In Defense of Alicent Hightower | Character Analysis (Part 1) | House of the Dragon Season 1

House of the Dragon Season 1 introduces Alicent Hightower. Alicent is a good, well-intended character who fell victim to circumstance. I think she deserves some sympathy. I hope you enjoy my first Game of Thrones Character analysis.
▶PART 2: • Did Alicent Become the...
▶PART 3: • Rhaenyra VS Alicent | ...
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📚CHAPTERS
00:00 Alicent Hightower
01:00 S1E01 - Early Life at Court Era
03:33 S1E02 - Alicent and the King
06:33 S1E03 - Young Wife Era
10:29 S1E04 - Alicent's Unfair Life
12:25 S1E05 - Alicent Takes Control
16:33 Recap
18:38 Conclusion
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[@gaffgarion7049]

The core issue is Alicent does everything expected of her and gets neglected while Rhaenyra does whatever she wants and gets covered for by her father because she's the favorite. The whole reason Viserys marries her is to have a Male heir, but by the time Alicent gives him that several times over he's changed his mind and decided he does want Rhaenyra as his successor. This basically makes Alicents entire struggle not only pointless,but also dangerous because Rhaenyra will always see her children as a threat, now whether or not she'd actually kills them is speculative. But once she has the throne and Viserys is dead there is nothing that would stop her as she already hates Alicent, her father and her children. At the end of the day Alicent is fighting for recognition and survival, something that Rhaenyra does not have to worry about. Rhaenyra wants the throne because she believes it's her right but Alicent wants it for Aegon to give her life meaning and to ensure hers children's survival.

[@meliastamps854]

THANK YOU you're so correct. Alicent's whole purpose in life (decided for her) is negated by Rhaenyra. Of course she's angry!

[@Stay_Zerose]

Given she kills Vaemond for calling her kids Bastards, and in the eyes of the people her husband so she can bone her uncle, it's a pretty safe bet Rhaenrya would kill her kids if the other high lords decide to support the greens

[@Winds79]

I'm paraphrasing here, but i agree with the "everyone loves complex characters until said characters are women" statement. They love to hate on Alicent for even breathing but they also stan Daemon targaryen like 🙄

[@morjana679]

I had the same feeling when watching the show. I thought Alicent will be so hated yet she's one of the most realistic characters (juts like Sansa), lot of women of her time would have acted the same way.

[@Thebeezzkneezz.]

That's what I'm saying people are judging her based on today's standards. And since renerhya is more of a "free women" like today's women they like her and act like Ali is a monster Yey they can suspend their disbelief and morals for insest and pedo relationship due to the time period but still get mad at Alicent for "gossiping about it" when no. Rehnerya actions are unfitting of a princess and Ali had every right to call her out imo And then after everything renerhya does the same thing she's mad at Ali for. She marries off her sons for power like Otto did to Ali Ali didn't want to marry the king

[@swacfan100]

I actually like Alicent more than Sansa. It took terrible things to happen to Sansa for me to like her, I liked Alicent from the start. But that's just me.

[@awildpokemonuwu]

Yeah, but Sansa turned into one of the most annoying characters. Alicent is the same. Cannot stand her.

[@mschell8022]

Alicent is a historical parallel to Cersei

[@Thebeezzkneezz.]

@@mschell8022 lol renerhya is more like cersi with the inset xD

[@amber5802]

people make excuses liking daemon as all characters are 'morally grey', but as soon as someone defends alicent they/re at your throats. its just misogyny lmao

[@jaijoerik6233]

It’s so weird to me why people simp over daemon he’s a violent, abusive groomer

[@femalegays]

​@@jaijoerik6233loving daemon and supporting rhaenyra is so odd to me. there's no way they don't see that he wants the throne through her

[@Stay_Zerose]

Not to mention it's all the "feminists" that hate Alicent, because they see Rhaenerya as a girl boss, when she is in the most privillaged position a woman can be in and covered for by her father at every turn. Rhaenerya never suffers and never does the most basic political learning and is treated as a great ruler anyway... Alicent is actually facing diversity at every turn and is the bad guy for not lying down an accepting threats on her children. Just like Vaemond is the bad guy for not wanting illegitimate children to inherit his family seat, which is even deeper in the show because it is now white children trying to take the only known black house in all of Westeros...

[@maylynbayani]

I actually feels for her so much. She doesnt have a dragon that could save her skin. She learned and grew up.

[@jostockton.]

Exactly, same reason I love Sansa. They're both actually relatable heroines in the fantasy genre where pretty much everyone else will be using magic or wielding a sword.

[@Monster-ks2yx]

@@jostockton. I never found sansa relatable. Maybe because I was a Tom boy growing up, I gravitated more to Arya. Sansa I just found annoying.

[@mavirr_crazylittlegirl8902]

​@@jostockton.To be honest Sansa is not charismatic at all she's not like Alicent who has a more likeable personality

[@meliastamps854]

THANK you for pointing out the isolation Alicent faces after Otto is dismissed. So many people seemed to think she was just angry because Rhaenyra broke decency. Really, it was Rhaenyra LYING and costing Alicent her only family. And it was a lie that she told with no thought to Alicent, meanwhile she has always worked to benefit Rhaenyra. It was justified anger. Rhaenyra demanded Otto be dismissed just over an insult with no consideration of her friend.

[@Yuyuxi486]

Rhaenyra has all her right to lie about her sexual partners, if she was a man nobody would question her.

[@meliastamps854]

@@Yuyuxi486 Sure, but she also sent away Alicent's only family in order to preserve those lies. Maybe they were justified lies, but she has to live with the consequences of her choices. When Alicent says "where is duty, where is sacrifice," she kinda makes a point; Rhaenyra wasn't willing to sacrifice her sexual liberty where Alicent had to. She SHOULDN'T have to, but I think the whole point of this story is that both women are set up to fail. Their liberties can't coexist.

[@juliaserento9928]

Alicent LIED first about her meetings with the King. She broke their trust first.

[@meliastamps854]

@@juliaserento9928 that's fair, but I don't see them as equal lies. Alicent was instructed by the king not to tell Rhaenyra about the meetings, and she was instructed by her father to have the meetings in the first place. Neither was her choice, and it wasn't a lie told for something she wanted selfishly. She clearly doesn't enjoy being married to Viserys. Rhaenyra had a chance to confide in Alicent, but chose to lie and banish her father, protecting herself over Alicent.

[@juliaserento9928]

@@meliastamps854 Why would Rhaenyra protect Otto who's actively working against her for Alicent who broke their trust and relationship first by seducing and marrying the king (albeit not of her own accord but still). She could've also confided in Rhaenyra about being pressure to marry the king. They both lied to protect themselves. Alicent cant play holier than thou

[@teambaby8997]

I feel like both Alicent and Raenyra have flaws and have made mistakes but everyone loves Rae and hate Alicent 😢 also thanks for this video I had been looking for something like this for a while!

[@guihuppe]

Aaaw thanks for your nice comment! Much appreciated. I think the audience likes to hate Alicent. But she'll give us a ride for our money in the next season when she turns into a real villain ha ha!

[@made-line7627]

Yeah it's sad. While I don't agree with every decision she makes (and of course that goes for almost every other character, too, as none are perfect), I just feel really bad for her. If you haven't watched any of her videos on Alicent/the Greens, you should check out Hills Alive. Brilliant channel. And I'm so excited to have found *this* channel now. Hopefully it keep on growing, just like the former, as it barely had any subscribers before 💚🕯️👸

[@Zephur0s]

Yep, the lack of empathy towards Alicent by the Rhae fans is astounding

[@GielSSuar]

Lol why would we sympathize a rape-enabler, you got it all wrong. We sympathize with young Alicent but her adult character, hell no, she should already know better but her hypocrisy gets the best of her. So yes, we would rather root for Rhaenyra

[@moondevell]

I definitely see lots of flaws in Rhaenyra and people who support her as a character don't think she's anything close to perfect and I like Alicent as a complex character, yes. However, I don't like the person she is. Does she have reasons to feel angry for not getting the same privileges as Rhaenyra? Yes, I totally understand that anger. But I would never take down a friend because I'm not as privileged as they are. If she's really her friend, then why not talk to Rhaenyra about the situation? about how she feels towards Rhaenyra and their differences. I know this is not easy to put into words and in life, I had to overcome this difficult and spill it out. Her father is guilty, the King was guilty, the male centric council was guilty and her own family is guilty for their sexism, not Rhaenyra. Alicent became a gate keeper to Rhaenyra's virginity and to her purity, morals etc. She became a religious purist for comfort in a life she couldn't control, going after Rhaenyra with pitchforks for not being as pure as her. I simply hate people like that, fat checking and guarding the rights to good and evil. I can see myself making the same mistakes Rhaenyra makes, but I could never become a symbol of hypocrisy and discrimination as Alicent has. Alicent wasn't making any direct decisions, but she was standing by murder after murder and pretended nothing was happening. Larrys killed his own family, she acts shocked and then tells him she'll someday be in need of his discreet services. WTF?

[@mercedesgazda1635]

everyone loves complex characters in hotd until it comes to alicent who imo is one of the MOST complex characters. she starts sympathetic then gains some power and goes a bit crazy w it (the knife) but overall wants peace for the realm and between her and rhaenyra

[@apieceoflife2732]

Her being angry at her son's losing an eye and Rhaenyra making this about Herself is not crazy.She is better than me because I would have k*lled those pos if they did this to my child.

[@guihuppe]

I agree. Alicent is a complex character whose arch gets more twisted in the second half of season 1, making her a compelling (and entertaining) adversary to Rhaenyra!

[@mercedesgazda1635]

@@apieceoflife2732 i mean i agree but some think she took it too far so i was giving the benefit of the doubt

[@nataliadoe7126]

@@apieceoflife2732 idk that whole situation was a mess. It was unfair for Aemond to take that dragon away from Daemon’s daughters. It was also unfair that the boys teased him before. But he should not have threatened Luc like that, it was obviously in self-defense.

[@igordemourasilva9999]

@@nataliadoe7126 how it is unfair? a dragon is not a toy that can be passed on (if thats the case then Laena stolen Vhagar away), is the dragon that chooses the rider, not otherwise.

[@stormveils]

As someone who loves both Alicent and Rhaenyra, in all of their complex glory, this video was excellently done! Alicent isn't perfect, no, but a lot of her choices are understandable and I feel like the show has done a fantastic job of taking her beyond the mere "evil step-mother" archetype she embodies in the book. I really enjoyed your breakdown of her character and am very much looking forward to the second part!

[@guihuppe]

Thanks a lot for your kind feedback! Glad you enjoyed the video! I'm working on Part 2 but will need more time and perspective to analyze the evolution of her character!

[@LizbetNene]

Interestingly, the "wicked step-mother" trope in European storytelling exists for exactly this reason - historically there were often inheritance disputes between the children of the first and second wives' children, in which the step-mother's influence on her husband was seen as vindictive and self-interested.

[@immortan-valkyrie90]

Thank you for this comment! This is exactly how I feel about Alicent and Rhaenyra.

[@randomgirl2282]

I think the biggest problem I have with Alicent hate has to do with I think a huge flaw in how people are consuming this show. This idea that we must place all of our modern ideas aside and accept the laws of the universe and while that is true to some extent (dragons, ice zombies, magic), Westerosi society and its system is not exactly included in that. It makes me extremely uncomfortable to see weaponizing real victim blaming rhetoric against a 14 year old child when a man old enough to be her father decides to marry and sleep with her. (IE. The idea that she seduced the king to become queen) Even if she is fictional, that kind of logic is used to blame real girls everyday. Just because child marriage is common in Westeros, George has never painted it in a purely positive light and the same goes to the Targaryen incest. I love Alicent. I think for all she is flawed, she has also had moments that have really endeared me to her and I feel a lot of sympathy for her. (Same goes for Rhaenrya, I love her too.) I think the most important thing in the show when it comes to her character is her lack of agency from the very start, if you don’t get that, I feel like there’s a lot you’re missing in the show. That’s just my opinion, though. Hypocrisy, jealousy, paranoia those are all character flaws, and to me, those only humanize her more. I never saw her as evil.

[@cheyma1293]

While I agree with you these elements are uncomfortable, I don't think people "place their modern ideas aside" when they consider that she's doing too much: - on blaming the bastards kids, especially as they've been recognized by Laenor - on judging Rhaenyra's "sleeping around" and antagonizing her old friend for choosing to live her life as she pleases and this mainly based on her being a woman - on insisting that the male -not eldest- heir should be the way just because it's a male. On top of judging her excessive - and towards the end, hypocritical - religious puritanism. On the contrary people apply very modern ideas for those criticisms, and then they're met with the counter of "yes but you have to consider that westerosi society so and so..." to discredit that. It's interesting to observe that, and it would seem fair to say you can't have it both ways. Also, whilst it's very much understandable to have sympathy for young Alicent and I agree with that, not all her later actions (after being queen for ...20 years) can be placed under someone else's agency. While it explains how she gets there and it is important, it's not an excuse for these choices and shouldn't give a free pass to her conniving.

[@notyetawomen5257]

@@cheyma1293 1: those bastard kids attacked Aemond and one of them managed to cut out his eye (they didn't get punish for it because of Visery's favouritism and Rhaenrya's gaslighting). 2: Sure she judges Rhaenyra for sleeping around but she's more upset about the fact that Rhaenyra is not taking her duty seriously considering she has three very obvious bastard children and attempting to gaslight everyone that they're Laenor's, I think if Rhaenyra chosen a lover who looks similar to Laenor I think the bastard thing wouldn't be so insulting. 3: Dude its always been tradition and if Rhaenyra becomes queen Alicent will have to rely on Rhaenyra's mercy to not kill her children and considering that Rhaenyra is willing to commit murder and not to mention Daemon who without question would definitely kill all of Alicents children to get rid of the challenge to the throne.

[@bbgalvo]

PERIODDDD

[@femalegays]

​@@cheyma1293to add onto the other reply towards you, the only reason rhaenyra is in the line of succession is cause of male heir traditions. the entire targaryen line was built on it. the right to rule isn't a right, it's a duty. alysanne earned it and she still wasn't in the position of power she should've been. that's not even getting into how team black was the more violent reactor in the beginning of the dance, so it's terrifying to think about what could've happened if team green didn't move as quickly. i think that gets so overlooked in the books and show, which is why alicent's inaction doesn't entirely work. everyone likes to make book alicent out to be this big, ambition hater, but she did a reasonable thing in secretly plotting the green council. if one talk of bastards earns you the lost of an eye, head or tongue, wtf is being the preferred heir for whatever reason gonna earn you? what if rhaenyra has a bad day? what if daemon just acts on his own?

[@marti9734]

Alicent is, hands down, my favorite character from the show

[@corinnae.7877]

Also imo the best written and fleshed out

[@katytyrell406]

@@corinnae.7877 *victimized

[@corinnae.7877]

@@katytyrell406 maybe, does it change the facts listed? Nope, absolutely not. She's the highlight of the show, idc. And with most fleshed out, she feels like an actual person, not a 2D figure. She makes mistakes and choices that are so human. She's relatable. You feel sorry for her, and cheer at little moments of her getting power back.

[@gardenofwords914]

Alicent has a bit of Stannis in her in the sense that they are both very dutiful but are never rewarded directly or recognized for their sacrificed nor asked if they are suffering and need help as person going through it and when characters who do wrong or perceived wrong, those characters are rewarded when they shouldn't whereas Stannis and Alicent almost always choose to do what is right or what seems as the right decision at that time and are almost if ever rewarded for their choices.

[@kennethmacalpin7655]

Rhaenyra's children bullied Alicent's children, to the point they /cut one of their eyes out/ - and Viserys didn't do anything to punish them. I'd be pissed too. Why does Alicent even need a defense, she's in the right. It's not Alicent's fault Rhaenyra's kids are bastards and everyone knows it because Rhaenyra can't control herself and had an affair with a man who looks nothing like her husband.

[@kennethmacalpin7655]

@@ssjalpha6593 What, you think it IS Alicent's fault Rhaenyra's children are bastards?

[@jennyyyy189]

Shes not entirely in the right when she plans to usurp her former friend. She has flaws just as Rhaenyra and not one is better than the other. Let's not defend one abused women, while trashing another equally abused one lol

[@femalegays]

​@@jennyyyy189i think this is talking about the scene w/ aemond's eye, not the dance in general lmao

[@daviguedes8170]

​@@jennyyyy189did you Saw the show? Alicent misundertood what Viserys Said. It was explicit that she did not plan to usurp the throne

[@stinap1651]

I actually love Alicent so much it's stupid, she's so interesting and sympathetic to me and I don't really feel the same for Rhaenyra. So I'd love a similar video on her, even if she might not need any defense, as everyone else seem to love her

[@michaelsnow3536]

Alicent is the sole reason I have sympathy for the Green faction. There are so many factors beyond her control that she is facing blame for and it's incredibly unfair. She's also significantly more interesting and impactful than her book counterpart, much like Viserys.

[@alexlefay]

"Now Alicent believes..." She believes nothing but the truth: Rhaenyra lied, has sex and lied on her mother's tomb. Alicent lost her father's support in court because Rhaenyra is a liar and she thinks she's better than anyone else and can do whatever she wants.

[@jennyyyy189]

God can we stop with the defending one woman while demonizing the other? Rhaenyra Lied because she didn't trust Alicent, rightfully so, and it wasn't her fault Otto was fired Ottos job was to protect the royal family, especially the king and heir, from slander and rumors and he did the exact opposite It doesn't matter If Rhaenyra lied in that regard, because Otto tried to shun her for her actions and tried to imply to Viserys that she wasn't fit as heir, because of her having sex Viserys was mad he tried to push Aegon as heir and that's why he fired him

[@alexlefay]

@@jennyyyy189 protect the family from slander... She was seen with her uncle in a very uncomfortable place and situation: again that is not slander thats the truth. Maybe a slightly misdirected truth, but truth. Otto is a cunt but he was fired because he said that Rhaenyra was going around having sex (fun fact, she was doing exactly that). Rhaenyra lied, took advantage of Alicent and that got Otto fired. Otto, again, is a cunt. But he was not a bad hand. And again, Rhaenyra is trying to push her bastards as heirs. This is not a "its because she's a woman!" thing: men also have NO RIGHT to try and push bastards as heirs pretending they are natural children. The greens and the real are not blind: Rhaenyra is behaving un-queenly and is not fit to be the heir. They have all the rights to push Aegon in her place, even if he's a cunt too.

[@higharchbishopofteatasting6217]

​@@jennyyyy189Otto's job is to hold the realm strong, it's not to defend the royal family from truths they are bringing on themselves. It's not Otto's job to cover for Rhaes sexual indulgences. It is his job to report on it and inform the king he doesn't believe she'd be a good ruler.

[@GrinMonister]

@higharchbishopofteatasting6217 in trying to defend Otto, you, in fact, proved he deserved and was the cause of his own firing. He was fired because, like you said, his job was to hold the realms together strong. By doing everything in his power to get Aegon to be the heir, he is dividing the realm. Otto was a bad hand and was fired for it. That's on him, not Rhaenyra.

[@higharchbishopofteatasting6217]

@@GrinMonister Rhae would have caused a civil war, not the same traditions that has been held up for thousands of years. You team black fans are always so delusional

[@yuvalnai]

I never understood why people hate Alicent. She's much more relatable than Rhaenyra and her reasons are much more understandable to me... I've been on team green since the beginning only because of Alicent

[@katytyrell406]

People hate her because she is gonna destroy Rhaenyra life. Hating her is understandable

[@diaperfang5293]

@@katytyrell406 No its cause shes the "bad" one, we all know why, no need to pretend.

[@katytyrell406]

@@diaperfang5293?? Alicent ruined Rhaenyra life

[@nicoleelbin9701]

@@katytyrell406 very much so and gets the karma she deserves in the end. the show decided to make her character more nuanced.

[@cherylbaxter8986]

🖤❤🖤❤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

[@Maria1000G]

Alicent always puts the realm and the people first.

[@natzbarney4504]

Alicent is my favorite character of the show. She has the most interesting character arc of the season in my opinion.

[@camille3083]

She’s actually my favorite character so far

[@iside2373]

I like how she's more grey in the show when in the books shes more of a evil stepmother archetype . But one thing i don't like is how they just took all of her agency; even though she's a victim i liked in the books how she was the boss of the green and a cunning woman . Whether in the show she almost has no agency and is even too naive.

[@guihuppe]

Thanks for your comment! I am looking forward to reading the books! Many users pointed how Alicent is portrayed in the show vs the books. But I suspect she'll go full-on "Cercei" in the next season! Haha

[@christinedomagala3781]

I like them both. I also like that they didn’t make Alicent a sort of Cersei 2.0. Unlike Cersei, she doesn’t encourage Aegon’s behavior and openly scolds her children when they do wrong, even though Aegon doesn’t listen (if you watch Joffrey’s segment on the explanation of the dance of the dragons and Rheynera’s death, sounds like Joffrey has a little bit of a hero worship of this guy, and that’s not doing him any favors in getting him likes). She is also more kind hearted and not cruel like Cersei. Cersei would’ve slut shamed the servant girl and saw her banished, if not dead, for reporting her rape to her. Alicent shown her kindness and gave her birth control and did what she could in her situation to help. She is also more politically savvy than Cersei was. This might change slightly in the coming seasons given what is all at stake, but I’m glad they made Alicent a more likable and understanding character than Cersei.

[@scorpioj3]

Exactly! The comparison between Cersei and Alicent never fails to make me ick. I see Alicent as more like Sansa if she married Joffrey and even Catelyn.

[@promethiamoore6462]

Cirsei is a fan favorite to some Which is crazy to me 😭

[@noahwen-li]

I don't think Joffrey had hero worship for Aegon II, I think he just gets excited over gruesome shit

[@mschell8022]

Alicent covers up a rape and you think this is some good and moral and not like Cersei? Lmfao.

[@christinedomagala3781]

@@mschell8022 I am NOT saying that her cover up of a rape was, nor should it EVER be a good thing or morally right. However, given the fact that her father was banking on her to put Aegon on the throne as opposed to Rheynera and the fact that she was worried for his and her other children’s lives if she didn’t, I don’t think she felt that was an option. Was it wrong to cover it up? YES! 100%! But at least Alicent treated the girl with some dignity which is something I doubt Cersei would’ve done, especially to someone that was simply a servant to her son (look how she treated the women who were made to marry her sons). Which makes her more complex of a character than a straight up evil person in my opinion. George RR Martin makes complex characters with complex moral dilemmas where even the good guys make bad, sometimes horrible decisions (ie Viserys having his wife be cut open and bleeding to death in agony without her consent to get a male heir) and the villains have some sympathetic background and sometimes, even do good deeds. She is the “antagonist” but she’s not straight up evil.

[@mercuriology45]

its also allowed to say that Alicent’s image of being a woman of “duty” “honor” or her views that she has comes a lot from the Hightowers, as we know the hightowers pretty much control the faith in Westeros, which we know it’s the religion. Alicent’s views of women in her society definitely stem from that and Alicent was forced to marry an old man and basically squeeze out heirs, something common for women in their society. Rhaenyra pretty much does stuff that are uncommon for women in her society(but not for men because double standards) Alicent was clearly terrified with the idea of Rhaenyra sleeping with someone, however i don’t blame Rhaenyra for not being upfront with Alicent, because they haven’t been friends for years, also its her step mom💀. Rhaenyra gets to choose a husband, something which Alicent didnt have much choice, still goes out of her way to have sex before marriage. For Alicent this is a slap in the face. Also its sad because Alicent wasn’t wrong Otto lost his job for constantly plotting against Rhaenyra and trying to push Aegon. also good analysis!!

[@guihuppe]

Thanks! I totally agree with your analysis!

[@happilyevernever4289]

Did Alicent not sleep with the king b4 the king married her?

[@thejava.witchiswhispering]

@@happilyevernever4289 it's implied in the books, but in the show canon, she seduced him with kindness.

[@thejava.witchiswhispering]

I just wish Alicent blamed Otto for Otto losing his job, and didn't blame rhaenyra for Otto losing his job lol

[@megarakadmea]

@@thejava.witchiswhispering Rhaenyra literally told Viserys to fire him though.

[@c.w.8200]

I wish they would have had Daemon and Raenyra kill Laenor for real, it makes no sense that he just runs off with his bf and leaves his dragon behind and his parents with the devastation of losing both kids. They just did that to keep Rhaenyra more sympathetic, she's already unsympathetic enough to me for several reasons but most people didn't get that she's very entitled and does whatever she wants with no regard for others.

[@notyetawomen5257]

The writers shot themselves because how is Addam Valyron supposed to claim Seasmoke now considering Laenor is still alive.

[@PatrickCebron-yg8jg]

Yes no sense, all money all PowerPoint left behind,leanor will not do it to let rhea marry again,

[@whycaninotfindagood]

I think that we often confuse Rhanerya as progressive rather than see her in the objective disrespectful light she is seen within the show. Rhanerya is making a mockery of the rules that were set in place due to her own selfish motives. Sadly, her wanting to live her life the way she should is selfish, even if we can all see how stupid and cisnormative these rules are. My main issue with the Rhanerya is that she constantly found ways to villinaize Alicent, yet she never gave her the benefit of the doubt. As someone who is used as a pawn, I would think she would empathize with Ali cent. Instead she saw her as a threat (which I get) but she could have made the situation so much better if she let go of her pride. Alicent would have chosen Rhanerya as queen if Rhanerya had been understanding and supportive. And this is something the show tries to demonstrate about Rhanerya but most people don’t see this. She is selfish (too many examples to explain) and Alicent has only ever cared about what other people thought. Basically Alicent is see as a pushover while Rhanerya is seen as a boss. But true leader and power isn’t about selfish motives, it’s about thinking about the whole picture. This war didn’t have to happen and there were many ways that could have been prevented, but people do not hold Rhaneryra accountable and see her as right, when she could have been more empathetic and understanding and could have shown Alicent how to take her own agency. That’s what a real boss does, instead of fight the system, you work with it. Also none of the women have agency, which is the main point I think this show is demonstrating.

[@jennyyyy189]

Everything you said goes for Alicent as well. They both could have achieved so much, had they stuck together and supported each other but that's the tragedy of the story

[@asiamarques4341]

Thank you for this analysis! You've expressed it eloquently. Truthfully, I feel Alicent (on the show) is such an underrated character and doesn't deserve the hate she gets. I feel she's deeply flawed and complex yet that's what makes her so relatable and fascinating to me. I feel Emily did such a wonderful job making her sympathetic and fleshed her out. Whereas Olivia gave her more of a darker edge yet still has humanity and vulnerability to her. Both actresses have brought so much life to this character. I don't necessarily see Alicent as a villain but more of a grey character. As everything you've pointed out, Alicent was a child bride. She was only 14 when her father used her as a pawn and sold her off to King Viserys to further his political ambitions. All she's known is duty and made so many sacrifices. She's been isolated and alone, since she and Rhaenyra sadly were torn apart due to the patriarchy system. It's hard to not feel sympathy for her as character. #AlicentDeservesBetter

[@onuhrita5009]

#AlicentDeservesBetter

[@asiamarques4341]

@@onuhrita5009 She truly does. 💚💚💚

[@lindenshepherd6085]

Just to correct a misconception, she was 14 when she became friends with Viserys and 18 when they married. In the books, Viserys was 28 and she was either 23 or 25, I believe. Still a bad situation, just not a literal child bride situation as people keep saying.

[@asiamarques4341]

@@lindenshepherd6085 I thought on the show, Alicent was about 14/15 when she got married to Viserys and that three years later, they were celebrating Aegon's second nameday and she was pregnant with Helaena. I remember Emily saying that Alicent was about fourteen in the pilot while talking about her character's friendship with Rhaenyra. If I'm mistaken, then I apologize. As for the book, I didn't read it but I'm aware Alicent was slightly older when she married Viserys.

[@lindenshepherd6085]

@@asiamarques4341 She was 14/15 in the first episode, then the three year time skip happened and they married, then another time skip happened. The show's jumping around really made things confusing!

[@wilson6272]

The way the show is produced from the perspective of the Targaryens, it's very easy to take their side. I personally never noticed that Otto had been pulling the strings since the beginning, and laying it all out like this gives room to empathize with Alicent much more than I would have otherwise. On another note, your own production of this video is so well done, video quality, be that script, editing and voiceover work all together! Very well done. I hope to see you gain a greater following

[@guihuppe]

Hey! Thanks for your positive feedback! The next video will improve on the set + quality of the video recording.

[@Yo-hw1fj]

Great video! People forget that just like Sansa, Alicente is molded by the laws of patriarchy and is afarid of breaking the only rules she understand as truth. Women like them are always hated cuz people expect them to react and fight it, they dont understand that some women dont even know they are inside of it and that there is a way out.

[@AshLoRo]

In my opinion, imigine being Alicent. I would have probably done the same thing, and not so good of a person either. She did hear the king about king Aegon, we have hindsight. She did not. People will become monsters for their kids if they have to. She never wanted to put hers above Rhenerya, until she was manipulated by everyone. I hated her, i now see, I was wrong.

[@sealking3838]

I never disliked her. I made a point system that counted "bad" things that they have done along side their faction, I started doing this after the timeskip around ep 6, to see who would be the better ruler, and the Greens came out on top with only -2 points while the reds had around -5.

[@stephenjenkins7971]

Out of curiosity, what were those bad things on both sides?

[@sealking3838]

@@stephenjenkins7971 Rhena Lies to Alicent starting the whole conflict, Deamon is unreliable and impulsive, illegitimit children, Rhena herself is not woman of justice, when Aemond got the Vaghar She didn't take into consideration the fact that her children could be in the wrong neither did alicent but we can see that she talked to her son and most to everybody who was present there, while Rhen stopped when She knew she can use what her son said to her advantege and to put the blame on others, The Reds kind of "rebelish", Rhen's children heretige is disputed and that dispute tears the realm apart and while the greens are shown to be capable of settling dispute with diplomacy or espionage the reds are agressive so I don't think that If Rhen ruled Westeros she wouldn't act tyranical towards those who disapprove of her. These are the negative reasons I could think of for the reds. They might be different from the reasons I thought of initially .I'll write one soon for the Greens too

[@ddpzzp553]

Im curious too

[@junior523]

Curiosity killed the cat

[@torin8386]

The real villain is Otto!

[@onuhrita5009]

Thank you for this. I have been trying to defend Alicent since and not getting the best reaction for it. She is just as flawed as Rhaenyra and yet she is the bad person, which is not fair at all. I'm actually on Team Alicent and I hope they give her enough power to match Rhaenyra so that the story becomes interesting

[@thejava.witchiswhispering]

The way I see it, if you're trying to persuade people of the good of a character they're already set against (A), you have to explain their pros and cons against the pros and cons of the character that the person already prefers(R).

[@tikimillie]

I mean, her side has so far been the most scheming and vile, her sons are horrible brats, one of them is a literal rapist, and as a mother, your children are a reflection of your own treatment of others. So far, Rhaenyra hasn’t really done any dishonerable scheming. Yes, she’s made immoral choices, but those were acts of personal flaws. Alicent is the kind of person who will look down at you for anything she finds unbefitting. Her actions have just as much destablized the kingdom, if not more so, than Rhaenyra. besides there woukd have been more political advantage of Rhaenyra sitting on the throne and making herself look bad, and then it would be easier to dethrone her when she was seen unfit to rule. Instead she started a war. Eitherway, theres nothing i hate more than stuckup selfrightous people, who instead of fighting for what they want, look down upon others who have it, with petty jealousy.

[@onuhrita5009]

@@tikimillie I can't actually defend her children so I'm going to leave that although blaming the mother for the behavior of the children isn't particularly fair, they have a father even if he is or was a vegetable. Alicent isn't innocent but I just want everyone to look her and Rhaenyra as both bad people fighting for the throne and no one is perfect. She is so someone is governed by her principles which I get. Rhaenyra isn't given that she was ready to marry her children, something she hated as a child.

[@tikimillie]

@@onuhrita5009 true. I still think Alicent shouldn’t have backstabbed Rhaenyra, no matter what though. And i one hundred percent blame alicent for her kids turning out the way they did, either by spoiling them and teaching them, in directly mind you, to hate the blacks, or not disciplinning them. And, considering dad was kind of a veggy at the moment, and the whole dynamic about women and mens jobs in the show, i don’t think you can blame him much. It was either her actions, or lack of actions, that molded the boys the way they turned out.

[@deboraron2794]

I love Alicent and her story. I found her extremely human and even though she may have not always been moral I don’t think I would’ve acted differently. Thank you for thi svideo I really enjoyed it whole doing house chores 😊

[@ByzantineCapitalManagement]

Alicent is inherently a good person. Also she didn't start all of this. She was pulled into this dynastic crap. The show watchers are basic folks with a basic brain and a basic virtue based existence.

[@iwant2haveu]

I definitely feel bad for her, but I can see her going into a Cersei-esque direction in the show if she hasn’t already in the books. Great video!

[@guihuppe]

I totally agree with you! Alicent will give us a run for our money!! ha ha ha! Thanks for your comment!

[@Winter-Alpha-Omega]

Bruh, she's a mix of Cersei and Margaery, so to speak. She even has a bit of Catelyn in her.

[@AshePBlack]

@@Winter-Alpha-Omega Margery is related to her, I can kinda see the Tyrell women in her, well again they came after her

[@AshePBlack]

I cannot feel bad for alicent whatsoever but going cersaei is a terrible end, just why. Alicent is doing that thing hiding bad intent by saying oh it's duty but she can stop, although we got spoiler, she won't. But at least I don't put her on cersaei level, I don't think she has that much steel in her, she'd be like a weaker cersaei or collapse

[@anitat9727]

@@AshePBlack I mean she was essentially a child bride forcibly married to a much older man. Not to mention she's forced into teenaged motherhood with essientially a deadbeat dad. No girl deserves that. She becomes a bitch but maybe part of her bitchiness is due to that.

[@niloticnya]

Alicent has been dealing with neuroticism for years, & it takes a toll on your mind and body. im not team green, but only bc Otto was the one who started the whole thing. she acts out of fear, which explains her conservatism. also, even though Rhaenyra is doing a lot of progressive things in this society that are needed, she seems to only allow it if it benefits her and her family. it shouldn’t matter if her kids aren’t legitimate, but she still fought for her sons to be heir of driftmark over Laena’s daughters. #girlboss💅🏾✨

[@pendragonsxskywalkers9518]

When exactly she fought with Laena's daughters? It was her in-laws who argued about it - I don't think that Rhaenyra even knew about that. Ultimately she was the one who offered marriage between children, so one of Laena's daugher could become Lady of Driftmark and her childern its heirs, and both family lines could be happy.

[@sugarpearl9781]

@@pendragonsxskywalkers9518 Her children do not have any rights to Driftmark. That’s the point. They are bastards and the only reason she’s getting away with passing her bastards off as trueborn children when EVERYONE knows they are bastards is because of her privilege as the king’s daughter. And she only used that privilege to benefit herself.

[@pendragonsxskywalkers9518]

@@sugarpearl9781 By legal point of view, they're not, since Laenor acknowledged them. However, I'm not talking here about her children's claim - only that she never tried actively put Baela or Rhaena succesion aside, because she did not know even that Rhaenys wanted them to inherit. Also, even if Rhaenyra's children were disinherited or dead, it's still not clear to me if Baela & Rhaena had the right before Vaemond, while he lived. So, my point was, that she never usurped B&R's rights, because without her sons, it was Vaemond who was heir presumptive of Driftmark, not his great-nieces. When Vaemond died, it really haven't matter anymore, since Rhaena would marry Lucerys and Velaryons line would be continue in both legal and biological way.

[@TheBHNetwork]

Viserys is the one who started the whole thing 🚫🧢

[@scorpioj3]

It's strange for me for people like you to call her a girlboss when she stole the inheritance of the trueborn Velaryons. if she was very progressive and a feminist as people claim to be then I don't think she would ever try to touch the topic of inheritance of Driftmark

[@swacfan100]

I know ppl don't like Alicent, but I'm sorry, I can't and don't hate her. I really can't help but sympathize with her. I never read the books but far as the show goes, she has a good point of view imo. Not saying she's perfect but I honestly can't see a reason to hate her. Otto is the one who put her in her position, or as you said " A dangerous path". Great video. Really helps me understand her even more in depth. 👍🏽

[@alicentbeloved]

Finally someone who gets her! Thank you so much for this video, you explained it all very clearly. I understand her myself, but it seems like a lot of people are missing the point completely. Looking forward to the second part!

[@t3tsuyaguy1]

One of my favorite things about this series is that I can feel for both Alicent and Raenyra. Neither one of them is perfect but neither are they wicked. They are each sincere in all their dealings. The conflict between them is honest. Even when Alicent places Eagon on the throne, she is being honest. There is literally no other way for her to interpret Viserys' final words to her. What exactly is supposed to do, just ignore his dying wish? She's wrong, but she has no way of knowing she is wrong. It's the same with Raenyra. At every stage she attempts to do things in the way she should. The most dishonest thing she does, passing her bastards off as legitimate, is still undertaken in good faith. After years of "strong female leads" that act like the weakest "alpha" males, it has been a delight to watch show with genuinely strong women at the heart of the story.

[@thejava.witchiswhispering]

I agree with you up to the point about Aegon's succession. Alicent took the reach of a century to think that "Aegon's dream" referred to their son, who didn't want the throne, was supposed to be taking the throne. Wasn't it only scenes before that when Alicent toasted Rhaenyra and said she'd make a good queen? I think a little bit of Otto's good old ambition was taking hold at that point

[@t3tsuyaguy1]

@@thejava.witchiswhispering You may have forgotten Viserys telling Alicent about _his_ dream that he would put 'The Prince That Was Promised' on the throne. He straight up told her he was wondering if he was wrong to name Raenera as his heir, because Aegon might be the king in his dream.

[@jennyyyy189]

Yes love this take! I feel like this is the whole point grr Martin wanted to make and I love that they adapted it that way to the screen

[@mnluka]

Thank you for making this good, nuanced analysis. You have articulated many of the thoughts I have been having about the character and it's great to see this perspective in the online discussions about Alicent.

[@banrions]

i really enjoyed this. i like both characters, but it is annoying how many people seem to hate alicent (somewhat) unfairly without really thinking of everything she's been going through.

[@ayanna6327]

As someone who loves both Alicent and Rhaenyra, thank you for this analysis! You show such a good understanding of her character. Alicent is someone who had no control over her life, and had to learn how to gain it and exercise it. Sure, I don't agree with all of her decisions, but I am sympathetic to her.

[@KennethLyVideography]

Both Alicent and Rhea are amazing characters. We can have both. I haven't read Fire And Blood, just knows the broad strokes but I get the feeling that by the end of this neither the Blacks or Greens can be considered the good guys.

[@keelobrown4991]

I wont spoil it but lets just say, even though it was tarygaryens and hightowers that started this war, house stark is the one that ends it.

[@ojashwiadhikari8927]

I actually loved how they shaped alicent throughout the 10 episodes emily carey's alicent (1-5) I found myself feeling for her siding with her but her being mad at rhaenyra at 5 to lead to the green dress needed more idk but still it slapped for me because I get it and I started 6 with an open mind I get why she has her issues but since 6 I found myself being wholly and truly on Rhaenyra's side alicent was just not ready to see Rhaenyra's side and same was the case for Rhaenyra during 3 to 4 but at least Rhaenyra wasn't constantly holding a grudge but I mostly blame otto for alicents actions in 6 to 7 But in 8 yk she was kinda okay with Rhaenyra as queen then 9 happened but still she was protecting Rhaenyra shows that she is the best outta the council but still i get her symphatize with her BUT i am on Rhaenyra's side But see after 8 it isn't Rhaenyra vs Alicent anymore now this game has gotten bigger than the both of them and i am really excited to see alicent in season 2 and how complicated does her and Rhaenyra get

[@guihuppe]

Me too! I'm so excited to see season 2! You're right, the game has gotten bigger than both of them. I'll make sure to mention this in Part 2!

[@justinegagnon2957]

What a wonderful analysis! It is a beautiful hommage to such an interesting yet misunderstood character!

[@ToyKennections]

These are some of the best HotD/GoT insight videos I have ever seen.

[@guihuppe]

Aww thanks! Part II is in post-production 😊

[@ToyKennections]

@@guihuppe I wished i had seen this ep before I podcasted about season 1. I woulf have viewed Alicent more differently!

[@guihuppe]

What's your Podcast? I'm looking for new content to listen to when I walk my dog!

[@ToyKennections]

@@guihuppe it's actually just on my channel when you click my name. I mostly talk about toys, but in the "Live" tab there'll be one ep for HotD from a month ago and a GoT retrospective from last June. Are you on instagram or FB btw?

[@guihuppe]

Thanks! I'll make sure to take a look - love to see Canadian content creators on this platform! Cool channel btw - I subscribed 😊 I don't have a public Instagram atm. I have a FB page but it's not very active atm.

[@LisaMariavanHarmelen]

Well the show hardly gives you a choice to do anything other than rooting for Rhaenyra. Alicent is just a “supporting character” and Rhaenyra is the “Lead”. They show way more Rhaenyra pictures and video’s. While Alicent is also a member of the house of the dragon, even though she married into it. I think it’s a missed opportunity.

[@sugarpearl9781]

Really? I find Alicent and her children to be far more interesting and well developed than Rhaenyra and her children.

[@LisaMariavanHarmelen]

@@sugarpearl9781 I agree, but yet everyone is Rhaenyra obsessed.

[@jennyyyy189]

I think the two protagonists are Alicent and Rhaenyra actually I hope in season 2 they focus even more on them and make it clear that it's their story

[@LisaMariavanHarmelen]

@@jennyyyy189 I think so too, but they promote Rhaenyra more.

[@jennyyyy189]

@@LisaMariavanHarmelen I think that's because it's a show about the Targaryens and she is one by birth. George Martin loves the Targaryens the most so they are the protagonists in his mind lol

[@JotaP1n]

It’s an interesting character because although many people hate her (at least in the show) you can’t really tell she is a bad person. First of all her only “flaw” was not telling Rhaenyra her intention to seduce Viserys (and this was more Otto’s idea) but one element point many people forget is that Alicent sacrifices her own happiness for duty, the complete opposite than Rhaenyra that ALWAYS does what she wants, no matter the consequences for this father (and king) and the realm. And this is why step by step the gap between them gets bigger, because Alicent just couldn’t accept that a selfish princess acts like she does when Alicent has literally sacrifices all her life for real matters. Some people can argue that Alicent is jealous of Rhaenyra’s “freedom” but the question is, what is the cost of that “freedom?, her scandal with Daemon, having bastard childrens?. Rhaenyra, as Daemon, thinks the throne is something that belongs to her, not even trying to behave like a valuable heiress, even when she knows not all the houses accept her as queen. And the answer for that is playing the victim card because “the throne is mine”.

[@jostockton.]

Also, the king ordered her not to tell Rhaenyra. Had she disobeyed, everyone would be hating on her even more.

[@opchild]

She had no plan to seduce Viserys. They both lost people they loved and she came to comfort him, truthfully

[@jennyyyy189]

Completely disagree they are both flawed characters, who were groomed into their situations and just reacted very differently to it. You don't have to bash one to love the other. They are both complex and have the ability to be heroes or villains

[@lilchaos9212]

The fact is Allicent didn't even seduce Viserys! She was a friend to him, she listened to him and gave him gifts. It was Viserys that saw Allicent in a romantic light. I never got vibe that Allicent acted anything more than platonic with Viserys. It's so sad that Viserys went against the counsel that everyone gave him to marry Laena, and decided to marry Allicent without asking Allicent or, heck, even Rhaenyra since she was her best friend, and yet everyone blames Allicent. Allicent was forced to marry a man old enough enough be her father and yet she gets blamed. Blatant victim blaming.

[@Fleury4]

Alicent is the most normal person in any GoT work. She’s acting how and doing what most of us would in her position.

[@zzoa.]

I love both Alicent and Rhaenyra and I really enjoyed your analysis ☺️

[@guihuppe]

aaaw thank you so much! Hope to see you on the channel soon ☺

[@naruske97]

This video is a love letter to Alicent! Love from a fellow team green supporter💚! Be waiting for part two so you prove how she is trying to protect her babies

[@onuhrita5009]

Go Team Alicent. I just they give them a better advantage or else Rhaenyra war with her would be one sided

[@bgt2848]

I don’t hate Allison but I’ll say this she may have not had a choice but she did not get a bad deal when it came to husbands. Yes his health failed him but he treated her with more respect and affection than most lords would

[@anitat9727]

Eh. He was a deadbeat dad.

[@Sophie-vq1xw]

she could've gotten worse but she could've gotten a whole lot better lol. she was 15 and he was calling her into his chambers to essentially rape her without taking notice of her hesitance or discomfort

[@apieceoflife2732]

He raped her,was a shitty husband and father.Do you think she would have wanted to marry this old hag if Otto didn't force her?

[@e.andersonmondett8856]

He married her to satisfy his darkest sexual pleasures which actually undermined Rhaenyra's claim. He didn't have to have sex with her. Baelon didn't touch his sisters. He was a pedophile and a rapist. He raised her as a daughter and then married her. She had her first child at 15 (in the show). "Lord", she was a Hightower.

[@assortmentofpillsbutneverb3756]

@@anitat9727 people can argue unfair rules, but by the rules of the time alicent's son should've been the heir and be protected as such only to have their dad be a deadbeat lol Tbh I find alicent's struggle one of the best. Its all about succeeding at duty only to be betrayed by allies not following their duty. Add in that shes lived long enough to adjust from that initial motif and she could be very interesting. In a different environment shed basically be Ned from GoT and could show one of they ways his motif could have gone if he lived past his betrayal

[@jasperjon5931]

Yeah fck those fans who don't know Alicent Hightower and just throwing random hate towards her because of her standing in the show, because she wears green. Like are you even paying attention all these time watching the show? These always disappointed me not because I'm team green, but for the thought that character like Alicent which is a masterpiece, there are many folds on her character, the writers designed her so well, the actress Olivia Cooke portraits her so well and in the end she will just get overlooked for a stupid reasons.

[@dinbanjarin8051]

Excellent analysis👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@guihuppe]

Thanks!!

[@jaspersong7959]

Great vid!

[@guihuppe]

Thanks 😊

[@roll54fatematuzjohrahona98]

I believe no matter how much one hate their family in this case father they don't wish any actual harm to them. In Alicent's case she hated Rhaenyra as her lie ruined Alicent's father's reputation and she felt betrayed as this time it wasn't even Otto's fault.

[@jennyyyy189]

I come to love Alicent and love to defend her now but come on now. Otto being fired was all on Otto himself and his actions. Had Rhaenyra been a prince, he would have hidden her behaviour and protected her, as the hand of the king should do to the heir of the throne. As he did with Aegons behaviour. Instead he tried to spread rumors about her, it was his job to stop possible rumors from being spread. He wanted to expose, shame and condemn Rheanyra, when his job was the exact opposite and he rightly got fired for it. That's honestly the only time on the show where I respected Viserys, because he protected his family and he should have done so more and with his other children and wife as well.

[@DM-it1qf]

I sympathise greatly with Alicent although I much prefer Rhaneyra. I blame and loathe Otto more than anyone.

[@lillikoi-]

im very much still team black. alicent may not be a villain, she is very complex but her bitterness, envy and jealousy is what makes others see rae as a victim of the greens.

[@adareadorou4965]

Great analysis! I loved (and pittied) Alicent too.

[@guihuppe]

Thanks for your positive feedback! I hope you enjoy part 2 😊

[@BryndenBloodraven]

I'm on Team green bro... my chivalry demands it. ...Though I'm not obsessed with her feet.

[@guihuppe]

😂

[@skrounst]

This is an interesting thought experiment. I remember doing something similar with Negan in "The Walking Dead". I think Alicent's defense holds up fairly well up until the last two, maybe three episodes. After that I feel like you just have to squint, and make reaches to defend her.

[@scorpioj3]

What made me love the series was Alicent and her family. I genuinely want to see her family onscreen in their peak and downfalls, doesn't matter to me because they're interesting

[@apieceoflife2732]

Alicent is a character who is hated now because of the hero worshipping of Targaryens because of Dany,but in future people will see that she was real victim not Rhaenyra and Alicent did what she did to survive and for her children.Alicent didn't make questionable choices Like Rhaenyra again and again,so they can't say that she was facing the consequences of her actions.She never had a choice.

[@mercuriology45]

Alicent did have a choice and acted on paranoia. its ok to admit that you can understand why she did the stuff she did, but its ok to admit that a lot of acts she commited were simply wrong. "Worshipping targaryens" i mean Alicent technically wants to put her TARGARYEN KIDS on the throne, so technically the greens and alicents faction are still targaryen.

[@apieceoflife2732]

@@mercuriology45 No she didn't have a choice to say no to her father.She was powerless.If she didn't have to marry Viserys none of this happend.Her father is 100% right.The people will always prefer a male heir over a female one like it happened in the case of Jon Snow,so Rhaenyra will have to remove her threats for herself and her children,if she didn't Daemon definitely would have.We see in Episode 10 How Daemon blames Alicent for "Murdering" Viserys though he has been sick and dying since a long time.If Rgaenyra sat on Iron Throne,Daemon would have charged them for Viserys Murder. No one told Rhaenyra to choose a gay man when her father told her she could choose any man and to keep having 1 bastard after another.She stole Driftmark from it's rightful heirs but people never said she Is wrong,she burned an innocent man to marry her uncle but no one said anything. So it's ok to Admit that it's nothing but hero worshipping the Targaryens because of Dany.Because Rhaenyra is nothing but a spoiled brat who has never taken her duties Seriously.

[@oscarcastillo5907]

@@apieceoflife2732 What's funny is that Rhaenyra has committed all kinds of stupid things in politics having all the options, but she is simply a narcissistic idiot who always puts herself before others or the kingdom But Alicent is the villain for pointing out that the princess is literally an egotistical piece of shit.

[@jennyyyy189]

They were both victims. They both had to do things they didn't want to and just reacted differently to being oppressed.

[@gibby3166]

amazing video!

[@guihuppe]

Thank you! I hope you enjoy Part 2 😊

[@legendsofthebravebard]

Alicent is bae

[@whoviansonskaro17]

Alicent is my favourite character. Rhaenyra is great but Alicent is more complex, fascinating, and... understandable

[@cha295]

thank you for this, all ive seen is overwhelming hate for alicent without anyone trying to understand her side of things, albeit with flaws she isnt nearly as villainous as many other paint her as

[@GaryMcSnail]

I really did not like Alicent the first time I watched. I didn't even like any of the Greens. Now, after rewatching, I understood Alicent and Aemond way more, and now most of the Greens are my favorite characters 😂

[@michaelfigueroa9]

Great video

[@guihuppe]

Thanks Michael! I hope you like Part 2!

[@lordfreerealestate8302]

Rhaenyra is whitewashed by the fan community while Allicent is demonized. Some people even villify her for marrying Viserys, as if she wanted to be a child bride. Truthfully they are both complex and ruthless characters; they are no heroes in this story. Neither woman is acting in the best interests of the realm/peasants, only themselves or their children. The entire Targaryen family is oppressive. Even Rhaenys, a dragonrider whose throne was stolen from her, literally stomped on peasants with her dragon and no one in that family cared.

[@guihuppe]

💚Thank you for engaging with this video! 💬I love reading your comments and chatting with you! 🐉Full HotD Playlist: bit.ly/3AoAsVj 🫶Hope to see you on the channel soon!

[@BryndenBloodraven]

Make one for aegon the 2nd

[@guihuppe]

@@BryndenBloodraven Thanks for the suggestion! I'm taking notes!!

[@franny9592]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels this way

[@lillydee5978]

Personally, I've seen much more team Alicent than team Rhaenyra. I honestly feel more for team Green than Black. Rhaenyra has bastard children she's trying to pass off just like Cersei did. Even though she's her father's favorite, her children are not proper heirs, but Alicent's are.

[@rickderoehn2630]

i love Alicent

[@babygirl6075]

This was a really well done video and the editing is on point! Really great job!

[@guihuppe]

Thanks 😍 I hope you enjoy the rest of my HOTD series!

[@GhostEmblem]

I pefered Alicent by far until the timeskip when she made Rhynerra bring the baby to her. What did it matter? If it wasnt a bastard were suddenly going to accept the two older ones that obviously were bastards? and for what to drop a one liner to her husband as if he doesnt know. Before that point I didn't like Rhynerra as much and also thought she was not fit to rule but boy did the combination of Alicents timeskip attidue change and the introduction of Aegon make me 180 on both those points.

[@oscarcastillo5907]

you are so hypocritical Why does he say that to Viserys? Maybe because the princess is violating all the laws of Westeros. Another king, anyone from the Targaryen Dynasty even if she was lucky enough to make Rhaenyra heir, seeing those bastards, she would have disinherited or exiled her for those acts. Because having bastards creates a civil war eventually... so Alicent is absolutely right in what she does.

[@GhostEmblem]

@@oscarcastillo5907 Why does who say what to Viserys? Do you mean what Alicent says to Laenor? Why is it hypocritical? I never expressed any inkling of love for the laws and traditions of westeros I explained my preference based on modern laws and culture and why I switched. I think you jumped to the conclusion that Westerosi law and customs were a driving factor on my decision making and called me a hypocrit?

[@lindenshepherd6085]

@@oscarcastillo5907 It's not about the bastardry in that scene per se, it's about the cruelty of forcing a woman who had just given birth to walk all the way through the keep to see the queen, just because the queen wants her too. Alicent knows how grueling childbirth can be, and still orders Rhaenyra to show her the baby even before her afterbirth has time to pass.

[@portishphonic]

@@lindenshepherd6085 she wanted to see the baby, not Rhaenyra. It was Rhaenyra that presented the baby to her to make a point that she's strong or something.

[@Silverkestrel]

@@lindenshepherd6085 except that she doesn't order her to come, she only orders the baby be brought for her to see. She clearly didn't expect her to walk there as she's surprised when she sees her. It was Rhaenyra's choice and also a consequence of her own actions. She has lied to Alicent and keeps having bastard children which is why she wants to see the newborn. Many of the hardships in Rhaenyra's life are the result of her own bad decisions.

[@BirilliantSkyStar]

I'm team Alicent. She's innocent. It's Rhaenyra who lies to her allies (Alicent and Ser Criston) and turns them into her enemies. I have no idea why some people defend the Blacks.

[@jungwons]

very good video

[@thejava.witchiswhispering]

My feelings for Alicent are two pronged. On the one hand, I definitely sympathize with her. I grew up with parents who were manipulative, transparently self-serving even when they were pretending to be kind, saw me as nothing but a means to their ends. (Hi Otto.) On the other hand, Alicent plays right into every manipulation. You can argue that the things she does were out of a sense of duty, because she was told to, because it was proper, because it was expected of her, so on. But at the end of the day, Alicent is moved along by the ebb and flow of the things that go on around her. Even before she was Queen, she was not entirely powerless. She was the daughter of the Hand of the King, and she's obviously clever and intelligent, she could have manipulated every social event she was ever a part of to her own benefit. She could have weaved her web of green thread all through the tapestry of the seven kingdoms in any way that she saw fit. But she sacrificed her personal sense of agency to do the bidding of her "betters." The reason why (at least I) prefer rhaenyra over Alicent, is because Rhaenyra had the balls. She did what she thought was right, and best for herself, despite what others expected of her, or told her to do. Even when she was basically forced to marry laenor by her father, she made that relationship work for her and her future husband in the way that was best for them, societal convention be damned. The sense of duty, capability to sacrifice, and bend and contort oneself to fit into that perfect box is Alicent's strength, but is seen as weakness of character by Rhaenyra. Rhaenyra on the other hand, her strength lies in being the person to make the choice that no one else will make, existing outside of the structure that everyone tried to build her into, which Alicent looks at as lack of honor, flaunt of duty. Weakness of character. They are fantastic foils to one another, and if you have a preference for one or the other, it means both actresses are doing fantastic jobs.

[@sugarpearl9781]

Being the daughter of the Hand of the King doesn’t really give her that much power. In all honesty how did you expect Alicent to “weave her web”? Who did she have in her corner that would fight for her? Rhaenyra had her father in her corner in a way that Alicent did not. Viserys would forgive Rhaenyra for anything. She very obviously has bastards and Viserys allows her to pass them off as trueborn children. One of her bastards mutilated his very own son and he did nothing to punish him. It’s easy to be ballsy when you’re father is the king and he lets you get away with murder. Not to mention she has the protection of a dragon. Rhaenyra is privileged in a way no other woman in the kingdom is. Why wouldn’t she say “fuck the rules, I can do whatever I want!”?

[@ByzantineCapitalManagement]

Always remember it's written from Targaryen perspective. Also her situation limited herself. She was not born with the dynastic silver spoon.

[@ByzantineCapitalManagement]

@@sugarpearl9781 she is priviledged. Also her taunt of Rhenys was pretty dislikeable.

[@stephenjenkins7971]

If anything Rhaenyra's actions make me dislike her as a person, even if I understand her as a character. She was born in a position of immense power and privilege; the least she can do is NOT screw the entire kingdom over for her own pleasure. Yeah, it sucks, especially as a woman, but if you can't handle that then refuse the inheritance to live a life of abundance without the crown. Rhaenyra keeping obvious bastards as heirs is literally THE moment I hated the person she became. That's begging for a future civil war, and for what exactly? She wasn't trying to make it so bastards are treated better, she was looking the other way as people get hurt in pointing out the obvious -all because she wants things as she demands it. Politically speaking she must've known that her being a female ruler was gonna be tough, but she does everything in her power to screw her succession for personal pleasure. She's privileged in the worst possible way. She's the rightful heir, but damn do I hate people like her. Alicent may be a hypocrite, but at least she is nowhere near as egregious as Rhaenyra in screwing over the kingdom.

[@Mrblob100]

'she could have manipulated every social event she was ever a part of to her own benefit.' not exactly a reasonable expection to her to become some little finger at liek 14.

[@Yareliealfaro]

Love this video

[@guihuppe]

Aaaaw thanks for your comment! ✨ I hope to see you again on the channel! 🥰

[@Yareliealfaro]

@@guihuppe waiting patiently for part two ✨❤️

[@guihuppe]

@@Yareliealfaro Aaaaw thanks! It's funny you say this because I'm writing the script for part 2 at this very moment haha! It's coming!

[@Yareliealfaro]

@@guihuppe can’t wait 😊

[@guihuppe]

Part 2 is out 😊 Yahooo! I hope you enjoy!

[@hollow5172]

yes yes yes finally people are understanding alicent tysm for this video!

[@guihuppe]

Thanks for your positive feebdack! I hope we'll see you again on the channel :)

[@tienthanhvu5838]

it's great to see team Green got some recognition too, people have been dissing them for too many reasons and Allicent herself takes a major part in that, and i don't agree with that. thanks for covering some interesting points of her character

[@Princess_Weekes]

Ohhh, yess content for me.

[@retrogra4d]

please make a part two !! I prefer Rhae/the blacks but Alicent is one of my favourite characters, I feel so bad for her :((

[@guihuppe]

I'm working on part 2 🎉 I finished the script and recorded the voice-over today!

[@retrogra4d]

@@guihuppe I cant wait to see it, I’d love it if you did videos on other characters too so if you ever want to / decide to go down that route I’ll be watching x

[@guihuppe]

Thanks for your feedback! I hope you enjoy part 2! I will release a poll next week and ask the community which character I should cover next! 😊

[@YearRoundHibernater]

very eloquently put, ultimately I'm always on team Green and it has very little to do with the characters. When Visaries named Raenyra heir he didn't change the rules surrounding succession it was a one off an ecxemption. The problem with that is that it's not just the crown that gets passed using those rules it's all the property in Westeroes, every nobel house, all the minor lords, all the landed knights all pass their property, castles, lands, armies on via sucession. They also marry their daughters off to other houses usually for political gain meaning to other people who have castles and armies of their own. So once the crown passes to the eldest female child rather than male that opens the question of legitimate heir to every lord in Westeroes that has at somepoint married an eldest daughter and if you have an army and a potential claim then usually that means war. And in Westeroes incest isn't a thing unlike the Targareans so if you the the interconnected family relations in the show are hard to follow think how much more complicated it is for the other families where it's a little more spread out and also been happening for thgousands of years not just 100 years since the conquest, it'd be civil war in every corner of the kingdom if Raenyra took the throne. So ya team Green because having a women as a dictator isn't a big enough dent in the patryarchy to justify the deaths it would cost to get it and the resulting 10s of thousands of deaths that would result from the chaos that would follow.

[@minigrande1939]

I find the adult Queen Alicent absolutely beautiful

[@vampryo]

UR RIGHT

[@cami-oe8rv]

I LOVE MY GREEN QUEEN

[@guihuppe]

▶PART 2: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jp2ro5eeiqiUn9k ▶PART 3: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGOvmZyIoLmSba8

[@NocturnalMelody]

Please cover her being trapped at court once again when her father seeks to kill Rhaenyra and her family! Love your videos!

[@user-ou9ok1md8q]

The fact that no one really cares for her son being crippled, including his own father (especially Viserys!). And she was the only one who tried to get justice for Aemond in ep7 (in wrong way, but the fact). Her rage is so understandable when you put yourself in her shoes. A mother, whose child was crippled. The fact Viserys being totally indifferent and out of any care for his younger children

[@yanamilenova4518]

this is a great video and I'm definitely looking forward to the next! i was hoping to hear about her resentment towards Rhaenyra, especially after hearing what she said right before slicing her over Aemond's eye. this inner conflict of hers really appealed to me and gave depth to her character imo, i've been rooting for her ever since that episode!

[@dhnguyen68]

I fully agree with your analysis, Alicent is a likable character. She is fair and balanced and the interpretation of the actresses ( young and grown Alicent) is stunning.

[@anthonyt219]

Whats funny looking back, there were flame wars between team black vs team green in youtube comments lol

[@guihuppe]

💯

[@breer9337]

2 tweets that I saw: 1. Veserys always refers Aegon as Otto’s blood when he is his biological father. 2. Otto reminds Alicent that Rhanerya would kill her and her children but then when Otto talks to Rhanerya, he reminds her of their friendship 😂

[@libragoddess5990]

MY FAVORITE 💚

[@missmanifestor9293]

I think you can see the damaging affects of Alicent's mindset on her children. The throne was to go Rae. End of story. Whatever issues she has, she takes it out on Rae and this view spilled to her children who are all weird. Both Otto and her and control freaks wanting to siege the throne instead of just respecting what the king wanted. Rae would've been a good king, especially since Aegon has some serious psychological issues.

[@oscarcastillo5907]

Lol she comited treason in having bastard sheh is a traitor

[@geminisfl]

Is not that clear that Rhaenyra would have been a good ruler. And that's the beginning of the conflict. Rhaenyra was a spoiled brat, and she did what she wanted. Alicent on the other hand sacrificed herself. I totally understand why Alicent would have a grudge against Rhaenyra. I do feel a similar way when I see someone getting rewarded without any sacrifice.

[@stephenjenkins7971]

Otto and Alicent were 100% correct to note that Aegon's existence was a threat to Rhaenyra's rule. An easy person to rally to if people are upset with Rhaenyra; thus Alicent would have no choice but to beg for her continued mercy. The fact Aegon didn't want to see it doesn't counteract that. And no, it's unlikely Rhae would've been a good Queen; at best a mediocre one. Her political decisions overall have been exceptionally poor. She already made her son's succession very much primed for civil war due to keeping bastards in the succession, and she basically has no allies outside of Dragonstone barring MAYBE the Arryns...and that's only because she's a woman. So yeah, questionable.

[@libragoddess5990]

Alicent was involved in the game of thrones the moment she married viserys and gave him a son. As manipulative as Otto is. He did not lie. Alicent’s children were always gonna be Rhaenyra’s greatest threat. She’s just ensuring she’s ahead of the game. If that means supporting Aegon and use his gender as strategy, she will do.

[@sandorsbox]

Hating Alicent is a bit ridiculous. She's almost as much a victim as Rhaenyra. But Rhaenyra is the rightful queen.

[@jostockton.]

Uh, she's the ONLY victim lol and no, Rhaenyra is a usurper.

[@sandorsbox]

@@jostockton. Rhaenyra is the rightful queen. Did you not watch the show? Veserys affirmed her as his heir multiple times. His dying words were formed in the delirium of pain and the haze of milk of the poppy. He referred to Aegon's dream. He wasn't talking about his son.

[@jaijoerik6233]

@@sandorsbox The laws of inheritance were set in stone by the council of 101 that Jaehaerys called together that state that any eligible male heir will ALWAYS inherit over a woman which means legally Aegon II is the rightful heir.

[@sandorsbox]

@jaijo Erik and another king changed that. No law made by a ruler is absolute in the face of a successive ruler. Viserys was just as legitimate a king as Jaehaerys. The difference is that Jaehaerys is dead when Viserys named his daughter heir, so his opinion doesn't matter. A sitting king has authority to make or change laws as he sees fit. Now, other lords obviously see things your way, which is what caused The Dance. But don't pretend that Alicent was an innocent bystander and that she was a "victim" entirely. She played her part too. Caught in the middle of her scheming father, a soft king and a former best friend, she had everything going against her. But if she hadn't jumped on an ambitious plot to put her family's line on the throne, Yhe Dance would also have been averted.

[@jaijoerik6233]

@@sandorsbox The dance could have been avoided if Viserys just named Aegon heir like everyone expected him to I mean even Rhaenyra was expecting it to happen. And No Viserys never changed the rule he just decided to ignore it without thinking of the consequences of doing so.

[@fairykelsie]

Please make Part 2!!

[@guihuppe]

I'm working on the script ✨

[@guihuppe]

Done ✅ Part 2 is out! I hope you enjoy 😊

[@fairykelsie]

@@guihuppe Watched it as soon as it dropped!! 🥳

[@yessica5231]

as a book reader i just think the dance is terrible. as someone who's on episode 6 from the series, I'm siding more with allicent. like honestly her bitterness is justifiable and so are her concern even if they were influenced by her father. so far she's been manipulated left and right by people who she thinks love and trust her as much.

[@Nalhirrim]

Hey bro those a some neat plants you got

[@guihuppe]

Thanks haha most are real but some are 3D models composited into the shot for added jungle vibes!

[@chelseacristoffor]

Wow, GREAT job on the music choices.

[@guihuppe]

Thanks a lot! Major propr to the original creators! Credits in the description :)

[@handonstark]

For me Alicent is a Sansa Stark

[@guihuppe]

Thanks for subscribing! I hope you like my next video! It premiers this Thursday and it's about the Succession Crisis created by Viserys. 👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZWonqOigq5oatE