HBO's House of the Dragon has brought a new generation of Targaryen's and other prominent families to life. As George R. R. Martin's fictional universe of Westeros continues to expand with new characters, fresh conflicts, and conquests that leave all eyes on the Iron Throne; it's difficult not to draw similarities between Game of Thrones and the latest Targaryen centered series. Unfortunately, for some of these characters, the comparisons drawn paint them in a less-than-flattering light.

While House of the Dragon's focus is on the Targaryens, there are a number of prominent families that find themselves caught in the family's tricky, public web. Among them are the Velaryons, the Hightowers, and the Strongs, who have all found their families tethered to the Targaryen dynasty. In their own desires to be prominent and powerful, characters like Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) have been gifted an opportunity to establish their reputations.

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Larys Strong's involvement within House of the Dragon has slowly gained traction over the course of the season. His subtle assimilation into the life of Alicent Hightower as far back as Aegon's second name day, have been strategic implants on Larys' part to grant him the information he needs to survive in Westeros and play its twisted game. This sly, cunning quality has led many to propose that Larys mimics that of Petyr Baelish (Aidan Gillen) or Lord Varys (Conleth Hill). While Larys certainly shares qualities with both of these Game of Thrones characters, the most fitting comparison for Larys would be to Ramsay Bolton (Iwan Rheon).

Ramsay with Walda Bolton in Game of Thrones

There are very few characters in both House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones that aren't motivated by gaining some sort of power, whether it is political or a form of personal confidence. Each of these characters with political goals go about achieving them in incredibly detrimental ways. Larys has proven that he is one of these characters throughout his handful of appearances in House of the Dragon. He isn't ashamed to resort to less-than-moral tactics to achieve his goals. This is a tactic Ramsay utilized more than anyone else in Game of Thrones.

In order to achieve the power they feel they deserve, both Larys and Ramsay murder members of their own family to attain it. In Game of Thrones, Ramsay often felt threatened by his standing within House Bolton. After being legitimized by his father, Ramsay finds his station at risk following his step-mother's announcement that she's expecting a boy. As Ramsay grows increasingly unstable and tension between himself and his father reaches an all-time high, Ramsay kills his father before sending his hounds on his stepmother and newborn baby brother. With no one brave enough to challenge Ramsay after this violent display, he is able to solidify his own standing in the North.

Larys, Lyonel, and Harwin Strong in House of the Dragon

In House of the Dragon's "The Princess and the Queen," Larys employs a similar strategy. Having been overlooked or overshadowed by his father Lyonel Strong's (Gavin Spokes) intellect in court and his brother Ser Harwin Strong's (Ryan Corr) strength, there is a disconnect between Larys and his family that appears to lie beneath what House of the Dragon presents their relationships to be. When presented with the opportunity, Larys employs a number of prisoners to kill his own father and brother at Harrenhal. Their deaths not only appoint Larys as the new Lord of Harrenhal, but in some regard, make Queen Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) indebted to him.

In Larys' perusal of the Queen's trust, he appears equally blind to the uneasiness he evokes from Alicent. However, the discomfort he causes is also something he appears to thrive on. In Westeros, discomfort and pain become their own forms of strength. In many ways, it makes one become a more fearful opponent to have. The Boltons are a glowing example of this. Their reputation and sigil of the flayed man are the first glimpse anyone needs in evaluating what they prioritize. Ramsay tortured Theon and backed him into an inescapable corner, and while Larys is not physically torturing Alicent, he is playing mind games with her in an effort to make her feel indebted to him. In having someone as powerful as the Queen dependent on him, Larys elevates his standing, even if it's within the shadows.

Unlike Larys and Ramsay, Lord Baelish's intention wasn't to make those in Game of Thrones uncomfortable; he was simply an untrustworthy character. This mistrust is what made Lord Baelish such a formidable character within the series. Ramsay was a far more discomforting character. There were no limitations to what Ramsay would do, especially if it appeared to benefit him. Larys appears to share Ramsay's mindset. He willingly killed his own family without any direct orders and appears to have no sorrow in doing so. His somewhat possessive and aggressive attitude toward Alicent is equally troubling, though Larys' confidence will likely be what blinds him, just as it did Ramsay.

House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones are now streaming on HBO Max.

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