House of the Dragon Quietly Introduced Game of Thrones’ Worst Villain Since Joffrey

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Game of Thrones was known for creating truly awful characters. The harsh world of Westeros produced villains like the cruel Joffrey and his power-hungry mother. While many viewers eagerly anticipated Joffrey’s death, he wasn’t the only memorable villain on the show. After the series ended, HBO once again found huge success with…

Taking place 150 years before the events of Game of Thrones, the series House of the Dragon tells the story of Rhaenyra Targaryen and the brutal civil war called the Dance of the Dragons. Based on George R.R. Martin’s history of the Targaryen family, the show features new families competing for control of the Iron Throne. Just as Game of Thrones had characters like Joffrey and Littlefinger, House of the Dragon introduces a new, formidable player with the potential to cause widespread chaos.

Otto Hightower Is the Most Despicable Character In House of the Dragon

Westeros has long been a land of ruthless people. Throughout its history, regardless of who ruled – Targaryens or others – the pursuit of power has always been central, especially for figures like Otto Hightower. From the noble House Hightower of Oldtown, easily recognized by the green glow of their tower, Otto skillfully gained influence as the King’s Hand, serving three different monarchs during his time in King’s Landing.

He barely kept his ambition in check while serving as Hand of the King. He benefited from Viserys’s reign, as Viserys was a relatively weak and easily influenced ruler. Because Viserys presided over a long period of peace rather than war, he was vulnerable to manipulation – and Otto was happy to exploit that.

Only one person seemed to understand Otto’s schemes, but Otto quickly dealt with them. Daemon wanted to serve as the King’s Hand and protect his brother, but his efforts were ignored, especially because of Otto’s interference. Otto spread rumors and created conflict around Daemon, and despite Daemon’s established reputation, Otto’s motives were always suspect.

Daemon was fiercely loyal to his brother and would never have betrayed him. However, Otto skillfully spread rumors that the younger Targaryen would readily turn against Viserys. Daemon was simply trying to protect his brother, while Otto was the one willing to betray an old friend. Otto’s greatest strength, and most dangerous trait, was his ability to wait patiently for his schemes to succeed.

Otto Hightower was more like Tywin Lannister than Cersei – he carefully planned for his family’s future. While the Lannisters were known for being scheming, the Hightowers took it a step further. Both Tywin and Cersei were driven by a desire for power, but they did at least care about their children. This focus on family, rather than just power, is what truly set Otto apart from previous antagonists.

Otto’s Crimes Against His Daughter Were Immeasurable

Otto Hightower was determined and resourceful, and he’d do whatever it took to get ahead. Even before the events of House of the Dragon began, he’d been carefully planning to strengthen his family’s position, and he quickly seized any opportunity that presented itself.

This presented Otto with a clear advantage. King Viserys, without a son, planned to remarry. Otto quickly offered his fifteen-year-old daughter to the king, hoping she would fulfill his needs and secure his position.

Alicent Hightower grew up believing in the traditional, male-dominated society of Westeros. Quiet and obedient, she felt powerless against her father’s wishes. As soon as Queen Aemma died, Otto told Alicent to console King Viserys and advised her to wear one of her mother’s gowns while she did so.

Honestly, Otto Hightower wasn’t even trying to hide what he was doing. He was willing to sacrifice his own daughter, Alicent, just to climb the political ladder. It’s heartbreaking, but in that world, a woman’s value was often tied to her marriage prospects, and Otto saw Alicent as a pawn. He figured if he could orchestrate the right match, his family would finally have a shot at the Iron Throne, securing his legacy and power for generations. It’s a ruthless calculation, and it really shows how little he cares for Alicent’s happiness.

The way he treated his daughter caused widespread devastation, impacting not only the entire kingdom but also his own family. His choices split Westeros in two, leading to a brutal civil war unlike any seen before. He never acknowledged the harm he caused, even as his grandchildren died and his family’s power faded.

As a critic, I’ve seen many houses rise and fall in Westeros, and the Hightowers’ fate is a particularly poignant one. They managed to survive the conflicts, yes, but at a tremendous cost. They clung to the Faith of the Seven, a strategic alliance that shielded them from complete destruction, but ultimately, Otto Hightower’s grand ambitions for his family never materialized. They weren’t wiped off the map, but let’s be honest – they faded into the background, destined to become a minor detail in the larger story. It’s a survival, certainly, but a hollow one, leaving them as little more than a historical footnote.

Once focused on claiming the Iron Throne, the Hightowers eventually became secondary players, simply supporting the powerful Tyrell family in their own power struggles. They remained largely in the background, aiding allies like Margary Tyrell as she sought influence during the period known as the Game of Thrones. Otto Hightower’s decisions, beginning with his actions toward his own daughter, ultimately shaped the fate and standing of his house.

Otto’s Ambition Destroyed House Hightower

In the world of Game of Thrones, Otto Hightower’s actions towards Alicent were particularly cruel. He essentially sacrificed his daughter’s future for a chance at power, determining her path for her. Alicent was taught to always obey and respect her father, so she never considered taking control of her own life.

Alicent didn’t have the freedom to speak her mind like Rhaenyra did. When her father, Otto, schemed to have her marry the king, no one was there to safeguard her interests. As was common for women of that era, Alicent was expected to marry for political gain, not love, and produce many heirs. Otto essentially stole Alicent’s childhood, knowing it would have consequences. He prioritized building a legacy for his family through Alicent’s sons with Viserys, even at the cost of his daughter’s happiness.

Honestly, watching Alicent navigate her life was heartbreaking. She carried herself with dignity, but you could feel the toll it took on her. It was so sad to see how she started to resent Rhaenyra, someone she used to love like a sister. And it was even worse realizing she ended up contributing to the things that hurt Rhaenyra, even though Rhaenyra hadn’t done anything to her personally. It just felt like Alicent channeled all her unhappiness onto the wrong person.

Alicent and her friend had lost their close bond, and instead of seeking support from her family, Alicent focused her anger on the one person who truly understood the pressures she faced as a woman in a male-dominated world. The harsh way her father treated her made her resentful, and ultimately, she played a key role in the devastating conflict known as the Dance of the Dragons.

Otto Hightower fueled Alicent’s bitterness, which ultimately led to tragedy. Her resentment passed down to her children, culminating in the death of Rhaenyra’s son, Lucerys, when Aemond Targaryen’s dragon killed him. This event irrevocably fractured the relationship between the opposing sides, all stemming from Otto’s pursuit of influence.

Criston Cole, formerly the Hand of the King, could have been seen differently if he’d made other choices. After spending a night with Princess Rhaenyra, he mistakenly believed she had promised to marry him. He never recovered from what he perceived as her rejection, and his hurt feelings ultimately caused problems for everyone.

Criston Cole’s affair with Queen Alicent was a significant mistake, adding to his already questionable actions. However, he wasn’t nearly as malicious as Otto Hightower. Criston often acted impulsively, while Otto carefully planned everything he did. If the show stays true to the source material, Otto’s scheming will ultimately lead to his downfall.

Otto Hightower’s ambitious plans ultimately failed, and he was killed in battle. His daughter faced an even more tragic fate: she was forced to watch all of her children die and then spent the rest of her life imprisoned, eventually losing her sanity.

Even the powerful Hightower family lost influence as Rhaenyra’s heirs eventually reclaimed the Iron Throne. Otto was one of the few villains in Game of Thrones who truly faced consequences for his actions, and he did so swiftly. It was as if fate itself ensured he was punished for his ambition and overreach.

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2025-11-17 07:38