Alicent will try to protect Helaena in the House of the Dragon season 2 finale

Alicent will try to protect Helaena in the House of the Dragon season 2 finale

As a dedicated fan of “House of the Dragon,” I have been following Alicent Hightower’s journey with great interest this season. In the latest episode, “The Red Sowing,” Alicent takes a break from her political machinations and goes for a tranquil walk in the woods with Ser Rickard Thorne. While I initially found these scenes unnecessary, after reading Olivia Cooke’s interview with TIME, I have come to appreciate their significance.


In the latest installment of “House of the Dragon,” titled “The Red Sowing,” Alicent Hightower departs King’s Landing to embark on a leisurely stroll through the woods, accompanied by knight Ser Rickard Thorne from the Kingsguard. Later, she sets up camp and indulges in a refreshing dip at a scenic lake.

To put it simply, as an observer, I found myself pondering the necessity of these particular scenes. Although it is clear that Alicent feels lost since her son Aemond dismissed her from the Small Council due to her gender, I felt that these scenes didn’t provide new insights. However, actress Olivia Cooke expressed strong feelings about them during her interview with TIME.

Cooke stated that Alicent must leave King’s Landing to assess the durability of her family, lineage, and personal safety. Specifically, she seeks to determine the longevity of her life and her daughter Helaena’s life, as well as their long-term sustainability. Alicent needs to make these decisions without Aemond’s influence and without being manipulated like a chess piece. She is venturing out to address significant issues that could shape the future of the regency for years to come. When asked about her return to the city, Alicent’s response of “I’m not yet certain I do” essentially means she is uncertain about what lies ahead following her impending actions.

wondering what her upcoming actions might be… In “The Red Sowing,” the final image shows her peacefully swimming. Since we see her again in the trailer for next Sunday’s finale, it’s clear she returns to the city. So, what is it that she’s planning or getting involved in?

From the interview, it appears that Alicent’s actions are heavily influenced by her daughter Helaena, whom she frequently mentions. She admitted that achieving temperance remains a desire, but acknowledges it’s unattainable now. It seems that protecting Helaena, who is a dragon rider, and dealing with the potential consequences of this ability, is Alicent’s primary concern. Helaena also has the gift of foresight, though Alicent is not fully aware of this. Alicent recognizes her daughter as both vulnerable and extraordinary in unique ways. Given Helaena’s distinct nature, Alicent strives to oversee and shield her as much as possible at this point in time.

1) I’m taken aback by this development because Helaena hasn’t had much screen presence this season so far. Yet, the trailer hints at some intriguing events ahead. Since Rhaenyra has formed an alliance of bastards to fly dragons for her cause, Aemond desires his own dragon squadron. In the preview, he requests Helaena to join the battle on Dreamfyre. It seems plausible that Alicent will be furious about this and might resort to extreme actions to safeguard Helaena. “You aim to govern the Seven Kingdoms,” she scolds Aemond with Helaena standing nearby, “but you bring only destruction and death.”

Here is one way of paraphrasing the given text in a natural and easy-to-read language:

Alicent will try to protect Helaena in the House of the Dragon season 2 finale

Alicent hasn’t felt “pure” since starting her relationship with Criston Cole

One recurring plotline for Alicent this season revolves around her complex interactions with Criston Cole, portrayed by Fabien Frankel, who is a military leader and quite unsavory in many ways. It’s not hard to understand why she might feel the need for a refreshing dip in the water following their encounters.

“Cooke explained that there’s a recurring motif in the series where Alicent feels ashamed and impure. After her romantic involvement with Ser Criston Cole, she couldn’t cleanse herself of the guilt. Her obsession with scrubbing led to raw skin, as if trying to rid herself of inner corruption. The lake scene represented a cleansing and rebirth for Alicent, symbolizing the start of a new phase in her life and the woman she was becoming.”

Cooke points out that Alicent is behaving hypocritically by engaging in a secret relationship with Criston Cole, as she spent years criticizing Rhaenyra for acting impulsively. It’s common to see those who preach the most about proper conduct secretly violating their own rules. I believe Alicent harbors deep guilt over this hypocrisy, but it has become an addiction for her. Since she believed that Rhaenyra was too impulsive, Alicent felt compelled to be more restrained. However, suppressing one’s instincts for a prolonged period can lead to an explosion of emotions.

1. Currently, Criston is marching towards Harrenhal, making it unlikely for him and Alicent to reunite in the final episode. However, the odor from that situation isn’t something that simply washes away quickly.

Olivia Cooke is aware of the Alicent-Rhaenyra shippers

As a dedicated fan, I’ve noticed a widespread fascination among us regarding the possibility of Rhaenyra and Alicent, once inseparable childhood friends, sharing an intimate relationship. These “Rhaenicent” supporters are numerous, and both the cast member Michael Carter (Cooke) and the stellar actress Emma D’Arcy are aware of this trend. In an intriguing interview, Cooke shared, “We’ve been trying to weave our past together and understand why there was so much tension between us since we joined the production as adults. It seems that when you’re incredibly close with your childhood best friend, boundaries can sometimes get blurred.” He further mentioned, “It’s a subtler relationship, and who knows where it might lead? We’ve certainly discussed this aspect quite extensively. The characters of Rhaenyra and Alicent have sparked shipping among fans.”

In a recent episode, Rhaenyra seemed to begin a new romantic connection with her spymaster Mysaria, as they shared an intimate kiss on screen. According to Cooke, “Witnessing that kiss between Rhaenyra and Mysaria was truly captivating. The scene was full of raw emotion – it was beautiful, heartfelt, and deeply human. Amidst the backdrop of proper conduct and ongoing warfare, their need for comfort and connection shone through.”

Cooke expects the finale to bring unexpected developments. Find out what unfolds on HBO and Max this coming Sunday, August 4.

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2024-07-29 22:41

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