House of the Dragon's Alicent backlash highlights bigger problem

House of the Dragon spoilers follow.

House of the Dragon continues to intrigue fans with each new episode, sparking high expectations and fandom discussions weekly. Unfortunately, some discussions have been more detrimental to the fandom than others: when we are given complex female characters who also happen to be the victims of the patriarchy and violence, some fans resort to misogyny rather than well-intended discussion.

In the case of Alicent Hightower's (Emily Carey) early depiction, it seems to ring true for a good chunk of the House of the Dragon fandom.

Episode four divided the fandom further when Alicent discovered both her husband King Viserys (Paddy Considine) and her friend (and then stepdaughter), Rhaenyra (Emily Alcock) lied about Rhaenyra's intimate moment with Prince Daemon (Matt Smith).

milly alcock, emily carey, house of the dragon

HBO

In rebellion, Alicent attended Rhaenyra's wedding wearing green, which in House of the Dragon-verse is a no-no. It signifies her standing up for herself and refusing to put trust in others again, and incidentally marks the beginning of the end for Alicent and Rhaenyra's relationship.

To a large chunk of fans, Alicent is the 'bad guy'. She is going against Rhaenyra by her very existence. She married Rhaenyra's father after Queen Aemma (Sian Brooke) died, she gave birth to a son who threatens Rhaenyra's rightful claim to the throne. She is the classic 'evil step mother' and this has quickly garnered hatred by most of the fandom. Her move at the wedding all but solidified that.

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But is Alicent actually the cruel woman that fans have made her out to be? Does she deserve the hatred being thrown her way? To answer the question, up until episode five, no she doesn't. Not really.

House of the Dragon isn't a teenage drama. It mirrors the very real patriarchal set up of European monarchies. This is to say, men rule, while women, even those in high standing, are at the mercy of the men around them. Add a 15-year-old girl in the mix, and well, she doesn't stand a chance. This is how Alicent's narrative should be read.

Fans bashing her early depictions and tearing her apart for her relationship with the king seem to forget that she was a child forced by her father to give her body to a man far older than her.

It is clear from the moment Alicent visits Viserys after the death of Queen Aemma in episode one that she is uncomfortable. She's aware of her father's intentions, and silently accepts her fate as a tool. Alicent's life further falls out of her control when Viserys declares he wishes to marry her: again, something she has no say in.

emily carey as alicent hightower, house of the dragon

HBO

Her discomfort and true feelings in this relationship are highlighted in episode four, during the scene of intimacy with Viserys where she refuses to engage in sexual intercourse initially but realises she has no choice.

While fandom tends to paint one image of Alicent to pit her against Rhaenyra, this is her real story in the first part of the series. A child who is abused, groomed, and has absolutely no control over her life. This unfortunately does not save her from the misogyny or double standards she faces.

For instance, Emily Carey's Alicent was dubbed a villain long before Olivia Cooke took over and delivered a far more morally ambiguous and colder Alicent to our screens in episode six. While Daemon, who has done some extremely questionable things, was loved by the fans, Alicent was still hated for her abusive situation while she was a child.

Unfortunately, this is not the first time the Game of Thrones fanbase has been guilty of misognyistic campaigns against young girls who are victims of rape and abuse in the series.

The same thing happened to Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner). From the moment she was on screen and acted like a stereotypical girl in love, through her abuse, sexual assault and to the end of the series, Sansa faced extreme amounts of fandom misogyny. Similar to Rhaenyra and Alicent, many pitted Sansa and Daenerys (Emilia Clarke) against one another while Game of Thrones aired.

And like the 'feud' between Sansa and Daenerys stans, plus the misogyny directed Sansa's way, fans are completely missing the point by pitting Alicent and Rhaenyra against one another. Episodes one to five show fans the rise and fall of their relationship and does not shy away from spelling out why this happened.

emily carey, paddy considine, house of the dragon

HBO

Neither Alicent nor Rhaenyra are responsible for the destruction of their friendship. Men around them are to blame. While Otto (Rhys Ifans) pushed the power relationship between Viserys and Alicent, it was Viserys who ruined the relationship between his daughter and wife when he put both them and their children in danger due to the marriage.

All in all, both girls had little to do with the destruction of their relationship.

The distinctiveness of their relationship, and the love they had for each other is what makes their falling out that much more tragic. Especially given the actors themselves portrayed the relationship between the two as much more than ‘friends’, going as far as reading and viewing them through a queer lens.

With the release of episode six, Alicent’s traumas have molded her as a character and Olivia Cooke does an amazing job portraying the hardened and more isolated queen.

Likewise, Emma D’Arcy perfectly shows a Rhaenyra who struggles with her duties as mother, heir and stepdaughter, even going as far to attempt to rekindle her relationship with Alicent. Both women are pushed to their limits and in this episode, are drawn further apart.

Nothing is done out of selfishness. Alicent fights for her children, as they are all she has, Rhaenyra fights for her birthright, as the Iron Throne was rightfully promised to her.

Both will make choices and decisions that will surely rock the very foundations of the world around them and it is a joy to watch both women grow from their childhood without hating either one.

Game of Thrones seasons 1-8 are available on DVD and Blu-ray. House of the Dragon will be airing season one weekly in the US on Sundays on HBO, and on Mondays in the UK on Sky Atlantic and NOW.