Every now and then someone in House of the Dragon will say something that feels like it unlocks one of the show's key themes.
It's already happened with those recurring references to the Song of Ice and Fire prophecy that are currently driving the decision-making of Rhaenyra (Emma D'Arcy) and Daemon (Matt Smith). And in episode 3, we get a similar moment with Alicent (Olivia Cooke).
What does Alicent say in episode 3?
Alicent is in a tricky spot at this point. She's sort of kept up her side of the bargain she struck with Rhaenyra back in Season 2, but she's essentially under house arrest in the Red Keep until Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) is found. She's also an easy outlet for Rhaenyra's growing list of problems — during one scene early on in the episode, the new queen confronts Alicent about the crown's treasury having gone missing.
Alicent, being truthful, says she doesn't know anything about it. But Rhaenyra doesn't believe her.
"They hated me from the start!" protests Alicent, referring to the other members of the small council. "Resented my influence, my mere presence. My own father kept their plot from me."
The conversation escalates from there.
"Where is Vhagar?" spits Rhaenyra at one point. "Who rides Sheepstealer?"
"I do not know!" responds Alicent. "Is Aemond not flown away as I promised? Did the guards on the parapets not suffer you to pass? I have done all I could. Will you blame me only for what men have done?"
The argument goes on a little while longer, but that feels like the pivotal moment. The line that really gets through to Rhaenyra, because it's something they both have in common.
Will you blame me only for what men have done?
Why is that line so significant?
It's a long way back now, but let's not forget that Rhaenyra and Alicent started off the show as friends. Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) then pressured his daughter into a romantic relationship (ick) with Rhaenyra's father, Viserys (Paddy Considine), then their sons started fighting and eventually killing each other, and it pretty much went downhill from there.
The common thread? Men embroiling the women in their lives in violence because they either want more power (Otto) or they're bitter and vengeful (Aemond).
This theme has continued so far in Season 3, but Rhaenyra and Alicent's latest argument finally puts a name to it. At the time, it feels like Alicent's words do land with Rhaenyra, too.
The big question: Will they be able to get past their own bitterness toward each other and find a way to work together again?
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