HOTD Thoughts
Super late, but I finally put to words what about HOTD bothers me with both seasons. I've seen many (rightful) critisims about HOTD. Many about how this is the Rhaenrya vs Alicent show instead of the book plot of Rhaenyra vs Aegon II. How the show ruins Daemon as a father. How it feels like a fanfiction of the book.
I could live with all of these major changes...if the show runners actually took their time to tell the story.
Season 1 ends with Lucerys' death.
Honestly? To me, while boring to some, season 1 ending with Alicent walking into Rhaenyra's wedding in that green dress would have been so much better. GOT fans stuck through the show loyally for years despite it taking it's time with the characters and houses. It seems HOTD did not learn the lessons it should have from the last two seasons (rushing the plot until it no longer makes sense).
Show us more of Alicent and Rhaenyra's childhood. Give us their bond of deep friendship. Let the viewers see these two innocent girls cling to each other in a world of politics in a patriarchal society. Show flashbacks from their first meeting. Show us that grieving, timid young Alicent meeting a bold and outspoken princess. Let Aemma Arryn be a comforting mother figure to young Alicent from the loss of her own mother.
Watch Alicent use her own faith to try and hel;p Rhaenyra survive the horrors she watches her mother endure from her own father and the gossiping courts. Let us watch these two girls slowly grow up and fall in love.
All the while, show us Daemon and Viserys slowly drift apart as Otto Hightowers insidiously whispers into the Kings ears. Have Daemon and Viserys close as brothers. After all, Daemon raised an army to put his brother on the throne. Show us Daemon's protective yet cocky nature. Let Viserys be a kind brother who does not quite understand him. Show us how duty begins to weigh heavy on Viserys. How his father's unexpected death left him fumbling and secretly doubtful of his readiness to rule. Let's watch as Otto uses this to get close to Viserys. To sow discord between these brothers. Show me a Daemon desperate for his brothers approval, yet unrealize his attempts to impress Viserys makes things harder for his brother.
Show the Velaryons relationship to Rhaenyra too. Why can't Rhaenys and Laena have a relationship to their fellow women? Why can't Laena be seen an a adventuous young girl who also has her own dreams (claiming Vhaegar and exploring the world) despite her father's selfish ambitions as a character? Why not show Laenar not be a rich playful heir that enjoys spending time with his family, yet struggling with his own sexuality in a deeply homophobic society? Show us these characters, explore their relationships. Make us as the viewers care.
And then break our hearts.
Show us how they begin to lose each other. How the men in chrge around them slowly ruin their lives and crush their ambitions. Make us empathize with them even when we don't want too.
Alicent's choice to follow her father's command to visit the King in season 1 would have so much more of an impact if these characters had already been established. If her conflict between her faith and friendship was something Alicent had always been show to struggle deeply with. It would make Viserys' decision to make Alicent keep quiet about it so much more dark and obviously sickening for Alicent clearer . The audience would have seen him acting as a fatherly figure to young Alicent, see her treated as another family member by the females in his life. Only to act this way with her once she was older after he killed his wife for a son...something Alicent would have been aware of. Worst of all, Aemma would have been another mother figure taking from Alicent.
Rhaenyra's isolation in the aftermath would have made it so much more painful to watch. Watching her last family members be taken away after her mother's death and losing Alicent (her first love) to marriage. Even her uncle is gone.
Let's see Rhaenyra have no one...then secretly thaw to her brother. Show me a reluctant Rhaenyra being shaowed by a toddling Aegon. Let me see Rhaenyra be the one to present Aegon's eggs to him. The one to teach him some High Valyrion. Show me a motherly Rhaenyra to little Aegon and Helaena while Alicent struggles with motherhood. Show us how that quietly chafes at their heeling friendship.
Things begin to look up for the princess...
And then the brothal scene...then then their confrontation...and then then Cole\s confession... and Alicent's rage (jealousy).
Show us this...and the season with either Alicent walking in with the green dress...or as with Leanor's tears and Rhanyra's silent horror.
In general, the show needed to establish those characters and relationships. DON'T even get me started on Harwin Strong...
I'll be back with more thoughts!
