What HOUSE OF THE DRAGON’s Season 2 Finale Revealed About Otto Hightower

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As a seasoned watcher of the Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon, I’ve come to appreciate the intricate web of plots and characters that make this series as captivating as its predecessor. And when it comes to suspects in the mysterious disappearance of Otto Hightower, my money is on Mysaria, the White Worm.

In the season finale of “House of the Dragon,” long-absent character Otto Hightower made a reappearance, yet this brief return sparked even more curiosity about his whereabouts. It seems an unidentified individual is keeping the former Hand of the King imprisoned in some undisclosed location. With numerous adversaries who recognize his value as a captive, there’s only one prominent suspect with the motive and the resources to seize him without his family being aware. If that’s who took Otto Hightower, it’s likely he remains within King’s Landing.

In the second season’s episode titled “Rhaenyra the Cruel” of the series House of the Dragon, Otto Hightower, following King Aegon’s decision to remove his grandfather from the role of Hand of the King, informed his daughter that he could no longer remain in King’s Landing. In search of a safer haven and an opportunity to contribute positively, Otto decided to return to Oldtown, where his family holds power. His son Daeron resides there as well, and Otto hoped that the young prince would be more receptive to guidance than his older brothers. Moreover, he thought that the young dragonrider Daeron might prove beneficial for the Greens in the impending weeks of conflict.

As a loyal supporter, I suggested to my esteemed father that he ought to journey to Highgarden, the heart of the Reach. The Tyrells needed our firm grasp, and their ruler was someone we should keep an eye on. I could sense the uncertainty among their bannermen, and I believed that a personal visit from Father, with his persuasive charm and dignified demeanor, would not only strengthen our bonds but also rally another powerful army to our cause.

Otto didn’t disclose his final decision between heading to Oldtown or Highgarden to the Dowager Queen, and it remained a mystery as to which place he eventually chose. In the sixth episode of the season, Alicent expressed worry as her messages to Grand Maester Orwyle, her brother Gwayne, and various Great Houses in the Reach via raven went unanswered. Her father had seemingly disappeared without a trace, leaving everyone uncertain about his whereabouts.

In the series House of the Dragon, Orwyle appeared anxious, but Gwayne reassured his sister by saying that Otto Hightower was a master at finding solutions and would keep her informed when there was news to share. However, it wasn’t until the season finale that we learned that Otto had been unable to send or receive any messages. He isn’t a guest in any castle; instead, he is imprisoned in a dark, hidden dungeon. At this point, we don’t know who took him captive or where they are keeping him, but given his numerous enemies, there could be several possible answers to those questions.

The one place he doesn’t is the one place we can rule out entirely. The former Hand did not make it to Oldtown and his family. He wouldn’t be imprisoned there. And if he had arrived home, for even a day, someone would have told Alicent.

It’s quite possible that he was making his way towards Highgarden or another location in the Reach when he encountered enemies. Given the Tyrells’ neutrality in the ongoing conflict, the area is a risky one for any Green faction. Numerous influential houses, whether they support Rhaenyra or detest Otto Hightower, are engaged in battles there. House Beesbury, enraged by their Lord’s murder at the hands of Criston Cole during the green council’s takeover of the Iron Throne, is currently clashing with the Hightower forces in the region. If any supporter of Rhaenyra in the Reach were to come across Otto, they would likely appreciate his value as a captive. Not only could they employ him as a bargaining chip, but they would also be preventing a seasoned and astute adversary from joining the fray. Those who harbor personal animosity towards Otto would also seek his suffering.

As a former intelligence operative who has spent years navigating the treacherous political landscape of the Seven Kingdoms, I must admit that the suggestion that Otto is currently being held captive in the Reach raises some concerns. While it is indeed plausible to consider this possibility, there are several factors that make it seem highly improbable.

As someone who has spent a good portion of my life studying political intrigue and power struggles, I find it highly suspicious that Otto Hightower has seemingly vanished from King’s Landing without a trace. From my perspective, the circumstantial evidence strongly suggests that he never actually left the capital.

If he’s been imprisoned in King’s Landing all this time, it’s clear that there are only two likely suspects for his jailer: either Larys Strong, the Master of Whispers, or someone else with the motive and means to carry out the kidnapping. Given Larys’ extensive knowledge of happenings in the capital, he likely knew Otto was about to depart, which would have given him an opportunity to get rid of a more powerful adversary. Larys has shown hostility towards Otto before, subtly manipulating Aegon into replacing his grand-father as Hand of the King. It seems plausible that Larys first weakened Otto so he could then capitalize on those weaknesses later.

Prince Regent Aemond requested that Larys, a spy master, locate his missing grandfather to reinstate him as Hand. However, Larys failed to do this. Instead, Larys, who distrusts Aemond and vice versa, left the capital with Aegon. Both men are concerned that Aemond might try to eliminate his brother permanently. Could Larys’ concern for King Aegon be partly self-preservation since he was the one who imprisoned Otto Hightower? This is because Larys’ plan to incarcerate Otto in the Red Keep’s dark cells, which Larys frequents and knows well, may have backfired when Aemond burned his brother with dragonfire?

As a seasoned strategist who’s spent my fair share of time navigating the treacherous waters of Westeros politics, I can confidently say that Daemon Targaryen has held sway over Larys’ own castle Harrenhal for quite some time now. However, it would be a grave oversight to imprison Otto in such a place, given his cunning nature and extensive knowledge of the realm. It would not only be an unnecessary risk but also a strategic blunder that could come back to haunt us all.

As a fervent admirer, I can’t help but marvel at Larys Strong – a man who seems to defy impossibilities. Suspicions surrounding his involvement in Otto Hightower’s abduction are rife, and rightly so. His audacious act of hiring mute assassins from the black cells to eliminate his own father and brother is a testament to his cunning. Yet, one can never truly decipher where his loyalties lie – he’s an intriguing enigma indeed.

However, just as Larys Strong guards King’s Landing’s secrets, another individual harbors similar knowledge. Much like Otto’s adversaries in the Reach, this person harbors intense animosity towards the former Hand. This enigmatic figure not only possesses the ability to apprehend Otto, but they also understand Otto’s worth as a captive in the ruthless civil war that ensues.

Mysaria, the White Worm.

Otto, much like a fire-breathing dragon, incinerated Rhaenyra’s new, trusted advisor’s house. This incident led to her hasty departure from King’s Landing. However, Mysaria maintains a significant number of faithful servants in the city, a location where the City Watch’s Gold Cloaks, who have always been loyal to Daemon Targaryen, the former Commander, harbor animosity towards the Greens. These allies of Mysaria continue to pass her confidential information. They move discreetly among the commoners, rallying support for Rhaenyra throughout the city.

Among all, it was Mysaria who possessed both the will and the means to seize Otto Hightower undetected, even by the Queen she faithfully serves now. The White Worm boasts connections in King’s Landing that could not only snatch Otto but conceal him somewhere hidden – perhaps within a brothel or a nearby vessel – unknown to all. However, Mysaria is also shrewd enough to comprehend that the ex-Hand is of too great worth to be eliminated, even for someone as bitter towards him as she is.

Is it undoubtedly Rhaenys, the White Worm, who imprisoned Otto Hightower in darkness on House of the Dragon? No, she’s the prime suspect across all of Westeros. However, if indeed she is the one holding him captive, it could mean that one of Alicent’s statements to her father didn’t pan out as expected, but not for the reason she assumed. Alicent said to Otto, “Perhaps someday you will return to King’s Landing.” The revelation might be that he never actually left it.

And with Alicent offering up the city to Rhaenyra, that could mean he never will.

As a passionate follower, I, the writer known as Mikey Walsh, proudly pen my articles for TopMob. My unwavering disdain for Otto Hightower is no secret! Catch my frequent rants and insights on Twitter (@burgermike) and Bluesky. Additionally, you can find me weighing in on the rankings of Targaryen kings wherever they may be listed.

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2024-08-05 17:33