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- [00:01]
A
Audio for sleep by hatch. Hey, I'm Greta. Welcome to the Nightly from Hatch, where your late night thoughts go to rest. Foreign it's just me here in the pillow fort tonight, and I gotta tell you, today was one of those days where I have just been thinking about going to bed early all day. So I am so happy to be here with you right now. We're going to be opening the lines to talk to a listener in a little bit, but I want to tell you first, if you want to come on the show to talk about anything that's on your mind, you can email us or send a voice memo to the Nightly at Hatch. So some of you may already know me. I have a podcast called Happy to Be Here, which used to be called Nerdette. And I also write a newsletter called Gretagram. And I actually have the great privilege of being the co host of HBO's official Game of Thrones podcast. We have discussed the first two seasons of House of the Dragon. We're about to start up on the third season, and we also got to talk about A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which is such a treat. And it's kind of a funny story how I ended up hosting the official podcast because back when I hosted Nerdette at wbez, part of what we did there was we recapped Game of Thrones with my friend Peter Sagal, who hosts an NPR show called Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me. And I mean, Peter really approached us to the point where I was like, ready to be done watching Game of Thrones. And I kind of was the person who complained about it a lot because, you know, pacing can be an issue. But ultimately, ultimately, it has been such a pleasure to. I don't know, it's sort of like the journey is the friends you make along the way. Right. And I have felt that way very much about House of the Dragon as well. So I'm especially excited to get to talk about it tonight with our caller, Bobby. Bobby, hey, you there?
- [02:29]
B
Hey. Hey. Am I on?
- [02:30]
A
Yeah. So what's on your mind tonight? We're talking. We're talking dragons.
- [02:33]
B
Yes. We're talking big dragons. We're talking crazy family drama. I'm here for House of Dragons.
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A
No kidding. I kind of love how soapy it is. You know, it's.
- [02:46]
B
I mean, it's incredible. It's the drama, it's the soapiness of it. You're so right. Like, I feel like all of this probably could have just been solved, like just by through a group chat or something. You know, what I mean, like, it could have been all that easy, but hey, you know, I also love to avoid having difficult conversations, so.
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A
Yeah, fair enough.
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B
I get it.
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A
Okay, so. So for people who have not had the great pleasure of watching House of the Dragon, how would you describe it to people?
- [03:21]
B
I would just say it's like reality tv, but just set in whatever time period that is.
- [03:31]
A
Yeah, I mean, it's fake because there's dragons, but it's like medieval ish. Right. It's kind of that, like high fantasy. Sort of like not too far off from like a Lord of the Rings time period, right?
- [03:45]
B
Totally, totally.
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A
So I'm guessing you watched Game of Thrones.
- [03:51]
B
I did.
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A
And have you read. How many of the books have you read? I feel like that's always gotta be
- [03:57]
B
part of the conversation and I hate that I have to say this, but I have read none of the books.
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A
That's awesome. Actually, I think that's cool. It's funny because, like, I'm a huge book reader. Like, I read, I don't know, over 100 books last year and I've read a lot of the Game of Thrones books, but I have not read the Fire and Blood, which is the book that House of the Dragon is based on. And I also have not read the Duncan Egg novellas. And I gotta tell you, I got some pretty snarky comments that were like, those books are only 90 pages and this co host of this podcast hasn't read them. But I haven't because I like to think of myself as like the stand in for a viewer like you who hasn't read the books and so who is experiencing the TV show story like, as it is on the screen as opposed to comparing it to what was on the page, you know?
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B
Yeah.
- [04:53]
A
So did you start. What got you into House of the Dragon? You just liked Game of Thrones and you went for it?
- [04:58]
B
Yeah, and it took me so long to get into into Game of Thrones. Like, I was like eight years late to that train, but I finally jumped on it.
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A
You missed the train. I think that means you just kind of miss. I mean, eight years. That's so. Had it like ended and then you watched?
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B
Oh, yeah. Like I'm telling you. Like, I think it was like maybe three years ago, I. Oh my God, I started it.
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A
That's so funny. And it held up for you, obviously.
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B
Oh, totally. Like, to a T. And it was a life changer, really, I think.
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A
You really think it changed your life?
- [05:31]
B
I think it was. It was canon in. In my life that Is correct.
- [05:36]
A
That's really cool. I think it's so interesting to me to hear that, like, it has changed your life. But you haven't read the books. I mean, no shame. But, like, are you curious about reading them?
- [05:44]
B
I am. I am. A buddy of mine has. Has the whole series, and I'm like, I know. I just. It's one of those things I just have to start. Yeah, I guess.
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A
Well, and honestly, like, maybe A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is the place to start. Because as I mentioned, those Duncan Egg novellas are like. Those are shorties, you know, and also just sort of like, dip your toe in.
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B
Yes. And also Night of the Seven Kingdoms is just like another fantastic show, but they don't. They're not really missing. Yeah, I watched that as well.
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A
It's great, isn't it? I think that one's my favorite. Don't tell the others.
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B
Yeah, no, for sure.
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A
Okay. So I asked you what your favorite thing about House of the Dragon was, and you said you liked the drama. Do you think, like, something that can be difficult for me to think through, maybe, or something that's interesting to think about is how it is different from the Game of Thrones series? Because it is. In a lot of pretty interesting ways, I think. Do you agree?
- [06:47]
B
Yes. I think the, like, Game of Thrones was, like, centered around, like, such a. Such a great story. Like, it's storytelling, like, at its peak. Whereas again, kind of like I mentioned, like, I feel like House of Dragons is like, they're really just putting you in the middle of the drama, and it's like you kind of have to find your way from there.
- [07:13]
A
And the drama for people who don't know. A nice king dies and he said his daughter was supposed to become queen, but there's a lot of concern that the realm is not ready for a woman to be in charge. So that's really when the drama starts. Because he also had. He did have a son with a second wife who happens to be his daughter's best friend.
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B
Exactly.
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A
And that's where the drama and the soapiness begin, I think, because it's like, oh, this is just a mess all around. So wait, are you on. Are you on Rhaenyra's team? Are you on Team Black?
- [07:53]
B
1000%. Really
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A
interesting. I feel like. I feel like I started on Team Black, but the more complicated the story gets, the more I'm like, are these team. Do these teams even exist anymore? You know?
- [08:14]
B
Yeah. Yeah. I just feel like a lot of the times Rhaenyra's like, she's just kind of reacting to what Alicent and kind of their whole mission. Obviously her. Alicent's father. Oh my God, I'm blanking on his name.
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A
Otto Hightower.
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B
Otto Hightower. Thank you. Yes. Really is kind of running the show.
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A
I think what makes that story so interesting is so often the person who looks like they're in charge isn't actually in charge or doesn't get to be in charge. And it is like there's always kind of somebody pulling the strings behind that, if that makes sense.
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B
Totally. And I think it. I mean, it's the same way through, like this whole, like, even Game of Thrones was that way. I feel Knight of the Seven Kingdoms is like a different detachment from like the whole hierarchy stuff. It really just like focuses on a guy and a child and it's funny.
- [09:31]
A
I do think, like, when I meet people who are like, oh, no, no, no, I didn't watch Game of Thrones. It was too violent. Can't get into House of the Dragon. But I love fantasy. I do recommend a Knight of the Seven Kingdoms because I think it's such a. I mean, for one, there's. Right now there's only six half hour episodes, so it's a very easy time commitment, especially compared to Game of Thrones. But also like, it's. It's less violent, it's friendlier, it's funnier, it's sweeter, there's more hugs. Like, it is just like. I think it just goes down a little easier. You know what I mean?
- [10:07]
B
No, totally.
- [10:09]
A
Do you ever think the drama in House of the Dragon, like, connects to the drama in your own life? Bobby, Are you like, man, this is right out of House of the Dragon?
- [10:18]
B
Oh, my gosh. I mean, yes. I think that's why it's. It resonates so much. Is. Is the. The whole family. Oh, my gosh. I feel like I could. I don't want to. Like, really? Then. Then I'm going to just start talking therapy to you, and I don't think that's fair for you.
- [10:39]
A
I mean, you know, we can go there if you want. So you've got some. Sounds like you've got some pretty serious family drama then.
- [10:49]
B
Yeah, I would say so, to be honest with you. I mean, I got. Luckily, I don't. I don't have a. I don't have any weird uncles, but I have uncles that I don't talk to anymore, so.
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A
Okay, fair enough. I feel like a lot of us have uncles we don't talk to anymore. I Can relate to that. Do you. Does. Did your best friend marry your dad?
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B
You know, that did not happen. And I think that I'm happy with that.
- [11:22]
A
It's probably for the best. Do you watch House of the Dragon before bed? I feel like it airs so late.
- [11:30]
B
It does. You're so right. I do. And it's probably not the best thing to wind me down. Well, I guess it depends because, you know, like, if it's like a dialogue heavy episode, then I'm like, okay. It actually kind of is putting me to sleep in a good way though. Obviously everything's still great, but. But yeah, if I'm seeing like dragons breathing fire, I'm like, I'm excited. I leave that episode and I'm like, let's go out. Yeah.
- [12:10]
A
So how do you wind down after watching a really exciting episode?
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B
I just do. I go right into the exact opposite and I think I just turn on Family Guy. Oh, that's.
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A
So you have like, kind of a little like brain smoothing palette cleanser before. That makes sense. Family Guy is a nice one for that.
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B
What about you?
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A
Well, I don't watch him that late.
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B
Okay.
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A
I don't. I have always. I mean, for like 10 years in my 20s. Well, yeah, for most of my 20s, I had to be like at work at 6am So I was like a trained morning person. Like, it was not inherent to me, but it was just like a thing I had to do. So I went to bed super early. And as a result, even now I have like a very like, intentional series of steps I like to take before I go to sleep. Cause it just like helps me, like, ease into it, you know. So, yeah, like, I was. I'm more likely to like wake up super early and watch an episode at like 6 or 7am Like, I'm not gonna watch it at 9pm that's too late.
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B
Wow.
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A
I don't want to start any new activities at 9pm unless it's reading in bed, you know.
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B
Yeah, sure. Reading the Game of Thrones series.
- [13:25]
A
Exactly. But yeah, I think too, like, especially now I get screeners, which is really cool. So then I'll watch them, you know, in the middle of the day if that's when I need to watch him to prep for an interview or something, you know?
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B
Mm. Totally.
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A
Have you thought about. I don't know if this question is too spoilery, but, like, have you thought about, like, do you have a prediction for how. What's gonna happen in House of the Dragon?
- [13:52]
B
Okay, I hope Rhaenyra becomes queen. That's My biggest hope.
- [14:01]
A
Sure. Bobby, do you really think it's all gonna be fixed if she just becomes queen, though?
- [14:06]
B
I think you just gotta force people like. Like she's gonna like. I mean, think about it. That's what all this, all the kings before was like, hey, he's next in line whether you like it or not. And so I guess if we're sticking with this theme, I think the whether
- [14:30]
A
you like it or not theme.
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B
Yeah. I think you put her on the throne and.
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A
And you just tell everybody to deal with it.
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B
Yeah. And let her rule. I feel like she'd be a good queen. She's caring. She's not heartless. I say that.
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A
No, I mean, yeah, she's more qualified than many people who have held the job. To your point, for sure. Well, I guess we'll see. It would be fun to check in with you after season three and see how you feel about all of it.
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B
Mm. Yeah. Also, I think the first episode is like an hour and a half, so this should be interesting. And I will probably watch it right before bed.
- [15:11]
A
Yes. And you're gonna need to watch a couple episodes of Family Guy after it, probably. But yeah, I think this part's gonna feel old after the episode because the episode is bonkers. And if you have not responded directly to it, people would think it's weird, to be honest. Well, Bobby, I look forward to hearing what you think about this next season of the show. I think it's gonna be a good one.
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B
Totally. We'll have to catch up.
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A
Thanks for. Yeah, thanks for calling in. It was nice to chat with you. I hope you sleep well.
- [15:43]
B
Thank you. You too.
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A
If you would like to come on the show to talk about anything that is on your mind, send us an email. Or you can record a little voice memo on your phone and email that to the nightlyatch. Co. You could want to talk about knitting or, I don't know, rainforests or airline travel. Truly, anything at all. Good night.
- [17:50]
B
Sa.
- [21:18]
A
To learn more about our phone free light and audio experience, head to Hatch Co. You can also follow us at Hatch Podcasts.