'House of the Dragon': How Viserys Targaryen's horrible decisions led to deadly kin strife in the Seven Kingdoms
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'House of the Dragon' Season 2 will stream on HBO on June 16, 2024. As fans gear up for an exciting season, there are many aspects of the fantasy thriller that get hotly debated perpetually. One such topic of discussion inevitably is the controversial reign of King Viserys Targaryen (Paddy Considine).
Like most characters in 'House of the Dragon', King Viserys is a complex character who in the opinion of many is a bad ruler. He is perpetually torn between his righteousness and his duty as a ruler. He often finds himself in a conflict when it comes to patriarchy and the accepted norms of the world.
His lack of decision-making as a King has left the Targaryen House in disarray after his death as a brutal succession battle takes place in Season 2 between his declared heir Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D' Arcy), and the incumbent ruler after Viserys' death King Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney). Here's a look at some of the decisions made by Viserys that have caused chaos in the Targaryen House.
Viserys didn't name Daemon Targaryen as his heir
While naming Rhaenyra as his heir is a positive step and breaks the shackles of patriarchy, the move to completely dismiss his brother Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) for his unpredictable behavior was a questionable one.
Daemon's methods may be unconventional and brutal at times, but he could have been a decisive heir, one that would not have been questioned by anyone.
Daemon is also a skilled warrior and an able dragon rider. He knows the tricks of diplomacy and politics and isn't shy of taking an extreme step so maybe Daemon could have been a ruler that the Westeros world would accept.
Viserys lets Aemma Arryn die
Viserys made a questionable decision of allowing the Grand Maester to cut open his wife's womb to save the child. His wife Aemma Arryn (Sian Brooke) bled to death.
If Viserys had taken a firm stance of naming Rhaenyra his heir and not being greedy for a male child, it would have saved his wife's life and many more lives consequently.
Viserys chose Alicent Hightower over Laena Velaryon
Viserys married Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) over Laena Velaryon (Nova Foueillis-Mosé) in a decision that would go on to change the destiny of House Targaryen.
While his decision to marry Alicent comes from a morally correct place of not exposing Laena to childbirth at an early age, the union between Viserys and Laena could have strengthened the ties between the two families.
Also from a moral standpoint, Alicent is much younger than Viserys too.
Viserys trusts Ser Otto Hightower
Viserys cannot gauge the obvious intentions of Ser Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) who wants his descendant to sit on the throne. Despite the obvious conflict of interest, he reinstates Otto Hightower as the Hand of the King and sends Rhaenyra to Dragonstone.
The inability to read Otto's intentions exposes Viserys inadequacies as a ruler and a decision-maker. He is gullible and gets easily manipulated by Otto Hightower.
Viserys tells Alicent about the dream
In what is perhaps the most inadvertently fatal mistake that Viserys makes, he tells Alicent about Aegon the conqueror's dream about 'A Song of Ice and Fire'
Alicent interprets it as Viserys naming Aegon II Targaryen as his successor. This is a major moment of weakness for the King as he trusts Alicent over his brother Daemon who doesn't know about the dream despite being a Targaryen.
How to stream 'House of the Dragon' Season 2?
'House of the Dragon' Season 2 will be available on HBO Max from June 16, 2024. To watch the series, you will need a Max subscription. The streaming platform typically offers three packages that you can choose from depending on your budget.
The low-cost plan that supports advertising costs at $9.99 per month or $99.99 annually. The second package, which does not support advertising, costs $15.99 per month or $149.99.
'House of the Dragon' Season 2 trailer
'House of the Dragon' Season 2 will stream on HBO on June 16, 2024