House of the Dragon episode 9 may have been all about the Hightowers ascending the Iron Throne through Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) but Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best) stole the spotlight with her grand yet destructive entrance riding her drogon Meleys. Moreover, her decision not to utter ‘Dracareys” and burn Queen Alicent (Olivia Cooke) and all her bloodline is the moment HOTD fans knew she’s “the queen who never was”. But before her show-stopper moment, Larys’ (Matthew Needham) feet fetish left many viewers startled. Though some things never change, like fans’ hatred for Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) and their love for Ser Harrold (Graham McTavish) — here is a recap of the finest moments that stood out for viewers.
Can’t say Helaena (Phia Saban) didn’t warn the Green council, “Beware the beast beneath the boards.” Though in all honesty, her cryptic prophesies are hard to decipher for the uniniaited. And also, perhaps consider not building a dome below the dragon pit, it’s clearly a mayhap waiting to happen.
If episode 8 didn’t make it clear enough, House of the Dragon episode 9 begins by addressing Viserys’ untimely death in midst of night. Alicent and Otto (Rhys Ifans) are quick to realize the moment of friction between Hightowers and Targaryens is upon them. But for the queen, while fulfilling the King’s misinterpreted last wish aligns with the Green council, Otto’s drastic measure to usurp the throne from Rhaneyra by any means necessary puts them in a deadlock. During this, Lord Beesbury (Bill Paterson) falls victim to Ser Criston Cole’s fury.
The only ray of hope for justice remains in Ser Harrold, The Lord Commander of the Kingsguard removes his cloak and walks away from participating in The Green Council’s treason. In George R. R. Martin’s book, this is unfortunately the end of the line for Harrold but his death is not shown on screen. But Criston is announced as the replacement, should it be taken as a sign that Harrold has already been Killed? Let’s hope not. Meanwhile, Aegon is missing and presumably on the run from the burdensome duties he never wanted to assume from the start.
House of the Dragon episode 9 viewers shocked after witnessing Larys’ foot fetish
Ser Erryk and his twin brother are tasked by Otto to find Aegon and on the other side, Alicent sends Criston along with Aemond to find and bring her son. It’s a race against time for both the Hightowers, with each their own ambition. But it’s clear Alicent does not desire a civil war, in fact, her reasoning with Rhaenys says a lot about her stance. Though Otto is more on the lines of Game of Thrones’ Twyin Lannister. As The Hand, he’s already imprisoning the lords that deny bending the knee, and worse, making an example out of them like with Lord Caswell (Paul Hickey).
Even considering the most dramatic twists of House of the Dragon episode 9, Larys’ repulsive foot fetish tops it all. Was his loyalty towards the Queen for this all along? The scene was hard to digest for any viewers, as can be seen in the reactions below. But it seems his insider info comes in handy for Alicent and orders to kill Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) a.k.a The Little Worm. “When the queen dies, the bees fly without purpose.”
Alicent Hightower selling feet pics for information to Larys Strong was not on my bingo card for tonight’s episode 💀#HouseoftheDragon #demdragons #HouseOfTheDragonHBO #hotd pic.twitter.com/ElAVnG8xhS
— yari (@watrmelonsugarr) October 17, 2022
The realest men in the room. #HouseOfTheDragon pic.twitter.com/QSxzh7iGiO
— out of context house of the dragon (@oochotd) October 17, 2022
We stan lord commanders who won’t bow to snakes #HouseOfTheDragonHBO #HOTD pic.twitter.com/2SCvptOain
— Clare (HOTD’s Version) (@rhaenyshive) October 17, 2022
Me screaming "DRACARYS!!" at my screen trying to make the dragon just burn every Hightower#HouseOfTheDragon #HouseOfTheDragonHBO pic.twitter.com/kCxwwCfbex
— Insert Witty Name Here (@Danny0215) October 17, 2022
me to larys if i ever passed him by #houseofthedragon#houseofthedragonhbo pic.twitter.com/bg6FKCM5Lz
— mason (@kalluzeblover) October 17, 2022
AEGON SPITTING IN AEMOND’S ONE GOOD EYE LMFAOOOO #HouseOfTheDragon #HouseOfTheDragonHBO pic.twitter.com/OW9rTgfgrY
— that one team black bitch (@aaliyah_royal1) October 17, 2022
“And yet you toil still in service of men. Your father, husband, your son. You desire not to be free but to make a window in the wall of your prison”
Rhaenys Targaryen is that BITCH. Give Eve Best her Emmy. #HouseOfTheDragonHBO #HOTD pic.twitter.com/N3k7dEN3ow
— Sancheezzzy ✵ (@Scoby20) October 17, 2022
Wtf was that scene with Alicent and Larys #HouseOfTheDragonHBO pic.twitter.com/0419BzTVZL
— ale (@AleGarc60774190) October 17, 2022
Me watching Alicent defending Rhaenyra like she isn’t actively trying to steal the throne from her #HouseOfTheDragon #HouseOfTheDragonHBO pic.twitter.com/Y4CE8NLiQM
— that one team black bitch (@aaliyah_royal1) October 17, 2022
Ser Erryk and bro. pretending they didn't see Aegon's bastard. #HouseOfTheDragonHBO pic.twitter.com/8zgUbz1x5G
— blacks' loyalist 🐉 follow 4 moots (@sovestargaryen) October 17, 2022
Lorde Caswell deserved better 🥺😔#HouseOfTheDragonHBO pic.twitter.com/DE2WfUzUSI
— Jaenys Targaryen 🐉 (@ldjqc_) October 17, 2022
Me watching Rhaenys and her dragon, Meleys, The Red Queen. #HouseOfTheDragonHBO pic.twitter.com/8r8sJvxKXa
— ale (@AleGarc60774190) October 17, 2022
#houseofthedragon
This right here is a HONORABLE man who deserves his white cloak #HouseOfTheDragonHBO #HOTD pic.twitter.com/QNKxSInQFg— 👌⭐👑 (@superking1815) October 17, 2022
She may be the queen that never was but tonight she was the bad bitch that Allicent will never be. #HouseOfTheDragon #HouseOfTheDragonHBO pic.twitter.com/cJBzb16MAH
— about:blank 🪬 (@aboutblank80) October 17, 2022
I can't tell you how SICK AND FUCKING TIRED I am of Ser Criston. Killed the man who was doing the right thing. I can't wait until someone kills him. #HouseOfTheDragonHBO #houseofthedragon #HOTD pic.twitter.com/VrbLhE1Bsi
— Neurokida (@AshleyG84288214) October 17, 2022
I swear, if Aegon and Aemond tussling wasn’t the most sibling shit i have seen in all the seven kingdoms #HouseOfTheDragon #HouseOfTheDragonHBO pic.twitter.com/mMepzL85av
— ☁️shaelie ✧ (@ShaeVScharp) October 17, 2022
It started when I saw Alicent take her socks off
#HouseOfTheDragon#HouseOfTheDragonHBO pic.twitter.com/mU5tXRVfv3— Wiame (@Wiame7_) October 17, 2022
WHAT A MOMENT #HouseOfTheDragon pic.twitter.com/ImMjPqh6OD
— House of the Dragon News 🔥 (@HOTDNewsHBO) October 17, 2022
MELEYS, THE RED QUEEN #HouseOfTheDragon pic.twitter.com/5cGu7TBjFw
— out of context house of the dragon (@oochotd) October 17, 2022
Aegon’s darker pleasures are revealed in broad daylight when Ser Erryk visits the barbaric fight pit where orphaned kids fight to death. Moreover, Aegon has been doing his part as well by procreation several children to add the numbers.
Aegon’s throne could very well be usurped by his own brother Aemond, his ambitions outweigh any other at Westeros in House of the Dragon episode 9. But during the royal ceremony, Aemond hesitantly bows, perhaps, it’s a hint at a possible future conflict between the brothers, similar to Viserys (Paddy Considine) and Daemond (Matt Smith).
It’s safe to say Rhaenyra’s side fired the first shot in House of the Dragon episode 9 after Rhaenys decimated hundreds of people at King’s Landing. With the civil war for the Iron Throne kicked off, it remains to be seen which houses of the Seven Kingdom choose the Greens over Rhaenyra but the truth is not far from unwinding as House of the Dragon finale streams next Sunday on HBO in the US.
