After a season three premiere that featured multiple unexpected deaths, House Of The Dragon returned on Sunday night to give the ax to another major character in the second episode of the season – literally.
Following last week’s brutal Battle of Gullet, in which Jacaerys Velaryon came to rest in a watery graveyard, one of the most prominent characters who debuted in season one met their end.
The battle cued up Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) to return to King’s Landing and claim her spot on the Iron Throne, but in order to cement her leadership, she was forced to make a brutal display to her subjects.
Meanwhile, Alicent (Olivia Cooke), whose allegiance to Rhaenyra has shifted back and forth throughout the course of the season, was back on her side.
She ingratiates herself with the Gold Cloaks to help them take control of the Red Keep for Rhaenyra and her husband Daemon (Matt Smith) when they arrive.
But Daemon’s bloodthirsty instincts lead him to suggest that she must execute someone respected, who was once in a position of authority, though her actions threaten her tenuous alliance with Alicent.
After a season three premiere that featured multiple unexpected deaths, House Of The Dragon returned on Sunday night to give the ax to another major character in the second episode of the season – literally
Alicent arrived to reconnect with Rhaenyra just after the newly installed queen had executed her father, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans).
Ifans’s character had been absent for much of the past season, before reappearing toward the end of season two, when he was revealed to be alive and imprisoned in the dungeons at King’s Landing.
Daemon, who was filled with glee when he discovered Otto was alive and now in his possession, urged Rhaenyra to make an example of him to show that she was not a forgiving leader.
In a grisly scene, Rhaenyra was forced to behead Otto herself, but she failed to deliver a single killing blow.
After failing to properly decapitate the former King’s Hand, she was forced to make a second blow to completely sever his head from his body.
Unfortunately, moments after the final blow, Alicent arrived to find her father’s dead, headless body lying on the ground while her on–off friend held the sword that slayed him.
On social media, fans commiserated over Otto’s bloody demise, though several viewers took House Of The Dragon to task for how it had kept him in the shadows for much of the previous season.
‘rip otto hightower you deserved to die but you were a legend for delivering this banger,’ wrote one fan who recalled a withering quip Otto made to Aegon during a tense confrontation.
‘Thought that episode rocked but man this would have been so much better if Rhys Ifans/Otto wasn’t off screen for like 7 straight episodes,’ complained one fan, echoing the sentiments of others.
‘I think I’m probably the only person in the world this pissed off by the otto situation. why was he just plucked out of the show since s2e2 then brought back to be killed off??’ wrote another viewer, who called the move ‘weird weird weird.’
Another perceptive viewer posited an explanation for Ifan’s absence: the fee he commands.
‘Otto was supposed to leave King’s Landing in Season 2 Episode 2 and on his way out he’s captured by Larys’ agents and imprisoned in the black cells,’ they reminded other fans. ‘He’s been in King’s Landing this entire time in the black cells.
‘Most like[ly] Rhys Ifans is expensive to retain all season,’ they added.
However, several viewers took House Of The Dragon to task for how it had kept him in the shadows for much of the previous season
