The Dragonpit: Recent Episodes
Rachel
The Dragonpit is an in-depth analysis of HBO's House of the Dragon featuring three super-fans: Rachel Wolbers, Peter Eckrich and Justin Rollins. Each week, we will discuss the newest episode bringing in thoughts from the HBO show Game of Thrones, George RR Martin's Fire and Blood, and share our insights on how this fictional world relates to the real world of politics.
We start this episode in the Free Cities with Tyland Lannister begging the Triarchy to join the war on the side of the Greens. After the fierce Commander Lohar makes Tyland prove his mettle, they agree to set sail. Meanwhile, in Westeros, Aemond has started burning cities to answer outrage with outrage and proceeds to bully his sister into joining the fight, over Alicent’s and Helena’s objections. On Dragonstone the six dragon riders are getting to know each other and Rhaenyra is readying her battle plans when she finds out Daemon has finally raised his army. She flies to Harrenhal to confront her husband only to find that he is a changed man after weeks of Weirwood tripping and downloading eight seasons of Game of Thrones. Corlys tries to be a good dad. Rhaena finds her dragon. And with Rhaenyra back on Dragonstone, Alicent comes to tell her that she’s also changed woman who just wants to wander the woods with her daughter and avoid the slaughter of the small folk. The episode ends with everyone marching to war.
We start with a confrontation between Rhenerya and Addam with two dragons squaring off and one bending the knee. Rhenerya returns with Addam to Dragonstone and wants to instruct him in High Valyrian — over the concerns of her council and her son. In Harrenhal Daemon gets schooled in politics by the 14-year-old Oscar Tully who pledges the Rivermen to his cause. Back in King’s Landing Alicent decides to go camping and no one wants to be honest with Prince Regent Aemond. Returning to Dragonsone, the Targaryen bastards converge to claim Vermithor and Silverwing and we finally get the Dragonseeds Rollins has been waiting for. Aemond see the Silverwing joy ride and almost takes Dragonstone before he realizes he’s a deadman.
The episode starts with a scene of the Lannisters marching to war and Jason Lannister summoning Aemond to join him. Obviously, Aemond hates that and screams at his council that they must get more aggressive in their efforts to end the blockade and take back Harrenhal, going so far as to dismiss his cautious mother from the group. Aegon’s recovery bothers Aemond who continues to terrorize the inhabitants of the Red Keep. On Dragonstone, Rhaenyra asks Ser Steffon Darklyn to try to try mount Seasmoke. This attempt ends in his death and Rhaenyra begins to regret the plan and question her ability to win the war at all. At Harrenhal, Daemon continues to hallucinate and confides in Alys Rivers who convinces him to stay. On Driftmark, Corlys names Alyn as his First Mate and Addam seems resentful of the attention he receives from their father. In the Vale, Rhaena realizes Lady Arryn has been lying to her and that there is a dragon in the region. In King’s Landing, Mysaria’s scheme to stir unrest with the small folk takes hold as boats of food cause chaos in a starving city. Back on Dragonstone, Rhaenyra questions if she can win the war and Mysaria convinces her she can with a passionate kiss. The two are interrupted when news is brought to Rhaenyra that Seasmoke has found a new rider, causing her to take flight to confront Addam of Hull.
In Episode 5 we see the realm’s reactions to the battle at Rook’s Rest. Despite Criston’s best-laid propaganda plans, the small folk in King’s Landing see the parading of Meley’s head as a bad omen. On Dragonstone, Rhaenyra’s council continues to second-guess her and she sends Baela to Driftmark to convince her grandfather, the Sea Snake, to become the Hand of the Queen. In the small council room in King’s Landing, Alicent’s campaign to become the Queen Regent fails as Aemond is appointed to serve in the place of the severely injured Aegon. At Harrenhal, Daemon is struggling to build his army of Rivermen and with his own Oedipus Complex. Jace has some success in winning over the Freys as Rhaena struggles to convince Lady Arryn to send her men to war to fight for the Blacks. At the end of the episode, we see Rhaenyra and Jace hack a plot to find new riders for the dragons residing on Dragonstone.
Titled “The Red Dragon and The Gold,” this episode will go down as one of the best episodes in the entire Game of Thrones universe. We start at Harrenhal where Daemon continues to struggle with both his past crimes and shifting reality. In between flirting with the woods-witch, Alys Rivers, and tripping on Weirwood paste, Daemon continues to terrorize the Riverland lords demanding fealty from both Oscar Tully and the Blackwoods.
Back in King’s Landing, Alicent sips on her moon tea while searching for answers on the Song of Ice and Fire. Aegon and Aemond bicker about war strategy and Larys’ loyalty is questioned. On Dragonstone, Rhaenyra returns from King’s Landing to a divided council unable to proceed forward without her and struggling to defeat Criston Cole’s campaign throughout the Crownlands. Rhaenyra declares that she’s ready to send the dragons into battle as Rhaenys heads into battle on Meleys — not realizing Rook’s Rest is a trap for the Blacks and she is playing directly into the Green’s hands.
Defending Rook’s Rest is already a lost cause when Meleys and Rhaenys arrive to aid Team Black. But before Rhaenys can even take out the Green’s army, she is attacked by King Aegon on Sunfyre — much to the surprise of Criston Cole. Meleys seems to be winning when Aemond and Vaghar enter the fray. Against two fully grown dragons, Rhaenys doesn’t stand a chance but she fights until her last breath. The episode ends with Cole and Aemond finding Aegon and his dragon badly injured, but still alive.
We start off the episode with a centuries-old rivalry between the Brackens and the Blackwoods finally escalating to thousands dead as one swear for Rhaenyra and the other for Aegon — war has officially started in Westeros. On Dragonstone, Rhaenyra urges caution with her counsel as she still hopes to resolve the war peacefully. She sends Rhanea to the Vale with her remaining children.
In King’s Landing, Aegon and Criston Cole set in motion the first march towards battle with Criston taking the army in King’s Landing and Oldtown north to take Harrenhal to convince Lord Tully to bend the knee. Despite lacking any real command over his counsel, Aegon gets himself some new Valyrian Steel armor with his buddies cheering him on as they head out to brothel and find Aemond in the arms of his lover once again. In the tavern, we also meet our fourth dragonseed of the season — Ulf the White.
In the Riverlands, Daemon has taken Harrenhall, but remains skeptical of its loyalty as he starts to go slowly mad in the haunted castle. The urgency for battle increases as Baela spots the Green army marching north. After hearing the news, Rhaenyra and Mysaria hatch a plan to talk to Alicent and push one last time for peace. Rhaenyra confronts Alicent in the Sept and tries to clear up the misunderstanding around Viserys’s last wishes. Despite realizing she made a mistake, Alicent says it is too late for peace, leaving Rhaenyra no choice but to go to war — where the dragons will dance.
The episode Rollins has been waiting for! Cargyll Bowl where brother kills brother and are forever memorialized in Westerosi lore. But before we get to that brutal killing, we see the people of King’s Landing mourning the loss of Jaehaerys in their own ways.
Aegon smashes everything he can touch. Alicent thinks the gods are punishing her for banging Criston Cole and Otto sees a “chaos is a ladder” scheme unfold. Helena and Alicent agree to a funeral procession with little Jaehaerys’ decapitated body through the streets of King’s Landing.
Back on Dragonstone, Rhaenyra realizes that Daemon was behind the plot and finally confronts him about his years of treachery. Before we get to the big moments of the episode, we get a number of amazing insights into our favorite characters. Jace and Baela talk about their fathers. Aemond is seeking maternal comfort in a brothel. We see insights from Hugh the blacksmith’s family and the brothers Alyn and Addam of Hull reunited on driftmark. Finally, we get an intimate scene with our favorite Westerosi couple - Rhenys and Corlys. But this is all leading up to two crucial plot points.
First, Criston Cole sends Arryk to go kill Rhaenyra telling him to slip into the castle and pretend to be his brother. Before Arryk can finish the job, Erryk is tipped off my Mysaria. One twin kills the other and the survivor kills himself. Second, back in King’s Landing, Aegon fires Otto as Hand and replaces him with Criston. Once again, Otto finds himself kicked out of the Red Keep and venturing back to the Reach. Lots to unpack.
We’re back with Episode 1 of Season 2 and kick off with the melancholy tones of the Stark theme song — that can only mean one thing: winter and war are coming. Jace does his best to reinforce their alliance but Cregan doesn’t need reminding because the North remembers their oaths.
This was a good way of reminding the rest of us that this isn’t just a story about the Greens v. Blacks, but a bigger threat is looming and at least the Starks and Team Black know the costs. We leave the North as Jace is told of the death of his little brother, Luc.
Back on Dragonstone, Rhenys is doing everything she can to blockade the Greens main shipping channel while Daemon is stuck on Dragonstone trying to blame her for not killing Aegon when she had a chance. It doesn’t work because she reminds him that he’s not in charge and she’s still a badass. Her husband is also doing his best to prepare for war and confers with a character we will see a lot this season, Alyn of Hull.
Back in King’s Landing, Aegon is feeling fatherly when he comes to train his son to be a king (a training he never received) and his wife, Helena can’t find Jaherys, but prophetically tells us she is afraid of the rats. After a little afternoon delight between Criston Cole and Alicent Hightower, we’re taken to the small council meeting where the Greens prepare for war. Politicking ensues with no one quite sure how this new king will lead and who is really in charge.
Across the Gullet on Dragonstone, Rhaenyra brings home evidence of her son’s murder and speaks four words all episode: I want Aemond Targaryen. Daemon reunites with the White Worm, Mysaria who gives him key intel to infiltrate the Red Keep with the help of a Gold Cloak named Blood and a ratcatcher named Cheese. The unlikely duo sneak into Queen Helena’s room and cut off the head of her son, Jaehaerys. Technically, it was “a son for a son” but at what cost?
Welcome back! Season 2 of House of the Dragon premieres next Sunday night! To get ready for the season, The Dragonpit crew put together a quick recap episode where we talk about the cast of characters, the dragons, the alliances and the battles to come. No spoilers, just fun.
The episode starts and ends around the painted table as the Blacks prepare for war. Rhaenys brings news that Aegon has been crowned queen. Under the stress, Rhaenyra goes into labor and gives birth to a still born as Daemon prepares for war. At the funeral for Rhaenrya’s child, Ser Erryk arrives with King Viserys’s crown and Daemon crowns her queen. Otto then arrives on Dragonstone to give terms for surrender – Daemons is not having it, but Rhaenrya might consider. Corlys arrives and Rhaenys convinces him to support Rhaenrya’s claim. As they start to consider additional allies, Jace and Luc are sent out with messages to potential allies in Storm’s End and the Eyrie. We see Daemon singing to the dragons as the blacks know their biggest advantage are the dragons and they need more. Luc arrives on Storm’s End to a hostile Borros Baratheon who swears allegiance to Aegon. Instead of leaving it, Aemond chases Luc on dragonback. Vaghar doesn’t listen to Aemond and kills Arrax and Luc – killing the first Targaryen in the dance of the dragon.
The episode opens with a servant discovering that Viserys has died in his sleep. Alicent and Otto quickly and quietly assemble the small council where Alicent discovers that Otto, Tyland Lannister, Jasper Wylde and the Grand Maester have been discussing how to put Aegon on the throne, usurping Rhanerya. Lord Beesbury objects to this and Criston Cole bashes in his head. Otto then instructs Lord Commander Westerling to go to Dragonstone and kill Rhanerya and Daemon, to which he also objects. After the meeting, Alicent and Otto discover that Aegon is missing and both send their most devoted fighters out to find him – Erryk and Arryk for Otto and Criston and Aemond for Alicent. Team Otto gets there first and makes a deal with the White Worm to release him. But it’s Aemond and Criston who finally seize Aegon and bring him to his mother. Alicent, knowing that she has the upper hand says that they will do the coronation her way – placing Ser Criston as the commander of the Kingsguard, sending terms to Rhanerya, treating with Rhenys, and gaining a powerful spy network by exploiting Larys’ foot-fetish. Ser Erryk, disgusted with Prince Aegon, helps Rhenys escape and they all make their way to the Dragonpit to see Aegon become king. The ceremony takes place, but is interrupted by Rhenys busting through the Dragonpit on her dragon, Meleys. In a powerful moment, she spares Alicent’s life and flies off.
The episode opens at Driftmark where we learn that the Sea Snake is wounded in battle in the Stepstones. Corlys’s brother, Vaemond is telling to Rhenys that the line of succession should pass to him, rather than Laenor’s son, Luc. We then head to Dragonstone where Daemon has harvested a new crop of dragon eggs for his pregnant wife when he receives a note from Baela telling him of the challenge to Luc’s claim. Rhaenerya and Daemon decide to go to King’s Landing to petition the king that Luc is the rightful heir. We return to a King’s Landing that has changed much in the past six years — notably with the removal of the dragon sex tapestries have swapped out for the seven pointed star. Rhaenerya and Daemon go see a decaying Viserys to make their claim and try to talk sense into him. Unfortunately, Alicent and Otto have stacked the odds in favor of delegitimizing Luc and promoting Vaemond — a key ally they will need in the wars to come. The petitions are heard the next day in the throne room and all seems lost when a decrepit Viserys shows up to take the throne and question the entire proceeding. Pissed because he lost, Vaemond calls Rhaenerya a whore and Daemon cuts his head off. After the beheading, the whole crew gathers for supper and Alicent and Rhaenerya seem to make peace that lasts about 10 minutes before all of the kids start beating up on each other again. Alicent and Rhaenrya promise to work on their relationship, but Viserys dies leaving Alicent alone in King’s Landing with snippets of the Song of Ice and Fire. Next week will surely be the moment we have been waiting for.
Like an episode of Downton Abbey, the show brings all of the main characters together for a big party with a lot of Dowager Countess side-eye — otherwise known as a Westeori funeral. Everyone is in Dirftmark for Lena’s funeral where the priest explicitly calls out bloodlines. After the drama, Daemon and Rhaenyra rekindle their love on the beach while Aemond goes to claim Vhagar. Upon landing from his first joy-ride, Rhaenyra’s children and Daemon’s children team up to gauge out Aemond’s eye. Chaos ensues when the parents get involved, and allegations are made about the lineage of Rhaenyra’s children. Alicent then demands justice for Almonds missing eye by asking Criston to maim a child. Viserys finally steps in, but not before Alicent pulls a knife on Rhaenyra. After the insane escalation Otto — back as the hand of the king — congratulates his daughter on putting up a fight. Rhaenyra and Daemon realize they belong together and help Laenor fake his own death to escape their loveless marriage. The episode ends with Daemon and Rhaenyra marrying each other in the Targaryen traditions. Three dragons with the three Hightower children ride off back to King’s Landing and the Brady Bunch of Rhaenyra and Daemon and their children head back to Dragonstone.
The episode starts with a 10 year time-jump straight into Rhaenrya giving birth to her third “common” looking boy. Alicent demands to see the baby as soon as the boy arrives as she is convinced Harwin Strong is the father — a theme that plays out throughout the episode. The enmity between Alicent’s children and Rhaenrya’s is palpable as they try to tame dragons in the dragon pit and come to blows in the training yard with the help of Harwin Strong. The tension is even worse between their mothers as Rhaenrya and Alicent are constantly at each other’s throats, leaving a sickly Viserys to play peacemaker. We see Daemon and a pregnant Laena at Pentos with their twin daughters, seemingly happy and content until Laena dies a dragon rider death during child birth. Back in King’s Landing, Lyonel Strong tries to resign after his son’s honor is called into question and compromises on just taking his son back to Harrenhal — where they both are killed in a fire. We learn that Larys is responsible for their deaths and the connection between Alicent and Larys is now forged in blood.
Hey there lords and ladies. Welcome back to the fifth episode of the Dragonpit – the show where we discuss what’s great and not-so-great about House of the Dragon! We’re your hosts, Peter – the lovable redhead, Rollins – our own Lyonel Strong, and me, Rachel, a GRRM nerd through and through. As a reminder, this podcast will contain loads of spoilers, so just watch the show!
The episode starts in the Vale where we get to meet Daemon’s wife, Rhea Royce, very briefly before Daemon stages an accident and kills her. We then head back to King’s Landing to see Otto Hightower packing up his office, but not before giving Alicent a dire warning that war will come when the King dies and she must prepare her son for battle as Rhaenrya must kill Aegon to strengthen her claim. We then see a very sickly looking King Viserys heading to Driftmark where he seals a marriage pack for his daughter and the son of the Sea Snake, Laenor. While the grown-ups hatch a plan, Rhaenrya and Leanor decide they will have an open relationship and can both continue their love-affairs. On the way back to King’s Landing, Criston Cole attempts to convince Rhaenrya to run away with him and marry for love, but she refuses. Criston is summoned immediately upon his arrival to King’s Landing to talk to Alicent where he confesses to her that he has strayed from his vows and asks that she kill him. Instead, they all go to a Westerosi feast to open a week-long celebration of Rhaenrya’s wedding to Laenor Velaryon. Like all good weddings in Westoros, there is dancing, drama, and a brutal killing. So let’s dive into it.
Hey there lords and ladies – we are back for our fourth installment of the DRAGONPIT!
Episode four was one long headache for our key players of Westeros -- whether that's a political headache or just a hangover. As always, your Dragonpit hosts – Peter, Rachel and Rollins – will unpack everything we saw and dive deep into what it all means. This show contains spoilers, so make sure you watch the episode before listening.
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @thedragonpit17.
Hey there lords and ladies – we are back for our third installment of the DRAGONPIT!
Episode three was was chock-full of intrigue, hunting, sexually tense camping trips, Daemon being Daemon, and of course, dragons! As always, your Dragonpit hosts – Peter, Rachel and Rollins – will unpack everything we saw and dive deep into what it all means. Our theme for the episode is bitter, broken and absolute. This show contains spoilers, so make sure you watch the episode before listening.
Follow us on Instagram and Twitter @thedragonpit17.
After the sudden death of Queen Aemma, King Viserys is left with the challenge of finding a new bride to perpetuate the royal line and bring security to the kingdom. Trouble is brewing in the Stepstones where a pirate called the Crabfeeder is causing havoc for the Master of Ships and the richest man in the kingdom – Lord Corlys. The Crabfeeder is not Lord Corlys’s only problem as he is also trying to wed his 12 year old daughter to the king. Finally, Daemon is being a real asshole and claiming to be the heir by taking up on Dragonstone with a foreigner. When Daemon steals a dragon egg, Otto Hightower has the dumb idea he’ll get it back by asking nicely, but Rhaenyra swoops in and saves the day. The episode ends with King Viserys saying he’ll marry Alicent Hightower. Enraged by this, Lord Corlys goes to make an alliance with another “second son”, Daemon Targaryen.
Thank you everyone for tuning in to our first podcast reviewing HBO’s House of the Dragon. This podcast will contain loads of spoilers and is brought to you by three super-fans of Game of Thrones, George RR Martin and, of course, House Targaryen.
Just to set the stage, we named this podcast “The Dragonpit” for a few key reasons.
First, we’re talking about Dragons! In the reign of King Viserys, when this show takes place, dragons are at their peak in Westeros with 17 dragons roaming around the Seven Kingdoms. The construction of the Dragonpit completes shortly before the show starts and is a main centerpiece in the show.
Second, for you Game of Thrones fans, you will also know that the Dragonpit is where the Bran the Broken is chosen to be the King in the final episode. It is the meeting place where important ideas are discussed – just like what we’re doing here!
We’re your hosts on the Dragonpit and have a whole Harry, Ron, Hermione thing going on. I’m Rachel and I will be our resident Hermione-like book-nerd. Peter is the red head providing comic relief and Justin is the hero who conquers the Dark Lord… or just an average dude who really wants to go on a podcasting adventure with his two friends.
For our first episode, we’re going to talk through what we thought of the first episode, what our expectations are for the show, a few comparisons to the Game of Thrones show and books, and then what we think will happen next.