House Of The Dragon Episode 9 Review – The Dance Begins

It's time for House of the Dragon Episode 9 review, and I'm calling this one the dance begins, although it's real name is The Green Council.

It’s time for House of the Dragon Episode 9 review, and I’m calling this one the dance begins, although it’s real name is The Green Council. This week we deal with the direct aftermath of the death of Viserys and the power vacuum it leaves in it’s wake.

This will be as where possible a SPOILER FREE review. I might have to mention one or two details, but for the most part I feel like I can express my thoughts without getting into the weeds. So here we go.

The Dance Begins

It's time for House of the Dragon Episode 9 review, and I'm calling this one the dance begins, although it's real name is The Green Council.

After all the set up, here we are at last. The Green’s make their move and try to cement Aegon as King before word even reaches the Blacks (Rhaenyra) that Viserys has departed. That means getting Aegon installed as King as quickly as possible and sadly for the Greens the usurper has gone missing. So was it any good?

Yes is the short answer. There is a lot to like in House of the Dragon Episode 9. Though, for me there were also a few moments I didn’t really love as well. In general I liked all the haste for action, and that Allicent and Otto whilst having the same goal, want to come at it from different angles. Allicent wants to try and make it a peaceful transition, hoping Rhaenyra will just accept terms. Otto wants a different strategy and it’s hard not to agree with him on a purely logical level even if morally he’s a lost cause.

This Episode also gives us a further look into the den of evil that are the poorer parts of Kings Landing. Thus we show just how depraved young Aegon has become. Probably the idea here is to show that despite the overwhelming support of the Small Council, Aegon will not be a good ruler. Even Aemond seems to understand this, after all, maybe he should get the chance if Aegon doesn’t want it?

RELATED: House Of The Dragon Episode 7 Review – The One With Bad Lighting

As for Aegon himself, it is discovered he has been enjoying watching slave children forced to fight each other, and there are some even worse implications I won’t spoil. However in the books Aegon was caught doing an even worse act, so that aspect has been toned down slightly for the show. Frankly I’m not against that as it seemed too much even for Martin. We do get a glimpse into the rather shallow mind of Aegon. Once he thinks people love him, that his father wanted him on the throne and so do all the people, he warms to the idea of being King.

However a warning given to Otto by the common people I think will bear fruit farther down the line.

We only see things from the point of view of the Greens this week. Their new regime is currently making sure all the nobles support them, and if they don’t, prison or worse. Overall this is an enjoyable episode which pin points where this story is going overall. I think I know what happens next week for the finale and it should be an exciting and dramatic Season 1 finale.

Criticisms?

It's time for House of the Dragon Episode 9 review, and I'm calling this one the dance begins, although it's real name is The Green Council.

Yes I have a few, but difficult to not get into specifics here. I’ll have a small SPOILER section here to be more specific for those who have seen it.

Ultimately there are two moments in this show, one which is implemented for that uncomfortable shock value. Problem was, it felt like an uncomfortable shock value scene we didn’t really need to see.

Then there was a moment in the very close of the Episode which clearly HBO and the team are very excited about as they’ve been hyping it up on social media. Sadly it felt forced to me rather than a bad-ass cool moment I was surprised about. Princess Rhaenys is given little leeway in Kings Landing. Therefore when Rhaenys takes matters into her own hands we are supposed be all punching the air calling it amazing. However you get the feeling, sort of like Season 7 and 8 of Game of Thrones, that this was done for pew, pew, kabang action spectacle. Rather than being a natural path for the story. I tat just happens to be an exciting moment as well. It’s also made far more dramatic than the book version in which Rhaenys, just bolts.

**SPOILERS Below**

Skip if you’ve not watched the Episode

I am referring here to the foot fetsih scene between Larys and Allicent. That felt particularly weird and there just for shock value for me. Also when Rhaenys Morb’s out and busts into the castle on dragon back killing likely hundreds of civilians, but just not caring about them. Only to face the enemies she now has made and not harm any of them. It was there to give Rhaenys a bad-ass end to the show. However this would have worked better for me if it was actually toned down slightly. Personal preference though I guess?

**SPOILERS Ended**

It's time for House of the Dragon Episode 9 review, and I'm calling this one the dance begins, although it's real name is The Green Council.

Next week we should I think see the Storms End incident from the book play out. NO SPOILERS from me, but to tease, I guess what is currently a cold war is about to heat up in the stormy weather of Storm’s End. After the finale, we will understand why things end up going as far as they do and why no peace was possible whilst the main players remain alive.

From the promo it looks like it’s going to happen at night though. I therefore only hope I can see the action myself as I’ve not been a fan of how dark, the dark scenes in this show really are so far. Visually I mean, not thematically.

Final Thoughts

Overall, there is a lot of good here. However this was not my favorite episode because I think we went a little GoT Season 8. Let’s do A and B, not because they make sense to the story, but because they’ll be cool as hell, or disturbing to watch.

Some subtlety and toning back their instincts may have worked better. I guess I am a less is more kind of fan in general, so maybe you’ll feel differently?

GRADE: B+

What did you think of my House of the Dragon Episode 9 review? What did you think of Episode 9? Leave your own review below if you can and let us know what you think. There’s space below if you can.

Here is an Episode 10, Season Finale promo if you like that sort of thing.

 

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