Editor's Note: The following contains spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 3.
The big picture
- Rhaenyra and Alicent meet in season 2 episode 3 of
House of the Dragon
it marks a change in their relationship and recognizes the inevitability of war. - Miscommunication and the influence of the patriarchy have driven a wedge between Rhaenyra and Alicent, making peace impossible.
- Despite their efforts, Rhaenyra and Alicent finally accept the inevitability of war, signaling the end of any hope for peace.
House of the Dragon Season 2 sees Westeros on the brink of war, even as a few try to prevent it. Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy), Alicent (Olivia Cooke), and Rhaenys (Eve Best), three of the most powerful women in Westeros, want to prevent the fast-approaching war. Rhaenyra and Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) both relentlessly claim the throne, but Aegon is ready for war, while Rhaenyra is hesitant. Alicent's desire for a peaceful solution is seen through her urging her son to delay bloodshed and negotiate with Rhaenyra. The quest for peace comes to a head in season 2 episode 3 when Rhaenyra travels to King's Landing in search of a solution to the conflict. Advised by Rhaenys, Rhaenyra makes one last push to avoid war, finally reading the letter Alicent wrote after Lucerys (Elliot Grihault) dead at the end of Season 1. Discovering that Alicent feels the same way about the war, Rhaenyra seeks her out. Her journey is unofficial, as she sneaks into a Sept in disguise to deal with Alicent, but the reunion does not disappoint.
This is Alicent and Rhaneyra's first meeting since Viserys (Paddy Considine) death. In an emotional scene, the old friends interact as Rhaenyra tries to broker peace, and Alicent tries to convince her of Viserys' change of heart. Serving as the final moments of the episode, this scene marks a turning point for the characters as they must let go of their hope for peace and what remains of their friendship. This powerful interaction accomplishes several things simultaneously, as it erases the tragic miscommunication of Season 1, sends Rhaenyra and Alicent's relationship into a new chapter, and kills any hope of averting war.
Alicent and Rhaenyra's conversation goes back to the first season
When Rhaenyra calls the Iron Throne her rightful inheritance, Alicent insists that Viserys changed his mind. Although Viserys stood by Rhaenyra's claim to his dying day, Rhaenyra doubts him while Alicent swears she is telling the truth. Telling Rhaenyra his last words, Alicent mentions him as “Aegon” and “the prince to whom the realm was promised.” Rhaenyra, and Rhaenyra alone, recognizes these words from the prophecy of ice and fire in which Viserys fervently believed. The prophecy comes from Aegon the Conqueror, hence the confusion with Alicent's son, Aegon II. Rhaenyra clears up the miscommunication, telling Alicent that the words come from a story about the first Targaryen king, but Alicent refuses to believe there has been a misunderstanding.
Alicent has held on to this idea so tightly that she cannot let go of it now. In the weeks following Viserys' death, Alicent has told herself that her husband finally chose her son so many times that admitting he's misunderstood his last words is too much for them. Alicent spent decades as a dutiful wife, convincing herself that she still played that role even as Westeros descended into war. While the truth is good, especially for Rhaenyra, who no longer has reason to doubt her father's love, it changes nothing. From the beginning, Alicent was the only one among the greens who cared about Viserys' wishes. When he announced Viserys' last words to the council, they only acknowledged that they could now move forward with their plans, knowing that Viserys would have approved, even though they made their plans fully aware that he would not. Unfortunately, Alicent learning what Viserys was saying can't actually do anything to stop the war, even if Alicent believed it.
Alicient and Rhaenyra's meeting shows a change in their relationship
Alicent and Rhaenyra's added friendship is the best change from Season 1. The complex dynamic adds depth to the grudge that forms between them as they grow, and this reunion brings out the best in them. Although the last time they saw each other, the show hinted that they might rekindle their friendship, that was before Viserys' death, and a lot has changed. With the sudden death of Rhaenyra's son Lucerys and Daemon's (Matt Smith) violent revenge that kills Alicent's grandson, there is too much for them and their families to overcome. This scene examines Rhaenyra and Alicent's relationship after the horrors they endured because they can no longer interact as they once did.
Despite this, Rhaenyra reminds Alicent of their old friendship, bringing up the tournament in the series premiere. As Rhaenyra talks about men's wariness, she connects the conversation to a major theme from the first season: the effect of patriarchy. This is significant because it was these men and their quest for power that drove Rhaenyra and Alicent apart in the first place. Regardless of what started to go down, years of resentment and two personal losses turned things around. Despite their common goal, Rhaenyra and Alicent realize they cannot help each other. Although they are not antagonistic as they might have been, they cannot agree. Alicent tells Rhaenyra to leave before she is discovered, suggesting that she would not sell Rhaenyra. Even from a safe distance, Alicent does not ask for help, showing that there is more than hatred between them. However, Alicient and Rhaenyra's irrevocable differences shine through in this encounternow turning them into enemies as each is forced to accept the bloody war that awaits them.
Even Alicent and Rhaenyra realize that peace is impossible
Although both fear war, they find no way to make peace. Rhaenyra's visit is ultimately fruitless. As they talked, they realized that there was no way to satisfy both sides simply because they couldn't have an argument without arguing. As Rhaenyra pleads with Alicient to realize that Viserys did not change his mind, Alicient finally recognizes that it is too late to stop it. Full of bitter resentment, anger and lingering friendship, both have clung to a slim hope of reconciliation, which they finally let go. Alicent is the first to realize that the war has gone too far to turn back now, turning away from Rhaenyra. Rhaenyra remains on her knees, lamenting her failure as she accepts that war is inevitable. Rhaenyra and Alicent may be the last to recognize this truth, but now that the only people who counseled peace have given up hope, the restraint that stopped the war is gone.
House of the Dragon is available to stream on Max in the US with new episodes on Sundays.
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