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.

× I love the new intro, though I'd forgotten how long a proper GoT show intro is. The variation on the theme/concept is nice, too.

× Watching Daemon kill people at 04:15 AM on a Monday morning is a delicious start to my week.

× You could not pay me to care what that Triarchy woman's ordeal was. You simply could not. I am a sea appreciator, however, so I loved watching Corlys guide his ship through the Teeth.

× I was ready to defend the 'the feeble body of a woman' quote to the death because it's obviously a reference to Elisabeth I, but holy shit was it dropped apropos of nothing in that scene. What on Earth.

× The Alicent/Aemond kiss not being Harrenhal fuckery got me, I'll admit. A hard watch for a good cause because Alicent suffers so acutely from the exact same issues that drove her to start her crusade again Rhaenyra in the first place.

× As far as setting up the scene for the season went, we did revisit all battlefields, I think, so we're all up to date on who is where and what they're doing, which is nice.

× Crispin Cole is as useless and obnoxious as ever, so that. So is Alicent's other brother (the messenger receiver, not the one trying to prosecute rapists).

× Sheepstealer is such a good dragon design, both visually and when it comes to the sounds, and I love him even if s/he clearly did fuck up in this episode.

× The dragon part of the sea battle was obviously heartbreaking and I love that this whole franchise is very much committed to the "if characters can't see shit, neither can you" line. Dark ass castle at night while fighting white walkers? Check. Muddy foggy field for a trial? Check. Misty, gloomy seas that just get harder and harder to navigate the more the violence escalates? Check.

× Jace making it in the last possible moment only to get shot by a crossbow was actively evil. Ryan Condal, you will be hearing from me.