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

"A second son who stands to inherit nothing he couldn't seize for himself."

Daemon's words concerning Otto have never rung more sinisterly true. Every time the Hand of the King has appeared to be unveiled for his true self on House of the Dragon, a darker and more malevolent ripple of Otto's personality crests the surface. Now that he has been thrust into the position where the issue of succession for Aegon is now-or-never, the lengths that Otto will go to to secure his grandson's legacy are revealed in their true terrifying light, foreshadowed by the Rogue Prince's assessment.

Keep the death of the realm's King a complete secret? Stand by as Criston uses a stone and a table to give Lord Beesbury an impromptu lobotomy? Never mind the unfortunate Lord Caswell dangling from a makeshift noose like some kind of morbid tapestry. Otto is absolutely implacable in his desire to seize power and put Rhaenyra's family to the sword, going as far as ordering Harrold Westerling to carry out the task quickly and cleanly. The Hand is so inexorably focused on his morbid mandate that even the pleas of his marginally more level headed daughter fall on deaf ears.

Rhys Ifans is absolutely relishing in Otto's villainous freedom and turns in another thunderously wicked performance. This has the added benefit of making it all the more satisfying as Meleys and Rhaenys gleefully smash House Hightower's crowning moment - along with the Dragonpit's hall - into piles of rubble.