Never let it be said I only complain about Rhaenyra's character assassination because even the writers rooms' favourite little puppy is getting mischaracterised and misused.
The idea that Alicent, a child-bride, needs to sacrifice her children in order to attain moral rectitude is so disgusting.
The idea that a woman should subordinate the needs of her own family for a potential romantic partner is soooo disgusting and anti-feminist.
It's why Aemma is forced to undergo traumatic pregnancy after traumatic pregnancy for Viserys' legacy despite the fact that she has a child who relies on her. It's why Viserys expects her to ignore the fact that her son just lost an eye so he can have a happy family. It's why he expects her to not champion her blood's inheritance.
IRL, the idea of ferberising babies and letting them cry it out and being less affectionate is so women can be available to their husbands.
We could have had a story about a woman who is sold to a king, who decides that none of her children are good enough to inherit and expects her to colour inside the lines and shut up about it, who strikes out and decides "No, I will not let my sacrifices or my legacy be ignored for your comfort."
ALSO could have examined potential Valyrian/Andal tensions since Viserys is choosing his more Valyrian child over what the majority Andal Realm sees as the true heir.
By the way, the fact that 3/4 of her total children and 2/3 she's choosing to sacrifice are disabled in some way is not lost on me at all.
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