So, Are Rhaenyra and Alicent Canon Now? It's Complicated
Nine episodes of guesses and vague hints — and the finale gives us the biggest hint yet.
Warning: the following article contains spoilers for House of the Dragon episode 10
If you've been secretly (or openly) shipping Rhaenyra and Alicent this whole time, the season finale of House of the Dragon has a scene that will either warm or break your heart. Although, with this show, we would not be counting on heartwarming moments anymore...
At some point in the episode, with Blacks mulling the possibility of entering the war after Greens have usurped the crown, Otto Hightower arrives at Dragonstone with some peace offerings. Rhaenyra does not immediately send him away, although Daemon seems very willing to do exactly that.
Instead, the Black Queen listens to what Otto has to say — and accepts a certain something from his hands as a gift from Alicent. It is a page from a child book — a token of their long-gone friendship... if it was friendship, because that's not the word Otto uses, referring to "the love you once had for each other".
And what could it possibly mean? Some fans have immediately deemed the line as an official confirmation of Rhaenyra and Alicent being former lovers. But others preferred to stay more realistic, arguing that it was merely Otto manipulating Rhaenyra.
"Guys they are not pushing Rhaenicent. They are using a fractured female friendship as the foundation for a war but the writing is so bad it's not working or believable lol. Rhaenicent shippers (the ones who truly believe they will get together) are queerbaiting themselves." – @adatarg
For some people, the thing between Rhaenyra and Alicent is "not working" at all, no matter if it is friendship or love.
"It's quite honestly ridiculous. This "lovers" twist thing is so far over the top that it makes me not want to watch it at all," Twitter fan DRhaenyra argued.
The most excruciating thing in the scene is the fact that things will remain hanging in the air for around a year now as House of the Dragon fans wait for season 2. The premiere date is yet to be announced by HBO Max, but the show has already been greenlit for the second season.
The complete first season is available for streaming on the platform, with the finale released on HBO Max on Sunday, October 23.