In the upcoming episode of House Of The Dragon, there will be another time jump but it will be more significant than the previous time jumps between episodes, aging a few of the characters significantly.
Now that the series is going to go forward in time, Emily Carey will no longer be playing the part of Alicent Hightower. Olivia Cooke, known for her role in Bates Motel, will portray the older woman. As a kind, thoughtful young woman, Emily Carey's character has several great lines from the first half of this season.
"I Think She Would Open Herself To You."
Urging Viserys To Talk To Rhaenyra
So far, Emily Carey had one of the best performances in this show. While fans have mixed feelings about Alicent's motives within the earlier episodes, she is also portrayed as a young woman who is thoughtful in her speech and kind to those she cares about.
Viserys may be a king, but he's like many other fathers as he confides in Alicent that he doesn't know how to talk to his daughter Rhaenyra. Even before Alicent is his wife, she talks with the king about his feelings, urging him to speak freely and reach out to his daughter to persuade open communication.
"If Not For Me, Perhaps For Them."
Helping Rhaenyra Grieve
Despite the fact that Rhaenyra and Alicent's relationship begins to disintegrate after Alicent's marriage to the king, they are seen early on as quite close. After the death of Queen Aemma, Rhaenyra struggles to cope with the loss of her mother.
When the two of them are praying, Rhaenyra is uncertain about what to say and how she feels about the situation. However, Alicent encourages her to do it, not for herself, but for the mothers they've lost. These two not only connect as childhood friends but the loss of their mothers.
"When I Wish To Talk To Him...I Must Make The Effort."
Advice About Fathers
The two women connect in many different ways. Just as Viserys expresses discomfort in connecting with his daughter, Rhaenyra in turn admits to Alicent that she struggles to connect with her father and get him to see she's not just his little girl.
In response to Rhaenyra's admission, Alicent admits that when she wants to speak to her father Otto Hightower, she makes the move to approach him. This quote not only proves that she knows how to navigate being the daughter of a powerful man, but that she understands what her responsibilities are within the family.
"The Queen Commands You To Leave."
Taking On Her Role
Alicent is conveyed mostly as kind and thoughtful when she's approaching others. However, when she becomes the queen, her attitude changes with her title. She's no longer just a nobleman's daughter, but the queen of a great nation.
This quote proves that after just a few years as queen, Alicent is aware of her authority within Westeros. Rhaenyra tries to command a bard to continue singing, but Alicent's commands are now more powerful than the heir to the kingdom. Though she hasn't quite turned on Rhaenyra as a friend yet, at this point she knows her authority holds more power.
"None Of It Need Be This Way, In Truth, Rhaenyra."
Reaching Out A Hand
Despite being queen, Alicent makes it clear she still misses her old life and the friendship she used to have with Rhaenyra. After her marriage, she's shown trying to reach out to the princess in the ways they used to connect.
When Rhaenyra refuses to initially join the celebration for her brother's birthday, she only submits when Alicent says it's by the command of the king. Though Alicent is trying to use her power as queen, she says this to Rhaenyra in hopes of reaching out a hand. At this point, one obscure thing is Alicent's game plan going forward as queen and mother of the male heirs.
"The Princess Is More Suited To The Role."
Supporting Her Family
Despite giving birth to Prince Aegon, at this point, Alicent continues to defend the queen when others suggest that Daemon shouldn't have been replaced as heir to the throne.
When there is a conversation about Daemon being the displaced heir, Alicent supports her husband's decision to make Rhaenyra the heir to the kingdom. It's notable that when she says this, she doesn't make any remarks about her young son now being a contender as heir.
"Would You Have Me Raise A Man To Steal His Sister's Birthright?"
Raising Her Children
One of Otto Hightower's notable mannerisms is using his cunning personality to protect his family. He portrays this when he confronts Alicent about backing her young son as heir to the kingdom, as opposed to his older sister Rhaenyra.
It's clear that Alicent respects her father and his position but she stands up for her concerns at this moment. With this quote, she's saying she's concerned with pushing her children to be conniving, especially towards their family. Her personality may be changing at this point, but she proves she cares about the morality of her children.
"It Is Rare For Girls...To Get A Choice Between Two Suitors."
Attempting To Humble Rhaenyra
In these scenes, the audience can draw connections between this new series and the original. One way Alicent Hightower is similar to Sansa Stark is her understanding of court life.
When Rhaenyra is complaining about her endless amount of suitors, Alicent points out that most young girls in their court don't get an opportunity to choose their own match. While viewers may be concerned about Alicent's intentions toward the princess, it's clear she's still a considerate person that understands the struggles of others within their world.
"You Targaryens Do Have Queer Customs."
Accusing Rhaenyra
Despite the fact that Alicent marries into the royal family, she does appear to have some judgments toward their house. The Targaryen custom Alicent is referring to in this scene is the Targaryen people marrying within the family to keep the bloodlines pure.
When she confronts Rhaenyra about the rumor that she had a sexual encounter with her uncle Daemon, the princess is insulted that her friend would make an accusation without proof. Alicent responds with this quote, proving she has some prejudices about their heritage.
"It Is Not In Rhaenyra's Nature To Be Deceitful."
Hoping For The Best
Despite her father's claims, Alicent still has hope that she knows her old friend's nature and continues to defend her choices. At this point, Alicent is still defending Rhaenyra when her father is concerned about the accusations against her and Daemon.
This quote really sets Alicent's character up for the latest episode in which she realizes Rhaenyra chose not to be honest with her. After this point in the series, Alicent's view of Rhaenyra is altered. She is clearly changed once she realizes she was wrong in defending Rhaenyra.