“House of the Dragon” Episode 9 Review
“Then we may proceed with the full assurance” - Tyland Lannister (Jefferson Hall)
One more episode is left in the prequel to “Game of Thrones” titled “House of the Dragon”, and it’s “Go green or Go home”. The episode is titled “The Green Council” and focuses on how the start of the “Dance” begins and it looks like it was just a miscommunication.
King Viserys (Paddy Considine) has passed leaving his wife Queen Alicent (Olivia Coke) believing what he said about Aegon being king instead of Rhaenyra the last words he said. Alicent not knowing about “The Song of Ice and Fire” is what seems to be what leads to the civil war ahead.
The small council is notified of the King’s passing and then told what he said to his wife before passing, some believe and some do not as he had 20 years to change his mind. While Alicent is still dealing with losing her husband and his last words she learns members of the council including her father have been secretly plotting to put Aegon on the throne all along.
There seems to only be one issue with putting Aegon on the throne, Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) is missing. Once they realize he is missing it seems to become a game between the Queen and her Father Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifan) of who can find him first.
Otto was planning on sending someone to kill the princess and her family and would tell Aegon that this would be best. Alicent finds her son first she then goes to see her father and tells him that they’re going to do things her way without committing murder including Aegon being crowned at dawn with all the citizens.
Princess Rhaenys (Eve Best) has been locked in her rooms since her cousin passed away with the help of Ser Erryk Cargyll (Elliot Tittensor) just in time to see the “parade” for the crowning of Prince Aegon. While Aegon, now crowned King, is accepting cheers from the crowd, Rhaenys comes from below the Dragonpit with her dragon (Killing hundreds if not thousands) to face the newly formed “Green Council”, before flying away.
Olivia Coke continues to amaze with her acting and every time I believe she can’t get any better, she does. The first few scenes are filled with a lot of emotions and this episode specifically is focused on Queen Alicent. We see Alicent go through some grief of losing her husband and thinking of his last words to then looking at her learning she has been betrayed by people she trusted.
This series should definitely be nominated for as many emmys as they allow for one show. This episode much like episode six lacked the excitement that this series is known for but fits greatly with the plot of things.
Rating: 4.5/5
CheRanda Hammond is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact her email, clh5932@psu.edu.
