RESOLVING THE LEDGER
This is one outlet's own report from Business Insider — the article as it was filed. Other outlets are covering the same event; open the full story to compare every source side by side.
See the full story · 6 sourcesRhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) with her sons in "House of the Dragon" season two. Theo Whitman/HBO
"House of the Dragon" is no stranger to death, murder, or even fratricide.
Some of the show's most notable deaths are tied to children and childbirth.
We ranked the show's biggest death scenes by tragedy, including Viserys, Luke, Jace, and more.
Warning: Major spoilers through "House of the Dragon" season three, episode six.
If you're watching a show in the "Game of Thrones" universe , you should know you're signing up for some devastating character deaths .
This is especially true for " House of the Dragon ," a prequel about the bloody civil war that decimated the Targaryen dynasty , based on George R. R. Martin's book "Fire & Blood."
From the first moment that Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D'Arcy) and Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) clashed over the Iron Throne, it was clear that death and destruction awaited both sides. As Princess Rhaenys Targaryen (Eve Best) wisely notes, "There is no war so hateful to the gods as a war between kin, and no war so bloody as a war between dragons."
Here are the most notable deaths so far in "House of the Dragon," ranked from least to most tragic.
14. King Viserys dies after a long bout of illness.
Paddy Considine as King Viserys Targaryen in "House of the Dragon." HBO
Hear us out: We loved Paddy Considine as King Viserys the Peaceful, but his death was so obviously inevitable that it didn't inspire much shock or devastation.
For one, the king's death was always going to be necessary to kick off the war of succession known as the Dance of the Dragons, which is the whole point of this show. But more importantly, Viserys' death was preceded by a long, painful, leprosy-like illness, such that it almost came as a relief to see his suffering end.
13. Otto Hightower is the first traitor to die under Queen Rhaenyra's rule.
Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower in "House of the Dragon" season three. Ollie Upton/HBO
By the time Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) was beheaded by Queen Rhaenyra as a traitor, viewers hadn't seen him for a season's worth of episodes.
After Otto was fired by his grandson in season two, the former Hand of the King was secretly imprisoned in the dungeons of the Red Keep, awaiting the day he might become a useful political pawn. That day came when Rhaenyra took the Iron Throne, and Otto was delivered to Prince Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) as a prisoner.
Daemon urged his wife to execute Otto — the father of her childhood best friend, and her own father's close friend — as a show of strength and justice. With the throne room full of onlookers, Rhaenyra had no choice but to decapitate Otto on the spot.
The scene is heartbreaking to watch because of Rhaenyra's guttural reaction. It's hard to imagine many fans mourning Otto himself — a brutal striver who schemed to crown his moronic grandson, both to the realm's detriment and his own.
12. Daemon murders his first wife, Rhea Royce.
Rachel Redford as Lady Rhea in season one of "House of the Dragon." Ollie Upton/HBO
We barely got to know Lady Rhea Royce (Rachel Redford), Daemon's estranged first wife, before she was heartlessly murdered by her own husband.
Given that Daemon referred to Rhea as the "Bronze Bitch" and refused to consummate their marriage, what we did know of her wasn't very compelling.
Still, it was hardly fun to watch Daemon sacrifice a real person in his quest for power.
11. Criston Cole is denied the heroic death he dreamed of.
Fabien Frankel as Criston Cole in "House of the Dragon" season three. Theo Whiteman/HBO
Ser Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) was killed in a lopsided battle, known in the book as the Butcher's Ball.
Flanked by his meager group of loyal Hightower soldiers, Criston was surrounded by a much larger army of Northeners and Rivermen, all loyal to Queen Rhaenyra.
Watching his enemies approach, Criston understood right away that he was doomed. But to his credit, he did attempt to spare his men by offering to strike their Hightower banners. When that didn't work, he challenged Ser Roderick Dustin (Tommy Flanagan) and Lord Oscar Tully (Archie Barnes) to a two-against-one duel.
Before he could even lift his sword, however, Criston was shot by a concealed archer: twice through the torso, and once through the head.
Criston was responsible for so much hypocrisy and bloodshed, it's hard to feel sad that he's gone — although it's also hard not to pity him, a low-born man who rose to knighthood, crushed under the weight of duty, class, and sacrifice.
Earlier in season three, Criston told Ser Gwayne Hightower (Freddie Fox) that he was determined to meet his end "clear-eyed, unbent, glorious in battle."
"And not in their service. Finally, but in my own," he continued. "And they will sing songs of it. And Queen Alicent herself will hear them."
Instead, Criston died pitifully while clutching Alicent's handkerchief.
10. Lyonel and Harwin Strong die offscreen at Harrenhal.
Ryan Corr as Harwin Strong and Gavin Spokes as Lyonel Strong in "House of the Dragon." Ollie Upton/HBO
Ser Harwin Strong (Ryan Corr) and his father, Lord Lyonel Strong (Gavin Spokes), didn't have much time to make an impression on the audience. Still, their untimely deaths came as a shock — especially because the tragedy was orchestrated by their own blood, Larys Strong (Matthew Needham).
Following the birth of Rhaenyra's third son, Joffrey, Harwin was confronted by Criston Cole, who insinuated that Harwin fathered all three of Rhaenyra's children.
In the wake of their clash, Lyonel attempted to resign from his position as Hand of the King, citing the dishonor that Harwin brought on their family. Viserys rejected his resignation but allowed Lyonel to escort his son back to Harrenhal. Unfortunately, an apparent murder plot was waiting for them: both men died in a mysterious fire once they arrived at the damp ...
AIPROPX is an independent multi-source news index — we track, compare, and connect coverage from across the web into one place you won't find anywhere else.