House of the Dragon has come a long way in its first season, and it's all been leading to this...the biggest civil war in sci-fi/fantasy on this side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In this episode of The Cast Beyond the Wall, hosts Caleb Masters and Daniel Stull are re-joined by special returning guest host, Ben Friend, to discuss what the events of this episode and cliffhanger mean for team Rhaenyra AKA "the blacks," and the viewers.

Following last week's "The Green Council," which focused on the Hightowers AKA "the greens," in King's Landing, this week's episode shifts the focus to our other lead, Rhaenyra, from her base in Dragonstone. Rhaenys delivers the troubling news of both Visery's death and also Aegon II's being crowned king in her place.

With Corlys "the sea snake" Velaryon making a surprise return from the brink of death to pledge support from Rhaenyra and Daemon counting dragons, it seems the Blacks are not out of the game despite lacking loyalty from many of the key lords of the seven kingdoms. The name of the game is "war," especially after Lucerys is murdered by Aemond's dragon in a chase the bards will sing about for generations to come.

Does this episode provide an adequate cliffhanger to leave us wanting more for season 2?

Today's podcast topics include:

Does this episode provide a satisfying close to the first season of House of the Dragon?
The consequences of Aemond's actions on Houe Targaryen
The crowning of Rhaenyra as queen on Dragonstone
Daemon's obsession with war
Do the Blacks have the support they need to wage a war?
Corlys's unexpected return from the edge of death
What do we expect to see next season
This week's winner, loser, and wild card player

According to the IMDB synopsis, "The Black Queen" is described as:

"While mourning a tragic loss, Rhaenyra tries to hold the realm together, and Daemon prepares for war."

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