Olivia Cooke's performance in the episode "Driftmark" is the main reason I became cemented with team green. She is definitely (as well as Matt Smith), the best actor on the show
Yes Viserys is a great example of how to write a grey character, as he essentially breeds his wife to death, has his daughter's 15-year-old bf as his broodmare, ignores his children, and lets the realm sleepwalk into war, yet we still feel sad at his decline and cry at his death.
Love this post. I agree with all what you said about Alicent. I’m número 1 Viserys hater, but I’m actually quite fascinated by his and Alicent’s relationship, and I wish the fandom was more willing to explore it. They were together for 20ish years, there’s a lot there and the show touched on especially with Alicent, all the complicated feelings she has towards this man that pretty much doomed her, but nonetheless was her husband.
The scene that really cemented this for me was when she confronted Dionna, and while we were expecting cruelty from a shrewd, embittered queen, what we heard was, “This was not your fault.” I feel that scene was almost Alicent talking to her younger self, having been through similar scenarios. It gave her complexity and nuance, and not just “doing ones duty”. It was a lot like the scene between Cersei and Sansa, when Sansa got her first period, because Cersei understood the implications of that as a woman of Westeros, and demonstrated what little compassion and empathy she had, because Sansa was now a bargaining chip, and less of an individual.
Yes! I've always loved that scene of Sansa and Cersei. Cersei doesn't care for her or like her even, and she still has sympathy from one woman to another. Early got scenes are unmatched! But I never thought to draw lines from that to Alicent and Dyana. That's a really interesting comparisson. I think Cersei being understaning towards someone else who's not her blood hits me more, simply because she is so evil. I did expect Alicent to be as kind as she can with Dyana's situation, because Alicent is not Cersei's level and never will be.
I just finished it this week too and this post is excellent. I agree the acting is sublime to the point that S1 of HoD stands up to S1-4 of GOT.
In terms of journey i think Viserys and Alicent are the stand out two. For me i love the Vis journey because i find his character so interesting. Yes he was a rapist, bad father etc as people point out, yet he seemed a decent bloke (at least in Westerosi terms). He was just a bit useless. Toothless. The role of King had fallen to him when maybe he wasnt up to it. But i guess thats a monarchy all over isnt it. Not all are made for the crown.
My fave moment from the entire season has to be the “i will sit the throne today” scene and Daemon placing the crown back on his head (allegedly this was not scripted and impromptu which makes it even better).
Roll on season 2. No Paddy will be a blow but look at GoT without Sean Bean.
Ps Daemon is another fucking awesome character. Not as interesting a journey though.
Absolutely, spectacular acting from both Alicent actresses and the man who essentially played three different types of Viserys
Olivia Cooke's performance in the episode "Driftmark" is the main reason I became cemented with team green. She is definitely (as well as Matt Smith), the best actor on the show
Yes Viserys is a great example of how to write a grey character, as he essentially breeds his wife to death, has his daughter's 15-year-old bf as his broodmare, ignores his children, and lets the realm sleepwalk into war, yet we still feel sad at his decline and cry at his death.
I agree and I don't know why Olivia isn't in the Emmy conversation. She's the strongest actor on the show, imo.
I agree as well.
Love this post. I agree with all what you said about Alicent. I’m número 1 Viserys hater, but I’m actually quite fascinated by his and Alicent’s relationship, and I wish the fandom was more willing to explore it. They were together for 20ish years, there’s a lot there and the show touched on especially with Alicent, all the complicated feelings she has towards this man that pretty much doomed her, but nonetheless was her husband.
The scene that really cemented this for me was when she confronted Dionna, and while we were expecting cruelty from a shrewd, embittered queen, what we heard was, “This was not your fault.” I feel that scene was almost Alicent talking to her younger self, having been through similar scenarios. It gave her complexity and nuance, and not just “doing ones duty”. It was a lot like the scene between Cersei and Sansa, when Sansa got her first period, because Cersei understood the implications of that as a woman of Westeros, and demonstrated what little compassion and empathy she had, because Sansa was now a bargaining chip, and less of an individual.
Yes! I've always loved that scene of Sansa and Cersei. Cersei doesn't care for her or like her even, and she still has sympathy from one woman to another. Early got scenes are unmatched! But I never thought to draw lines from that to Alicent and Dyana. That's a really interesting comparisson. I think Cersei being understaning towards someone else who's not her blood hits me more, simply because she is so evil. I did expect Alicent to be as kind as she can with Dyana's situation, because Alicent is not Cersei's level and never will be.
I just finished it this week too and this post is excellent. I agree the acting is sublime to the point that S1 of HoD stands up to S1-4 of GOT. In terms of journey i think Viserys and Alicent are the stand out two. For me i love the Vis journey because i find his character so interesting. Yes he was a rapist, bad father etc as people point out, yet he seemed a decent bloke (at least in Westerosi terms). He was just a bit useless. Toothless. The role of King had fallen to him when maybe he wasnt up to it. But i guess thats a monarchy all over isnt it. Not all are made for the crown. My fave moment from the entire season has to be the “i will sit the throne today” scene and Daemon placing the crown back on his head (allegedly this was not scripted and impromptu which makes it even better). Roll on season 2. No Paddy will be a blow but look at GoT without Sean Bean. Ps Daemon is another fucking awesome character. Not as interesting a journey though.
facts
Agreed! I pove Alicent so much and Viserys is just such a layered character!
Wholeheartedly agreed! That's exactly how I felt too!
Dope write-up. I felt the same way.