King Viserys, Otto Hightower, Alicent Hightower
While dragons and wild parties draw viewers in, royal politics is what keeps them watching. Not much has changed with the Game of Thrones spin-off House of the Dragon. Episode 2’s “The Rogue Prince” shows that things can get just as hot inside closed doors as they do in the sky, despite the show’s premise of flying creatures hovering in the air and scorching the ground.
Perhaps Otto Hightower and Alicent are the best examples of the show’s penchant for backstabbing and political maneuvering.
The Hightowers and their Game of Thrones
Together, father and daughter were able to completely change the status quo in Westeros in just two chapters. We were first introduced to Otto, the Hand of the King when he was trying to advise King Viserys in a private council meeting. Alicent and her closest friend, Princess Rhaenyra, were first seen by onlookers when they were both little girls. At first glance, Otto and Alicent seem hesitant to make a splash. That is, until chaos was unleashed on the kingdom following issues surrounding the Iron Throne.
After visiting the grieving monarch in his chambers and commenting on his recreations of ancient Valyria in Episode 2, the former quickly became a trusted companion. The king informed Alicent that he could marry the daughter of Corlys Velaryon, a young woman of only 12 years old. At no point in their conversation does Alicent reveal her true feelings to the king, instead choosing to play shy and say things like, “I’m sure she would appreciate your presence, as I did.” She went above and beyond when the king smashed a dragon figurine and asked her to restore it for him.
Elsewhere, Otto struggled with how to respond to the Daemon Prince’s dangers to stability, regardless of whether he was engaged in his own plot. One of the reasons is that Otto objects to the king accepting his request to merge the two houses, which was made by Otto of Corlys. On the other hand, he confronts Daemon about his latest activities by sending Alicent to visit the king once more.
Although Otto ultimately prevailed, Rhaenyra’s surprise appearance on dragonback allowed him to truly terrify Daemon and win the episode. Viserys has clearly announced his intention to marry, naming Alicent as his future wife. They may have alienated some allies in the process, but the Hightowers have established themselves as potential claimants to the throne now that his potential wife should deliver the next successor.
Who are Otto and Alicent Hightower?
Otto was a highly respected scholar who served as Hand of the King for Jaehaerys I as well as Viserys I in the Fire & Blood series. As one might see in his strategy to woo Alicent and Viserys, his genius borders on hubris, but he remains meticulous. Otto’s wife is only referenced in the first two episodes of the series but is absent from the novels. However, the TV show only featured Alicent, in the novels Otto is the parent of several children.
Jaehaerys’ former adviser and child, Baelon Targaryen, died, and Otto took the role. Alicent, simultaneously, became a member of the royal court when she was only fifteen years old. Disheartened by the death of his wife Alysanne, King Jaehaerys has called for the Grand Council, the dramatic legacy storyline that kicked off Season 1 of the House HBO miniseries.
Jaehaerys’ health rapidly deteriorated when Viserys was crowned king and was confined at home, thus putting the kingdom in Otto’s hands. Elsewhere, Alicent has been tasked with keeping tabs on Jaehaerys as she recovers from her illness.
Even when she entered her mid-teens, Alicent was still portrayed in the novel as looking young. Martin often used the word “beautiful and charming” to characterize her due to her attractive appearance even after having many children. Alice’s upbringing in a royal residence gave her an edge through her insight and ability to empathize with others around her.
Hightowers is related to Game of Thrones
Game of Thrones fans will recognize Oldtown as the setting of the Citadel, where the Maesters receive their education. This is where Hightower House has kept its headquarters since ancient times.
The nickname “Hightower” is immediately identifiable as it is the surname of Mace Tyrell’s wife, Alerie Hightower. Loras Tyrell Finn as well as Margaery Tyrell, who became queen for a few months after marrying King Joffrey, were born to both.
It’s interesting to hear that Margaery’s predecessor, Alicent, also plotted to become queen, considering how much Margaery resorted to becoming queen. To what extent father and daughter meet the same fate in House of the Dragon remains to be seen.
