I wanna talk for a second about Otto Hightower and Helaena. It was just a few seconds in Season 1, Episode 8, at Viserys' Last Supper, but as an Autistic woman, it was a really nice moment to see on screen.
To be honest, I absolutely see Helaena as Autistic-Coded, its never explicitly brought up, but its clear that Helaena is different and is viewed as being different, and several of her behaviors line up with how ASD can present in women. The reason given in the books and show is that Helaena might be a "Dragon dreamer" from the old legends, but no matter how it's referred to, I always enjoy seeing Helaena on screen because I feel like she's just like me and others like me.
But what does this have to do with Otto? Again, this is something that's never really touched on in the book or show, but I love how supportive Otto is of Helaena during Viserys' Last Supper in the show.
Everyone starts toasting one another at dinner. It's awkward and a bit forced, but everyone seems to be keeping their shit together to keep the peace. And Helaena then makes her own toast, which honestly, is awkward, but genuinely sweet, and funny when she roasts Aegon unintentionally. And it's a tiny moment, but as Helaena sits down and the camera cuts to Otto, Alicent, and Viserys, you see Otto mouthing "Good" in Helaena's direction.
Like, it's just a moment where you really see a human side of Otto. He knows how anxious social settings make Helaena, and how she just wants to express her good will towards those she loves without being misunderstood. And he's right there, supporting and reassuring her. And then later in the scene, when Helaena goes and dances with Jace.
Otto does his little clap thing, and it's like, despite all the dark things that happen in the plot around that scene, it's a nice moment to just see a Grandpa who's so proud of his Autistic Granddaughter and who's happy to see her enjoying herself.
I think the entire story of the Dance of the Dragons is really just a complex tragedy about a family that ends up destroying themselves and everything they love. And it makes moments like these so bittersweet. In recognizing the humanity of all the characters, you end up caring for them, and it just drives home how tragic the entire event was. But it's still a lovely moment to see, and the violence that follows doesn't detract from the beauty of those small human moments
