House of the DragonSeason 1 has come with its share of emotional roller coasters.
One can easily conclude that Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) is the primary antagonist of Season 1.
Otto is cunning, cruel, and sneaky, often manipulating those close to him for his own gain.
Image via HBO
He is willing to gain power by any means necessary, even murder.
Again, we have an opportunity to hear a victorious “Dracarys!”
and see evil Otto turned to ash, but Rhaenyra does not seize this opportunity.
Image via HBO
Instead, she listens and agrees to consider their offer.
Otto departs and, once again, gets to walk away in one piece.
This leads viewers to another tremendous emotional roller coaster because “Dracarys” may have solved a lot.
Image via HBO
Truthfully though, that view isn’t fair to Rhaenyra.
A Question of War
As it stands, Rhaenyra does not believe that war has started.
To Daemon’s point, the Blacks do have significantly more dragons.
Image via HBO
Dragons can easily kill men, but men cannot easily kill dragons.
Only other dragons can,as we sadly see of Arrax to Vhagar.
As previously stated, Otto will gain power by any means necessary.
He is not above killing Rhaenyra, or her young children.
Rhaenyra doesn’t see things this way.
As she clearly states, her true duty to the realm is to maintain “peace and unity.”
It is not “to sit on the Iron Throne at all costs.”
Being Targaryen
There is also one piece of knowledge that Daemon does not know.
Rhaenyra understands that the survival of the realms is necessary to prevent the end of man.
Rhaenyra’s knowledge of this prophecy, combined with a united realm, is her most significant concern.
Therefore, her decision not to kill Otto and incite war is purely selfless.
