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

It says a lot about the devious nature of the Green Council members that the fact that the majority of them have been planning for the eventual usurpation for the better part of a decade does not come as a shock in the slightest.

The titular Council's introductory scene was a wonderful segment of television; it's morbidly hilarious how almost immediately after the aforementioned members reveal their true faces, they react to Lord Beesbury's slapstick (accidental?) execution by Criston with roughly the same level of concern of somebody who has just stepped on an ant. Speaking of which, that's two skulls crushed in the space of FIVE episodes; Criston legitimately needs some form of medieval anger management treatment. Almost laughably, it could have been worse for Lord Beesbury - in Fire and Blood, Criston is alleged to have thrown him out of a window to land on the castle moat's spikes.

The scene even managed to feature a bit of welcome morality amongst all this seedy behavior - a truly rare commodity in the halls of the Red Keep. Harrold Westerling contemptuously resigns his post as Lord Commander of the Kingsguard after Otto orders him to have Rhaenyra and her family murdered, stirring fond memories of Barristan Selmy throwing his sword at Joffrey's feet in disgust. While Westerling plays only a minor role in Martin's canon, don't be surprised to see him pop up in a Ser Barristan-style capacity for Rhaenyra next season.

All in all, a riveting opening sequence that helped swiftly set the tone for another impressive outing.