Gretchen and Caroline are joined by NEW FRIEND Frankie to discuss race and racism in the A Song of Ice and Fire universe, covering the books, House of the Dragon, and Fire & Blood up until the end of Jaehaerys's reign. You know, just a nice light topic. Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

WE HAVE ANOTHER FRIEND!! Gretchen and Caroline are joined by guest Nick to discuss "Great Man Theory" in history and as applied to Fire & Blood. This continues to not be a Dune podcast. Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline look back on the podcast so far, analyzing their own analysis for over two hours :) We swear this is not a Dune podcast. Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Caroline and Gretchen continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the end of the eleventh chapter, The Long Reign Section 6. The world's most serendipitous crossbow bolt totally accidentally and not-on-purpose kills the crown Prince, and finally Jaehaerys is sad about a child's death. Also, take your calcium. Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the eleventh chapter, The Long Reign Section 5. For literally a whole ten pages, Jaehaerys struggles to accept the fact that one of his teenage daughters had CONSENSUAL SEXUAL INTERCOURSE!! And to make it worse, it wasn't even with her brother!!! The horror! Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Caroline and Gretchen continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the eleventh chapter, The Long Reign Section 4. Jaehaerys gets an absolute bee in his bonnet about getting his 13-year-old daughter, Daella, married ASAP - fortunately Alysanne is able to delay until she is the ripe old age of 16 :-) and then Jaehaerys & Sons defeat those dastardly Dornish! The best king everyone! Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the eleventh chapter, The Long Reign Section 3. As years pass under Targaryen rule, Alysanne has EVEN MORE KIDS. Meanwhile, some (read: all) of those kids seem to have problems stemming from neglect. And yet Lucamore Strong is punished for having sixteen kids himself!! The Patriarchy is weird. Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Caroline and Gretchen continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the eleventh chapter, The Long Reign Section 2. Rogar Baratheon leans into that toxic masculinity by causing more violence in yet another "Dornish" war. And George R.R. Martin hurts us all badly with the death of Princess Daenerys, while Alyssa is Not Like Other Girls (TM), and did you know the 7-year-old Prince is SO handsome?? Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the eleventh chapter, The Long Reign Section 1. Alyssa Farman sails off into the sunset (literally) while the shivers ravages King's Landing. The smallfolk are shockingly racist and attack Rego Draz. Jaehaerys takes action - but only on the latter. There's nothing he could do for the shivers! Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline react to House of the Dragon Season 2 Trailer and make predictions about the rest of the show! We're so worried! Check out Sumalee Eaton @sew.sumalee on TikTok for more costume analysis. Check out the neato family tree we used this episode in this article: https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/7/17/15982450/house-targaryen-family-tree-fanart

Gretchen and Caroline continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the tenth chapter, Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Their Triumphs and Tragedies Section 4. Alysanne goes to the North and proves that she is, indeed, the brains behind this whole operation, while Jaehaerys threatens dragon violence to force a peace between foreign dignitaries. BUT did you know he's a great dancer? Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Caroline and Gretchen continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the tenth chapter, Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Their Triumphs and Tragedies Section 3. Rhaena Targaryen has the MOST MOVING scene scattering her daughter's ashes on dragonback, while Jaehaerys obsesses over his stolen dragon eggs and Alysanne heads to the North. Everyone collectively listens closely for any whisper of chickens... Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the tenth chapter, Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Their Triumphs and Tragedies Section 2. Elissa Farman escapes into the West while rumors about Balerion's location circulate until, oh no! Aerea returns on Balerion, and George R.R. Martin embraces his Eldritch-horror subplot! Wyrms wyrms wyrms! TRIGGER WARNING for discussion of body horror and traumatic birth imagery from 00:57:40 to 01:50:00. Questions or comments? Email us at...

Caroline and Gretchen continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the tenth chapter chapter, Jaehaerys and Alysanne: Their Triumphs and Tragedies Section 1. Rhaena Targaryen wanders the rainy countryside searching for Aerea, while Jaehaerys buckles down on projects that were totally only his idea and Alysanne is not at all involved! Oh yeah, and there's a new heir presented to the smallfolk Lion-King-Style! Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline continue their analysis of Fire & Blood by concluding the ninth chapter, Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I Part 3. While Jaehaerys continues to start new projects and Alysanne enjoys her daughter Daenerys (who will DEFINITELY be queen one day), Rhaena has to cope with a daughter who runs away and a murderous husband. Being the royal family is awesome and not at all traumatic! Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

TRIGGER WARNING EPISODE - Caroline and Gretchen continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the ninth chapter, Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I Part 2. When the High Septon dies, Jaehaerys and Alysanne take a convenient trip to Oldtown to mourn him (with their dragons!) while some plot-relevant eggs disappear on Dragonstone. And the patriarchy is very bad to Alyssa! TRIGGER WARNING for discussion about traumatic childbirth, infant mortality, birth mortality, and forms of...

Gretchen and Caroline continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the ninth chapter, Birth, Death, and Betrayal Under King Jaehaerys I Part 1. Jaehaerys starts his grassroots campaign among the small folk, Rhaena is maybe a little traumatized, and Alysanne is almost assassinated (pour one out for Rosamund Ball) in this thrilling section. And remember kids, incest is good and definitely has no genetic repercussions! Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Caroline and Gretchen are joined again by Musa 3 to continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the eight chapter, A Time of Testing Part 2. Jaehaerys and Alysanne get married and this is GOOD, strictly GOOD to marry your 14-year-old sister. Everyone agrees Targs can do incest because they're so special :-) oh and taxes!Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Caroline and Gretchen are joined by Musa 3 to continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the eight chapter, A Time of Testing Part 1. Jaehaerys comes back to King's Landing with a full Google Calendar and multiple meetings that could have been emails. Rogar Baratheon is so bad at treason that he's forgiven, and former Queen Regent Alyssa cries and DEFINITELY retires this time!!! Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Caroline and Gretchen continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the seventh chapter, A Surfeit of Rulers Section 3. Rogar Baratheon wins gold in the "Bad Decisions" competition, while Alyssa Velaryon totally, definitely retires. Oh, and Rhaena is passed over for the throne yet again. Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the seventh chapter, A Surfeit of Rulers Section 2. George R.R. Martin is definitely NOT throwing shade at The Bad Show (TM) with his description of Coryanne Wylde's sexual exploits, while everyone's favorite girl Rhaena definitely doesn't have some thematically-significant new dragon's eggs in her possession... Featuring special guest, Caroline's brother's dog Stitch. Questions or comments? Email us at...

Caroline and Gretchen continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the seventh chapter, A Surfeit of Rulers Section 1. Alyssa Velaryon takes a back seat and definitely doesn't do anything or make any decisions, while the Best Boy Jaehaerys trains with his sword for funsies and Alysanne is... also here!Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]

Gretchen and Caroline continue their analysis of Fire & Blood with the sixth chapter, The Year of Three Brides Part 2. Alyssa and Rogar leave the kids alone for five minutes and oh no! Jaehaerys married his sister! More importantly, Jonquil Darke is here 3Questions or comments? Email us at [email protected]