Viserys was referring to with Alicent on his death bed was Rhanerya’s son Aegon. Very Interested to see if I’m right and how the writers work that out.
He was talking about Aegon the Conqueror's prophecy about the Prince that was Promised. Not Alicent's or Rhaenyra's boys.
@@msanjelica right, at this point, the “Prince” was not named yet
James I have to disagree with you on
Certain things because I never read the nooks and don’t care about how the Tv show diverges and since Martin is involved he approves. The episode was a fantastic sendoff for The King and I agree with you about that badass he can keep his tongue 😂I’m glad I’m not alone in being confused on their names on regular basic
Finally an episode I thought was actually great!
The whole misunderstanding thing at the end is kinda silly when you think about it though. Maybe think of more than 5 names for your kids?
Martin based it on European monarchy. Wasn’t there like nine Henry’s ??
Favorite episode so far and respect for making lord of the ring reviews so I don’t have to watch that shit show
Ya I wish they would lay off the Song of Ice and Fire stuff. Someone should tell them that the Prince that was Promised didn't actually stop the threat from the North. His kid sister did. All he did was kill the last Targaryen Queen.
I like how the show trusts the audience to keep up with the names
They were confident that we would care for all these characters. And they succeeded.
Driftmark, not Driftwood I believe is the correct name of the island where House Velaryon is situated.
This is a powerful and an emotional episode. Viserys really loves his first daughter. And he wished nothing but to have a united family.
The dinner scene is a masterclass of building trepidation through melancholy. Viserys watching the kids in a last dance before the Dance. Fleeting moments of bliss. Everyone hoping for the best, expecting the worst. For something so uneventfully peaceful, this passing was one of the most foreboding & viscerally filmed deaths I've seen. Book Viserys also doses off to the great beyond in his bed, after telling stories to grandkids. The king who was most unlike Aegon the Conqueror in life ends up being most like the Conqueror in death.
Ok enough jokes. Now the serious stuff. "You're no son of mine" - Alicent getting crossbowed in the loo on mother's day confirmed. Ep 9 is The Green Council😱!! Cue the Hoes Mad beat😤!! Our religion, tradition & patriarchy upholder Queen Mother & our redpilled Homelander King will make Westeros great again🙃/s
I felt so bad for king viserys
I feel this series is getting better and better
100% agree on inevitable spoilers, Shit Game of Thrones already spoils a lot of whats gonna happen on this Show.
One of the best episodes the end is near for the King 👑 always this story of succession of the Throne the clan war becomes exciting 🗡. A final fight between the sons of Rhaenyra and the sons of the Queen.
Matt Smith is doing some good face acting. Daemon has depth
BEST episode so far!
Everytime i watch an episode of this show i am afraid i am going to wake up and its just a dream... I cant believe that content this good is accully a thing these days. Andor is also good... maybe some intelligent people is making a comeback????
If Luke marries the Valaryon girl then their children will still be Velaryons in both name and blood. So even if Luke inherits the Driftmark throne the Valaryon bloodline would continue to rule there. Because Luke’s surname is Valaryon.
The “you” Viserys was talking about in the end of the episode was Aegon the younger, instead of Alicent. That’s what I got from the scene.
I'm 100% with you on this but my one annoyance is with the actors calling Aegon, Eggon...💚🇬🇧🌱
I turned to my wife and said "I think Vaemond is justified and should clearly be Lord of the..." right as the slicey slicey happened. This show has been such an unexpected treat. I was extremely apathetic about it before it came out.
HBO has the belt! They just know how to do it!
This was a great, great, great episode. It rivals the very best of Game of Thrones, IMHO.
Are those Danny’s 3 eggs??
This episode shows how even when you quash the beef with an enemy, how you raised your offspring based on that same hatred, will still likely continue on. Sad..😕
rop isn't even close
I thin they’re not linking it to GOT with the song of Ice and Fire stuff they’re linking it to this Jon Snow show, I’d say they’re gonna attempt to fix the GOT ending with Jon’s new show and the white walkers may be returning
Yes, they're returning, because the Altar of Winter was never destroyed.
Rumor has it that Jon Snow will tragically become the next iteration of the night king.
Vaemond did not tell a lie. 🤣
The show amps up big time in the next two episodes.
The got carts, chariots and pulleys, but no wheelchairs? Rhaenyra and Viserys definitely suffered in this show and could've used the relief!😐
Vaemond was right ultimately because House Velarion gets wiped out of existence... So history doesn't remember names after all...😂
ANDOR is one of only a few shows giving House of the Dragon a run for its money in 2022.
Nah. It's good , but not on the same level for me.
Don't get me wrong, Andor is best SW project since original trilogy. Unfortunately, level is so low ,so it's easy to reach 😐
@@salomaonplanetsaturn6038
There's way more going on in House of dragon but the level of acting and the maturity of writing is just as good. They are totally different types of projects so they don't compare on that level but they are of equal quality. It all just depends on opinions and taste in the end, but these ahows put many others to shame.
@@Sticks_of_Truth that's why it's best SW )) show written for people who are ready to pay attention and soak in atmosphere. I like it myself. First episode and last one (5) - are my favourite.
If only they released it in chunks of 3 episodes or cut episodes longer(
8 - one hour episodes , not 12 - 35 minutes)
@@salomaonplanetsaturn6038
They should have definitely released them all in their three episode feature length film formats from each director. That was definitely a suit decision to pad out Disney + to break them up because they definitely weren't written with that in mind.
My question is what is the point of a recap as if we can't figure it out for ourselves are we stupid it's stupid I mean it's such a waste of time and redundancy
You spoil a little too much for people who only watch the show about what's coming.
I think it's interesting how House of Dragon and The Rings of Power are both taking liberties with their respective source material, but the hardcore fanbases of each are reacting in widely divergent ways. GoT fans, who lived through the bitter ending that were seasons 7 and 8, and loving and accepting the differences and liberties they're taking. Meanwhile, LoTR fans are clawing their eyes out at every change the showrunners take, even if the changes aren't actually bad in their own right. Both shows are very good, but they are different. LoTR has ACTUAL good guys. Whereas everyone in GoT is a self-interested douchebag.
RoP is like watching an amateur cosplay with bad actors and cringy dialogue, its by no means a good show, its a masacre. No brains in it at all.
I really don't think this show is on the same level as GOT seasons 1-5 but it's at least stable...and not a shit show with character assassinations.
Worth a watch but hasn't reached the high bar that early GOT did.
For me deffo beats GOT season 5 which was a shit show apart from the Hardhome episode
I think it is better than a majority of GOT seasons...
It's better than GoT and I loved GoT, until it was ruined in seasons 7 and 8. HOTD has FAR better acting and writing.
@@Teresa7087 will agree on the acting and the writing is all made up by the writers so they do deserve it
I think GoT Seasons 2, 3, and 4, are better than HotD. But the other Seasons have been beaten.
GoT Season 4, in my opinion, was the pinnacle of the show.