House Of The Dragon: Worst Decisions Made By Viserys

King Viserys Targaryen of House of the Dragon is a complex and tragic figure. While he genuinely desires peace and unity within his realm, his decisions often have unintended consequences that pave the way for the Dance of the Dragons, a brutal civil war that will engulf Westeros

Viserys Targaryen governed the Seven Kingdoms following the death of his grandsire, Jaehaerys I. He was elected as the new Prince of Dragonstone in the Great Council of 101 AC, which marks the start of the House of the Dragon. Viserys gained control of the strong Targaryen family amid a period of transition between the old and new. Viserys was more interested in history and philosophy than politics.

In a power move, Viserys upended convention and named his girl, Princess Rhaenyra, the successor to the Iron Throne. He also summoned lords to the Red Keep to pledge allegiance to her. While that was a legitimate statement of control, he undermined her claim with one poor judgment after another. As witnessed in House of the Dragon, the majority of Viserys’ policies threw the Seven Kingdoms into deadly kin warfare.

Here are some of Viserys’ worst decisions:

1. Allowing the C-section on Queen Aemma:

Viserys is married to his cousin, Aemma Arryn, who births him a daughter called Rhaenyra, but he desires a male heir to safeguard his inheritance. Aemma has had two miscarriages, two stillbirths, and lost a child in the cradle, so she tells her husband that the current pregnancy is the final time she would put her body through this.

While Aemma battles for her and their baby’s lives in the childbed, Grand Maester Mellos summons Viserys and tells him: During a difficult birth, it sometimes becomes necessary for the father to make an impossible choice: to sacrifice one or to lose them both. There is a chance that we can save the child. A technique is taught at the Citadel, which involves cutting directly into the womb to free the infant. But the resulting blood loss…

Viserys allows Grand Maester Mellos to sacrifice his wife’s life to save the kid. Aemma, held down and unknowing of what awaits her, begs Viserys to help her. The attendants forcefully cut into her womb and extracted the baby. Aemma dies, while Viserys’ successor, Baelon, survives for a day. Viserys splits up his family, leaving Rhaenyra unprotected, and seeks solace in Alicent’s companionship.

2. Snubbed The Velaryons:

Viserys is understandably wracked with grief after losing his wife, Aemma. The trauma of her death and the failure to save both her and their son leave him emotionally fragile and vulnerable. This makes him susceptible to the manipulations of those around him, particularly Otto Hightower.

Otto, the Hand of the King, sees an opportunity to advance his own agenda in this emotional maelstrom. He subtly begins to maneuver his daughter, Alicent Hightower, closer to Viserys. Alicent is young, beautiful, and has been a constant presence in the Red Keep since childhood, fostering a familiarity and comfort level with the king. Otto hopes that a marriage between his daughter and Viserys will solidify his own power and ensure House Hightower’s influence in the Targaryen dynasty.

Meanwhile, the Velaryons, a powerful house with ancient ties to the Targaryens, propose their daughter Laena as a marital option for Viserys. Their motivation is twofold: to strengthen the bond between their houses and to capitalize on the perceived vulnerability of the Crown. Laena is described as a formidable warrior and dragonrider, adding to her desirability as a future queen.

But Viserys goes against Lord Lyonel Strong’s advise and eventually selects Alicent over Laena. In doing so, he jeopardizes his authority, his heir’s position, and the stability of the realm.

3. Ignoring the growing tensions between Rhaenyra and Alicent:

Viserys’ greatest weakness lies in his inability to address these brewing conflicts head-on. As Rhaenyra and Alicent’s animosity grows, fueled by personal differences and the legitimacy question, Viserys chooses to turn a blind eye. He retreats into his grief and illness, hoping the tensions will somehow dissipate on their own. This passive approach allows the divisions to fester and grow, ultimately boiling over into open war.

Viserys’ tragic flaw is his inability to reconcile his desire for peace with the harsh realities of power and tradition in Westeros. His decisions, though often made with good intentions, ultimately pave the way for a bloody and destructive civil war that will leave the Targaryen dynasty in tatters.

4. Choice Of Hand

Viserys’ contradiction in naming Rhaenyra heir while not granting her real power is a glaring issue in House of the Dragon. It highlights his internal conflict between upholding tradition and embracing progress, ultimately playing a significant role in the escalating tensions that lead to the Dance of the Dragons.

On one hand, Viserys publicly declares Rhaenyra his heir, defying centuries of tradition and challenging entrenched patriarchal norms. This bold move signifies his belief in her capabilities and his desire for a future where a woman can sit on the Iron Throne.

However, Viserys’ commitment to Rhaenyra’s reign doesn’t translate into empowering her in the present. He denies her a seat on the Small Council, the body that advises the king and holds immense power in shaping policies and decisions. This decision sends a mixed message, undermining Rhaenyra’s authority and raising doubts about her preparedness for the throne.

Alicent, Viserys’ second wife and mother of his sons, readily exploits this inconsistency. She manipulates Otto Hightower’s position as Hand of the King to influence the council’s decisions and marginalize Rhaenyra’s voice. The lack of real power fuels Rhaenyra’s frustration and resentment, while emboldening Alicent’s faction to challenge her position. This widens the rift between the two women and their supporters, creating a breeding ground for future conflict.

5. Married Into The Hightowers:

Viserys had already named his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, a bold move that challenged Westeros’ tradition of male primogeniture. However, marrying Alicent, who could potentially bear him sons, created a direct rival to Rhaenyra’s claim. This fueled tensions and uncertainty within the kingdom, as powerful lords and houses now had to choose between the two competing claims.

Alicent was no mere pawn in her father’s political game. She genuinely believed in her sons’ right to the throne and was actively involved in securing their claim. This ambition directly clashed with Rhaenyra’s aspirations, leading to a growing animosity between the two women that eventually erupted into open conflict.

Instead of uniting the kingdom, Viserys’ marriage to Alicent only deepened the divisions within the Targaryen dynasty. He struggled to maintain peace between his daughter and his wife, often becoming a passive observer in their growing conflict. This weakened his authority and made him seem indecisive, further destabilizing the realm.

The emotional toll of Alicent’s marriage on Viserys was immense. He was torn between his love for his daughter and his duty to his new family. This internal conflict, coupled with his grief over Aemma’s death, made him a withdrawn and melancholic king, unable to effectively govern or address the rising tensions within the realm.

6. Let Alicent Have Her Way

Rhaenyra’s olive branch:

• Her proposal to betroth Jacaerys to Helaena was a genuine attempt at forging an alliance and ending the growing hostility between their factions. It acknowledged the legitimacy of Aegon’s claim while offering a peaceful solution for the future.
• This proposal also highlighted Rhaenyra’s political acumen and willingness to compromise, showcasing her potential as a future ruler.

Alicent’s dismissive laughter:

• Her harsh reaction, dismissing the proposal with mockery, revealed her deep-seated animosity towards Rhaenyra and her ambition for her own sons.
• This moment also served as a power play, asserting her dominance over the council and silencing Viserys’ attempt to intervene.

Viserys’ silence:

• Despite believing Rhaenyra’s proposal to be the “Perfect Solution,” Viserys’ inability to assert his authority and overrule Alicent speaks volumes about his diminishing control.
• This silence highlighted his internal conflict, torn between his love for Rhaenyra and his duty to maintain peace within the family, ultimately resulting in inaction.

The consequences of inaction:

Viserys’ failure to act on his own belief and address Alicent’s defiance fueled the divide between the factions. It emboldened Alicent to further pursue her agenda, ultimately leading to her marrying Helaena to Aegon, solidifying the Greens’ claim to the throne. This scene serves as a turning point, marking the escalation of tensions and highlighting Viserys’ tragic flaw – his inability to reconcile his good intentions with decisive action, paving the way for the Dance of the Dragons.

7. Let Rhaenyra Move To Dragonstone

Rhaenyra’s departure to Dragonstone is a multi-faceted event with both advantages and disadvantages for her, Viserys, and the realm as a whole. Moving to Dragonstone allows Rhaenyra to escape the constant scrutiny and hostility she faces in King’s Landing. With Alicent’s influence growing and the Green faction gaining momentum, staying at court became increasingly dangerous for Rhaenyra’s claim and her own well-being.

Dragonstone serves as the ancestral seat of House Targaryen and possesses symbolic power. By residing there, Rhaenyra can rally her supporters, including Daemon Targaryen and House Velaryon, and build a more robust base of power. Away from the political machinations of King’s Landing, Rhaenyra can focus on honing her leadership skills and preparing for her future reign. She can establish her own court, gather counsel from trusted advisors, and build a strong reputation as a capable ruler.

Rhaenyra’s departure temporarily reduces the tension and conflict within the family and court. It removes the two main adversaries from proximity, providing Viserys with a brief respite from the pressure to mediate their disputes. However, Rhaenyra’s absence also diminishes Viserys’ control over his daughter and her actions. While it might offer him some peace, it ultimately weakens his authority and leaves Rhaenyra free to pursue her own course, which may not always align with his plans.

With Rhaenyra and her supporters relocated to Dragonstone, the power dynamics within Westeros undergo a subtle shift. This further destabilizes the realm and creates uncertainty about the future of the succession.

8. Reappointed Otto Hightower As Hand

Viserys reappointed Otto Hightower as Hand despite knowing his neutrality had been damaged by his dismissal for prejudice. Viserys confesses to Lord Lyonel in House of the Dragon’s “The Princess and the Queen”: Your advice [Lord Lyonel] has been sage. Unmarked by self-interest, which stands in contrast to all others.

Viserys may have exploited Lyonel’s departure to advance Rhaenyra to the rank of Hand. But he let her go away and turned down Lord Lyonel’s resignation. Lyonel and his oldest son, Harwin, were killed in a fire at Harrenhal that was set by his youngest son, Larys. Otto returned to King’s Landing and resumed his political activities.

It’s important to note that these are just some of Viserys’ worst decisions, and there are many other factors that contribute to the outbreak of the Dance of the Dragons. However, his choices undoubtedly play a significant role in setting the stage for this devastating conflict.