Warning: spoilers ahead for House of the Dragon season 3 episode 7.
House of the Dragon fans are outraged over a disgusting scene in the latest episode where Olivia Cooke and her on-screen son have sex, with one saying they had to turn off the show completely.
Some have claimed that this is yet another example of the series being a ‘humiliation ritual’ for Olivia, echoing comments that she made about Alicent Hightower’s storyline, when she acknowledged: ‘It’s sort of the humiliation of Alicent and Olivia Cooke by default, this show.’
Ever since the start of the Game of Thrones spin-off, Alicent has suffered misery after misery. As a teenager (played by Emily Carey), her father manipulated her into marrying the King, who was also her childhood best friend’s dad. She was forced to bear his children, and lost her friendship with Rhaenyra in the process.
As she grew older (with the role then taken over by Olivia), she became more cunning and ruthless, but her own suffering didn’t end. Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) made her indulge in his foot fetish in exchange for information, exacting his power over the Queen Consort.
In the latest season, the degradation of Alicent has been constant. In the first episode of season three, Alicent has to endure being kissed in a romantic way by her son Aemond (Ewan Mitchell), whose skin-crawling ‘mummy issues’ have been going on for years.
In the following episode, Alicent is shoved to the ground by Lord Jasper (Paul Kennedy) as he tries to rape her. Fortunately, he’s stopped when Grand Maester Orwye (Kurt Egyiawan) bursts into the room, following Alicent’s attempts to fight back against her attacker.
Now, in episode seven, House of the Dragon viewers had to endure watching Aemond and Alicent not only kiss again, but make out passionately, make their way to the bed and start having sex.
It’s revealed that the scene is a dream sequence during Aemond’s time at the haunted castle of Harrenhal, and he’s actually having sex with the witch Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin) – but that doesn’t negate the fact that Olivia had to film yet another horrifyingly icky sexual scene.
Fans have not only expressed their disgust, but also their anger, as they feel that Olivia deserves better on the show.
‘They’ve given Olivia Cooke not one, not two, but THREE uncomfortable sexual scenes this season alone. Olivia described the show as the humiliation of Alicent, and of herself. Honestly I couldn’t agree more. It’s such a disservice to Alicent, but most importantly to Olivia,’ kendallgrl wrote on X.
‘It’s ridiculous what they’re doing to Alicent and to Olivia Cooke herself this season, constantly putting her in these humiliating and embarrassing situations – in the first ep she’s kissed by her own son, that disgusting scene in the second, and now this ffs,’ alicentdilauren remarked.
‘You can really tell what Olivia Cooke meant by humiliation ritual for her character,’ LoveLadyLaena quipped, while zulcma stated: ‘8 minutes into the episode I’m gonna end it here. I do not need to see whatever they’re gonna do.’
C4rtwrong also commented: ‘Alicent used to be my favourite character in HOTD, I am so mad with what the writers did to her. Truly the humiliation ritual of Alicent Hightower and Olivia Cooke 💔.’
However, other fans have shared their opinions that the criticisms are over the top, with one X user called raidnae_ writing: ‘”Olivia Cooke humiliation ritual” it’s a TV show. She’s an actress. It’s not real. Are y’all 12 or sth wtf is going on?’
In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, Olivia admitted that she ‘dreaded’ seeing people’s reactions after they saw Aemond and Alicent’s episode one kiss.
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The interviewer then asked: ‘If you had to rank the biggest ick moment for poor Alicent, what would you say is on top?’
Olivia responded: ‘It’s sort of the humiliation of Alicent, and Olivia Cooke by default, um, this show. Um, anyway. What would I say? I mean, the feet wasn’t great.’
Criston Cole actor Fabien Frankel, who was being interviewed alongside her, chimed in to add: ‘The feet as well. God, Alicent’s really been through the ole ringer with that stuff.’
Olivia continued: ‘And then there’s many more in season three, so tune in. Tune in if you like to see that stuff.’
Olivia Cooke’s representatives declined to comment when contacted by Metro.
House of the Dragon is available to watch on HBO Max, Sky and NOW, with new episodes released on Mondays.