Episode 9 of House of the Dragon featured The Queen Who Never Was shining the most brightly, which was quite remarkable. This final installment has given viewers magical moments of patriarchy and politics (as always), as well as intricately woven with the tense battles over the Iron Throne. Stakes have been running high for a while now, but with Viserys’ death (yes, he finally died), Alicent and Otto Hightower are at the helm of making Aegon the King, alas, with much destruction in its wake.
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As expected in the previous review Alicent will ascend Aegon to Iron Throne with Otto, but without informing Rhaenrya and Daemon. But the outcome of the story was slightly different. After Alicent learns of Viserys death, she informs her father that his ‘last wish’ was to see Aegon on the throne (all the misinterpretations). When she informs the Green Council, she discovers that Otto and his gang have been plotting this plan for years without her even knowing. As expected, she is furious because she knows of Otto’s plan includes executing Rhaenrya and her entire family, but she doesn’t wish to take that path. Instead, she is determined to find a middle road with her ex-colleague from childhood.
Episode 9: New Stills #HouseOfTheDragon pic.twitter.com/rLATnoddBF
— out of context house of the dragon (@oochotd) October 17, 2022
Although most of the Green Council supports Otto, Lyman Besbury is the only one to take action against this move. He believes Rahenrya is his true heir and that discreetly granting him the crown would only result in repercussions. Although his arguments are valid, the incel would like to hear them. Ser Cristen Cole then takes the matter into his hands and bashes Beesbury’s head onto one of the balls used by the Small Council, leading to his death. Harrold westerling, who is Lord Commander under the Green Council’s control, leaves. Cole was later to replace him. It seems that Westerling is now out of the picture and will likely join the black factions in the next season. This makes him a potential key player.
The future king was still hiding, so Rhaenys was kept in her room. Alicent and Otto decided to get together their loyal to search for the boy. Alicent sends Cole & Aemond while Otto asks Ser Arryk Cargyll & Ser Erryk Cargyll for help in finding the boy. Two teams are going to the same place for the same purpose. Alicent believes that Aegon can be controlled by whoever gets there first. Otto and Otto agree. Rhaenrya can be executed if Otto gets there first. Alicent can then let her best friend, however, if he does.
Rhaenys was jailed because of two reasons. First, it was to stop Rhaenys from fleeing Meleys and to inform Rhaenrya Daemon about what is happening. Second, it was to make sure she side with the Green. Both of these reasons fail, and we’ll discuss them later.
The truest men in the room #HouseOfTheDragon pic.twitter.com/QSxzh7iGiO
— out of context house of the dragon (@oochotd) October 17, 2022
Cristin finally hears Aemond talk to Cristin, about his desire and determination to become king. He also claims to be the next line, but he forgets that can’t happen as Aegon has children of his own. So, he is unlikely to reign over King’s Landing. Otto informs the main Houses about his plan for installing his son the throne. House Fell refuses, and is taken away. The books show that she was executed, but the series does not include this. Lord Caswell was a Rhaenrya supporter and was executed for his support. So, it’s likely the Fells were executed too.
Aegon’s Flea Bottom fighting pit is the most disturbing scene. A few young children are instead thrown into the fight and can only return to one side. In the corner, Erryk points out a silver-haired boy, which he claims to be Aegon’s bastard, and perhaps one of many children he fathered. Erryk is bitter about Aegon, but his twin can’t be stopped and stands beside the future king.
It’s here White Worm’s right hand tells them to get the Hand of the King to the table, and only then they will disclose Aegon’s whereabouts. Aemond and Cole saw the Cargyll twins just as the rendezvous was about start. Mysaria tells Otto that he must stop the ring fight. In many ways she looks like Varys. While he said, “power resides where men believe it resides” in GoT, Mysaria replaces it with, “There is no power but what the people allow you to take,” which shows the depth of the character.
Silence in the Realm, Episode 9 “The Green Council” is out now #HouseOfTheDragon pic.twitter.com/TaPmnbFoqv
— House Of The Dragon Source (@HOTDsource) October 17, 2022
Alicent travels around the Red Keep looking for people who can help her manage the chaos. First is her exchange with Rhaenys, who she tries to emotionally manipulate by reminding her of the death of her children and how Rhaenrya had ‘cuckolded’ Laenor. Rhaenys sees through the act and delivers one spectacular line that sums up Alicent’s position in the show, ‘You toil in the service to men. Your father, husband, and son. You desire not to be free but to make a window in the walls of your prison.’
Alicent was used throughout the show as a pawn. She was not able to control her movements and danced to the music of other men, almost exclusively. Otto has always reminded her that he is not someone who can rule. He has only made her more attractive to men by making her sexy. This reduced her to an object. Aegon, her child, sees her as a protector, caregiver, and hopes she will continue to support him, despite the horrors he has done. When he sexually assaults a maid, and when she tells him ‘You are no son of mine,’ Aegon is unfazed. He doesn’t care about her opinion, and when he doesn’t need her, he still wishes her to be loving.
Larys and Ser Cole are the worst offenders, taking everything to a new and disgusting level. Following his failed attempt with Rhaenrya’s teenage daughter, Ser Cole took his oath very seriously. He tells Aemond when they are looking for Aegon that, ‘Every woman is an image of the mother, to be spoken of with reverence,’ completely forgetting the sexist slurs he used for Rhaenrya when she refused him. Larys will reveal information to Alicent only if she shows her foot. This is also very demeaning for her as she is the Queen and must endure the torture. Larys masturbates while looking at her feet, but it is all necessary to keep her abreast of the events. It includes the news of Alicent’s lady-in-waiting, Talya may be the source of their problems, and she leaves it up to him to eliminate it, which he does by setting fire to Maysaria’s house in Flea Bottom.
House of the Dragon, “The Green Council” (2022). dir. Quentin Tarantino #HouseOfTheDragon #HouseOfTheDragonHBO pic.twitter.com/h3MUL056LY
— miranda. (@itsmirandx) October 17, 2022
Aegon is finally found in a sept of the Cargyll twins. This sets off a fight between Cole and Aemond. Finally, Alicent’s men win, and Aegon is taken back to the Red Keep. While Otto and everyone are preparing for Aegon’s discreet coronation at the Dragonpit, Eyrrk frees Rhaenys from her chambers. Rhaenys discovers that Meleys is being held over Dragonpit and suggests she go. The excited crowd follows her, unaware that the Viserys have died. Otto announces the news to the crowd. Aegon II takes his Valyrian sword, Blackfyre, and wears Aegon Conqueror’s crown.
Just as the crowd began to cheer, Meleys and Rhaenys burst through the floorboard, as predicted by Haelena, Aegon’s sister-wife in the previous episode. There is a moment of silence between Alicent and Rhaenys, but The Queen That Never Was flees away instead of incinerating the Greens because it’s not her fight, not yet. Rhaenrya does not know what has happened. Rhaenys therefore cannot declare war on Rhaenys’ behalf. Secondly, she proves her loyalty, contrary to what Alicent told her.
Episode 9 appears to be the build-up for Rhaenys character story, in which she takes full control and makes her own decisions. She used to be a passive observer, but she now takes control of her life and does what she feels is right, without being pushed back or criticized by society. Eve Best, the actress who plays Rhaenys in Entertainment Weekly spoke out about the scene. “It’s the pinnacle. It’s when she proves herself to be the most powerful ruler. It was the most outrageous and explosive action of the season.”
One of the best Dragon entrances we’ve ever seen 😭 #HouseOfTheDragon pic.twitter.com/4splErcikK
— out of context house of the dragon (@oochotd) October 17, 2022
“In a way, it’s also the most merciful and most graceful act. Because she is so intelligent, she ultimately chooses the right thing. This is a very forgiving moment. It’s also a kind of loving moment. She has all of the ammunition she needs, and her desire to retaliate is great. After suffering so much, her desire to destroy was so strong, both for her own sake as well as the benefit of others. Yet, the decision to not destroy grows stronger. This is the mark for greatness. [a]She describes it as a truly inspirational moment.
The penultimate episodes set the scene for the conflict that will ensue after Rhaenrya finds out about the events in King Landing. It is a fan favorite, and we must see how Rhaenrya plays Iron Throne.
Here are some observations
1. Even though Rhaenrya (and Daemon) were there the night before it is quite strange that they have disappeared the day after! It’s just so convenient.
2. Soon after Viserys’ death, Alicent’s lady-in-waiting Talya lights some candles in a window, which seems like a signal to Mysaria about his death. This idea was first seen on Game of Thrones, when Sansa used it to ask Brienne to help her (after receiving a message telling her to do so when it was convenient).
3. While Alicent has just been so stellar in this show, it does raise suspicion why she seemed so shocked about Otto’s plans. After all, he had told Alicent as a teenager that this was coming. Either she is alive or Rhaenrya. Secondly, her surprise at Larys’ information about the mole being her lady-in-waiting is anti-climatic. She should have known.
4. Larys, the Lord Confessor. This means he can torture his prisoner however he likes. Because he is the master of whisperers, it means he can do whatever he wants to their prisoner to get more information.
We are now on the stage, next week will be the finale of season 2. #HouseOfTheDragonIt’s beautiful!🔥 pic.twitter.com/3U3PdJpmM8
— House Of The Dragon Source (@HOTDsource) October 17, 2022
5. In this episode, Haelena also prophesies that “if one has a thing, the other takes it away.” It is an indication of Aegon’s coronation, which will eventually be ‘taken’ by Rahenrya.
6. Viserys’ crown, which seems to be placed on his body to be burned with him, will play an important role, according to the books. The crown won’t be burned, but rather, be owned by Rhaenrya.
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7. Alicent is not Cersei, and she draws the line when she tells Otto “none of this is a game.” It’s a contrast to Cersei’s line in Game of Thrones where she discloses to Ned Stark: “When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die.”
