House of the Dragon Episode 9 Review: The King Is Dead, Long Live the King

House of the Dragon episode 9 — out now on HBO Max and Disney+ Hotstar — is not the standard penultimate episode that Game of Thrones had gotten us used to. There are not any massive set-pieces right here (with that dragon on the finish extra an indication of issues to return). And this new episode would not wrap up any long-running storylines (which, on Game of Thrones, opened up the finale to set the desk for the following season). In truth, it is a particularly contained episode. Set throughout the two days instantly following the demise of King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine), House of the Dragon episode 9 finds the Queen and her father — Alicent (Olivia Cooke) and Otto (Rhys Ifans) — bickering over how succession will play out. They share a standard purpose, however their approaches are wildly totally different.

Having fully misunderstood what her husband was speaking about, Alicent confides in her father that Viserys “wished” for Aegon to be king together with his dying breath. Otto has all the time desired this — it is why he was faraway from his Hand of the King place by Viserys — and naturally, he jumps at this chance when the small council is convened in House of the Dragon episode 9. But because the ball begins to roll and the Queen discovers that they’ve secretly been planning for each step in Aegon’s ascension, she stops in her tracks. It’s one factor to need her son to be on the Iron Throne, however it’s one other to sanction the homicide of her childhood companion, Princess Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy), her husband Prince Daemon (Matt Smith), and all her youngsters.

And she’s not alone. Ser Harrold Westerling (Graham McTavish), the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, has seen sufficient too. Told to go to Dragonstone and slay the very princess he was as soon as sworn to guard, Harrold resigns from his publish, noting that he has no place in these halls till there is a new king. What he is principally saying is that he will not take heed to any one in all them. The method he offers with these scumbags is intelligent, stunning, and prime notch. Five stars, no notes. Meanwhile, Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) as soon as once more reveals he has no honour in House of the Dragon episode 9. Not solely does he callously homicide a council member who tries to protest, however he additionally raises his sword to his personal Lord Commander. Remember how everybody was fawning over him only a few weeks in the past? Ew.

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Graham McTavish as Ser Harrold Westerling in House of the Dragon episode 9
Photo Credit: Ollie Upton/HBO

But there are larger concens than a problematic man-child in House of the Dragon episode 9. The boy everybody needs to be king is nowhere to be discovered. A quiet search begins for Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney), who likes to abandon his girl wife-sister and tour town’s brothels every evening. Otto dispatches the Kingsguard twins, Ser Erryk (Elliott Tittensor) and Ser Arryk Cargyll (Luke Tittensor). Alicent sends Criston alongside along with her one-eyed son Aemond (Ewan Mitchell). All this enables for conversations to play out. The twins observe how Aegon has fathered quite a few bastards, lots of whom are utilized in preventing pits. Meanwhile, Aemond reveals his curiosity in being king to Criston, noting he rides the most important dragon and practices extra together with his sword. As if that has ever mattered, LOL.

Inside the Red Keep, it is politics as ordinary in House of the Dragon episode 9. Otto gathers the lords and asks them to pledge fealty to “King Aegon”. It would not look as if they’re being given a lot of a alternative, to be trustworthy. It’s bend the knee or lose their necks.

The Queen pays a go to to the Queen Who Never Was, who’s been locked in her personal room. Alicent makes a plea to get Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best) and her dragon on their facet, however she is not simply swayed. “You desire not to be free but make a window in the wall of your prison,” Rhaenys says on House of the Dragon episode 9 — a line that is attractive in its succinctness. Alicent has served her husband, her father, and now, her sons. Have you ever imagined your self on the Iron Throne, Rhaenys asks Alicent. As onerous as which may come throughout, the Queen is extra sensible than any of them. She’s looking for the survival of her household, and never simply her personal ambitions. The very factor that doomed House Velaryon, because of Sea Snake’s — Rhaenys’s husband — relentless pursuit of the throne.

Outside, in Flea’s Bottom, a stranger tells the Kingsguard twins she is aware of somebody who can cause them to Aegon, however she’s going to solely meet with Otto. Turns out, Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) — the girl who was as soon as Daemon’s confidante and paramour, and a personality who’s been ignored all season — has a task to play right here. Having fallen out of favour with Daemon, she makes use of Aegon as a bargaining chip to regain some sense of energy in House of the Dragon episode 9.

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Eve Best as Rhaenys Targaryen in House of the Dragon episode 9
Photo Credit: Ollie Upton/HBO

But when Aegon is ultimately discovered by the Cargylls in House of the Dragon episode 9, Criston and Aemond present up and snatch him. Aegon simply needs to be left alone by everybody. He even tells Aemond he is prepared to sail away from Westeros for good, permitting his brother to be king. Criston is not giving any of that an opportunity; he is made a promise to the Queen, in any case.

With Alicent now firmly in management, she pays a go to to her father. They rehash a number of the stuff they’ve stated earlier than. Otto notes that killing Rhaenyra, Daemon, and their youngsters is critical for the steadiness of the realm. Otherwise, many may die in conflict. It’s brutal, however he might need a degree. He thinks his daughter is being squeamish as a result of Rhaenyra was her buddy, however Alicent says that reluctance to homicide shouldn’t be a weak point. The Queen believes she will oversee a cold transition if they provide Rhaenyra “good terms”, however that is the second incidence of naivety on her half in House of the Dragon episode 9. (The first was her shock at how everybody had been planning on Aegon’s succession. Does she not realise how the patriarchy works?)

It’s indicative of the blinders she’s been sporting all episode. Alicent needs her son to be king, all as a result of her husband wished it on his deathbed. For 20 years, Viserys saved saying that Rhaenyra was his chosen inheritor. Does Alicent actually consider that her husband modified his thoughts lower than an hour after dinner the place he settled the matter? Why is she placing a lot inventory within the phrases of an previous ailing man whose physique was filled with sturdy medication? Her intentions are clear from the truth that she needs to crown Aegon as quickly as attainable, with out bringing Rhaenyra into the loop. While the Queen may not want bloodshed, she’s basically referred to as for it by pulling off a usurper’s transfer in House of the Dragon episode 9.

House of the Dragon episode 9 is now streaming on Disney+ Hotstar in India, and HBO Max wherever accessible. New episodes launch each Monday at 6:30am IST/ Sunday at 9pm ET.