HotD Episode 9 Was Bewildering. Being The First Episode Solely About The Greens, I Was Apprehensive Regarding

HotD episode 7 was frightening in its approach. It resonated a single message loud and clear... fire will reign.

The entire episode carried the strength of fire is such a subtle manner that it left me stunned and at a loss of words. Each conflict was illuminated and outlines by bright, raging flames.

The first time we see the symbolism of separation by fire is during the conversation between Viserys and Daemon.

We see it again, when Raenys calls Corlys out for desiring the throne for himself, ending his delusion of righteousness.

We see it behind Alicent and Rhaenyra when Allicent loses control and goes feral as the dam of her patience breaks.

We even see it behind Laenor's 'death' and his end in flames itself.

Another aspect which consumed me was the blood and the comparisons drawn by it.

While on one hand we see Rhaenyra bleeding alone, without Laenor by her side.

We see Rhaenyra and Daemon bleed together as he binds himself to her by marriage.

We also get a beautiful parallel of Daemon and Rhaenyra walking on the same beach where Laenor and Rhaenyra once started their relationship. A new start and perhaps a better one.

In the end, only one thing stands true:

Fire is a prison. The Targaryens are made of fire, meant to burn together.

I have not read the books and all my interpretations are based solely on the show.

As a recent Feligami, and over all Rare-Pair shipper, these new potential ships absolutely destroy me. . .

Lukloe

Lukagami

Feligami

Why don't you kill me already?

Emotion absolutely blew me away! I have always loved Felix's character because of how multidimensional it was and this episode completely proved my point.

Felix genuinely loving Adrien and wanting to set him free and honestly breaking down when he realized that he may have hurt Marinette was so painful to watch... I really wanted to give him the biggest hug.

I did not expect to LOVE the Kagami/Felix dynamic as much as I did but i still think that now isnt the time for it and that it has too many red flags for now. I WOULD support it if Felix refuses to make decisions on behalf of Kagami and instead encourages her to be more confident in her own.

But there were things I absolutely adored and which can really form the base to grow their relationship.

Felix's extremely destroyed look after noticing the ring on Kagami's finger.

Felix calling Kagami 'his queen' which is something I TOTALLY see becoming a thing.

Her saying he has become more of the person she wanted him to be AAAHHHHH!!

Him teasing Kagami for being jealous but also part worried if he overstepped by kissing her hand (couple behavior 101)

Couples who fight together, stay together>>>>>> (yes, it's a friendly spar. No, It's not up for a debate)

I feel like this season of House of The Dragon is going to be utterly ruthless in it's approach.

As always, the intricacies never fail to take my breath away...

Last season, the opening showed blood on rock... rock that does not stain. But this time, we see blood tainting canvas, likely to leave deep gashes that won't be washed over, won't signify beginning anew.

This is further seen in how the last shot we saw of Rhaenyra was with her back facing the fire and darkness in her eyes. Yet, here we see in in the same room with a map of the seven kingdoms... alit with fire, demanding Aemond's life and walking out without a word.

Fire in all it's duality is clearly seen when alicent lights a candle for Viserys parallel to Luke's pyre being burned and finally as she wished to quell her guilt, lighting a candle for Luke, only for it to cut to Rhaenyra being obscured by flames, signifying that this stain isn't going to be washed off, it's not a rope that's frayed, but one that's cut.

And finally, Helena saying beware of the rats but not knowing who it is... Alys, who betrays information or her, who betrays herself.

In all its glory, there are four fronts that are going to impact the game moving forward:

Alicent's desire for victory, and whether she sees it in sleeping with Crison Cole, or allowing her soul absolvement from guilt by making peace between her and the blacks (Rhaenyra).

Otto's thrist for violence and who he deems (un)worthy enough to sacrifice.

Rhaenyra's vengeance, and which wing will forever be grounded next.

And Daemon's venerence towards Rhaenyra and who he's willing to betray for it.

HotD episode 10 was a masterpiece, one I both adored and hated. The entire episode felt like a dream of being chased yet having the feeling of not being able to run at all.

There were so many things I wish to highlight. But first, the ironies:

The cruel irony of how everyone had to lose something to attain the crown. While Viserys lost his body, Rhaenyra lost her child (and recieved the crown in front of the pyre)

The way that Daemon ignored Rhaenyra's gut-wrenching calls to him but was the first to bend the knee, fulfilling his role as her ally but failing as her companion.

The fact most predominantly shown was how without the dragons... Targaryens are nothing. To think that the Dance of Dragons began because of a Dragon refusing the command of their rider.

The way Rhaenyra, even through her pain, made it a priority to inform her sons of what had happened in order to save them the pain.

There were also so many parallels in this episode.

Both Daemon and Corlys refusing to acknowledge that they weren't the only ones who have lost a child (completely sidetracking the sentiments of their spouses to have their overdramatic diva moments).

Rhaenyra stripping Otto of his pin, the same way her father did.

Daemon crowning Rhaenyra, the same way he put the crown on his brother's head.

And finally, Rhaenyra receiving the crown standing in front of the burning pyre of her child facing away from it, and in the end... recieving the news of Luke's death standing alone, facing refusal of her claim as a ruler in front of a fire, looking towards it rather than away, thus disregarding her desire to not be a queen of the ashes... now she wishes to set it ablaze herself.

All in all, it was a fitting end to season one and I can't wait to see how season two turns out.

(I have not read the books and all my interpretations are based solely on the show)

Previous

House of the Dragon, Episode 8:

Not Alicent thinking that Viserys was talking about her rapist firstborn while he answered Rheanyra's question on his deathbed, regarding her being the 'prince' that will unite them as one, especially mere hours after we see them being hospitable after years.

Syrax providing Daemon and Rheanyra's children with three eggs, for their three children, befitting their station as trueborn children of dragons.

Funnily enough, Daemon being a classy malewife and manslaughtering Vaemond Velaryon for badmouthing Rhaenyra (all true, by the way), screamed Will Smith Energy (not that I condone what he did in any way).

Lastly, wondering why Aemond Targaryen's actions seem so familiar, why his mannerisms are something that remind us of someone we've witnessed before? Me too! Each and every action, sly retort, and taunt, gives the viewers of Daemon Targaryen in his prime, impulsive, agitated, and having a keen taste of violence.

But where Daemon's actions reflect underlying hurt, and the urge to protect and safeguard his family, Aemond's actions are a result of his dysfunctional upbringing and the deep seethed wounds caused by the callous words of his own blood at the time he didn't have a dragon, and thus, no proper position as a dragon himself.

My thoughts on

The Midnight Club (2022)

I just finished watching The Midnight Club last night and couldn't help feel how it was like a beautiful work of art left unfinished. When I started the show, I was really impressed by the way the foundation was laid but several things were left unexplained but we'll get there later.

First off, let's talk about the true essence of the show; the stories. While I absolutely loved the way the characters expressed their unconscious/concious desires through the stories knowing that they wouldn't come true, that the future they paint will continue to remain trapped behind words, I couldn't help but feel that we could've been introduced to this world in a better way.

By the time we learn about Natsuki's story regarding the Japanese myth, it's already progressed into a "frenzy of jump scares" which completely ruined the atmosphere for me and I found myself wanting it to be over as soon as possible.

The next thing I wish to address is Ilonka's character. She is a complex teen who is unable to accept the terminal nature of her life and that she cannot be saved. Initially, I liked her drive to survive but as the episodes carry on, we see her completely lose herself in the desperate attempt to grasp what's left of her life. Her character itself had multiple flaws which were further enhanced by the fact that so many things about her were left unexplained.

Why was Ilonka having visions?

Was it because of her medication? Maybe. But it could also, be due to her being most open to the spiritual aspect of the place. She openly sought to achieve wellness through the nature and was engrossed by the past which might've manifested in the form of visions. Maybe her sharing these thoughts with Kevin was the reason for his own visions.

Another aspect of the show I really wanted to see were the stories coming together in the end (as we had in the haunting series) but was really underwhelmed. There were too many plot holes which raised a lot of questions.

Who is Dr. Georgina Stanton?

In the final episode, her ties to the Paragon are hinted at. I personally found myself drawing ties between her and Regina Ballard (Aceso). Regina, upon performing the ritual had lost her hair which kinda made me think if Stanton had also tried to do the same for her son (resulting in the loss of her hair, being the only survivor).

Who are the old ghosts?

This really got me scratching my head finding answers. Maybe they're yet again manifestations of the negative emotions arising in the kids but I'm not sure. Also, how is Kevin connected to the old woman and why does Ilonka keep seeing her where Kevin is?

All these are left unanswered which really irks the viewers to know more.

(I have not read the books and all my interpretations are solely based on the show)

How far can a person bend before they break and how long can the broken be wielded before they turn double edged?

This season was so devastatingly beautiful, but ironically, the metaphorical crown wouldn't be heavy if the gemstones didn't dig into the head of the wearer.

Sometimes, the line between mercy and cruelty can be thin.

The reason WHY Claudia resonates so deeply with Aaravos' story is because it's a mirror that she finds herself in. She IS the daughter in the story but not the one who pays the price. No, that was paid by her father... her father, who was brave enough to do what Aaravos couldn't. What's heartbreaking is that she doesn't even realize what she's discarding is the same thing Viren chose to embrace in death; his humanity.

The loss portrayed was so unsettling...

To even the loss we felt as the audience, seeing what made Viren who he was... his own son, to seeing what he made himself and the loss of what could've been and how his death proved the one thing we didn't want him to show... him having a human heart. And that's what this show did magnificently... it made this audience root for people against our will.

From the unfinished story of the lovers forever frozen in time to the mournful ballad rayla sang to console the stormbringer.

The only thing left to see is how these weapons charecters are to be utilized.

How callum will embrace his darkness and if Rayla will be able to kill him if need be. Or if promises will not be the only things to be broken next time.

HotD episode 4 was marvelous, it once again denoted the importance of symbolism, no matter how subte it cues and in doing so, kept my attention solely on the screen for its entire duration.

This episode has left me with a bunch of thoughts and speculations to be made:

We start with the image on Rhaenyra toying with the necklace gifted to her by daemon, even during the tour to select her suitor which set the stage for the rest of the episode quite splendidly.

The scene which took my breath away was actually the one in the courtroom, right when Daemon enters while Rhaenyra stands in the crowd. We see Daemon moving towards the throne in plain sight while Rhaenyra walks towards it in the crowd (making her approach out of the public eye), but in the end, they share a frame and move together. This, once again illuminates the subtle imagery and symbolism.

Daemon clearly showed Rhaenyra the play as a test of her tenacity and determination (you can't change my mind) but at the same time, I think he wanted her to actually open her eyes to observe the realm and not follow Viserys' stead to become a ruler blind to what occurs around him.

I somehow feel that the scene in which Daemon withdraws from Rhaenyra is a great insight to what he's feeling at the moment. It somehow starts as disbelief, verging on regret and later manifests as anger?? Following it, the scene where Daemon asks for Rhaenyra's hand (with a dagger to his throat, commendably) reminds comedically of bridgertons I have to marry you to protect your virtue.

I loved how Viserys didn't spare Otto any agony and embarrassment, and made him spell each bit of the rumor, (painstakingly so).

And, him calling Otto out for spying. Although, it was funny how Viserys called Otto's schemes 'obvious' while failing to notice them for the past 4 years. The bit where Viserys takes away the pin was GLORIOUS.

(I can rewatch this scene a billion times)

The PARALLELS throughout the episode were amazing!

The first one we observe is that while intimacy with Viserys is clearly a means for Allicent to survive despite it making her feel lifeless, (and helpless, all the same). We see Rhaenyra seeking Daemon's touch as it seemingly makes her feel alive and in control of her life.

This also throws light on the subject of free will, while the conversation between Alicent and Rhaenyra already established how Rhaenyra was privileged to receive a choice regarding who shall win her hand, Alicent wasn't. We see the same yet again, when Rhaenyra approaches sir Criston.

Another parallel this episode draws is an ironic one where Viserys tells Rhaenyra to let go of her desires and choose duty while he was the one who refused to marry Leana Valarion in order to marry Alicent. Which highlights the disparity between the genders, once again.

(I have not read any of the books and all these are based solely on my interpretation of the show.)

If Luka ends up being The Supreme, I'm gonna sue Thomas Astruc.

The new miraculous world episode has me hooked!

I might be completely wrong about this, but since the world's are complete parallels it only makes sense that the one who chose to be true to himself DESPITE knowing the true identities of ladybug and chat noir turns out to be the evil mastermind which means that the Supreme is none other than Luka.

I truly can't get over how well mlb portrays symbolism:

"Sometimes, destroying is the right path to build the new."

The way it starts with breaking when shadybug loses hope in her wish after seeing plagg and tikki's kwami forms explode. The way Shadybug truly sees what she has become when she sees a shattered mirror and how Marinette makes her realize that she could be different by seeing her reflection in a fixed one.

(The parallel between both bugs facing each other was beautiful)

The same way looking at Adrien, at his own (albeit, distorted) reflection, Claw noir also feels the same, like somehow both LadyNoir reflected what they truly wanted.

Throughout the episode, Hawkmoth continues to wear glasses and does not come face to face with Betterfly, showing that he does not wish to change even on the inside.

But either way, the best part of the episode was how when both Marinette and Adrien were talking to Shadybug and Claw noir, they were talking to their past selves as well... Marinette to herself who had been bullied relentlessly by Chloe and Adrien to himself before he started going to school and met all the people in his life.

The Unsung Heroes

He lifts on his shoulders,

The weight of all our sins.

He does not know where his journey began,

Nor how it would end.

He wraps his arms around his sister,

He lifts her off the ground.

Promising to return safely.

A silent wish to which he felt bound.

He kisses his mother's wrinkled forehead,

Cherishing each moment,

Like an extraordinary treasure,

He had just found.

For, far away he would be,

From his family's loving embrace.

Staring at the snow-capped hills,

Or the depths of the sea.

He thinks aloud on peaceful nights,

When the winds lull him to sleep.

'Honor I'll bring to my mother,

The promise to my sister, I'll keep.'

A broken promise, an open wound,

He lies on the ground.

The sanguine hue of his blood,

Cakes the mud around.

I pray for those who stay awake,

In the darkest hours of the night.

Who live and fight for our sake,

Regardless the pain and the plight.

The silence cries, it cries for them,

Those who left behind their names.

A soldier dies, he dies condemned,

Becoming a distant face in a wooden frame.

His sister asks why her brother,

Was mercilessly slain.

His mother's screams echo,

As she screams in disdain.

Heavy breathing, bloodshot eyes,

Where did they go wrong?

Clutching his badge to their chests.

Walking on their own.

After the war, he didn't return,

And they were left alone.

Oh, mighty warrior, our fearless protector,

Never were you wrong.

In the hearts of those who love you,

Always will you belong.