House of the Dragon Episode 9
Episode 9s are a lengthy story that spans the entire history of Game of Thrones. The ninth and last installment from House of the Dragon’s progenitor contain climactic scenes like “Baelor,” a.k.a. The One Where Ned Stark Died; “The Rains of Castamere,” a.k.a. The One with the Red Wedding as well as “Battle of the Bastards” a.k.a. “The One” with ….Battle of the Bastards.
House of Dragon’s debut attempt at a ninth episode. Obviously, comes with the episode this week “The Green Council.” In addition to this, the way it approaches. That is, the season’s supposed finale. Hence, highlights the major difference. Thus, a significant difference, between these two shows so far.
“The Green Council” has all the look and feel from “A Very Important Thrones Episode.” The episode begins with some stunning shots. These are shots, that shows The Red Keep after hours. In the Iron Throne is unoccupied, nevertheless, it is still majestic. The corridors are so bare and dark that no rats are allowed to walk through the corridors. The only sound in Maegor’s Holdfast are whispers transferred from ear to eye. Thus, to bring the only news of the world that the king has died. Even the GoT/HotD composer Ramin Djawadi gets the piano from his “big episode piano” for an unnervingly stringy score. A competitive score, that takes us back to the stunning score of the sixth season’s. That is, the “The Winds of Winter.”
Despite all these visual and auditory trappings that are of immense importance. However, “The Green Council” isn’t nearly the same level of shock. Otherwise, the disruption like any of the previous second-to last Game of Thrones instalments. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However, to be honest, House of the Dragon deserves some praise. Most importantly, for not imposing its own rules on it to be forced. The pacing of the story described within George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood. Thus, clearly drove the show to huge surprise throughout episodes 6-8. Hence, followed by some essential bookkeeping for the narrative in episode nine.
While nothing really surprising occurs during the week, it’s not true to say that there’s nothing significant happening this week. It’s the ascension ceremony of Aegon Targaryen. The Second of His Name to the Iron Throne is the moment that we’ve all waited for. After a series of events that are symbolic of the beginnings of The Dance of the Dragons civil war. Hence, the coronation of Aegon will be the formal. Apart from this, the concrete basis for the battle.
Rhaenyra Targaryen (who is, along with Daemon and her fellow members of the Dragonstone group. Thus, is seated this season out) is believed to be on the Iron Throne. The fact that she’s not in fact an admission of war. Hence, which ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans). Furthermore, his gang of traitorous Goons are aware of.
Otto is able to put his supervillain glow in this episode in a stunning way that is satisfying. In the very first of nine episodes the choice of the uber-talented Ifans as the sly Oldtowner is logical.
“(Viserys) has left us a gift,” Otto informs the members of his Small Council, which will in the future be referred to in the future as The Green Council. “With his final breath, he engraved on the queen his last wish. His son Aegon will succeed as the The Lord of the Seven Kingdoms.”
“Then we may proceed now with the King’s blessing of our long-laid plans,” The master of the ships Tyland Lannister (Jefferson Hall) says. Also, living up the reputation his House has earned for treachery.
Tyland’s statement that he Otto as well as other council members were in active treason for more than 10 years. Thus, is possibly the most shocking thing about “The Green Council.” It’s not easy to determine that this was the case. However, to be so clear and forthcoming on the subject is awe-inspiring. It also serves to establish one of the major topics. The topics, which can been described in terms of “man, the fucking patriarchy is really at it again, isn’t it?”
THE SERIES WAS ADVERTISED TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC:
House of the Dragon was advertised to the public. As a battle between two women who are the Queen Alicent Hightower. Furthermore, Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen. The show technically was able to deliver on this front. Because, the battle lines between the two factions are clearly drawn by the females they back. It is important to remember that blacks and greens are named in honour of the dress the queens of each.
However, neither queen actually desire this! In her father’s death bed last week Rhaenyra regretted the man for naming her hero. Obviously, without imagining that it could break the kingdom apart. Alicent however, this week, is truly surprised to discover that her father planned to take over Rhaenyra all the time. The only reason she follows in that direction is A. She believes in her faulty perception of King Viserys’s final remarks and the B. It’s impossible to stop it, so the most she can accomplish is persuade her husband to allow Rhaenyra live.
In the time of the event, Rhaenyra and Alicent could have were the only two people from the Seven Kingdoms. The people, who actually believed that Rhaenyra will one day be seated on at the Iron Throne. Other people in the kingdom including those who pledged their loyalty to Viserys’s daughter. The King appeared to have taken part in this flimsy mummer’s play. “Yeah your daughter is going to become queen someday. Even, when you have perfectly good male successors. You can be sure, old man.”
This tension central to the episode leads to an intriguing conversations of the episode , and possibly the entire series. Naturally, when the death of King Viserys is revealed to Alicent. Who is the queen of the greens immediately are forced to lock Princess Rhaenys (Eve The Best) in her room. Rhaneys is among the few non-allied pieces that are on the board. She is the fierce dragon rider and one of the ladies from House Velaryon. She’ll prove to be a powerful advantage to the side that claims her. So far, Rhaenys has proven herself to be a rational thinking person. Hence, when it comes to the game of the thrones. In her appeal to the princess Alicent makes use of that logic.
“You should have been queen,” Alicent admits and adds: “We do not rule but we may guide the men that do.”
In this entire episode, Rhaenys has demonstrated that. She has a sense of the disdain the realm has for female rulers better than their male counterparts. In episode 1 she doesn’t even acknowledge the Baratheon knight. Thus, who refers to the queen in the form of “The Queen Who Never Was.” Then she enjoins the husband to release the shame. Obviously, of her being overlooked to be the heir to the throne pass. What happened, occurred. It’s not worth crying over the spilled milk from the poppy. But when Alicent returns Rhaenys’s personal concept back to her. She is struck by how hollow it feels.
George R.R. Martin often repeats an old William Faulkner quote: “the only thing worth writing about is the human heart. That is, in conflict with itself.” We can see an excellent illustration of this sentiment with Rhaenys. Rhaenys is a rational woman. The heart of her has been a lot of its adulthood. Thus, grappling with the denials of her younger years. When the same heart has to decide between male and female rulers male ruler. Hence, it knows what it must do.
“You would rather not be free, but to create a an opening in the wall in your prison. Do you think you’ve ever imagined yourself sitting on the Iron Throne?” Rhaenys informs Alicent although she could also be talking into the mirror.
From then to now, Rhaenys is team black all the way. Her fiery interrupting of Aegon II’s coronation proves it.
If we’re still discussing women and the Westerosi males who abuse them, perhaps it’s best time to (briefly) speak about Lord Larys Strong (Matthew Needham). As this tweet prior to episode 9 illustrates, the writings from George R.R. Martin are remarkable in their ability to present disabled characters that do not fall into stereotypes or cliché. Martin’s collection of marginalized people range from heroic to evil, due to reasons that go beyond their physical attributes.
What, then is our next step with a person whose birth defect caused an evidently severe (and sexually rapey) sexual fetish for feet? There’s the on-the-nose, and there’s on-the-nose and there’s…whatever it is. Larys is already known as a scary man who killed his entire family. There was no need for this additional flavor on top. Also, we didn’t require the warning of the fact that Alicent played. A role as a slave of the men with a political agenda within her own life. It’s a shame to admit. However, I’m going to slap three times on the snout of Dragon with newspaper that has been rolled up for this incident.
As much as “The Green Council” is mostly about ascension towards power but it’s also about those who are feeling insignificant. Rhaenys cannot effect changes that are real, but she’ll do it regardless. While she is at it, Mysaria (Sonya Mizuno) is an advocate for those who are weak character in King’s Landing. As she negotiates Aegon’s death in exchange to the crown. This will end what is essentially legalised children fighting rings for cocks. The potential king is mostly an observer in the unfolding events of his own ascendance to the throne.
So far in the tale, Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) is far from being an appealing character. At best, he’s just a privileged creep , and at worst an explicit sexual predator. Although he’s not any more sympathetic than the norm but he’s at a minimum a little more sensible. Kudos for Aegon who recognizes his nameake’s crown as the death sentence it. The moment that Ser Criston Col (Fabian Frankel). Furthermore, Aegon’s brother Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) take him out of the filthy bowels. Flea Bottom Aegon takes his mean-spirited stroll towards his Iron Throne. As though, it was the electric chair.
FEATURING THE BEST SCENES OF THE EPISODE:
The actual coronation of Aegon at the Dragonpit is one of the most emotional and visually-awesome scenes of this episode. Aegon is dead-eyed, drunk exhausted and hungover. Hence, navigating through a tense crowd of people. Furthermore, then being slain by his guardians is really striking things. The quiet and repetitive rituals that are part of this ceremony can be frightening. Though it’s not as if it has the usual energy of an episode from the HBO series (at at least until the dragon arrives). However, it does capture the fear and the strange emotional alchemy that is the moment.
The coronation of Aegon tardily shows Ser Otto right. Many years ago, Otto advised his King that “the gods have yet to make a man. Obviously, who lacked the patience for absolute power.” We can see the truth of his words. Despite his awe at the thought of it. Aegon appears to understand the attraction of this all-kingly thing when the crowds cheer for his ascension. Alicent might have believed she was trying to thwart his plans to consolidate his support. Also, threaten Rhaenyra when she demanded the quick coronation of her son.
However, regretfully Otto may be right about her as well. She’s a much more savvy political operative than she thinks. Aegon II wearing Aegon I’s crown while using the ancestral Valyrian Blackfyre sword made of steel really can do the trick. It is said that possession is nine-tenths of law. Also, at the moment Aegon II has: Aegon I’s crown, Aegon I’s sword, Aegon I’s throne and the love for The City Aegon I built.
“The Green Council” is not without flaws. Further, shows a slight decrease in terms of quality from the last three weeks. The choreography for the fight scenes featuring Erryk the Arryk Cargyll and Arryk Cargyll. Thu,s can be confusing (and not solely since the two are twins). Rhaenys’s choice to not stop conflict before the fight starts in a storm of dragonflame is confusing. However, there are times when the storytelling is a mess. logistically left aside “The Green Council” has yet again got the right character moments.
It’s not the kind of spectacle Game of Thrones trained us to expect. However, it’s still a important step in a worthy story.
Fresh episodes of House of the Dragon premiere on Sundays starting at 9 p.m. ET at 9 p.m. ET on HBO as well as HBO Max in the U.S. and Sky Atlantic in the U.K.