Alicent Hightower's Age Discrepancy in "House of the Dragon"
Background
In the popular HBO series "House of the Dragon," Alicent Hightower is a key character whose age has been a subject of debate among fans. According to the source material, "Fire & Blood," Alicent was born around 88 years after Aegon's Conquest (AC), which places her arrival in King's Landing during the reign of King Viserys I Targaryen.
However, in the televised series, Alicent is portrayed as being close in age to Rhaenyra Targaryen, Viserys's daughter. This age discrepancy has raised questions about the show's faithfulness to the source material and its potential impact on the plot.
Source Material vs. Series
In "Fire & Blood," Alicent is described as being several years older than Rhaenyra. When she arrives at court, Rhaenyra is still a young girl. Conversely, in the series, Alicent and Rhaenyra are depicted as being contemporaries, with their relationship developing as they mature. This change was likely made for storytelling purposes, as it allows for a more dynamic and relatable relationship between the two characters.
Impact on the Plot
The age discrepancy between the source material and the series could have implications for the plot. In the books, Alicent plays a more active role in the early portions of the Dance of the Dragons, as she is older and more experienced than Rhaenyra. Her increased age also makes her a more formidable political opponent.
In the series, Alicent's younger age could potentially make her appear more vulnerable and sympathetic to viewers. This could impact the way she is perceived by audiences and may influence their loyalties during the conflict.
Conclusion
The age discrepancy between Alicent Hightower in "Fire & Blood" and "House of the Dragon" is a notable change that alters the character's backstory and potential role in the plot. While the change was likely made for storytelling purposes, it remains to be seen how it will affect the overall narrative and audience perception of Alicent.
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