House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 9 Review: The Green Council

The Hightowers make their final play for the throne on House of the Dragon Season 1 Episode 9, “The Green Council.”

Picking up where “The Lord of the Tides” leaves off, Viserys is dead, and the Hightowers are working expeditiously to keep it under wraps. They’ve locked Rhaenys in her chambers, locked the maids away, and secured all the lords to swear their allegiance to Aegon.

It’s a proper takeover executed under the radar and unbeknownst to Rhaenyra and everyone outside of King’s Landing. House of the Dragon‘s penultimate episode lays the framework for the newfound dynamic in the series moving forward.

Aegon’s public crowning as king is a declaration of war against Rhaenyra and the beginnings of a wildly intense civil war. All factors within the series are set to change as the budding rivalry between Rhaenyra’s family and Alicent’s family takes a new form.

Honestly, Alicent reaches a new level of low by continuing to allow the men in her life to dictate her rule. We get a glimpse of her using her authority in the small council meeting and when she tells Otto what she plans to do after capturing Aegon, but that’s it.

The interactions between Rhaenys and Alicent are sparing, but they hold true weight behind them. Rhaenys calls Alicent out on doing Viserys, Otto, and Aegon’s bidding without inputting herself into the equation.

As the Queen, Alicent has the power to shape the realm as she sees fit. But instead, she continues to pass over her wishes, even when they’d prevent a war. Alicent was preparing for Rhaenyra’s rule, not enacting the next great war.

Otto should never be allowed to enact his cruelty towards the lords from the beginning, but Alicent’s complacency is deafening. Otto sees his chance and knows there’s nobody to hold him back, so he does as he pleases, finding ways to justify his devious actions.

One interesting aspect “The Green Council” explores is the bond between Aegon and Aemond. We’re given further detail by slyly revealing moments of their childhood throughout the episode.

From context clues, Aemond’s input, and facial expressions, it’s implied Aegon took him to a bathhouse to lose his virginity, more than likely against his will. It’s clearly a pivotal moment in how strained their relationship has become.

It almost feels like this episode attempts to sway the audience’s view of Aegon. Most of the interactions spent with him deal with his unwillingness to become king and his desire to leave King’s Landing and never return.

As if his not wanting to be king excuses his horrific actions in any capacity, and we’re supposed to feel compassion for him.

House of the Dragon is nowhere near a mundane series that shies away from controversial topics, embracing them instead. But even with all the twisted material already presented throughout the season, the series finds new ways to push the disturbing factor.

Larys and Alicent’s brief interactions towards the end of the episode are one of the most stomach-turning and repulsive scenes, and they never even touch one another.

Alicent has fallen so far into Larys’ web of treachery that she allows him to insult and degrade her in exchange for information. Instead of providing payment in land or wealth, Larys is given power and access to something nobody else in the kingdom has: access to Alicent’s body.

Larys is a snake who plays Alicent for a feeble woman he can manipulate at his will. And unfortunately, she allows him to be successful in his exploitation of her.

The ending moments of the episode are immaculate, thanks to Rhaenys’ triumphant exit from King’s Landing with Meleys. It’s an astonishing moment that cements the gravity of the actions within “The Green Council” and accurately establishes a precedent for what’s to come.

Stray Thoughts:

• Rhaenyra and Daemon missing from this episode is a real disappointment.
• Ser Harrold Westerling is one of my newfound favorite characters for his resilience and ability to look death in the eye and still stand his ground. I’m still surprised Otto allowed him to walk away. 
• The destruction of the dynamic between the Cargyll brothers would be much more pleasing and alluring if we’d spent more time with them. The two splitting up and pledging their allegiance to opposing factions is a monumental moment, but it lacks a certain depth. We haven’t had time to fall in love with these characters or get attached to them to feel the weight of them rifting apart.
• I will never understand how Criston Cole has been allowed to survive this long.
• I’m intrigued to see how Aegon’s bastards come into play later in the season. Obviously, he can’t have bastards with white hair running around and spreading rumors of his infidelity.
• For a moment, there’s a slight feeling that the series may delve from the books and crown Aemond as king, but it’s wishful thinking on my part.

What did you think of this episode of House of the Dragon? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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House of the Dragon airs Sundays at 9/8c on HBO.

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