For a penultimate episode, this was so weak episode

If you enjoyed the episode then I am happy, I did not so I am just ranting my thoughts, no offense intended. But I probably will get cooked in comments with “why are you watching the show them” etc and that’s okay too.

I don’t know what this show is anymore. No I am not a book purist and I have read the book, but I never expect page by page pure adaptation. But showrunners clearly have goalposts from book events where they are leading to and at this point with 9 episodes most likely remaining, I can’t see how they can land all of it organically. Battle of God’s eye, event at Dragonhosue (you know what I mean), Drahonstone scene, and Hour of Wolf at this point will just be a 6 min cold open at series finale.

In general, this season after second episode, the pacing has been completely dragged. Aemond and Alys in Harrenhall for 5 epsiodes and I don’t know what is the point other than she wants to have kid with Targaryen. Alicent having so much screen time when she has no power in Red Keep has been so annoying. Rhaenyra should have spend all this time figuring out budget with Hand or Master of Coin or discussing strategy to fill the coffers back up with taxes or loan from Bank of Bravos, but instead she has to go see Alicent twice a day. Now that Rhaena is back in red keep, what was the point of her hiding in Vale? Corlys once again has been kept away from the main storyline. For some reason Rhaenyra is written as someone who has no control of emotions while ruling in front of her council or subjects. Which is weird because show always wanted us to root for her and then they wrote her as an annoying,
inept queen after taking the throne.. We barely get to spend any time with Northmen in riverlands. Just thinking out loud

This episode,

being a penultimate episode was wildly inconsistent with no major payoff or event. So Aegon got his dragon back, Alicent arrived and escaped Harrenhall, Ormund and Ulf are drinking buddies which I am happy about, Rhaenyra bickered with her two lovers, Rhaena back at Red Keep after wandering for 6 episodes. I feel like writers had no proper goal in mind after Rhaenyra takes the throne. Another season where character and storyline arcs has been unfulfilling but I understood the problem with last season, and Studio forcing them to cut 2 episodes. This season shouldn’t have such excuse. The show is so far removed from being even a good show let alone a good adaptation. The writing decisions are up there with season7 and 8 of GOT