Several viewers directed their frustration at showrunner Ryan Condal and executive producer Sara Hess, who wrote the episode.
One X user, elumaxluv, wrote: “Literally no reason for the Alicent Jasper SA [sexual assault] scene. Really disappointed in Ryan and Sara.”
Another viewer, Promiseishim, said: “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.”
The criticism continued elsewhere, with _allyriadayne posting: “The Alicent assault scene was sooo pointless.”
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.”
Alicent’s history on the show has been defined by coercion
Alicent’s suffering has been part of House of the Dragon from its earliest episodes. As a teenager, she was pushed by her father, Otto Hightower, played by Rhys Ifans, into getting close to King Viserys, played by Paddy Considine, so he would choose her as his next wife.
After the marriage, Alicent was expected to sleep with Viserys, a man around 30 years older than her, whenever she was summoned to his bedchamber. She later gave birth to four of his children.
Her position as Queen did not protect her from being used. Larys Strong, played by Matthew Needham, exploited her need for information by making her show him her feet for his sexual gratification.
After Viserys died, Alicent began a sexual relationship with Criston Cole, played by Fabien Frankel. That storyline was presented as one of the few times she was able to act on her own desires, rather than simply endure what powerful men demanded of her.
Season 3 has now returned to more uncomfortable territory. In episode 1, Alicent allowed her second-eldest son, Aemond Targaryen, played by Ewan Mitchell, to kiss her on the lips, despite her visible discomfort. Episode 2 then followed with the attack by Lord Jasper.
Olivia Cooke had already hinted at more humiliation
The response to episode 2 also carries extra weight because Olivia Cooke has spoken openly about how punishing Alicent’s material can be.
After the episode involving Aemond kissing Alicent, Cooke told TVLine that she sometimes reads the scripts and thinks: “What has Ryan and Sara got for me this season?!”
She also addressed Alicent’s most uncomfortable moments in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, saying: “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.”
Fans are now reading those comments in a harsher light. Cooke’s performance has long been praised for giving Alicent emotional complexity, especially in scenes where the character has very little control. But viewers are questioning whether the writing gives her anything new to play, or just keeps asking her to carry the same kind of degradation.
Where to watch and where to find support
House of the Dragon is available on HBO Max, Sky Atlantic and NOW, with new episodes released on Mondays.
Rape Crisis England & Wales supports people affected by rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, child sexual abuse and other forms of sexual violence. The charity says it offers information and support whether the abuse happened recently or in the past, and whether someone is certain about what happened or still trying to understand it.
Anyone aged 16 or over can contact the Rape Crisis England & Wales 24/7 support line for free on 0808 500 2222.
