HBO has published a new film to promote the next episode of House of the Dragon, in which Olivia Cooke will replace child star Emily Carey as Alicent Hightower, marking the show’s second time leap. Alicent may be seen in the footage chatting with Larys Strong, or Larys Clubfoot (Matthew Needham), the son of the current Hand of the King, Lyonel Strong. Alicent wishes her own father, Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans), who would have been “partial” for her, was there to provide “unbiased counsel” to the King on some problem. Finally, she expresses her anger by asking, “Is there no one in Kings Landing who will fight for me?” In episode 5, “We Light the Way,” Larys Strong approaches Alicent in the godswoods and reveals the truth about Rhaenyra’s “tea.” Alicent’s resolve to commence her silent protest was finally broken by this crucial piece of information. Fans of the first series would recognise this figure as a harbinger of Littlefinger (Aidan Gillan), whose manipulations of Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner) had significant effects.
Larys is likely to continue in the same vein, as his advice to Alicent serves mainly to forward his own character’s arc. However, Alicent’s life changed forever when her father left Kings Landing, and although she has friends like Larys and Ser Criston Cole, she is still very much on her own after a decade. Larys will undoubtedly exploit the Queen’s vulnerability in this area. It’s worth noting that in the novels there’s a rumour that Lary’s brother Harwin Strong (Ryan Corr) fathered Rhaenyra’s children, and the teasers suggest that this may be a direction the show might go in as well.
House Strong, led by Hand of the King Lyonel Strong (Gavin Spoke) and his sons Harwin and Larys, can therefore maintain tabs on both Rhaenyra and Alicent. During the first five episodes, both Milly Alcock (Rhaenyra) and Carey did a tremendous job embodying their roles. Actor Emma D’Arcy and writer/director Cooke will now carry the story further. It’s also worth noting that while the series initially seemed to revolve around the topic of who would rule from the Iron Throne, the focus has shifted to reveal the identities of the rival candidates, Rhaenyra and Alicent. In the subsequent episodes, we shall find out for sure.
On Sunday, September 25th, episode 6 of House of the Dragon will be released.