House of the Dragon (GoT Prequel)

[bdubbs]

Loved episode 3. Caraxes' design is so bada$$, more serpent like than Dany's dragons.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I really enjoyed episode three, particularly the first 45 minutes or so.

But I don't really understand how an army that was fending off a dragon (who we are told/we see in the original series how powerful they are) wasn't able to defend against Daemon running through 25 people.

I'd guess there are probably scenarios I overlooked in the first four seasons of GoT that were like this, but I hope for better.

They did try to explain it....whenever the dragon came by, they would all just hide in their caves. They needed to be lured out. So...what that meant was that the entire army would rush out if they saw Daemon on the beach by himself.

Pretty silly, you'd assume just a couple dozen guys plus a few archers could get that job done, no matter how bad ass Daemon is.

The whole thing didn't really make any sense. How were these guys getting food and water if they were just hiding in a cave from a siege for months at a time. If they were in the caves, just burn down their ships, and their stranded without any supply lines.

Unfortunately, the battle was more Battle of the Bastards and less season 1-4ish GoT. The main point was to further weaken Viserys by pumping up Daemon's tires.

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

The military tactics in GoT have never made sense. Even the much-loved Battle of the Bastards was ridiculous.

Wasn't this the battle in which the Knights of the Vale, pure cavalry, easily overwhelmed an army entirely composed of spearman?

I thought spearman are supposed to be "super effective" against cavalry.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

Wasn't this the battle in which the Knights of the Vale, pure cavalry, easily overwhelmed an army entirely composed of spearman?

I thought spearman are supposed to be "super effective" against cavalry.

That may be the only part of the battle that made sense. Ramsay's lines were broken and it was an all out brawl by the pint the Vale arrived. That many heavy cavalry would absolutely mow down a bunch of foot soldiers. In order for pikemen/spearmen to work, you need to have very tight military formations. You also need to have the spears embedded into the ground in a pre-existing defensive formation with archer support. Once the defensive position is broken, the whole thing falls apart.

[Shazam]

I really want to get into a military engagement against a bunch of Hollywood writers.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Shazam

I really want to get into a military engagement against a bunch of Hollywood writers.

They'll bury you in bull####!

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by 1qqaaz

Wasn't this the battle in which the Knights of the Vale, pure cavalry, easily overwhelmed an army entirely composed of spearman?

I thought spearman are supposed to be "super effective" against cavalry.

Battle of the bastards was also ####ed up due to filming issues. It was never supposed to be that stupid but they had no choice. IIRC it was pieced together via clever editing and vfx. I can’t remember what the problem was but it prevented them from filming the battle as it was written/intended.

[OptimalTates]

Despite really enjoying it, they are making a mistake trying to be too "epic."

There was no need for the first episode tourney to result in deaths, it's just way over the top as these were noble lords and important people (including the prince and de facto heir to many). They were trying to one up the violence in GoT's tourney but the mountain going after Tyrell was suppose to be a huge exception to show how violent and unhinged he was. Instead this tourney they made that to be the rule and the crowd was cheering for it like they were slave fighting pits in Myreen.

Now in this episode I don't even know why they bothered with the dragon, Daemon could have taken out the full army by himself apparently. Jamie and Brienne, two of the best fighters in the world at the time surrendered to a half dozen of Roose Bolton's men because they knew they were overwhelmed. That was what made GoT great early on that despite fantasy it was grounded in some reality. You made stupid moves, you faced the consequences and didn't have hero plot armor at least until the crappier later seasons. Now someone volunteers to be bait for 50 archers and has to go through a couple dozen soldiers himself and it's no biggie.

[djsFlames]

Epic or not, I'm enjoying it. Greatly.

[FormerPresJamesTaylor]

The only thing I don't like is the King's acting, he's just not very good

[Ashes]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Epic or not, I'm enjoying it. Greatly.

Same here, finally just finished watching the entire GOT series last week and then finished all three HotD episodes this weekend. This series is doing a great job of standing on its own and introducing us to all the characters referenced in GOT.

Also I love what they've done with the Lannister family so far lol Jason Lannister is a simp lord.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by FormerPresJamesTaylor

The only thing I don't like is the King's acting, he's just not very good

[Locke]

Originally Posted by FormerPresJamesTaylor

The only thing I don't like is the King's acting, he's just not very good

How darest thou besmirch one of the Andys!

[White Out 403]

I had below 0 expectations going into the series, my investment into GoT was eradicated by the rape of the last 2 seasons by the show runners. I'd be lying if I said the show is of the same quality as the start of GoT, but it's still very very good and very enjoyable.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by FormerPresJamesTaylor

The only thing I don't like is the King's acting, he's just not very good

I think Paddy has improved as the show has gone along.

The start was rough for him though. Felt like dad acting on a bad family sitcom.

In ep 3 he had more of the subtle nuances in his expressions down which made his character feel more real. In the first episode his swings in emotion were a little sudden and came across forced.

[Shazam]

Acting was a little stiff in the first episode. Other than that it’s been fine.

[direwolf]

Originally Posted by FormerPresJamesTaylor

The only thing I don't like is the King's acting, he's just not very good

Blasphemy! I love Paddy Considine.

[Looch City]

I think he’s meant to be a bit awkward and seem weak. He’s just a nerd wanting to play with his model cities and dragons.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Looch City

I think he’s meant to be a bit awkward and seem weak. He’s just a nerd wanting to play with his model cities and dragons.

This is the thing, and I've mentioned it once in this thread already, but its they cycle of 'The Wheel.'

Its been a long time since there was real conflict and war, so everyone has become soft, inexperienced and contented...until conflict starts again.

Its a generation untested by real tragedy. When bad things finally happen to these people they're not going to know how to handle it.

[Inglewood Jack]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

But I don't really understand how an army that was fending off a dragon (who we are told/we see in the original series how powerful they are) wasn't able to defend against Daemon running through 25 people.

Dragons from GoT were OP (on offence at least) and got nerfed, they no longer explode through stone and masonry with concussive blasts. They should just have fiery hot breath and more durability than the last series, it would be great if it took more than just a big arrow to one-shot them.