WARNING! This article contains major SPOILERS for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 3 and George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood book, on which the show is based!
Summary
Another member of House Hightower is introduced inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 3, begging the questions of where Gwayne Hightower has been and how important Alicent’s brother is to the Dance. AfterHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 2 confirmed the existence ofAlicent’s fourth child, Daeron Targaryen, the latest episode finally reveals her long-unseen older brother, Gwayne Hightower. Joining the cast ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2 asGwayne Hightower is actor Freddie Fox, who will become a familiar face as the war continues.
Gwayne Hightower briefly appeared inHouse of the Dragon’s season 1 premiere, as he was a knight in the tourney hosted by King Viserys. However, his face wasn’t shown in that episode, with the armor and helmet-covered character then being played by Will Willoughby. InHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 3, Gwayne finally has a proper introduction as his character arc begins. AfterOtto is fired by Aegon as Hand of the Kingand returns to the Reach, his sonSer Gwayne arrives at King’s Landing to march a host with Criston Cole to the Crownlands, giving the Hightowers more representation in Team Green’s war strategy.
Where Has Gwayne Hightower Been In House Of The Dragon?
Gwayne Hightower has just arrived from Oldtown in HOTD season 2
According toGeorge R.R. Martin’sFire & Bloodbook, Gwayne Hightower had been in King’s Landingwith his father Otto Hightower,mother Alyrie Florent, and sister Alicent ever since Otto became Hand of the King to Jaehaerys I Targaryen. However, Gwayne wasn’t among the Hightowers who arrived at King’s Landing for Rhaenyra and Laenor’s wedding inHouse of the Dragonseason 1, as only Otto, Alicent, and Hobert Hightower were present. Additionally, Gwayne meets Criston Cole for the first time inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, revealing he’s been living elsewhere for the past two decades.
Lord Ormund Hightower
TBA
InHouse of the Dragon, Gwayne has been living in Oldtown before his arrival at King’s Landingin season 2. While meeting Criston, Alicent explains that her brother rode in from Oldtown the previous night, with Gwayne elaborating that he had been “on the road” for three months prior. It seems that the Hightowers decided to send Gwayne to King’s Landing after Criston unseated Otto as Hand of the King, as he’s able to keep tabs on Criston and the war council while upholding thepowerful House Hightower’s interest in King Aegon’s rule throughout the Dance.
Gwayne Hightower’s Book Story & How House Of The Dragon Changes It
Gwayne Hightower was a Gold Cloak in Fire & Blood
As Gwayne joins Ser Criston Cole in marching to the Crownlands inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 3, the HBO show is already making somebig changes from George R.R. Martin’sFire & Bloodbook. In the book, Ser Gwayne Hightower is named second-in-command of the City Watch before Otto Hightower is fired by Aegon. Otto devised this plan so that Gwayne could keep an eye on the Commander of the City Watch, Ser Luthor Largent, and report on any perceived signs of disloyalty to Aegon. Consequently,Gwayne was a Gold Cloak during the Dance inFire & Blood, not a soldieron the battlefield.
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With Gwayne seemingly not being a Gold Cloak inHouse of the Dragon, the show may also introduce some changes to his fate and death during the Dance. In the HBO series, it seems like Gwayne will be playing a far more active role in King Aegon II Targaryen’s war council and battle command under Ser Criston Cole. However, unlike his book counterpart,Gwayne is initially distrustful of the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard/Hand of the King inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, even casting suspicion onto him when he seesAlicent and Cristonspeaking before they leave for the Crownlands.
Gwayne wasn’t a very significant character during the Dance inFire & Blood, but that seems to be changing inHouse of the Dragonseason 2. This is most likely becausethe show needs another important character for Ser Criston Cole to bounce off of during the upcoming battles. While Criston Cole led Aegon’s army throughout the Dance and occasionally convened with Aemond, his story became quite separate from the other main players. With Gwayne Hightower traveling across the realm and fighting in battle with Criston,House of the Dragongives both figures more complex character dynamics amidst the chaos of war.
With Gwayne Hightower traveling across the realm and fighting in battle with Criston,House of the Dragongives both figures more complex character dynamics amidst the chaos of war.
What Happens To Gwayne Hightower & When He Dies
Gwayne dies when Rhaenyra takes King’s Landing in the book
UnlessHouse of the Dragonbacktracks and quickly makes Gwayne a Gold Cloak, the manner of his death will almost certainly be different from the book.Fire & Bloodreveals that whenRhaenyra Targaryen takes King’s Landing, Gwayne goes to the stables to sound the city’s alarm, but ends up being taken by his fellow Gold Cloaks and dragged before Luthor Largent instead. Luthor had been loyal to Daemon Targaryen the entire time, so after Gwayne calls Luthor a turncloak, theCommander of the City Watch proceeds to fatally stab Gwayne in his stomachbefore opening the gates for Team Black.
GivenHouse of the Dragon’s differences, it’s likely that Gwayne isn’t killed by Luthor in the show.
GivenHouse of the Dragon’s differences, it’s likely that Gwayne isn’t killed by Luthor in the show. He could end up dying in battle alongside Ser Criston Cole, either before or after the Fall of King’s Landing to Rhaenyra. It’sunlikely that’ll die during the Fall unless he returns to King’s Landing early to rendezvous with Alicent and Otto, as Criston Cole’s army is still marching south from Harrenhal when Rhaenyra takes the Iron Throne. Regardless, with Gwayne Hightower having a bigger role inHouse of the Dragon, his death is certain to be a goryGame of Thrones-style demise.
New episodes ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2 release Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.
House of the Dragon
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House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
