Back Into Thrones

Join Joseph and Michael as they finally get back into reviewing Game of Thrones with their analysis of the season 2 premiere, titled "The North Remembers". This premiere was  weaker in certain areas than expected, but it was still an enjoyable and well done episode. In this episode, they discuss how Sansa is smarter than viewers and the characters give her credit for, deeply analyze Cersei’s complex nature between narcissism and fears of inferiority, criticism the removal of major fantasy elements in the show, give their thoughts on the meaning and purpose of the red comet, and question George R. R Martin’s fascination with incest. All of that and more in this episode of Back Into Thrones. 

In this episode of Back Into Thrones, Joseph and Michael give their long overdue review for the first season of House of the Dragon.  It's been over two months since the season finale of House of the Dragon meaning that there has been a lot of time for them to rewatch the show and change their perspective and opinions on certain aspects of the show. Does the show still hold up upon a rewatch? This review will be conducted in the same way they reviewed the first season of Game of Thrones, they will be will be scoring the season on five different topics. Those topics consist of opening and closing scenes; action; plot and direction; character development; and the aesthetic. They will also discuss other aspects of the show such as the subversion of expectations which is what the main show became famous for, as well as their favorite moments from the show.

Join Joseph and Michael on Back Into Thrones as they give their overview for the season finale of House of the Dragon, "The Black Queen". This finale did not fail to disappoint and did much to set up the coming events for season 2. It was a finale filled with moments that were both great and devastating to witness. This episode has left viewers with much to look forward to in the coming years. Beware spoilers beyond this point. In this episode we discuss Rhaenyra's traumatic labor sequence, the dynamic between Rhaenyra and Daemon in the wake of war, the conclusion to Rhaenys' and Corlys' story in the first season, the one-sided showdown between Vhagar and Arrax, and how the death of Luke has forever changed Rhaenyra. 

Join Joseph and Michael as they give their overview for episode 9 of House of the Dragon "The Green Council." This was the penultimate episode of the first season. It was not their favorite one of the season but there were plenty of crazy moments and lots to talk about. Beware spoilers beyond this point. In this episode we discuss how we wished the Green Council could have been longer, question how much of a villain Alicent really is and whether or not that takes away her agency as a character, the hypocrisies of Alicent and the Greens, and Rhaenys' major showdown in the Dragonpit. 

Join Joseph and Michael as they review the eighth episode of House of the Dragon, titled "The Lord of the Tides". It was a slower paced episode but it was no less impactful and emotional to watch, in fact this episode perhaps was the most emotional so far. In the last episode the lines were drawn for war, this one saw us to the very doorstep of war.  Beware spoilers beyond this point. In this episode they discuss how much Vaemond Velaryon deserved his fate, the near redemption of Queen Alicent Hightower, how much potential Jacerys Velaryon (?) has to to be a king, why relations could never truly heal between the two factions despite Viserys' attempts, and King Viserys being strong in the end to defend his daughter one last time. 

Join Joseph and Michael as they give their overview of the seventh episode of House of the Dragon, titled "Driftmark". This was their favorite episode so far. Ties between the two factions are cut even further and it is clear it is only going to get more tense from here. Spoilers beyond this point. In this episode they discuss the most tense funeral ever, how much they hated to watch Aemond bond with Vhagar, deeply analyze their favorite scene from the episode (an eye for an eye), the complicated relationship between Rhaenyra and Daemon, and the happy fate of Leaner Velaryon.

Join Joseph and Michael as they give their overview for the sixth episode of House of the Dragon "The Princess and the Queen". This is the first episode after the ten year time skip and it did not disappoint to deliver us more drama and scandal.  Beware spoilers beyond this point. In this episode they discuss the brutal and tragic death of Laena Velaryon, how much of a pathetic person Criston Cole is, Alicent Hightower's terrible parenting skills, and Princess Rhaenyra's major scandal with Harwin Strong. 

Join Joseph and Michael as they give their thoughts on House of the Dragon Episode 5 "We Light the Way". This is the episode when the lines are finally drawn between Princess Rhaenyra and Queen Alicent in the setting of the former's wedding. Bewares spoilers beyond this point. In this episode they discuss Alicent's green dress and what it represents, vent on how much they hate Ser Criston Cole and his immaturity, guess what went down between Daemon and Rhaenyra for those brief seconds before chaos ensues, and return to discussing Viserys' incompetence as a king who can't even control his family and court.

Joseph and Michael discuss episode 4 of House of the Dragon "The King of the Narrow Sea" an episode where everyone makes mistakes and no one really comes out on top. This is the truest form of House of the Dragon where no one is a hero and no one is a villain. They are all morally grey. Spoilers beyond this point.  In this episode they discuss, Daemon's attempts to ruin his niece, Ser Criston Cole's inner turmoil, Alicent struggling with her marriage and her role as a Queen Consort, and the hypocrisy of King Viserys. That and much more in this episode of Back Into Thrones.

Joseph and Michael discuss House of the Dragon Episode 3 “The Second of His Name” an episode filled with symbolism, politics, scheming and battles that made for a terrific episode. Spoilers beyond this point. Their discussion includes Rhaenyra doing herself no favors against terrible odds, the troubles that plague Viserys’ mind during this hunt in honor of his firstborn son, the meaning of the White Hart for Viserys and Rhaenyra, and Alicent’s divided loyalty between her father, husband, son, and estranged best friend. Of course they can’t leave out the War for the Stepstones and that crazy battle sequence at the end.