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With House of the Dragon building on all the successes of Game of Thrones, it makes sense that the show would start with an incompetent king. Though both King Robert and King Viserys I tried their best, neither were fully capable of leading a kingdom.
King Viserys, especially, set in motion a war that would inevitably cause chaos all throughout Westeros. Though he had numerous chances to improve the situation, he never actually took the firm stance that he needed to. His worst choices as king have utterly damned the realm.
Letting Rhaenyra Choose Criston Cole
Despite Rhaenyra attempting to play a role in the proceedings of the kingdom, Viserys elected to delegate her to select the next member of the Kingsguard, as he preferred her to stay silent during Small Council meetings. Unfortunately, he neglected to teach her how to select a protector properly.
Instead of seeking loyalty or a cunning political ally, Rhaenyra chose a man solely based on fighting ability. While it may be nice to have a great fighter on the Kingsguard, she trusted a disloyal and petty man who would eventually turn on her. Had Viserys given Rhaenyra guidance about how to make the selection, she may have made a better choice.
Not Sending Aegon And Aemond Away
It was clear that, after Viserys bore sons, Westeros was going to go to war. Still, there were steps that Viserys could have taken to minimize the fighting. Had he sent Aegon to the Citadel or the Faith, a rival claimant could have been in a place where he was unable to actually claim titles and take up arms against Rhaenyra. Aegon, who never wanted the throne, might have even welcomed it.
Of course, Aemond would not have gone so easily. Yet, after he called the Crown Princes bastards, he easily could have been sent away to the Wall or to the Faith as a punishment. Aemond might be a misunderstood House of the Dragon character, but that doesn't mean that Viserys would care to see through his layers. Sending him away could have saved the realm.
Letting Rhaenyra Go To Dragonstone
After the birth of baby Joffrey, Rhaenyra elected to spend her time away from King's Landing. On Dragonstone, she could establish a foothold away from Alicent and her machinations. Yet Viserys, who had spent years in the viper's nest of King's Landing, should never have allowed it.
After all, her absence left a void that the Greens happily filled. Had Rhaenyra been there, she could have had her own agents in the Small Council chambers, who could have prevented Aegon from usurping Rhaenyra. Viserys clearly wanted Rhaenyra to be queen, so he never should have allowed her to leave.
Not Making Rhaenyra His Hand
Much like Viserys made the mistake of failing to make Daemon his Hand, Rhaenyra clearly should have been the Hand of the King after the death of the Strongs. Given that Viserys' health was failing, he desperately needed a loyal ally who could help transition the kingdom into a new era after his death.
Rhaenyra should have been given the chance to actually rule. That way, she could have established a foothold in the kingdom, planted some loyal followers, and even proven herself as an heir. Instead, Rhaenyra was left utterly without power and was often overruled by a queen who never should have had power at all.
Not Marrying Jacaerys and Helaena
While Viserys Targaryen had limited political ability, even he could see the benefits of a match between Jace and Helaena. With Otto wanting nothing more than a Hightower on the Iron Throne, he could have had his desires tempered by a match that would see a Hightower queen and Hightower heirs ruling without having to risk a bloody war.
Yet Viserys allowed his queen to overrule his wishes, and the two were never betrothed. The entire conflict could have been avoided in a single stroke, but Viserys elected to stand aside for Alicent. It was a major mistake, and it would only lead to the escalation of tension between the two sides.
Trusting His First Maester
The Grand Maester who was originally treating Viserys clearly did a poor job of it. After all, he elected to rely on the leachings that were clearly failing to improve the king's condition, rather than the herbal remedies that might have done the trick. He even ignored another maester who offered a better treatment.
The long-term effect was the gradual worsening of the king's condition. Had Viserys only dismissed the Grand Maester and accepted other forms of treatment, he might have retained his facilities for a longer time, which could have given Alicent the chance to change her mind.
Marrying Alicent Hightower
Alicent Hightower was always a poor choice as queen. While she would certainly become a powerful queen, she never should have had the opportunity. After all, the Hightowers had little to offer the Iron Throne compared to houses like the Velaryons.
Viserys did not need to remarry so soon, and he certainly didn't need to marry his daughter's best friend. He could have simply left well enough alone, and it would have prevented an incredibly powerful House from leading a rebellion against his own daughter.
Making Otto The Hand Again
When Viserys dismissed Otto Hightower, it was because he didn't trust the man. After all, Otto was clearly playing political games behind his back. While fans and Viserys always misunderstood Otto, that didn't make him a trustworthy character. After all, he really was scheming.
Yet, despite clearly signaling that he distrusted Otto, he put the man back in a position of power. To make matters worse, both Otto and Viserys were well aware that Rhaenyra despised Otto. With the heir to the throne ready to make a move, Otto had no choice but to work against her to save his own skin. It was a conflict that Viserys could have easily avoided by naming anyone else.
Remarrying In General
As much as Otto insisted that Viserys remarry, he was the King of the Seven Kingdoms and had no such obligation. Even if he did marry, he could have left well enough alone by refusing to bear any children with her. Instead, Viserys caused a succession crisis.
His desire for love made Viserys' death more heartbreaking, but his personal tragedies had no effect on his role as the king. Whether his wife and daughter loved him was irrelevant to the greater good of the kingdom. Viserys needed to ensure that he would never bear a son who could displace Rhaenyra, and he instead bore several.
Convincing Aemma To Keep Trying
Aemma was the love of Viserys' life. More importantly, she was the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms. When she failed to give him sons, Viserys kept trying, even when it was clear that it was taking its toll on the queen's health.
It may have been a poor choice on a human level, but it was also a poor choice as a king. The death of a monarch always takes its toll on a kingdom, and Viserys ensured it. Aemma's death meant that the king would eventually remarry, which would cause the succession crisis that would plague House of the Dragon. Viserys should have just been happy with the heirs he had. Instead, he caused a war.