The following contains spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 1, Episode 5, "We Light the Way," which debuted Sept. 18, on HBO.

As the old saying goes: Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. On House of the Dragon, all the characters not named "Targaryen" are where they are because they're vying for a station that puts them close to the seat of power. Yet, for those who successfully marry into House Targaryen, the "game of thrones," becomes not about attaining more power but simply survival.

Twice on "We Light the Way," characters worry if their Targaryen-related heirs will survive the passing of King Viserys (Paddy Considine). First, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) tells his daughter Alicent (Emily Carey) that if his grandson isn't named the heir, he will be killed by his half-sister. Later, Princess Rhaenys (Eve Best) tells her husband Corlys Velaryon (Steve Toussaint) that those loyal to Prince Aegon II would kill their grandchildren to clear a path to the throne for Aegon II's heirs if not himself. In fact, the council that started the series and named Viserys king was done to prevent this kind of bloodshed. Despite King Viserys doing the same thing in naming Rhaenyra (Milly Alcock) his heir, the daggers are all coming out, just yearning for a back to stick in.

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Otto and Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon.

The title Game of Thrones is itself a reference to the royal politics of Westeros, often with attendant wars. For some players, like Littlefinger (Aidan Gillen) or even Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage), it was something of a game. High stakes, sure. Yet, they always believed they had exit strategies should they lose the game. Tyrion even had to pull the (crossbow) trigger on his, after killing his father. For folks like Otto or Rhaenys, who have achieved the height of their personal station, the "game" isn't about power or even really historical legacy. Their aims are something much simpler. They want their grandchildren to live.

As with all good fictional irony, it is these very fears that will kick off the kind of war and bloodshed they hope to avoid. The scheming and picking at the weakness of King Viserys left festering wounds in his authority, at least amongst those closest to him. If they simply trusted the King's bannermen to keep their oaths, all involved might live to ripe old ages. Instead, the volleying for power and strike-first mentality in both of King Viserys' sub-houses will bring only tragedy.

There is one character, however, for whom the game is most certainly life-or-death, but he treats it like a game nonetheless. Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) is under no threat from his brother, the king. However, he is most at-fault for chipping away at his brother's authority. If he'd simply publicly accepted Rhaenyra, everyone's positions would be more secure. If he tried to undermine her from the shadows, he probably could've gotten her to give him the Iron Throne. Right in the thick of it, Daemon has only ever been in danger from his own carelessness.

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Rhaenyra and Laenor talking in House of the Dragon

The motivations for Houses Hightower and Velaryon may seem, at first, to be the typical political power plays in stories like these. Only, from their perspective, they are not causing trouble, but simply trying to secure the survival of their kids and grandkids. They are ruthless because they expect their enemies to be. Their fear and quickness to violence will be their undoing. A lesson, if a story like House of the Dragon is even supposed to have such things. Part of what makes this show great is that it's about awful people doing really cool, violent things.

For a series so focused on its characters, it's surprising that it took until midway through the season for them to speak this worry aloud. It's excellent that they did, because it puts these characters' actions in a whole new light. They aren't screwing with the realm just to fill their pockets with coin, but simply trying to make sure that their family gets to live full, safe lives.

See how miserably the parents on House of the Dragon fail when new episodes debut Sundays at 9 PM Eastern on HBO and HBO Max.