They're both second sons the brought the kingdom into war because of their ambition. But Daemon is clearly the worse one, being far more violent and cruel, having murder as the first solution for anything, grooming his own niece and orchestrated Blood and Cheese.

I think one aspect of Otto that is often overlooked is his own emotions. He's a very stoic person who keeps his emotions under wraps and so the fandom tends to overlook them, but there are glimpses of that. For one; he clearly loved his late wife very much and misses her constantly, bringing her up often in conversation and never remarrying. He also loves Alicent in his own twisted way, he married her to Viserys not only to further his own political ambitions but also because it'd (in his mind) set up Alicent for the best life she could possibly ask for in Westeros as a woman. In episode 9 there's an interesting pair of scenes where this is subtly put on display where Alicent confronts Otto after capturing Aegon and then Alicent talks to Aegon in the carriage on the way to the coronation; they have basically the same conversation but with the roles flipped. Just as Alicent is "helping" Aegon by making him King, Otto "helped" Alicent by making her Queen.

The attribute Otto has that fascinates me is that he displays his secondary intent as his primary intent therefore masquing his primary intent. The Green Council is a prime example. It's a clever maneuver especially when his reasons hold standing (especially his secondary motive). His primary intent: Leverage his standing and by extension House Hightower overall. - Examples: His stranglehold on position as Hand twice, Alicent as Queen, 4 children of the King with Hightower blood and each with a dragon, even 2 grandchildren each with hatchlings. His secondary intent: Keeping the Realm in tact with times of peace. Upholding tradition since that maintains stability. - Examples: The realm was technically not in immediate danger when the Triarchy claimed the Stepstones even if that potentially would have changed down the line. The Realm was also peaceful during his 2nd spell as Hand. - Upholding Aegon II because he is the King's 1stborn son and therefore rightful heir is tradition. Crowning Rhaenyra while Viserys's 3 trueborn sons (&1 grandson in Jaehaerys) live is an inherently destabilizing foundation for even the ideal monarch (which Rhaenyra is irrefutably not, regardless). That's the undeniable reality of the storyworld. The more I aim to understand Otto, the more I'm fascinated, as with many of GRRM's characters in TWOIAF.

If Green vs Black has to be applied to anyone, it has to be Otto and Daemon. No way these two could ever coexist. Both of them wanted Viserys to listen to them. I think as characters they are really great. Tho let's be honest, overall Otto was a way better Hand than Daemon could have ever been. Otto held the realm together during the best Targaryen years, Daemon would have caused so many conflicts it would have turned out just like what happened with king Maegor.

When Daemon's wife takes Kingslanding, and follows his advice. It's so bad that Coly's has to step in and become her hand. This is in the books, the show may turn a different turn. But they are the same person almost Otto just happens to be better and smarter at scheming than Daemon.

Dam straight they ain’t different, glad to find someone else called this shit out, great video.

Are you going to do a video about Ser Criston Cole? I think character is overhated.

Amazing work! You and Hills Alive really are similar! At least in methods! Love this way of analysing! Plss keep it up!! Dude! :D

Thank you so much for making this video! I've been waiting for this exact video topic since season one ended.🎉

I love your videos! Keep up the great work!

King Daemon with Hand Otto would have been a force.

Could you make a video about Rhaenys killing all those people in the pit?

always love to see your vids but there is a high pitched ringing in your audio, specifically when you're speaking.

I love to hate them both.

Otto is not bad man in my opinion, he gave his daugther to a good man . I mean , arent all mariages in westsros is politics, so how its exactly so evil, as people say? And everyone would want their blood in iron throne , eslecially if its how it should be. First born son of a king . He is just smart Westerosi man with ambitions . Daemon is a nightmare. He is cruel agent of chaos .

I don't think Daemon is as reckless or self-serving as they make us believe in the show, nor as violent. The show did make this traits more pronounced that in the book, but even then they'are not as bad as they (the characters ) say they are. The first scene that makes people believe this is the one with the city watch in episode 1. I don't actually understand why people use this scene as proof of Daemon being too reckless and violent, they live in Westeros most things are resolved like that. What did they think Bronn did when he was Commander of the City Watch? Also, Daemon was really loved by the smallfolk mostly because of his work as Commander of the Watch, he wouldn't be if he was murdering innocents just to make people fear them. Daemon gave the guilty the punishment that are fit for each crime in-universe. Then we have the small council scene of episode one. Otto is the one that brings his concern to Viserys, Daemon and Otto already hated each other and Otto was obviously trying to discredit him in front of the council. Daemon brought up Otto's wife being dead after Otto brought up his bad relationship with Rhea without reason. Then is the dumb plot in episode 2 where he steals a dragon egg for no reason. In the books he did it because Mysaria was indeed pregnant. Then we saw the war in episode 3. No reason for him to beat up that poof messanger but I get his frustration. In episode four the whole Rhaenyra thing happens. The thing is, a part from Otto, Viserys and Alicent there is no mention of anyone else knowing Rhaenyra went to a brothel with Daemon. If anyone else found out this would've been exploited by the Greens in the time-jump, which means Daemon didn't really ruin her reputation. He did mean to in a way, but he didn't. Episode five... don't even get me started on the stupid scene where he kills Rhea. That wasn't on the books, it wasn't even hinted. In episode seven is that part where he killed the servant to fake Laenor's death. This is self explinatory. Episode eight, Vaemond. That guy signed his own death sentence when he insulted the heir to the throne and her children. Episode ten, apart from the scene where he chokes Rhaenyra he isn't doing anything ilogical or reckless, he is preparing for war. All of this is pretty much the same amount of violent or morally bad things that a male character in Game of Thrones would have done in a season. But we are told the whole show how cruel and violent Daemon is, by Otto mostly. I actually expected him to be much worse with how they paint him, but it seems that we are told so much how awful he is that many end up believing it. I do think he is violent and cruel, just not half as much as we are told.

I mean while it is only a part of it. YOur analysis of Tywin is completely wrong.

You got that dragon pit scene all wrong imo. First, she busted through a pit hole (entrance exit for dragons) that was covered up with boards for the coronation. Same pit hole Vermax ascended from in episode 6. The small folk were blocking her way out. Shes also escaping. She can’t just sit and wait for everyone to leave and risk the Hightowers finding out someone released her. She probably had to bust through that pit hole because it was her only way out. You can’t convince me she did this just to look smug and could’ve went out the back door to deliver the news to dragon stone under the radar and safe, but instead crashed through the boards out of wanton brutality. It’s between her getting caught and imprisoned again( maybe even death) or escape. I don’t think she had a choice. It’s also a common theme. “Why do you the innocent suffer most when you high lords play your GOT’s.”