House of the Dragon
Warning : This office contains spoiler for Fire & Blood . For all terms and aim , Alicent Hightower is the de - facto " villain " inHouse of the Dragon . Assuming Rhaenyra is the typical grinder , then Alicent ’s counter action towards the inheritress to the Iron Throne will sure as shooting earn her the scorn of buff and critic . However , not everything is as it seems in Westeros , andHouse of the Dragonwill soon make it clear .
Alicent is among the show ’s most misunderstood fibre , and while she will commit numerous pitiless acts throughout the Dance , she is far from just an vicious stepmother . Indeed , Alicent is a complex and layered character , and it ’s not an hyperbole to say fans have the wrong idea about her .
Alicent Is Not The “New Cersei”
Cersei Lannister is arguably the ultimate villain inGame of Thrones . The ego - serving and diabolical pouf of Westeros was a force to be guess with , responsible for some of the cruelest acts in the show . Cersei considered everyone an enemy and die to great lengths to protect those she loved from danger , even those she created herself .
Despite the comparison from fans , Alicent is not Cersei . She is one of the main antagonists inHouse of the Dragon , but she ’s neither brutal nor unretentive - sighted , two of the qualities that most define Cersei . Alicent had kindness in her , displaying it towards Kings Jaehaerys and Viserys , her shaver , and even Rhaenyra . Cersei never showed such feelings , not even in her moments of exposure .
Alicent Is Politically Astute
Alicent is observing and cunning , two qualities that make her an ideal political leader and player in the game . Many rooter believe Alicent ’s actions come from green-eyed monster , but that could n’t be further from the truth . In fact , Alicent seems to be more shrewd than Viserys ( who want quietude above all ) , Daemon ( who wants world power at any toll ) , and even Rhaenyra .
Alicent ’s motion are precise , calculate , and amount from a place of deep understanding of Westerosi political relation . On the opposite , the Targaryens do as they please because their name allows them to , whereas Alicent , as a Hightower , was to be smarter .
Alicent Is Only Protecting Her Children
Many believe Alicent and the Greens started the Dance because of their avarice for the Iron Throne , but that ’s only half true . Otto ’s purpose was certainly that , but Alicent did it out of protectiveness for her shaver . Her eldest son , Aegon , would always be a threat to Rhaenyra , and his universe would incite incitation .
Furthermore , Alicent knew Rhaenyra ’s husband , Daemon , and their faithful ally , Corlys Velaryon , had long define their sights on the Iron Throne . Even if Rhaenyra had n’t make a motion against her half - comrade , Daemon and Corlys would ’ve . After all , Daemon killed his first wife simply because he was fed up with her . In short , Alicent ’s children would ’ve never been safe . state of war might not have been the better option , but inaction was n’t either .
Alicent Was Right To Mistrust Rhaenyra
Although the show paint her in an irresistibly positivistic visible light , Fire & Blood ’s portrait of Rhaenyrais much more complex . She is as mercurial as her second hubby , Daemon Targaryen , and becomes biting . Rhaenyra is also gallant and self - aggrandizing , believing herself superior to everyone .
Most fans trust Alicent ’s animosity toward Rhaenyra began after the latter lied about her affair with Daemon . However , Alicent ’s distrust has more to do with Rhaenyra ’s willingness to dwell and cheat — using her deadened mother ’s memory , no less — to protect her title to the Iron Throne . In truth , Alicent was right not to swear her former admirer , specially see how much Rhaenyra change when she ’s under focus or tree .
Alicent Is Not “The Bad Guy”
Game of Throneswas famous for its smart villains , some of which became fan favorites . Alicent seems to beHouse of the Dragon ’s resident vicious poove , but the truth is more complex . Alicent is scheming , lying , and manipulating , but that ’s just another Clarence Shepard Day Jr. in King ’s landing place . The truth is that Alicent is just playing the game , and she ’s doing it well .
It could be easy to discard Alicent as " the bad guy wire " because the show is going to great lengths to establish Rhaenyra as a typical heroine . However , Alicent ’s motives make common sense , and her action are easier to understand , even if viewers do n’t empathize . Still , it ’s exonerated that likeThrones ’s best antagonists before her , Alicent ’s characterization is not black or white .
Alicent Doesn’t Hate Rhaenyra
House of the Dragonspends considerable time exploring the deterioration of Alicent and Rhaenyra ’s relationship . Even so , the two former friends do n’t detest each other ; they just deeply distrust one another .
Alicent endeavor to negociate with Rhaenyra several time before and after the Dance , and Rhaenyra corresponds because of their apportion history . The show makes it obvious that they remember their friendship but ca n’t conciliate those emotions with their newfound veneration , insecurity , and mistrust . Their feelings for each other are more complicated than just hate , and the show will surely keep develop them further .
Otto Did Not Manipulate Alicent
House of the Dragon ’s book fan know that Otto Hightoweris one of the cleverest characters in the show . recognize for his considerable cognition , Otto was adamant about placing his blood on the Iron Throne and go steady Alicent as the good way to do it . However , she had enough agency to see through his schemes and willingly stick with and finally married Viserys . And while she did it out of duty and did n’t love him , she did originate to care for Viserys , and his feelings were standardized .
Alicent had a history of manage for others . For representative , she spend considerable time with Jaehaerys the Wise before his last , reading and care for him . Thus , there ’s reason to believe Alicent would ’ve found a path to get cheeseparing to Viserys , even if there was n’t a kinship between them . House of the Dragonimplies Otto is the mastermind of the battle , and he is . However , he did n’t wangle Alicent into her eventual wedding to Viserys .
Alicent Is Not Power-Hungry
Despite being one ofthe most brawny Queen Mothers in Westerosi history , Alicent ’s actions were not out of greed or big businessman lust . Everything she did was to protect her eldest son from Rhaenyra ’s mercurial and violent husband , Daemon .
It ’s undeniable that Alicent was enthusiastic about placing her blood on the Iron Throne , but she was n’t the Dance ’s architect . That was Otto . Alicent had blood in her hands , but so did everyone else in Westeros . She was correct to fear the Blacks , consider both Daemon and Corlys had story of trying to stop up the Iron can before with deadly mean value .
Alicent Tries To De-Escalate Hostilities
" The Princess and the Queen " features Rhaenyra suggesting a supposedly generous offering that involves marrying her son , Jacaerys , to Alicent ’s daughter , Helaena . However , Alicent rejects the match , in the main because Rhaenyra is only proposing it to protect her shaver from further rumors about their bastardy . Furthermore , Aegon , not Helaena , is Rhaenyra ’s threat and will always be , and her solution conveniently leaves him out .
In the account book , Alicent is the first to propose a solution to the problem , suggesting Rhaenyra hook up with Aegon , but both the Princess of Dragonstone and Viserys reject the offer . Aegon was 10 years unseasoned than Rhaenyra , but the proposal would ’ve effectively keep the Dance . Alicent also sends terms to Rhaenyra during the war , but her efforts are in vain .
NEXT:10 Most Important Battles In Targaryen History
