The season finale has left a few fans disappointed, especially with a long wait for what's next. But were Dylan and Ashley left as disgruntled? Listen to find out! And what they thought of the season as a whole.

Takeaways From This Week

• The season finale focuses on setting up the pieces for Season 3
• The episode features memorable quotes and amusing scenes
• There is a possibility of a peaceful resolution to the war
• Daemon's realization that there are bigger things in the world than the crown serves as the crux of the episode. Rhanera decides to go find Aegon and confront him
• The scene between Alicent and Rhanera is tense and filled with sharp dialogue
• The future of the show is uncertain, with war looming and characters in danger
• A teaser for the spin-off show, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, was released

Episode Breakdown

• Episode Title: The Queen Who Ever Was
• Synopsis: As Aemond becomes more volatile, Larys plots an escape, and Alicent grows more concerned about Helaena's safety. Flush with new power, Rhaenyra looks to press her advantage.
• Director: Geeta Patel
• Writer: Sara Hess
• Cast: Emma D'Arcy, Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Steve Toussaint, Sonoya Mizuno, Matthew Needham, Tom-Glynn-Carney, Ewan Mitchell, Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Kurt Egyiawan, Abubakar Salim, Clinton Liberty, Kieran Bew, Ellora Torchia, Tom Bennett

Hosts:

• Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil
• Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

South of King’s Landing Credits:

• Intro & Outro Music: Curse of the Scarab by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
• South of King’s Landing Art: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration
• Support Us: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

In the penultimate episode of the season, we get alllllllll the dragons.

Takeaways From This Week

• The episode focuses on the development of the dragon riders and the war for the Iron Throne.
• Alicent's storyline is explored, but her character's purpose is unclear.
• Damon's character shows growth and vulnerability.
• The opening scene with Rhaenyra and Adam of Hull sets the tone for the episode.
• The significance of lineage and bastards is discussed. Elitism is a prominent theme in House of the Dragon, with the noble folk believing they are more deserving of being dragon riders.
• The moral dilemma of sacrificing lives for the greater good is explored, with Rhaneyra making the choice to potentially lose a few randoms to win the war.
• The introduction of new dragon riders, such as Ulf, adds excitement and unpredictability to the story.
• Lena's storyline of searching for a wild dragon adds another layer of intrigue to the narrative.
• The upcoming season finale is highly anticipated, with the potential for a major battle and the resolution of various storylines.

Episode Breakdown

• Episode Title: The Red Sowing
• Synopsis: The war for the Iron Throne escalates, and Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen, in a crucial gamble, is prepared to risk everything in her urgent quest for dragon riders.
• Director: Loni Peristere
• Writer: David Hancock
• Cast: Emma D'Arcy, Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Steve Toussaint, Sonoya Mizuno, Matthew Needham, Tom-Glynn-Carney, Ewan Mitchell, Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Kurt Egyiawan, Abubakar Salim, Clinton Liberty, Kieran Bew, Ellora Torchia, Tom Bennett

Hosts:

• Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil
• Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

South of King’s Landing Credits:

• Intro & Outro Music: Curse of the Scarab by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
• South of King’s Landing Art: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration
• Support Us: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

It seems we'll be seeing some new dragons in the coming episodes, or at least one with a new rider, as things get ready to heat up.

Episode Breakdown

• Episode Title: Smallfolk
• Synopsis: With few options left, Rhaenyra embarks on a risky venture while Aemond takes steps to reshape the Green Council.
• Director: Andrij Parekh
• Writer: Eileen Shim
• Cast: Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Rhys Ifans, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Fabien Frankel, Matthew Needham, Sonoya Mizuno, Tom Glynn-Carney, Ewan Mitchell, Phia Saban, Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Jefferson Hall, Kurt Egyiawan

Hosts:

• Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil
• Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

South of King’s Landing Credits:

• Intro & Outro Music: Curse of the Scarab by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
• South of King’s Landing Art: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration
• Support Us: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

Following the intense finale from last week, this episode leaves Dylan a bit sour, especially when it comes to Daemon's story.

Takeaways From This Week

• Damon's storyline is the weakest element of the show
• The Greens are strategizing to fill a void on Agon's council
• Character moments reveal power dynamics and shifting alliances
• Dragon blood is needed to ride the dragons

Episode Breakdown

• Episode Title: Regent
• Synopsis: Amid whispers of bad omens, the Greens consider how to fill a void on Aegon's Council. Jacaerys sets out on a rogue mission to strike a deal. Daemon enlists Lord Willem Blackwood to help persuade the Brackens to bend the knee..
• Director: Clare Kilner
• Writer: Ti Mikkel
• Cast: Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Rhys Ifans, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Fabien Frankel, Matthew Needham, Sonoya Mizuno, Tom Glynn-Carney, Ewan Mitchell, Phia Saban, Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Jefferson Hall, Kurt Egyiawan

Hosts:

• Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil
• Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

South of King’s Landing Credits:

• Intro & Outro Music: Curse of the Scarab by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
• South of King’s Landing Art: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration
• Support Us: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

A shocking episode with a full-on dragon fight has us on the edge of our seats.

Takeaways From This Week

• The episode had a high impact, ending with major character deaths
• The pacing of the episode felt off compared to the rest of the season
• The dragon battle was a standout moment
• The hosts speculate on the future of the show and discuss character arcs
• Rhaenyra's decision to go into battle was a fearless and memorable moment
• The episode ended with a shocking twist

Episode Breakdown

• Episode Title: The Red Dragon and the Gold
• Synopsis: As Rhaenyra makes sure there is no other way to end this conflict but war, dragons flew, and the dance begun.
• Director: Alan Taylor
• Writer: Ti Mikkel
• Cast: Matt Smith, Emma D'Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Fabien Frankel, Matthew Needham, Sonoya Mizuno, Tom Glynn-Carney, Ewan Mitchell, Phia Saban, Harry Collett, Freddie Fox, Gayle Rankin

Hosts:

• Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil
• Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

South of King’s Landing Credits:

• Intro & Outro Music: Curse of the Scarab by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
• South of King’s Landing Art: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration
• Support Us: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

War cannot be stopped, and blood is on the horizon following this episode of House of the Dragon.

Takeaways From This Week

• The episode focuses on the futility of war and the attempts to prevent it.
• The standout performances and memorable moments make the episode enjoyable.
• The opening scene sets the tone for the episode, showcasing the conflicts between different factions.
• The war council meeting in King's Landing highlights the arguments and tensions among the characters.
• The events at Dragonstone emphasize the importance of preventing war and the sacrifices made to protect the future.
• The presence of dragon eggs hints at the potential for the return of dragons in the future. The characters in House of the Dragon are looking for moral victories rather than actual victories.
• The Targaryen dragons are on the verge of extinction, and there are no happy endings in the series.
• Harrenhal is a massive castle in disrepair, and Daemon wants to take it for its strategic position.
• Damon's dream sequence and the encounter between Rhaenyra and Alicent in the church have significant implications for the story.
• Rhaenyra's conversation with Alicent solidifies her decision to go to war.

Episode Breakdown

• Episode Title: The Burning Mill
• Synopsis: Daemon flies to Harrenhal to begin arranging an army, while Rhaenyra meets an old friend to try stopping the war from cascading.
• Director: Geeta Vasant Patel
• Writer: David Hancock
• Cast: Matt Smith, Emma D'Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Fabien Frankel, Matthew Needham, Sonoya Mizuno, Tom Glynn-Carney, Ewan Mitchell, Phia Saban, Harry Collett, Freddie Fox, Gayle Rankin

Hosts:

• Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil
• Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

South of King’s Landing Credits:

• Intro & Outro Music: Curse of the Scarab by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
• South of King’s Landing Art: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration
• Support Us: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

This week's 70-minute episode has a lot to break down. The fallout from the gruesome death at the end of last week's episode is felt across Westeros.

Takeaways From This Week

• The acting and dialogue in House of the Dragon are better than Game of Thrones so far.
• The episode sets up the eventual conflict between the two sides.
• The character dynamics and performances are strong.
• The episode explores the consequences of the murder of King Aegon's heir.
• The episode hints at the importance of certain characters and their future roles. Frustration with the decisions made by certain characters
• Discussion of the fight between the twins

Episode Breakdown

• Episode Title: Rhaenyra the Cruel
• Synopsis: Both Alicent and Rhenera are facing the consequences of the murder of King Ageon's heir
• Director: Clare Kilber
• Writer: Sara Hess
• Cast: Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Rhys Ifans, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Fabien Frankel, Matthew Needham, Sonoya Mizuno, Tom Glynn-Carney, Ewan Mitchell, Phia Saban, Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Jefferson Hall, Kurt Egyiawan

Hosts:

• Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil
• Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

South of King’s Landing Credits:

• Intro & Outro Music: Curse of the Scarab by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
• South of King’s Landing Art: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration
• Support Us: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion

Welcome back to South of King's Landing, where we're discussing each episode of House of the Dragon, week by week, and it's all kicking off with this intense series premiere!

Takeaways From This Week

• The new opening sequence sets the tone for the season and provides a glimpse into the history and current events of House of the Dragon.
• The Starks are portrayed as the morally right side, but their alliance with the blacks challenges this perception.
• The dragons are visually impressive and play a significant role in the story.
• The Hightower group's actions and hypocrisy highlight the moral ambiguity of the characters.
• King Aegon's childish behavior and his desire to kill everyone demonstrate the show's attempt to balance good and evil. The humor in House of the Dragon adds an enjoyable element to the show
• The motives of certain characters, such as Otto Hightower and Alison Hightower, are unclear
• The final scene of the episode creates tension and anticipation for future episodes
• The sound design in House of the Dragon is effective in creating a visceral reaction

Episode Breakdown

• Episode Title: A Son For A Son
• Synopsis: As Alicent grows concerned by Aegon's Small Council, Rhaenyra arrives at a fateful decision.
• Director: Alan Taylor
• Writer: Ryan J. Condal, Ti Mikkel
• Cast: Matt Smith, Emma D’Arcy, Olivia Cooke, Rhys Ifans, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Fabien Frankel, Matthew Needham, Sonoya Mizuno, Tom Glynn-Carney, Ewan Mitchell, Phia Saban, Harry Collett, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Jefferson Hall, Kurt Egyiawan

Hosts:

• Dylan Blight: https://twitter.com/vivaladil
• Ashley Hobley: https://twitter.com/ashleyhobley

South of King’s Landing Credits:

• Intro & Outro Music: Curse of the Scarab by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
• South of King’s Landing Art: Cherie Henriques
• Summary Show Notes: Created by Riverside.FM AI Integration
• Support Us: http://www.ko-fi.com/explosion