House Of The Dragon Episode 1 Review - 8 Ups & 2 Downs

The relationship between Rhaenyra Targaryen, now heir to the throne, and the daughters of the King's Hand, Alicent Hightower, has been reimagined for HBO's interpretation of events. Safe to say early signs from this example of artistic license are extremely promising.

In Martin's canon, Alicent is Rhaenyra's stepmother by way of her marriage to Viserys, and roughly 10 years older than her. While the two characters initially enjoy a good relationship, this soon turns sour as the two women vie for top spot at court and ultimately end up as the respective figureheads for the two warring factions, the Greens and the Blacks. There is more of a sense of inevitability that the two will come to head, based on their lack of an existing relationship outside that of stepmother and stepdaughter and the political backdrop.

However, in House of the Dragon's version of events, Rhaenyra and Alicent are depicted as dear friends of the same age; Rhaenyra lies with her head in Alicent's lap as they go over answers for their septa in an early scene. It will be absolutely fascinating to see how their relationship progresses and deteriorates until they find themselves on opposite sides of the civil war, particularly given the sequence between Alicent and Viserys that foreshadows their eventual marriage. Watch this space closely.