A son for a son?
Now, this doesn’t happen in the book at all, but is a fantastic example of the showrunner’s weaving a clever story from a novel written like a history book. Of course Alicent (Olivia Cooke), struggling with what horrors she has inadvertently put in place both with her decisions and with the rearing of her children, would appeal to her once-best-friend (and definite love of her life). Rhaenyra and Alicent have a special bond, and they’re also keenly aware of the dangers of out of control men. “You will enter as a conqueror,” Alicent tells Rhaenyra. “Once you take the throne, this senseless war must end.” And if Aegon refuses to bend the knee, Alicent confirms that she will have to be okay with Rhaenyra beheading him over it. Oop.
