The sixth episode of House of the Dragon launched a component to the present audiences had been anticipating for some time: an enormous time soar. New actors have stepped in to play outdated roles, and a number of recent characters have been launched within the 10-year hole between episodes 5 and 6.
But the character whose function within the present elevated essentially the most in that point skip was current (and performed by the identical actor) earlier than that 10-year hole: Larys Strong (portrayed by Matthew Needham). Who is he, and what’s his complete deal? We’re right here to assist, pricey reader.
[Ed. note: Significant spoilers for House of the Dragon episode 6 lie ahead. Tread carefully.]
Who is Larys Strong?
Larys is the youngest of Lord Lyonel Strong of Harrenhal’s two sons. In House of the Dragon, Lord Lyonel was promoted to the place of Hand of the King for King Viserys Targaryen simply earlier than the time skip. Larys’ older brother, Ser Harwin Strong, is a knight. Ser Harwin can also be Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen’s present paramour, which has led to rampant rumors within the Targaryen court docket that he’s the illegitimate father of her three kids, who we meet for the primary time in episode 6.
What’s Larys as much as?
Larys has cast a reference to Queen Alicent Hightower, accurately figuring out King Viserys’ spouse as an vital mover and shaker within the political machinations of the Targaryen empire. In episode 6, this involves a head. The Queen is deeply involved about Rhaenyra’s bastard kids — ostensibly out of concern for the Targaryens’ legacy, nevertheless it’s not an excessive amount of of a stretch to say it’s primarily out of self-interest, with the hope that her eldest son, Aegon, can be named inheritor.
Taking Alicent’s privately shared issues to coronary heart, Larys organizes a scheme whereby a bunch of males working beneath his command burn Harrenhal fort, seemingly killing Lord Lyonel and Ser Harwin within the course of.
Why did Larys try this?
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Image: Warner Media
It’s fairly cold-hearted to so flippantly set up the loss of life of your father and brother, however this isn’t House of the Family Good Times. Larys is a schemer and a conniver — my buddy and colleague Austen Goslin identified the simplest strategy to bear in mind his title is that he serves as each the Varys and Littlefinger of this present. Varys + Littlefinger = Larys. It’s simply basic math, of us.
To forecast into the longer term a little bit bit, Larys sees the upcoming succession wrestle that can happen as soon as King Viserys inevitably dies. He has recognized Alicent as his most vital ally on this battle, and has staked his wager on Aegon because the likeliest winner. When Larys reveals to Alicent what he has finished and she or he reacts in horror, he makes it very clear she now owes him, and he’ll acquire in due time. Whether that occurs in the end is one thing we’ll simply have to attend to see.
