HBO's ongoing Game of Thrones spinoff, House of the Dragon, is one of the year's most popular shows. Set to cover the Dance of the Dragons arc, the show's creators always implied that there would be a significant time jump. Now that the time jump has happened with episode six, fans have been launched ten years into the future.
The first five episodes were designed to give a solid background on the characters and the situation leading to the war between Princess Rhaenyra and her younger brother. While this backstory helped set up the end goals of the series, there were still several downright awful people in the series before the time jump happened.
10 Caraxes May Not be a Person, But He is Awful
Daemon Targaryen's long-necked dragon, Caraxes, is one downright cruel dragon. Mirroring his rider in many ways, viewers watch as he ruthlessly burns people to death in droves under the command of his master. While the arguments could be made that he's just following orders, he pays little mind to the suffering of others.
The show even emphasizes him landing on and crushing a captive of the Crabfeeder. Believing Prince Daemon and his dragon were there to free him; it's difficult to watch as he's crushed to death by the massive weight of the dragon carelessly landing on him.
9 Larys Strong Has Big Littlefinger Vibes
Larys Strong, son of Lyonel Strong, Otto Hightower's replacement as Hand of the King, didn't play a huge role in the series pre-time skip. He didn't make an appearance until episode 3, and he was portrayed as someone who would always be overlooked.
Due to this, however, it became apparent early on that Larys was scheming on his own. Many fans have claimed that he mirrors Littlefinger in many ways, and while this is ultimately the scheming meister role that everyone loves to hate. If he lives up to the hype, he will truly cause problems.
8 Queen Alicent Hightower Starts Off Sweet
Alicent Hightower starts off as Princess Rhaenyra's friend. Portrayed as a young woman her father manipulates into a marriage that makes her the next queen, Alicent is seen as a sweet, polite, well-behaved young woman and queen. When Rhaenyra's virtue is called into question, she believes her friend's lies. She even defends Rhaenyra's claim to the throne over her son's right to be king.
When she learns that Rhaenyra has lied to her through Ser Criston's confession that he slept with the princess, her entire demeanor changes. Her dramatic entrance into the festivities leading up to Rhaenyra's wedding, interrupting the king's speech in the process, foreshadows what's to come.
7 We're Rooting for Her, but Rhaenyra isn't Innocent
Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen has proven to be a powerhouse of a young woman. While most fans are already rooting for her future success, she is one of the key players in the devastating Dance of the Dragons. Because of how much damage her war with her brother will eventually cause, the pre-time skip episodes needed to show cracks in Rhaenyra's foundation.
During the first five episodes, viewers see Rhaenyra's determination to be a good future ruler but also see her slipping up more than one occasion. Rebellious, mouthy, and regularly ignoring other powerful people, Rhaenyra's not exactly the kind of level-headed and calm woman who makes for a solid Queen.
6 Corlys Velaryon Has His Own Agenda
While he can't be blamed for taking his family's interests to heart, Corlys is guilty of sins fans have seen scattered throughout Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon. He's looking out for himself and trying to play the game of power to the best of his abilities.
As a result he tries to marry his 12-year-old daughter, Laena, to King Viserys I after the king's wife dies. When Rhaenyra eventually goes on to marry his son, he tries to push for the throne by saying that Rhaenyra and her children should take his surname. He isn't subtle about his grabs for power.
5 Viserys I Was A Decent King With Bad Priorities
King Viserys I Targaryen was the 5th Targaryen to sit upon the Iron Throne. All-in-all, Viserys was a pretty good king who managed to keep the peace the majority of the time. He removed his younger brother, Daemon, from the line of succession when he saw Daemon was no longer fit to rule, got rid of Otto Hightower when he questioned his loyalty as his Hand, and stuck to his guns about making his daughter the next Queen.
All that said, Viserys also prioritized his unborn son over his first wife, resulting in her death when the baby didn't survive the night. He also married Alicent Hightower, Rhaenyra's best friend and implied love interest. His reign as king ultimately set the groundwork for the Dance of the Dragons.
4 Otto Hightower Plays the Game a Little Too Hard
As the Hand of the King, Otto Hightower's role is to advise the king on what is best, not only for the king but for all the kingdoms. Unfortunately, Otto, much like most of the characters in his franchise, has his own agenda. Not only does he successfully dangle his daughter in front of the king, but he also actively protests Rhaenyra's claim to the throne.
Otto becomes a bit too ambitious, as many men who are close to power are. When he tries to smear Rhaenyra's name by reporting her actions with her uncle in the brothel, Viserys rids himself of Otto's help, recognizing that he's no longer trustworthy. However, with Alicent still Queen, Otto isn't down for the count.
3 Ser Criston Cole Seemed Kind At First
For most of the series pre-time skip, Ser Criston Cole came off as a likable and trustworthy personal guard for the young princess. Relatablably common because he came from nothing, Ser Criston always seemed grateful for the position that he's gained and carried his sword with honor.
This is true until he sleeps with the princess. This incident makes him take a turn for the worst. Growing possessive and jealous of Rhaenyra and angry that her rank keeps her from belonging to him, he does some pretty heinous things. Not only does Cole reveal Rhaenyra's time with him to Alicent, but he also ruins her engagement party by killing Ser Laenor's lover so brutally the man has no face left.
2 Craghas “Crabfeeder” Drahar is Terrifying
Prince Craghas Drahar, aka the Crabfeeder, got his nickname for his heinous habit of staking his enemies on the beaches during low tides and leaving them there for the crabs to feast upon. In House of the Dragon, he's a radical who uses any means necessary to gain ground. Pushing for the occupation and blockade of the Stepstones, Crabfeeder pulls Prince Daemon and Lord Corlys into war.
Although he suffers from greyscale, Crabfeeder heads the Triarchy, an alliance between 3 of the Free Cities. Although Daemon ultimately kills him, he brings a lot of pain and suffering to many people.
1 Prince Daemon Targaryen is a Menace, But Fans Love Him
Prince Daemon has proven to be a powerful leader who instills loyalty in the people who follow him. That said, he has also proven ruthless, willing to do anything he deems necessary to gain an advantage, and he was justifiably disinherited as Viserys' heir. Naming every dubious and underhanded thing Daemon's done before the time skip would be difficult, but he's absolutely the worst the show has to offer.
Faking surrender to ambush his enemies, stealing a dragon egg, and stealing Rhaenyra's innocence in a brothel where anyone could see are just a few examples. He even killed his wife to rid himself of her. Daemon's charming and occasionally does the right thing but he's a monster for all that.