Includes SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2's finale and MAJOR SPOILERS for Fire & Blood, the show's source material.
Summary
- Otto Hightower's fate in the House of the Dragon season 2 finale remains uncertain.
- Larys Strong may have imprisoned Otto, but his motives are unclear and do not fully add up.
- An alternative theory suggests that Otto Hightower may have been taken captive by enemies in the Reach.
House of the Dragon season 2's finale sees Otto Hightower lying in a dungeon, leaving audiences with questions about his whereabouts. Otto Hightower was the Hand of the King to Viserys I Targaryen, which carried over after Aegon II Targaryen inherited the Iron Throne. However, Aegon dismissed Otto in season 2, episode 3, just before both sides met at the pivotal Battle of Rook's Rest. Otto is played by veteran actor Rhys Ifans in the House of the Dragon cast and returns in season 2, episode 8.
The House of the Dragon season 2 ending shows a montage of each character in the series and the various armies marching toward the growing conflict of the Dance of the Dragons. Included in the montage is a shot of Otto imprisoned, which is the first time audiences have seen him since earlier in the season. Alicent Hightower tried to reach out to him but wasn't receiving responses to her letters. Also, when Aemond Targaryen was made Prince Regent in Aegon's absence, he commanded Larys to bring Otto back to be his hand.
Related
Daemon Targaryen has more visions at Harrenhal in House of the Dragon's season 2 finale, connecting to his story, Rhaenyra, and even Game of Thrones.
1
Is Otto Hightower In The Dungeons Of The Red Keep?
It Looks Like The Red Keep, But That Would Be Outrageous
The dungeons in the Red Keep are the most prominently used in the Game of Thrones universe, with Ned Stark, Tyrion, and more, being held there at certain points in the timeline. The shot of Otto looks similar to the dungeons in the Red Keep, so it's not impossible, but there are no distinctive features that imply a particular location. It seems unlikely that he's been hidden just under everyone's noses for almost the whole season. Alicent or Aemond surely would've found out about this at some point.
Did Larys Strong Imprison Otto Hightower?
Larys Has The Motivation, But It Doesn't Fully Add Up
Larys Strong has developed a one-sided rivalry with Otto Hightower throughout season 2, as Otto is the biggest threat to his control in the Red Keep. It's Larys' manipulation that leads Aegon to dismiss Otto after Larys convinces the young king that Otto will hold him back from taking the necessary actions in the war. Aemond then slights Larys, leading him to think he's going to be made Hand of the King, before telling him to bring Otto back to King's Landing.
Larys definitely has the motive to capture Otto Hightower and keep him prisoner, and the means to make it happen, but it raises questions about his goals in doing so. It would be a pretty significant departure from the book storyline, as Otto is never taken prisoner in Fire & Blood. It doesn't seem likely that this is the case, especially after Larys is seen fleeing King's Landing with Aegon at the end of the episode.
Where Else Could Otto Hightower Be?
Otto Could've Been Taken Prisoner By Enemies In The Reach
One option for Otto Hightower's location could be Honeyholt, the castle of House Beesbury. Audiences may remember Lyman Beesbury as the small council member who Criston Cole brutally murders in House of the Dragon season 1, episode 9 after he suggests Rhaenyra should be made queen. House Beesbury has reason to take Otto captive, and it makes sense geographically, given that he was on his way back to The Reach when he was last seen.
This possibility could line up well with House of the Dragon season 3, as there are new characters marching north from the Reach at the end of season 2, as well as a new dragonrider. The season 3 premiere could see Prince Daeron Targaryen and his dragon Tessarion in a prison break scenario, freeing Otto from his captivity. This could see Otto wind up involved at the Battle of the Honeywine, before returning to King's Landing.
What Happens To Otto Hightower
Otto Is Executed By Rhaenyra
In Fire & Blood, there's really not much Otto Hightower after he's dismissed as Hand of the King. In the book, it's his decision to utilize the Triarchy against the Velaryon fleet, not Aemond's, but he sets this act in motion before he's removed as hand. Eventually, when Rhaenyra takes King's Landing, Otto is in the city, and she executes him upon capturing the Red Keep. Season 2's finale indicates Rhaenyra taking King's Landing could happen sooner rather than later, so this could occur very shortly.
Otto could arrive at King's Landing just before Rhaenyra takes the city, early in season 3, after being freed by Daeron and the Hightower forces. He'd be there to serve as Aemond's hand, only to find Aemond and Aegon already gone from King's Landing. However, given all of House of the Dragon's book changes, this could turn out quite different.
House of the Dragon
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Taking place about 172 years before the events of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon tells the tale of the rise of the Targaryens, the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria. The popular HBO spinoff show first starred Milly Alco*ck and Emily Carey as Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower before they were replaced by Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke, who play the older versions of the characters. Also starring in the series is Matt Smith (Prince Daemon Targaryen) and Paddy Considine as Rhaenyra’s father, King Viserys Targaryen.
- Cast
- Jefferson Hall , Paddy Considine , Fabien Frankel , Ryan Corr , Eve Best , Gavin Spokes , Graham McTavish , Steve Toussaint , Olivia Cooke , Sonoya Mizuno , Bill Paterson , Matthew Needham , Emma D'Arcy , Matt Smith , Rhys Ifans , David Horovitch
- Release Date
- August 21, 2022
- Seasons
- 2
- Streaming Service(s)
- HBO Max
- Franchise(s)
- Game of Thrones
