Home of the Dragon episode 9 — out now on HBO Max and Disney+ Hotstar — is not the normal 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 come back). And this new episode would not wrap up any long-running storylines (which, on Recreation of Thrones, opened up the finale to set the desk for the subsequent season). The truth is, it is a particularly contained episode. Set through the two days instantly following the dying of King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine), Home 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 objective, however their approaches are wildly totally different.
Having completely 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. However 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 is 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 kids.
And she or he’s not alone. Ser Harrold Westerling (Graham McTavish), the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, has seen sufficient too. Instructed 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 mainly saying is that he will not take heed to any one among them. The way in which he offers with these scumbags is intelligent, lovely, and high notch. 5 stars, no notes. In the meantime, Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) as soon as once more exhibits he has no honour in Home 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. Bear in mind 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 Home of the Dragon episode 9
Picture Credit score: Ollie Upton/HBO
However there are larger concens than a problematic man-child in Home of the Dragon episode 9. The boy everybody desires 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 the 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 permits for conversations to play out. The twins notice how Aegon has fathered quite a few bastards, a lot of whom are utilized in combating pits. In the meantime, 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.
Contained in the Purple Maintain, it is politics as traditional 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 is bend the knee or lose their necks.
The Queen pays a go to to the Queen Who By no means Was, who’s been locked in her personal room. Alicent makes a plea to get Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Finest) and her dragon on their facet, however she is not simply swayed. “You need to not be free however make a window within the wall of your jail,” Rhaenys says on Home 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 ever imagined your self on the Iron Throne, Rhaenys asks Alicent. As arduous as that 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 Home Velaryon, due to Sea Snake’s — Rhaenys’s husband — relentless pursuit of the throne.
Outdoors, in Flea’s Backside, 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. Seems, Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) — the lady who was as soon as Daemon’s confidante and paramour, and a personality who’s been ignored all season — has a job 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 Home of the Dragon episode 9.
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Eve Finest as Rhaenys Targaryen in Home of the Dragon episode 9
Picture Credit score: Ollie Upton/HBO
However when Aegon is ultimately discovered by the Cargylls in Home of the Dragon episode 9, Criston and Aemond present up and snatch him. Aegon simply desires 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 spite of everything.
With Alicent now firmly in management, she pays a go to to her father. They rehash a few of the stuff they’ve stated earlier than. Otto notes that killing Rhaenyra, Daemon, and their kids is important for the soundness of the realm. In any other case, many would possibly die in conflict. It is brutal, however he may need a degree. He thinks his daughter is being squeamish as a result of Rhaenyra was her pal, however Alicent says that reluctance to homicide just isn’t a weak spot. The Queen believes she will be able to oversee a cold transition if they offer Rhaenyra “good phrases”, however that is the second prevalence of naivety on her half in Home of the Dragon episode 9. (The primary was her shock at how everybody had been planning on Aegon’s succession. Does she not realise how the patriarchy works?)
It is indicative of the blinders she’s been carrying all episode. Alicent desires her son to be king, all as a result of her husband wished it on his deathbed. For 20 years, Viserys stored saying that Rhaenyra was his chosen inheritor. Does Alicent actually imagine 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 stuffed with robust medication? Her intentions are clear from the truth that she desires to crown Aegon as quickly as attainable, with out bringing Rhaenyra into the loop. Whereas the Queen may not need bloodshed, she’s primarily known as for it by pulling off a usurper’s transfer in Home of the Dragon episode 9.
Home 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.
