#viserys lol

[lesbianelsas]

alicent + using viserys as a proxy

Is it the King's command? Yes, but it n- - Then at once, Your Grace. But it needn't be. None of this needs be this way in truth, Rhaenyra.

[jessmalia]

I sometimes forget how alike you both were.

HOUSE OF THE DRAGON: "The Rogue Prince" 1.02 // "Reagent" 2.05

[multiverse-of-multifandoms]

Rhaenyra Targaryen Appreciation Week Day 2 -> Parallels Rhaenyra & Alicent

[dulcewrites]

I think the thing that shocks me the most about the discourse, if you can even call it that, around book Alicent vs show Alicent, is the idea that people think book Alicent had full autonomy over all her choices and she wasn’t a “victim” like show Alicent.

Now first, I put victim in quotations bc the way people who do not like her have almost bastardized that word. Alicent is a victim, and those things (rape, abuse, neglect) were done to her. That says everything about the men who did that do her and nothing about her. But people are hellbent on throwing Alicent, a woman in a violently patriarchal environment, being victimized back at people as if it is moral flaw of hers. Which is just terribly ironic bc the same folks who say Alicent “did it to herself” or “deserves what she is getting” also seem to think the crux of the story isn’t about generational trauma catching up with itself, how far people will go for power, or even how all girls and women are harmed - albeit to different degrees. But more the fact that Rhaenyra is the only woman to be harmed - and the only harm done is not getting the throne easily. Those same people wouldn’t be caught dead admitting that Rhaenyra is also a victim in the way they shit on Alicent for being. From the father who sets her up fail, to the baby daddy that’s been eyeing her since she was barely 18, to the uncle that grooms her. It takes away from the fantasy projected onto Rhaenyra if she too is surrounded by men that use her and she never escapes that.

Second, it’s funny how F&B gets heralded by some as this exploration of how history is skewed depending on who is telling it. But people can’t read between the lines (you honestly don’t even have to do that much work) with book Alicent. Showing 14 year old Alicent being preyed on, 16 year old Alicent being pregnant with her second child, and 18 year old Alicent being raped is somehow the show needlessly making Alicent a victim. But reading about a 13 year old bathing, dressing, and taking care of a king who mistakes her for the daughter he abused and neglected, and then that same girl, at 18, marrying another king that killed his previous child bride is just girl bossism on book Alicent’s part?

People hate conceptualizing the idea that (even book) Alicent is caught in patriarchal trappings bc to some that takes away from Rhaenyra’s plight…. Bc they can’t wrap their heads around several women *gasp* all going through hardships, and that ultimately people will respond to trauma differently depending on tools/knowledge they have at their disposal. Alicent neither being gleefully evil nor picking herself up by her bootstraps to somehow end years of patriarchal violence is not the neat box they want for her.

[catofoldstones]

extremely rare asoiaf pinterest W

[atopvisenyashill]

i mean the number one issue with an rr adaption from hbo is they’re gonna make robert and rhaegar main viewpoint characters when that defeats the whole goddamn conceit of the narrative choices in the books and we know i love robert but robert should ONLY be viewed thru the lenses of those that knew him!!

[hylialeia]

you don't get it. she loved him once. she didn't have a maester, she had a brother. he sold their mother's crown to keep them fed. he said Dany, please. she loved him, once.

[potpourri-of-ecclecticism]

Time is such a fleeting concept in the HOTD universe because… how long has it actually been since Rook’s Rest? Like, how the hell is Aegon recovering so quickly? Wasn’t he out of action for nearly a year in the books? I have no clue how long has it been on the show since he sustained FIRST THIRD DEGREE BURNS and FREEFALL from the heavens. I’m mind blown - someone explain this timeline to me I’m sitting over there.

[myfandomistingling]

[helaenathequeenmaker]

Among the scenes I find most odious in House of the Dragon the unusual presentation (so to speak) of little Joffrey Velaryon deserves a place of honour. Not only for the imposition of Alicent (also of course, don't get me wrong, but this is not meant to be the main topic) but for the non-existent reactions of the courtiers to seeing the crown princess bleeding while climbing a staircase (!!!) immediately after giving birth

At this point the court is understandably split in two with the Blacks supporting Rhaenyra's claims and the Greens those of Alicent's children, yet all remain mute as they see a suffering Rhaenyra clutching her child in her arms and supported by her husband. No one dares to open their mouths about Alicent's cruelty, praise Rhaenyra's courage or even consider her reckless conduct or worry about her state of health

Some might even argue that Rhaenyra deserves such humiliation, as the queen has every right to control whether the child is (once again) a bastard and that the princess is therefore committing high treason. All this is to say that despite the fact that the focus of House of the Dragon is supposed to be the power struggle within the Targaryen family there is a lack of a proper court composed of people eager to curry favour with Rhaenyra or Alicent. And this lack I find intolerable, as compared to Game of Thrones we mainly focus on the Red Keep and have about five main characters within it

That is also why I cannot perceive an atmosphere of tension within the court and rivalry between the two women. Perhaps, however, I should not be too surprised by such a lack. After all, for some inexplicable reason, the only friend Rhaenyra has is one and only Alicent, when as the king's only female child she should have dozens of maidens vying for her favour

[iheartbookbran]

this is the face of the you make when you realize the bloodiest civil war in westerosi history was started over a misunderstanding the writers made up in order to give one single character something to do over the seasons

[lhazar]

Thinking about Alicent and and Visery’s wedding day.

Everyone in the realm is set to attend the kings wedding. The expectation to put on a happy face is high, but everyone loved aemma and it hasn’t even been a full year since her death. Rhaenyra has to attend of course but she’s loathing every second of it and makes it known to everyone, especially Alicent. Corlys and Rhaenys don’t even attend and it’s a huge point of gossip. Even worse is that daemon *does* attend and makes things so much worse by the drinking and loud complaining he does. Viserys at first tries to curb his attitude but eventually gets worn down (and they later get so drunk together you’d think it was someone else’s wedding) and eventually just lets him run loose. The gossip between attendees is insane. Alicent is more alone and younger than she has ever felt in her life, wearing a wedding dress that is both too big and far too suffocating for her. When Otto sees her ready for the ceremony he’s painfully reminded of his own wife and has no words for his young daughter he’s about to give away. She holds her breath as if waiting for a final moment where he says she won’t have to go through with it, that he loves her, that it’s all a bad dream, but all he says as he offers his arm is ‘the kingdom is waiting’. Rhaenyra doesn’t look at her through the entire ceremony despite the desperate looks she sends her way. Alicent wears gloves to hide her bleeding fingers but speckles of red show through the fabric as she takes her new husband to be’s hand before the sept.

When it’s time to consummate the marriage later that night she bleeds and bleeds and bleeds on the marital bed and Viserys doesn’t stay the rest of the night

[gameofthronedd]

People still being convinced that the Alicent-Rhaenyra feud was because Alicent was jealous/upset that Rhaenyra had sex makes my head hurt, honestly.

Alicent confronted Rhaenyra about the brothel because she was concerned about Rhaenyra and her position. One of their first scenes in Episode 1 was literally a precursor to the Episode 4 scene; Rhaenyra is rather flippant about her political position, not as visibly concerned as Alicent thinks she should be, whilst Alicent is visibly concerned and frustrated that Rhaenyra isn't as engaged or serious about it. It's literally copy-and-paste in terms of the same general mannerisms.

Alicent isn't frustrated or pissed that Rhaenyra had sex. She's aware of the way politics work and the prejudice and consequences that could come from what is rumoured about Rhaenyra. And she goes directly to Rhaenyra to find out the truth and to help her (she even says "I only want to help you").

I also think people forget how the confrontation ended. Rhaenyra and Alicent come to a resolve the problem and Alicent believes Rhaenyra's side of it. Heck, Alicent even verbally emphasises what we were meant to pick up - that it's about the politically ramifications of a princess being seen in a brothel being sexual with her uncle.

And the "green dress moment" is a consequence of several factors.

One, the obvious is that Rhaenyra did not tell Alicent the entire truth and the person she slept with was Criston, not Daemon. Keep in mind that Criston is a member of the Kingsguard, sworn to chastity. Two, the consequences of believing Rhaenyra were pretty steep for Alicent. Her father lost his job inadvertently because of Alicent, meaning that she is pretty much entirely alone at court.

Three, it's a matter of trust and vulnerability. Alicent cared about Rhaenyra enough to go to her and try to get the truth and to help her. She trusted what Rhaenyra said and expressed this to Viserys, taking Rhaenyra's side even when Viserys doubted Rhaenyra. And then it turns out that Rhaenyra was not telling the whole truth and that Viserys also went behind Alicent's back because he believed Rhaenyra did do something.

With her father gone, Alicent is well and truly isolated, especially since she now perceives that she cannot fully trust Rhaenyra or Viserys not to keep things from her or go behind her back.

I think it's also necessary to consider Criston. A member of the Kingsguard who broke his vows with the Princess, showing once again that Rhaenyra is rather unconcerned about the rules and laws of the land and court. I think also the fact that Criston told her the truth but Rhaenyra, someone she trusted and perceived to be a friend, did not.

All of this combined with Otto reminding her of the brutal realities of feudalism no doubt triggered anxieties for Alicent. She has children to think about now and those she thought she could trust are no longer completely trustworthy.

The "green dress" moment is a moment of strength and independence and defiance for Alicent, and a way for her to carve out an identity for herself. Alicent is politically-conscious and she knows she needs support, which is why she turns to the Hightowers in a symbolic and defiant display.

It's not about Alicent being jealous about Rhaenyra having sex or about Alicent being a raving misogynistic "tradwife". It's about trust and politics and Alicent building up a defence to protect herself and her children against any potential threat.

[kingcunny]

Ever think about how EVERYONE was cool with the idea of Viserys marrying Laena and no one mentions her age? Rhaenyra's like "if he has to", Mellos and Lyonel are giving him big thumbs up, Alicent says "I bet she'll be great", Rhaenys and Corlys are both seeing this as logical...

Only Otto mentions it. And he's wanting Alicent. And only Viserys hesitates over it... because he would prefer Alicent.

when viserys is talking to lyonel about it and he does that little head shake after “she will mature.” almost a sort of ‘you dont get it’

i think when viserys went out to meet laena, go on that walk in the gardens with her, he had the most intense deja vu. he had gone on almost this exact same walk with aemma when she was this age. 12 years ago. hes a grown man now and aemma is dead. but here she is again, same age as when he met her, time has passed for him but not for her. and i think that freaked him out. he didnt want to go through that again.

also says something that viserys puts so much stock in ottos opinion. asking for his advice outside of the small council (essentially saying his IS the small council as far as vis is concerned). and even though everyone else is telling viserys marrying laena is the right option, having otto back him is all he needs to decide to go for alicent instead.

[bilbotargaryen]

When we're fed Rhaenicent can we at least have the clusterfuck that is Rhaenyra not only being Aegon's, Helaena's, Aemond's and Daeron's half-sister but their Stepmother, too?

[bohemian-nights]

Rhaenyra being forced at nineteen (when most noble born women are betrothed when they’re children and married sometimes before their sixteen to men twice their age) to marry (after being allowed to tour the seven kingdoms to find a husband of her choosing) isn’t sexist. Heirs both female and male have to have a heir to continue the line. Politically marrying Laenor Velaryon is a smart move but Rhaenyra was only forced to marry Laenor because of her inability to choose one on her tour and the fact that she was seen in wh*re house allegedly having sex with not only her Uncle but with Daemon. I understand Rhaenyra’s reasons for not wanting to marry (i.e her mother) but by wanting to eventually be Queen she has to bite the bullet and do it.

And as for her leaving Kings Landing I’m pretty 50/50. I understand why she left but leaving and not returning for six years was a big no no. This is more of a side note but her and Daemon ragging on the fact that Alicent changed the design of the Red Keep makes me angry. It’s been six years and Alicent is Queen Consort to a sick and dying King (a King who treats both herself and their children horribly) let her decorate how she wants to. And with all the sick sh*t the Targaryens do they need Jesus lol (another thing the way they made it seem as if Alicent is the only person wanting Aegon and Helaena to marry makes me mad. Book!wise Viserys and Viserys alone does that. By having Alicent arrange that the two be married makes her a very main cause of her children’s suffering).

As for Daemon himself he’s a sh*t father and a sh*t husband. He “tries” but he should try 100x harder. So why he thinks he should have an opinion on what goes on in a home he hasn’t laid his head down in for sixteen years is beyond my understanding lol.

Nothing to add. These are all the facts💅🏽