Fans have been sharing their opinions on whether they support the black or green team after the recent episode of House of the Dragon's second season.
The conclusion of the episode left numerous fans surprised as a new era began in Westeros with Aegon II in charge. The exceptional performances in the episode highlighted the complexity of the characters, forcing viewers to reevaluate their opinions on these characters and their thirst for power. Here is a comprehensive ranking of House of the Dragon characters, ranging from devious to clever.
10. Aegon II Targaryen
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Aegon II became king in season one, but he lacks the skills needed to rule effectively. Despite his arrogance and fierceness in battle, he relies heavily on his hand Otto Hightower and his mother Alicent Hightower for guidance. Additionally, he struggles with performing his kingly duties, often turning to alcohol and engaging in debauchery.
9. Ser Criston Cole
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Criston, portrayed by Fabien Frankel, starts off as a charming character in the show. He goes from being a humble knight to becoming the highly esteemed Lord Commander under Viserys due to his admiration for Rhaenyra. But things take a turn when Rhaenyra turns down his proposal, leading him to turn against her by siding with Alicent and persuading Aegon to claim the throne. Now, he is seen as a power-hungry individual, clinging onto any opportunity for power, all the while dealing with his own personal struggles.
8. Larys Strong
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Larys Strong is undeniably the most unsettling individual to ever appear on television. I despise him with every fiber of my being. However, it is precisely his despicable nature that makes him so captivating. Larys is willing to go to extreme lengths, even sacrificing his own family, to achieve his desires. He exhibits no remorse for manipulating others into committing unspeakable acts on his behalf.
Larys is always hiding, being sneaky, and acting creepy. Moreover, he commits unspeakable crimes just to fulfill his foot fetish.
7. Rhaenys Targaryen and Corlys Valaryon
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It's true that combining these two characters is cheating, but they both have equally captivating personalities. Unfortunately, they didn't get much screen time in the first season. Corlys remained loyal to Viserys despite their differences, holding titles like Lord of the Tides and Master of Driftmark. However, his priorities are unclear, and his ambitions sometimes conflict with preserving a pure bloodline.
Rhaemys is quite the opposite. She's extremely unsure of herself, which makes it hard to know which side she supports throughout the entire first season. She prioritizes power above everything else, earning her the title of the Queen Who Never Was. However, one of the most impressive moments in the entire first season was when she invaded Aegon's coronation riding Meleys.
6. Otto Hightower
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Otto Hightower, originally Viserys' advisor, is a clever and cunning strategist. He consistently stays ahead of the game and remains calm in any situation, making his terrified reaction to Meleys all the more powerful. Rhys Ifans' exceptional acting skills added to the impact of his panicked screams.
Despite being a constant presence, Otto prefers to stay out of the limelight, which prevents him from making it into the top five of the House of the Dragon character ranking.
5. Aemond Targaryen
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Aemond's charisma alone earns him many points. Despite being marginalized by his family and losing an eye, he manages to steal one of the most powerful dragons in Westeros. Cool.
Aemond is more capable of being a king compared to his brother Aegon II. However, he is overshadowed by his brother and silently bears his jealousy. Moreover, he unfortunately killed Lucerys early on in the first season, which made us all feel sad.
4. Alicent Hightower
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Alicent Hightower stands out as a truly honorable character in the entire show. Her humanity shines through as she refrains from imposing herself on Viserys after his wife's passing. She displays compassion by taking care of Viserys during his struggle with leprosy. Moreover, she exhibits forgiveness by attempting to reconcile with her childhood best friend, Rhaenyra. Above all, she demonstrates her strength and bravery by consistently voicing her opinions at council meetings and fearlessly confronting Aegon II in the presence of Meleys.
It's important to mention the smooth transition between Emily Carey and Olivia Cooke, who both gave outstanding performances as Alicent.
3. Viserys Targaryen
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When it comes to acting, Paddy Considine's portrayal of Viserys Targaryen is truly outstanding. It's a shame he wasn't recognized with an Emmy nomination.
Viserys made mistakes as King that worsened the civil war, his uncertainty and lenient attitude towards Rhaenyra's actions caused him to lose support. Despite his health issues, he was still a respected King. Paddy Considine played a crucial role in his success.
2. Daemon Targaryen
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Matt Smith. If that were a good enough reason to place Daemon second then I would leave it at that.
Daemon Targaryen is undeniably one of the most impressive characters in the history of Game of Thrones. His unforgettable solo battle during the Stepstones war is a truly spine-chilling scene, enhanced by an exceptional musical score. However, beyond his remarkable bravery, Daemon's unwavering loyalty to his family is truly remarkable. He is always ready to go to war in an instant to ensure their safety.
1. Rhaenyra Targaryen
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Rhaenyra Targaryen was the sole person expected to reach the top of the House of the Dragon character ranking. Despite facing challenges and betrayals, she managed to earn respect and become a powerful figure in Westeros due to her independence and determination.
Milly Alcock impressed as young Rhaenyra, earning the role of Supergirl in the DCEU. However, Emma D'Arcy's portrayal in the latter half of the first season truly showcased the character's depth. Emma's emotional performance was captivating, transitioning from grief to revenge in the first episode of season two. As the central figure in the civil war, her character is sure to evolve in ways that will continue to captivate audiences.
Honourable mentions
Prior to diving into the list, it's important to acknowledge the greatness of these characters despite their limited screen time.
Lucerys Velaryon is the first character mentioned, and his death is considered more important than his actions. He displayed bravery when facing Aemond Targaryen, but it was unwise to believe that he and Arrax could defeat Vhagar. However, his death at the young age of 13 played a crucial role in escalating the tensions that led to the Targaryen civil war.
Like Lucerys, Leana and Leanor Valaryon should have had more time on screen, but they made a lasting impact in the little time they had. Even though the show changed the story, Leana's death was emotional and powerful, showcasing Vhagar's best moment in HOTD as he ended her suffering when she couldn't deliver her third child.
Leanor is believed to be alive in the show, having left Driftmark and his fake marriage to Rhaenyra to live with Qarl Correy in Essos. Leaving his family for love was a courageous decision that should be acknowledged.
