The Small Council Votes Aemond to Become King Reagent Instead of Alicent House of the Dragon S2

[@garlantyrell6368]

Did Alicent really think they would name her Regent when this whole war is based on the fears of a woman ascending the throne? The only reason why they made her Regent when Viserys was dying was because she was the King’s wife and Queen at the time. Plus, Otto was around to back her rule. She made this bed, and now she must lie in it.

[@IzabellaRequiem]

This was not only fear for this war, just an excuse, another power play

[@raymondhsu6407]

Even ignoring all of that, if everyone thinks Aegon is dying, then it makes the most sense to vote for giving his successor Aemond a head start on learning via the regency (and also giving the government/society familiarity with Aemond’s style)

[@TheRealHerbaSchmurba]

Not even just that but Viserys likely trusted her too. She doesnt understand her place in thus scenario or in a time of war. Plus she just whined about them ignoring her so this was a hail mary.

[@saborivaille1258]

Also the heirs are bastards

[@lexisisk8079]

I know I loved this so much!! You see the pain and offend on her face yet she helped do this to Rhaenyra

[@Amantducafe]

I love how Aemond just waited there, quietly, as everyone supported him then started giving orders as if he was studying to be in this position his whole life. God i love him so much.

[@alexandergabrielalqueza3640]

Aemond: this is the moment I was waiting for...

[@maliklaidlaw8945]

And I can't wait to see your comment when Aemond has his other eye as a prize

[@Amantducafe]

@@maliklaidlaw8945 Ofcourse, Rhaenyra becoming breakfast will be amazing too. In any case, i'm team Dalton Greyjoy "The Red Kraken". It doesn't matter who sits the throne so long more people can be sacrificed to the Drown god and bloated rotting corpses fill the shores of Westeros because the only price that matters is the iron price.

[@Hatchijuroku]

“I love how he sits there waiting for his plan of burning his brother so badly he can’t function so that he can be acting king to come to fruition”

[@houseviceroy]

Aemond is the type that doesnt want it but was always prepared and ready for it

[@Hussh-and-Shussh]

I hear Jorah's voice echoing through time "They are dragons, Khaleesi. Never to be tamed. Not even by their Mother." Alicent is rapidly losing what little control she has of her children, she knows it, they know it, and everybody else knows it.

[@unknownbunga73]

If only she wasn’t so consumed with the thought of her family that she actually took the time to raise the family properly

[@PumpkinHoard]

@@unknownbunga73 Cercei, Tywin..... seeing a theme here lol.

[@Ray_D_Tutto]

Helaena is the only one she seems to have affection for and vice versa.

[@foxyfoxy-13]

i never thought i would say that but, i agree with Larys : They refused to crown Rhaenyra because of her gender, they refused to crown Rhaenys because of her gender... they can't crown a woman of their own (who isn't even a Targaryen nonetheless) That's very satisfying and poetic : she's going through the same thing than Rhaenyra (Cole, the potion for pregnancy, the throne....)

[@JaketheJust]

No they refused the crown because Alicent thought and claims Viseryes wanted Aegon instead. They all went along with it because they could control Aegon and now they have a reason. Alicent isn’t fit to rule because she herself is responsible for starting this war because she made a stupid assumption.

[@FriendlyBatDoom]

​@@JaketheJustThey did have plans to put Aegon on the throne regardless of Alicent's claim.

[@freddypyotr3771]

@@FriendlyBatDoom Yep, Alicent just gave the plotters a great excuse with her Aegon claim.

[@livia2021]

@@JaketheJust No, they refuse to allow her to rule as Regent because she's a woman lol. This isn't subtext, its right there in the dialogue. Even when she ruled in the stead of Viserys she did it with a MAN, her father. She never was absolved of the criticism of woman on throne = bad, she had daddy to shield her from any nay-sayers. Aegon isn't dead. Having Alicent rule as a regent bc yk, shes QUEEN regent, would make the most sense because her position is higher than Aemond's (she also done it before), but why would they support her when the entire reason the war is happening is because "the realm would devolve into chaos if a woman sat the iron throne." She's an idiot who assumed upholding the patriarchy would save her from it, and they ended up knocking her back to her "place" because at the end of the day, she's a woman and whatever claim she has to the throne doesn't matter when a man is right there as an option.

[@LordHydrik]

​@livia2021 Too many people read into that part, there are members of the council that don't mind having a woman lead just as much as the Black's. Just like the Black Council however they view Alicent as hindering the war effort as earlier in the show she held back Otto and the council from preparing the war properly due to hope of peace that everyone knew wasn't going to happen and that built resentment (Aemond and Cole 1to1 conversation in blood and cheese as a prime example). Being a woman doesn't help and as Lary's mentioned counterproductive to their goal of crowning Aegon but the main reason for Alicent not being made Regent is her play in delaying and refusing to commit unsavory acts to win the war as all her defensive and peaceful strategies have failed.

[@unamed7890]

Tywin to Cersei, "You're not as smart as you think you are.”

[@freddypyotr3771]

Fr, Cersei acts like the smartest but is actually the dumbest of the siblings. Even the show Cersei was extremely dumb. She just had the benefit of starting from a powerful playing position, being wife of the King and daughter of the wealthiest and most ruthless player, Tywin. Cersei wouldn't even last a day if she happen to start in the same place as a Baelish or Varys

[@lisboah]

​@@freddypyotr3771And in the last seasons she only lasted as long as she did because her enemies lost 200 iq points and the people apparently forgot everything she did. Cersei didn't deserve being the final villain.

[@freddypyotr3771]

@@lisboah Yep, Olenna did underestimate Cersei. She correctly gauged Cersei's stupidity but not her brutality. As Olenna said to Jaime, Cersei committed atrocities that even she couldn't have concocted.

[@V_i_vi_an]

@@freddypyotr3771 Cersei is smart, I would say she's smarter than Jaime, but she's extremely impulsive and volatile which makes her dangerous but also destructive to her and everyone, also she's a paranoid mess. Even Jaime in the books reflects on this "she doesn't lack wits, but she's too impulsive, while Lord Tywin was cold ice, Cersei is pure wild fire" - AFFC

[@soundskindagay2709]

That quote keeps popping into my head the longer I watch alicent stumble around.

[@idrinkcofe]

the way alicent raises her kids up only to try to control them lets you know otto rubbed off in more ways than she would admit but like otto she underestimated the monsters she created

[@JackSparrow-ct4mh]

her kids are targaryens tho, otto did the best he could in "game of thrones" considering his upbringing

[@idrinkcofe]

@@JackSparrow-ct4mh what does that have to do with anything?

[@JackSparrow-ct4mh]

@@idrinkcofe it shows that u are an idiot and dont understand the show u are watching. get it now?

[@quakethedoombringer]

Also unlike Otto, Alicent doesn't have politics suave to save her skin. No one in the High Council takes her seriously, meanwhile the only thing holding Otto back is Daemon, and even then he got sent away

[@MrNaturalgamer]

Doesn't matter what political skill she may or may not have. Her being a woman severely limits what she can do

[@guillermorojasc]

Besides the gender issue, there is also the political game; a) Aemond is heir and commander of the largest dragon as a Targeryan. b) They need a strong head as their leader. c) Alicent was part of the Counsel, but never actually ruled, it was Otto Hightower as hand. c) if Alicent is named regent it will upheld rhaenyra's Claim that the greens usurpped the throne as the wife of the King and Rhaenyra's step mother, placing herself before their king, the prince and two princesses.

[@BPOOHEAD189]

exactly

[@JackSparrow-ct4mh]

c) she sux

[@KiritoAkira]

Is exactly what I said. In books Alicent would have been happy about Aemond. This is reason of why modern gender issues don't get well with fantasy history drama

[@benaffblack]

​​@@KiritoAkira Not sure how tf you made this point when...the whole story is because a less experienced man (Viserys) was chosen over a more experienced woman (Rhaenys)....i have no idea why you think gender inequality is a "modern" issue...read a history book bro...

[@attila_the_hunk9685]

Point C) is most critical in support of Aemonds regency imo

[@basicsimp8798]

This is the "I can't believe the leopards ate my face" moment. 😂

[@thecollector6746]

...the irony is that she is one of those leopards herself.

[@syukrinasir3774]

@@basicsimp8798 not only her face, her whole dignity too....

[@joshuakincaid8238]

I've never heard of that phrase before !

[@nevinusa7164]

@@joshuakincaid8238 for context, the original saying/tweet was "'I never thought leopards would eat MY face,' sobs woman who voted for the Leopards Eating People's Faces Party."

[@galacticgaming8928]

Rhaenyra sends her regards, Alicent, along with this message: “Not so great a feeling, is it?”

[@sabgogo7393]

rhaenyra is not much better either , both women does not know what to do LOL

[@galacticgaming8928]

@@sabgogo7393 Both have a better idea than Aegon the idiot.

[@leopoldoernesto]

@@sabgogo7393they both know what to do but men talk down to both of them and don’t let them have an actual place for decisions.

[@luc7478]

​@@leopoldoernesto No, Imagine Rhaenyra's fate would be if they let her go fight both dragons Vaegar and Sunfyre alone ? We better let competent people do their thing.

[@freddypyotr3771]

@@luc7478 You have a point. Rhaenys is a more experienced rider than Rhaenyra and she got clapped by Vhagar and Aemond. It was a surprise attack from the greens so it would be hard to commit your most precious resources, the dragons, for just rook's rest. I can see why they opted to just send Rhaenys. you know what, Daemon was right. He and Rhaenys should've just tagged team Vhagar.

[@livesofflowers376]

Alicent didnt want rhaenyra to rule. She didnt realize that she closed that door to all women ruling lol

[@TR4684-n8h]

Real dumbass. Why tf does she think the rightful heir was passed over in favor of a male usurper? That part kinda just flew over her goofy head.

[@criticastr0]

Did she invent misogyny in her free time?))

[@janehernandez9959]

No, she simply used her power as queen and regency to devise strategies whose results further aggrandize men at the expense of her own gender, embracing misogyny in her spare time.​@@criticastr0

[@AB-zl4nh]

She never invented patriarchy and sexism. She is a victim of the structure as much as anyone else.

[@seliamila1005]

@@AB-zl4nh alicent perpetuated the patriarchy

[@dubstep53]

"After Rook's Rest, Aemond One-Eye took command of the Greens from his crippled and poppy addled brother. Aemond was the blood of the dragon and dragons don't cower behind city walls." -Robert Baratheon Just a preview of what's to come during his regency...

[@BlackDiamond2718]

Still waiting for daemon to sneak past the royal army and take the city AND cole getting butchered.

[@janebowdoe3878]

​@@BlackDiamond2718you ain't the only one

[@freddypyotr3771]

@@BlackDiamond2718 Its a such shame that Alicent doesn't get to meet a gruesome end, at least in the books. This whole conflict was basically her fault. I guess may be seeing her children die is a sort of punishment, but she doesn't even care about them that much.

[@maliklaidlaw8945]

Battle of God's eye. I cannot wait to see it

[@yoloalt4364]

​@@freddypyotr3771its most viserys fault. If he didn't marry allicent it wouldn't have happened. If he didn't ignore his kids except Rhenyra after the marriage the dance probably wouldn't have happened

[@yuseifudo7449]

Imagine being so badass, you don't even need to say a word to become the most powerful man in the seven kingdoms

[@freddypyotr3771]

you don't need to say a singe syllable when you control the world's biggest dragon. They have the nukes and only Aemond has it. He can literally at this moment can be crowned King. He still has shred of duty left he could've easily killed Aegon

[@rogerw3818]

Actually, Aemond did say one word: Dracarys.

[@custodiojamal5150]

2:57 the shot that is focused on Alicent is so great, it shows that she knows her control is getting smaller and smaller, until she is nothing but a woman in the way 😂

[@sabgogo7393]

she's still royalty , when Cole choose Aemoned he really spared her , the war will be brutal the one who must rule now should be tuff and strong and feared . Alicent did not understand the horrific scene Cole saw at rock's rest

[@freddypyotr3771]

Because she literally would be in the way. It's a war she was responsible for starting, but she continues to recoil at possible atrocities of war and this political game they are playing. Remember when she was horrified when Larys murdered his father and Harwin. Yep, you gonna more of that in an open war. The leader must be willing to order such things if they really want to win. She ain't a good diplomate either, she rejected every olive branch that Rhaenyra has extended. She's a subpar manipulator at best, she can't even get her simps to fall in line because her claim to regency in a time of war is just that ridiculous.

[@unknownbunga73]

I think it was at that point she realized she was one of the biggest hypocrites in the 7 Kingdoms at that time. The sword cuts both ways, she fought to make sure a woman couldn’t be on the throne, and is now surprised when a woman can’t be on the throne

[@queenxx1690]

It makes no sense she is Queen dowager and why Helaena is not here she is the Queen😂 ?this show is so stupid in books Helaena was part of the council

[@Negus1k]

All she does is worry about Cole pleasing her

[@korawitbuttramee618]

With Aegon's son dead (Condal kinda forgot about Maelor), Aemond is Aegon's heir and he's a grown man. I guess Alicent is the only one who is surprised the council voted him as the regent. However, her terror displayed here is more about the realization that Aemond fragged his own brother to usurp him.

[@Amantducafe]

Maelor was a child, regent would still rule, and since he also dies Aemond was always the default.

[@liamcollins9183]

Maelor was only 2 years old at this point, so if Aegon died, Aemond would still have about 14 years as regent. There's some theories that Aemond and Helaena were having an affair, and that Maelor was his son anyway.

[@snakethejake97]

In the books there was a theory or rumor that Aemond is actually the father of Aegon’s children. So all he would have to do is support Aegon throughout the war and win the war then he would wait for Aegon to die so his (Aemond’s) children can take the throne. So, if this is true in the show, if Aegon would die from his injuries, Aemond can technically take the throne and become king with heirs already born

[@extraplain2412]

This is my problem with the complaints from people about HotD, they're utter nonsense. You're complaining that Maelor has been forgotten when discussing the regency... The boy just turned two Otto... Regency would always pass to Aemond unless Maelor was at an age to rule. Blimey, when did children who are just watching the show to see Michael Bay explosions and cool dragon fights start believing they are actually clever 🤔😂

[@freddypyotr3771]

yep, it's not simply misogyny. Alicent is so far from the line of succession that her simps can't even agree with her ridiculous request.

[@anabolicchicken4115]

Her son is literally dying (because of her fault btw) and she is worrying about grabbing power, when she is a woman, and the SOLE REASON there is a war to begin with is because Rhaenrya is a woman. What is she thinking seriously?

[@quakethedoombringer]

Also her competitor is literally her other son. She can just continue pulling strings from the shadow

[@jennyblue42]

​@@quakethedoombringerShe can't control Aemond, and she is aware of that.

[@jdash24ful]

It’s not about power lol it’s because she doesn’t trust Aemond to rule. And I agree the kid is a wack job lol

[@Yo_Vuzzen777]

@@jdash24ful To be fair, they are ALL wackjobs! 😂

[@TutosViolet]

Her son is dying because of aemond. What are you talking about?

[@ey5373]

Not a word spoken when Aemond took hand of the ball. Made it a bit of an unsettling atmosphere. No concern or response such as, "I'm sorry, mother" or any attempts to assuage her feelings before taking the mantle. Just straight silence.

[@TheStinalee201120]

And the look he shot her way 😏 something along the lines of "you tried it, mother" 😂😂😂

[@janellejulianajoy]

Because he doesn't care! i think Aemond was done the moment Alicent showed him how angry she was after Luke's death. Until that point, he drank the koolaid....he's seeing her as the liar she is now.

[@MrDragonkarp]

She chose his brother over him and never said sorry Aemond 😂😂😂

[@apelincoln1616]

" Do simply what is required of you Alicent-nothing "

[@TheCoolestJose]

Aka “useless”

[@AllLifeIsTravesty]

2:03 I love how she looks so utterly *betrayed* by Larys, like somehow she believed: _"Nahh, this scheming mofo wouldn't flip on me"_ like girl what did you expect tho fr?

[@freddypyotr3771]

yeah, we'll because her claim was so ridiculous not even her two simps can back her.

[@wickedwitchoftheeast88]

I bet she regrets letting Larys tug one out over her feet and ankles now, serves her right the hypoctite!

[@l.n.3372]

I agree that Larys and Cole are logical to back Aemond over Alicent. But it simultaneously does make them look like disloyal windmills who change their loyalties with the wind as it suits them.

[@kvngslatt_]

@@l.n.3372thats damn near everyone in this series and GOT. ppl will switch loyalties within the hour 😭

[@CarsonSingclere]

@@l.n.3372why should there be”loyalty” now cost them there lives and a war???? Huh??? If they made her regent they would have fell then as was shown in last episode. She would have sold them out. Not worth the risk.

[@vars280287]

It was satisfying to see her face. Oh how the turntables.

[@killermonk47]

Yeah exactly 😂, her whole angle was that rhaeneyera was a woman and then she shamelessly gives her own name. Her hubris is on another level

[@TheRealHerbaSchmurba]

He sounded like Otto when he said to cut down the ratcatchers lol

[@BlackDiamond2718]

He made me laugh cause he made it sound stupid to keep them there

[@timliebhauser]

Hopefully he has Otto come back to be his Hand. Aemond knows how important Otto’s advice is compared to Aegon.

[@Nickname-ef9tv]

Targaryan's should keep ratcatchers at distance from their private quarters for a while. Because reasons.

[@M.JWitteveen]

@@timliebhauser I doubt Otto will come back to be his hand. Criston Cole is an ally of Aemond after all and he's doing an okay-ish job. He might call Otto back for some other job though.

[@Barbaresantana]

⁠@@M.JWitteveenlmao criston he better on the battlefield or eat alicent to be any hand

[@nyancatnatalie]

Rhaenyra doesn't try to control her children like Alicent does, she has actually built meaningful relationships with them. One of love and respect. Rhaenyra really nutured her children, while Alicent didn't.

[@thailorconley6933]

It helps that Rhaenyra had her children as an adult with a man she loved and chose. Alicent was a child when she started being bred by Viserys at her fathers insisting, and then he neglected her and her children in favor of Rhaenyra. That’s not a good recipe for a healthy mother-child relationship.

[@l.n.3372]

People like to whine and say "Viserys was a bad dad, too, so it's not just Alicent to blame for Aegon and Aemond" which is true. But Rhaenyra essentially was a single mother for many years. Sure, Laenor accepted the kids as his own. Sure, Harwin was kind to them and defended them against Cole. Sure, she eventually married Daemon and he can help her with the kids. But for the most part, Rhaenyra was a single mom to her 3 initial kids. She had to deal with the pressure and the rude whispers for a decade before she married Daemon. The pressure she was under was massive, and she raised 3 kids who love her and who respect her. She has a great relationship with Jace, Luc, Joffrey, and you see how much she loved all 5 of her kids. Big difference to Alicent with her own kids.

[@Virgohorrorqueen1980]

I don't think she tries to control them....she simply doesn't want them.

[@Virgohorrorqueen1980]

@@l.n.3372 Thank you. One simply took to motherhood and the other didn't.

[@naleybaby]

The whole purpose of putting Aegon on the throne was because Otto and Alicent thought they would be in charge. Neither of them can control Aemond

[@noahswiss1997]

@@naleybaby they couldn’t even control aegon

[@Loki-g3k]

​@@noahswiss1997Aegon fired Otto in a week. So much for controlling him 😂😂😂😂

[@HolyknightVader999]

They're already calling Aemond "your grace" even though he's just the prince-regent. He's the king they obviously wanted.

[@Virgohorrorqueen1980]

No he isn't. They see that now.

[@eremitiavinea]

They don't “want” him, they're just scared of him.

[@monnica1862]

​@@eremitiavinea got the biggest dragon and doing all the work.

[@thewatcheronthecouch8439]

Man. Criston's not getting anymore from Alicent anytime soon.

[@Amantducafe]

My man Cole is having PTSD right now, no amount of Greenussy is going to fix that

[@whodey8718]

Aemond’s smirk as the other suggest him is so good. Not saying a word til he needs to

[@ananyanarayandhanabalan]

Alicent supporting misogynists: 😄 Alicent when the misogynists do misogyny: 😯

[@SeyhawksNow]

That window in her prison just got bars installed

[@SorceressWitch]

Chose to be a pick me and never got picked. She thought that she could be "one of the good ones". Now told to know her place.

[@gracekincade8775]

Exactly. Alicent is basically the Serena Joy Waterford of Westeros.

[@jonsnow2791]

I mean she still is the Queen Dowager and Queen Mother. If she decided to join the other side what is she? Just a former friend.

[@CarsonSingclere]

Y’all are so weird. She would have been a horrible pick as they are at war and she has only been talking peace and love. She is a traitor to her family and everyone at that table could see it. Which she proved literally two episodes later.

[@negroraven9458]

@@CarsonSingclere Exactly

[@TheTruthIsGonnaHurt]

You can feel Alicent about to explode, the acting, the sound effect, the camera zooming in captured it brilliantly

[@rogerw3818]

Alicent now knows what it's like to be Rhaenyra. Never fun when your deeds are returned to you.

[@rachaelsnapp8654]

It's so satisfying to see how pissed she got when she passed over in favor of Aemond. Did she really think she would get Criston's vote just because she's sleeping with him?

[@criticastr0]

The fact that the actors manage to perform even with such a script is truly mind-blowing. No wonder the author himself was dissatisfied.

[@BlackDiamond2718]

Damn even though this episode wasn’t appealing to me, this scene puts a smile on my face. Alicent sounded like Cersei and Edmure combined and the way she is trying to look to the people she expected would support her don’t, especially cole while she stares as him as he whimpers in agreement of aemond. I loved larys when he shows that if she ruled then rhaenyra wins completely. Also her “homelander” moment was amusing when she gets her wake up call.

[@TheRealHerbaSchmurba]

2:49 subtle. Criston fears Aemond.

[@narfoshin3726]

He’s one of the few swordsmen who’s actually bested Criston in a fight (even if it was a sparring match), he has the largest dragon in the world and Criston just saw what said largest dragon is capable of. I’d be scared shitless if Aemond made eye contact with me

[@TheRealHerbaSchmurba]

@@narfoshin3726 to be fair I would assume that he isnt actually better and that Criston is just training him rather than going all out because Cole is tooted to be the greatest combatant of this time. Though I do think he fears him for every reason you listed besides that. As well as the fact that he knows Aemond essentially has no heart.

[@sabgogo7393]

no, he's aware of what gonna happen in the future , Aemoned is the prefect choice at war's time

[@TheRealHerbaSchmurba]

@@sabgogo7393 could also be that cause he definitely has ptsd from the battle.

[@sabgogo7393]

@@TheRealHerbaSchmurba he never saw a war with dragons before

[@abneralarcon6509]

She really thought she had a chance 😂😂 karma was perfectly placed in this scene

[@TheBuddy303]

I guess alicent kinda forgot that the whole war was started to avoid having a woman rule Westeros

[@TheStinalee201120]

Maybe... It's because she thought herself better than Rhaenyra because she at least married and had legit kids while Rhaenyra had bastards?

[@Amantducafe]

I'm pretty sure it was mainly to avoid Daemon rulling by proxy.

[@edgarrojas5060]

Prevent a woman from ruling Westeros. Prevent bastards from inheriting the throne over legitimate sons. Prevent Daemon from having more power than ever. Keep a competent and experienced council in power. Aside from personal ambitions, there were several good reasons to prevent Rhaenyra from sitting on the throne.

[@Amantducafe]

@@edgarrojas5060 In the books those are the main reasons. And one of my concerns is a lack of background on who the Hightowers are because people assume they are just "scheming/Evil". In truth, Hightowers are one of the most ancient and powerful houses in all of Westeros, the center of culture, center of religion and center of knowledge, in a future even center of banking economy. Despite being "vassals" of the Tyrells that's just on paper because they are so powerful the Tyrells avoid pushing or demaning too much from them. George himself has stated that if he could pick one place to live in, it would be Oldtown and also the Hightowers are one of the few houses that cares for their smallfolk and treats them with respect.

[@edgarrojas5060]

@@Amantducafe This poor view of the Hightowers by the public, both readers and consumers of the series, is the result of GRRM choosing them to be the ones to oppose the empowered dragon rider Targaryen woman that the public typically cannot help but praise and overrate.

[@juancarlo4733]

The acting, the sound and the shot of Alicent containing her rage while almost hyperventilating is genius!!!

[@monnica1862]

It was beautiful. 😂

[@mohsin1950]

It was soooooooooo satisfying, seeing alicents reaction

[@ucky9675]

He only thing that suprised me about this scene was how shocked alicent was. It’s like she forgot that any power/ authority she had was because Viserys allowed it, if she wasn’t married to him she would have had no say in politics. Her sons aren’t as peace loving as Viserys was and they don’t seem as inclined to share power. Plus Alicent is a Targaryen through marriage not by birth so she wouldn’t be in the line of succession even if she was a different a gender

[@katerinecatindig]

I dont even think she becomes Targaryen via marriage. She’s known as Alicent Hightower until the end. I dont think the women to marry in to royalty are allowed to use the surname same way Cersei was never a Baratheon. She was always Cersei Lannister.

[@hoodprep09]

To think the very thing she did to the rightful heir was just done to her is so damn ironic

[@JackSparrow-ct4mh]

she was always just a pawn in Otto's play

[@Narokkurai]

Things have gotten so far out of her control. Or perhaps she's realizing she never really had any control to begin with. The Queen is just another game piece, after all.

[@seiyren]

Oh no Alicent 😱. You gave up the pum pum and feet and you still wasn’t picked to be Queen, oh my 🙂

[@freddypyotr3771]

it's because her claim was so ridiculous even her simps can't agree to it out of sheer common sense.

[@rebboy17]

I love aemond didn’t say one word. Power play

[@monnica1862]

He knew he was getting that power. He has the biggest dragon.

[@Heeem13]

I think this were alicent realized that aemond became an assassin in an attempt to kill aegon

[@TheRealHerbaSchmurba]

She realized earlier when he was smiling as Meleys was in the city.

[@TheStinalee201120]

This shouldn't even surprise her. It's not like they were all raised to have a great sibling love. They are in the middle of a war with their elder sister for goodness sake😢

[@varric]

Alicent: Rhaenyra can't take the throne because she's a woman. Small Council: Don't choose Alicent because she's a woman. Alicent: Surprised Pikachu Face.

[@CarsonSingclere]

No don’t choice her because she has shown she is incompetent in a WAR! As was shown two episodes later of her being a traitor.

[@mattwalusimbi9577]

I love that little look aemond gives her after grabbing the ball😭.

[@sb7798]

Lmao

[@NtoTheM]

Aemond not saying a single word in his own favor, yet getting everyone to vote for him is quite the power move.

[@punkthatiscyber9091]

Alicent really said, "What do you mean if I play stupid games, I only win stupid prizes??? 😢🥺"

[@kimberlyplatt2382]

Alicent looked down on others, she considered lesser than her. Now it’s her turn, I’d say soon. Aemond will have her removed from the small council all together. I mean what can she offer at this point.

[@zinkheroofyoutube8004]

A level head

[@kimberlyplatt2382]

@@zinkheroofyoutube8004 and she couldn’t even offer a level head.

[@zinkheroofyoutube8004]

@@kimberlyplatt2382 But she does In previous ep, she was one of the few voices of reason

[@Jdjdjdujakzgsha]

@@zinkheroofyoutube8004a weak indecisive head

[@MI-vc9lp]

I don't think I've ever seen Alicent look down on others

[@Frenki94]

"It is with great reluctance that I have agreed to this calling. I love monarchy. I love the Seven Kingdoms. Once this crisis has abated, I will lay down the powers you have given me!"

[@youtubeistryingtocensorme]

Darth Aemond

[@forresttowns4995]

Haven’t thought of that context until I read this comment. It honestly fits Aemond well. Somewhere Palpatine is smiling proudly.

[@youtubeistryingtocensorme]

@@Frenki94 darth aemond will become more powerful than either of us

[@freddypyotr3771]

there's only one guy who have done that, George Washington. The dude could literally have been King or a president for life.

[@IMPERATOR-EL]

A real king is in charge now

[@JackSparrow-ct4mh]

things are starting to get interesting, now team black needs their real king to take the charge and its on

[@quakethedoombringer]

@@JackSparrow-ct4mhi like how both houses are defacto ruled by 2 long haired rogue princes with mommy issues

[@user-ti5cw1ug6l]

Its justified because its so obvious she's a traitor. She could've captured Rhaenyra and ended the war but all she ever cared about was Rhaenyra's reputation, during B&C, and her disgusting betrayal at the end.

[@HOEAHHHNIGGAS]

💯💯

[@Loki-g3k]

And perhaps Aemond did the right thing to remove her from the council. That's how the show's logic turned against itself while tries very hard to portray women as smart and intelligent while actually they're the most foolish ones.

[@robertsmiley2207]

😂🤣😂 the clubfoot is like u haven't been showing me feet 🦶 your grace therefore prince Aemond is better suited for rulling

[@jdash24ful]

The way Alicent was fuming you would have thought she was a Targaryen in this scene 😂🔥😂

[@tolentinoloydr.3199]

The fact that Alicent feared what Aemond had become when it's her fault that she raised her children based on her personal hatred of Rhaenyra 😂

[@davidl242]

Alicent is wearing way too much socks for Larys to vote for her….. and probably too much cloth in general for Cole.

[@AllOfTheHallows]

Aemond be like "Wow this is so unexpected. Its an honor just to be considered..😏"

[@JJchi834]

It's giving Serena Joy from the Handmaid's Tale😅

[@crystalcastillo7575]

Right HAHA

[@sybilelt]

Alicent is maybe worried about what aemond's actions might be, she knows he is ruthless and maybe now she is contemplating the dream she once had and how it's turning into

[@thomasjones4306]

Not sure what alicent was expecting. Having her father dismissed was the final nail in the coffin for her. Otto was running king the whole time in peace. Alicent was just there for producing the next heir. And true, if my house pledged to the greens, it was mainly because the heir is a male.

[@Alex-bz8lj]

Alicent is a fool she had the chance to kill Rhaeynra twice and she fumbled why they hell would they want her to be the leader

[@percyweasley9301]

Being kind is not fool. They don't know about Rhaenyra visit... Also more fool than Aemond?

[@youtubeistryingtocensorme]

@@percyweasley9301much more fool than Aemond.

[@LyricalXilence]

She and Rhaenyra have proven why women in Westeros shouldn't rule. Rhaenyra is worthless and Alicent makes stupid decisions.

[@lastsigil7241]

​@@percyweasley9301absolutely. It seems she only cares about power and how she can usurp her way towards power.

[@jmra99]

​@@percyweasley9301 nah that's stupid. She had a chance to end the war there and then.

[@wasifiqbal7219]

Alicent is anything but strong(no pun intended). Aemond, despite his "lack of impulse" is the trump card for the greens.

[@HalstenSnowborn]

Everyone's already said it but I'll say it again because it's kind of cathartic. Alicent has finally realized that if you vote for the Leopards Eating People's Faces Party, then they'll eat your face when they win.

[@mjnine23]

Can't join the team saying women shouldn't be the ruler and then expect to rule as a woman

[@michaelamail4407]

Ewan plays an amazing Aemond like my god it’s so enjoyable to watch. He also would have been perfect for Bloodraven too!

[@Argos-xb8ek]

Alicent got the Fredo Corleone Treatment Passed over. Also what exactly was Alicent doing that was so hard in ruling the kingdom?

[@Negus1k]

All Alisent worries about is getting her back blown out why would anyone take her serious

[@Morfe02]

I want to believe Alicent is absolute stupid because she drinks a barrel of wine every day 😂

[@dec6p]

One of the best scenes in the show!

[@JackSparrow-ct4mh]

very GoT vibe:) ppl complain show unravels to slow, but i prefer it this way than rushed season 8 of GoT

[@syukrinasir3774]

When Jason Lannister called Aemond 'Your Grace', felt different eh?

[@youtubeistryingtocensorme]

Tyland

[@c.evans1804]

I know they call Helaena a dreamer, but the biggest dream of all was Alicent thinking she was ever a player in this game. She's probably now realizing that she was only ever a play-piece.

[@cerovk6000]

Alicent is such a fool, right at the end she went straight to my top hated characters lol she even let rhaenyra know of Aemonds plans at the river land top B🐕

[@HOEAHHHNIGGAS]

If she was on board she might’ve got picked but she’s still tryna protect the enemy smh🤦🏾‍♂️ Can’t be the regent if you mess with the opps

[@MrRedfoxx1989]

Question. Why is Alicent even on this counsel? Viserys is dead so she should’ve not been on here after Aegon was installed. If Otto allowed her to be on the counsel, then she should’ve been removed when Cole was made hand. If Cole only kept her because they were knocking boots, then Aegon could’ve answer her or what threat with “you’re not on the counsel” instead of getting in his feelings.

[@ketienne1021]

Larys just put on a masterclass in Machiavelism.

[@leongruizhe]

i felt satisfy went alicent is breathing hardly and angry just feel so good and worth it

[@asp5399]

We all know Alicent would run the greens into the ground. The way she let Rhaenyra leave, she would never make plans to defeat Blacks

[@jt7638]

Everyone is assuming patriarchy when though Alicent governed as regent in PEACETIME, to have her govern as regent when she is a Hightower, not a Targaryen in WARTIME would be absurd. It is idiotic though kicking her off the council later. Her experience and insight are invaluable. As are Otto Hightower who should be recalled as a sort of counselor without portfolio.

[@maurissafields1095]

I agree with Alicent, Aemond is not capable of that type of position they made mistake making him Regeant. I feel like since Otto left they have been consistently dropping the ball.

[@joshuakincaid8238]

I honestly love this scene here where alison just sits there in disbelief. It's really incredible acting that makes me like the show. you can tell so much just from the few facial expressions she makes.

[@MaredOwen163]

Alicent has always been selfish

[@sabgogo7393]

rheaneyra is 10x more selfish LOL

[@MaredOwen163]

@@sabgogo7393 honestly I don’t think Rhaenyra is worse I think there BOTH are as bad as eachother

[@sabgogo7393]

@@MaredOwen163 fair enough

[@quakethedoombringer]

@@MaredOwen163i would argue Rhaneyra is slightly better because she actually treats her children well, but that aside they are both fairly mediocre politicians (weak willed,selfish, and short sighted)

[@MaredOwen163]

@@quakethedoombringer honestly I do agree with you I just didn’t want to cause any drama because when I comment people usually judge my opinion

[@glaith168]

aemond is so hot its insane

[@andygomez1805]

Aemond is worthy of the position

[@FraBra88]

Now that they shunned her, she wants peace and her son dead as a sacrifice 🙈

[@andrewchiusiwa3487]

I hate everyone on the Greens' side not Aemond. I tried to hate him but the more I watch him is the more I get to love his character😂

[@Loki-g3k]

He is peak targaryen energy. It's sort a love-hate relationship with Aemond.

[@Floro92]

I would have bought Alicents reaction if she really was sure Aemond burnt Aegon and she was upset about him taking his place. But this looks a bit out of character for her idk

[@fives.]

The slow dragging close-up of Alicent realizing how taken hostage by this situation she is while the Small Council hold the meeting over here, just perfect

[@neofulcrum5013]

This is gonna be a rough reign

[@FGTRTD24]

There’s a small thing called karma, Alicent.

[@PrototypeXV]

Instead raising her children to be good rulers and good fit to the throne she made them to resent and desire to usurp Rhaenyra solely because she is a woman. Then except herself to be given power despite also being a women herself is way beyond hypocritical. She will deserve her destiny. She will lose all of her children then she has to see as Rhaenyra's bloodline will be on the throne.

[@sergireig]

3:30 God, that face 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@Alrokako]

She was mad asf 😂😭😭

[@Liztastaney7]

Absolutely legend scene. The fact this happened to me. Wow. I felt myself burn.

[@vinethai7390]

Satisfying moment 😄😄

[@LoneWolf-mh6cw]

its the fact that Aemond literally didnt need to say a word during this entire thing, then once named prince regent he sortof gives his mum this mocking look like "ahaaa" then dives right into battle strategies while she seethed in the corner. perfectly exocuted scene 🤣 in an unintentionally hilarious way

[@BlackMarvel25]

Lmao. She really didnt understand the assignment. Lmao. What did she think was going to happen? Edit: i cant believe the rat catchers are still hanging up there

[@Kryll76]

*Prince-Regent. He's regent because the King is absent.

[@hazeinheaven]

everyone expected him to take the title of king but he didnt. it is specially stated in the book.

[@siewmj1]

How hypocrisy has finally caught up with her

[@anthonyvigil7567]

I really like Alice but What I hate is that she openly complains and blames aemond for everything. It was her who told Otto about visarys delusion, planed to take rhayneras throne. Emasculated aegon and provoked him to ride off to battle… amond has done everything that was expected of him, defended his brothers thrones, offered himself to lord Baratheon, went to war against a far more experienced dragon. He could have took the throne before the anointing and help Cristin find Aegon… WTF Alice he is just like her

[@noahswiss1997]

@@anthonyvigil7567 he was most likely looking for aegon so he could finish him off

[@revanius2213]

Seems to contradict what she said to Rhaenys in the previous season about soft power and influencing from behind the scenes, instead being all upset they decided to choose their most powerful asset over her in the war.

[@aceclover758]

Aemond was more mature and experienced than Aegon to be King since he was more studious, ambitious and smarter, but his personality is too unhinged, like Daemon

[@DavidLopez-lo2oz]

It's was at this moment that she knew she fuqqed up ..........Again.