Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower have a complicated relationship in House of the Dragon. What began as friendship and sisterhood turned into tension and jealousy when Alicent ended up marrying Rhaenyra’s father, King Viserys I after the death of Queen Aemma Arryn.
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Milly Alcock and Emily Carey as young Rhaenyra and Alicent | HBO Entertainment
House of the Dragon season 2 has now moved into its third episode and the creators blessed the fans with one of the most gut-wrenching parallels to ever exist. The scene in question takes place when Rhaenyra sneaks into King’s Landing to meet Alicent in hopes of finding a peaceful solution to the forthcoming war.
House of the Dragon Season 2’s Subtle Nod to Season 1
Young Rhaenyra and Alicent in House of the Dragon | HBO EntertainmentSpoiler Alert!This Article Contains Spoilers for ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2 Episode 3.
In the third episode of season 2 titled The Burning Mill, Emma D’Arcy’s Rhaenyra is advised by Rhaenys (Eve Best) that Alicent (Olivia Cooke) might be able to see reason and help in stopping the war.
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Thus, Rhaenyra travels from Dragonstone and sneaks into King’s Landing dressed as a septa to blend in. She hopes that her childhood friend will be able to help her, even though the chances are minimal to none.
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After coming face to face with Rhaenyra, Alicent says with full certainty that King Viserys changed his mind on his deathbed and named their eldest son, Aegon II the heir to the Iron Throne.
In order to prove her honesty, Alicent says, “I swear this to you on the memory of my mother.”
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If we take a step back and rewind the series all the way back to House of the Dragon’s season 1, this is the same quote Rhaenyra said to Alicent. In the first season, Rhaenyra had an intimate moment with Daemon but soon after, their secret comes out in the open. When Alicent confronts Rhaenyra, she says, “Daemon never touched me. I swear this to you upon the memory of my mother.”
This was of course nothing but a blatant lie from Rhaenyra, which Alicent later found out. Clearly, the wounds are still deep given the furiousness with which Alicent repeated Rhaenyra’s words to her.
Fans React to the Heartbreaking Parallel
Olivia Cooke and Emma D’Arcy in House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 3 | HBO Entertainment
Unless you have the memory of an elephant, the parallel would have flown right by your eyes without you noticing. However, those who remember the season word by word were quick to point out the origin of Alicent’s dialogue.
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From praising the writers to feeling sorry for Alicent and Rhaenyra’s mothers, fans had all kinds of reactions to the parallel drawn in episode 3. Others found it hilarious how Alicent had kept that in for years only to use it at the best time possible. We love a petty queen!
