Olivia Cooke Begs Fans Not to Pick Sides in “House of The Dragon”.!

Spoilers for Episode 10 of House of the Dragon are present in this article.

The Dance of the Dragons, a brutal civil war between two Targaryen factions, the Greens and the Blacks, is depicted in the first season of House of the Dragon.

The driving forces behind The Greens are Queen Alicent (Olivia Cooke) and her father Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), who want Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) to succeed King Viserys (Paddy Considine) as the monarch. The face of The Blacks is Princess Rhaenrya Targaryen (Emma D Arcy), who was appointed Viserys’ heir to the throne.

Actress Olivia Cooke encourages viewers to remain neutral as the conflict develops even knowing war is imminent as season 1 comes to a close. According to Cooke in an interview with Vulture, the main theme of the narrative is that individuals were compelled to choose sides, which is why a civil war breaks out.

We kindly request that they refrain from doing that and instead take the time to truly understand each character’s motivations.

Olivia Cooke Begs Fans Not to Pick Sides in "House of The Dragon"

The sensitivity and care that Cooke gives to Alicent’s character make it difficult to totally despise her, yet how difficult it is to continue to empathise with her as she upholds the same patriarchal structures that have kept her imprisoned.

Cooke recently told Deadline that she doesn’t think Alicent is the terrible character some people are portraying her to be because she was never a villain in the role. I am aware that she makes morally dubious choices and that, to put it mildly, her replies may be extremely impolite. But in order to portray her with complete honesty and integrity, I have to believe in what she does.

I have to admit that I have a lot of sympathy for Alicent because I understand that she is doing this out of unwavering love and concern for her kids. The conversation on the internet, in my opinion, may occasionally be a little too binary. I found a tweet that I believe perfectly captured the situation: Who is your favorite war criminal, not who is good and bad, is the question.

It’s important to keep in mind that no one in this series is completely innocent, with the possible exception of Helaena (Phia Saban). This is not to defend Alicent’s actions or to suggest that doing things like covering up the rape committed by her son is acceptable just because she is a victim of her circumstances.

Matt Smith’s character Daemon murdered his first wife in cold blood. A number of commoners were murdered by Rhaenys (Eve Best) and her dragon Meleys. Regarding who her children’s father is, Rhaenrya has been deceiving the entire kingdom. Otto murdered anybody who refused to swear allegiance to Aegon II as king.

Olivia Cooke Begs Fans Not to Pick Sides in "House of The Dragon"

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One of the most difficult aspects of the series has been watching Rhaenrya and Alicent’s friendship crumble as the family lines are established. Cooke responded to Deadline when asked if Alicent and Rhaenyra would be friends without the men controlling their life.

In my opinion. They finally realize that they are united and not split when they are surrounded by Daemon, Viserys, all of their kids, and the chaos and testosterone that fills the room at the huge dinner scene in episode eight, in my opinion.

According to Emma D. Arcy, who was speaking about the same dinner scenario, Alicent and Rhaenrya’s toasts to one another both go against what society expects them to do. The rift works in a patriarchal system. It takes courage to offer the chance of reconciliation in front of their entire mini-universe.

In the House of the Dragon episode The Green Council, Otto and the little council attempt to seize the kingdom, but Alicent refuses to allow them to send assassins to assassinate Rhaenrya and her children.

Alice still aspires to hang onto some of the understanding the two gained prior to Viserys death, despite the potential harm to her own family.

I’m not sure whether I’ll ever be able to truly despise Alicent, but it will be challenging to remain impartial as House of the Dragon plunges deeper into this civil conflict given how few appealing or even redeemable characters The Greens have thus far.

Olivia Cooke Begs Fans Not to Pick Sides in "House of The Dragon"

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The performances by Olivia Cooke and Emily Carey, as well as the way Cooke talks sympathetically about her character without justifying her acts, make it impossible for me to not feel sympathy for Alicent even as the situation worsens.

After season 2 debuts and we see the effects of Lucerys’ (Elliot Grihault) death, things might be different, but whatever occurs, I have faith that Olivia Cooke will treat this complex character with respect.