[ad_1]
The following comprises spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 1, Episode 2, “The Rogue Prince,” which debuted Sunday, Aug. 28 on HBO.
It’s no secret that House of the Dragon is because of deal with the Targaryen civil struggle and whereas the primary two episodes of the HBO collection could paint Daemon Targaryen because the black sheep and potential antagonist of the collection, Season 1, Episode 2, “The Rogue Prince” has made it clear that Rhaenyra Targaryen has one other rival to be cautious of this season: Alicent Hightower.
Alicent and Rhaenyra began off as each other’s confidants. However, their relationship started to develop distant within the wake of Queen Aemma’s loss of life, with Rhaenyra withdrawing from the world as she grieves her mom. In the meantime, Alicent had taken to comforting King Viserys — and this closeness proved sufficient for Viserys to jeopardize his rule and relationship with Rhaenyra when he declared Alicent his new bride. The union understandably upset Rhaenyra, who was under no circumstances prepared for her greatest buddy to be taking her mom’s place.
It’s value noting that Alicent has but to come back into her function as an antagonist and hasn’t supposed to harm Rhaenyra within the midst of her relationship with the king. Even if she’s thought to have betrayed Rhaenyra, Alicent initially approached Viserys to genuinely categorical her condolences based mostly on the way in which she wished individuals would’ve handled her after her mom’s loss of life. Additionally, she continued to attempt to assist Rhaenyra as she coped along with her mom’s loss, by instructing her how one can pray as a way of speaking along with her mom.
Whereas Viserys is continually battered by the small council over issues of obligation, Alicent has created a protected area for the King to indulge his pursuits and grieve his handed spouse, making their relationship really feel genuine in ways in which different marriage prospects weren’t. King Viserys particularly asks Alicent to not inform Rhaenyra about their talks out of worry Rhaenyra would misread their relationship, in order that’s a selection partially out of Alicent’s palms and never utterly her fault.
Additionally, Alicent’s risk to Rhaenyra is just not even based mostly on her personal place. She proves a risk due to two main components: her formidable father and her capacity to supply a male inheritor. To the primary level, it is essential to do not forget that Alicent did not hunt down a relationship with the king based mostly on her personal initiative — she was ordered to by her father, the Hand of the King, Ser Otto Hightower. Most have drawn a comparability between Ser Otto and the notorious Petyr Baelish and for good purpose: Otto’s ambitions show to be rather more of a hazard to Rhaenyra than Daemon or Alicent (in the mean time).
House of the Dragon has seen him manipulating King Viserys in opposition to Daemon, suggesting Rhaenyra as inheritor to the Iron Throne (seemingly as a ploy to weaken Viserys’ maintain on the realm and make him or Rhaenyra simpler to overthrow), and arguing in opposition to the union between Laena Velaryon and Viserys, realizing that this might value the King an ally. While his energy is straight tied to Viserys, Otto sees his alternative by way of his daughter and eventual lineage. With Viserys declaring that Rhaenyra might be inheritor whatever the different kids he could produce, Otto might be there to make sure that his grandchildren get a good shot of the throne. This could also be a mentality that he tries to develop in Alicent because the collection progresses.
With the present’s path as a consequence of change subsequent season, it is seemingly House of the Dragon will proceed to discover the primary risk. Alicent could very effectively give delivery to a male inheritor over the course of the primary season, which is able to spur deeper battle between her and Rhaenyra. With Rhaenyra holding the formal title of Viserys’ inheritor, it isn’t simply Otto who stands to threaten her at that time. Alicent could hope to maintain her household in energy, furthering the tensions between the 2 former greatest associates.
The tumultuous relationship between Rhaenyra and Alicent has but to be explored in its fullest capability. Rhaenyra feels betrated by Alicent and this stands to worsen because the story progresses. With Otto’s plot to oust Daemon and put Alicent in energy totally manifested, the degradation of Alicent and Rhaenyra’s relationship goes to be important as time continues to advance and Rhaenyra will get nearer to her shot on the Iron Throne.
House of the Dragon airs Sundays at 9:00 p.m. on HBO and streams on HBO Max.
[ad_2]
