The big picture
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House of the Dragon
he enters the world of absolute power, where cunning and treachery reign among the powerful houses. - Lord Larys Strong, a master manipulator, plots control in a deadly power play that drives the show's narrative.
- As Larys navigates the dangerous political landscape, her wits are put to the test, leading to an exciting battle for survival.
game of thrones i House of the Dragon it's about one thing: absolute power. While Aegon the Conqueror and his descendants ruled the Seven Kingdoms by virtue of fear and their fire-breathing mounts, other houses such as the Lannisters and Starks did so through gold and sworn oaths respectively. While the larger houses play their deadly power games, the smaller houses must carve a path to survive. However, Lord Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) is not interested in surviving alone, as we started the second season of House of the Dragon.
Larys of Needham oft makes comparisons with game of thrones' Master of CoinLord Petyr Baelish (Aidan Gillen) also known as Littlefinger with both men gifted with cunning, treachery and an ability to seemingly know everything. talking inside an interview with CBR, Needham revealed what really drives Larys as he soars to the highest levels of power in Westeros. He explains:
It's all about power and control. Especially with Alicent, it's all about making the queen work for him
. I don't think he's some kind of raving lunatic. It's all about control. But then again, that's the show, right? Everything about House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones is about power. Everything can be seen through the prism of how people seek power and how we try to exercise it over other people.
Larys was introduced to the public as the youngest son of Lord Lyonel Strong (Gavin Spokes) and brother of Ser Harwin “Breakbones” Strong (Ryan Corr) in season 1 of House of the Dragon. Men of a minor house, their position grew as Lord Lyonel became Hand of the King and Ser Harwin became Hand of Princess Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) lover (and father of her children). Staying in the shadows as he usually does, Larys formed an alliance with Queen Alicent (Olivia Cooke) who, along with the help of Lord Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) helped install Aegon II Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) on the Iron Throne. Consumed by relentless ambition, Larys plots to have his father and brother killed in a castle fire at the family's newly acquired Harrenhall estate, leaving him as Lord Strong and one of the most powerful men in Landing king
The master of whispers is losing his touch
Lord Larys' intrigues in the corridors of the Red Tower have seen him rise to the position of Master of the Whisperers and Lord Confessor on King Aegon's Small Council. Tasked with keeping the king in the loop with his network of spies spread across the known world, Needham reveals that Larys' intelligence is set to fail him in the new season. He played his role in the war that would be known as the Dance of Dragonsand Needham reveals that the fast pace of war will not favor Larys.
He could afford to be patient before the war. But now, the temperature is through the roof and the tempo is much faster. There is no time to be patient. That's what I was really excited to explore.
He's caught a lot off guard this season and his plans aren't working.
You see him having to pivot and adapt and improvise in the moment to survive and try to get ahead. In moments like this, you can really see what he's capable of and how his brain works.
At the premiere of the second season, Larys is already seen spinning his web once more. Dripping words of venom into Aegon's ear to confront his grandfather and his hand. While making it very clear to Queen Alice that she is aware of his every move. Needham explains that Larys is content to be behind the scenes as a puppeteer. “Best case scenario [for Larys] it's being the man behind the man in charge“, explains the actor.Larys doesn't mind being the lasso. He prefers to be the rope.”
House of the Dragon Season 2 is now streaming on Max in the US
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