The young Lord Oscar Tully makes a bold decision in House of the Dragon season 2, episode 7 that repeats the tragic lead-up to Robb Stark’s demise in Game of Thrones’ Red Wedding. As both shows follow the onset of war around the realm, House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones each explore young, green lords and ladies coming into great positions of power after the deaths of their parents or grandparents. The rashness and need to prove oneself leads these youthful leaders to make controversial choices regarding their own bannerman, which tragically backfired for House Stark.
Like Robb Stark proving himself as the King in the North after his father Ned Stark’s death, Lord Oscar Tully takes brutal actions in House of the Dragon upon assuming the role of Lord Paramount of the Trident. When Oscar and the Riverlords arrive at Harrenhal to answer Deamon Targaryen’s summons, the young lord makes a show of his strength and power by compelling Daemon to atone for his war crimes in the Riverlands. Boldly, Oscar orders Daemon to kill Willem Blackwood, who carried out Daemon’s cruel plans, calling back to Robb’s mistake in punishing his bannerman Rickard Karstark.
Oscar Tully Kills His Own Bannerman – Like Robb Stark Killed Lord Karstark
Oscar Tully Orders The Death Of His Bannerman Willem Blackwood In HOTD
It isn’t often in Game of Thrones or House of the Dragon that the liege lord of a region will kill one of their own bannermen, as it can be seen as a major betrayal against the lord’s own people. However, this happens to be Oscar Tully’s first course of action upon inheriting Riverrun, as he orders Willem Blackwood’s death for his crimes against various houses in the Riverlands. While Oscar doesn’t swing the sword, instead having Daemon kill Willem to prove the Prince condemns his former crimes, his decree could lead to devastating consequences in the vein of Robb Stark.
Robb responds by sentencing Lord Rickard to death for his treason and swinging the sword himself, which culminates in the Karstarks and much of his host abandoning him, Robb needing House Frey’s support to grow his army, and the Freys killing Robb at the Red Wedding.
The beginning of the end of Robb Stark’s Game of Thrones story arrives when he orders the death of Lord Rickard Karstark, his own influential Northern bannerman. After Jaime Lannister kills Rickard’s son, Lord Karstark exacts justice by killing the young boys Martyn and Willem Lannister before insulting Robb in front of his men. Robb responds by sentencing Lord Rickard to death for his treason and swinging the sword himself, which culminates in the Karstarks and much of his host abandoning him, Robb needing House Frey’s support to grow his army, and the Freys killing Robb at the Red Wedding.
Killing Lord Karstark Led To The Red Wedding, Will It Backfire In HOTD?
Oscar Tully’s Decision Will Likely Have The Opposite Effect In House Of The Dragon
Robb Stark killing his bannerman began a downward spiral leading to his death in the Red Wedding, but the same won’t be true for Oscar Tully. Unlike the other Northerners and even Catelyn Stark herself advising Robb to keep Rickard alive, the angry Riverlords want justice for the attacks against their own lands in House of the Dragon. Consequently, the Riverlords are apt to see Oscar Tully ordering Willem Blackwood’s death as a sign that he’s worthy of being their Lord Paramount, who will exact justice when warranted, even if it risks the fury of one of his major vassals.