House of the Dragon has been getting more exciting with the release of every episode. The show has released its five episodes and left with five more. It has represented several conflicts and wars so far. One of the most interesting plots follows two best friends, Rhaenyra and Alicent Hightower. Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower were introduced as inseparable best friends in the first episode. However, their friendship soon gets severed when Rhaenyra’s father, King Viserys, decides to marry Alicent after the death of his wife.
The two characters drift even apart as the show progresses and after Alicent gives birth to a son. Rhaenyra, who was declared the heir, feared that Alicent’s son would cause her to lose the throne. While Alicent fears the same for her son. As the show progresses, many have concluded that Alicent will be the main villain. However, there is a section of people who is defending the character for being a victim of medieval patriarchy.
Alicent Hightower in the House of the Dragon
Since the first episode of the show, Alicent Hightower has been portrayed as a dominating character. She follows her father’s orders when he asks her to accompany her amid the death of his queen. Otto Hightower succeeds in his intentions when the King announces his decision to marry Alicent Hightower.
Emily Carey as Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon
She marries King Viserys, which causes a rift in her relationship with her best friend, Rhaenyra. Even after all this, she has a major role in events leading up to the Dance of the Dragons.
However, fans of the show have started defending the character claiming that the men of Westeros are the real villains for their medieval patriarchy. Fans are calling out trolls who are bashing Alicent for marrying King Viserys. They pointed out that people need to look for the political angle instead of taking it as soap opera.
House of the Dragon Fans Defend Alicent Hightower
A discussion happened on Twitter about whether the character is the victim or the villain. In the argument of marrying King Viserys, fans said that Alicent did not have a choice. Alicent was bound to obey her father and King Viserys after her marriage.
Alicent Hightower and Princess Rhaenyra Targaryen
They also argued how she did not have the privilege of being a princess like Rhaenyra. Fans said that Alicent can’t allow herself to rebel as the consequences for her would be different from Rhaenyra’s.
People also pointed out the politics in the show with how Rhaenyra goes back to being friends with Alicent just for politics.
As if she had a choice 😂
— JungleJim4322@yahoo.com (@jamaraehopkins) September 19, 2022
However, there is no doubt that politics has a huge role in the show and should be considered while judging the characters. Alicent Hightowers is trolled from the very first episode for marrying King Viserys. But trolling a character’s actions just because she is a female cannot be justified.
The prequel show is drenched in political based decisions for how things are run like true 15th & 16th century England. That’s the way the monarchy was with the way marriages were arranged and wars were started. It does well to pay attention to world history.
— ☮️✨🎃🍂 (@HMUA416) September 20, 2022
also acting like she had any choice..
when episode 4 especially made it incredibly clear she's basically been marital r*ped for years now.. obviously she doesn't want to sleep with him or want him???— sha (@elumaxluv) September 19, 2022
People even argued that Alicent Hightower is getting trolled for being a woman and doing something she has no control over. However, if roles were swapped with a male character, none of this would have happened.
internet just really love to sh!t on a female "villain" but doesn't have the same energy towards the men that constant do bad things. Since ep 1 they've already been hating on Alicent when she hasn't done anything yet, all bec she did what her father tells her
— … (@idlelize) September 19, 2022
And it’s so annoying 😭like do y’all not remember this is a show where politics play a heavy role
— Outer Aura (@thatfunnyguy_a) September 19, 2022
Milly Alcock and Emily Carey Talk About their Characters
Milly Alcock is playing Rhaenyra, and Emily Carey is playing Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon. Milly Alcock pointed out in one of her interviews how fans pitting her character against Emily Carey’s is ridiculous and ironic.
She said, “Because I think the irony that I’ve kind of found over the show coming out, is that House of the Dragon highlights yes, the patriarchy, yes, misogyny, but also the internalized misogyny that these two women are forced to face. They’re forced to be put at odds with one another by the choices by men.”
Talking about her character Emily Carey said in an interview that she is happy with the reaction show is getting. She also says that any hate coming is for the character, and she just moves on from it. But sometimes it can be overwhelming. She said, “I love the buzz, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes it can be overwhelming, and that’s me being completely transparent.”
She also said that she had to delete her Twitter account because it was so loud. She said that she also needed a break from social media for the sake of her mental health.
House of the Dragon Episode 6 will air on HBO on 25th September. All five episodes of the show are available to stream on HBO Max.
Source: Twitter
