Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) steals the spotlight in this episode. According to the actress, she was out at a pub just a few months ago with castmates, celebrating the birthday of Fabien Frankel, who stars as Ser Criston Cole in the HBO series, when some woman came up to me and was like… ‘your character is such a C-word.’
This highlights how deeply her role affects viewers. Cooke portrays Alicent as a complex figure, balanced between fierce ambition and genuine concern for her family.
In the “Game of Thrones” prequel series, Cooke plays the adult version Alicent Hightower, the wife of King Viserys (Paddy Considine) and stepmother of Princess/former BFF Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy, Milly Alcock).
Rhaenyra Targaryen (Emma D’Arcy) remains the pillar of strength on Dragonstone. We see her conflicted over escalating the war versus diplomatic solutions. Emma D’Arcy’s portrayal shows Rhaenyra’s tactical genius and motherly instincts intertwined.
Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith) captures our attention once again with his commanding presence at Harrenhal. His scenes are steeped in tension, particularly his interactions with Ser Simon Strong. He crafts a formidable display of power and fear.
Rhaena (Phoebe Campbell), Daemon’s younger daughter from Laena Velaryon, gains prominence this episode. As she rallies dragon eggs and other forces, her character’s growth into a key player for Team Black is palpable.
Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) leads a strategic mission to rally soldiers for Aegon II. His decision not to wear his Hand of the King badge speaks volumes about his complex role and evolving loyalties within the Small Council.
A noteworthy moment highlighted by his leadership during the aftermath of the Battle of the Burning Mill.
Aemond Targaryen (Ewan Mitchell), Aegon’s brother, sits staunchly at the Small Council table with a weighted coin discovered last week. His loyalty to family and strategic mind solidify him as increasingly dangerous.
Queen Helaena (Phia Saban)‘s somber demeanor during funeral processions highlights her tragic awareness of commoner suffering compared to royal grief. This underpins her unique empathetic perspective despite intense familial pressures.
Each character operates within a world brimming with alliances and betrayals, yet these moments stand out: showing resilience in times of conflict, their humanity amidst turmoil defines them beyond roles alone.
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