The penultimate episode for HBO Max's House of the Dragon drew mixed reactions from fans for deviating from the book and including a wildly out-of-place fetish scene.

We're getting down to the nitty-gritty as one episode remains in HOD's groundbreaking first season.

Yet Sunday's episode isn't resonating too well with fans

A new ruler sits on the Iron Throne after a blatant misunderstanding and backdoor schemes.

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But those who are familiar with George R.R. Martin's fantasy novel aren't too thrilled about the direction of the ninth episode.

Fans were even more turned off with the strange fetish scene between Queen Alicent and her lapdog Larys "Clubfoot" Strong that had absolutely nothing to do with the series.

Warning: some spoilers lay ahead!

Yes folks: there's unfortunately only one more episode for the first season of the HBO Max series.

Though HOD's second season was already confirmed, fans will have to wait awhile before its arrival.

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Therefore, there's a lot riding on next week's finale. But for now, let's discuss the slightly underwhelming penultimate episode.

After the news of King Viserys' death reaches Olivia Cooke's Alicent, who is sure that her late husband's final wish was to see their eldest son succeed him on the Iron Throne, one can imagine what the misguided Queen did next.

For those who haven't seen the latest episode, we won't dish about the details. But let's just say treason and death are at an all-time high.

It wasn't just the pacing and the obvious move away from the books' storyline that made viewers rather displeased with HOD's recent episode. It was also the very uncomfortable moment between Alicent and Larys, played by Matthew Needham.

What's more awkward than an Uncle and niece having sex, getting married, and having children? Well, Larys pleasuring himself to Alicent's bare feet while the two gossip seems to trump the amount of incest taking place in HOD.

Yet the perplexing moment was quickly forgotten thanks to a dynamic and show-stopping performance from Eve Best who plays Princess Rhaenys Targaryen.

While the Green Council tries its best to get the "Queen who never was" on their side, she literally – and we do mean literally – shows that she will represent House Targaryen until the day she dies.

All in all, it wasn't the best episode of the season, but it still gave fans a lot to look forward to for next week's finale.

Catch up on the first season of HBO Max's House of the Dragon before the finale is upon us!