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Here’s why the secret meeting between Rhaenyra and Alicent was added to House of the Dragon
The last effort to avert the war fell on deaf ears
In House of the Dragon, Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower are portrayed as best friends from a young age, sharing confidence and a deep bond. However, their relationship shifts dramatically when Alicent marries King Viserys, Rhaenyra’s father. This marriage alters the dynamics between the two women, eventually leading to a deep-seated rift. And in the most recent episode, Rhaenyra tried to close that gap.
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Why Alicent and Rhaenyra have a secret meeting in House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 3
Alicent and Rhaenyra’s secret meeting was rumored to happen way before the show premiered. In a recent interview with Variety, director Geeta Patel explained why they chose to bring the two together again:
“It was very purposeful that you have this moment where your protagonists actually confront each other. It was important to the writers to have Rhaenyra and Alicent bring it home and be the spine of the season, because that’s the spine of the first season: these two women’s relationship.
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In order to expand the world, we wanted to be able to come back to them. What the writers did so well, and the actors, is by the end of Episode 3 they bring Episodes 1 and 2 into it. It’s almost like a litmus test that if 1, 2 and 3 are working, you’re gonna feel it. If they’re not working, you won’t feel it because it’s a lot of words.”
Rhaenyra wanted to confirm if Viserys really loved her
Part of the reason why Rhaenyra visited King’s Landing was to confirm her father’s last words, and if he truly loved her. Geeta Patel said, “A lot of the feeling in that scene comes from Episode 8 of last season, which I was also lucky enough to direct, because that’s where Viserys proves to Rhaenyra that he loves her, and he puts her first because he gets out of bed when he’s dying and walks across that throne room.
That moment, if it’s visceral enough, carries into Season 2. When Rhaenyra goes to see Alicent to be like, “Hey, we have to stop this war,” I feel that she’s actually there selfishly for her own emotional reasons. “Did my father love me? Because I thought he loved me, and then he changed his mind with you.” I’m not sure she’s aware that’s what’s driving her. That scene is filled with all the dramaturgy of everything before it.”
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