#criston analysis

[mejcinta]

Why RHAENYRA WAS WRONG for sleeping with SER CRISTON

There was nothing good or romantic about what happened between these two in this scene. And it is sad that not even the producers and directors will admit it, elevating Rhaenyra as being in the right for exploring her sexuality and applauding themselves for applying ‘the female gaze’. This was abuse in every sense of the word, with Rhaenyra partially aware/ fully aware of what she was doing and not caring about the effect of her actions on her subject (Criston).

[greenqueenhightower]

(Deliciously) Toxic Alicole Moments from S2 E2:

Alicent and Criston are engaging in a tug-of-war for more control and power over each other.

We see Alicent running her bath and shutting the door in Criston's face as he has to stand sentry outside her room. She is in control of this relationship and shows it. He is visibly irritated by it.

The following night, Alicent walks into her chamber and finds Criston there after he's been made Hand of the King. He has suddenly gained more power. She is vexed by his audacity to appear unsummoned and his evident pronouncement that he can do as he pleases. She slaps him and shoves him around but in the end, he has the upper hand over her. He has become her weakness for making her feel desired and young again, and Alicent finds escape in thinking she incites such a powerful effect on him.

But is it Alicent who exerts her influence over Criston, or is it Criston dominating over Alicent?

Each of them thinks they are pulling the strings, oblivious to how much they are being pulled themselves.

At least for now, they are poison to each other, which makes their dynamic so interesting.

[banefort]

It’s always surprising that Larycent only really exists on the fringes of the HOTD fanbase when it’s easily one of if not the most compelling and complicated relationships. The erotic overlap between love and violence, his near-primordial compulsion to service her and win her affection despite recognizing that she fears him in the same instinctual way that the fly fears the spider. Not to mention its capacity for discussions of class dynamics, ability/disability.

Matthew Needham’s explanation for the SA scene, that Larys seeks to wrest her bodily autonomy from her through making her own limbs part of the crime, deliberately targeting her traumatic sexual history and conscience-stricken disposition is such an interesting concept. He seeks to invoke a disconnect between her and her feet, symbolically and literally disabling her. In his eyes, the only way for them to truly identify with one another, or for her to love him, is for them to share in their bodily trauma together.

It conjures the image of a rabid animal willingly and devotedly infecting another.

[tessarionbestgirl]

Translating the courtly love language here, I will go far away, ,I don't know I will die or live, so I need something from you to place next to my heart.

Ps: The little smile on his face is so sweet and he drops right after because he feels insecure but as well they need to maintain the facade.

And then she gave him a longing look, the mask dropping for a second.

Both are so holding back here is so bad.

Then she looks around.

And since she can't giver her heart to him, she gave him her favor (closest to her chest her heart).

And for a second their fingers touch, the only intimacy they can have in the eyes of the public (Only under the eyes of the Gods they ca burn).

Such a poetic scene.

[pendragora]

Placing Dimensions and Eye Directions Analysis for Season 2 Posters

Disclaimer: before we go forward, I want to remind everyone that I am a random person on the Internet and this is a simple interpretation that I created using my knowledge on composition, dimension plains and perspective in drawing. If you choose to add input – please, be respectful about it, it’s an open discussion; as the creator of this take, I am not going to take any insults, hate or negativity over a simple fandom post, so be warned that I will block such on sight. If you find my ideas and analysis unpleasant for your perception of the characters – please, disengage and feel free to block me as well. Let’s all be civil :))

In this post I will talk about the placing of each team individually, towards team members and then each other. Along with that, I will be analysing characters’ poses and line of sights for each of them individually since it is telling a pretty compelling story. As a reference I will be using a merged image of all posters together in one (credits to @liv-cole for the image that I saw here and @ara-meyy for showing it to me when it first appeared on Reddit)

Let’s first take a look at Team Green and their stance:

The far back is taken up by Criston Cole and then Aegon on the Iron Throne. First and foremost, the farthest in the whole plain. He does not line up with anyone in the picture and his placement makes the most sense – in the canon of next seasons, Criston will take the position the Hand, which does put him so close to Aegon with his sword at the ready. He the final line of protection for the king, however, his eyes are not directed to the side – in the direction of Team Black.

However, he is placed slightly behind Aegon and his throne. His eyes are also looking forward at the angle that makes him look beyond the banner of Team Green and, in order, is directed at Aemond, not Team Black. The sight is not the one you would describe as of certainty. I could go off about the shot being not the most pleasant, but I could also theorise that Criston’s sight is telling us about the caution with which he could potentially treat Aemond in further seasons.

Aegon’s position on the poster is slightly closer to the viewer than Cole’s but still is further than Aemond’s or Alicent’s. His figure is quite interesting and, in all honesty, contrasting to what we saw in the sneak-peek of the second season. He looks both relaxed and tensed on the throne. The general language of the way he is seated is aloof, he is not wearing his crown, but is holding it as a window into his future. He comes off as the transition period between the man we saw in the sneak-peek and the previous season. He is tensed by his duty, by the Iron Throne, but his hedonistic nature has not left him yet.

What is most interesting is his line of sight. If we look at his eyes, they are not directed at anyone at all. They go straight throne the circle of his crown and off into the distance. He is not on the same field to look at Rhaenyra or anyone else. His look is one of absence. Being the king on the Iron Throne, he is isolated from the conflict by his posing. The reasoning for it might be 1) his transition period into an active participant of war (before Blood and Cheese), 2) his present reluctance to be in this conflict that was established in previous season or 3) mostly his absence in the season after his character goes through dragon fire. Perhaps, we would see more of his struggles as the king and, if lucky, even the progression from an unwilling heir to the king that takes charge and makes decisions.

Interestingly enough, his line of sight goes beyond all of Team Green members and out the frame before it reaches Team Black members. If it is not his future he is looking at, it is like a prison cell’s window at the freedom he could have, perhaps?

Next comes Aemond, who is in the most front of the picture. What’s important to note here, his figure is the closes to the viewer and is actually on the same dimension field as Rhaenyra. He is stood between her and Aegon which makes sense since Aemond will be a driving force of the war (which also affected the number of episodes we will see him in). He is not the focus of the conflict, but he is the line of defence for his family and a force to reckon with. His hand is above the hilt of the sword, he is at the ready to draw it and, unlike Criston, his stance is not cautious but confident. He also has his lip corners up in the poster, enjoying the thrill of war, the hold of power that he has.

His line of sight is directed straight into Rhaenyra’s face, not anyone else. She is his primary concern or, perhaps, a target, because she is the main threat to his family and his brother’s ruling. Among his team, he looks like the most natural and merged into his role of protector. Note that this does not oppose Aemond and Rhaenyra, and, if it does, it is a one-sided conflict in which Aemond is involved while Rhaenyra is not an active participant.

The last in Team Green and the closest to Team Black is Alicent.

It is clear why she is stood in front of everyone in the team, but she is much further in the background. The placing of her dimension makes her stand a layer above Aegon but two layers deeper than Aemond. She looks reserved and worried, and such placing shows that she is not Rhaenyra’s main opposition. She, as was shown in the previous season, would stand in front of her kids to protect them, which places her front-line in team’s order, but it is no longer her conflict, no longer a rivalry between her and Rhaenyra. Unlike the book version, show!Alicent is not the mastermind, but a scared and devoted to her cause mother, and when the time comes for war – she gives way to her children (being placed in the background) but still shows that she is present and protective of them (being the first in line).

Her eyes are terrified and teary, looking at Rhaenyra. It shows very well her stance in the show, that her motivation was the fear for the life of her children before Rhaenyra.

Now off to the Team Black.

Since we are going from left to right, I’m going to start with Rhaenyra, who is also the representative of Team Black.

Surprisingly so, her and Alicent have similar poses, but the position translates a different message. While Alicent is one of resolve and acceptance of her position in the background, Rhaenyra’s pose is showing her leadership. She is showing herself as the queen in this poster and, it is really hard to miss, but in a way her stance reminds me of 8th season Daenerys (I personally dislike the parallels because I think Rhaenyra would be better off as a stand-alone character, but hype train is a hype train).

She stands tall, she wears her crown, she is dressed as a ruler and as a dragonrider. What is interesting, though, is that her line of sight is directed forward. Since she is on the same plain as Aemond, they both are the closest to the viewer and share dimension, she is not looking at him. She is looking forward, past him. My ideas for this are 1) she is looking at the Iron Throne in the background, not even Aegon, but the throne itself; 2) she is looking into the future, since, in Western culture, the idea of looking forward is associated with the future. Her sight shows determination and readiness for battle or her looking forward for her victory. The entirety of Rhaenyra shows here that she is the rightful heir in her own eyes and she is going to take what is hers.

The idea that her sight goes through both Aemond and Aegon and ignores them, in a way, reinforces the narrative that they are irrelevant to her, they are not the threat and, because of that, be the things the other way, she would not have them executed because they simply do not matter to her this much. It is not a battle between her and her siblings here or her and Alicent, but it is a story about her battle for the throne, as it seems.

What also caught my attention is that both Daemon and Alicent stand distant from Rhaenyra, practically within the same distance from each of her sides. It is purely my take here, but perhaps it is showing the relationship that she lost or is going to lose (given the rift that awaits her and Daemon?).

Now moving along to Daemon. Personally, I expected him to placed closer to his queen, given the establishment of their relationships, but in the poster, he is one a layer deeper into the background than she is. His overall posture of, not protectiveness towards his queen, but rather protectiveness of himself gives mixed signals as if it is not him being Rhaenyra’s shield, but her being his. Given what happens in canon between them, it might be foreshadowing.

However, what drives the point is his line of sight. He is looking up and forward, and, unfortunately, the way he is placed behind Rhaenyra makes it seem that his eyes are directed not at her, but at the crown. His general expression is not of a man that is preparing to protect his loved one, but one of a man who is scheming a way out for himself, there is a fleeting concern and calculation in the way he looks. For the sake of not hurting anyone’s feelings, it is purely my take and my reading of his character in the poster, take me as biased.

Daemon is ready to strike, but strike who?

Following figure is Rhaenys.

Rhaenys has a reserved pose and a look that is peeking at someone or something. Given the background from the show, there isn’t much to say about her in the poster. She strikes me as an unwilling participant of the war, but a participant that is going to do her bidding and show her strength. Rhaenys stands tall, truly like the Queen Who Never Was, and her stance shows that she will be a force to reckon with too, considering she is a dragonrider and a skilled one at that.

Her eyesight can indicate two things: she is looking forward, with a tilt of her head, which potentially places Alicent at her line of sight. It makes sense in a way given their confrontation in two instances in a previous episode. It feels as if she, as a mother who lost both of her children, asks her how far she is willing to go to protect who’s dear to her. It feels like in this there is a conflict of two mothers that is established: the mother that lost everything and now fights for what is left of her children (since Baela and Rhaena are indirectly pulled into the war as well) and the mother that will lose everything in the future. Alternatively, Rhaenys could be looking at Aegon and the Iron Throne, but at this point of her development as a character, that makes little to no sense.

Lastly, Corlys. Just like Aegon, he looks isolated from the conflict, but for different reasons. Initially, I had a thought that he was looking forward, and, considering that he takes place further in the background than anyone on Team Black, he could be looking at Aegon and the Iron Throne, but upon close inspection I concluded that Corlys is most likely looking outside the window. It perhaps is foreshadowing for him later on searching a way out of the conflict or out of the list of Rhaenyra’s supporters.

Now, to the parallels between the characters.

Aegon and Corlys are literally the last men standing of both their teams – both on the poster and in canon. They will be the last surviving men of their respected teams, having only Alicent outlive them both.

Daemon and Aemond being opposed only by their placement as the second from the centre of the poster – perhaps, a foreshadowing for a battle that they will clash in; Aemond is looking forward and, like in canon, anticipates the fight and goes in confidently while Daemon is looking out for himself specifically and does not acknowledge Aemond as a threat for himself.

Rhaenys and Alicent – a conflict between two mothers that already lost everything or will lose everything, the Queen Who Never Was and the Queen in Chains, both trapped in this conflict because of their children or what is left of them (grandchildren).

Aegon and Rhaenyra and the way they treat their role – Rhaenyra merging into her role as a queen and wearing her crown proudly while Aegon looks through in as if a window outside his prison.

Overall, the teams display different attitude.

Team Green looks like a well-established line of defence around Aegon: his Hand is by his side; his brother is the main force of protection and then his mother who would sacrifice herself to save him. Their placement is to protect Aegon from the threat of Team Black.

Team Black appears, to say the least, not as the protection for Rhaenyra, but people who hide behind her, which surprised me. It looks rather fickle, with Daemon and Corlys being anywhere but present to protect their queen. They also form a perfect line from the back to the centre that shows that it is not only Rhaenyra’s fight, but it is also not them fearing Team Green, but having a goal to get back the Iron Throne.

[rynnthefangirl]

The show is honestly setting up Criston’s death scene SO WELL.

His whole character arc is centered around him running away from his shame and dishonor, in ways that destroy and hurt others.

He soiled his white cloak by sleeping with Rhaenyra? Well clearly she is a seductive spider and the bitch must pay.

He bullies and hurts children of the royal family? Well they are bastards born to a spoiled c*nt, clearly they deserve it.

He let Prince Jaehaerys be murdered because he was too busy sleeping with Alicent? Blame Erykk, project his anger onto him, send him on a suicide mission in a desperate attempt to DO something and feel better about his enormous failure.

Criston is constantly breaking oaths, constantly acting with dishonor, constantly putting himself and his emotions first, even at the expense of those he is supposed to defend. His is a completely disgrace to knighthood, and he knows this. He knows it, but he hides from it, lashes out at others, projects, hurts, hates, destroys.

He is going to struggle with his shame the whole series, and eventually will find himself in a situation where he cannot win. The winter wolves force will outmatch his own, it is a battle that they are doomed to lose, and his men are going to be massacred. And Criston, at long last, will step up. He will offer to fight and die on behalf of his men, to take on four enemies by himself in an epic duel worthy of a knight of the Kingsguard. This is his redemption, he may have lived a life without honor, but he can still die with it. He will make his grand declaration, challenging Roddy the Ruin, Criston stands tall as he feels a fierce sense of pride and determination—

Only to be struck down by an arrow, and die without another word. Because that’s not how honor works. You cannot spend your entire life being a selfish monster, and then wipe the slate clean with one grand gesture. Criston will die as he lived- a pathetic failure. There will be no songs sung about him.

[moonshine999]

Team Green promotional stills

side note : this “analysis” is only limited to the promotional stills and I’ll probably do the trailer/posters a bit later. Also that this is just speculation and most of it is probably bs because I just woke up from a nap and decided to start typing.

this might be one of two things

a) Larys talking to b&c in the dungeon..possibly informing them of their punishment OR watching their punishment unfold

b) Him talking to Aegon about fleeing King’s Landing or actually fleeing King’s Landing

now this also may be where Larys says the “survived dragon-fire” line if it is the second scenario

I would really like to think of this as a scene where Aemond expresses more emotion to Criston about what happened at Storm’s end.

If you notice then Criston seems to be in his night clothes while Aemond is still in his “fighting” or training clothes (if that makes sense).

possibly to indicate how at ease Criston would be trying to make him feel while talking about this but Aemond just keeping his guard up.

it also does look like Aemond is trying to avert his gaze while Criston talks

Also if the above is true (which is highly unlikely actually), then it would serve as a great parallel to Alicent & Aegon with the candles of the sept vs the candles Criston has lit in …possibly his chambers?

Im not very sure about this particular shot at all so even though I’d like to, going into detail on the above point seems useless

SERVING CUNT

okay so all possible times we may see Aegon at the coucil basically come down to a) the first episode as an introduction and b) after b&c

If it is his introduction, then he is probably zoned out here - thinking of something else and playing around with his dagger until (according to the leaks) he is snapped out of it by either a council member or a guard informing that Helaena needs him

But if it's after b&c then he may be zoned out because he refuses to listen to other council members dictate what he should "rationally" do at this time. His mind would be struck with grief and a want for revenge and maybe the placement of the knife near his face like that is no ordinary mistake.

He is probably plotting something here on his own (could be the reason he could ask Larys for help) and it would be such a good parallel, if he's sort of snapped out of it again by the thought of Helaena

phia saban is turning your kids GAY

so we know this is the funeral dress…the two main questions are whether it’s after the funeral or before the funeral and who she’s looking at

my personal bet is before the funeral. This is because she still looks a bit composed as she not seen her son’s body / refused to see it since that night probably because she realises she can’t handle it

(don’t exactly know if the above bit is phrased properly at all but hope the point gets across)

also in details of the shot itself…her veil isn’t tied on yet and her hair is undone/not braided yet..signalling that she is still getting dressed.

As for who she is looking at…the safest bet is either Alicent or Aegon (considering the situation these two are the people who would understand her emotions best)

If it is Alicent.. then it’s most likely her providing comfort to her daughter and sharing feelings/thoughts of what it means to be a mother

And if it is Aegon (which I do think is more likely and that is not just the helaegon manic shipper in me)… then it would probably be him trying to justify not being there (in the room when it happened) and probably promising that he will get revenge for such a heinous act (or something along those lines)

another note : I did not do Alicent’s promo shot because I think that shot could be anything and I personally did not notice any details that could specify the situation or what she may be doing

[darkpoisonouslove]

HotD S02E02

My thoughts are still all over the place. I wasn't able to watch the episode yesterday and seeing some very vague spoilers had me shaking with curiosity and the need to watch it. It was my first order of business for today and I did like this more than last episode! Of course, the writers will never not be on their Blacks agenda but that could never stop me from loving the Greens even more. And believe it or not, I wasn't super annoyed by the Blacks this episode. Except for Daemon, of course. More about it all under the cut:

The chaos in the beginning and that bloodied sheet did more than showing any actual gore would have imo. And later in the episode when they're taking apart the crib and you see a man carrying a white mattress and you know it will be bloody on the other side only for him to turn it around and the sight still gut-punching you despite that. Especially because the mattress is so small; it's clearly for a child. Ohhhhhhhhhhh.

Aegon smashing the Valyria Lego set was 10/10. Good for him! Unfortunately, I made the mistake of looking at people's opinions and the idea that that's a symbol of him destroying Viserys' legacy and being rash and unfit to be king to differ from his father is just… Lesson learned! Do NOT fucking engage with any HotD content that's out in the wild and hasn't come from my carefully curated tumblr circle.

That said, yes, this is Aegon destroying Viserys' work and thank god! Aegon is rightfully mad about what has been done to his child to differ from Viserys, who just stood by and did fuck all when his son was mutilated. I may not agree with the way Aegon proceeded to handle things but at least he fucking did something! Take notes, Viserys!

That Otto and Alicent scene! The way he (belatedly) tries to offer some kind of comfort and she pushed him away because she's drowning in guilt! She thinks this is all because of her and she doesn't want any comfort, especially since there won't be any for Helaena (and Aegon). I am SOBBING!

That Small Council meeting! I could never put all my emotions and thoughts about it in words but it was just… VERY GOOD! I love how Aegon brings up the fact that Rhaenyra's sons are bastards right before throwing a cup. Because what was he doing when the murder of his son was happening? He was drinking and mocking his nephews while trying to come up with titles for himself. He feels guilty but he cannot express that in any capacity just like he's not afforded enough space for his grief and anger. There's always the next thing that has to be done, the next performance to be acted out. Every move has to be calculated in order to benefit him and his family rather than harm them and he's just… not good at that. In general. But also, in this specific moment it's completely understandable that he's not good at that. He shouldn't have to be! Alicent herself lost her temper when her child was mutilated and she got burned too. Oh, this must be awful for her to watch and still have to guide Aegon away from his outbursts.

(If anyone wants to come after Criston for having sex with Alicent, you can fuck right off! The man cannot be expected to be guarding the family 24/7 and it was made clear that it wasn't his watch at that time. Even if it was, he guards Alicent's chambers so he still wouldn't have been able to do anything. The writers just decided to remove all the guards from the premises and would now love to throw the blame onto Criston. Same with that "why wasn't Helaena given a sworn protector?" line. Because then they would have actually needed to write something clever instead of employing the most brain dead conveniences, silly! Why else?)

Larys interrupting like "Hello! I have been efficient! :)"

Love when Aegon went "Hey, you know what? Maybe I should kill everyone!" I knew he'd do that!. He's such a volatile little shit and YET… cannot even compare with his grandfather.

Otto in this episode is hateable and yet so, so correct and necessary. I loved all of that. He is such an opportunist and that's why he's been in the game for so long! And his advice makes total sense on a strategic level. All they have to do is disregard all their emotions like he's guided and coerced them to do all their lives… Sir… SIR… *crying* this is all your fault (I mean the fact that they're all emotionally stunted, not the war (though to be fair, he's largely responsible for that too)). Sir, the monster that you are.

I especially adore the contrast between Aegon and Otto. In the face of such unmoved calculation, Aegon's pain is front and center of the scene. He doesn't want his son to be used as a prop to win the war. And he turns to Alicent for advice because he knows that she has empathy and understands his emotions, his agony, that she's not pure strategy like her father only for her to tell him that they have to be strategic at the moment and then end up forced into the performance herself. The way that she keeps enabling Otto's exploitation of their lowest moments because that's all they've ever done, because they're trapped in this song and dance now.

It becomes even more cutting in the scenes with Helaena, who just wants her pain to be private, doesn't want to be gawked at by people she doesn't know. Them sharing her pain doesn't bring any consolation because they're not sharing anything. To them she's a symbol and even if they understand the pain of losing a child, they cannot understand her pain of losing her child. Only Aegon can and not in the exact same capacity as her so in the end, they just stare at each other without words and then keep on walking past one another. But the way that she had a panic attack at so much freely given "sympathy" for her pain only to search for some from him and he can't really offer it because they don't speak the same language and he cannot let his guard down in that way and be vulnerable when he's already been weakened as king and no one takes him seriously, and he's grappling for any shred of power, hungering for any violence he can do to someone just to feel a little bit less helpless, and he knows that that's not what she needs and he can give her nothing, which just makes him feel even weaker… Nnnnnnnngh, I am howling in pain!!!!!

The way Blood was acting all tough and menacing last episode only to instantly spill everything just at the sight of Larys was peak performance! Shows how pathetic he is and how scary Larys is. He has worked for that reputation and people really should be afraid of him. But then Aegon steps onto the scene and just bashes that guy's head in. Any wonder Criston and Aegon have teamed up to head the Club of Bad Decisions?

I have to admit that I thoroughly enjoyed the fight between Daemon and Rhaenyra. I like that she said she's never fully trusted him and that she was visibly afraid of him and expected him to try to choke her again. Only other thing that should have happened was her feeding Daemon to her dragon tbh (yes, we're back to the Daemon hate).

Initially, I found the scene between Rhaenyra and Baela touching but then I remembered that Rhaenyra didn't allow Jace to scout King's Landing, probably being afraid he'd be killed like Luke, but it's okay to send Baela, I guess. Who cares if she dies? I did want to take this as her trusting Baela but I just cannot gloss over the fact that she was so swift to forbid Jace from doing the exact thing that she's sending Baela to do.

Not Criston projecting like crazy onto Ser Arryk. I have to admit that that was amusing. Also, as someone said, that plan to assassinate Rhaenyra is "not the worst" that has ever been hatched around these parts.

I liked the scene with Jace and Baela for the fact that she knows about him being a bastard and they talk so openly about it. Both of them have gotten nothing so far and they are also trapped in performances (just like team Green) that this was interesting but also… I can't latch onto any character conflicts or development when we've barely seen anything from those characters.

Aemond, my man, you desperately need to be teleported to a therapist. Those mommy issues are running rampant! The fact that he was so angry at Alicent last episode only to then show that he completely understands why she was mad at him in this one and say all those things that he should have said to her to someone, who's clearly meant to represent Alicent. This would all be 10 000x more efficient if he just said all that to his mother but he just cannot because he cannot be vulnerable in front of her when she's disappointed with him since he's so used to being Mommy's Special Boy. Him and Aegon are such foils in that regard.

Am I the only one who got the impression that Rhaenys is ready to get into some Otto Hightower-type shit and "guide" Rhaenyra to where she wants her?

I'm getting tired of typing so let's wrap this up. Aegon's course of actions is not the smartest but I cannot blame him for it… too much. But seriously, showing the dog mourning Cheese was fucking awful. That dog should be trying to scale the wall and rip his corpse apart after he kicked it last episode. Get the fuck out of here with this!

I was very much cackling during that enire scene with Aegon and Otto. Otto may dislike it all he wants but the two of them are much more similar than he'd like to admit. The second they are hurt, they bring out all their cruelty to strike back. But also, Otto's "the apocalypse is upon us" faces were absolutely priceless! I do want him to stay simply for the fact that he always stirs so much shit but at this point the events don't need his help and Criston and Aegon are absolutely going to Fuck Shit Up TM so things are good anyway.

The Erryk and Arryk fight was crazy! There's zero way to tell who's who but the fact that another guard showed up and instead of leading Rhaenyra away to a safe place (and finding reinforcements) after she was almost sis kebabed twice… makes me think that all the guards are just stupid. There's just a force in Westeros that affects all guards and makes them absolute morons.

I did know spoilers about the book, though, so I was wondering how this will go down. Since obviously both of them had to die but that scene was having a clear winner. I did not expect him to take himself out but yeah, that makes sense. Really makes both the twins and their fate so tragic (would have been nice if we'd been led to care more about them while they were still alive, though).

Otto and Alicent having a touching moment and finally truly seeming on the same page and having a genuine understanding between them only for him to cut her off like that again… Ouch!

SURPRISE DAERON MENTION, AAAAAAAAAAAAH! Finally, a sneak attack from the writers that isn't meant to upset me!

Alicent wanting to comfort Aegon and then just… choosing not to as if she's passing down Otto's disapproval and tendency to punish her (whether she's done anything or not) through emotional distance. They are all so damaged! MY BABIES!!!!!!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

The scene with Criston… The kiss was hot but I wish they would actually give them a whole scene where they talk. I cannot believe we got Corlys x Rhaenys pillow talk but we are yet to get anything on Alicent and Criston, who are a newly established relationship. I want to know more about Criston's perspective on this! If he feels so much guilt (which he obviously does), why did he even start this? Let him be a dimensional character with his own agency, dammit! I don't like how they are making him look like Alicent's lost little puppy dog the way he just doesn't really display any kind of agency in their interactions. And the way that they've ended both episodes with them having sex even though Alicent said they wouldn't anymore/was angry at him makes it look like the narrative is passing judgment. Like "Oh, god, these two are fucking again when everyone else is having a really bad time. Can you believe the nerve? *eye roll*"

That's it for this week. I cannot wait to see how much messier the Greens will get next time. Somehow they keep winning with their characterization despite the writers' best efforts!

[mywatchhasnotended]

HotD 2x01 - My Recap

a/n: i used to do the analysis thingy back in 2022 which was fairly popular but i cringe reading those cos just 🫡 (hence on priv now) so anyway, moving on and learning from my mistakes but not breaking the tradition— i present, my recap of the episode! :)

warnings: s2 spoliers, mind the language, might delete later lol

They've changed the intro, perhaps foreshadowed in the last season with Helaena saying, "Dragons of flesh weaving dragons of thread." Blood courses through the characters already dead, much like the S1 intro.

A raven flies through the woods, above the water body and a voiceover begins— not of any character we've known until now. "Duty is sacrifice. It eclipses all things, even blood", a heavy northern accent is noted as we're reminded of Rhaenyra's duty towards the realm— and we finally see Winterfell. It hints at the prophecy, of course.

"Winter is Coming."

Jace (Harry Collett) and Cregan Stark (Tom Taylor)— the latter looking reminiscent of Ned Stark with the former looking eerily like Jon Snow. Thanks for keeping the curls btw, last season's wig was atrocious. (But again, this is just me describing what I see, you don't have to agree.) As Jace is recounting the story of Torrhen Stark and ending it with "The war is coming... We cannot wage it without the support of the North." he finally looks at what lies beyond the wall. Cregan mentions how Jaehaerys and his wife stood at the same spot that Jace is standing at now and, "...watched as their dragons— the greatest power in the world— refused to cross it."

And what is beyond the wall? Jace asks. "Death", says Cregan.

Remember the raven we saw earlier? Yes, that's the "Urgent news from Dragonstone", and the look on Jace's face— he knows something is wrong, very very wrong.

We then cut to Rhaenys riding Meleys, and then unmounting— clearly looking exhausted. They've been patrolling the skies waiting to be attacked at any moment by the greens. They (Aemond) killed Luke. The blacks are threatened and on alert.

"We're flying out," Daemon says, least bit tired or worried. He runs on the chaotic energy, we've seen that before, haven't we? Daemon is not tired of this at all, he's excited, he wants Rhaenyra to do something— anything at all.

Daemon saying, "I cannot face that whorey hoary old bitch alone." Dude you can wtf "..with my dragon and yours together we can kill Vhaegar and her rider", that's right Daemon— make it a son for a son. He's lived with Vhaegar, knows about the dragon perhaps more than Aemond does, but he undermines himself. (Now I'm wondering if it means that there's going to be some kind of treachery at the final showdown?)

Daemon is clearly pissed, "The mother grieves as the queen shirks her duties," he roars. Rhaenys explains how she herself mourned Laena's death, she understands Rhaenyra's pain. Daemon, on the other hand, feels trapped because he could've instead been at Harrenhall but he remains powerless in the matter. I think it annoys him quite a bit.

"She was a fool to go alone," Daemon says, "What if Aemond were to happen upon her?" and I think in that moment perhaps Rhaenys knew Rhaenyra better. Daemon always saw her as a small (vicious, nonetheless, but still a small) thing. Daemon hasn't been there when she fought the most brutal physical and mental battles. The attack in the woods, the birth of her child, even during her miscarriage— he abandons her. Regardless of the fact that he himself was preparing and perhaps grieving in the manner he knew how to.

Daemon taunts her, or perhaps complains to Rhaenys again about the fact that she could've simply killed the greens when she had the chance to while escaping King's Landing, emphasizes that "Luke would be alive."— tell me if that's not father!Daemon at all like? He cared for the kid, enough about the psychopathic allegations. (Maybe calling him babygirl is too much for the creators to handle but don't tell me Daemon isn't human. He's got feelings too, he just knows how to hide them well behind his sharp tongue.)

"Fly with me, it is a command", he declares to Rhaenys but she continues to walk away from him. "Would that you were the King," she taunts back.

The scene transitions to Rhaenyra on the shore, lifeless with grief, lifeless with perhaps hope too. That her son might somehow crawl out of the water alive, or descend from the sky on his dragon. She's holding it in, but barely. She's never been away from him for so long, it is pointless to hope because something terrible has sure to have occured.

Cut to Corlys on the (Dockyard?) of a ship that has miraculously survived the Stepstones. It would take weeks to get these ships back to sea. "The smithey delivered this earlier," and Corlys is handed a weapon— a dagger that was commissioned for the heir to the Driftmark's throne— Lucerys Velaryon.

"They tell me you're the one that dragged my body out of the sea. I'm indebted to you— Alyn." Corlys says. And thus we're introduced to another new and important character.

The scene changes to one overlooking the Red Keep, kingsguard wearing green cloaks and holding the Hightower shield. Much has changed.

Arryk (I think), tells them to focus, someone shouts "Dragon" and the weapon (scorpion is what it's called) is drawn towards an incoming target. They're on high alert too, waiting for consequences. But it is only Aemond riding Vhaegar. She seems to be listening to him now, doesn't she?

Helaena's muttering as usual, and embroidering. Aegon walks in and asks for Jaehaerys, his son. Well, at least he can tell his kids apart. (Are they trying to redeem this man?) Anyway, he asks Helaena and she responds with "Why?", perhaps Aegon has learnt a thing or two because he wants to take his son to the small council. He himself was never the heir, never treated like one, perhaps he realises this.

"I'm afraid," she says as Aegon is leaving her chambers. "Don't be, they'd be fools to attack with Vhaegar protecting the city." But it isn't dragons that seem to scare her, it is rats. Aegon and the maids look around— there are no rats, not in her chamber. But she's a dreamer, she rarely talks of the present. "The Queen is an enduring mystery. Is she not?" Aegon asks dismissively. (The children with wigs— I cannot lol)

The scene then transitions to Alicent digging her nails into the armrest. Something, someone between her legs. Guess who? Crispin fucking hypocritic Cole. That's right, he's the dowager queen's whore. Apparently, he seems to be carrying out these activities in Rhaenyra's chambers. (Are they both thinking of her when they do it? Who knows lol) "We cannot, again" Alicent says to Criston but it looks like it has been happening for a while. Failed promises much, Criston? (Not to quote the duty and sacrifice thing again because Rhaenyra and Alicent were clearly trying to amend things before the men around them decided to make it worse. How does it feel to hate Rhaenyra now that you're being a whore anyway Crispin?)

"Yes, your grace" Cole says, "If you wouldn't mind" — handing her the cloak (remember how they showed young!Rhaenyra taking it off of him? And now Alicent is putting it back on? Yes, please, make Rhaenyra the devil for something that she did once and Alicent does over and over.)

They, Alicent and Cole reach the small council kind of together and that doesn't go unnoticed by Otto. Wonder what are his opinions now? Little Jaehaerys is being little and playful with Tyland Lannister.

Alicent asks if her letters to Rhaenyra have been returned. (How'd you even thunk it, woman?) She's apparently useless now that Aegon has been crowned and she has fulfilled her duty (or whatever she thought it was) towards Viserys. Aegon clearly listens little of her, like Joffrey did Cersei.

Aemond walks in and apparently Alicent doesn't know that Aegon has invited him. Aemond seems just as interested with Harrenhall as Daemon was earlier. Aegon has a valid argument, his dragons are bigger. But is it really? valid? (Does it matter whose balls dragons are bigger?)

Aegon outright dismisses his mother's opinion. Alicent shares a look with Criston. Perhaps they're questioning whether Viserys really wanted this or not. Power doesn't look good on her son.

Larys foot-fetish shows up with a "Good Morrow" and a subtle threat and warning both— nothing goes on here without his notice. (Does he know about Alicole? I think so. Probably doesn't like the idea of another man seeing her feet or whatever.) Ends that with, "I've chosen your new staff personally" sure you did Larys, sure you did. Also probably why Alicent dismisses everyone during her bath? She's clearly paranoid about the man (and the staff he's chosen for her).

Arrax's wing, and a part of whatever remains of Luke's coat is found. Rhaenyra is fast with Syrax, in tune with her (very unlike Vhaegar and Aemond), glides down swiftly. She finally finds confirmation that what she heard was, in fact, true. She breaks down there, and it is a very heart clenching to watch her unravel like this. Syrax roar-cries with her as well in the background.

Back at the Red Keep, Aegon is announced into the throne room as "Aegon the Magnanimous" and that's really funny because he seems to doubt its merit as well. But he nonetheless tries to live up to the standards that his mother and grandfather have set him up for. For once in his life, he feels driven and purposeful and perhaps that is the reason why he's generous and kind to the small folk (or at least acts as such)— he has a reputation to uphold, the one of his namesake's.

Otto is positively annoyed with him, not thinking his actions through. Aegon's clearly never been "prepared to rule" as he had told Alicent to do so all those years ago. And Aegon is aware of the disappointment he's causing. Larys plays a nice game, recognising the mismatch of opinions between the "King" and his "Hand", he gently nudges Aegon into considering appointing a new hand. (Perhaps him, as he's been so kind to suggest the idea.)

Otto and Alicent discuss their frustrations. There's honestly no big takeaway from these scenes other than hearing Rhys Ifans say "Daughter" over and over. Twice actually, that's all. 👀

A more interesting event takes place when Erryk Cargyll discovers Mysaria (alias, 'The White Wyrm') on a Velaryon ship, fleeing from King's Landing. Daemon is frustrated at her definition of loyalty, but he doesn't understand the small folks' lived lives. Erryk tries to explain the conundrum but Syrax roars and Daemon understands that Rhaenyra has returned. "Did you find what you needed?" he asks her, a gentle forehead touch because that's what their language is. Despite the taunts thrown at Rhaenys earlier, Daemon is loyal to Rhaenyra to a fault (and gentle too, now, from whatever tumoultous thing he'd transformed into during the finale, but we'll be seeing that side of him again—no worries there)

Rhaenyra enters and the council around the painted table brings her upto the events of the present, she's not listening though. She has fire in her eyes (no, really, there's the refection) and she says, "I want Aemond Targaryen." And Daemon's really just an uncle trying to please his niece-wife, you want it? you got it.

So that's the story of how blood and cheese begins, comparatively short-lived and different than what GRRM mentions in Fire & Blood.

Jace arrives, seemingly normal before his voice starts to break while informing Rhaenyra that he has secured allies in the Vale and Winterfell. Rhaenyra cries as well, relieved that her firstborn is well, but is hurt from his and her own grief. Once again we see how very differently Rhaenyra and Alicent treat their children. (Coming back to this in the last paragraph.)

So, Daemon is back in his murderous cloak, and he wants a "Son for a Son". The way Aemond never intended to kill Luke; Daemons seems to be following the same path because he instructed them to kill Aemond'. Would've been quite useful too if it worked because Vhaegar would be useless without her rider. But they miss him by minutes.

Aemond was there, plotting behind his brother's back about how to defeat the blacks. He's interested in power more than his brother. He also says that his mother speaks two tongues— he knows her well.

They find Helaena instead. Decide not to kill her because a daughter is worth nothing. Make her point out Jaehaerys and then murder him in front of her while she quietly picks up his twin sister and runs to her mother's chambers. Who btw is in the middle of having sex with Criston despite the— we cannot, again. Helaena is too traumatised to notice though. But yeah, the difference between these two mothers becomes apparent once again.

One who is there for her child when he needs it the most and the other who cannot even bring herself to comfort her daughter when her grandson is slaughtered under the same roof.

[lunarflux]

ser criston cole

The more we see of Criston Cole, the more I see exactly how deep his character is, but it's for admittedly a very shallow reason.

In theory, had he gone along with Rhaenyra's plans to stay by her side, there's no telling he would have stayed a "good person." Judging by his actions, he's insanely emotional, but his most potent emotion is his pride. I don't think he ever really loved Rhaenyra - which is what I've seen others say, that he and Alicent both loved Rhaenyra and felt cheated by her - but I do feel that he saw her as the mistake he made because his resolve wasn't strong enough to resist her. The bigger question would have been what would have the consequences been if he'd refused her that first time. After all, he still ended up in bed with the queen (consort, but whatever), so it would have been a similar situation had Rhaenyra properly ascended to the Iron Throne. His reasoning when he proposed running away in the hopes that it would provide depth and give worth to his mistake says everything.

All the decisions he made following Aegon's crowning were a result of guilt and damaged pride, compounded by reminders of the acts. Guilt for giving into Rhaenyra resulted in Joffrey's death because he was reminded repetitively that he broke his oath. Sending Arryk to Dragonstone because he was reminded that he abandoned his post to be with Alicent. Of the alternate decisions, he could've fallen on the sword (figuratively) and accepted that Aegon was suspicious that he was "abed" the night Jaehaerys was killed. He could've turned the other cheek to Joffrey because at that point, it really was only Joffrey's speculation - there was no actual proof that he was the one Rhaenyra chose.

That being said, Fabien doesn't deserve any of the hate he's been receiving. I think as fans, we're aware of what it means to have a parasocial relationship with a character or actor in terms of it being romantic or possessive, but the other side of this is literally hating an actor because he does his job a little too well. Fabien honestly doesn't have the face of a villain, and that's what makes him compelling. Objectively, the man has a very boyish and handsome face, and it makes you want to be comfortable around him. If Criston Cole looked more menacing (I'm thinking like a young Guy Pearce type) or more stoic, it might be easier to assume that this character would end up as awful as he has.

We understand and love Daemon as a character with a skewed moral compass - Criston Cole is the same. It's actually understandable why some people who feel shame and guilt very deeply can sympathize with his character.

[your-gracelyn]

My thoughts on Alicent and Criston (mostly Criston) S1-S2 E1 (spoilers)

We don’t really see/hear much of how both Alicent and Criston feel about their “relationship” or why/how/when it started. Are they actually in a relationship (as much of a relationship as you can be when you swore an oath to never be in one lol) or is this just a purely physical thing? Maybe we’ll get more insight as the season goes on, but atm their whole thing feels very rushed and lacking in any meaningful detail imo. Which I suppose is to be a bit expected as there’s a lot of more important things to cover in a limited amount of time. However, it’s seems weird to basically break up by just saying “we can’t again” and “yes, your grace”. Could this be an indication of it just being a pleasure thing rather than a full blow secret relationship?

When it comes to Criston’s feelings on their situation I think this is what’s going on in his head;

1. He has idealised Alicent to the point she can do no wrong in his eyes. In S1 he says to Aemond “all women should be treated as a vision of the Mother” or something similar, which I think is an insight into his feelings on Alicent (because he obviously doesn’t think that about Rhaenyra, or any of the women on TB probably). He is viewing her as a type of god or holy saviour. It was Alicent that found him before he took his own life after all. He seems to form very intense feelings towards women/girls and has very black and white thinking. He asks Rhaenyra to leave behind her family, friends, dragon, crown etc and marry him “for love” after having sex once. He’s so upset at the suggestion of being Rhaenyra’s “whore” that he punches a man’s head into a fine red mush at her wedding and then attempts suicide. I don’t think he sees Alicent as a flawed human being like everyone else, but as someone who can do no wrong, therefore anything they do together cannot be wrong. He’s willing to overlook anything Aegon does that’s the same, or worse, than what Rhaenyra does (cheating on Haelena, having bastards in fighting pits, raping a servant girl, going to brothels etc which he faces no consequences for, but Rhaenyra is a “spoiled cunt”?) because Aegon is his lord and saviour’s son. I think Criston thinks he loves Alicent, but it’s not 100% a healthy love.

2. His hatred of Rhaenyra is so strong that any wrong doing by himself or his side is nothing in comparison. He see’s Rhaenyra was the polar opposite to Alicent. Anything Rhaenyra does is bad because she’s evil, therefore anything they did together is bad. I think he thought he was in love with Rhaenyra (but remember they only slept together once and the intense attachment I mentioned), hence asking her to marry and run away “for love”. It would explain why he’s so angry and upset at what he thinks is being her “whore”. It would also explain why he's so angry and vitriolic about it years later, even after seeming to move on with Alicent. Calling Rhaenyra a "cunning spider" that has Alicent "intoxicated" and "in a web" sounds like he's describing his own feelings towards Rhaenyra, rather than two girls that were friends for years. As previously mentioned, he’s so angry at Rhaenyra (who was a teenager! at the time) that he kills Joffrey, tries to kill himself, calls her a “spoiled cunt”, bullies her children during training and taunts Harwin, and doesn’t hesitate to try remove 6/7? Year old Luke’s eye at Alicent’s request. I know it’s a bit of a joke to say that Alicent and Criston’s relationship built on mutual hate of Rhaenyra is making it strong one, but I think it’s actually really unhealthy.

Re: Criston being Rhaenyra “whore” or side piece. I’ve seen people say Rhaenyra didn’t care about Criston but I don’t think that’s entirely true. They’re friendly before they have sex, Criston says everything he has is owed to Rhaenyra in S1. Although, Rhaenyra doesn’t want to run away to marry Criston she does say she wants to carry on with their arrangement. Although Rhaenyra is marrying Laenor, she isn’t actually in love with him or having sex with him (she says they tried to have legitimate children but it didn’t work. What they try and how it fails isn’t said. But for the most part they obviously aren’t intimate often and don’t want to be.) So, technically Criston wouldn’t have been a “side piece” he’d have potentially taken Harwin’s place as her actual lover and father of her children. I think, what with Rhaenyra being young and inexperienced at this point, she fails to explain this to Criston (also she probably can’t out Laenor). I don’t think Rhaenyra intentionally set out to hurt Criston, she was being a reckless teenager that was being influenced by her uncle.

People have said Rhaenyra (who is a teenager at the time) raped Criston (an adult) because she is a princess and therefore has more power over him, but Alicent is the Queen dowager, the King and Queen’s mother, and the hand’s daughter, so you’ve got to be consistent. Alicent has power over Criston, he’s essentially her employee now. If the difference is that Alicent/Criston are in love and Rhaenyra/Criston weren’t, I don’t see how that eliminates the hypocrisy. He’s still breaking his oath, Alicent still has more power than Criston, he’s still hating Rhaenyra (and her family) for the same thing he’s doing with Alicent. Alicent and Criston haven’t run away to Essos for oranges, either, because he’s a knight, he can’t be in a relationship whether is loving or not.

I think the way they went about the Criston/Rhaenyra scene was intended to be viewed as perfectly consensual, as the sex itself is gentle, they’re laughing with each other, there’s tender music playing, Criston wants Rhaenyra to run away with him after the fact, and although Rhaenyra doesn’t want to marry, she does want to carry on with the arrangement. The argument that Criston only had sex with Rhaenyra because he couldn't say no falls apart when you remember he says no to being her "whore" without fearing for his life. However, I do agree, it’s more complicated what with the power imbalance, Rhaenyra being a teenage virgin who was just abandoned half naked in a brothel by her uncle moments prior, and Criston being hesitant at first. I’m not suggesting it’s not problematic. But, I don’t think it’s as clear cut as Rhaenyra definitely raped Criston, end of. There is, I regret to inform, some nuance.

Although, despite this power imbalance, Rhaenyra never has anything done to Criston, even after he starts openly despising her and her children, punches a man to death at her wedding, has Aegon fight Jace despite it clearly being an unfair fight, and doesn’t hesitate to go remove Luke’s eye on Alicent’s order. This doesn’t seem like the actions of a man living in fear of displeasing Rhaenyra. Also, Rhaenyra would have had to admit to trying to sleep with Criston if she wanted to have anything done to him if he rejected her, which would tarnish her reputation, ruin her marriage prospects, diminish her claim as heir etc.

I don’t particularly care about them having sex or having a relationship. It’s just the hypocrisy, and hatred towards Rhaenyra that’s so maddening and feels disproportionate. It just makes it extra heartbreaking and frustrating (perhaps that’s the point) that a big part of the dance happening is because of Rhaenyra and Alicent’s falling out over this very thing. The decaying of the relationship between Alicent and Rhaenyra is left to fester and infects their entire life, in large part because of the men in their lives, miscommunication, and the unfair societal pressures placed on them. Which I think both their relationships to Criston encapsulates all three of those elements in some way.

(I was accused by an Alicole fan, of being “team blacks SMARTEST”, and that “TB isn't big on grasping sexual coercion, power imbalances” because I made The Joke™️ about Criston being mad forever after at being Rhaenyra’s whore, only to become Alicent’s whore. So yeah I’m extra bitter. Nothing personal against Alicole fans, I know I just happened upon a bad one.

You are free to disagree with me, but throwing out pretty serious accusations and insults over a joke is a bit much. Just politely disagree or block me if you’re that mad.)

Thank you, if you read all that.

[thefandomentals]

This week on House Of Fire And Blood @gnjoneswriter and Caroline discuss Rhaenyra's marriage, Daemon's marriage, and Criston Cole being very normal about it all.

[greenqueenhightower]

No Farewell For Thee: Alicole Scenes in 2x06:

Alicent and Criston stare at each other as Aemond dismisses them both. He has no need for his mother's advice which he deems restrictive, and he sees shell-shocked Criston as a nuisance more than an asset to his resolves. I love this moment where both of them realize that they are being discarded in their own way by their son and that there is nothing they can do about it: Alicent is silenced and will soon be removed from the council, and Criston is set to march again to Harrenhal. They could say so many things to each other but lack the space and the words. The tension is off the charts.

Alicent seeks out Criston in the yard. She wants to bid him farewell as she did the last time he left King's Landing to march into battle. This time Gwayne stops her from getting closer and talking to him. And yet, as she converses with her brother, three times she turns around to get a glimpse of Criston before he leaves. Will she have the chance to see him and speak to him again?

Criston senses her presence, but he cannot get himself to approach her. Where has his boldness gone? He who so courageously and with disregard about the onlookers' curious eyes asked for her favor before, now hesitates to claim his parting moment with her.

Alicent yearns to speak to him again. Does she want to apologize for being so cold and distant with him? Would he now call her name if she hadn't denied him permission to use it?

Alicent and Criston do not have the chance to say goodbye. He leaves for war again, and she is left behind. She cannot tell him that she will be praying for his safe return, nor can he reveal how worried he is about never returning, but they both know. They look at each other's eyes and it's enough.

"May the Seven guide you, and grant you victory."

"Stay safe while I'm gone."

"Do take care, Good Knight."

"Wait for me until we meet again."

"I shall always."

[ride-thedragon]

It's time to out myself as a Criston girl.

Yes, his relationship with Rhaenyra is very questionable.

No, I don't condone a lot of his actions.

But they put a Rhoynish character at a time before Dorne has been brought in and expected me to follow the plot casually. I'm an insane person.

So that's me and my boy and we are for lifers.

And in the name of hypocrisy accusations, Criston pulled off the fuck ass bob and it's not my fault he did.

[tessarionbestgirl]

Moon tea is both like a morning after pill and an abortion pill.

To use it as a morning after pill, it has to be taken immediately. No longer than a week.

Hoster Tully forced Lysa to drink moon tea when he found out she was pregnant with Little Finger’s baby. Her abortion was very painful and traumatic for her.

Alicent was also in intense pain, so I think she was using it to force a miscarriage aka her medieval abortion. Criston has been gone for 2 weeks, Alicent is way past that window of time from their last sexual encounter to be using it like the morning after pill. Weeks have gone by since Viserys died and 2 weeks since Criston left and if they started having sex within days of Visery’s death, that is enough time to know you’re pregnant and begin experiencing symptoms. Alicent is a also 4 time mother, this would’ve been the 5th pregnancy.

I couldn’t tell when I got pregnant. My daughter is a birth control baby. I had a history of irregular periods and life long stomach issues. So I only thought to test when I was closer to 8 weeks but I’d been sick, exhausted and dying for weeks. I even had an appointment with my doctor scheduled for the day after I took the test and figured out myself why I felt like shit. Now with my second, I knew right away having it experienced it just one time before.

That's an interesting story, you right, Alicent is a experience mother and she would see the signs of pregnancy faster, I didn't consider that. But this a valid argument. So the short time doesn't unvalidated the possibility she took that as a form to cause miscarriage.

Whatever, I see miscarriage before caused by similar herbs, Alicent wouldn't be able to walk around the castle looking for books and get drunk if was actually abortion, as you said Lysa abortion was traumatic experience some people even speculate that her mad behavior was caused by moon tea. So if was actually abortion Alicent would have got a way more intense response for her body that we just saw. And the fact moon tea magical properties always bring a price for those that drank it. Magic in asoiaf universe always come with a price.

Although, I think both sides have valid point about it, I myself, I am conflicted on which theory to support, in part I always come back to being being a after pill, I also think makes to much sense being a abortion situation. I believe I will have to wait to see what this plot will lead to her character to have a concrete standard on this. Alicent over all arc, after all, is about a character that slowly looses her integrity and sanity while she slowly stripping her self of all her beliefs, integrity and decency for a war she will eventually loose everything she most loved.

Aborting a child for a religious woman like her at this point on the narrative, I can't say if is to early and ooc or it is on brand for her. Because while I can see though her eyes this being justified in the sense if we start from the idea that for her this is a life, but she has killed before after Larys for the sake of her family, so this isn't new. But she doing herself is a different story. This should at least bring a heavy emotional impact on her.

But this season have been weirdly when comes to those women experience trauma. Grief have been downplayed a lot. And from the characters the only one that showed slightly stronger impact, was Aegon.

If isn't abortion, if this is a contraceptive method for her could be also implied that this is something she takes in an habitual way, what could lead to questions regarding when she started that and why she started that, Is this all a form of prevention or did she end up being careless and causing her to actually become pregnant ( Daeron being a bastard) and now she is learned for her mistake?

I need see how this all will come together by ep7 and 8 because according with some rumors those are very important for Alicent and a lot will come together for her.

[mejcinta]

She is so brave for this. Well explained.