All is quiet in the castle as episode 9 opens the morning after the end of episode 8. A little boy whispers a secret to a handmaiden, who then delivers the news to Queen Alicent herself: King Viserys has died. Alicent immediately tells her father Otto that Viserys wished for Aegon to be King – but which Aegon, exactly? There are currently two children with the name.
The small council meet to discuss their options, and it seems to come as a surprise to Alicent that the members of the council were planning to install her son Aegon as King in Viserys death – without her prior knowledge. This is, of course, the work of Otto Hightower. Lyman Beesbury calls out the rest of the council for treason and is promptly killed by Ser Criston. Ouch, what a way to go.
Otto suggests imprisoning Rhaenyra (unless she swears obeisance to the new King, naturally) so she cannot draw support to her claim… and I’d like to see him try. Rhaenyra and Daemon would not stand for it. Option 2 is killing them. Alicent refuses to allow this. The two were on good terms the last time they saw each other, and it’s a shame this is going to destroy what remains of their friendship.
Otto orders men to go to Dragonstone, but the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard refuses, stating until there is a King, he has no place in this fight. Wise man. Alicent leaves the council to find Aegon, who seems to be missing in action. Alicent’s daughter Helaena is a strange one. She often speaks in dreams and prophecies, known to some as dragon dreams. “There is a beast beneath the boards,” she tells Alicent.
Otto and Alicent send their guards after Aegon, and Aemond volunteers to go with Ser Criston. Is Aegon hiding because he fears the war that will unleash upon his ascension or because he does not want the crown at all? Aemond seems to have taken up wearing a skulking cloak similar to his idol, Daemon. How cute.
I find myself wondering where Rhaenyra and Daemon are throughout all this. An episode without them just doesn’t have the same spark.
Otto stands on the platform of the Iron Throne and informs everyone that Viserys altered his wishes, and they must swear their banners to Aegon. Some bow, some hesitate. Otto gives them no choice, stating they will swear before they leave the room. Those that refuse are removed from the room and most likely killed. The large number that remain swear their banners as asked.
Aegon is still winning the large game of hide and seek, as loud cheers draw Ser Erryk toward a place containing a fighting pit. Young children fight while adults cheer them on and in a dark corner is a young boy with bright white Targaryen-like hair. One of Aegon’s bastards, possibly. How sad his father doesn’t even care what becomes of him.
While the hunt continues, Rhaenys awakes to find herself locked in her room. Lord Larys assists Otto in catching those trying to escape to warn Rhaenyra, and Viserys is prepared for his funeral with Alicent standing by. Afterward, she visits Rhaenys to confirm what the Queen Who Never Was already suspected: Viserys is dead, and Alicent is usurping the throne. Alicent pleads her case, pointing out that being allies with Rhaenyra has not gained Rhaenys much. She spins her lines, telling Rhaenys she should have been Queen – but Rhaenys sees through the spin and turns the tables, asking if Alicent had every pictured herself on the Iron Throne instead. Rhaenys remains locked up until she has an answer for Alicent of who she will support: Aegon or Rhaenyra.
A mysterious woman in the village by the name of the White Worm informs Otto that Aegon is hiding in Flea Bottom. But before she gives him up, she demands an end to the children’s fighting pits. Otto agrees to “look into it” and the White Worm gives Otto a warning before she reveals Aegon’s location: Remember her role in this day.
Aegon is promptly dragged out from a hidden place and is disappointed to learn the White Worm sold him out for her own agenda. I don’t know what he expected. While Ser Criston and Ser Erryk fight over who will take Aegon to Alicent or Otto, Aegon takes the opportunity to escape once again but is foiled by Aemond. Aegon screams that he does not wish to rule, and has no taste for duty. Unfortunately for him, Ser Criston wins the fight and drags him home to his mommy.
Alicent accuses Otto of using her to secure his place in the Kingdom, as if she didn’t realise that the day Viserys proposed to her. She decides that they will send terms to Rhaenyra on Dragonstone. Ser Criston will be named Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, and Aegon will be anointed the next day at dawn – whether he likes it or not.
Again, where are Rhaenyra and Daemon? I’m enjoying the scheming of the Hightower hour, but I’m missing my favorite duo. Meanwhile, Ser Erryk decides whose side he’s on, and frees Rhaenys from the confines of her room before sneaking her out of the castle. Ser Erryk’s intention was to get her onto a ship, but the pair are separated and Rhaenys is swept up in the crowd heading to Aegon’s ceremony.
Alicent escorts a sulking Aegon to his coronation. He states that his father had 20 years to name him as heir, but never did. He does not want the crown. Rhaenyra implores him to reject the ideas of Otto and his counsel that Rhaenyra must be put to the sword. “Do you love me?” Aegon asks his mother. Alicent, totally fed up, calls him an imbecile. She’s right and she should say it.
Otto informs the large crowd of Viserys’ death, and his “wish” for Aegon to succeed him. The crowd are unsure at first, then applaud. Aegon makes his way to the front of the crowd, looking like a child playing dress up. Rhaenys watches on as Aegon kneels, then realizes this is her chance to escape while everyone is focused on the ceremony. Aegon is officially crowned King, and the crowd applauds. I’m sure Otto Hightower thinks his plan has gone off without a hitch, until the floor implodes and just as Halaena envisioned “a beast beneath the boards” appears.
Rhaenys and her dragon Meleys create chaos as dust, dirt and bodies fly. Rhaenys is magnificent as she stares Alicent down, with Aegon cowering behind his mother. Meleys roars their displeasure, before Rhaenys turns the dragon toward home and departs King’s Landing – no doubt to inform Rhaenyra of what she has just witnessed.
Let the war begin.
