Alicent and Cersei are both conniving and ambitious mothers who would go to extreme lengths for their children and kill anyone to see their son (or sons…if one were to die) on the Iron Throne. . They have both lost their King Husband and both are seething with rage (especially now that Alicent attacked Rhaenyra with the Valyrian steel dagger). It’s like George RR Martin uses the same traits for different characters in different timelines.
Of course, each character has key differences within them. However, when two people are in the same position, they tend to behave the same way. As Alicent and Cersei are both queens and in charge of the seven kingdoms (to some extent). In the eighth episode of House of the Dragon, during Viserys’ last supper, his wife Alicent gave a toast to Rhaenyra, the daughter of King Viserys. She said they were both mothers and had more in common than they let on. This might be even truer for Alicent and Cersei.
Here’s how Alicent can fight the Civil War
Cersei was willing to go to extreme lengths multiple times throughout Game of Thrones’ eight seasons. In Season 2 Episode 9, during the Battle of Blackwater, Cersei was shown sitting on the Iron Throne and giving Tommen the essence of black nightshade to drink, which would kill him. She justified it to Tywin later, saying she did it because she believed something (Stannis) was coming to harm her children. Later, at the end of GoT season six, Cersei also blows up the citadel using wildfire, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people, most of whom are her own relatives.
Cersei on the throne with Tommen
Currently, we know that Rhaenyra wants to sit on the Iron Throne, and Alicent wants her son Aegon to sit on the Iron Throne. Alicent had reinforced her belief that her son Aegon is the heir because she misunderstood Viserys’ last words when speaking of Aegon the Conqueror. Alicent may not be as extreme as Cersei (yet), but she certainly wouldn’t mind having Rhaenyra killed if she threatened her son’s right to the throne.
How powerful is Alice?
One word: very.
Queen Alicent Hightower
Alicent’s father, Otto Hightower, was the hand of King Viserys. His son will most likely sit on the Iron Throne in HOTD Episode Nine. The Targaryens don’t have much support from Velaryon while Lord Corlys is away or dead, which is a huge boost for Alicent. Jason Lannister would, of course, side with Alicent and Otto, as the Lannisters have always been friends of the crown. Strong friends and weak rivals are the perfect combinations to win, which is exactly what Alicent has.
The main reason why Alicent and Cersei are similar
Cersei and Alicent play similar roles by which the story is shaped in a certain way. Cersei knew full well that her sons Joffrey and Tommen were bastards she had with her twin brother and lover, Jaime Lannister. She still conspired to put them on the Iron Throne and killed many good people. Alicent will be the same when building this plot. His son Aegon II Targaryen is not who King Viserys intended the heir to be. He had, in fact, named his daughter Rhaenyra as heiress.
Also, if you recall, Otto Hightower had suggested that Viserys marry Rhaenyra with Aegon, son of Alicent. This was done to secure power with the Hightowers, especially Alicent Hightower.
Alice’s motivations are the same as Cersei’s, and we’ll see more of that soon, most likely in next week’s episode itself. It’s a tradition for the writers of Game of Thrones to make the ninth episode the highlight of the season.
