House of the Dragon
HBO’sHouse of the Dragonis nearing its final episode after an explosive debut season full of tension , dramatic event , and political intrigue . The show endure out because of its virtuously - gainsay characters , include Alicent Hightower , one of the account ’s master antagonist .
As one of the crucial name in the report , Alicent is at the center of almost every episode , and Olivia Cooke is render career - good work . Indeed , Alicent is a very specific and complex character on the Sir Frederick Handley Page , thanks to George R. R. Martin ’s endowment with word of honor , but Cooke is doing brilliant work on the show , pack the character from the page and successfully interpret it to the screen .
Alicent’s Softer Side
Villains inA Song of Ice and Fireare never sinister and blanched , except for a few exceptions – Ramsay and Joffrey come to beware . Alicent might be an antagonist , but she is n’t entirely evil ; she has empathy for others and wants to avoid a full - scale leaf war , prove she is n’t cruel or intemperately - hearted .
Olivia Cooke plays Alicent as a woman who work tough to protect herself but is far from wickedness . Her scenes with her children show her passion , and her interactions with Rhaenyra prove she still holds fond memories of their prison term together . Alicent has a subdued side she feels she must repress , and Cooke add it out when it weigh most .
Alicent’s Self-Righteousness
During her sentence as Queen of Westeros , Alicent develop a strong religious identity and a good sense of morality that lead her to believe in her own self - righteousness . During her pivotal confrontation with Rhaenyra in Driftmark , she claims she ’s done nothing but obey the natural law , maintain the kinsfolk , and perform her duty to the land . In her mind , Alicent is a nonpareil of virtuousness , the ultimate servant to the Iron Throne , who never gets any recognition for her sacrifices .
empathize how crucial this aspect of Alicent ’s personality is , Cooke plays it with cool and steely preciseness . The actress give Alicent a sense of ego - grandness that ’s apparent whenever the character is on screen . Cooke ’s Alicent believes herself to be a role modeling and impart herself in such a way , even when no one is looking .
Alicent’s Ambition
Manyfans misunderstand many fundamental vista of Alicent , include her straight role in the Dance of the Dragons . At first , it might seem like she was a piece in a chess game board , manipulated and used by everyone around her , include her husband , father , and best supporter , which is all reliable , to an extent . However , Alicent is also challenging and need to prevail over the Blacks , even if she pretend that ’s not the font .
Cooke walks a fine line with Alicent ’s ambitions . She never outright declare them , or else opting to keep Alicent like an unwilling player in the filthiness around her . However , that ’s the ideal way to portray the character reference . Alicent is dangerous because she ’s an unexpected threat . She might not require to sit on the Iron Throne , but she does n’t need to walk away from it either .
Alicent’s Pride
Pride is a quality that most characters inA Song of Ice and Firehave . Almost everyone has a strong sense of pridefulness coming from their menage , accomplishment , or view within the feudal structure of Westeros . Alicent is not the exclusion , with her pridefulness fall from her unbendable notion in her moral transcendency .
Although comfortable to portray , superbia can be more difficult to defend without becoming tiresome , especially across multiple episodes . Cooke wisely choose to embody Alicent ’s pride rather than declare it out loud , ensue in a comprehensive carrying out . Cooke ’s Alicent is proud , but she never speaks about it , instead allow her action do all the body of work .
Alicent’s Religious Beliefs
The Faith of the Seven is the leading faith in Westeros . Its influence is considerable , especially in the Reach ; in fact , the Faith has its groundwork , the Starry Sept , in Oldtown . Because of its front in the city , it gain good sense that Alicent would have such a strong chemical bond with religion .
Both Emily Carey and Olivia Cooke find oneself unique ways to impersonate Alicent ’s trust . Alistair Cooke fuck off to do most of the work because Alicent becomes more drug-addicted on religion throughout the years . However , the actress never plays Alicent as a fanatic ; instead , she shows that religion is Alicent ’s lone comfort in her otherwise lonely sprightliness .
Alicent’s Devotion To The Targaryens
Alicent devoted most of her living to the Targaryens . As a child , she read to and care for the poorly Jahaerys , the Wise , Viserys ' predecessor , and the best Targaryen top executive to ever sit on the Iron Throne . She was also a staunch helper and patriotic ally to Rhaenyra before spending her adult life care for the perpetually brainsick Viserys .
For all her flaws , few have been more firm to the Targaryens than Alicent . Cooke embodies this devotion to the tee , portray Alicent as the ultimate mother figure , always handle for those around her . She constantly tends to Viserys , fixing his clothes and guarantee he ’s comfortable , receiving slight to no recognition .
Alicent’s Complicated Relationship With Rhaenyra
Rhaenyra and Alicent have one ofthe most significant family relationship inHouse of the Dragon . Their close puerility chemical bond deteriorated after Alicent ’s marriage to Viserys and Rhaenyra ’s occasion with Ser Criston Cole . As adults , the two stand on diametrical sides of the fight , and while they seem to still reserve feeling for each other , they are n’t strong enough to convince them to reconcile .
Emma D’Arcy and Olivia Cooke play bright off one another . Their chemistry is noticeable , and both doer run their scenes together with a mix of longing and rancour . Rhaenyra and Alicent already have a fascinating dynamic , but Cooke and D’Arcy make it more compelling and sympathetic .
Alicent’s Cunning
Although she maintains a demure position that make her seem retiring , Alicent is quite cunning . Having spent most of her life around the Iron Throne , she realise how to take on the biz and what happens to those who miss it . Alicent is level-headed but careful in her actions , continue her allies close . She address her mind but never unlimited provokes or confronts anyone , choosing or else to deliver biting and ironical words .
Cooke present this aspect bright . She maintains the character ’s purple calibre while keep a stoical frontage that makes it seem like Alicent is always thick in sentiment . The actress does great work in Alicent ’s quiet moment , gain her natural process and word all the more effective .
Alicent’s Love For Her Family
Family is important in Westeros . The house that stay on together will always win against the house with home conflict . House Hightower is among the most powerful inHouse of the Dragon , and Alicent ’s loyalty lies with them ; however , she is also committed to the Targaryens , especially her children with Viserys .
In every scene she has with her baby or Viserys , Cooke displays Alicent ’s trigger-happy love for her family . Even with Aegon , with whom she is the strong , she still shows how much Alicent worry for him . A mother ’s love is powerful and sometimes brutal , and Cooke embodies it . step in front of Aegon to shield him from Meleys was an bit of stark instinct coming from a place of love .
Alicent’s Pragmatism
Above all , Alicent is a pragmatist . She understands the perils of warfare and does n’t want to see the realm burn , especially considering the vast ground forces of dragons the Blacks have at their disposition . Alicent chooses the hardheaded pick every time , even if it means sacrificing sealed affair to receive others .
Jay Cooke portrays Alicent in a state of constant reflection ; even when she ’s with others , she remain shielded . The actress maintain Alicent ground , always offer a layer - guide coming even when she clearly wants the opposite . Alicent is always play the biz , and Cooke understands this and come in it into her carrying into action .
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Artwork from Fire & Blood depicted by Douglas Wheatley.
