In theGame of Thronesuniverse, only a handful of folks ever get the opportunity to ascend the ladder of power. The loftiest titles are almost exclusively reserved for members ofpowerful Houses. Even those born with a weighty last name may be excluded from high-ranking positions for one reason or another.
Take, for example, Tyrion Lannister, who, despite being born into one of the richest and most influential Houses in Westeros, was denied from taking his rightful place as Lord of Casterly Rock due in large part to his father’s disdain toward him for being born a dwarf. Other characters, like Lord Varys, manage to crawl their way to the top through years of cunning plots and political gamesmanship, though he, like most low-born folks who find somehow find themselves sitting at the high tables, was still unable to claim lands or genuine titles, as those distinctions are almost always the product of inheritance.
House of the Dragon, which takes place around 200 years before the events ofGame of Thrones, features a nearly identical political structure. In fact, the current rulers of Westeros, House Targaryen, have already been in power for over 100 years at the start of the series, which makes the likelihood of attaining power that exceeds one’s status even more impossible. Nevertheless, those who desire advancement are undeterred by these hurdles, andLarys Strong, a second son with a physical birth defect, is one such power-hungry schemer.
Larys Strong, the Unassuming Lurker With Unknown Allegiances
Larys Strong is the second son of Lord Lyonel Strong. House Strong, during the time period explored inHouse of the Dragon, is a powerful political force. They are based out of Harrenhal, one of the most massive castle strongholds in the entirety of Westeros. Fans of the franchise might recognize Harrenhal as having appeared inGame of Thrones, where it is depicted as a burnt wreck, far from its former glory (the events that led to Harrenhal being destroyed may very well be explored later on inHouse of the Dragon).
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Audiences first see Larys Strong in the episode “We Light the Way.” Immediately, audiences notice that he walks with a limp, which is the result of him being born with clubfoot. Like many other characters in theGame of Thronesuniverse who struggle with physical disadvantages, he has learned to compensate for his lack of combat ability with a sharp wit that puts many blades to shame.
His first scene isalongside Alicent Hightower, where he reveals to the Queen that Princess Rhaenyra had been given an abortifacient tea by the Grand Maester, therefore confirming Alicent’s suspicions that Rhaenyra had engaged in relationships unbecoming of her royal stature. Later in the episode, during the wedding of Princess Rhaenyra and Laenor Valeryon, Larys remarks that the Queen’s green dress is a subtle, color-coded reference to a potential impending conflict.
Larys' Murderous Plot in “The Princess and the Queen”
In “The Princess and the Queen,” audiences get a much better sense of how Larys Strong will factor into the events ofHouse of the Dragon.Larys' older brother, Ser Harwin Strong, is a captain in the City Watch, and the recent episode all but confirms that Princess Rhaenyra’s children are biologically his, the result of an extramarital affair. When Ser Criston Cole insinuates as much, Harwin brutally attacks him, and he is forced to leave King’s Landing and renounce his position.
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Midway through the episode, Larys Strong is seen recruiting prisoners in the city dungeon for an unknown task in exchange for their freedom. He severs their tongues, likely to prevent them from revealing the truth of his plot. The criminals go to Harrenhal and start a fire, which claims thelives of Larys' brother and father, therefore making him the de facto leader of House Strong. When he reveals his murderous plot to Queen Alicent, she thanks him for his service to the Kingdom. If Larys is able to kill his own blood, there is no telling what he might be capable of when Westeros is rocked by internal war.
Tensions are high in Westeros, and it’s unclear just how long House Targaryen will be able to remain in power or who will be chosen toascend to the Iron Throne. As such, when it’s time to choose sides for the impending conflict, the respective rules of the different factions will need to surround themselves with powerful folks. Larys Strong is the current head of House Strong, and he is ruthlessly cunning to boot.
The character will undoubtedly play a significant role in upcoming episodes, and everyone (including his allies) had better watch their back when he is around.
