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The following comprises spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 1, Episode 2, “The Rogue Prince,” which debuted Aug. 28 on HBO.
In the Game of Thrones Universe, shut buddies are onerous to come back by. Heck, it even applies to household, because of all of the backstabbing and jostling for energy that continually occurred in writer George R.R. Martin’s fictional realm. Thus, it is no shock to see House of the Dragon rapidly unfolding the identical manner, with the flawed King Viserys pushing his daughter, Rhaenyra, as his successor, realizing civil warfare could possibly be looming.
While the strain with Viserys’ brother, Daemon, and Master of Ships, Corlys, is a little more apparent, little does the king know, his personal Hand, Ser Otto Hightower, is plotting like Littlefinger to make energy strikes of his personal. All these intersecting sub-arcs have achieved nicely to create an air of suspense and mistrust at King’s Landing, particularly for these not conversant in how the “Dance of the Dragons” unfolded. Well, come Episode 2, the fraying of the royal courtroom has formally begun, with one heartwarming relationship being severely fractured.
The bond that is been shattered is that between the princess, Rhaenyra, and younger Alicent (Otto’s daughter). In Episode 1, Otto made it clear she ought to gown up and luxury the king after Aemma’s violent demise, subtly insinuating she needed to seduce him. Alicent was stunned, however she, like many younger ladies on this fictional world, believed all they have been meant to be was breeding inventory and pawns for males of energy.
Episode 2 saved Alicent’s purity and innocence intact, although, chopping her a determine completely reverse to her dad. While she mulled over what she was doing, harboring guilt over hiding Otto’s twisted mandate, she actually did look like a compassionate determine, crammed with empathy over a heartbroken Viserys, per her reward of the repaired ceramic dragon. The king, in any case, did not cover how he struggled with shedding his spouse and son, which Alicent may relate to after shedding her mom.
Thus, an emotional connection primarily based on grief was there, which is why the king select Alicent as his new spouse. He abhorred the choice of Corlys’ 12-year-old daughter, Laena, as a result of on the finish of the day, he does need companionship with the correct individual. Plus, the politics of uniting House Targaryen with House Valeryon appears to be leaving a nasty style within the king’s mouth for now.
But when he made the declaration, not solely did Corlys storm out of the council assembly — Rhaenyra did as nicely. She had nothing however disdain for her father and finest good friend, somebody she confided every thing to, however the ironic factor was, Alicent was surprised as nicely. While she was nervous, choosing at her nails, she did not scheme this up with the king; he did this of his personal volition, even when it was impulsive — not realizing he was enjoying proper into Otto’s (no pun meant) hand.
Admittedly, it is a merciless blow as a result of Alicent was Rhaenyra’s rock as she plotted to be a simply ruler as soon as she ascended the Iron Throne. She even opened up her steely coronary heart, praying with Alicent after shedding her mother and brother, which spoke to how a lot the women meant to one another. In the stormy waters of the courtroom, they have been one another’s calming ports, however now, a distraught Rhaenyra is aware of her declare to the throne will probably be challenged as soon as her dad and Alicent have children. Ultimately, Rhaenyra will not care how Alicent was robbed of her company and selection — all that issues, potential insurrections apart at King’s Landing, is she has a brand new rival for queen, shaping a private vendetta that would get very bloody when claims are made for heirs to rule.
House of the Dragon airs Sundays at 9:00 p.m. on HBO and streams on HBO Max.
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