Alicent Hightower: From Friend to Rival in "House of the Dragon"

Alicent Hightower is one of the central characters of the ‘House of the Dragon’, a spin-off of the ‘Game of Thrones’. As an adult, the character is played by Olivia Cooke, and it is crucial to understand that Alicent is a rather ambitious woman who is fully aware of the political game in Westeros. Here, we look at the role of Alicent Hightower, her actions and reasons for those actions, and the aspect of Olivia Cooke’s performance.

Alicent Hightower is the daughter of Otto Hightower, the Hand of the King from the series. Born and raised in the Red Keep, she was a friend of the king and his family which made her learn all the manners and the intrigues that are part of the royal court. It was her childhood and youth which determined her character and turned her into a political mastermind of Westeros.

First, Alicent and Rhaenyra Targaryen are friends, perhaps even more than friends, as they are very close. They share experiences and stand by each other during difficult times in life. This friendship is a crucial aspect of their young age, where Alicent is there for Rhaenyra as she tries to deal with the pressure of being the first and only daughter of the King, who is expected to rule the kingdom.

The beginning of the main conflict in their friendship is when Alicent marries King Viserys I Targaryen, who is Rhaenyra’s father. This marriage is viewed as betrayal by Rhaenyra, who expects Alicent to have chosen her friendship over power. The conflict between the two rises, and the contacts between them become more and more confrontational.

In the later episodes of the show, Alicent and Rhaenyra become the two women on the opposite sides of the political conflict. Being a mother, Alicent is willing to do everything for her children to remain the rulers while Rhaenyra is adamant about getting what she rightfully belongs to. This leads to the Targaryen civil war, commonly referred to as the Dance of the Dragons, where there is serious hatred and lack of trust between the two sides.

Alicent’s main driving force is her desire for power and control. Thus, her marriage to King Viserys raises her rank; however, she does not intend to lose the achieved status and that of her offspring. This desire is at the heart of many of her decisions, including forming alliances and political machinations.

Another major factor is the devotion Alicent has to her family members; her father Otto and her children. She frequently follows her father’s advice even if that makes her unpopular among the people of the kingdom, including Rhaenyra. This self-sacrifice and the willingness to make vengeful and cruel decisions for her children stem from her desire to protect and improve their future.

It is a lawless world where one must fight to survive and ensure that one’s territory is safe from intruders. The threat that accompanies power is a theme that is quite apparent in the case of Alicent. Her actions are most of the time motivated by the desire to protect herself and those dear to her.

In the case of the older Alicent, Olivia Cooke’s performance is marked by a realistic business-like approach. In the time before Cooke takes the role, Alicent has gone through personal and political changes. Cooke’s character portrays a woman who is bitter and has been shaped by her experiences, especially with the aim of ensuring that her family is protected and she gains her rightful place.

Cooke provides a certain amount of emotional intensity to the role. The older version of Alicent is more cunning and manipulative, able to keep her emotions in check and maintain a composed expression even when under pressure. This emotional restraint is an important aspect of Cooke’s performance because it gives the audience a chance to see what they do not get to see, the struggle.

Alicent in Cooke’s adaptation is portrayed more royally and assertively. Her costume changes become more sophisticated and regal, fitting her new designation as Queen. In the case of Cooke’s portrayal of Alicent, she portrays her character as strong-willed and assertive, which is fitting for a character involved in the politics of Westeros.

Alicent’s part in the Dance of the Dragons starts with the Green Council, a clandestine meeting that takes place immediately after the death of King Viserys I Targaryen. In this council, Alicent and her allies plan to put her son, Aegon II Targaryen, on the Iron Throne despite his illegitimacy and Rhaenyra Targaryen’s claim.

In the course of the struggle Alicent does everything to gather supporters for Aegon’s candidacy. Using her Queen Dowager status and contacts she manages to gather the support of some influential lords and knights.

Although Alicent is not a fighter, it is crucial to note that her political power and input in the Greens’ military plan are substantial. She is able to directly coordinate with the top-ranking military officials in order to strategize and launch attacks against Rhaenyra’s forces. The strategic decisions made by Alicent are also central to the war efforts of the Greens.

Alicent Hightower played by Olivia Cooke in House of the Dragon is a character of a great deal of nuance and layers. Despite the fact that she is one of the characters who originated from the ranks of the show’s friends, she has evolved into a major player in the Targaryen civil war due to ambition, loyalty, and strategic thinking. Cooke’s performance is realistic and sophisticated, and he adds deep emotions to the character, making Alicent one of the most interesting characters in the series.