House of the Dragon director Clare Kilner called it a ‘dirty scene’ (Picture: HBO)
Warning: spoilers ahead for House of the Dragon episode 9.
In the latest episode of House of the Dragon, viewers were left in an extremely uncomfortable state after watching a certain foot scene unfold between Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) and Queen Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke).
But there was far more to the scene than simply reflecting Larys’ foot fetish, as the clear demonstration of his power hinted at the further evil he’s yet to commit in the story as the Dance of Dragons battle beckons.
In episode 9, Larys warns the Queen that Mysaria (Sonoya Mizuno) – the former lover of Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), who’s now known as the ‘White Worm’ – has a network of spies, with one even being Talya, Alicent’s lady-in-waiting.
However, Larys isn’t willing to give up the information right off the bat… as Alicent has to first do something for him in return.
Without saying a word – insinuating that this isn’t the first time Alicent has reluctantly indulged Larys’ desires – she takes off her shoes and places her feet on the table.
Alicent is forced to show her vulnerabilities in order to gain information from Larys (Picture: HBO)
As Larys begins to share more details of the information that he knows, the Queen then removes her socks, so that her feet are on full display.
After disclosing the information about Mysaria to Alicent, she turns away from him as he pleasures himself while continuing to gaze at her toes, with Larys later organising for Mysaria’s house to be set on fire.
Larys is known as ‘Clubfoot’ due to the foot abnormality he was born with, with some House of the Dragon viewers remarking that they found the decision to reveal his foot fetish ‘predictable’.
However, there’s more to this scene than meets the eye.
As several fans have pointed out, Larys has enough power in King’s Landing that he could likely use any woman of his choosing to look at her feet if he so wished.
Nonetheless, he decides to use the most influential woman in the land, demonstrating just how much power he as an individual can and will continue to exert in the tale ahead.
‘Men will abuse women for no reason other than wanting to have power over them. Alicent had no choice in so much of her life, and Larys knew and abused this further,’ one person wrote.
‘Larys as a spymaster and the lord confessor could obviously see feet anywhere anytime. He’s got dungeons with free reign and wealth. He doesn’t have an access problem. He specifically wants to demonstrate that he holds power over Alicent and for her to know it,’ another person said.
‘Ngl I felt so bad for Alicent during that Larys scene. Being in a position of power but still getting dehumanized by men. Ugh we never win,’ someone else said.
*Some spoilers ahead from the book ahead – so if you wish to avoid knowing anything, look away now.*
Rhaenyra and Daemon were missing from this week’s episode – but will be back for the finale (Picture: HBO)
For people who have read the Fire & Blood book by George RR Martin on which House of the Dragon is based, they’ll know just how important a role Larys plays in the narrative.
Larys continues to be the Littlefinger of Targaryen-age Westeros throughout the family’s civil war, weaving his web of control over the kingdom.
As individuals ascend the Iron Throne or are usurped, Larys is there, lurking in the shadows… so the fact that he already has the Queen in his pocket is extremely telling indeed.
The House of the Dragon finale airs on Monday at 2am on Sky Atlantic and NOW.
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‘He wants to demonstrate that he holds power over Alicent,’ one fan remarked.