who's the heretic now?

× One thing I forgot to mention last week is that I love the soundtrack - not that I don't always love it, but it feels like the same piece just ebbing in and out, continuously keeping the tension going for the next scene.

× Rhaenyra seeing Jace broke my heart. The entirety of the Dragonstone sequence was so heavy with what it meant for all the characters and I loved it. Obviously also loved Daemon's tale (in High Valyrian at that!) about Dany.

× I do not care for Aegon or Aemond. They're obviously important to the plot so I power through it but holy fuck am I not invested in what happens to those people, especially given that I've read the book and know anyway.

× I'm VERY interested in how Daemon will navigate the Rhaena + Sheepstealer situation once he finds out.

× I was also very, very interested in watching Daemon clear Rhaenyra's path to the Throne Room with his sword. Very interested. Highlight of my day, truly, be it that it was 4:30 AM when I saw it.

× Rhaenyra feeling all sorts of emotions towards the Throne was probably my favourite thing. She knows what she's lost for it, she knows it's hers; you can see it all in her face once she sits down.

× Relatedly, I was not a fan of Alicent and Helaena being marched in when they were; the episode should've ended with her on the Throne, IMO, but I'm glad we got the 'what did you expect?' sort of look from Rhaenyra when Alicent saw her dad's head rolling about.

× Relatedly to that, fuck Otto Hightower. I was almost as satisfied to see him gone as I was with Littlefinger. Almost. Daemon giving Rhaenyra Dark Sister because it'll finish the job more easily was so good.

× Rhaenyra leaving bloody footsteps on her way to the Throne was incredibly hamfisted symbolism, not unlike the dragon wings on Dany in 8x06. Luckily for Condal (and D&D), I love that shit.

× Loved alllll of the book stuff in this one. 'If this be victory, I hope I never see another', 'it was Prince Daemon who gave me this gold cloak'. Good food!! I live for all of the loyalty that Daemon has built in King's Landing but fear it will end up part of a conflict between him and Rhaenyra eventually.

× Again, great character/emotions work from everyone involved this week. I know we'll probably get like half a season, if that, of Team Black relative happiness before it goes downhill, but I'll enjoy it while it lasts.