Hell is empty, all the devils are here in House of The Dragon Episode 9

The King has died, and the House of the Dragon has devolved into chaos.

After all, the poison, intrigue, betrayal, and insidiousness of humanity usually bursts forth like an unstoppable dam in the penultimate episodes of anything remotely related to Game of Thrones.

House of the Dragon's latest Episode 9 lacks specific shock and awe moments, such as Ned Stark's beheading, which also paved the way for the original series, but it has everything else. Episode 9 was brimming with tension, panic, and unpredictability; you never know who's head will be severed and who will be burned to cinders. Everyone is trying to play chess, some with trembling hands and nervous fingers, others more calmly, but with the wrong pieces.

The episode picks up after King Viserys' (Paddy Considine) death. Otto Hightower, his former close friend and Hand of The King, doesn't waste time expressing his grief; he has more pressing concerns, such as plotting to kill Viserys' daughter, Rhaenyra (Emma D'arcy), the heir to the throne, and imprisoning anyone who refuses to swear fealty. Ser Criston is now a schemer as well, revealing his murderous side as he eliminates Lord Beesbury in the council, who is appalled at the plans to usurp the throne and sputters his displeasure. Sigh, it's a bad time and place to be a good person.

However, Rhaenyra and Daemon are noticeably absent in this episode, most likely awaiting the true gory showdown in the finale. While Daemon's cold savagery is sorely missed, there's still a lot going on here, with Alicent Hightower trying to find her decrepit and depraved son Aegon and make him king, as well as save her former best friend from being butchered by her father. Aaegon is as unlikeable as such Game of Thrones characters come — he has fathered numerous children throughout the city and runs a despicable child-fighting ring.

Alicient anchors this episode brilliantly, finally stating what we've all been thinking — she's been a shameless pawn in Otto Hightower's plans, which she may regret. Her expressions are filled with exhaustion and weariness as she struggles to use her words against a world of devious men, but it's not much use. Queen Rhaenys—the Queen Who Never Was—is the other woman who has the same magnetic hold on the show. She's been playing with loyalties for a while now, but she also wants it known that she won't be messed with—-as she demonstrates in the show's final moments.Rhaenys bursts through with a dragon, causing Alicent and the rest of the squad to tremble. I almost believed that this would be the show's defining moment, when she would burn them all to death—-but that doesn't happen, which is disappointing. She glares coldly at the lot before turning away. They won't have it so easy, will they?

House of the Dragon Episode 9 depicts the poisonous seeping tension in the realms, matched with the morbidly remarkable OST—-you know nothing good is going to happen when such ominous music plays. The episode was gripping and riveting, with well-suited gloom and shadows (there is literally no bright light), and it remains to be seen who lives or dies in the finale.