Alicent's Biggest Mistake in House of the Dragon: Choosing Righteousness Over Peace

Alicent's biggest mistake in House of the Dragon was not just her hatred of Rhaenyra, it was pitting her sons against Rhaenyra's sons, and that was an awful idea. It ties into a bigger theme running through the show, that conflicts are being forced onto the next generation by their parents.

This matters for fans because it reframes Alicent's arc, she is not simply a villain, she is repeating her father's mistakes and dragging her own children into a war she helped create.

Alicent Is Continuing Otto's Brainwashing By Preparing Aegon For The Throne

Alicent is continuing Otto's brainwashing by telling Aegon that he must be prepared to become king. The question worth asking is whether Alicent actually believes Rhaenyra would murder her kids if she became queen. My take: "I don't think so."

Rhaenyra Offers A Betrothal Between Jace And Helena To End The War Before It Starts

In episode 6, Alicent is given the option to pretty much end all conflict between the Blacks and the Greens. Rhaenyra offers that Jace and Helena be betrothed, but Alicent would rather squander any hope of peace than marry her daughter to a bastard.

Why This Is Such A Compelling Game Of Thrones Style Dilemma

This is where the Game of Thrones universe is so interesting, characters are often put in decisions that are not easy. Alicent probably knows that marrying her daughter to Rhaenyra's son would end any conflict, but she would also be partaking in the falsehood of Jace's legitimacy by agreeing to it.

Alicent Chooses Her Own Righteousness Over What's Best For The Realm

In the end, Alicent chooses her own righteousness instead of what's best for the realm. That single decision, refusing the betrothal to preserve her own sense of moral high ground, becomes the moment that locks the Blacks and Greens onto a path toward war.

Do you think Alicent truly believed Rhaenyra would have harmed her children, or was this really about pride?