S01.E10: The Black Queen

[Meredith Quill]

Quote

Episode Synopsis:

While mourning a tragic loss, Rhaenyra tries to hold the realm together, and Daemon prepares for war.

Reminder: 

This is for discussion of the TV show only, no book talk allowed - including saying "but it's different in the books". Any other spoilers (previews, media articles, etc) and HotD extras (After The Episode, Behind The Scenes, etc) should be in spoiler tags.

[Jaundiced Eye]

Holding my breath.

[paigow]

First Blood! Green 1-0. Aemond is very lucky that Baratheon girls are not closely linked to the Frey gene pool...

[AntFTW]

"Drunken, upsurper, c*** of a king" describes Aegon so perfectly in so few words.

[Meredith Quill]

RIP Lucerys, Arrax & baby Targ. 😭

Well done Aemond, the consequences of your dumbfuckery will be a war that'll result in the death of tens of thousands, hope losing an eye was worth it, bloody dumbass. ⚔️

Daemon throttling Rhaenrya - was a 'huh?' moment for me, wtf? His motivation there went right over my head like a 747 - whoosh. Clearly it didn't bother her too much as they were holding hands later in the ep. #Iconfusion 

I realllllllllllly wanted to see Otto toasted like a fucking marshmallow by Syrax goddammit! Gah. Why can't I have nice things, whyyyy? 

Is it 2024 yet? Welcome to the Long Night folks... welp.

[Roccos Brother]

How satisfying to watch the crowning of Rhaenyra with her subjects pledging loyalty of their own volition after the sloppy mess of a sham coronation we witnessed last week. What a contrast in emotions. Not to mention the chaos and divisiveness of the Greens "strategizing" when compared to Rhaenyra and her council.

ETA - Props to the actor for Aemond. His "OH F***! F***! S***!" face really said it all.

Edited October 24, 2022 by Roccos Brother

[Kate47]

Oh man, my stomach was in knots the second Luke landed at Storm's End. He's such a sweet kid, and Rhaenyra's love for her sons shines through in every interaction. Sucks, man.

ETA: also the Dragonstone map is dope af, that overhead shot when it's first lit was chef's kiss beautiful. 

Edited October 24, 2022 by Kate47

[AntFTW]

I struggle with a central theme of the episode...

Fuck around and find out?

Play stupid games, win stupid prizes?

3 minutes ago, SilverStormm said:

Well done Aemond, the consequences of your dumbfuckery will be a war that'll result in the death of tens of thousands, hope losing an eye was worth it, bloody dumbass. ⚔️

And he thought he'd make the better king???

[Meredith Quill]

Daemon singing a lullaby to Vermithor tho, so cute. 

Not sure what the purpose was, but cute in a 'hit a bum note and you'll be incinerated' way.

[AntFTW]

2 minutes ago, Kate47 said:

Oh man, my stomach was in knots the second Luke landed at Storm's End. He's such a sweet kid, and Rhaenyra's love for her sons shines through in every interaction. Sucks, man. 

The episode spends quite a long time building up the tension that you just knew...

Horrible way to go.

[AimingforYoko]

Love the CC when Rhaenyra turns toward the camera: *Vengeful music*

I think even Aemond knows he fucked up. I think he just wanted to torment the kid, not kill him. So now it's war.

Edited October 24, 2022 by AimingforYoko

[Lady Whistleup]

Noooo, not Luke! RIP to the brown-haired cutie pie. I feel for Rhaenyra ... no matter what her other actions were, she was a loving and devoted mother whose kids related to her in a normal, human way.

It's weird that this was the season finale as it seems almost expositional and setting up for what we know will be a huge war between the Blacks and the Greens.

Fuck Aemond. Killing Luke like that was so unnecessary.

I'm not liking all the gruesome birthing scenes. It just seems a bit like labor-torture porn. 

Also not liking Daemon throttling Rhaenyra and trying to choke her out. Their relationship had actually seemed fairly normal, uncle-niece incest aside.

Edited October 24, 2022 by Lady Whistleup

[Meredith Quill]

1 minute ago, AimingforYoko said:

I think even Aemond knows he fucked up. I think he just wanted to torment the kid, not kill him. So now it's war.

As has been already mentioned; play stupid fucking games, win stupid fucking prizes.

[AntFTW]

Vhagar has to be the most inconvenient dragon to have. I imagine finding a good spot to park that thing must be tough, and she seems like a gas guzzler too.

Edited October 24, 2022 by AntFTW

[Constantinople]

If Daemon wants Rhaenyra to be taken seriously as Queen, he needs to stop undercutting her authority in public.

[AntFTW]

10 minutes ago, SilverStormm said:

Is it 2024 yet? Welcome to the Long Night folks... welp.

[meligator]

Poor sweet boy, just delivering his mom's message.  You done messed up Aemond.

[Guest]

Team Green sucks. 

That was heart wrenching.

[AntFTW]

14 minutes ago, SilverStormm said:

Daemon throttling Rhaenrya - was a 'huh?' moment for me, wtf? His motivation there went right over my head like a 747 - whoosh. Clearly it didn't bother her too much as they were holding hands later in the ep. #Iconfusion 

Same. I was like "Ummm... I don't think he's allowed to do that."

[Oscirus]

If he did that on purpose, i wouldnt even be mad at aemond,Luke shouldnt have went for that kill shot 6 years ago. But of course we cant have good things so it was an oopsy instead. 

Corlys seems to be one of the few people on the show going through something even called an arc.

Rhaenys refusing to take the knee is more epic than that stupid dragon stunt from last week

Rhaenyra trying to keep the peace is quite naive. There is no way that she can possibly think that they'd not try to kill her in the future even if she accepts the terms.

War time daemon is scary daemon. Hes not playing

Jack is the only other player of note so far. He mightve legit made a good king. 

[Lady Whistleup]

2 minutes ago, deaja said:

Team Green sucks. 

That was heart wrenching.

I haven't felt so sad since Summer died.

[FormerMod-a1]

I hope there's a lot less labor and delivery in season 2.  It seems nearly every ep has been baby heavy in one way or another.  (Yes, I know children, and family lines/trees, are important for succession I just didn't need to see so many bloody (literally) deliveries).

Luke was not smart in dracarysing Vager and Aemon, even if he wasn't trying to kill them.  I understand why though - he was scared, he didn't know if Aemond was going to kill him.  But he also know how much bigger Vager is.  BUT Aemond was wrong for thinking he could control his dragon that much, even after all this time.  What did he expect Luke to do or try to do?  You could see on his face he knew it was a huge mess up and the game was now ON!  He knows how much Rhaemyra loves her kids, and she's about to go all in now.

[Oscirus]

If one was naive enough to think that the greens would honor the terms, the greens terms arent all that bad

Edited October 24, 2022 by Oscirus

[proserpina65]

My boo Aemond done fucked up.  Still, how cool was that sapphire?  (Yeah, yeah, evil person, going to hell.  Whatever, I don't care.  Not the first time I've rooted for the villain and probably not the last either.)

[Oscirus]

1 minute ago, aquarian1 said:

I hope there's a lot less labor and delivery in season 2.  It seems nearly every ep has been baby heavy in one way or another.  (Yes, I know children, and family lines/trees, are important for succession I just didn't need to see so many bloody (literally) deliveries).

Luke was not smart in dracarysing Vager and Aemon, even if he wasn't trying to kill them.  I understand why though - he was scared, he didn't know if Aemond was going to kill him.  But he also know how much bigger Vager is.  BUT Aemond was wrong for thinking he could control his dragon that much, even after all this time.  What did he expect Luke to do or try to do?  You could see on his face he knew it was a huge mess up and the game was now ON!  He knows how much Rhaemyra loves her kids, and she's about to go all in now.

Luke didnt dracarys vagar, his dragon got scared and tried to fight back

[Meredith Quill]

1 minute ago, aquarian1 said:

Luke was not smart in dracarysing Vager and Aemon, even if he wasn't trying to kill them.  I understand why though - he was scared, he didn't know if Aemond was going to kill him.  But he also know how much bigger Vager is.  BUT Aemond was wrong for thinking he could control his dragon that much, even after all this time.  What did he expect Luke to do or try to do?  You could see on his face he knew it was a huge mess up and the game was now ON!  He knows how much Rhaemyra loves her kids, and she's about to go all in now.

Luke didn't - poor scared little Arrax acted of his own accord out of fear. Both dragons acted independently of their riders in fighting.

[Constantinople]

Aside from not choking his wife, Daemon also needs to step back and think before jumping to conclusions.

If the Greens were going to murder Viserys, they would have done it when Rhaenyra and Daemon were in King's Landing and could have been arrested along with Jace, Luke, Joffrey, etc.

If Rhaenys were supporting the Greens, she would have never flown to Dragonstone to tell Rhaenyra what happened.

Edited October 24, 2022 by Constantinople

[Sakura12]

Unlike the Green's the Black's seem to actually love one another. I know it probably won't help them in the end. The Targs are messed up with all the incest but you kill the ones they love and you will find out.

It was intense because Aemond's dragon is just so much bigger. That was just a taste of war with uncontrollable fighter jets will be like. The Dragons will feel just like their riders and take matters into their own claws or mouths. 

So this whole war starts over a misunderstanding and an oops my dragon accidentally killed yours on the Green's side. 😬 

It's interesting that Rhaenys refuses to bend the knee but convinces her husband to. I wonder now that Rheanyra lost a son and baby will she tell Rhaenys that Leanor is alive. 

Rip Luc, you were a sweet boy and probably wouldn't have lasted long in the war anyway. Both boys seem more like Leanor then the Strong guy. 

[FormerMod-a1]

4 minutes ago, Oscirus said:

Luke didnt dracarys vagar, his dragon got scared and tried to fight back

3 minutes ago, SilverStormm said:

Luke didn't - poor scared little Arrax acted of his own accord out of fear. Both dragons acted independently of their riders in fighting.

Thanks.  I was only half watching because I was worried about what was about to happen.  I didn't hear the "dracarys", I just assumed though.

[Constantinople]

4 minutes ago, aquarian1 said:

Luke was not smart in dracarysing Vager and Aemon, even if he wasn't trying to kill them.  I understand why though - he was scared, he didn't know if Aemond was going to kill him.  But he also know how much bigger Vager is.  BUT Aemond was wrong for thinking he could control his dragon that much, even after all this time.  What did he expect Luke to do or try to do?  You could see on his face he knew it was a huge mess up and the game was now ON!  He knows how much Rhaemyra loves her kids, and she's about to go all in now.

2 minutes ago, SilverStormm said:

Luke didn't - poor scared little Arrax acted of his own accord out of fear. Both dragons acted independently of their riders in fighting.

The idea that we control the dragons... is an illusion - Viserys, Episode 1

[AntFTW]

3 minutes ago, aquarian1 said:

Luke was not smart in dracarysing Vager and Aemon, even if he wasn't trying to kill them.  I understand why though - he was scared, he didn't know if Aemond was going to kill him.  But he also know how much bigger Vager is.  BUT Aemond was wrong for thinking he could control his dragon that much, even after all this time.  What did he expect Luke to do or try to do?  You could see on his face he knew it was a huge mess up and the game was now ON!  He knows how much Rhaemyra loves her kids, and she's about to go all in now.

1 minute ago, Oscirus said:

Luke didnt dracarys vagar, his dragon got scared and tried to fight back

1 minute ago, SilverStormm said:

Luke didn't - poor scared little Arrax acted of his own accord out of fear. Both dragons acted independently of their riders in fighting.

Yes, what @SilverStormm and @Oscirus said...

Both Aemond and Luke lost control of their dragons for a moment, and it ended up with Luke dead and Aemond, presumably, plunging all of Westeros into war.

[Oscirus]

6 minutes ago, Sakura12 said:

Rip Luc, you were a sweet boy and probably wouldn't have lasted long in the war anyway. Both boys seem more like Leanor then the Strong guy. 

I could see Jack easily being corrupted by Daemon. Rhaenyra has him in check now, but not for long. He was aching for war as much as his uncle was.  after hearing his brother was killed by aemond, I dont see his being a man of peace.

Edited October 24, 2022 by Oscirus

[proserpina65]

2 minutes ago, aquarian1 said:

Thanks.  I was only half watching because I was worried about what was about to happen.  I did hear the "dracarys", I just assumed though.

I think he was yelling "No, Arrax!".

[Sakura12]

2 minutes ago, Constantinople said:

If the Greens were going to murder Viserys, they would have done it when Rhaenyra and he were in King's Landing and could have been arrested along with Jace, Luke, Joffrey, etc.

I don't know why people were surprised that Viserys died. Both Daemon and that guy that Cole killed thought the Green's killed him. Dude look like he died 10 years prior. 

[Oscirus]

On a lighter note, when you're in the middle of a debate on how much control these guys have over dragons, the show leaks early and you cant even use it for another two days despite this show supporting your side of the debate 👺

[sistermagpie]

1 minute ago, Sakura12 said:

I don't know why people were surprised that Viserys died. Both Daemon and that guy that Cole killed thought the Green's killed him. Dude look like he died 10 years prior. 

Yes, "The king was well last night!" 

Uh, was he? Really?

[formerlyfreedom]

*angrily stomping around house and grumpily pushing inanimate objects like they're an annoying younger siblings because I have to WAIT to see what's next*

This season has been incredible, and the performances have been soooo good. When Rhaenyra turned around at the end, I think I wet my pants a bit - I would NOT want to be Aemond or Alicent right now. Emma D'Arcy nailed that moment.

[MrsR]

Well that was satisfying.

Finally the dragon on dragon violence I've been longing for.

Luke looked like he was riding a scooter compared to Aemond's 747.

Rhaenyra you'ld still have four living kids is you were a better patient. That was some serious bullshit. Of course it seems like one of your older children might have been able to ride your youngest had it survived. You're a stupid bitch, but that was one helleva bad day.

DRUNKEN USURPER C*** OF A KING! Is my favorite pejorative EVAH!! I can't wait to use it at the service desk at Wegmans.

Beautiful cinematography, absolutely outstanding. And Ramin truly delivered.

And Vaghar, you beautiful, cranky, arthritic, dementia ridden bitch. That's how you start a war. Don't ever change.

Edited October 24, 2022 by MrsR

[Meredith Quill]

2 minutes ago, Sakura12 said:

I don't know why people were surprised that Viserys died. Both Daemon and that guy that Cole killed thought the Green's killed him. Dude look like he died 10 years prior. 

1 minute ago, sistermagpie said:

Yes, "The king was well last night!" 

Uh, was he? Really?

I would guess that when one hears of, and one has good reason to suspect, conspiracy to usurp the throne - no action is considered unthinkable at that point. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

[jeansheridan]

7 minutes ago, proserpina65 said:

Still, how cool was that sapphire?  (Yeah, yeah, evil person, going to hell.  Whatever, I don't care.  Not the first time I've rooted for the villain and probably not the last either.)

Very cool. So cool, why an eyepatch? I really wish he had kept a cooler head and was satisfied scaring Luke again. I mean that was all humiliating enough, being outsmarted, having your mother insulted, made to scramble in the hall a bit. 

[Constantinople]

Maester Gerardys on Dragonstone is Jimmy from Quadrophenia. Pity. He used to be such a snappy dresser.

[proserpina65]

2 minutes ago, SilverStormm said:

I would guess that when one hears of, and one has good reason to suspect, conspiracy to usurp the throne - no action is considered unthinkable at that point. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 

True, but Daemon saw how bad Viserys was at dinner. 

[Oscirus]

1 minute ago, jeansheridan said:

Very cool. So cool, why an eyepatch? I really wish he had kept a cooler head and was satisfied scaring Luke again. I mean that was all humiliating enough, being outsmarted, having your mother insulted, made to scramble in the hall a bit. 

Think he was, he didnt realize that arrax would fire at vagar or that vhagar wasnt about to let herself be disrespected by such a young pup

[Meredith Quill]

Just now, proserpina65 said:

True, but Daemon saw how bad Viserys was at dinner. 

Agreed, but when one is grieving one tends to not have the tightest grip on rational thought.

[ybrik]

For all of Viserys faults, he was absolutely right that the Targs have an allusion of controlling the dragons but they are a weapon with minds and feelings of their own. Sure they can bond with the Targs but they allow Targs to ride them. Aemond and Luke couldn’t control their dragons and this happens. 

Also it seems Viserys must have given some kind of education to Rhaenyra regarding old Valarya and dragon battles. I think that was the main reason she hesitated in just declining the Greens offer. As she said she doesn’t want to destroy the realm to become the queen which she thinks will happen in a battle of dragon versus dragon. 

I think Daemon was singing to Vermithar as a way of trying to set up having maybe Rhaena bond with that dragon so that they can get another dragon for the war. 

I did like that we got to see more of Jace having his own personality. Hoping that we see him meeting with Lady Arryn and Cregan Stark next season.

Man Otto really did push it basically saying she and Viserys were fools for ever thinking that he and the realm was ever going to follow their vows.

[AntFTW]

6 minutes ago, MrsR said:

Well that was satisfying.

Finally the dragon on dragon violence I've been longing for.

Thankfully, in day light this time.

[proserpina65]

5 minutes ago, jeansheridan said:

Very cool. So cool, why an eyepatch? I really wish he had kept a cooler head and was satisfied scaring Luke again. I mean that was all humiliating enough, being outsmarted, having your mother insulted, made to scramble in the hall a bit. 

Saving something for the ladies?  Good to have both options. 

[Kate47]

I also loved the meeting with Otto on the steps, a reversal and inversion of the scene in the previous episode where Rhaenyra flew Syrax to get the egg back from Daemon. She came in the first time to back Otto's untrustworthy ass against Daemon during the day, now she's flying in with a crown at night to stand with Daemon against Otto. Very neatly done.

Edited October 24, 2022 by Kate47
Misremembered dragon name, sue me

[Sakura12]

Lol.

I'm sure Aemond will lean into being a kinslayer. If he wants to appear strong he'll have no choice. I'm sure Otto will be happy, I'm not sure about Alicent since she keeps flip flopping on whether she cares about Rhaenyra or not. 

[proserpina65]

1 minute ago, Kate47 said:

I also loved the meeting with Otto on the steps, a reversal and inversion of the scene in the previous episode where Rhaenyra flew Arrax to get the egg back from Daemon. She came in the first time to back Otto's untrustworthy ass against Daemon during the day, now she's flying in with a crown at night to stand with Daemon against Otto. Very neatly done.

I think some of her intent was to control Daemon. She didn't want him starting a war.