House Of The Dragon Episode Four Review - 8 Ups & 2 Downs

Much to the glee of the fanbase of House of the Dragon, the devious Otto Hightower found himself paying for his serpentine ways in this week's instalment.

The manner in which Rhys Ifans is insidiously crafting Otto into a villain is incredibly conflicting in a way; while the actor's magnificent performance is an absolute joy to behold, the character that he has swiftly made his own is such a power hungry, sinister force that audiences will already be counting down the days, hoping that Otto gets the usual ghastly Game of Thrones death treatment.

Take the scene in which Otto relays the news of Rhaenyra and Daemon's sighting in a brothel to the King. Ifans' face is a mask of concerned horror, sorrowful at the appalling news that he must deliver to the man he lives to serve, yet audiences can tell he is gleefully revelling in a chance to kill two of his most dangerous political birds with one stone.

However, Otto has overplayed his hand this time; the usually oblivious King sees through him and realizes that he has a power hungry snake for a right hand that he can no longer trust. While it clearly greatly pains the King to remove the iconic badge belonging to the Hand of the King from a stunned Otto's lapel, the exact opposite could be said for audiences around the world.

Not only are they being treated to a deliciously wicked Machiavellian villain, they get to cheer as they watch his carefully laid plans go up in smoke.