1. King Viserys Targaryen
Viserys holds onto top spot because he finally took decisive action, as a King should. However, with Otto no longer by his side and his health declining, I doubt he’ll be able to hold onto top spot for much longer.
2. Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen
Viserys’ continued backing of Rhaenyra despite her actions this episode makes her position as heir seem semi-secure for the first time. Her impending marriage to Laenor should give her the considerable backing she hasn’t had thus far.
3. Queen Alicent Hightower
Alicent clearly still has the trust of the King, but with her father no longer Hand, she doesn’t really have any allies at court anymore. One could say Rhaenyra’s still there for her but Rhaenyra just lied to her face to preserve herself, so I think not. Viserys’ refusal to name Aegon heir and his declining health put Alicent in a seriously precarious position.
4. Lord Corlys Velaryon
Despite not making an appearance in the episode, Corlys moves back into the top 5 courtesy of Laenor’s impending marriage to Rhaenyra. Expect him to rise up even further should he be Otto’s replacement as Hand of the King.
5. Princess Rhaeyns Targaryen
Rhaeyns cracks the top five for the same reason her husband does but also because no one else did enough this season to warrant a rise in power.
6. Laenor Velaryon
Laenor is this episode’s biggest gainer. An impending marriage to the Heir will do that for you.
7. Prince Daemon Targaryen
Daemon failed to capitalize on his momentum from the previous episode and finds himself banished from King’s Landing once again. He will bounce back, no doubt, especially now that the likes of Corlys and Rhaenyra are gaining more power while detractors like Otto and Viserys are teetering.
8. Grand Maester Mellos
Mellos has quietly accumulated plenty of sensitive information about the King’s health and Rhaenyra’s indiscretions. Again, in the wrong hands, that information can be very damaging.
9. Ser Otto Hightower
Otto was undoubtedly the episode’s biggest loser after being stripped of his position as Hand of the King. He holds onto his position in the top 10 because his daughter is still the Queen and because he too has sensitive information about the King’s health. Expect him to rebound.
10. Lord Lyonel Strong
Minimal contribution in a meeting of the small council.
11. Tyland Lannister
Minimal contribution in a meeting of the small council.
12. Ser Criston Cole
The business with Rhaenyra is equally good as it is bad, depending on what happens moving forward. No change.
13. Lord Lyman Beesbury
Minimal contribution in a meeting of the small council.
14. Lady Laena Velaryon
Laena moves up a bit by association. She doesn’t move up more because it’s unclear if her marriage to the Sealord of Braavos’ son is still on.
15. Vaemond Velaryon
Much like the other Velaryons, Vaemond moves up by association.
16. Lord Boremund Baratheon
Boremund was given the responsibility of looking over Rhaenyra’s tour of suitors. That sees him move up a few spots.
17. Lord Hobert Hightower
Hobert moves down a few spots by association.
18. Ser Harwin Strong
Ser Harwin seems to be a member of the Knightswatch now.
19. Mysaria
Mysaria moves up a bit thanks to her pivot towards selling information gained through a network of spies. It was her spy that gave the information about Rhaenyra to Otto.
20. Ceira Lannister
No appearance.
20. Jason Lannister
No appearance.
20. Ser Harrold Westerling
No appearance.
20. Ser Addam Velaryon
No appearance.
20. Lord Rickon Stark
No appearance.
20. Larys Strong
No appearance.
20. Howland Sharp
No appearance.
20. Lady Joselyn Redwyne
No appearance.
20. Samwell
No appearance.
20. Captain Randyll Barret
No appearance.
20. Septa Marlow
No appearance.
20. Lady Rhea of the Vale
No appearance.
20. Ser Gwayne Hightower
No appearance.
20. Ser Desmond Caron
No appearance.
20. Ser Rymun Mallister
No appearance.
35. Lord Beric Dondarrion
Presumably head of House Dondarrion. Lord Dondarrion was one of Rhaenyra’s many suitors and like those before him, he was rejected.
N/A. Prince Aegon Targaryen
No appearance.
Dead
Craghas Drahar
Literally sliced in half by Daemon.
Prince Baelon Targaryen
Died a day after his birth. “Heir for a day.”
Queen Aemma Targaryen
Died during childbirth.
King Jaehaerys Targaryen
Died roughly 9 years ago. Succeeded by King Viserys.