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

House of the Dragon has many terrible fathers -- and Otto Hightower is the worst of them all. He continues to blame all his failures on his daughter Alicent and in Season 1, Episode 5, "We Light the Way," he made sure that she felt terrible for his loss of power and position. From the very beginning, Otto has shown that he is consistently awful. He is more focused on moving his legacy forward than being a good parent. His actions in King's Landing continually show a lack of love and respect for his devoted daughter.

Otto Hightower served as Hand of the King for years until Rhaenyra Targaryen convinced King Viserys to remove Otto from the position. Viserys saw Otto for what he truly was after his accusation against Rhaenyra. Alicent could've helped to save her father's position, but she chose to believe Rhaenyra instead. Her belief in her former friend was what doomed her father. Without the Queen's support, Lord Hightower was left without friends or help in the capital. His dismissal set in motion a chain of events which will bring war to Westeros.

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House of the Dragon has Otto Hightower as its Littlefinger

When Alicent went to see her father off at the gates of the Red Keep, he immediately began playing the blame game. He saw Alicent as betraying him and directly causing him to lose the power he values so much. He made Alicent feel guilty for believing her friend, causing her to doubt herself and her own instincts. He undermined her in hopes of manipulating her to help him win back his position and influence. Otto then proceeded to scare her by suggesting her death and that of her children -- claiming that Rhaenyra will kill them all once she takes the Iron Throne.

Creating that fear was just another form of manipulation. Otto doesn't want a daughter; he wants a political supporter. Each move he makes is a careful calculation of how he can gain more political influence. Alicent was terrified for her children. She wanted what any mother wants: to keep her family safe at all costs. The fear that her father instilled in her prompted her to start a war -- the only way she thought she could keep her family safe.

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Otto and Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon.

Each time Otto interacts with Alicent, he adds another thread to the tangled web of manipulation that he has woven. He sold her off to the King as a way to gain more influence in court. When his own ambitions and pride ruined that, he blamed her for his failure. He is incapable of thinking about someone or something beyond his own dreams. He wants her to do his bidding and accomplish his goals. House of the Dragon makes clear that Otto is not only a threat to the kingdom but also to House Hightower.

Otto Hightower has proven on multiple occasions that he is an awful father to Alicent. He cares nothing for her hopes and dreams. He manipulates her through fear and guilt, causing her to question herself and her motivations. His actions as her father directly lead to the Dance of the Dragons and the end of the Targaryen dynasty. Otto Hightower is ready to doom his family for a chance at power.

New episodes of House of the Dragon air Sundays at 9:00 p.m. on HBO and stream on HBO Max.