This week on “House of the Dragon,” Daemon Targaryen finally got a taste of what’s coming for him — and it was at the hands of a very well-spoken teenager with a bone to pick.
Oscar Tully, played by actor Archie Barnes, manages to completely steal away one of the best scenes in “House of the Dragon” to date in episode seven.
The newly minted Lord Paramount of the Riverlands, and head of House Tully, Oscar wields considerable power given his potential to draw the River Lords together under Rhaenyra’s banner. Daemon desperately covets it, but unfortunately for him, Oscar isn’t going to let him take it easily.
But let’s backtrack. Back when we first met Oscar in episode four, he was just some noble kid, sent to meet with Daemon while his grandfather Grover lay incapacitated. Grover’s health leaves both Oscar and Daemon in a difficult bind: Oscar cannot act with the Lord Paramount’s authority, and in turn, cannot provide Daemon the army he so desires. Daemon instead turns to Willem Blackwood to lead a campaign of force in the Riverlands against the green-aligned House Bracken.
To put it bluntly, that goes rather poorly for him in the end.
In that early sequence, Oscar comes off as inexperienced at best and downright intimidated at worst. But several episodes later, and one grandfather fewer (courtesy of Harrenhal nurse Alys Rivers), he’s out to draw blood — verbally, that is.
Ollie Upton/HBO
In a private conversation, Oscar pledges his support to Rhaenyra but reminds Daemon that the other River Lords’ support isn’t guaranteed. Sure Oscar is young — but more importantly, they all hate Daemon.
But it’s Oscar and Daemon’s meeting with the other River Lords that truly proves his mettle. The King Consort, who has been radiating unprecedented levels of divorced guy energy this entire season as he confronts the demons of his past in Harrenhal, has been stretching his authority in the Riverlands for too long. Oscar is there to bring him to heel.
In front of the assorted lords, Oscar cuts an impressive figure, staying humble in light of his own authority while also stressing just how dishonorably Daemon has been acting. And while he tripped over Daemon’s title during their first meeting, referring to him as his Prince, he deliberately botches it while they have an audience.
“Mind your tongue, boy,” Daemon seethes.
Oscar gets up into his physical space, gazing up into Daemon’s eyes resolutely.
“Will you have our army, or not?” Oscar asks. Daemon breaks eye contact and stands down.
Ollie Upton/HBO
Daemon is recalcitrant. But Oscar isn’t done, and someone must pay for the bloody campaign against the Brackens.
The young Lord manipulates Daemon into executing his only true ally, Willem Blackwood, in front of the nobility as penance for the Blackwoods’ brutal campaign. It’s the only move available to him to win over the other River Lords, and in turn, their considerable armies.
The dialogue-heavy scene may not be the most visually striking in a season filled with dragon battles, but it’s certainly one of the most memorable. That’s mostly due to Barnes’ performance: His delivery drips with conviction and a bit of sass, but he’s able to wield sheer earnestness when parlaying with the other lords. On top of that, he’s able to match Matt Smith as a scene partner, putting the young Oscar quite literally toe-to-toe with the egoistic King Consort.
Online, people ate it up.
Ultimately, it feels good to see Daemon get knocked down a peg, especially since Rhaenys is no longer there to do it. But it’s even better to watch it happen at the hands of a teenager who’s savvy enough to understand the politics at work but resolute enough to stick to his own moral code. Oscar Tully forever!
“House of the Dragon” season two airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and is streaming on Max.
