Highlights
- Characters in House of the Dragon navigate political intrigue and commit ruthless acts to secure power and influence in Westeros.
- Ambitious figures like Larys Strong and Alicent Hightower manipulate situations to achieve their goals, even resorting to murder and betrayal.
- The battle for succession between prominent houses like Targaryen and Velaryon sets the stage for the epic clash known as the Dance of Dragons.
House of the Dragon has emerged as one of the most popular TV shows currently airing. The fantasy epic builds on the success of Game of Thrones, as dragons and political intrigue captivate audiences. In House of the Dragon, various characters belonging to many prominent houses contribute to the narrative as the Dance of Dragons begins between King Aegon II Targaryen and Rhaenyra Targaryen.
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Many characters in the show play the political game to further their agendas and raise their status in Westeros, with several plotting schemes that affect the fight for succession. Many characters, such as Otto Hightower, Corlys Velaryon, and Alicent Hightower, have motives to further themselves and their families, no matter the risk.
1 Larys Strong Murders His Family For Alicent Hightower
The Shadow Of House Strong Betrays His Kin To Show His Loyalty To The Queen
- Took Place: The Princess and the Queen, Season 1, Episode 6
Seen as the black sheep of House Strong due to his impediment, Larys Strong has high ambitions of climbing the social ladder in Westeros and is keen to do whatever it takes to succeed. As Larys starts to build a rapport with Alicent, the queen comes to Larys with her problems, with Alicent confessing her issue with the Hand of the King, Lyonel Strong, who fails to admit his son, Harwin Strong's infidelity with Rhaenyra Targaryen.
After hearing Alicent's complaints, Larys takes the situation into his own hands, with the Clubfoot organizing the murder of his father and brother at Harrenhal, letting them burn alive. Larys' actions bring Otto back into the fold as Hand of the King, while the Clubfoot's rapport with Alicent grows stronger despite the queen being disgusted by his actions.
2 Alicent Taking Criston Cole Into Her Service
Bringing In A Damaged Soul Who Can Stay Loyal To Her
- Took Place: We Light the Way, Season 1, Episode 5
Ser Criston Cole is a knight who Rhaenyra handpicked to be her sworn shield, with their relationship eventually turning into a full-fledged romance. After Rhaenyra rejects Cole's plan to escape together, Cole is left in anger, with the knight going on to kill Joffrey Lonmouth at Rhaenyra and Laenor Velaryon's wedding ceremony. After leaving in a fit of rage, Cole is found by Alicent just as he is about to commit suicide.
From that point on, Cole has been a loyal servant of Alicent and her son, Aemond Targaryen, with Cole being an asset to The Greens for the warfare that starts to emerge.
3 Mysaria's Kidnapping Of Aegon
The White Worm Takes Advantage Of Viserys' Death By Kidnapping The Incoming King
- Took Place: The Green Council, Season 1, Episode 9
As a ruler of the underbelly of King's Landing, the White Worm Mysaria has grown to have significant power despite not coming from royalty or a noble house. Being the former paramour of Daemon Targaryen, Mysaria has worked her way up in King's Landing, using agents and spies to do her bidding.
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After Mysaria learns that King Viserys is about to die, she kidnaps the incoming king, Aegon. To return Aegon safely, Mysaria requests an audience with Otto, the Hand of the King. Mysaria profits from her scheme, as Otto must consider Mysaria's wishes regarding how children are treated in the capital.
4 Rhaenyra Marries Daemon
Rhaenyra Marries Her Uncle To Strengthen Her Family
- Took Place: Driftmark, Season 1, Episode 7
Despite being the heir to King Viserys, Rhaenyra is looked down upon by many in the realm, with accusations of having illegitimate children smearing her name. After the death of Daemon's wife, Laena Velaryon, Rhaenyra and Daemon fall in love during Laena's funeral ceremony, with the pair deciding to marry.
To execute their plan, Daemon offers Rhaenyra's husband, Laenor, a way out with his lover, Qarl Correy, as the pair fake Laenor's death to escape to Essos to live in peace. Laenor's supposed death enables Rhaenyra and Daemon to marry, bringing their families together as they hold several dragons between them, which gives Rhaenyra more firepower for the impending war.
5 Corlys Velaryon Offers Laena To King Viserys
Corlys And Rhaenys Try To Take Advantage Of Aemma Arryn's Death By Offering Laena As A Wife
- Took Place: The Rogue Prince, Season 1, Episode 2
After the death of King Viserys' wife, Aemma Arryn, and their son, Baelon Targaryen, during childbirth, Corlys and Rhaenys Targaryen take advantage of the unfortunate event. Corlys and Rhaenys' proposal to Viserys is to join their houses, with their daughter Laena and the king becoming husband and wife, keeping the houses of Old Valyria strong and united.
Despite the proposal being ideal for all involved parties, including small council members like Lyonel, Viserys decides to take Alicent as his bride, causing a rift with Corlys and House Velaryon.
6 Otto Uses His Daughter To Seduce Viserys
The Hand Of The King Uses Alicent To Get Closer To The King
- Took Place: The Rogue Prince, Season 1, Episode 2
As Hand of the King, Otto has climbed the ranks in Westeros through the characters' cunning and intelligent plans and decisions. After the death of Aemma, suitors to be Viserys' next wife emerge, with Corlys and Rhaenys offering their daughter Laena as a match. While Corlys' offer is considered, Otto makes a play by making his daughter Alicent try to seduce the king, sending her on regular visits to gain his favor.
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When it comes time to pick a new wife, Viserys goes against Corlys, favoring Alicent over Laena. Otto's plan succeeds, leading his daughter to become Queen Regent while he holds the position of Hand of the King. Otto's plotting also causes a wedge between Viserys and Corlys, giving the Hightowers even more power and influence in King's Landing.
7 Viserys Offers Rhaenyra As A Match For Laenor
Viserys Aims To Make Up With Corlys By Offering His Daughter To Marry Corlys' Heir
- Took Place: We Light the Way, Season 1, Episode 5
After rejecting Corlys' offer to marry his daughter Laena, Viserys and the Sea Snake become distant, with the two remnant houses of Valyria being at odds. To recruit Corlys back into the fold, Viserys offers Rhaenyra to be the wife of Laenor, giving the Velaryons a presence on the Iron Throne in the future.
The united front of the Targaryen and Velaryon houses would stay strong further down the line, as Rhaenyra and House Velaryon would be on one side of the Dance of Dragons, with the war between The Greens and Blacks emerging.
8 The Hightowers Plan Aegon's Ascension
The Greens Usurp The Throne By Placing Aegon As King
- Took Place: The Green Council, Season 1, Episode 9
In House of the Dragon's most significant political move, the Hightowers and the small council chose to have Aegon usurp the throne despite Viserys' wishes for Rhaenyra to become queen. Immediately after Viserys' death, the small council, led by Otto, prepares to announce Aegon as king despite his not wanting the crown.
While The Greens rush to place their own on the throne, Rhaenyra is away in Dragonstone, unaware of events that transpire. After rescuing Aegon from Mysaria, Aegon is placed as king, with The Greens taking advantage through their quick thinking and planning. Otto's political scheming ensures his family stays ahead of Rhaenyra despite Viserys' wishes, with The Greens landing the first significant blow in the Dance of Dragons.
