🔥 ANALYSIS + RECAP HOTD SEASON 2 kzitem.info/news/bejne/xKN6yo5ogHWjdZg
@morjana679
Жыл бұрын
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.
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
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.
@babycabbit
Жыл бұрын
Yeah, but Sansa turned into one of the most annoying characters. Alicent is the same. Cannot stand her.
@mschell8022
Жыл бұрын
Alicent is a historical parallel to Cersei
@Thebeezzkneezz.
Жыл бұрын
@@mschell8022 lol renerhya is more like cersi with the inset xD
@gaffgarion7049
Жыл бұрын
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
9 ай бұрын
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
6 ай бұрын
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
@amyrat151
3 ай бұрын
It's the contrast between Alicent and Rhaenyra that makes the show interesting. This show is a lot about women and their roles and how they react to different situations. Rhaenyra is maybe the most privileged person in all of Westros because she gets away with everything under the cover of her father's continued love for Aemma and guilt for butchering her in an attempt to save their son. But Alicent has to adhere to all of the standards Westeros sets for their highborn women which creates the majority of the friction. Even if I don't agree or like Alicent's actions, I can always understand them.
@Undone545
2 ай бұрын
Im with you 100 percent on this one
@menpostingw
23 күн бұрын
Angry and jealous trashy friends
@StormbornDragon
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
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!
@StormbornDragon
Жыл бұрын
@@apieceoflife2732 i mean i agree but some think she took it too far so i was giving the benefit of the doubt
@nataliadoe7126
Жыл бұрын
@@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
Жыл бұрын
@@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.
@stinap1651
Жыл бұрын
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
@asiamarques4341
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
#AlicentDeservesBetter
@asiamarques4341
Жыл бұрын
@@onuhrita5009 She truly does. 💚💚💚
@lindenshepherd6085
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
@@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
Жыл бұрын
@@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!
@mercuriology45
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
Thanks! I totally agree with your analysis!
@happilyevernever4289
Жыл бұрын
Did Alicent not sleep with the king b4 the king married her?
@thejava.witchiswhispering
Жыл бұрын
@@happilyevernever4289 it's implied in the books, but in the show canon, she seduced him with kindness.
@thejava.witchiswhispering
Жыл бұрын
I just wish Alicent blamed Otto for Otto losing his job, and didn't blame rhaenyra for Otto losing his job lol
@megarakadmea
Жыл бұрын
@@thejava.witchiswhispering Rhaenyra literally told Viserys to fire him though.
@Shenanakins
Жыл бұрын
Alicent is completely justified in her behavior especially after Rhaenyra married Daemon. Daemon doesnt NEED a reason to kill Otto and Alicent. he will FIND a reason the moment rhaenyra steps a single foot on the throne.
@swacfan100
Жыл бұрын
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. 👍🏽
@niloticnya
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
@@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
Жыл бұрын
@@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
Жыл бұрын
Viserys is the one who started the whole thing 🚫🧢
@scorpioj3
Жыл бұрын
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
@LisaMariavanHarmelen
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
Really? I find Alicent and her children to be far more interesting and well developed than Rhaenyra and her children.
@LisaMariavanHarmelen
Жыл бұрын
@@sugarpearl9781 I agree, but yet everyone is Rhaenyra obsessed.
@jennyyyy189
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
@@jennyyyy189 I think so too, but they promote Rhaenyra more.
@jennyyyy189
Жыл бұрын
@@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
@bgt2848
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
Eh. He was a deadbeat dad.
@Sophie-vq1xw
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
@@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
@ALESSANDRAANGOTTI
4 ай бұрын
Perfetto! finalmente leggo commenti e sono pienamente d'accordo, purtroppo non capisco la lingua inglese ma credo di aver capito che finalmente qualcuno valuta Alicent in modo realistico. Grazie, sarebbe bellissimo se riusciste a mettere dei sottotitoli in lingua italiana, perche in italia nessuno difende Alicent ed io sono l'unica che lo fa
@guihuppe
4 ай бұрын
Grazie 🫶
@corpodeanmarian3347
Жыл бұрын
Most guys like Rhaenyra so much because she's an "empowered wahman" and/or because they still have that nostalgia boner from Daenerys.
@AC-te5cb
Жыл бұрын
I was with you in this video until 11:53. She acts on her jealousy. I never read Alicent as "worried" for Rhaenyra. She was jealous, but still had some faith in Rhaenyra. Despite her own lying to Rhaenyra first, she literally declares war after she catches Rhaenyra in a lie. Both of these characters have no empathy for each other in both of those situations. By becoming a "legitimate player in the GoT," she's actually just deciding that she indeed wants what the men in her family want too. On top of this, she decides to protect local misogynist Criston Cole. So, it's not really a mystery as to why people prefer Rhaenyra over Alicent. **BOOK SPOILERS** These two literally become beyond awful in the book and both do unspeakable and unforgivable things, so I'm looking forward to seeing how it plays out in the show.
@jaspersong7959
Жыл бұрын
Great vid!
@guihuppe
Жыл бұрын
Thanks 😊
@Amantducafe
Жыл бұрын
It is the system. This universe has a hierarchy, no social mobility and an inheritance system that forces everyone involved to be ruthless. Alicent and Rhaenyra could have been best friends in any other system but in this one it is just a natural outcome, a succession crisis that was kicked down the road culminating in the Rhaenyra vs Aegon/Blacks vs Green. It will sound cheesy but the violence and mysogony inherent in the system made these two women complicit, a woman becoming "Queen" is not going to change it. In fact we will see how both will risk their lives to the preservation of such system
@drunkchardom5311
Жыл бұрын
I always sided with Alicent, all my friends disagreed with me!!!
@shan1554
Жыл бұрын
I feel what makes her unlikable is her hate for Rhaenyra. Out of everyone in her life her father has hurt her the most yet Rhaenyra gets the hate. Yes, Rhaenyra is a liar. Yes she is privileged and spoiled to some extent. But I just couldn't be mad at my friend for screwing up her own situation. If anything the more Rhaenyra screws up the easier it would be for Aegon to ascend to the throne. She confuses me more than anything. I don't understand what Alicent wants. Is she politically ambitious or just doing her duty or both. In the book I felt she shared her father's ambitions. In the show she seems like an intelligent lost child stuck in a bad situation. Now she is a confused woman. Almost as if she was more intelligent as a child. The most shocking to me was her not knowing her father has been plotting to put Aegon on the throne this whole time. Almost as if the scene in the rain in episode 5 didn't happen.
@vittoriacolona
Жыл бұрын
Alicent is angry because she's done what she was brought up to do, manipulated to do. But her life is empty and she is unhappy. Think of her being akin to the girl you knew in high school, who got good grades, got into a good university and maybe a job at a good corporation. But repeatedly gets left out of being invited to parties and passed over for promotion because everyone thinks she's boring, un-imaginative and is adverse to taking risks or making hard decisions. One of the best examples of this was the council meating in episode 7 (?) where they had to address a new threat on the horizon and where Rhaenyra thinks that they should mount an army and Alicent doesn't want to because she doesn't want to spend money.
@dartagnanjames8069
Жыл бұрын
What makes her unlikable is that she's an accomplice in the murder of a truly great and noble man, lord Lyonel. He deserves justice.
@shan1554
Жыл бұрын
@@vittoriacolona as a ruler or someone in the position of power if there is a threat to trade which your country needs to survive, it has to be nipped in the bud. Ignoring it because she doesn't want to spend money isnt smart. I would respect her coming up with a solution that saved money but she seemed to just want to oppose Rhaenyra because she is mad at her. Her personality bothers me she wants to be righteous but is she truly in her heart. Jealousy and anger over her situation has made her bitter and it is sad to see. Rhaenyra and Alicent could have worked together to make changes to westeros, instead this fight has ruined their families.
@baylorddoom2842
Жыл бұрын
Rhaenyra kinda betrayed her with the whole "I SwEAr iT ON mY DeAd MotHeR'S MEmOriE"
@e.andersonmondett8856
Жыл бұрын
You need to look at the context, Rhaenyra's family doesn't believe in the Gods, but Alicent does. Rhaenyra swore at her mother's grave she was a maiden. The only reason Alicent is very religious is because it makes her feel connected to her mother. Miss Cooke also confirmed Alicent is a lesbian so she probably had some conflicted feelings. Overall, I think it shows Hightowers believe using your mother's name in vain means you disregard The Mother.
@libragoddess5990
Жыл бұрын
MY FAVORITE 💚
@Siriwarbreakerskz
Жыл бұрын
Am I the only one who feels pissed off by Rhaenayra most of the time👀
@swellsessionsteam
8 ай бұрын
I too see Alicents struggle and sympathize with her. Found myself rooting for her so much.
@jungwons
5 ай бұрын
very good video
@privacymatters1778
Жыл бұрын
I was team green as well.
@SandraARP
Жыл бұрын
I felt for her, but only until episode 4 (and the feet scene), her life ando her children's life was never in danger and she knew it, that's why she didn't want rhaenyra and her family death, because she knew the tension wasn't to that point
@jennyyyy189
Жыл бұрын
She didn't see that her children weren't in danger because Otto made her deeply paranoid.
@SandraARP
Жыл бұрын
@@jennyyyy189 she said it to her father in episode 9 🤨
@jennyyyy189
Жыл бұрын
@@SandraARP where she was older and confronted with the choice of killing her best friend, but she also said to her son his sister would kill him. Maybe deep down she knew Otto was full of shit but parental abuse isn't so easy to make yourself free of.
@PatrickCebron-yg8jg
7 ай бұрын
All must be Team Green, becouse is Just,is tradition,and queen can bring bastards on trone,kings not
@cherylbaxter8986
11 ай бұрын
She very different in the book's not the nice little girl who they are showing us as her an Rhaenyra were never close in the book's, Alicent is horrible
@izzyjoshuadavis
Жыл бұрын
I don't hate Alicent. I hate Otto Hightower. 😂😂😂
@chrystalthornton2091
Жыл бұрын
Are you going to post part 2?
@guihuppe
Жыл бұрын
Hi! Yes, I am planning Part 2 but I need more time and perspective. My next HOTD video is premiering this Thursday and it's about the Succession Crisis created by Viserys. 👉 kzitem.info/news/bejne/tJp706SihntmZ6Q
@guihuppe
Жыл бұрын
Done! ✅ Part 2 is out now 😊 Thanks for your patience!
@tuckernutter
Жыл бұрын
I direct most of my hate for her towards her horrible father
@terellchapman8737
Жыл бұрын
TEAM GREEN 💚
@wussellwestbrick
11 ай бұрын
Team green 🟩💚
@sgshumblecrumb6046
Жыл бұрын
People who take sides in this story miss the whole point. It's about a dysfunctional family. They're all right and all wrong. Except Criston. Grow up, little man. You're not owed anything.
@mythsmiracles
Жыл бұрын
I don't root her, anyone can have some sympathy with her but her actions at end will be hated on her and no sane person should support her
@LilaCerullos
Жыл бұрын
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 🙄
@amyrat151
3 ай бұрын
Well, Matt Smith does look fine in leather. :) On a less silly note, this discussion of Alicent reminds me a bit of fandom attitudes towards Kikyou from InuYasha. For all the talk of wanting complex female characters, so many people get really fucking uncomfortable when you can't put them in a "good" or "bad" box.
@lillibeth2544
2 ай бұрын
LilaCerullos 👀 HEYYYYY! You get it! Lila is another character who gets so much hate and for what!
@LilaCerullos
2 ай бұрын
@@lillibeth2544 SHE IS AWESOME, Lila rules.
@LilaCerullos
2 ай бұрын
@@amyrat151 Matt Smith is handsome but his character sucks. Obviously i dont hate him, just Daemon.
@moonlaughs26
2 ай бұрын
Yup
@amber5802
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
It’s so weird to me why people simp over daemon he’s a violent, abusive groomer
@femalegays
8 ай бұрын
@@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
6 ай бұрын
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...
@LoneWulf278
13 күн бұрын
@@Stay_Zerose EXACTLY
@LoneWulf278
13 күн бұрын
People do the same thing with Aemond and Aegon. I think it just goes to show that people love to see power, not vulnerability. They can’t appreciate perseverance and endurance, only force (a traditionally masculine attribute).
@maylynbayani
Жыл бұрын
I actually feels for her so much. She doesnt have a dragon that could save her skin. She learned and grew up.
@jostockton.
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
@@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
Жыл бұрын
@@jostockton.To be honest Sansa is not charismatic at all she's not like Alicent who has a more likeable personality
@teambaby8997
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
Yep, the lack of empathy towards Alicent by the Rhae fans is astounding
@moondevell
Жыл бұрын
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?
@marti9734
Жыл бұрын
@@moondevell sorry but all that you said apply to Rhaenyra as well....Rhaenyra never did talk to Alicent Alicent was always the most incline to make peace with Rhaenyra and standing with her still until the final straw in episode 5... her anger and resentment for Rhaenyra (and not just her but for Viserys also) was built in a realistic and understandable way. Rhaenyra was standing by when 1 guy was killed in front of her and just thought about getting on a ship to leave (lol) and was involved as much as Daemon in the murderer of an innocent servant. She gave her blessing to Daemon for that shit. Also Rhaenyra commited a crime... is as simple as that. What? Because she is Viserys precious princess heir she doesnt have to face ANY sort of consequences and we have to be fine with it and not feeling angered that she can get away with anything while you are struck in a shit life you didnt want because if you were the one to rebel you would ended up with your ass on the street? Its easy to judge from the outside but if you were struck in Alicents shoes its impossible you wouldn't feel anger, lets be real Alicent NEEDS Larys for fuck sake... literally her only allies are him and Criston Cole. She is shown to be PARANOID about the lives of HER children... and guess what? She was right. Her children, as her father said, will never ever be safe. Even if Alicent supported Rhaenyra the lords would have still managed to crown Aegon anyway. We all get that right? Point is they are both flawed characters and honestly I really dont like this Alicents slender and justification and glorification of every shitty or dumb action Rhaenyra do and will do...
@meliastamps854
Жыл бұрын
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
9 ай бұрын
Rhaenyra has all her right to lie about her sexual partners, if she was a man nobody would question her.
@meliastamps854
9 ай бұрын
@@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
8 ай бұрын
Alicent LIED first about her meetings with the King. She broke their trust first.
@meliastamps854
8 ай бұрын
@@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
8 ай бұрын
@@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
@stormveils
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for this comment! This is exactly how I feel about Alicent and Rhaenyra.
@randomgirl2282
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
@@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
Жыл бұрын
PERIODDDD
@femalegays
8 ай бұрын
@@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?
@moonlaughs26
2 ай бұрын
No they hate her so much because they’re applying modern ideology to that world. That’s the problem.
@marti9734
Жыл бұрын
Alicent is, hands down, my favorite character from the show
@corinnae.7877
Жыл бұрын
Also imo the best written and fleshed out
@katytyrell406
Жыл бұрын
@@corinnae.7877 *victimized
@corinnae.7877
Жыл бұрын
@@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
Жыл бұрын
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.
@michaelsnow3536
Жыл бұрын
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.
@whycaninotfindagood
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
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
@moonlaughs26
2 ай бұрын
Rhaenyra knew that she would be the FIRST Queen of Westeros and yet didn’t care enough to secure it. That alone made me dislike her character and I fail to understand the allure that everyone seems to have for her. She knew and didn’t care enough because she’s spoiled and thought they would just give it to her without an issue even though she was warned.
@yuvalnai
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
People hate her because she is gonna destroy Rhaenyra life. Hating her is understandable
@diaperfang5293
Жыл бұрын
@@katytyrell406 No its cause shes the "bad" one, we all know why, no need to pretend.
@katytyrell406
Жыл бұрын
@@diaperfang5293?? Alicent ruined Rhaenyra life
@nicoleelbin9701
Жыл бұрын
@@katytyrell406 very much so and gets the karma she deserves in the end. the show decided to make her character more nuanced.
@cherylbaxter8986
11 ай бұрын
🖤❤🖤❤🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
@natzbarney4504
Жыл бұрын
Alicent is my favorite character of the show. She has the most interesting character arc of the season in my opinion.
@AshLoRo
Жыл бұрын
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.
@c.w.8200
Жыл бұрын
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
11 ай бұрын
The writers shot themselves because how is Addam Valyron supposed to claim Seasmoke now considering Laenor is still alive.
@PatrickCebron-yg8jg
7 ай бұрын
Yes no sense, all money all PowerPoint left behind,leanor will not do it to let rhea marry again,
@kennethmacalpin7655
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
@@ssjalpha6593 What, you think it IS Alicent's fault Rhaenyra's children are bastards?
@jennyyyy189
Жыл бұрын
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
8 ай бұрын
@@jennyyyy189i think this is talking about the scene w/ aemond's eye, not the dance in general lmao
@daviguedes8170
6 ай бұрын
@@jennyyyy189did you Saw the show? Alicent misundertood what Viserys Said. It was explicit that she did not plan to usurp the throne
@Maria1000G
Жыл бұрын
Alicent always puts the realm and the people first.
@alexlefay
Жыл бұрын
"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
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
@@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
9 ай бұрын
@@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
9 ай бұрын
@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
9 ай бұрын
@@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
@Yo-hw1fj
Жыл бұрын
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.
@ByzantineCapitalManagement
Жыл бұрын
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.
@christinedomagala3781
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
Cirsei is a fan favorite to some Which is crazy to me 😭
@noahwen-li
Жыл бұрын
I don't think Joffrey had hero worship for Aegon II, I think he just gets excited over gruesome shit
@mschell8022
Жыл бұрын
Alicent covers up a rape and you think this is some good and moral and not like Cersei? Lmfao.
@christinedomagala3781
Жыл бұрын
@@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.
@deboraron2794
Жыл бұрын
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 😊
@torin8386
Жыл бұрын
The real villain is Otto!
@sealking3838
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
Out of curiosity, what were those bad things on both sides?
@sealking3838
Жыл бұрын
@@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
Жыл бұрын
Im curious too
@junior523
Жыл бұрын
Curiosity killed the cat
@wilson6272
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
Hey! Thanks for your positive feedback! The next video will improve on the set + quality of the video recording.
@camille3083
Жыл бұрын
She’s actually my favorite character so far
@jasperjon5931
Жыл бұрын
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.
@iwant2haveu
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
I totally agree with you! Alicent will give us a run for our money!! ha ha ha! Thanks for your comment!
@Δ-Δ-Δ-Δ
Жыл бұрын
Bruh, she's a mix of Cersei and Margaery, so to speak. She even has a bit of Catelyn in her.
@AshePBlack
Жыл бұрын
@@Δ-Δ-Δ-Δ Margery is related to her, I can kinda see the Tyrell women in her, well again they came after her
@AshePBlack
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
@@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.
@onuhrita5009
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
@@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
Жыл бұрын
@@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.
@iside2373
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
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
@banrions
Жыл бұрын
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.
@DM-it1qf
Жыл бұрын
I sympathise greatly with Alicent although I much prefer Rhaneyra. I blame and loathe Otto more than anyone.
@jenniferafanadorpulgarin3042
2 ай бұрын
They will never make me hate you, Alicent. 💚
@Fleury4
8 ай бұрын
Alicent is the most normal person in any GoT work. She’s acting how and doing what most of us would in her position.
@alicentbeloved
Жыл бұрын
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!
@KennethLyVideography
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
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.
@whoviansonskaro17
Жыл бұрын
Alicent is my favourite character. Rhaenyra is great but Alicent is more complex, fascinating, and... understandable
@lillydee5978
6 ай бұрын
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.
@ayanna6327
Жыл бұрын
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.
@apieceoflife2732
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
@@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
Жыл бұрын
@@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
Жыл бұрын
They were both victims. They both had to do things they didn't want to and just reacted differently to being oppressed.
@yessica5231
Жыл бұрын
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.
@sandorsbox
Жыл бұрын
Hating Alicent is a bit ridiculous. She's almost as much a victim as Rhaenyra. But Rhaenyra is the rightful queen.
@jostockton.
Жыл бұрын
Uh, she's the ONLY victim lol and no, Rhaenyra is a usurper.
@sandorsbox
Жыл бұрын
@@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
Жыл бұрын
@@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
Жыл бұрын
@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
Жыл бұрын
@@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.
@t3tsuyaguy1
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
@@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
Жыл бұрын
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
@keelobrown4991
Жыл бұрын
Im not team black or green, i mean im always team white walker when it comes to asoiaf lol, but its sad to see what politics did to an innocent soul like alicent and the many many other characters throughout westerosi history. It seems the most free place for anyone is north of the wall….
@ojashwiadhikari8927
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
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!
@JotaP1n
Жыл бұрын
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.
Жыл бұрын
Also, the king ordered her not to tell Rhaenyra. Had she disobeyed, everyone would be hating on her even more.
@opchild
Жыл бұрын
She had no plan to seduce Viserys. They both lost people they loved and she came to comfort him, truthfully
@jennyyyy189
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
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.
@lillikoi-
Жыл бұрын
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.
@BryndenBloodraven
Жыл бұрын
I'm on Team green bro... my chivalry demands it. ...Though I'm not obsessed with her feet.
@guihuppe
Жыл бұрын
😂
@GaryMcSnail
Жыл бұрын
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 😂
Please cover her being trapped at court once again when her father seeks to kill Rhaenyra and her family! Love your videos!
@МарияКузьменко-ш6г
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
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!
@lordfreerealestate8302
Жыл бұрын
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.
@roll54fatematuzjohrahona98
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
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.
@mnluka
Жыл бұрын
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.
@zzoa.
Жыл бұрын
I love both Alicent and Rhaenyra and I really enjoyed your analysis ☺️
@guihuppe
Жыл бұрын
aaaw thank you so much! Hope to see you on the channel soon ☺
@BirilliantSkyStar
Жыл бұрын
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.
@olhasum4721
Жыл бұрын
People don't like her cause she's fake and hypocritical. It's very simple. This also explains why people love Daemon who does crazy murderous things but never pretends that he's a saint. People just like honesty. EDIT:This whole video sounds sexist to me. The conclusion a guy makes is that Alicent could do nothing because of her father's plots. But just because she's a girl doesn't mean that she's powerless. It's an assumption that her father has all the agency and she can do nothing. But that's not how the world works or ever worked. In fact one could argue that in times of peril is where we reaveal strength of character. She could have rebelled against her father, run to the septas, tried anything. But she just goes along with everything he says. It just shows her weakness of character. If Rhaenyra was in her shoes she would have rebelled. And that's somethign many people can admire. Not this passive compliance.
@rababalsaif96
Жыл бұрын
Analysis is "sexist" because it seeks to understand a character I don't like. Also, this comes off as very victim blame-y. "Alicent is a shit character because she doesn't fight back against the patriarchy" it's almost like there are different types of people that react differently to their circumstances. She's a tragic character and that makes her interesting and relatable to some.
@farnesetbh8487
Жыл бұрын
So you prefer the groomer lmfao
@olhasum4721
Жыл бұрын
@@rababalsaif96 I never said she's a "shit character". I said she has no backbone and that nothing she does is worthy of admiration. That is my opinion and I stand by it. If someone finds her interesting so be it. But she's not some jailed/disabled/choiceless/blameless victim of a character. She's got plenty of options. She just chooses to do whatever daddy asks and then acts critical of a woman who actually takes her own life into her own hands. Alicent represents everything I dislike in people. What I don't stand by, is guys talking about women as if they're damsels in distress. I do not believe Alicent shouldn't share the blame for her own actions just because her daddy instigates most schemes. There is always a choice. She made hers.
@olhasum4721
Жыл бұрын
@@farnesetbh8487 I find Daemon more interesting, yes. I don't believe he's a sympathetic saint, nor excuse his complicity in all the murders he does. I admire him for not giving a damn about what other people think or say about him. For being reckless and risking his own life, for seeking a thrill in this mundane life. People like Daemon appear in history books because they are extraordinary. People like Alicent live dull lives.
@guihuppe
Жыл бұрын
💚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
Жыл бұрын
Make one for aegon the 2nd
@guihuppe
Жыл бұрын
@@BryndenBloodraven Thanks for the suggestion! I'm taking notes!!
@ToyKennections
Жыл бұрын
These are some of the best HotD/GoT insight videos I have ever seen.
@guihuppe
Жыл бұрын
Aww thanks! Part II is in post-production 😊
@ToyKennections
Жыл бұрын
@@guihuppe I wished i had seen this ep before I podcasted about season 1. I woulf have viewed Alicent more differently!
@guihuppe
Жыл бұрын
What's your Podcast? I'm looking for new content to listen to when I walk my dog!
@ToyKennections
Жыл бұрын
@@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
Жыл бұрын
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.
@syl3317
Ай бұрын
Viserys and Otto are the characters i most despise of this show! They are the reason so much suffering is happening
@naruske97
Жыл бұрын
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
Жыл бұрын
Go Team Alicent. I just they give them a better advantage or else Rhaenyra war with her would be one sided
@scorpioj3
Жыл бұрын
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
@rickde40
Жыл бұрын
i love Alicent
@dhnguyen68
5 ай бұрын
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.
@aishahamma334
3 ай бұрын
It's annoying how everyone keep hating alicent. All because she married rhaenyra,s father. They ignore that alicent never wanted to and she has defended rhaenyra like many times
@toptiersage2661
Жыл бұрын
I love alacent I don't like Rhaena. Well actually I do but I'm more on Alacent's side
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