Ranking Thrones

After the Targaryens destroyed their basis of power, the question now was what their rule would be based on? Jim and James explore the varied attempts to overcome a dragon-free Westeros. Art by Naomi Makes Art

Ranking Thrones has covered the Dance of the Dragons across 8 episodes. But now Jim and James go in depth for 3 hours on the lead-up to and the clash of the Targaryens. James shows his defense of Rhaenyra while Jim holds all in contempt.

Jim McGeehin joins to chat about the history of Westeros from a broader perspective. In this series James and Jim analyze the trends of Kingship. In this episode they cover Aegon's style of Kingship and how his sons parroted aspects of their father. We also discuss the unsung significance of Visenya and more! Art by Amok

In our first and only time we will be discussing a show version of a King. We dive into D&D's portrayal of Tommen I. The poor good hearted boy that became King in a time of war.

For the first time since Torrhen Stark bent the knee to Aegon the Conqueror, there was a King in the North. Allied with the Riverlands who pledged fealty to Robb Stark, Robb forged a new crown and went to war against Tywin Lannister. Robb would astonish all as one of the greatest generals since Daeron the Young Dragon. Unfortunately though, Robb's prowess in combat was equaled by his mistakes in p...

Evan is out this week but we have on Jim McGeehin of Wars & Politics of Ice & Fire to discuss Daeron II. We have discussed the most polarizing king from the Black and Red Dragon perspective, now Jim comes from a fair-minded and skeptical perspective to Daeron's legacy. Come for a magnificent hot take on the Red Dragon.  The Panel discussed: Targaryen Politics in Post-Dragon Westeros

I'm sorry, we tried but we cannot lie, we hate this guy. Balon Greyjoy would twice take the Crown of Salt & Rock. Both times would end horrendously for himself and his people. We examine just how shortsighted and idiotic his attempts to take the crown were. Also, we examine the insidious nature of his entire ideology. 

Renly Baratheon was the youngest brother of Robert I. After the death of Robert and the execution of Ned Stark, Renly would be the first man to declare himself King in defiance of Joffrey. Renly would command the largest force in Westeros and the breadbasket of the Realm. Unfortunately beyond good looks and charm there was little of substance in Renly. What do Evan and James think of the Copper Ki...

Was Viserys III the victim of a horrible childhood and the pressure of restoring his dynasty? Or was Viserys always the son of the Mad King? Evan and James tackle the Targaryen Prince from the east that vexed Robert.

No one but desperate Blackfyre supporters believed in Daemon II. With the crushing legacy of his father, and visions of the future, Daemon sought the Iron Throne. What do Evan and James think of the pitiful Brown Dragon?

Evan and James are back, to cover the men who sought to be King. We begin our series on the Claimants with the either martyr or greatest enemy Daemon I. Joining us to rank this divisive figure is the magnificent Steve Attewell. Also a discussion on the House of the Dragon, the Star Wars Holiday Special and why Dunk and Egg has not been adapted by HBO yet.

Evan and I go into the final melee pitting the greatest Dragons and Stag against each other to determine who is the greatest person to sit on the Iron Throne. Will it be Jaehaerys the Conciliator, Aegon the Conqueror or Robert the Usurper?

Evan and James round out the first round of melees with Aegon the Conqueror facing Daeron the Good and Aerys the Mad King facing off. Who will triumph and be the ultimate dragon?

Evan and James pit the Dragons and Stag against one another to determine who has the greatest impact on Westerosi history. This week, Rhaenyra I, Robert the Usurper, Viserys II and Aegon IV the Unworthy.

This week we welcome Chloe from the great podcast Girls Gone Canon. We get into Rhaenyra Targaryen, her struggle for the Iron Throne. Will James and Evan ruin Rhaenyra for Chloe? Art by Naomi Makes Art.

Having finished the exploration of the Kings and Queen who sat on the Iron Throne, Evan and James have four dragons clash: Aegon the Unlikely, Baelor the Blessed, Jaehaerys the Conciliator and Maegor the Cruel. Who of these Kings had the greatest impact on the history of Westeros? Also the highest and lowest scores on the category of "the King".

Stepping away from ranking the Kings and Queen who sat on the Iron Throne. I interview best-selling author Daniel Abraham. We speak about being a protégé of George RR Martin, the process of adapting A Game of Thrones to comics and some of the challenges of the books. All this and a little preview of the new season of The Expanse.

Evan and James rank the last of the men and woman who sat on the Iron Throne. Joffrey was an infamous young King for his cruelty and sadism. But does he stand out in history as a King that would be remembered? Also we get into the dragons who shall dance in our four melees for the most impactful Kings and Queen of Westerosi history.

Joffrey the-So-Called-Baratheon ascended the Iron Throne and quickly the War of the Five Kings truly began. Evan and James go into the life of the infamous boy-King.

Robert Baratheon would triumph where Rhaenyra Targaryen and Daemon Blackfyre failed, he would depose a King and overthrow the Targaryen Dynasty. But sadly once his reign as King began, Robert demonstrated that a good man is not necessarily a good King. Evan and James dive into the first king introduced in A Song of Ice & Fire.

Deviating from the regular scheduled program. James interviews bestselling writer Landry Q Walker about adapting A Clash of Kings to comics! We cover the lasting legacy of Batman, Renly's Peach and more!

James and Evan dive into the Mad King's final moments as they end their coverage of the Targaryen Dynasty. Find out how Aegon's dynasty, seemingly, ended with a forgotten servant of the Night's Watch. Then the two rank Aerys II, find out if he is a dragon or a dud.

With a son and heir already born, and a capable Hand of the King, Aerys could have overseen the beginning of a new era of prosperity for the Targaryen dynasty. Instead his paranoia and cruelty led to the greatest threat to the Crown since Daemon Blackfyre

Ranking Thrones welcomes special guest Steven Attewell from Race from the Iron Throne! We cover Aegon V and get his perspective on the Unlikely king. We go into Steven's controversial take on what transpired in Summerhall. We also cover the finale to Game of Thrones, discuss the Long Night, and the historicism of Arthurian legends. All this and more!

Following the tragedy of Summerhall, Jaehaerys II ascended to the Iron Throne. He would mix competence with hypocrisy while the threat of the Blackfyres loomed again on Westeros. What do Evan and James think of this ambivalent figure to sit on the Iron Throne?