Mrs Whiggins

Hard to tell from the trailer, be interesting to see if they use the casino.

Helaena (sp?) has a dragon I believe since Aemond was supposedly the lone child of Alicent's who did not have one so that would make another one for the Greens. Hard to imagine Helaena getting worked up about flying off to battle though unless it was to "accidentally" flame her husband off of his steed and that doesn't quite fit her personality.

It looks like it is set in the present, so I agree that if they try and portray it that way (small rural town) that is inaccurate. However, until the southern suburbs exploded, all the land in between say, 101st and Bixby was mostly truck farms and horse pasture. My dad had land south of where the Creek Turnpike is now, and it is all strip malls and fancy houses out there now. Most of that is likely due to them getting the river bridges built, extending Riverside Pkwy, and the above mentioned turnpike. It took a lot longer to navigate that side of the city when I was younger. At least that is in my memory, which admittedly is hazier as each day passes. To the west near Turkey Mountain where they built all the big box stores was nothing for years and years when I was growing up. One of my friends was from Turley and it was like night and day, her experience growing up and mine but we could relate because my folks were from nearby Sand Springs and we would drive over the river every weekend. Tulsa is such a weird blend of cosmopolitan and, for lack of a better word--redneck attitude, and wealth and poverty-like a lot of cities but with its own flair. @Patricio Swayze would have a field day with his camera in my hometown.

History is complicated and fascinating. I really hate how it is the MO to avoid thinking critically about it.

If you are looking on YouTube specifically, good luck. I loathe their excuse of a search engine. I have had the occasional luck on searches for YouTube product specifically by using Google and their quote feature along with the boolean AND feature. I don't like Google, but DuckDuckGo has search issues as well. I don't know if this is the one you seek in which case you might need to try other search terms, but I retrieved it doing just that. It looks to be an almost hour long video.

I don't believe many learn about it when studying the Civil War, but a lot of adults have no clue about Judah P. Benjamin or how old Jewish settlement in the U.S. is.

It's a show about fire-breathing dragons and the people who ride them so yeah. I guess it doesn't bother me when people point out specific improvements they would like to see--after all, there are supposedly four seasons planned so thinking about scenes that work (and why) and things that didn't work (for a specific viewer and why) is not something I find distracting. I do not spend too much time worrying about incongruities with respect to for example--the critiques of battle strategy--because having not read the story I don't know what is being displayed as canon vs liberties taken due to the broadcast medium. If those incongruities are an artistic decision by the producers/directors/writers then that is their sword and it doesn't interfere with my enjoyment. Others may feel differently and that is their call and fine by me. It's not like we are discussing the relative uncertainties of standard atomic weights.

Yes, this was along the lines I was thinking a page or so back. Cut a little of the Ser Criston/Aemond bonding time-write it a little more succinctly and flesh out the Council machinations. That might frustrate some viewers that want a little more action (although Lord Beesley getting a table facial was jarring) but you've got some character actors in that room and when written well, turn them loose and ratchet up the tension dial. Or, take that scene in the great hall where Otto calls in the Lords for loyalty oaths and rework it--I found it to be a bit ho-hum. No way those present in that room didn't understand what was at stake, but it didn't have the weight and suspense that, for example, last week's scene with the petitions did. And yet, this choice was life threatening to all present. Bend the knee or else. That being said, a lot was given in that hour--we get a little more info on the thoughts and deeds that are influencing these choices the characters make. Aemond verbalizes his in his outburst to Ser Criston about his place as a frustrated second son and when we look around the room, we see several of those in the parlor (Daemon, Larys, Otto). I am looking forward to the reaction of the other Targaryens in next week's episode.

I like Santa. Lotta great lines in that movie but the one above is another one our family uses. The book upon which the screenplay is loosely based--In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash by Jean Shepard I remember reading from our library when they had a display "You've Seen The Movie, Now Read The Book." It's been so long ago that I cannot remember but I think the book was sliiightly more adult themed than the movie, but not sure. I just recall how funny it was. When I went to look up the exact title just now, the entry says it's based on his popular radio series.

Having not read the book(s) I don't know Martin's thinking but my own opinion is that he gives each of his major characters opportunities for redemption or condemnation. In Alicent's case, she and Rhaenyra for all the kerfluffle over the last decade and a half do have a history of friendship. At the council meeting it seemed Otto wanted all along to essentially murder Rhaenyra and install Aegon as rightful male heir. Back when Viserys named Rhaenyra the heir apparent, Otto told his daughter Alicent that her childrens' lives were in danger. But, that is Otto saying this. Rhaenyra gave no indication that she would make that so. Both Otto and Alicent are smart enough to know that Aegon is reluctant, truculent, immature, etc and if Otto gets to Aegon first my inclination was that Otto would install him with an attempt to control him and slaughter Rhaenyra and her family. Otto was already going through his list of killing the opposition one by one, aided and abetted by Larys who is playing both sides. Alicent, however, wanted Aegon to be king w/o the war, the killing, and so on. As she has not been successful at getting Aegon to heed her advice before, I doubt this will go well regardless. Long story short--Otto and Alicent in their hubris think that they can sway/control Aegon to their desires for power (Otto) and safety (Alicent) and that is my take on the race to locate him.

The people of Georgia could use a leader and a public servant. But Herschel Walker, bless his heart, is not that person. So tired of the gamesmanship and performances. Time stops for no one and children are growing up in a world that says every life is sacred but when they look around they see it isn't so. That Tommy Tuberville can speak his nonsense from the podium at the same time Herschel Walker is stumping in the state adjacent to his is just surreal.

I cannot speak for the author's intent, but how to maneuver the plot once the opposition has been incinerated would be difficult? You've killed the only other residents who have dragons and are capable of controlling them. I believe @Augustus mentioned something earlier about kinslayer being the worst epithet one could be called so Rhaenys would be raised in that culture and looking to avoid that (up to a point). Also, in the behind the scenes director's cut (YouTube), I recall they mentioned that both women being mothers and Rhaenys having lost both of her children perhaps would incline her to be sympathetic (again, to a degree). Also, Myseria (sp?) pointed out to Otto Hightower that it is the People who permit those in power to stay. Once more, that is true up to a point (dragons are going to have a lot to do with how much permission needs to be granted, amiright?) but that is something that coming into a coronation where Rhaenys has heard Otto declare that Aegon was to be king per Viserys' dying wishes (never mind that Otto was planning this all along) and knowing that tradition and culture prefers a male heir would likely make one pause before going firestarter on the monarchy standing before the People. They might resent Rhaenyra appearing and saying, well now that the BBQ is over, let us sit down and get to work on improving your lives. Even if that were in their best interest, not going to happen. So, war (plot driver, engaging, and what politicians do in the fight for control of the purse and power) it is then. My two cents.

Y'all know that guy in the bar in My Cousin Vinny? The one who sticks a chicken leg in his mouth and strips it? I think this sheriff may be related only it looks like he's been doing it with the entire chicken.

I did not have bring back the Spanish Inquisition on my bingo card. But here we are.

It's a thing. Even without mind tricks.

Rhaenyra turned down his proposal and he didn't handle it well; it's not like I haven't seen guys that leave lots of signals that while 'charming' on the surface also have outsized anger issues. After thing about it some more, and this ties in somewhat with some of the complaints about character development--we do know some of his story as it has been revealed. One of his flaws does seem to be that the Ser Criston's zealousness outpaces its situational appropriateness. He wants to follow this chivalric code and these 'rules' and will then use violence to enforce those he believes have violated them. But in many of his scenes there is unexpected violence or reaction as you state and the only motivation that we have is that he is low-born and worked his way up the ladder IIRC. For him, that may be all the motivation he needs. I work and work and am supposed to be grateful that I am honest, trustworthy, and brave and these Targaryens like Rhaenyra and Viserys throw it all in my face and expect me to be grateful. He is the violent side of Alicent's submissive nature and they align well with each other. I'm making all that up, but I suspect he is going to show out a little more in upcoming episodes due to his battle experience.

Yeah, when Aegon was walking through the swords and then got that little smile/smirk on his face later, I turned to my spouse and said, this is going to be bad news.

This was the discussion on the previous page and it seems to reveal the pragmatic leanings of Rhaenys when she is assessing the monarchy and her dealings with it. For all I don't care for Alicent the character in some ways, I do like the idea (perhaps it is a figment of my mind) that in the early years, were it not for her father's ambitions and talks with her, she would not have minded handing over the reigns to Rhaenyra if it were guaranteed that Alicent's children would be safe from execution. Alicent seems to have found her justification for her choices based on that (safety), and she went down that path and there is no going back. Her misinterpretation of Viserys' dream (and I can't really blame her for that as she didn't know of Rhaenyra's visit correct?), her embracing the quasi-religion to provide back up for Aegon's rule; they provide some of the threads to this history that GRRM has woven.

This point ^^^^ Both The Queen Who Never Was and Queen Alicent were presented with this situation. Rhaenys, who had the real firepower, chose not to use it. Alicent made her point that she would not send agents to murder on Aegon's behalf, but her father proceeded to conduct killings of possible rivals anyway.

Quoting myself here, 66Buff's comment made me realize I mistakenly referred to the wrong clan. The Hightower family link to the Targaryens is what I meant.

Some school districts do this already through their local PD in case of runaway/abduction scares. They sent a packet home with each of our children in elementary school (it was optional to participate). We opted out for several reasons (not conspiracy theory based). The public ISDs have a dilemma--they are composed of local citizens and depending upon who runs things in individual communities (i.e. is the school board full of rational critically thinking adults? Is it comprised of election denying, guns for all and all for guns 'patriots'? Do the trustees, being elected, prioritize staying in power versus losing a campaign based on steadfast principles?) Combining that element with the State's laws, the propaganda, the money being invested by various groups, the demand that they 'do' something (because we all know that the next one and the next one and the next one will eventually happen) leads to the Chronicle's reporting of this latest 'solution' which isn't really a solution at all and most of us know it. The groups that want to destroy the institution of public education in this country have done a fine job of it so far haven't they?

The "our wonderful Evangelicals are far more appreciative" is just....wow. I know Roy Cohn taught Trump and his father how to manipulate the legal system, but how Trump uses his words in an attempt to manipulate others is out of some pretty nasty playbooks in history.

Additional from last night: the lord who was hung and perhaps Myseria (but I was pouring eggnog for the viewers so her situation was unclear and we never got around to talking about her). And also Laenor's uncle. Ser Criston is rather touchy and temperamental. Rhys Ifans--I've loved him in some of his other works but I can't make up my mind about him in HotD--if his character needs to be written slightly more sinister or if Ifans is playing him low-key for now as a slow lead in to some more serious shit. I wouldn't respect an over-the-top portrayal, but he's not quite as compelling on screen as foot fetish guy (his every scene you're just waiting to see what little nugget he's going to drop). Perhaps it is meant to display two different types of people and the way they get things done to forward their agenda and I am too stupid to get the obvious, but Larys' manipulating Alicent versus her father seems to be working a little more successfully at the moment? She doesn't like him, but she doesn't seem opposed to using him and IMO sets up some potential destruction of her own house. I rather like that--two different family lines tied together (Targaryens and Lannisters) but with different dysfunctional relationships. The looking for Aegon scenes--I understand, or at least I think I do, what the writers were attempting to illustrate and inform for viewers but they were a little rough IMO and perhaps could've been cut in places and smoothed out? A little too much walking and while the dialogue was (I think?) trying to reveal various bits regarding motivations, personalities, etc, it perhaps could've been more succinct. More scenes in the council chamber might have been useful instead? Rhaenys dropping pearls into Alicent's ear and then turning a potential imprisonment/death into a memorable escape was a nice end to the coronation. Overall, we are still into it.

The article was paywalled after a bit, but important to note that he did not make that provision for all the counties that suffered damage. Case in point and still sticking it to Disney.

Evidently. I predicted blowout figuring if Robinson was rolling then eventually ISU would get tired and Ewers would air it out more and I was wrong wrong wrong. Still the team with the most points gets the W so keep moving forward.