House of the Dragon's episode before the conclusion of season one has the plots to make Aegon king, and Alicent has had enough, while Rhaenys is still prisoner! Queen Alicent has formed her Green Council under control of her father, Otto, and the king’s loyalists are taken out while Alicent’s pick for heir, Aegon, is missing! In disguise, Ser Criston gets the attention of Aemond, across the way is Mysaria whom we briefly saw in “The Lord of the Tides”, last episode, and then “King of the Narrow Sea” in the first part of the season. I thought she had been written out of the show since Daemon had long since left her behind. She is meeting with the Cargyll Boys; Ser Arryk and Ser Erryk, and Otto Hightower. Mysaria is asked if she is the White Worm. So Larys works for her. She coyly notes that the prince is hidden in Flea Bottom. Mysaria wants an end to the Westrosi Fight Club. Her accent is strange.
Otto also in disguise says he will “look into it.” She says she could kill Aegon any time. If she has so much influence, why can’t she stop them herself? The Carygyll Knights got to a shrine and hear coughing. They pull out a whiny Aegon who wants his mommy. The other danger besides a questionable ruler is a weak, unpredictable king. If Otto intended Aegon to be king, then he should have groomed him since birth like has with Alicent. This is his weakness. He is told granddaddy Hand will see him outside the city walls so bratty boy starts to run until chased down by Erryk. On the steps, Criston has his sword out to Aegon, Aemond takes his side. Aegon elbows Ser Erryk and starts to run, his brother runs after him on the opposite stairs as the knights duel. The spoiled heir is knocked down and all of this is seen by Ser Arryk who just watches. Criston disarms Erryk and asks about his brother. If he doesn’t know, then his open to being ambushed.
Aegon tells Aemond that he will sail away in a ship. Criston is ready to take him away to his mommy. Aemond is dangerous, but if the strong should rule at least there would stability under his rule, but that’s too easy in this world. A message is prepared by Otto when he sees his daughter. He says, “well played”, like this is an outmaneuver. The Hand ain’t got no hand! Alicent says she realized she was just a piece placed by her father. He says that the few have to sacrificed, he means pawns or people, for the many, the realm. The Hand can’t see his hand in front of his face. She says that with Aegon she can control the board. Except she can’t control Aegon. Alicent is just tired of Otto planning with the Small Council and not saying a word to her. She says that they will send terms to Rhaenyra. Otto brings up that Alicent was Visery’s daughter’s best friend. Alicent adds that Criston is promoted to Lord Commander, that was a given. I think his loyalty to Alicent is due to her manipulation of men, it must be as lover, transferring his love of Rhaenyra to Alicent because she had saved him, so he performs his royal duty.
Also, that Aegon will be crowned the next day and she says that all of King’s Landing will be there. Shouldn’t there be a funeral for Viserys first? She says Aegon will have Blackfyre. Otto brings up her mother to soften her up. The queen just walks away. That tactic is not going to work Hand Hightower. He says quietly, “As you wish.” Not exactly the same meaning as in Princess Bride (1987). She pours herself a drink and Lord Creepy Strong is there lurking in the shadows. He brings up a question of how The Hand found Aegon. She takes off her shoes and he stares at her feet, foot fetish?, as he mentions the spies. This guy gets more and more creepier. She removes her stockings, yup, Lord Larys loves the feet. Again, he stares and says that one spy is Talya, her handmaiden. The other one is staring at her feet. Lord Creepy says that the head of the spies must be taken out, Mysaria so he can take over as spy master. He says he will take out the spy master, Alicent pulls up her feet, and Lord Creepy makes himself happy as Alicent turns away.
The players are seen; Aegon eating a meal, The Hand, I hope Lord Creepy doesn’t want to be The Hand, yuck, Aemond sitting, Alicent, and then Rhaenys. Ser Arryk has reached her, he doesn’t want anything to do with treachery, and gives her a cloak. The one loyal knight? They walk and Rhaenys sees Lord Caswell hanging. Then, Ser Arryk and Rhaenys pass the skull of Balerion, Aegon the Conqueror’s dragon. He is taking her to Blackwater. A house burns as a figure in black, Larys’ assassin?, leaves. Morning, Rhaenys and Arryk are walking the streets and she says she wants to get to Meleys, her dragon. Arryk wants her about being expected at the Dragonpit. What I don’t understand is that if Rhaenys is imprisoned, then why doesn’t her dragon feel it and break her out? Guards are moving crowds of people. Arryk takes the princess another way, but people are moving from that direction. He takes her against the crowd. They are separated. A crown is placed on a pillow in preparation of the crowing ceremony.
Aegon, listless, is taken in a wagon. Alicent tries to tell him how much was sacrificed to make him king. He says Viserys had 20 years to name him heir so even he is suspicious. Is Alicent convinced about Viserys confused about who he was talking to that she misinterpreted that Aegon should be king? Shouldn’t she just asked, “Your son, Aegon, should be king?” He laughs at his mother’s naivete. She shows him Viserys’ Valyrian steel dagger. Aegon actually considers being king holding the dagger. Alicent tries to tell him that Otto will try to convince him to kill Rhaenyra and he shouldn’t do it. He merely asks if she loves him. Her answer, “You imbecile.” Motherly love the Alicent Hightower way. Rhaenys is amongst the crowds. They start to move when the carriage passes and Rhaenys stops to see the bells ring at the Dragonpit. Rhaenys follows the commoners into the great hall. Otto makes the announcement of the death of the king. Alicent is in her funeral green dress.
The skull of Balerion, House of the Dragon: The Targaryen Dynasty exhibit, Natural History Museum Los Angeles, author’s photo.
Then, he tells the crowds the lie that Viserys wanted Aegon as king. They clap as soldiers march in, the trumpeters sound the arrival of the heir, and the soldiers cross swords. Aegon walks up the steps with his family there with Criston, Helena, Aemond, and Larys. The Septon Eustace (Simon Chandler) begins the ceremony and Rhaenys takes this time to slip away. The Septon gives Criston the crown of the Conqueror and crowns Aegon with his pronouncement. Aegon looks at the others, Helena reluctantly bows, the crowd is silent. The Septon declares Aegon king and it is silent. Criston tries to get the crowd hyped shouting, “Aegon the King!”, polite claps until the crowd erupts in cheers. Otto is happy. Aegon draws Blackfyre to the cheers of the commoners and smiles. Then, there is an explosion at the front of the Great Sept! It is Meleys, the Red Queen, Rhaenys is paying her respects to the new king.
So the dragon takes out the commoners, but doesn’t get to the true threat with the other royals. If it can’t reach them, then “Dracarys!” Alicent and Criston look like, “Oh, that’s a dragon.” Aemond and Helena watch the shadowy approach. Aegon looks in fear. Impassively, the rider is seen, Rhaenyra, I don’t think anyone should call her The Queen Who Never Was right now. The crowds are mashed against the doors and The Hand shouts, “Open the doors!” How he is able to be heard over a massive crowd screaming and a dragon can’t be possible. Meleys’ head growls before the “royal” court. I guess they shouldn’t have imprisoned Rhaenys. Alicent closes her eyes and Meleys just roars. Not certain how they can hear after that point with their eardrums shattered. Rhaenys, silent all this time, turns with Meleys and they fly away! I think Rhaenys is showing all of them what will happen if they go against her, but it is a mistake to leave behind people who can come back at her, Aemond who didn't seem to be threatened, has Vaegar. The conclusion of "The Green Council" ends with the crowning of Aegon II and some dragon action!
Four Dragon Saddles out of Five!
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