WARNING! This article contains major SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 2 and George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood book, on which the show is based.
Summary
Ser Otto Hightower is out as King Aegon II Targaryen’s Hand of the King, with Ser Criston Cole now shockingly replacing him inHouse of the Dragon. In the aftermath ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2’s horrendous Blood and Cheeseevent, Aegon seeks vengeance against Rhaenyra and Team Black for the murder of his son and heir, Jaehaerys. WhileOtto is more hesitant to launch an attack with violent retaliations, instead preferring to immediately gain the sympathies of the smallfolk and other houses, Aegon simply wants to take action, leading him to take up Larys Strong’s previous advice to find his own Hand – not his father’s.
After Otto Hightower chastizes Aegon for following Criston Cole’s plan of ordering Ser Arryk Cargyll to pose as his twin brother and kill Rhaenyra,Aegon fires his grandfather as Hand of the King. Noting that at least Criston decided to do something more active, Aegon names him Hand of the King instead. Of course, Aegon doesn’t know aboutCriston and Alicent’s secret relationship, which will likely throw a wrench in their future dynamic. Regardless, Otto Hightower leaves his daughter and grandchildren for Oldtown inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 2’s ending, mirroring the last time he wasbriefly fired as Hand by King Viserys.
What Happens To Otto Hightower After Being Removed As Hand Of The King
Otto doesn’t survive much longer after being fired by Aegon
For the third (technically fourth) and final time, Otto Hightower has concluded serving as Hand of the King for a Targaryen ruler, as he outlived both Jaehaerys and Viserys before being fired by Aegon. After being removed,Otto declares that he’ll leave for Oldtownto oversee the instruction ofAlicent and Viserys’ youngest son Daeron, who has been living there as a ward for some time. Meanwhile, Alicent suggests going to Highgarden to treat with House Tyrell, leaving his next whereabouts still somewhat ambiguous.
1
101 AC-103 AC (until Jaehaerys' death)
2
103 AC-109 AC (fired by Viserys)
3
120 AC-129 AC (rehired by Viserys; served until Viserys' death)
4
King Aegon II Targaryen
129 AC-129 AC (fired by Aegon)
In George R.R. Martin’sFire & Bloodbook, Otto doesn’t go to Oldtown or Highgarden after being removed as Hand of the King. Rather, he remains in King’s Landing, with his long-term plans for Aegon’s political strategy with the Triarchy successfully going into motion while Criston is still Hand of the King. However, Otto Hightower doesn’t live for much longer after Aegon fires him. The book reveals thatOtto Hightower is executed for treason by Queen Rhaenyra Targaryen when she takes King’s Landing, which could potentially happen as early asHouse of the Dragonseason 2’s later episodes.
Otto Hightower was fired as Hand of the King by Viserys inHouse of the Dragonseason 1, episode 4 after strategizing to replace Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne with Aegon.
Is Replacing Otto With Criston Cole A Smart Move By King Aegon?
Aegon is only thinking with a short-term mindset
Ultimately,this is a big mistake that King Aegon II Targaryen makesin his war strategy for the Dance of the Dragons. While Otto Hightower was a highly flawed Hand of the King, he also had experience of approaching the role politically and with consequences for each choice in mind. At least, more so thanCriston Cole before his death. Whereas Otto attempted to conduct his role as Hand of the King with foresight, cleverness, and much consideration, Ser Criston Cole approaches it from a perspective of battle, strength, impulsivity, and urgency.
Blood & Cheese Somehow Makes Me Hate Criston Cole More Than Ever Before
Though Ser Criston Cole was already one the most disliked characters in House of the Dragon, his actions during Blood & Cheese make him even worse.
There’s little to no long-term strategy for Criston Cole’s political decision-making inHouse of the Dragon. While he’s a strong warrior who has proven his qualifications in leading both the Kingsguard and Aegon’s forces,battle skills aren’t what make an effective Hand of the King. Aegon’s choice to replace Otto with Criston was made out of an intensely emotional and angry response to his son’s death, and those types of decisions rarely lead to positive outcomes in the world ofGame of Thrones.
New episodes ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2 release Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.
House of the Dragon
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House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
