Warning: spoilers ahead for House of the Dragon season 3 episode 2.
House of the Dragon fans are disgusted after watching Alicent Hightower (Olivia Cooke) being abused yet again in the latest episode of the fantasy series.
Ever since the start of the show, Alicent has suffered near-constant exploitation at the hands of men. When she was just a teenager, her father Otto Hightower (Rhys Ifans) manipulated her into seducing King Viserys (Paddy Considine) so that he would choose her as his bride.
Once they were married, Alicent had to endure sleeping with a man 30 years her senior whenever she was called to his bedchamber, and gave birth to four of his children.
After becoming Queen, Alicent was used by the Master of Whisperers, Larys Strong (Matthew Needham), showing him her feet to fulfil his sexual gratification in exchange for information.
Following Viserys’ death, Alicent and Criston Cole (Fabien Frankel) developed a sexual relationship, the first time that she was able to explore sexually and act on her desires.
But then, in season three, the exploitation against her continues. In episode one, she allows her second-eldest son Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) to kiss her on the lips, despite clearly being extremely uncomfortable with his actions towards her.
In episode two, Alicent is attacked by Lord Jasper (Paul Kennedy), but he’s prevented from raping her when Grand Maester Orwyle (Kurt Egyiawan) and guards burst into the room.
The scene has sparked an uproar among viewers, with many saying that the scene served no purpose other than to show her being assaulted again.
‘Literally no reason for the Alicent Jasper SA [sexual assault] scene. Really disappointed in Ryan and Sara,’ one X user called elumaxluv said, referencing the showrunner Ryan Condal and executive producer Sara Hess, who wrote the episode.
‘Alicent SA scene made me sick. I genuinely have no words at how sad and sick I feel. It didn’t even serve a purpose,’ Promiseishim added.
‘The Alicent assault scene was sooo pointless,’ _allyriadayne remarked, while cronagod added: ‘I’m so serious the SA Alicent goes through [at this point] adds NOTHING to her as a character or her arc so what is the point besides to humiliate her.’
Last week, following the episode where Aemond kisses Alicent, TVLine published an interview with Olivia where she opened up about her feelings on season three.
The Girlfriend star said at the time: ‘Sometimes I’m reading these scripts, and I’m like, ‘What has Ryan and Sara got for me this season?!’
Speaking about the excruciating moments that Alicent has endured, she also said to Entertainment Tonight: ‘It’s sort of the humiliation of Alicent and Olivia Cooke by default, this show. The feet wasn’t great. And then there’s many more in season 3.’
House of the Dragon is available to watch on HBO Max, Sky Atlantic and NOW, with new episodes released on Mondays.
Learn more about Rape Crisis England & Wales
Rape Crisis England & Wales is a charity working to end rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, child sexual abuse – and all other forms of sexual violence.
Whether it happened recently, or a long time ago; whether you know without a doubt that you experienced sexual violence, or aren’t quite sure; whether it happened to you, or someone you know; Rape Crisis England & Wales will always believe you and listen to you, and they can offer you information and support.
You can find out more about Rape Crisis England & Wales here; and if you’re aged 16 or over, you can call the charity’s 24/7 support line for free on 0808 500 2222.