YMMV / House of the Dragon S1 E9: "The Green Council"

• Broken Base: Rhaenys's grand interruption of Aegon's coronation via Meleys beneath the Dragonpit and sparing the Greens is either a shocking and intense moment that showcases Rhaenys's power, honor, and decision on who to join in the coming war... or it's a jarring scene that's seemingly only there for shock factor, and also shows Rhaenys as being not above murdering dozens of smallfolk just to make a point.
• Fanon Discontinuity: Rhaenys's controversial moment where she storms the Dragonpit with Meleys and kills hundreds of smallfolk is forgotten/ignored by some, due to being seen as an unnecessary Kick the Dog moment since she nor the Blacks gain anything from it. It also doesn't help that said scene was never referenced in Fire & Blood.
• Moral Event Horizon: Otto Hightower finally crosses it when he reveals his plan to murder Rhaenyra and her family in order to pave the way for Aegon's ascension to the throne, an action that Alicent is appalled at. If he didn't do it then, he definitely crosses it when he has any lord who refuses to break their oaths to Rhaenyra imprisoned or put to death, starting with Lord Caswell.
• Shipping Goggles: Aemond and Helaena
  • Helaena's line "It is our fate, I think, to crave always what is given to another." Aemond definitely covets his brother's status as heir — and, according to shippers, his wife too.
  • Aemond says, "I'm next in line to the throne." This is point-blank untrue: Aegon and Helaena have a toddler-aged son, Jaehaerys, who's in line before Aemond. Leading to the shipper's interpretation Aemond is actually secretly Jaehaerys's father, and this is a Freudian Slip.
  • During the Meleys showdown, Helaena — who usually Hates Being Touched — lightly touches Aemond's arm.
• Squick: Even though there's no nudity or dialogue implying anything sexual, the scene where Alicent buys information from Larys by showing him her feet, and then letting him jack off as a reward, is incredibly unsettling and fascinating. It's a Sex for Services situation, and Alicent clearly doesn't like having to resort to it. Also, it's Larys she's doing this for, who already adds creepiness to every scene he's in ever since he's had his father and brother murdered by fire, and who has known her since she was a teenager.

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