Caroline and Gretchen continue their analysis with The Dying of the Dragons: The Red and the Gold, Part 4. A little whoopsie-doodle in the Gullet results in Jace's untimely but very thematically significant demise, which spurs Rhaenyra to invade Kind's Landing. That's definitely what happened! She has no other reason! Also we can't escape worms. Check out Pat Loller's TikTok @patloller - he is a veteran and speaks on veteran's rights and politics, and is funny and smart!Join our Discord! Don't worry we're cool https://discord.gg/3XvvwpgQuestions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Caroline and Gretchen are joined yet again by friend-of-the-pod, Phil! The group continue their analysis with The Dying of the Dragons: The Red and the Gold Part 3. Team Black rubs their scheming hands together as they decide to evilly *checks notes* let commoners try to ride dragons and earn a lordship. Justice for Nettles! See Phil's cool A Song of Ice and Fire content on the TikTok as Daemon Bakfyre @hexbladewarbakJoin our Discord! Don't worry we're cool https://discord.gg/3XvvwpgQuestions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Caroline and Gretchen are joined by YET ANOTHER FRIEND, Phil! The group continue their analysis with The Dying of the Dragons: The Red and the Gold Part 2. Rook's Rest is under siege and Rhaenyra, too cowardly to fight and disabled by her wandering womb, send Rhaenys instead. Meanwhile, "King" Aegon flies into battle himself! What a smart and brave plan that definitely won't go wrong at all!See Phil's cool A Song of Ice and Fire content on the TikTok as Daemon Bakfyre @hexbladewarbakJoin our Discord! Don't worry we're cool https://discord.gg/3XvvwpgQuestions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline continue their analysis with The Dying of The Dragons: The Red and the Gold Part 1. Otto Hightower loses his job as Hand of the King for doing too much diplomacy, so The Smartest King Aegon appoints Crustacean Cole as his new Hand - an "iron fist," as the kids say ;-) Luckily George R.R. Martin watched The Parent Trap in the 90s and hilarity ensues!Join our Discord! Don't worry we're cool https://discord.gg/3XvvwpgQuestions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

TRIGGER WARNING episode, child death :-/Caroline and Gretchen continue their analysis with The Dying of the Dragons: A Son for a Son Part 2. Lord Boros' clever daughter says "No balls!" to Almond Targaryen, so he definitely intentionally chomps Lucerys. In response, Daemon says "I read my bible!" and demands an eye for an eye, killing Prince Jaehaerys. Thanks George!Join our Discord! Don't worry we're cool https://discord.gg/3XvvwpgQuestions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline continue their analysis with a The Dying of the Dragons: A Son for a Son Part 1. The EVHUL Blacks begin the war with very violent diplomacy around Westeros. Jacaerys goes North and makes BFFs with Craigen Stark, while Daemon has a perfectly normal time at Harrenhal. How evil!Join our Discord! Don't worry we're cool https://discord.gg/3XvvwpgQuestions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline continue their analysis with a The Dying of the Dragons: The Blacks and the Greens Part 3. Rhaenyra's advantages are few as she only has a max of 14 dragons at her disposal, and Aegon is definitely strong and totally not a potential kinslayer. Also, the patriarchy is bad. Join our Discord! Don't worry we're cool https://discord.gg/3XvvwpgQuestions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline continue their analysis with a The Dying of the Dragons: The Blacks and the Greens Part 2. Rhaenyra's dad dies and she has the AUDACITY to be upset and also curse during labor. Meanwhile the Greens execute their immaculate "plan" and Aegon has the biggest crowds, you've never seen such crowds! Nobody has crowds like this!Join our Discord! Don't worry we're cool https://discord.gg/3XvvwpgQuestions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Caroline and Gretchen continue their analysis with a The Dying of the Dragons: The Blacks and the Greens Part 1. When an unfortunate servant notices that Viserys is RIP, the Green council gathers to discuss very real and legitimate laws that exist and happen to support their position! And Alicent ignores the leopards preparing to eat her face.Join our Discord! Don't worry we're cool https://discord.gg/3XvvwpgQuestions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline are joined by friend-of-the-show Nick! Yay! The group continues their analysis with a Question of Succession Part 5. Viserys, the most indecisive king, weirdly keeps defending his daughter as heir, while Rhaenyra marries her uncle and has his kids (this is good I promise?). Join our Discord! Don't worry we're cool https://discord.gg/3Xvvwpg Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Caroline and Gretchen continue their analysis with a Question of Succession Part 4. Rhaenyra marries Laenor and Criston Cole reacts very normally, while Daemon marries Laena and they honeymoon very normally. And these damn kids just can't get along!Also the last half hour of this is about Bridgerton, sorry not sorry!Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline continue their analysis with a Question of Succession Part 3. Viserys continues to DEFNITELY be an indecisive and weak king, while Rhaenyra tries 1-2 times to woo Criston Cole - but he's too honorable! And he sure did NOT start the rumor that she really wanted to sleep with him...Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Caroline and Gretchen continue their analysis with a Question of Succession Part 2. Viserys names his daughter as heir and it DEFINITELY was only as a last resort AND because he was such a weak king! Also, where did Otto Hightower come from?The Easter Egg of this episode which is ** looks at notes ** a full half an hour long, is all about Bridgerton. If you care for that sort of thing lol.Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline begin their "season 2" of the podcast, starting with A Question of Succession. Jaehaerys is surprised by the number of attendees to his awesome council, and is also DEFINITELY surprised by the outcome! It was not at all rigged, folks! Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline review the third and final official House of the Dragon trailer. It looks cool!! WE HOPE IT'S COOL!!!

Caroline and Gretchen review the "Green" and the "Black" trailers. They conclude that violence is bad, and they hope the writers know!Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Caroline and Gretchen welcome back friend of the show Musa to discuss (read: defend) the Good King Jaehaerys. The three ask the important question: but how does the man feel?Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline are joined by NEW FRIEND Frankie to discuss race and racism in the A Song of Ice and Fire universe, covering the books, House of the Dragon, and Fire & Blood up until the end of Jaehaerys's reign. You know, just a nice light topic. Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

WE HAVE ANOTHER FRIEND!! Gretchen and Caroline are joined by guest Nick to discuss "Great Man Theory" in history and as applied to Fire & Blood. This continues to not be a Dune podcast. Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline look back on the podcast so far, analyzing their own analysis for over two hours :) We swear this is not a Dune podcast. Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Caroline and Gretchen continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the end of the eleventh chapter, The Long Reign Section 6. The world's most serendipitous crossbow bolt totally accidentally and not-on-purpose kills the crown Prince, and finally Jaehaerys is sad about a child's death. Also, take your calcium.Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the eleventh chapter, The Long Reign Section 5. For literally a whole ten pages, Jaehaerys struggles to accept the fact that one of his teenage daughters had CONSENSUAL SEXUAL INTERCOURSE!! And to make it worse, it wasn't even with her brother!!! The horror!Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Caroline and Gretchen continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the eleventh chapter, The Long Reign Section 4. Jaehaerys gets an absolute bee in his bonnet about getting his 13-year-old daughter, Daella, married ASAP - fortunately Alysanne is able to delay until she is the ripe old age of 16 :-) and then Jaehaerys & Sons defeat those dastardly Dornish! The best king everyone!Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the eleventh chapter, The Long Reign Section 3. As years pass under Targaryen rule, Alysanne has EVEN MORE KIDS. Meanwhile, some (read: all) of those kids seem to have problems stemming from neglect. And yet Lucamore Strong is punished for having sixteen kids himself!! The Patriarchy is weird. Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Caroline and Gretchen continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the eleventh chapter, The Long Reign Section 2. Rogar Baratheon leans into that toxic masculinity by causing more violence in yet another "Dornish" war. And George R.R. Martin hurts us all badly with the death of Princess Daenerys, while Alyssa is Not Like Other Girls (TM), and did you know the 7-year-old Prince is SO handsome??Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the eleventh chapter, The Long Reign Section 1. Alyssa Farman sails off into the sunset (literally) while the shivers ravages King's Landing. The smallfolk are shockingly racist and attack Rego Draz. Jaehaerys takes action - but only on the latter. There's nothing he could do for the shivers!Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline react to House of the Dragon Season 2 Trailer and make predictions about the rest of the show! We're so worried!Check out Sumalee Eaton @sew.sumalee on TikTok for more costume analysis. Check out the neato family tree we used this episode in this article: https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/7/17/15982450/house-targaryen-family-tree-fanart

Gretchen and Caroline continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the tenth chapter, Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Their Triumphs and Tragedies Section 4. Alysanne goes to the North and proves that she is, indeed, the brains behind this whole operation, while Jaehaerys threatens dragon violence to force a peace between foreign dignitaries. BUT did you know he's a great dancer?Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Caroline and Gretchen continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the tenth chapter, Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Their Triumphs and Tragedies Section 3. Rhaena Targaryen has the MOST MOVING scene scattering her daughter's ashes on dragonback, while Jaehaerys obsesses over his stolen dragon eggs and Alysanne heads to the North. Everyone collectively listens closely for any whisper of chickens...Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the tenth chapter, Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Their Triumphs and Tragedies Section 2. Elissa Farman escapes into the West while rumors about Balerion's location circulate until, oh no! Aerea returns on Balerion, and George R.R. Martin embraces his Eldritch-horror subplot! Wyrms wyrms wyrms!TRIGGER WARNING for discussion of body horror and traumatic birth imagery from 00:57:40 to 01:50:00.Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Caroline and Gretchen continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the tenth chapter chapter, Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Their Triumphs and Tragedies Section 1. Rhaena Targaryen wanders the rainy countryside searching for Aerea, while Jaehaerys buckles down on projects that were totally only his idea and Alysanne is not at all involved! Oh yeah, and there's a new heir presented to the smallfolk Lion-King-Style! Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline continue their analysis of Fire & Blood by concluding the ninth chapter, Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I Part 3. While Jaehaerys continues to start new projects and Alysanne enjoys her daughter Daenerys (who will DEFINITELY be queen one day), Rhaena has to cope with a daughter who runs away and a murderous husband. Being the royal family is awesome and not at all traumatic! Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

TRIGGER WARNING EPISODE - Caroline and Gretchen continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the ninth chapter, Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I Part 2. When the High Septon dies, Jaehaerys and Alysanne take a convenient trip to Oldtown to mourn him (with their dragons!) while some plot-relevant eggs disappear on Dragonstone. And the patriarchy is very bad to Alyssa!TRIGGER WARNING for discussion about traumatic childbirth, infant mortality, birth mortality, and forms of surgery surrounding said topics. Discussion begins at 51:30 and ends at 1:45:00. Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the ninth chapter, Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I Part 1. Jaehaerys starts his grassroots campaign among the small folk, Rhaena is maybe a little traumatized, and Alysanne is almost assassinated (pour one out for Rosamund Ball) in this thrilling section. And remember kids, incest is good and definitely has no genetic repercussions! Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Caroline and Gretchen are joined again by Musa <3 to continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the eight chapter, A Time of Testing Part 2. Jaehaerys and Alysanne get married and this is GOOD, strictly GOOD to marry your 14-year-old sister. Everyone agrees Targs can do incest because they're so special :-) oh and taxes!Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Caroline and Gretchen are joined by Musa <3 to continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the eight chapter, A Time of Testing Part 1. Jaehaerys comes back to King's Landing with a full Google Calendar and multiple meetings that could have been emails. Rogar Baratheon is so bad at treason that he's forgiven, and former Queen Regent Alyssa cries and DEFINITELY retires this time!!! Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Caroline and Gretchen continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the seventh chapter, A Surfeit of Rulers Section 3. Rogar Baratheon wins gold in the "Bad Decisions" competition, while Alyssa Velaryon totally, definitely retires. Oh, and Rhaena is passed over for the throne yet again. Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the seventh chapter, A Surfeit of Rulers Section 2. George R.R. Martin is definitely NOT throwing shade at The Bad Show (TM) with his description of Coryanne Wylde's sexual exploits, while everyone's favorite girl Rhaena definitely doesn't have some thematically-significant new dragon's eggs in her possession... Featuring special guest, Caroline's brother's dog Stitch. Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Caroline and Gretchen continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the seventh chapter, A Surfeit of Rulers Section 1. Alyssa Velaryon takes a back seat and definitely doesn't do anything or make any decisions, while the Best Boy Jaehaerys trains with his sword for funsies and Alysanne is... also here!Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the sixth chapter, The Year of Three Brides Part 2. Alyssa and Rogar leave the kids alone for five minutes and oh no! Jaehaerys married his sister! More importantly, Jonquil Darke is here <3Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Caroline and Gretchen continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the sixth chapter, The Year of Three Brides Part 1. Rhaena gets married to the beard - I mean love of her life in Fair Isle, while Alyssa marries Rogar Baratheon which is definitely, definitely his idea! Power is power in this stunning section of Fire & Blood. Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the fifth chapter, Prince Into King: The Ascension of Jaehaerys I. King Jaehaerys ascends the Mighty Gaming Chair with absolutely no one's help, while Rhaena totally willingly concedes the throne, Faceless men abound in Old Town, and everyone for once chooses the path that is not currently on fire. Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Caroline and Gretchen continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the fifth and final section of the fourth chapter, Sons of the Dragon. Maegor the Cruel maybe actually starts to earn his name as he destroys the Harroways and is otherwise evhul - so evhul, in fact, that he is rejected by the Mighty Gaming Chair itself! Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the fourth section of the fourth chapter, Sons of the Dragon. Spooky scary ladies abound while Maegor builds his Minecraft fort and holds skulls - perhaps that was a rather large bonk on the head...Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Caroline and Gretchen continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the third section of the fourth chapter, Sons of the Dragon. Aenys Targaryen dies of plot convenience and Maegor takes "three heads has the dragon" too literally by taking three wives, while the Faith stirs trouble and Rhaena has twins by her brother. This is fine :-) Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the second section of the fourth chapter, Sons of the Dragon. The lords of Westeros decide to mulligan those battles from the conquest with the weak King Aenys, while Maegor establishes the archetype of "second son" and Rhaena continues to be very, very gay. Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Caroline and Gretchen continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the first section of the fourth chapter, Sons of the Dragon. With the birth of his two sons, Aenys and Maegor, King Aegon retires to his Aegonfort to play with his mini-figs, content knowing the succession is secure as his kids all get along just great! Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the third chapter, Three Heads Had The Dragon. Aegon ruled wisely for all his days, while those spooky scary ladies stood evilly in the background...Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Caroline and Gretchen continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the second chapter, Reign of the Dragon. This is an exceptionally peaceful and not-at-all violent time when King Aegon ruled with no problems at all!Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]