What Occurred To Otto Hightower?

This text incorporates spoilers for the “Home of the Dragon” season 2 finale.

“Home of the Dragon” has reached the conclusion of its second season, leaving us with many open questions and storylines which can be simply starting. Certainly, like so many “Recreation of Thrones” season finales earlier than it, the most recent “Home of the Dragon” episode strikes the items throughout the board and units up for some scrumptious drama and intrigue to return within the season forward. There’s the nascent battle between the brand new dragonriders, particularly Ulf and his disrespect towards his liege, but additionally the preparations for struggle from Aemond, Criston Cole, and each Rhaenyra and Daemon, with the latter’s spooky little magic journey at Harrenhal leading to Daemon as soon as once more swearing his loyalty to his spouse.

With season 2 of “Home of the Dragon” having fewer episodes than typical, the finale feels extra like build-up and set-up than a correct conclusion. Among the many many open-ended questions, there’s one concerning a slightly necessary character that we hadn’t seen in a number of weeks. Thus far, it appears every part is developing Rhaenyra, as she has a bunch of dragons, her husband is each loyal to her and has amassed a military, and her archenemy Alicent promised not solely to let Rhaenyra enter King’s Touchdown and ship the Iron Throne to her, however to additionally let her kill Alicent’s eldest son, Aegon II.

Staff Inexperienced is in bother, and it appears there’s infighting occurring, what with Alicent betraying her son the king, Aemond additionally making an attempt to kill his brother, and Larys Sturdy escaping with Aegon earlier than something occurs. And but, there’s one other large participant the present has type of forgotten about till now (one who’s been suspiciously lacking for weeks): Ser Otto Hightower, former Hand of the King.

Otto Hightower has had a tough time this season on “Home of the Dragon.” First, he butted heads together with his king as Aegon grew to become hostile and wanting to go on the offensive and wage struggle in opposition to Rhaenyra. After the homicide of Prince Jaehaerys, it was Otto who got here up with the concept of parading the younger boy’s corpse for the city to see, with a purpose to wage a propaganda struggle in opposition to Staff Black. When Criston Cole went behind Otto’s again and ordered the failed assassination of Rhaenyra, Aegon fired Otto for being an previous man and talking again to him. With out a job, Otto determined to return to Oldtown, although Alicent urged him to swing by Highgarden first to make sure the Tyrells nonetheless assist the Greens, to which Otto agreed. That was the final we noticed of him.

Till now. Within the closing moments of the season 2 finale, we see Otto Hightower in what appears to be like like a cell on a wagon headed … someplace. What’s extra, he seems to be in fairly unhealthy form. This appears to be one more scene that was invented for “Home of the Dragon,” as its supply materials, “Fireplace & Blood,” makes no point out of Otto being kidnapped. As for his captor? That is tough to say, seeing as nearly everybody desires Otto out of the image for the time being. Larys Sturdy, for one, bitterly fought him in an try and steal his job again when Otto was on the Small Council. In the meantime, Criston Cole undoubtedly desires Otto out of the sport, now that Cole has his former job. Aegon II does not need him round both, having dismissed Otto from courtroom himself. Actually, Otto’s solely allies in King’s Touchdown proper now are his daughter Alicent and the brand new King Regent Aemond, who desires Otto to return as Hand.

There are three possible suspects who might’ve had Otto Hightower captured: Larys Sturdy, Ser Criston Cole, and Home Beesbury. 

Larys Sturdy is a really apparent selection, having butted heads with Otto for some time in his makes an attempt to realize energy. Then there’s the still-mysterious fireplace that killed Sturdy’s household again in season 1. We have been led to consider somebody on Staff Black did it, however what if it was Otto? He was extremely expert at maneuvering with out drawing consideration to himself in “Home of the Dragon” season 1, and killing the Strongs to forestall additional rumors of Rhaenyra’s kids being fathered out of wedlock is certainly one thing he’d do. Maybe Larys had Otto captured and is torturing him for his position within the loss of life of his household.

As for Criston Cole, we all know he’s the second greatest buffoon within the Seven Kingdoms proper behind Aegon II. Is it potential Cole can be so blundering as to have Otto captured with a purpose to safe his job as Hand, conserving one of many craftiest males in Westeros out of the bigger struggle for completely no motive? After all it’s. That is the man whose grand concept to finish the struggle concerned sending a Kingsguard disguised as his twin brother to assassinate Rhaenyra.

Then there’s the Beesburys. We all know that the Tyrells are staying out of the struggle regardless of being bannermen to the Hightowers and anticipated to combat for Staff Inexperienced. Nonetheless, their very own bannermen fought for each side on the Attain, together with Home Beesbury which is concerned in an necessary battle within the present’s supply materials. It is conceivable the sequence is making an enormous change from “Fireplace & Blood” by having Home Beesbury kidnap Otto with a purpose to show their loyalty to Rhaenyra (for whom they combat within the guide). Presumably, we’ll get a clearer reply to that query when the present resumes.

“Home of the Dragon” will return for season 3 at a yet-to-be-announced date.