The question of who deserves the Iron Throne has always been central to Game of Thrones and now House of the Dragon. In a recent interview, showrunner Ryan Condal gave his own surprising answer. Rather than naming a dragonrider, he pointed to Alicent Hightower, Rhaenyra’s rival, as the character most suited to rule Westeros right now.
Quick read
- Ryan Condal says Alicent Hightower should sit on the throne.
- Alicent has experienced both power and powerlessness.
- Condal argues her lack of a dragon makes her more stable.
Condal’s reasoning
Speaking on the Empire, Condal explained why Alicent stands out: “I mean, honestly I think Alicent. There’s not a character in the show that has seen more of a differential between power, to lack of power. She’s seen it all. She doesn’t ride a dragon, which I think is probably important for a sane and stable leader. But I think where she is now, where we find her now in the story, and certainly where I think she’s going, she’s a person that has the proper experience and training to make the right choices.”
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Cpndal praises Alicent’s growth
Condal acknowledged Alicent’s flaws but emphasized her growth: “Even though Alicent could be vindictive about things – and we’ll see where it goes from here based on what happens in the [Season 3] finale – we have seen her let go of vindictiveness, in a way that other people seem to double down on it as things get darker. And that’s where I think you get to see the real true nature of a character.”
Condal also floated another name: Lord Corlys Velaryon, the Sea Snake. He praised Corlys’s experience and leadership, joking that he wanted to pick someone “that wasn’t blonde.”
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