Several characters left remarkable impressions in the season premiere ofHouse of the Dragon, especially the Targaryen family consisting of King Viserys, his brother Prince Daemon, and his daughter Princess Rhaenyra. However, Otto Hightower is a tough and stern character who serves as the Hand of the King and a knight of House Hightower. Otto’s loyalty toward Viserys is undeniable due to their essential conversations among the King’s Small Council.
Actor Rhys Ifans is best known for funny and villainous roles, including the romantic comedyNotting Hilland Dr. Curt Connors/Lizard inThe Amazing Spider-Man. His new role as Otto is clever in the sense that the character is both calm and serious, leaving a lot to be desired about his true intentions in Westeros.
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Otto Is The King’s Best Ally
As King Viserys' right-hand man, Otto undoubtedly has one of the most challenging duties out of all the members of the Council. Otto’s job is to look out forthe King’s best interests, to inform him of any problems and serious matters that need his attention, and to keep him happy even while under tremendous stress and pressure.
When Lord Corlys Velaryon repeatedly presents his argument that his ships are under scrutiny by opposing alliances and pirate infestation, Otto sternly tells the Master of Ships that his concerns will be taken under advisement by the King. Otto appreciates important news, but at the same time does not want the King to be burdened by too much at once.
Otto Dislikes The King’s Brother
Prince Daemon Targaryen (the King’s brother) is the Jamie Lannister of this series since he is the most hated man in Westeros. No one appears to dislike Daemon more than Otto, who believes thatthe Prince is overly violent and repulsive. When learning that Daemon brutally took down and dismembered individuals for murder and criminality, Otto found the Prince’s actions too extreme.
Otto believes in law and order just as much as the members of the King’s Council, but also that the Seven Kingdoms shouldn’t be ruled just byfear and intimidationalone. The knight of House Hightower considers Daemon the biggest threat to the realm, more so than the enemies they face in battle.
Otto’s Opinion On The King’s Succession
The most intense discussion involving the Small Council comes toward the end ofthe pilot episodeas they discuss who should be the King’s successor to helm the iron throne. Otto feels torn and concerned at this moment because he doesn’t want to place his emotional King in a bad spot, especially after he lost his Queen and their newborn baby due to difficulties in child labor. However, Otto is worried that the King will be vulnerable by not having a clear successor.
It’s in this scene where Otto makes his case that Daemon clearly should not be the next in line to become King due to the Prince’s violent outbursts and cruelty towards others. Otto also briefly called out Corlys for initially supporting the idea that Daemon could be the next King (before stating that others also have a claim for the throne). Unlike certain members of the Council, Otto welcomes the idea of having a queen in charge of Westeros, believing that Viserys' daughter, Rhaenyra, is the right person to take her father’s place after his time as King is done.
Otto Is Also A Father Like Viserys
Aside from having the toughest job in Westeros as the King’s advisor who sees and knows everyone and everything that’s going on around him, Otto is also a father to a daughter, like Viserys. Alicent Hightower is a beautiful and sensitive young woman who, like her father, is both calm and serious at the same time. Alicent is also Rhaenyra’s best friend. Unlike Viserys, who loves Rhaenyra but is primarily focused on having a son as his heir, Otto loves Alicent very much and cares about her well-being.
Otto also appears very cautious and protective of Alicent. There’s a moment during a major tournament when Daemon asks Alicent to place a small wreath on his wooden lance for good luck. Alicent gives the wreath to Daemon, which displeases Otto because of his dislike of the Prince. Otto also doesn’t want Alicent to get involved with violent men like Daemon or to grow accustomed to watching glorified violence for sport.
After King Viserys lost his Queen and their newborn child, Otto and Alicent sharean emotional moment together, understanding the grief and sorrow the King and Rhaenyra are going through. Otto and his daughter also went through tremendous loss in the past when Alicent’s mother passed away. In order to comfort the King, Otto asks Alicent to meet with Viserys in order to read a history book to him while wearing one of her late mother’s dresses.
Just like his daughter, Otto is a caring person who wants the best for Viserys and Rhaenyra, while also being able to tackleserious issues that loom over King’s Landing. His feud with Daemon will undoubtedly carry over through much of this season, especially after Otto and Viserys find out that the Prince disgracefully called the King’s late newborn “the heir for a day.” Otto is loyal to Viserys, but he will also be monitoring how the King handles Daemon because he knows that their bond as brothers may potentially compromise the duties of the throne.
House of the Dragonairs Sundays on HBO.
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