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House of the Dragon’s Oscar Tully talks power, staring down Matt Smith

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House of the Dragon’s Oscar Tully talks power, staring down Matt Smith

As a gamer and avid watcher of House of the Dragon, I have to admit, it’s a breath of fresh air to see a character like Oscar Tully (played by Archie Barnes) take the reins. In a world where power struggles are the norm, and winning is the only option, it’s refreshing to see a leader with toned-down, silent confidence.

1) In the world of “House of the Dragon,” it’s well-known that the Game of Thrones plays by its ruthless rules: Win or perish. Those ensnared in this power struggle understand the deck is heavily stacked, even for the strongest hand. As a result, we see various leaders, though mostly blonde — virtuous or cruel, wise or impulsive, Green or Black. Yet, few have matched the stature of Oscar Tully (Archie Barnes), who, despite his youth, outshone Daemon Targaryen in their recent confrontation. The kind of leadership that “House of the Dragon” seldom showcases, at least not as enticingly virtuous, is one characterized by measured confidence and quiet strength.

Barnes shared that during the filming of his confrontation with Daemon, he aimed for a subtle portrayal. “I didn’t want to overplay it,” he explained. In this scene, Daemon needed to convey confidence since he was addressing his rivermen. He had assumed the position of a lord and recognized that he could no longer act like a young boy. Thus, he had to assert himself and take charge.

On the surface, it’s clear that Oscar Tully skillfully manipulates Daemon in his initial experience of wielding power and its obligations. He goads Daemon, pushes him to act, and ultimately sets the stage for a significant transformation. Remarkably, for a character from Game of Thrones, this metamorphosis is quite striking.

1. In terms of “justice” and composed leaders, it’s scarcely found in the world of House of the Dragon. Instead, the show prefers to portray leaders who grapple with human emotions. Rhaenyra is one character who embodies this complexity, frequently feeling uneasy and uncertain about herself. This is intentional; she’s a queen facing usurpation and unexpected conflict early on, and she wasn’t fully prepared for it. Interestingly, Oscar Tully, as Barnes points out, found himself in a similar predicament, and he successfully navigated into the character’s state of mind.

“Barnes shared that this is the first character he’s played that wasn’t a timid child, as most of his previous roles were ‘scared’, ‘vulnerable’, and ‘innocent’ kids like the terrified son in ‘The Batman’. He mentioned that Oscar’s role was unique because he couldn’t find any similar characters or actors he had worked with before.”

Indeed, among fans of both “Game of Thrones” and “House of the Dragon,” Oscar’s capture of Daemon in that particular scene is quite impactful. It’s satisfying to see him assert control over a character like Daemon Targaryen, who has been behaving badly while grappling with his own inner struggles. However, the intensity of the violence – even when driven by justice – serves as a reminder of how power in this series can tarnish and compromise you, regardless of whether it leads to corruption. It was Barnes who had to portray that moment with strength and substance, despite his character previously being more soft and adaptable.

1. Donning Oscar’s armor, complete with Tully scales and immense weight, undeniably aided him in embodying the character, yet the transformation was essentially self-initiated. Consequently, lacking any relevant precedents to reference, Barnes simply followed suit. “We conversed and deliberated over how, as Oscar Tully evolves, he realizes what must be done, and takes control of his own destiny, essentially flipping a switch from the vulnerable young boy into the powerful figure.”

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2024-07-30 20:19

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