The ongoing HBO series – House Of The Dragon (HOTD) introduced us to many strong and memorable characters. These characters are – King Viserys, Otto Hightower, Alicent Hightower, Daemon Targaryen and Rhaenyra Targaryen. However, the character of Alicent Hightower is probably the tallest of them all. Those who have seen its prequel series – Game Of Thrones (GOT), know that House Hightower is one of the long-lost houses of Westeros during the Targaryens’ Dance of the Dragons.
Therefore, we all know the fate of those who belong to this house. However, Alicent (played brilliantly by Emily Carey), proved that she was more than a pretty face. Starting next week, the series is set to take a 10-year leap in its history. The old version of the character will now be played by another actress – Olivia Cooke. With the show already in the middle of its first season, let’s look at Alicent’s character development and Carey’s take on the show’s character so far.
A loyal friend
Alicent with Rhaenyra Targaryen
When the series begins, Alicent is revealed to be Rhaenyra Targaryen’s best friend. She is Rhaenyra’s confidante and trusted companion. She accompanies him in almost all areas. They even like to hang out with each other, read each other’s history of Westeros, and even share their inner thoughts with each other.
In fact, they seem so close that some fans have even started to speculate about some sort of intimate romantic relationship between them. They are both well aware of each other’s desires and fears. Alicent even comforts Rhaenyra in September after she tragically loses her mother and baby brother.
A devoted daughter
Alicent with Otto Hightower
In one of the first scenes where Alicent Hightower meets her father – Otto Hightower, for the first time we see another side of his personality. The scene is brief but screams a lot of the kind of relationship they share with each other. Queen Aemma Targaryen dies during the birth of her son (who also dies after some time), leaving King Viserys broken and devastated. He seemed emotionally upset.
Next, Otto Hightower decides to roll his dice in the game. He advised Alicent to go to Viserys’ chambers and “comfort him”. Otto even suggests that she wear one of her mother’s green dresses while she does it. Much like a devoted daughter, Alicent consents to her father’s wishes.
A caring woman
Alicent with King Viserys Targaryens
Alicent continues to comfort the King in his days of mourning. Otto sees this as a perfect opportunity to elevate his house to a higher position. He pushes his daughter further. Viserys finds warmth in Alicent’s caring nature and loved how easily she understood his feelings and troubles. Finally, when Viserys realizes he must remarry “for the kingdom”, he chooses to marry Alicent Hightower, instead of the very young Laena Valaryon (as suggested by his council members).
However, the relationship between Viserys and Alicent got even better over time. Due to his health deteriorating day by day, Viserys is becoming weaker and weaker. Alicent, however, always stands by his side and takes care of him in his illness. She even advises him on serious matters like helping his brother Daemon Targaryen during the “Battle of Stepstones”. They both share a relationship of love and respect.
A bossy queen
Alicent visits Rhaenyra
Shortly after marrying Viserys, Rhaenyra begins to distance herself from Alicent. She feels cheated and betrayed because her own friend took such a drastic step without her knowledge. However, Alicent tries her best to redeem herself with Rhaenyra. She knew her marriage to Viserys was seen as threatening Rhaenyra’s position as the king’s next heir.
When she approached Rhaenyra, while sitting alone in Godswood, Rhenyra refuses to pay her any attention. Rhaenyra instead asked a fool sitting with her to keep playing music for her. Alicent then firmly orders her to leave them alone and asks Rhaenyra to join her as her father wished to see her. Alicent, who now seemed to realize her power of authority over others, always maintained a softer side towards Viserys and Rhaenyra.
A strong woman
Alicent at Rhaenyra’s wedding
But, things go awry when Viserys dismisses Otto from King’s Landing and strips him of his position as “The Hand of the King”. Viserys believes that Otto intentionally wants Alicent’s son – Aegon, as the next heir, and that’s why he lies about a one night “rumor” between Rhaenyra (the next heir) and his uncle – Daemon . Rhaenyra, however, tells Alicent that it was all a lie and that she remains a virgin to this day. Alicent is heartbroken to see her father leave the palace like this. But Otto advises her to “prepare Aegon to rule” because he knows that if Rhaenyra becomes queen, the first thing she will do is murder Alicent’s children.
Later, Alicent learns that Rhaenyra had lied to her, as she had indeed slept with Ser Criston Cole. She feels she should have stood by her father, but instead chose to believe her friend who had been lying to her all along. She also realized that Rhaenyra was the one who convinced Viserys to fire Otto. Alicent feels betrayed. Then at Rhaenyra and Ser Laenor’s wedding, she arrives cutting Viserys’ speech in between. She wore a beautiful green dress and looked stunning, with the color green being House Hightower’s signature color whenever she raged against others. Later, she goes to Ser Criston Cole and stops him from committing suicide, as he felt that Rhaenyra had betrayed her love and had just used her.
character future
Alicent with Ser Criston Cole
Alicent is now clearly resolved to stay with her house rather than the Targaryens. She also found a strong ally in Ser Criston Cole. With Visery’s health deteriorating even further, she is now at her best as Queen Targaryen. The story slowly moves towards a war between “the blacks” (Targareyns) and “the greens” (Hightowers). A war that will go down in history as Dance of the Dragons. The war that will end with the end of Targaryen’s rule over Westeros.
Emily Carey has clearly played the character so far and it will be interesting to see how the old version of the character will be handled by Olivia Cooke from the next episode. Whichever direction the compass points, the series will clearly see highlights and twists in future episodes.
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