House Of The Dragon Episode Nine Review - 9 Ups & 1 Down

10. Down - Wickedly weird Larys

Well, that was traumatizing.

This week's episode saw arguably House of the Dragon's grossest moment to date. Bear in mind, this is a show that has featured incest, children slicing each other's eyes out and a man who nails people to posts so he can watch them be devoured by crabs.

Nonetheless, the revelation that Larys Strong has a foot fetish, evidently influenced by the loathing of his own deformed foot, was genuinely disturbing. What made the news borderline therapy-worthy was the discovery that Alicent seemingly pays for Larys' loyalty and information by allowing the despicable schemer to sexually gratify and pleasure himself to the sight of the Royal Feet.

Is this legitimately necessary? Viewers were introduced to Larys as a monstrous, Machiavellian schemer of the highest despicable order; people who hire a group of criminals, slice out their tongues and have them burn his brother and father alive are typically foreboding enough as it is. The appalling lengths that the younger Strong have already been revealed and made him a truly abominable character in the making, without having to resort to something that ultimately feels like a cheap attempt to disgust audiences.

The iconic villains of Game of Thrones - Joffrey, Ramsay, Cersei to name - weren't iconic because of some perverted sideshow, they were perfectly nuanced antagonists with a uniquely poisonous brand of their own. Considering Larys clearly has the potential to live up to his own particular brand of evil, this plot line feels like an inexplicable step in the wrong direction for his villain arc.