Oscar Tully: The Best New Character in ‘House of the Dragon’ Yet

Warning: This article contains spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 2, Episode 7.

Westeros has never lacked entertainingly precocious and outspoken teens, often prone to violence or thrust prematurely into power. Arya and Sansa Stark provided different facets of this dynamic in Game of Thrones; young rulers like Lyanna Mormont wielded substantial might, and we saw age-old feuds come alive with characters like the Blackwoods and Brackens in House of the Dragon.

Episode 7 of House of the Dragon shifts power in the Riverlands and introduces a new contender for the title of Westeros’s best scene-stealer.

Enter Lord Oscar Tully, portrayed by Archie Barnes. Unlike the many young dragonlords vying for the Iron Throne, Oscar, the newly appointed Lord of Riverrun, is just a kid who inherited his grandfather’s seat. His first appearance in Episode 4 painted him as someone recoiling from Daemon Targaryen’s suggestion to expedite his inheritance by mercy-killing his elderly grandsire, Lord Grover Tully.

Oscar Tully swiftly establishes himself as a man of honor who upholds his oaths. Though he dislikes Daemon, he publicly placates Daemon’s temperamental nature while voicing snide remarks in private. Initially, he supports Rhaenyra and plans to call his banners to arms, referring to Daemon as his “king consort.”

However, a meeting with the Riverlords in Harrenhal’s godswood reveals Oscar as a shrewd politician. There, he demotes Daemon from “king consort” to “prince” and critiques him fiercely. Oscar’s loyalty is to his fellow men, not Daemon. Following in the footsteps of his namesake, Oscar Tully refuses to suffer fools.

Oscar delivers a masterclass in young lord leadership, addressing concerns about his age and judgment while acknowledging his inexperience. Slowly, Daemon realizes he doesn’t have the upper hand; Oscar does.

Throughout the encounter, Oscar consistently reminds Daemon of his unlikability and unworthiness of Riverland support. The Riverlords uphold oaths sworn by a different lord over 20 years ago, with Oscar ensuring Daemon knows the Riverlands’ support is conditional.

Oscar’s declaration, “I take to heart your words, Lord Piper, and I agree, I am young,” sets the tone for his steadfast loyalty. He continues, “He has dishonored himself and the crown with his comportment here. Nevertheless, having so little experience to guide me, my best course is to defer to the oath my grandsire swore to King Viserys when he named Rhaenyra his heir. I see no reason to cast aside loyalty no matter how loathsome I may find her representative, the prince.”

Daemon, recognizing the threat, allows the insults to stand. Oscar goes further by making Daemon atone for the Bracken violence by executing Willem Blackwood, unsettling Daemon and reminding him of his mortal limitations.

Oscar Tully is an amalgamation of characters from Fire & Blood: Oscar, a second son and warrior; his father Elmo, who inherits the title briefly; and his older brother Kermit, who becomes Lord of Riverrun. Oscar’s “prickly pride” as described in the book is evident as he contends with Daemon.

It’s no coincidence George R.R. Martin named them after Sesame Street characters. There’s no trash can in sight, but Oscar sports a metal collar. Even amidst the barbs, there’s a delightful irony in Daemon being read by a Muppet-inspired character.

This scene is exceptional. An underestimated teen, Oscar seemingly in over his head, evolves into a confident leader, turning the tables on a dangerous adversary like Daemon. Barnes’s performance, holding his own against veterans like Matt Smith and Simon Russell Beale, cements Oscar’s legendary status in Westeros.

Though he may not have delivered a fatal blow, Oscar’s defiance signals a significant shift. The old gods and Riverland ways prevail over the hot-headed Targaryens, highlighting their mortality.

Source: The Daily Beast