The following contains spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 1, Episode 6 "The Princess and the Queen," which debuted Sunday, Sept. 25 on HBO.
House of the Dragon is racing toward the Dance of the Dragons and the beginning of the end for House Targaryen. Rhaenyra Targaryen and Alicent Hightower both sit on the small council, and while Alicent continues to cause pain and strife in their relationship, Rhaenyra attempts to create peace in Season 1, Episode 6, "The Princess and the Queen." This is the last action that could have prevented the civil war -- but Alicent is set against it from the start, making destruction inevitable.
After the show's massive time jump, Alicent has three children with her husband, Laenor Velaryon -- although their biological father is Ser Harwin Strong, Rhaenyra's closest companion. Alicent also has children, but none of them have a claim to the Iron Throne. Alicent spreads lies and gossip about Rhaenyra and her children because she's convinced that if Rhaenyra takes the Throne, Alicent's family will die. While Rhaenyra doesn't want war, her former best friend is leaving no other choice.
In "The Princess and the Queen," Rhaenyra offers to marry her oldest son Jacaerys to Alicent's oldest daughter Helaena. This would mean that Helaena would rule as Queen when Jacaerys takes the Throne, giving safety and security to Alicent's family and guaranteeing that the two sides would rule together for generations. On top of that, Rhaenyra also promises a dragon egg to Aemond so that he could finally have a dragon of his own. She offered a generous deal that would have helped to create unity and balance among a self-destructing family.
While her father Viserys loves the idea, Alicent's "strong morals" are her biggest weakness. She feels insulted by this deal and that it would be wrong to marry her daughter to Jacaerys. Her prejudices and "morals" make her incapable of seeing the bigger picture. She is unable to see past her smoldering rage and understand that Rhaenyra's offer would keep the peace in the realm for decades to come. Instead, she and Rhaenyra's former flame Criston Cole are determined to ruin Rhaenyra's life and the lives of her children.
The Dance of the Dragons has been looming for a decade by the time of this episode -- ever since Laenor and Rhaenyra's wedding. Rhaenyra has remained at court to try to make sure that peace was kept and that the realm was safe. But Alicent has been whispering in the ear of Viserys for years, trying to encourage him to disown Rhaenyra and her children. Rhaenyra's proposal is a last-ditch effort to reunite House Targaryen behind their King and Queen. Alicent is more interested in creating strife, because strife means an opportunity for power.
Alicent's refusal to accept a reasonable proposal from Rhaenyra proves that she doesn't care about the Kingdom or even what is best for her children. She cares more for her rage against Rhaenyra and maintaining the public perception of her "high morals." Rhaenyra is just as angry, but she can see past her rage and understand what Westeros needs. She is willing to set aside her emotions, but it doesn't matter now that her friend turn enemy has no interest in a peaceful resolution.
New episodes of House of the Dragon air Sundays at 9:00 p.m. on HBO and stream on HBO Max.