House of the Dragon just releases its penultimate episode leading up to the big season finale. After 8th episode setting up the stage for the Dance of the Dragons to kick off, episode 9 pushed the narrative down a cliff straight into anarchy. Episode 9 begins with Viserys’ death and how everyone reacts to it. After a brief moment of sorrow everyone goes to back to their interests and plots against everyone. The entire episode focused on King’s Landing and the Green’s efforts to seize the throne unfairly. Viserys’ last words that meant for Rhaenyra are mistakenly heard by Alicent and she interprets them as her husband’s last wish being their son take the Iron Throne and not Rhaenyra who has been the official heir for over 15 years now. While the episode dragged in the middle, with the whole “finding Aegon track”.
However, overall it was a valued addition to the prequel’s first season. Despite the middle being saggy, the episode did feature an incredible conversation between Alicent and Rhaenys. Alicent accepts that Rhaenys deserved to be the Queen instead of Viserys. The Queen asks for her support but Rhaenyra instead asks her why is Alicent being a slave to the men in her life? Why doesn’t she take the Iron Throne for herself? The conversation showed both women having an enlightening chat. The episode finally comes to the point where the Hightowers name Aegon II the King. While the entire Green Council feel like they’ve finally completed their dream, someone destroys it completely. I mean literally. Rhaenys enters the crowning ceremony on her dragon- Meleys. She approaches the entire Green Council.
Everyone is terrified, their fate is only one word away. Dracarys and its game over. However, as Rhaenys moves forward, Alicent stands as a human shield against Aegon II protecting her son from Dragon fire. Rhaenys and Alicent stare and then Meleys roars where everyone feels their death has come. However, no fire comes out. Rhaenys then flies away from the crowning ceremony leaving everyone in shock. Now, the question that many fans have after watching the episode is why does Rhaenys doesn’t simply burn the Greens and end it then and there. If she would’ve done that the war would’ve been over. So, why doesn’t she? Let’s find out.
House of the Dragon Episode 9: Rhaenys’ Big Decision Explained?
House of the Dragon Episode 9 – The Green Council was written by Sara Hess and just after a few hours after the episode’s debut. She had an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, where she addressed the biggest moment in the entire episode. She talked about Rhaenys’s controversial decision that might turn out to be as catastrophe as Thor not going for the head. The writer of the episode has detailed the reason for why Rhaenys chose to let the Greens live despite having all the power in the world.
Hess said, “I think she just can’t do it. It’s not her war. The fight is between these two sides and she’s kind of not in it. She doesn’t feel like she’s the one to come in and do that. But you’re right. If she had just incinerated everybody, it’s game over, Rhaenyra wins and we’re done here. But the cost is huge. I also feel like that moment, she looks Alicent in the eye and Alicent walks in front of her kid to shield him. It’s one mother to another. Rhaenys is angry, but in her previous scene with Alicent, she respected her, even if she doesn’t agree with her. So she’s not going to kill another woman like that.”
There is more to Rhaenys’ decision as well. In the conversation she had with Alicent, we got to know that the Queen believes Rhaenys should have been queen but understands that patriarchal tradition dictates that as women, they should do what they can to guide the royal men to peace. However, Rhaenys is frustrated with Alicent, and likely herself, for being in the service of men. By breaking Meleys free she makes a stand of her future and place in the war. It is her decision. Other then all these delicate and deeply internal reasons we’re forgetting the biggest reason of all- If she’d killed the Greens then how will HBO make more seasons? Jokes aside, these reasons makes sense.
House of the Dragon has an incredible ensemble cast that includes Paddy Considine, Matt Smith, Olivia Cooke, Emma D’Arcy, Steve Toussaint, Eve Best, Fabien Frankel, Sonoya Mizuno, and Rhys Ifans. Along with the main cast, the supporting cast of the show includes- Milly Alcock, Bethany Antonia, Phoebe Campbell, Emily Carey, Harry Collett, Ryan Corr, Tom Glynn-Carney, Jefferson Hall, David Horovitch, Wil Johnson, John Macmillan, Graham McTavish, Ewan Mitchell, Theo Nate, Matthew Needham, Bill Paterson, Phia Saban, Gavin Spokes, Savannah Steyn, and more.
The first nine episodes of HOTD are currently streaming on HBO Max or Disney+. New episodes will debut on every Sunday or Monday on HBO and HBO Max or Disney+ Hotstar depending on the region you live in, at 9 pm or 6.30 am.
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