A Cast of Kings - A House of the Dragon Podcast
Decoding TV Presents A Cast of Kings: A quasi-weekly discussion of the plots, themes and highlights of the HBO series "House of the Dragon." Your hosts Dave Chen (The Filmcast and The Tobolowsky Files) and Kim Renfro (entertainment reporter at Insider, author of The Unofficial Guide to Game of Thrones) will dish up both praise and criticism and will try not to sound too pompous if the book was better. Questions, comments, oaths of fealty? Email acastofkings@gmail.com
Episodes
October 9, 2025 • 18 mins
In this bonus episode of A Cast of Kings, David and Jessie Earl discuss the first official trailer for A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. What was our reaction to the trailer? What are we most looking forward to? And what do we think of the casting? Listen to hear us discuss these questions and more.
Links:
Links:
Mark as Played
August 12, 2024 • 98 mins
Thanks to our SPONSORS for this episode:
- Factor: Head to factormeals.com/castofkings50 and use code castofkings50 to get 50% off your first box plus 20% off your next month.
- GhostBed: Visit GhostBed.com/castofkings to save 50%, plus free (and fast) shipping right to your door.
If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to check out Decoding TV's other podcasts:
...Mark as Played
August 5, 2024 • 117 mins
Thanks to our sponsor this week, GhostBed:
- Visit GhostBed.com/castofkings and use the code CASTOFKINGS to save 50% off your purchase sitewide.
Tune in next week for a season 2 post-mortem, with reactions to your feedback and thoughts! Email us at acastofkings@gmail.com for a chance to be included.
In this episode of A Cast of Kings, David Chen, Jessie Earl, and Kim Renfro dive into House of the D...
In this episode of A Cast of Kings, David Chen, Jessie Earl, and Kim Renfro dive into House of the D...
Mark as Played
July 29, 2024 • 88 mins
Thanks to our SPONSOR for this episode:
BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/castofkings today to get 10% off your first month.
In this episode of A Cast of Kings, David Chen and Kim Renfro dive into House of the Dragon’s seventh episode, “The Red Sowing.”
What kind of occupational safety standards exist in the world of Westeros? What do we make of Rhaenyra’s seeming nod towards religious fanaticism? Is Osca...
BetterHelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/castofkings today to get 10% off your first month.
In this episode of A Cast of Kings, David Chen and Kim Renfro dive into House of the Dragon’s seventh episode, “The Red Sowing.”
What kind of occupational safety standards exist in the world of Westeros? What do we make of Rhaenyra’s seeming nod towards religious fanaticism? Is Osca...
Mark as Played
July 22, 2024 • 107 mins
Thanks to our sponsor for this week's episode:
GHOSTBED: Visit GhostBed.com/castofkings and use the code CASTOFKINGS to save 50% off your purchase sitewide.
Become a paid member at DecodingTV.com to get bonus episodes.
In this episode of A Cast of Kings, David Chen, Jessie Earl, and Kim Renfro dive into House of the Dragon’s sixth episode, “Smallfolk.”
This week, Team Black and Team Green experi...
GHOSTBED: Visit GhostBed.com/castofkings and use the code CASTOFKINGS to save 50% off your purchase sitewide.
Become a paid member at DecodingTV.com to get bonus episodes.
In this episode of A Cast of Kings, David Chen, Jessie Earl, and Kim Renfro dive into House of the Dragon’s sixth episode, “Smallfolk.”
This week, Team Black and Team Green experi...
Mark as Played
July 15, 2024 • 95 mins
Thanks to our sponsor for this episode:
Factor - Head to factormeals.com/castofkings50 and use code castofkings50 to get 50% off your first box plus 20% off your next month while your subscription is active.
In this episode of A Cast of Kings, David Chen, Jessie Earl, and Kim Renfro dive into House of the Dragon’s fifth episode, “Regent.”
This week deals with the sprawling aftermath of the events of last ...
Factor - Head to factormeals.com/castofkings50 and use code castofkings50 to get 50% off your first box plus 20% off your next month while your subscription is active.
In this episode of A Cast of Kings, David Chen, Jessie Earl, and Kim Renfro dive into House of the Dragon’s fifth episode, “Regent.”
This week deals with the sprawling aftermath of the events of last ...
Mark as Played
July 12, 2024 • 27 mins
To get bonus episodes all season, become a paid subscriber at decodingtv.com.
In this bonus episode for A Cast of Kings, David Chen, Jessie Earl, and Kim Renfro discuss which elements from House of the Dragon episode 3 were changed from the book.
Why does the show keep increasing the stakes of characters’ actions beyond what they intend? How propaganda-driven is Fire and Blood anyway? And what is the net eff...
In this bonus episode for A Cast of Kings, David Chen, Jessie Earl, and Kim Renfro discuss which elements from House of the Dragon episode 3 were changed from the book.
Why does the show keep increasing the stakes of characters’ actions beyond what they intend? How propaganda-driven is Fire and Blood anyway? And what is the net eff...
Mark as Played
July 8, 2024 • 90 mins
Thanks to our sponsors this episode:
GhostBed: Visit Ghostbed.com/castofkings and use code CASTOFKINGS to save 50% off your purchase sitewide.
Betterhelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/castofkings today to get 10% off your first month.
To support this podcast and get ad-free eps and bonus eps, become a paid member at decodingtv.com.
In this episode of A Cast of Kings, David Chen, Jessie Earl, and Kim Renfro...
GhostBed: Visit Ghostbed.com/castofkings and use code CASTOFKINGS to save 50% off your purchase sitewide.
Betterhelp: Visit BetterHelp.com/castofkings today to get 10% off your first month.
To support this podcast and get ad-free eps and bonus eps, become a paid member at decodingtv.com.
In this episode of A Cast of Kings, David Chen, Jessie Earl, and Kim Renfro...
Mark as Played
July 1, 2024 • 87 mins
In this episode of A Cast of Kings, David Chen, Jessie Earl, and Kim Renfro dive into House of the Dragon’s third episode, “The Burning Mill.”
In this episode, the war begins to spiral out of control. What did we think of how the show depicts this? Also: Rhaenyra makes some big moves. What did we make of her daring gambit at the end of the episode? And what’s Daemon up to these days, anyway? Listen to hear us discuss ...
In this episode, the war begins to spiral out of control. What did we think of how the show depicts this? Also: Rhaenyra makes some big moves. What did we make of her daring gambit at the end of the episode? And what’s Daemon up to these days, anyway? Listen to hear us discuss ...
Mark as Played
June 24, 2024 • 82 mins
In this episode of A Cast of Kings, David Chen, Jessie Earl, and Kim Renfro dive into House of the Dragon’s second episode, "Rhaenyra the Cruel."
How is Aegon’s character shaping up this season? Are Otto’s reaction shots going to be the source of amazing gifs and memes? What do we think about how the show is introducing us to the smallfolk? And what exactly happened in the battle between Erryk and Arryk, anyway? Liste...
How is Aegon’s character shaping up this season? Are Otto’s reaction shots going to be the source of amazing gifs and memes? What do we think about how the show is introducing us to the smallfolk? And what exactly happened in the battle between Erryk and Arryk, anyway? Liste...
Mark as Played
June 21, 2024 • 27 mins
To get bonus episodes all season, become a paid subscriber at decodingtv.com.
David, Jessie, and Kim discuss some of the ways 'House of the Dragon's' season premiere changed the book.
In this bonus episode for A Cast of Kings, David Chen, Jessie Earl, and Kim Renfro, discuss the saga of Blood and Cheese and how the season premiere of House of the Dragon changed certain elements from the book.
What...
David, Jessie, and Kim discuss some of the ways 'House of the Dragon's' season premiere changed the book.
In this bonus episode for A Cast of Kings, David Chen, Jessie Earl, and Kim Renfro, discuss the saga of Blood and Cheese and how the season premiere of House of the Dragon changed certain elements from the book.
What...
Mark as Played
June 17, 2024 • 77 mins
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/castofkings today to get 10% off your first month.
Help keep podcasts like A Cast of Kings going by becoming a paid member at DecodingTV.com.
A Cast of Kings is back to cover season 2 of House of the Dragon! In this episode, David Chen, Jessie Earl, and Kim Renfro dive into House of the Dragon’s season 2 premiere, "A Son for a Son." This episode s...
Help keep podcasts like A Cast of Kings going by becoming a paid member at DecodingTV.com.
A Cast of Kings is back to cover season 2 of House of the Dragon! In this episode, David Chen, Jessie Earl, and Kim Renfro dive into House of the Dragon’s season 2 premiere, "A Son for a Son." This episode s...
Mark as Played
April 19, 2024 • 42 mins
We are less than two months away from the premiere of House of the Dragon season 2, which is scheduled to hit Max on June 16th. In this bonus episode of A Cast of Kings, David and Kim Renfro welcome Jessie Earl to the podcast and discuss the plan for the year. Then, it’s time to run down all the recent Thrones-related.
What do we think about the prospect of The Tales of Dunk and Egg as a new series? Were we disappoint...
What do we think about the prospect of The Tales of Dunk and Egg as a new series? Were we disappoint...
Mark as Played
March 22, 2023 • 61 mins
Big news: Kim Renfro and David Chen will be recapping Succession for its 4th and final season!
In this special season 4 preview episode for Decoding TV, we discuss:
In this special season 4 preview episode for Decoding TV, we discuss:
- Why is it we love Succession so much?
- Where we left off with each of the Roy characters at the end of season 3
- Jesse Armstrong’s comments on why he wanted to end the show
- Where we think season 4 will wrap up
- Where we want to see each of the Roy...
Mark as Played
December 23, 2022 • 25 mins
Over on the Decoding TV podcast, David Chen, Joy, and Kim Renfro recorded a bonus episode discussing season 1 of Netflix's 1899. In this excerpt we discussed our overall thoughts on the show. Later, we dive into our thoughts on the production design, each character's arc, and the unexpected ending to season 1.
This clip contains the NON-SPOILER parts of our conversation. To listen to our full spoiler chat, go here. ...
This clip contains the NON-SPOILER parts of our conversation. To listen to our full spoiler chat, go here. ...
Mark as Played
December 16, 2022 • 28 mins
David Chen and Kim Renfro are back! In this bonus episode, Kim Renfro describes her experiences attending the Game of Thrones Official Fan Convention (the first officially licensed fan convention!). Which panels did she see and what did she learn about the current and future state of Game of Thrones/House of the Dragon? Listen to find out!
Links:
Links:
Mark as Played
November 1, 2022 • 68 mins
Subscribe to the Decoding TV podcast and hear us cover shows like The White Lotus, Andor, and many more!
In this A Cast of Kings bonus episode, David Chen and Kim Renfro reflect on the first season of House of the Dragon. What questions remain unanswered? What themes stick out the most? And what was it like to make a podcast about it all? Listen to find out.
Programming note: Kim and I plan to do other bon...
In this A Cast of Kings bonus episode, David Chen and Kim Renfro reflect on the first season of House of the Dragon. What questions remain unanswered? What themes stick out the most? And what was it like to make a podcast about it all? Listen to find out.
Programming note: Kim and I plan to do other bon...
Mark as Played
October 27, 2022 • 59 mins
Hey folks, it's David Chen here. The second season of The White Lotus will debut on October 30 on HBO and run for 7 episodes, and I’m thrilled to share that the Decoding TV podcast will be recapping and reviewing each episode. Furthermore, I’m excited to announce that my co-host will be Roxana Hadadi, a TV critic at Vulture.com and one of my favorite writers on the internet today.
In this Decoding TV bonus ep, we disc...
In this Decoding TV bonus ep, we disc...
Mark as Played
October 25, 2022 • 103 mins
Help keep podcasts like A Cast of Kings going by becoming a paid member at DecodingTV.com!
In this episode of A Cast of Kings, David Chen and Kim Renfro dive into House of the Dragon’s season 1 finale, “The Black Queen.” Rhaenyra learns of what went down at King’s Landing next week, prompting her and Daemon to take immediate action. But can Rhaenyra prevent tragedy from befalling the kingdom, as well as her family? <...
In this episode of A Cast of Kings, David Chen and Kim Renfro dive into House of the Dragon’s season 1 finale, “The Black Queen.” Rhaenyra learns of what went down at King’s Landing next week, prompting her and Daemon to take immediate action. But can Rhaenyra prevent tragedy from befalling the kingdom, as well as her family? <...
Mark as Played
October 17, 2022 • 108 mins
In this episode of A Cast of Kings, David Chen and Kim Renfro dive into House of the Dragon’s ninth episode, “The Green Council.” Major events leave the Small Council divided on how to proceed. But who will have the upper hand?
Should Aegon really be king or is Aemond really better prepared? Why is Ser Criston able to just do WTF he wants with no consequences? Will Alicent ever realize the grave error that she’s made?...
Should Aegon really be king or is Aemond really better prepared? Why is Ser Criston able to just do WTF he wants with no consequences? Will Alicent ever realize the grave error that she’s made?...
Mark as Played
Popular Podcasts
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com