I think this episode was the first time I really felt (some) sympathy for Otto Hightower.

I was cracking up during the scene he confronted Aegon and Ser Criston Cole about hanging the rat catchers and sending Erryk to kill Arryk. I thought Rhys Ifans did a convincing job in that scene; watching Otto realize that (1) not only was he surrounded by idiots, but (2) there was no fucking way he could control the idiots was quite satisfying.

Also, Ser Criston Cole just becomes a bigger piece of shit every episode. The audacity he had of trying to blame Erryk for Jaehaerys’ death when he was the one fucking the queen instead of doing him job.

Overall, a really good episode.

Things I liked

• New intro still rules. I may have to re-watch it, afaict it didn't change from a week ago.
• Laughin' out loud at Daemon smirking in his own corner while the Black Council was trying to figure out Blood & Cheese.
• The scene between Daemon and Rhaenyra was incredible.
• Seasmoke Sighting!
• Daeron Mentioned!
• The brother's duel

Weird Things / Random Thoughts

• The cut at Rhaenyra with Viserys/Aegon was odd... I thought that was a flashback of Aegon with Jaehaerys/Jaehaera.
• The Seasmoke scene... for a second there I thought that was John Macmillan (Laenor's actor)
• Tom Glynn-Carney is the early MVP and IMHO most improved actor of this season. I really hope they update all imagery of HotD to feature him vs Rhaenyra for S3 and beyond.
• Phia Saban (Helaena) is a masterclass at saying so much without words (or as few of them as possible).
• Shoutout to the twins, once the Cargyll duel started - I was on the edge of my seat - and unable to tell them apart.