Sunday, July 6, 2025

UBS Podcast – Caroline was Right about HotD

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Julia, Kylie, Caroline, and Gretchen name their dragons, define antagonists, and wonder if they’re secure in trusting House of the Dragon as they discuss the first season in full. 

Listen below, subscribe/listen on iTunes (the newest episode is updated in the app, even if not on the site yet), subscribe to our RSS feed, search for “Unabashed Book Snobbery” in any podcast app, or download an MP3 of the episode here (go to ‘show all’).

The intro & outro saltarello is performed by Stary Olsa from their album “Liep​š​aje (The Best​)​”, which is available for purchase on Bandcamp.

Episode Breakdown

  • 0:00 – Intro
  • 3:15 – The adjective game & fandom engagement
  • 18:45 – HOTD tops itself/the ending
  • 25:20  – Missteps, favorites, and Matt Daemon
  • 29:40 – Avoid and evade, typical airbender tactics
  • 39:20 – Season structure
  • 51:30 – What’s an antagonist?
  • 1:02:00 – Liberatory violence
  • 1:09:20  – Babes and MMD
  • 1:22:30 – The dagger of it all
  • 1:32:45 – Are we getting duped again?
  • 1:45:45 – Season 2 hopes and dreams
  • 1:56:20 – The Aemond of it all
  • 2:05:20 – Name your dragon!

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Authors

  • Kylie

    Kylie is a Managing Editor at The Fandomentals on a mission to slay all the tropes. She has a penchant for complex familial dynamics and is easily pleased when authors include in-depth business details.

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  • Caroline

    Caroline is a lawyer by day, geeky media fan and critic by night, afternoon, and lunch hour. Caroline enjoys long walks on quiet beaches so she can mentally over-analyze fictional characters and settings, and candlelit dinners that don't cause a glare on her TV screen.

    View all posts
  • Gretchen

    Bi/pan, they/them. Gretchen is a Managing Editor for the Fandomentals. An unabashed academic book nerd and aspiring sci/fi and fantasy author, they have about things like media, representation, and ethics in storytelling.

    View all posts

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