Includes SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2’s finale and MAJOR SPOILERS for Fire & Blood, the show’s source material.
Summary
House of the Dragonseason 2’s finale sees Otto Hightower lying in a dungeon, leaving audiences with questions about his whereabouts. Otto Hightower was the Hand of the King to Viserys I Targaryen, which carried over after Aegon II Targaryen inherited the Iron Throne. However,Aegon dismissed Otto in season 2, episode 3, just before both sides met at the pivotal Battle of Rook’s Rest. Otto is played by veteran actor Rhys Ifans in theHouse of the Dragoncastand returns in season 2, episode 8.
TheHouse of the Dragonseason 2 endingshows a montage of each character in the series and the various armies marching toward the growing conflict of the Dance of the Dragons. Included in the montage is a shot of Otto imprisoned, which is the first time audiences have seen him since earlier in the season.Alicent Hightower tried to reach out to him but wasn’t receiving responses to her letters. Also, when Aemond Targaryen was made Prince Regent in Aegon’s absence, he commanded Larys to bring Otto back to be his hand.
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Is Otto Hightower In The Dungeons Of The Red Keep?
It Looks Like The Red Keep, But That Would Be Outrageous
The dungeons in the Red Keep are the most prominently used in theGame of Thronesuniverse, with Ned Stark, Tyrion, and more, being held there at certain points in the timeline. The shot of Otto looks similar to the dungeons in the Red Keep, so it’s not impossible, but there are no distinctive features that imply a particular location.It seems unlikely that he’s been hidden just under everyone’s nosesfor almost the whole season. Alicent or Aemond surely would’ve found out about this at some point.
Did Larys Strong Imprison Otto Hightower?
Larys Has The Motivation, But It Doesn’t Fully Add Up
Larys Strong has developed a one-sided rivalry with Otto Hightowerthroughout season 2, as Otto is the biggest threat to his control in the Red Keep. It’s Larys' manipulation that leads Aegon to dismiss Otto after Larys convinces the young king that Otto will hold him back from taking the necessary actions in the war. Aemond then slights Larys, leading him to think he’s going to be made Hand of the King, before telling him to bring Otto back to King’s Landing.
Larys definitely has the motive to capture Otto Hightower and keep him prisoner, and the means to make it happen, but it raises questions about his goals in doing so. It would be a pretty significant departure from the book storyline, asOtto is never taken prisoner inFire & Blood. It doesn’t seem likely that this is the case, especially afterLarys is seen fleeing King’s Landing with Aegonat the end of the episode.
Where Else Could Otto Hightower Be?
Otto Could’ve Been Taken Prisoner By Enemies In The Reach
One option for Otto Hightower’s location could be Honeyholt, the castle of House Beesbury. Audiences may remember Lyman Beesbury as the small council member who Criston Cole brutally murders inHouse of the Dragonseason 1, episode 9 after he suggests Rhaenyra should be made queen.House Beesbury has reason to take Otto captive, and it makes sense geographically, given that he was on his way back to The Reach when he was last seen.
This possibility could line up well withHouse of the Dragonseason 3, as there are new characters marching north from the Reach at the end of season 2, as well as a new dragonrider. Theseason 3 premiere could see Prince Daeron Targaryen and his dragon Tessarion in a prison break scenario, freeing Otto from his captivity. This could see Otto wind up involved at the Battle of the Honeywine, before returning to King’s Landing.
What Happens To Otto Hightower
Otto Is Executed By Rhaenyra
InFire & Blood, there’s really not much Otto Hightower after he’s dismissed as Hand of the King. In the book, it’s his decision to utilize the Triarchy against the Velaryon fleet, not Aemond’s, but he sets this act in motion before he’s removed as hand. Eventually,when Rhaenyra takes King’s Landing, Otto is in the city, and she executes himupon capturing the Red Keep. Season 2’s finale indicates Rhaenyra taking King’s Landing could happen sooner rather than later, so this could occur very shortly.
Otto could arrive at King’s Landing just before Rhaenyra takes the city, early in season 3, after being freed by Daeron and the Hightower forces. He’d be there to serve as Aemond’s hand, only to find Aemond and Aegon already gone from King’s Landing. However, given all ofHouse of the Dragon’sbook changes, this could turn out quite different.
House of the Dragon
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.
