Aegon Targaryen and Otto Hightower, Confrontation Scene, House Of The Dragon, Season 2, Episode 2.

King Aegon Targaryen and Ser Otto Hightower, Confrontation Scene, House Of The Dragon, Season 2, Episode 02.
#HouseOfTheDragon #HOTD #RhysIfans #TomGlynnCarney

[@Annexin5402]

You can't put a leash on a dog once you put a crown on its head. - Tyrion Lannister

[@ryanhealy9026]

“The Gods have yet to make a man who doesn’t have the patience for absolute power.” - Otto Hightower

[@henrywartemberg2795]

It’s hard to put a leash on a dog once you’ve put a crown on its head.

[@claire6223]

its

[@Annexin5402]

@@claire6223 Thank you

[@christinasuozzo]

YES!!!👏

[@Flynn94]

Rhys is positively Shakespearean in this scene, he has so much gravitas

[@loandbaxhuku9617]

He actually played Shakespeare, wonderfully so, in Anonymous

[@danieldickson8591]

Britain has a deep and widespread tradition of classical stage training for actors. It gives them the tools to play larger-than-life characters and scenes that actors who only work in television or movies, just don't know how to play.

[@Chungus581]

Didn’t Shakespeare come up with or at least popularize the word “prank” also?

[@BIastwave.]

@@danieldickson8591you can really see it in this scene. His expressions, hand gestures, and overall composure. Thank you for pointing this out! I can see it so clearly now

[@parinikasharma317]

Truly

[@sweettt321]

"The King is my grandson! And my grandson is a fool!" is now my single favourite line in this entire show

[@OrochiFlamez]

100%. I keep replaying that scene and saying it out loud with him. It's fantastic.

[@williamng3744]

tywin prob a couple of times

[@keiishine]

I wonder how Otto and Tywin would act in a room together…

[@OrochiFlamez]

@@keiishine Otto would be Tywin's bitch.

[@Kimi6346]

​@@keiishineotto:''soooo you're surrounded by fools?' Tywin:''have a son who could rival my wit or surpass me but he didn't count i hate him so yes im surrounded by fools'' Otto: . . Tywin:..... Both: *yup we could be friends * elegantly sips wine 😂😂😂

[@diegoborges1348]

"His forebearance, his judiciousness, his... dignity" hits so hard.

[@HookedOnSonics518]

The was he speaks about Viserys actually got me right in the heart. He genuinely misses his friend.

[@CarlPHBay]

It reminds you that it’s only been days, at most a few weeks, since Viserys passed and Otto has been so occupied with his politics that only now, when he’s been knocked so far askew by Aegons stupidity, he actually has a moment where he allows himself to grieve the man he served for decades and who, yes, despite their differences, was a dear friend of his.

[@diegoborges1348]

@@CarlPHBay Well said

[@joshgts9675]

Is he actually being genuine here? Or is he just angry in the moment trying to bring down Aegon?

[@diegoborges1348]

@@joshgts9675 I'm of the opinion that this is one of his few truly geniune moments. But I believe it is in fact his anger towards Aegon that makes him truly value the late Viserys and feel sad for his absence.

[@Aksakal1917]

Otto hightower: Grammar: 10/10 || Vocabulary: 10/10 Sinister laugh:10/10 || Insults: 10/10 Future prediction : 3/10 Choosing correct king : 1/10

[@PapaSmurf11182nd]

Winning an Emmy: priceless

[@GarleonOliver]

Best character

[@goochipoochie]

You will not dare

[@mattburns8839]

"You. will. regret this." Not sure what other predictions he made, but that one looks like a perfect 10 to me!

[@krazykaz9721]

I was thinking exactly the same thing. Well put

[@1andonlydude]

Otto's laugh when Aegon says Viserys chose him to be king gives me life

[@danieldickson8591]

I think Otto always knew that Viserys in his right mind would never have chosen Aegon to be king. But I think Otto's laughter comes from Aegon claiming that Viserys *made* him king. Because the man who really made him king is standing in front of him, but he's too arrogant to see it.

[@NotAGoodUsername360]

In a way, Viserys *did* choose him to be King- simply by refusing to reign in Rhaenyra and by forgetting his own prophetic dream that his *son* would be crowned with the Conqueror's crown.

[@WiccanRiley]

​@@NotAGoodUsername360just stop

[@jaysax7381]

@@NotAGoodUsername360that’s literally not what happened. We say media literacy is dead but WOW

[@petrstanovsky7648]

Yeah, he put so much of sarcasm and bitterness into just one laugh.

[@PoeDameron15]

“He was right about you.” Right then, Otto knew Viserys never meant to make Aegon his successor.

[@melindoranightsilver9298]

He knew the moment Alicent claimed that Viscerys named Aegon his heir in his final breathe. But it meant he didn't have to deal with any pushback from Alicent so he let it go. Alicent drops it, and she works to convince Aegon he is the true heir.

[@GrippeeTV]

@@melindoranightsilver9298I don’t think it was pushback from Alicent he was worried about but more so the realms as there were a lot of lords who rejected the idea of a queen instead of a King

[@melindoranightsilver9298]

@@GrippeeTV He shows some doubt when he hears the news. But Otto already had plans in place whether she had come to him or not. He already made sure the council was made up of people who would side with him-minus Beesbury. Alicent being there when Viscerys died ended up being an unexpected windfall for him. At the end of the party, Rhaeyanera and Alicent were making plans to talk and perhaps reconcile. Otto didn't want that so to divide them further again was better for his cause.

[@GrippeeTV]

@@melindoranightsilver9298 right but ever since the moment Viserys named Rhae heir to the throne he told him it was an awful idea. He listened while all the lords like that Lannister fool talked about how Aegon would be named heir now that Viserys had a first born son. The realms operate on a patriarchy through and through and I think Otto understood that and simply didn’t want conflict. Almost everything Otto does actually looking back is trying to avoid conflict because not every lord and House would accept a Queen instead of a King because that’s just how their society runs, Kings and not Queens. He’s definitely ambitious and he weaseled his daughter into the arms of Viserys to further his family name sure but in hindsight none of the advice he gave Viserys was BAD advice, it was logical advice. Viserys broke the mold naming Rhae heir to the throne instead of his son so when Allicent came and told them of what she interpreted as Viserys saying the current Aegon should be king, it just solved another political migraine for him. He staved off potential rebellion while also furthering his house, but he truly cared for Viserys I think. Viserys operated ironically much in the same way Aegon does in that he operates too much off of emotion. The only reason he even named Rhae was because Daemon pissed him off and JUST like Aegon he was reeling from the death of his son. They’re far more alike than Otto realizes.

[@tvgerbil1984]

Otto Hightower could see beyond the conflict with Rhaenyra that the kingdom would still need a monarch capable of running it. He labored and schemed to put Aegon onto the throne but it became apparent even to him that his grandson had not got what it took to rule.

[@flyflybaby2723]

*RHYS IS FUCKING FANTASTIC IN THIS SCENE!*

[@curlyhairblacklilacs]

GIVE THE MAN HIS EMMY

[@CommanderBlackout31]

That's Rhys???, I haven't seen him in person since The Amazing Spider-Man and haven't heard his voice since No Way Home.

[@NicolasViard-kc9dm]

Yes. Amazing acting.

[@lindseym4698]

He’s fantastic in every scene he’s ever done. I love him. 😍

[@dcmastermindfirst9418]

The amazing Spiderman sucked ass. This is art​@@CommanderBlackout31

[@LekeO]

When Otto starts talking about Viserys so surreal. You can feel his emotions.

[@webkid4567]

Yeah I thought it was very interesting for him to come up at this moment, and for Otto to be so genuine in his respect for Viserys' more admirable traits

[@quadeong7453]

You never know what you have until you lost it

[@danieldickson8591]

@@quadeong7453 There's the crux of it. I think Otto is finally appreciating the noble qualities that Viserys brought to the throne. He wasn't a great king, but he cared about being a good one. His reign was peaceful and prosperous. The Seven Kingdoms might have done better under Rhaenys, but they could have gotten much worse than Viserys. And now they will.

[@penoyer79]

talk about reaping what you sow. not knowing what you had until it was gone. this cold hard realization just hit otto like a ton of bricks... and now Alicent as well

[@joelemaine]

He knew he fucked up

[@kittyskywalker768]

Otto's karma is aegon. After messing with Viserys family trying to tear them down just so his family could be in power has backfired.

[@CoelhoFutebolista2]

Do you remember that Rhaenyra made him losing his job as Hand of the King,for speaking the truth?

[@WestLegend03]

​@@CoelhoFutebolista2Do you remember him intriguing to make his daughter new queen and his grandson king ?

[@seamussmyth1928]

​@@CoelhoFutebolista2 for undermining and manipulating Viserys to advance the Hightowers

[@luckyadrianhutapea]

Really game of thrones vibes about how fucked up theu are and I love it

[@TheStraightestWhitest]

@@seamussmyth1928 Nope. She did it based on a lie.

[@Emil-Roma]

The disbelief in his face when he hears about the “prank”, my god. What an actor.

[@DominionSorcerer]

See, what I like most of that is that it's a George R.R Martism. He's not using 'prank' with the modern day joke meaning, but with the word's original meaning where a 'prank' was a bad deed someone committed.

[@axelramirez6730]

To Aegon it was the pinnacle of master plans😂.

[@Chungus581]

I actually had to pause the scene when i first watched it cause I was laughing out loud “And you acceded to this prank” 😂

[@stingerjohnny9951]

@@DominionSorcerer Id say it still works in the modern sense as well, given how childish and foolhardy it is.

[@Nickname-ef9tv]

@@DominionSorcerer Credit for the writers of the show who used "prank" in a context where both the old and the new meaning apply.

[@meliastamps854]

The ratio of how long Otto planned to put Aegon on the throne vs how long it took for him to regret it is hilarious. His vindication lasted like 2 weeks vs 20 years of planning.

[@CodLiverOil8]

He hanged noble families in season 1 and now all of a sudden cares about the smallfolk? 😂

[@buki3009]

​@@CodLiverOil8 the great names of great houses hanged because of political scheeming , oh no !! The small folks will be afflicted!!! Lol, the small folks will give a toast in contrary !! The rat catchers were peasant, poor guys trying to survive a cruel world, the fact that you dont see the difference put you in the same category with aegon

[@811chelseafc]

@@CodLiverOil8it wasn’t about caring. It was about winning the loyalty of the houses. He wanted to use Aegon’s son’s assassination to paint Rhaenyra as cruel but Aegon undoes that by displaying the same kind of cruelty.

[@jaderulz2000]

@@CodLiverOil8Just like how Joffrey learned during the riots of Kings Landing that it’s unwise to piss off the small folk.

[@CodLiverOil8]

@@buki3009 what about the peasants in king's landing rhaenys wasted? 😂 Also the Lord's hanged would have had peasants under their care because in this world the families run the country! 🤡

[@thesigmamale1720]

“TRIFILING!” that man was fed up 😂😂😂.

[@sgshumblecrumb6046]

Otto has so many bars in this show lol.

[@SirAlazar]

No lie I used some of these words today in a meeting

[@user-nv2wt4hi8t]

'THE RATCATCHERS' has me rolling every time 😂

[@somelikeitposh]

@@SirAlazar feckless is a permanant addition to my vocabulary

[@Caiyde]

Otto remembering Viserys was so beautiful. Viserys was so concerned with how he'd be remembered, and may not have been the strongest king the seven kingdoms ever had, but there are worse ways to be remembered than "dignified and forebearing".

[@jt7638]

And judicious...wonderful compliments for a king of twenty-six years.

[@margaretschaufele6502]

Here Otto seems to appreciate Viserys for not acting rashly. Even in the book, Otto disapproved of Aemond killing Lucerys because he knew, as well as Alicent that it would only bring about more bloodshed.

[@finnheisenheim8274]

You only appreciate something when it's gone.

[@Jrtekk]

@@jt7638 I could be wrong but I think in the show his reign was for thirty years, the show opens on the ninth year of his reign, then after Aemma's passing he marries Alicent half a year later and makes baby Aegon. Aegon then mentions to Alicent after Viserys passing that he could've declared him heir to the throne for twenty years but never did.

[@MarioLopez-rn2bs]

Viserys cared about his people and his kingdom, carried himself with honor and dignity, was a loving husband and father, showed gratitude for the people around him, was a man of his word. Only problem was he has too hesitant going to battle for the step stones but he was still a great king 👑

[@nightwishfan1991]

"And what has Ser Criston Cole done?" He's like "Oh gods, what did you idiots do?".

[@darktirkd7395]

I love how Otto is implying that Visery was not only a better person and a much better king. The scene also shows the complex relationship between the two men, he misses his friend and now much deal with his grandson

[@will2brown50]

Viserys was a terrible King too. And so is Rhaenyra. Even Jaehaerys was pretty incompetent too. Essentially the only good Kings in Westerosi history were Aegon I, Daeron II, Jaehaerys II, maybe Maekar I. Daemon Blackfyre would have made a good king too, if he won his rebellion. Viserys II wasnt bad either, although he only ruled for a year.

[@obamabinbaben7772]

True. It's apparent in this scene how much Otto loved Viserys, as a friend. I love how complex this show is. Otto usurps the throne away from the daughter of a man he truly loved.

[@TheMisterClover]

Otto realized that advancing his own ambitions weren't worth sabotaging the succession. He's doomed the kingdom with an incompetent vengeance hungry fool for a king who cannot be controlled or guided away from his worse impulses. It was all for nothing.

[@hangyao479]

Can we all appreciate how when Criston said "it's time the bitch queen paid the price" he sounds just like Pedro pascal?

[@genericuser-1]

@@TheMisterClover As if Rhaenyra would have been better.

[@w0rmblood323]

Otto is eyeing up an academy award for this scene

[@JustAnotherAccount8]

Considering Paddy didn't even get nominated, I find it unlikely.

[@megmur1766]

It would be an Emmy. Academy awards are for movies. Emmy's are for TV series

[@AmusedCoffee-ym3gb]

​@@JustAnotherAccount8 the king was robbed

[@jackcarver5412]

​@@JustAnotherAccount8Right if they didn't even look Paddy way when he basically carried Season 1, my boy playing Otto don't stand a chance

[@GrippeeTV]

The acting in this was absolutely phenomenal. Rhys has one hell of an angry voice lol. I love how Aegon just goes “ohhhhh… I had them hanged.” 😂😂 he’s such a prick

[@chadbailey7038]

😂 💯. I loved that lin3 delivery/reply also

[@GrippeeTV]

@@chadbailey7038it’s so nonchalant and unemotional it killed me lol his delivery was flawless

[@danieldickson8591]

Aegon sees the throne as an extension of himself, of his desires and interests. He hasn't grasped the whole concept of responsibility to the realm that comes with it.

[@mirceadacialorantbrescia4340]

are you stupid? he just lost his child. what do you expect from him? if i could be king medivial times i could burn the whole city

[@thevanitas4041]

When Aegon says that his father made him king, Otto laughs because he himself was the one that made him King. Otto spent a lifetime of pure devotion to that: putting his line on the throne, and he did it only to find himself regretting this decision.

[@ACinemafanatic]

Welp he should’ve never done it to begin with and he caused a war to happen with the realm being in jeopardy his stupid self should’ve never interfered

[@pfl95]

Otto is the true pos in many ways, he set the course for his great grandson beinng murdered aegon is a prick but his reaction is more "reasonable" as he has suffered greatly here

[@mistake1197]

Ambition and strive to put his grandson on the throne ✅ Preparation for his grandson to rule ❌ Bond with his grandson so he will actually listen to him ❌ Aegons always been like this too. Otto had his blinders on the entire time . They should of just let him sail away😂

[@joshua6207]

​@@ACinemafanatic his brother told him to push for it during the episode that they're hunting deer. Otto didn't like the idea but his brother gave orders lol

[@MainTopmastStaysail]

@@pfl95 Otto's a schemer and a social climber but his great-grandson getting his head sawn off was way beyond the pale. It only happened because the Blacks can't control Daemon, and controlling Daemon has been Otto's lifelong political project.

[@rachealbroussard8934]

Otto is so interesting here…he cared for and admired Viserys but he refused to honor his friends wish to make Rhaeneyra his successor. His own thirst for power got in the way of love for his friend.

[@uncommon8896]

I think on some level he thought his friend was a bit of a weak fool who didn't know how to "play the game"..its in this moment he regrets his decisions and misses his friend's level headedness.

[@WQuantrill]

Well I think he also understood that his own family would be in grave danger should he honor that wish.

[@zacharyjackson1829]

having his daughter be the kings new wife was a thirst for power but i think he genuinely believed that the realm would suffer if they tried to diverge from tradition of a male heir as ruler. In this case though all of the king's male heirs were pricks not worthy of titles or ready to rule.

[@Termi325]

I freaking LOVE the way otto talks, so eloquent and sophisticated! what I would do to hear a conversation between him and tywin lannister.

[@shaneryan9076]

or Tyrion in the early seasons

[@chadbailey7038]

Amazing idea!

[@warriorprincess1846]

Aegon's little smirk after 'brilliant' was so hilarious to me 😂

[@JeffreyAppSteam]

i like the actor. All of them are really good.

[@c.evans1804]

Honestly, Otto did this to himself. All his years spent scheming and being two-faced are finally catching up to him.

[@NatS3703]

The palpatine effect

[@MrIkaGeo]

Rat-catching up to him

[@dimension01]

“And what has Ser Criston Cole done?”😂😂😂 Edit: mom I’m famous!😅 didn’t know I’d get this many likes, thanks guys!!

[@kingroyale7110]

😂😂😂

[@anjadjurovic9617]

Otto know, aegon doesn't know.

[@Al3xnikolic]

He did alicent

[@chadbailey7038]

Had my rofl 🤣

[@TheStraightestWhitest]

''Your daughter. My mother.''

[@Lach1234]

"Insolent pup" 😭😂

[@Shooshawali]

Khadgar has entered the chat

[@dgk3625]

'Gods help us all......' 'Is that what you think???' Such powerful sentences : )

[@seekercpt]

...the little giggle before the death blow....sentence, brilliant!

[@yevgeniyaleshchenko849]

Nothing powerful, first is just exasperation, second is mocking, that's all.

[@movieman175]

2:26 it was at this moment Otto Hightower realized that he should have just listened to his friend King viserys.

[@LocksAndChains]

Yeah…For all of Rhaenyra’s faults, she never would have fucked up like little Aegon. And Otto knows that now.

[@didncozosksma4466]

Deep down Otto was a statesman, and a friend to Viserys. For years his own hubris and ambition clouded his mind, and now he’s caused a civil war that’ll kill innocent thousands.

[@whatisreddin7367]

@@LocksAndChains inciting a riot that causes the death of her son and dragon and forces her to retreat and sell her crown wasnt a fuck up?

[@extraplain2412]

​@@whatisreddin7367 Yeah Rhaenyra isn't as bad a ruler as Aegon but she does make some stupid decisions.

[@samalvey8168]

​@@whatisreddin7367In fairness, that only came after she'd endured a hell of a lot already. She was a voice of reason at the start but the Greens pushed her over the edge.

[@blackstonevalleydm3433]

"He's pretending to be his own twin. Brilliant!" "Gods help us all." 🤣

[@playboicartiluver]

this scene completely changed my opinion on otto

[@erinclarke3828]

I think you’ll find that this scene also changed Otto’s opinion of Otto.

[@Railery]

This scene does a lot to show that Otto isn't an outright power hungry villain, but a shrewd political man who thought he was doing what was right for the realm. That doesnt make his actions okay or make him a good person, but it shines a bright light on the line between that he had to walk to accomplish his goals, which he thought to be just.

[@absolutelysiege7963]

@@Railerythat has been obvious the entire show

[@erich1380]

​​@@Raileryeveryone keeps saying that but I really don't get why. He put up with so much shit between vicerys and daemon and rhaenerya and now aegon. Vicerys took out what his daughter did on Otto simply for him relaying the news, daemon never knew his place and was an asshole that constantly threatened him. It's so weird to me how everyone around him acts like such out of control morons yet when he tries to fix the situation, it's his fault? Lol make it make sense. The supposedly worst thing he did was get his daughter with vicerys yet corlys offered his what, six year old daughter to vicerys and somehow nobody talks about that? I can't think of anything Otto did that was fucked up nearly on the level of everyone else around him

[@Railery]

@@erich1380 Well he did plot to overthrow the kingdom regardless of what his daughter told him and install Aegon on the throne. LEts not forget that members of the green council were planning to put aegon on the throne even before (in the show) they were told that Viserys might have named Aegon his heir with his dying breath. And that he was willing to murder Rhaenyra and her children to get it done. The fact is, because of his understandable dislike of Daemon, and his similarities to Tywin, he has seemed overtly politically villainous, but clearly thats not the case

[@TheRexrapper]

"I have dared and I find it stimulating." That's a bar 🔥

[@user-ob4sq6fi3s]

Aegon summarised the whole mentality of House Targeryen in one phrase. Impressive 😂😂

[@user-jr9bu7em8s]

Exactly 😂😂😂😂😂​@@user-ob4sq6fi3s

[@konferansjer]

2:00 I think Otto just realised he's made a terrible mistake when crowning Aegon. But there is no way to undo it now. He has no choice but to go all in. No way to cut your losses now.

[@nnekam6153]

Yes like how Tywin realized Joefrey was an idiot and a fool !

[@shahidulkhan9566]

​@nnekam6153 I always thought that Tywin allowed joffrey to be killed because he was easily ready to make tyrion die for it even though he went to war when tyrion was kidnapped. He knew the culprits but wanted to keep the alliance going through tommen after all Joffrey started showing his teeth more and more. He had to literally drug joffrey to keep him away from important matters.

[@paytondelaney8316]

Totally agree, you can tell by the look on his face. That he regrets everything.

[@yevgeniyaleshchenko849]

@@nnekam6153 Yet unlike Otto Tywin didn't plot to put him on the throne, he just worked with what he had.

[@yevgeniyaleshchenko849]

Sure, but his mistake was making Alicent and Viserys marrying each other and producing new heirs.

[@ladanomar9677]

Its the " ill considered" and " trifling" that get me every time 😂

[@xXHavocGamerXx]

He lost his shit 🤣

[@RekttalofBlades]

I can only aspire to the level of sass and annoyance that Otto reached in this scene. That eye roll was legendary

[@ffarkasm]

S2E2 is definitely the best episode so far. It shows the inner cracks and discords within each faction, show that neither of the sides are completely black and white, and both sides realize that Vyseris wasn't that weak and simple king after all, and everybody misses him.

[@aviencloud4239]

He’s still one of the worst kings in Targaryan History. Every Wise king knows how troublesome the maternal house-lines could be and keep their powers in check. If they can’t, they politically destroy them, stopping them from meddling with their successors

[@whatisreddin7367]

I cant believe the show is gaslighting people into thinking Vizzy was a good king.

[@corpsebrigadepowerhouse993]

@@whatisreddin7367maybe not a good king, but a good man

[@zaxbitterzen2178]

Lmmaaaooooo even Criston's Cole be looking like "f^&k me sideways what the hell are we doing?".

[@TheStraightestWhitest]

Cole just keeps getting every job in the realm. He's the Queen Mother's bedwarmer, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, and now the Hand of the King... Bro can't multitask like that.

[@quakethedoombringer]

⁠@@TheStraightestWhitesthe's literally Johnny Sins questing

[@notjimpickens7928]

​@@quakethedoombringerjohnny sins is based af compared to cole, hes more juan el cabella de whatever his name is.

[@keetenwiggins7802]

“He was right about you.” Otto finally opened his eyes and realized that Viserys never wanted Aegon to rule. Seeing how the realm is now doomed to war thanks to stupidity and vengeance . While Rhanerya would’ve been a controversial topic for many lords to rule the seven kingdoms she at least knows how to play “the game” to her advantage and continue King Jaehaerys legacy of peace in the realm.

[@TheRealNorth21]

Nah, Otto always knew what Viserys wanted but he just didn’t care. His entire goal was to make his family more powerful by placing Aegon on the throne and he likely assumed that Aegon would mature into the role so he just ignored the obvious red flags in his personality. Does he have regrets with how Aegon was raised? Probably. Does he have regrets over crowning him? Probably not. At the end of the day it’s still his blood on the throne and even though he is no longer hand he will still support Aegon as a Green.

[@stressedumbra4944]

Otto already, magically, knew that viserys didnt wanted aegon as king. The entire reason about aegon to be king is about the song of ice and fire, that it seems somehow otto knows about that to deduce viserys not wanting aegon as heir. His dialogues dont make sense since otto never had access to such informations.

[@anjadjurovic9617]

@@stressedumbra4944 otto knew Viserys didnt want to be king, but he crowned aegon for his own ambitions. Now he realizes s just how bad choise aegon was. Notnimg with song of ice and fire

[@AaronHorsfall-yf2xp]

Rhaenyra doesn't know how to play the game at all. If she did, she would have stayed at kings landing, combated Otto's influence, got alicent on her side as well as haleana and Daeron, kept an eye on Aemond and Aegon, and looked after viserys when his condition deteriorated. Instead, she went to dragon stone. Big mistake.

[@anjadjurovic9617]

@@AaronHorsfall-yf2xp thats place for kings heir. Its not out of kingdom. And she tried to make match betven Jace and Helena, its alicent who refused. Alicent decided on being Rhaenyra's enemy since finding out Rhaenyra slept eith Criston.

[@queenesther09]

“You never think of your father, his… forbearance, his judiciousness, his… his… dignity.” …. Wow. He put so much into just those words. Not only the regret of a man coming to a new appreciation of his former king, but the pain of a man realizing that he just misses his friend. As a previous comment said, positively Shakespearean acting.

[@Chungus581]

I love how even the greens will look at cole sideways when he insists on nicknaming Rhaenyra a whore or bitch. Like even Aegon here just ignores him, looks over like “what…?” then just ignores it again and Otto completely ignores it after a pause. I don’t think there’s been a single time where Cole’s called her the Whore of Dragonstone or something and the other Greens have been like “hell yeah” it’s always just “…..anyway” Also the look of utter distraught on Otto’s face when he hears “Ser Cole has acted” is top 5 funniest GoT or HotD scenes

[@user-nv2wt4hi8t]

Hilariously good comment.

[@quakethedoombringer]

I think it just comes across as weak and petty. No one outside of Alicent personally hates Rhaenyra. Alicent's kids think their half sister is a existential threat to their claim and lives but that's pretty much it, Otto thinks she is Viserys's overspoilt princess

[@themisheika]

@@quakethedoombringer Alicent's kids won't even have thought Rhaenyra was an existential threat to them until Alicent taught them to fear and hate and oppose her. Would have been so much different if Alicent had done a Rhaenys and prioritized family peace over greed and ambition. Viserys didn't need to kill Rhaenys to solidify/legitimize his rule now did he? So why would Rhaenyra have if Alicent had allowed Aegon to be Laenor's cupbearer or Haeleana to marry Jace? She would've even been grandmother to the next Targaryen king through Haeleana and the realm would have been secured if she hadn't been so goddamn dismissive of Rhaenyra's olive branch.

[@quakethedoombringer]

@@themisheika that's true that Rhaneyra won't probably lift a finger. The main problem is Daemon. Alicent and her kids will end up "tragically passing away in a boat accident or forest fire" because there is no way Daemon is letting any Green lingering around once Viserys croak, and Alicent knows this

[@raulbetancourt5795]

​@@themisheika Because Rhae's children were bastards, and that doesn't look good.

[@paytondelaney8316]

2:25 that is my favorite moment in the episode. That long pause was a moment of clarity for Otto. He realized that after so many years of plotting and scheming. All the efforts of putting Aagon on the throne. Now he realized that Aagon is not fit to be a king. That after all this years he gravely miscalculated, all the those years wasted to put an incompetent king that might bring ruin to his house. Otto starts to regret everything he has done to the taegeryeons. He regrets having his daughter wed the previous king. He regrets all of it.

[@danielallen4450]

“It’s hard to put a leash on a dog, after you’ve put a crown on its head”.

[@LIVENYC]

“I wish to spill blood not ink” “Mhm…I have dared and I find it stimulating “ Aegon and Rhys was cooking here

[@spottedslash4256]

And after his battle, he was the only one that was Cooked.😏

[@pocoyosz5103]

rhys is such an amazing actor, each sentence carries different emotions. i do hope to see more of him before...

[@markjackson3854]

Oh you will …

[@willy.b.b3427]

"My father is dead" "He is, and we are the poorer for it." We see Otto spend a lot of time plotting around Viserys in season 1. He thought him weak. But now that hes gone Otto can see what utter morons Viserys was trying to keep in check. The thought just hit him all of a sudden. We had it all with Viserys, and now we're stuck with you Aegon. He was everything youre arent. You are unworthy of sitting where he sat.

[@MrDibara]

And the worst part of it all? *It was Otto himself who placed Aegon on the throne.* *Against his will.* *Without raising him for the position.* *Empowering him while expecting him to be a quiet, subservient, obedient little puppet.* _Now who looks like a moron for it?_ _What were all the "sacrifices" worth for?_

[@quakethedoombringer]

You know those companies with a kind hearted but slightly incompetent boss and a really shrewd 2nd in command who practically runs the company but doesn't want to overthrow his boss because appearance + poor PR +respect. That's Viserys and Otto

[@joaogabriellimadoria2971]

Otto : "he is worst them a fool, he killed a hundred of innocent man😡" Aegon:" and one guilty one ☝️🤓"

[@margarethmichelina5146]

"The King is my grandson and my grandson is a fool!" Has the same energy when Tyrion said, "I'm not calling out the King, I'm talking to my nephew." Or something like that

[@KingSlayer_.]

This scene made me really like and appreciate Otto as a person. You can tell by how he talks about Viserys that he genuinely did care about him. Daemon said that he was a leech and only using him for his own ends but that isn't true. He's a real one

[@vikrantpulipati1451]

Even now in this speech Otto admits to using Aegon's dead son against his will to manipulate the population. Otto isnt a real one. He's a stone hearted political manipulator, and he is baffled that he wasnt able to plan for how dumb Aegon actually is

[@sletzorz]

it's both true really, but he loved the control he had over viserys, he could sway him much more than aegon, that's what bothers him the most. Daemon is very right about otto

[@TAJY26]

Otto is both ambitious and compassionate. He is indeed both a snake and a wise man. You have to be cunning in this very dangerous world. Otto is a capable leader, but at the same time he is trying to put his house in a position of power. With that goal in mind, he has helped usurped the crown

[@melindoranightsilver9298]

At the end of the day, he got what he wanted-his family is on the Iron throne. However, he so assumed that he woupd either be running the show outright or would at least be heavily influencing his grandson. He doesn't think about the damage that his grandkids went through-especially at his own hands, as well as Alicents. Aegon has plenty of faults: drunk, sex addict, rapist, has a cruel streak, low esteem, etc. I think once he had a purpose (being a King) he was willing to try and put his issues aside-to a degree. I also think that he believed thst he would become a better father (at least to Jaehaerys) and would teach him.about how to rule, etc in the way Viscerys did not. One Jaehaerys died,he went back to his old demons made worse by the fact that he had no comfort from his mother & grandfather. That his son's body was used as propoganda. By this scene he is just plain done with Otto's shit because after all he is the King right? Only now does Otto think about Viscerys' decent traits as a person and wishes they were in Aegon.

[@joeandrew8752]

@@sletzorzI think more so he is stubborn in what he feels is the right way. He did care for him but felt his judgement was always best, and what was good for Otto would be by extension good for the realm cause he had good intentions overall still I think. If Otto felt plan A was the right plan Otto would steer towards plan A even if the king wanted plan B

[@MarioLopez-rn2bs]

As much as a dislike Otto, my respect for him went up tremendously when he stood up for the rat catchers and condemned his grandson’s actions to his face.

[@antnovs]

3:10 THAT LAUGH CRACKED ME UP, HE KNEW VISERYS WOULDN'T CHANGE HIS MIND LIKE THAT

[@Alpha1200]

Probably the best scene of the season so far.

[@IsaacHozz]

4:35 When Otto tells him he'll regret this his expression is "yeah, maybe, I don't care."

[@juliohenrique8546]

"You never think of your father" What father Otto? That one who basically ignored Aegon for like 20 years? LMAO

[@timliebhauser]

Mainly due to him suffering and dying from leprosy since episode 1, do people forget?

[@juliohenrique8546]

@@timliebhauser Dude was literally half dead when he walked to the throne room to defend his precious baby Rhaenyra... Viserys had no excuses to ignore his other children. He simply didn't like them and always expressed open favoritism for Rhaenyra. That scene where Aemond lost his eye it's proof of that.

[@anjadjurovic9617]

@@juliohenrique8546 how evil he didnt cut eye of his grandsons , as alicent wanted. And while Viserys wasn't best father to aegon, alicent and otto also werent good to him.

[@juliohenrique8546]

@@anjadjurovic9617 He didn't needed to cut off Lucerys eye. He could've exiled him from court just like he did with Daemon countless times just to give a example. Instead he was more angry at the fact that his grandsons were called bastards than at the fact that his own son was mutilated.

[@anjadjurovic9617]

@@juliohenrique8546 Luke was like 6? And remember, all kids were hurt in fight. Aemond got worst, but he was going to smash Jace with rock?

[@jennocontreras623]

"Brilliant" is too weak a word to describe Rhys' acting in this. ASTOUNDING is best suited! 🙌❤️

[@feral26]

"I promise you, Aemond, you will have all the vengeance that you seek. But you must keep a grip on your impulses." -Otto Hightower in the previous episode. And here he is now, demonstrating how one keeps a grip on their impulses.

[@spottedslash4256]

It's not impulse. It's righteous anger over a horrible king's short-sighted actions. But also his regret for ever vouching for him as king.

[@durrangodsgrief6503]

​@@spottedslash4256how the fuck is it a horrible decision it can easily be justified and excused by spreading a rumor that all members of the guild were involved and were planning another attack really its like otto turned into a half brained bitch like seriously it's not a horrible idea

[@mistake1197]

​@@spottedslash4256he was so desperate to put him on the throne and never got to know the guy😂. Aegon being unfit wasnt a surprised blud just had blinders on.

[@diegoprodriguez]

1:40 Otto going “What the frack else did these to idiots do?” Was probably the funniest thing I saw. In the middle of a tense argument, got me laughing.

[@july9566]

Nobody is going to mention Ottos little laugh ? Best part .

[@aidangordon4544]

When he says “Insolent pup” when he removes the pin at 3:49, it sounds like an Elden Ring boss cutscene

[@ericjensen7580]

Mongeral Kingtruder

[@lotusinn3]

😂 Literally the exact vibes I was getting.

[@joyajohnson2216]

This is one of my favorite scenes in the show so far. Rhys and Tom both deserve Emmy nominations.

[@YgramNolles]

"give it to Cole".... "ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵍʳᵃᶜᵉ"

[@Ankylosaurus_mangiventris]

“In this hour, you have proven yourself of more worth a hundred old men. My new Hand will be a steel fist.”

[@christinasuozzo]

This was the best Otto scene so far

[@ronirayhufana881]

They have a wife, son, and daughter. He has empathy for others. I see this he gained my respect

[@giulianoilfilosofo7927]

It ain't truly empathy, it Is rather a Political calculation, he means that they are common men with whom the "public opinion" will inevitably identify, thus undermining all the PR work Otto had done with Aegon's dead child. Still, better moral compass than most GOT characters, that's for sure.

[@jt7638]

​@@giulianoilfilosofo7927TO be fair - I think it was both. Judicial murder and collective punishment are brutish, undignified, and counterproductive. Things Viserys would NEVER have done.

[@TheStraightestWhitest]

@@giulianoilfilosofo7927 No, it was definitely empathy. He also yelled for the guards to open the gates when Rhaenys and Meleys began brutalizing hundreds for no reason at Aegon's coronation. And he speaks about caring for the realm and its people even in private to his daughter. He definitely has the realm and people in mind. Sure he's not crying about them, but he does not want innocent men to get killed.

[@ender8759]

​​@@TheStraightestWhitestWell he caused a war knowingly, He just wants to be viewed as good...

[@yp_biggie1116]

I love the face Cole makes when Aegon says he's acted. It was like, dude don't tell him ...😂 Also Otto calling his "genius plan" a prank was hilarious

[@mustluvbears91]

This cannot be the same Rhys Ifans from Little Nicky and The Replacements. This is Charles Dance, Jeremy Irons level acting. Bravo Sir.

[@melodeem2514]

3:13 that laugh is priceless. He knew he was wrong from the beginning. Too late now

[@mvdum29]

When Otto laments how Aegon has none of Viserys' good traits, I wonder if he thinks that Rhaenyra actually has all those qualities he's mentioning lol. All she's done was be dignified, judicious, and forbearing in all of her decisions so far. Also, Rhys Ifans is absolutely killing it as Otto.

[@thedread2597]

That's not the case at all Making bastards knowing how precarious her position is, trusting Daemon as husband and advisor, fucking sneaking in kings landing betting her sides survival on Allicent having pity on her and not ordering her arrest There is nothing dignified, judicious, or forbearing about her behavior, she's just less vicious and ready for war

[@TheStraightestWhitest]

Right, because having bastards and wanting royal children who were maimed and disfigured by her violent bastards to be tortured some more because they questioned her bastards on their heritage is ''dignified, judicious and being forbearing'' in your decisions. Bro, what kind of shit did I just read? Rhaenyra in S2 is a lot better, but S1 Rhaenyra is the most idiotic, selfish, entitled, impulsive, sexist, arrogant twat ever put to screen.

[@anjadjurovic9617]

@@thedread2597 Rhaenyra and laenor coudnt have kids, and he accepted boys as his. Daemon may be impulsive, but otto dont get to judge, his side got both aegon and aemond. And otto yet diesnt know of Rhaenyra stupid attempt.

[@maximiniminimaxi7453]

@@thedread2597Rhae couldn't have kids with Leanor cause he was gay. 🙄 She can't force him.

[@maximiniminimaxi7453]

@@thedread2597 Y'all don't understand. Daemon right now is a dangerous weapon. He is a warrior but he is too unpredictable. He is responsable of the decapitation of Healena's child the person who is the less involved in the war. Rhaenyra because of this is viewed as a child murderer which damaged her position. And no. Trying to see Alicent is actually something big cause it shows that she is ready to sacrifice herself to avoid a bloodbath. Y'all seem to forget they are one family. This is a tragedy. The Dance will lead to their downfall.

[@davidwasike8301]

Hats off to the actor that plays Otto, every scene he is in doesnt dissapoint.

[@serjaimelannister5152]

Otto put that petulant little child on the throne. That was his first and biggest mistake.

[@MauriceJacob21]

The way he says "Oh. I had them hanged" so nonchalantly is hilarious 😂

[@corsicanlulu]

tom/aegon is the unexpected comedian of this show lol

[@rijusnar1994]

Rhys Ifans is a godly actor ,one of the best in this show

[@donnyannessa654]

"We've had vicious Kings, and we've had idiot Kings, but I don't know if we've ever been cursed with a vicious idiot for a King." Well there's your answer Tyrion; Aegon II *Edit* Okay, let me clear something up here. I am not saying that Aegon is as bad or anywhere near as bad as Joffrey. One can be vicious without being a delusional sociopath.

[@sonamtashi7706]

Oh come on, Aegon is an angry grieving father. He’s an idiot but he has grief as an excuse. Don’t compare him to Joffrey.

[@donnyannessa654]

@@sonamtashi7706 Not even close. Joffrey was a little sociopath. Aegon isn’t

[@rjelruiz5867]

@@sonamtashi7706 Both are vicious idiots, but Aegon loved his son at least.

[@Mourtzouphlos240]

@@sonamtashi7706 You do remember Aegon is a prolific rapist and has had his children torn to pieces by other feral children like Biter, right?

[@gitgud_kryz1738]

Nah fam. Joffrey tortures / kills people for no reason other than his satisfaction. While Aegon hanged all the rat catchers because one of them killed his son. Both of them were wrong but the other one had no reason to kill/ torture people.

[@paulrietveld9837]

Rhys Ifan has absolutely killed it in this show. He steals every scene he's in IMO.

[@luizz3945]

All those years conspiring since aegon was born but never even thought that maybe he should have taught aegon to be king even if it was in secret

[@Eldron2027]

One of my favorite scenes not just from the show But from entire franchise “You never think of your father? His forbearance, his judiciousness, his dignity…” Made my heart miss a beat

[@gopherchucksgamingnstuff2263]

Otto caught my favor with this performance. What an epic job.

[@freebird264]

The fact Otto treated Viserys like a puppet for all those years and yet still speaks of him with such genuine respect and praise is brilliant

[@in_vas_por8810]

I still feel that Otto had no I'll intentions with Viserys, he just knew his weaknesses and controlled a lot of the narrative, which is what a hand does. They mislead the audience and make it seem a bit like Otto was up to something, or was possibly poisoning Viserys, but he was always just the hand, with a daughter.

[@diegoprodriguez]

The only thing that made Aegon king was Otto. That’s the whole irony of this scene.

[@Rucker1980]

At first i was stuck on the incredible lines delivery of Rhys as he tore into Aegon over the hangings but the facial expressions and WTF energy he had over Cole's "prank" was equally impressive

[@98jaytilinfinity12]

“And you exceeded to this.. this… prank” 😂

[@erloriel]

Otto's voice is like a granite bed after a long day. Harsh, but comforting.

[@veronicashields4405]

Otto is reaping the cost of raising broken children in the pursuit of power. Viserys was a weak and malleable man, but he was an honorable man when it came to the throne. The Hightowers thought they could grab power and transfer it seamlessly into their own hands. They forgot that the hands it transferred to would grow into people with their own thoughts and desires.

[@brendalaughigan9330]

Actually it's just the pursuit of family. No need to pull a hernia.

[@krazykaz9721]

Who ever is playing otto Hightoweris an amazing actor . Well done sir 👏

[@tontsar91]

One of the best scenes in both GoT and HOTD.

[@Elizabeth-hc3mi]

This scene was so satisfying. Aegon sucks, but he was also abused by Otto for alot of his life. Watching Aegon realize he has power over Otto was amazing

[@Girafen]

God, i miss him. I hope he's back next episode

[@umitencho]

This was the moment he knew that either Rhaenyra should have the crown or either Aemond or Daeron. Aegon should have been killed the same morning after his father's death.

[@erickonami1]

Otto would never think that. He stays loyal even after his dismissal. He gets killed by Rhaenyra's men for defending the city against the Blacks.

[@alessiodandolo1460]

​@@erickonami1I believe they will change that. In the first season, I found it strange that they gave the name Hobert to Otto's older brother when there is another character with the same name in the book. When I saw this episode I understood: The Hobert Hightower of the book will not exist in the series and his “role” will be taken over by Otto. So I think Otto will survive longer and not be executed by Rhaenyra. He will join Daeron and Ormund Hightower, participate in the Battles of Tumbleton, then he will sacrifice himself to kill Ulf the White, by drinking poisoned wine.

[@GrippeeTV]

@@erickonami1in the book yeah but I don’t think they’ll go that same route. He shows a lot more compassion for Viserys here than he ever does in the book. I think he’s considering changing sides.

[@J10005]

​@@erickonami1I think he does have some buyers remorse here. If Aegon wasn't his grandson he would likely think Rhaenyra would be more of a suitable heir in terms of ruling.

[@virginiavanni8061]

Aemond is too unstable, and Rhaenyra hates him (not to mention Daemon). Daeron is the only good answer

[@jjosifovic]

Great acting but looks like the show writers keep forgetting that aegon killing less than 100 rat catchers is nothing compared to rhaenys dragon scene that killed hundreds if not thousands of people. Otto only misses king v because he could manipulate him

[@anjadjurovic9617]

@@jjosifovic that part was made for show . And utterly pointless. But still, lets discuss aegon action:. He coud have kept blood alive or asked Helena to identify other killer. But he skips to " hangs all rat catchers and leaves theur boidies as "warning".

[@jjosifovic]

@@anjadjurovic9617 oh no don’t get me wrong aegon was stupid in that scene but it still doesn’t change the fact the pr of the blacks was significantly worse before aegon did that. It also doesn’t give Otto the right to go off on his grandson when he orchestrated a good portion of the dance

[@anjadjurovic9617]

@@jjosifovic well that scene feel like show screamimg "blacks are bad too" when it make no sense in character for Rhaenys. And i dont deny otto is guilty. He just cares for appearances. Otto may be main reason for usurpation, but he underestimated aegon cruelty.

[@jjosifovic]

@@anjadjurovic9617 i honestly felt that entire episode 9 scene was made to make a cool "girl boss" moment for modern audiences. Otto definitely cares more for appearances than to what his family actually does. Otto definetly underestimated aegon cruelty but then again otto should understand how mentally unstable aegon is after the death of his son.

[@anjadjurovic9617]

@@jjosifovic then Rhaenys scene definitely didnt work. In fire and blood, despite ready for war, Black dont do anything to greens or anyone before Luke's death. Here Rhaenys murder bunch of people, but "wont start war?" Stupid. Either kill them or grab dragon and leave.

[@sterlingarcher74]

Poor Otto misses having a Targ around that he can easily manipulate.

[@TheAussiePencil]

This is the single best scene of S2 HotD yet

[@kevinoliver4142]

Emmy and Golden Globe award worthy scene from Rhys 😎. Just the energy he brought to this scene alone makes him worthy of an award.

[@alexbush714]

calling it a "prank" is hilarious.

[@GamrDan]

2:21 I love that Aegon is such a frustrating king to serve that Otto resorts to just shouting negative adjectives- "Ill-considered! TRIFLING!"

[@calihello3726]

I've watched this scene dozens of times. Rhys is giving a master class in acting.

[@tiagomacri3537]

Best scene of the season so far.. Rhys and Tom are absolutely brilliant actors

[@erickonami1]

I bet this video will get removed sooner rather than later but thank you for uploading this.

[@RhysIfansHotStar]

🎉 Happy Birthday to you dear Rhys! Penblwydd Hapus Rhys! 🎈🎉🎁🎂🎉🤗😍🤡🥰😘❤ Today (July 22) our dear actor Rhys Ifans is celebrating one more year of life, so we wish him all the best on his Birthday, we hope that Rhys enjoy a special and great day in the company of all his loved ones, we wish him many more birthdays to come and I that today and every day of his life it is full of good health, happiness and success in personal life and at work. All the love for you from all your fans around the world. 😊😍😘❤💕💗💓 ... And I hope Otto Hightower comes back for the last episodes of House Of the Dragon, we miss him so much. 🙏💚

[@squallmate6422]

Very well acted scene Otto in particular 👌

[@gitgud_kryz1738]

0:55 Aegon was pissed and I mean really pissed considering he didn't want his son's corpse paraded and used as propaganda. He wasn't having of it. All I can see in that scene was a man with too much power mourning his beloved. son

[@GrippeeTV]

Like he said he wants blood not ink. He has no patience for politics and that’s why he should have never been King. He said it himself in season one; he isn’t suited to it. He’s too emotional.

[@matthewy2j]

Otto is surprisingly sympathetic towards the smallfolk. Tywin would have scolded Joffrey but he wouldn't have given a toss about the wellbeing of the smallfolk.

[@stormbringer2840]

Everyone vilify him because they are team black but Otto has always been reasonable even tho he is ambitious he never actually stepped out of line up until he crowned Aegon .

[@leonrobinson8180]

Is he truly sympathetic? Because it seems he's more interested of the political fallout of the hanging.

[@MainTopmastStaysail]

​@@leonrobinson8180 Even if he only cares about the optics that's better than literally everyone else treats them.

[@antoniof1463]

This brings so much Tywin and Joffrey vibes.

[@kiel2037]

i screamed at "...TRIFLING"

[@MollymaukT]

This is Otto’s highest hour, he finally allows himself to miss Viserys as a dead friend, and realizes he destroyed his legacy by being laser-focused on putting his blood in the throne.