Raven On: A Pop Culture Podcast Natalie Bochenski & Stuart Layt

Lordy lordy, quite a saucy moment at the, ahem, climax of this week's episode of House of the Dragon. Nat & Tom break down the magic moment between Rhaenyra and Mysaria; Alicent's terrible relationships with her sons; Daemon's psychological breakthrough at Harrenhal; and the continuing effects of all this on the "Smallfolk" of the title.

Plus dragon riding is tougher than you might think; unless you're the right person, of course. Enjoy!

Nat and Tom are back to deconstruct Daemon's dodgy dream in this week's House of the Dragon. The Harrenhal ergot is wild, man.

It's a slower episode after the fire and blood of last time, but there's still a lot of great moments and characters wallowing in frustration to make for excellent discussions: Alicent getting mansplained out of a job; Rhaenyra and Jace hoping to plant some new seeds; Aegon's crispy dilemma; the Riverlords getting hella mad.

Enjoy!

NO NO NO NO NO WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING

Sigh. You watch Game of Thrones/House of the Dragon for a decade and yet you STILL don't think you're going to have your heart broken. We sweet summer children.

Tom's in France, but has found an hour away from the champagne and fromage to chat to Natalie about the epic Battle of Rooks Rest, and its terrible climax. Plus - Aegon really wants to matter, Alicent's starting to give no f***s, and Daemon is going slightly mad.

Also, at one point, Natalie references a weird-ass thumping dance track from the 90s called "Dead Eyes Opened". It looks as it was originally from an Australian band in 1983, but then it was pumped up in '94, and that's the one Natalie remembers. It's here if you want to take a look:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJJ5WEmW5OI

As Tom says to Nat in this episode re: nudity: "ask and ye shall receive". There's a lot to this week's HotD, but surely Hot D itself is a... well.... large part of it.

Join Nat and Tom as they deep dive into Alicent and Rhaenyra's reunion, the arrival of Sir Simon as Ser Simon, Ser Gwayne the Green Knight and more. There's also updates on the impending British election, AND a tangent about why Nat's brain might not be functioning properly.

Enjoy!

Nat and Tom are back for more Hot D, and it's all go go go as King Aegon seeks revenge for a little dynastic trouble he's had imposed on him. There's a focus on what the role the smallfolk will play in the battles ahead, as well as some proper acting, tantrums, twin talk, and more.

There's also a little Doctor Who season finale wrap-up, plus a bit of chatter about the bonkers British election, or "gennie lec" as the kids might say.

Natalie also forgets to do the regular "where you can find us" should out, so just in case - it's @girlclumsy and @tomsalinsky on Twitter/X, www.patreon.com/girlclumsy and www.facebook.com/nataliesthrone.

Enjoy!

By the Old Gods and new, this is a very strange thing - to be delighted to be back in Westeros, but still so sad our wonderful friend and bloodrider Stuart Layt isn't here to lead the way with his booming laugh and unparalled knowledge of all things House of the Dragon.

While of course Stu is irreplaceable, it's wonderful to welcome podcast regular Tom Salinsky onboard to help steer the dragon through Season 2 of HotD.

There's lots to chew over in this first instalment, including the return (briefly) of the Starks, Alicent and Cristan Cole-dancing, Rhaenyra's grief, Aegon's magnanimity, and a terrible crime to wrap it all up.