Queen Alicent's Attire On House Of The Dragon Means So Much More Than You Probably Realize

As Rhaenyra prepares for her arranged marriage to Laenor Velaryon (Theo Nate), Alicent, a lonely and isolated queen, receives some interesting news about her best friend turned stepdaughter — specifically, that in the aftermath of an intimate encounter with her own uncle Daemon Targaryen (Matt Smith), Rhaenyra was "treated" with contraceptive tea sent by Viserys himself. Not only that, but Rhaenyra's sworn protector, Ser Criston Cole (Fabian Frankel) directly confesses to taking the princess' virginity himself when Alicent questions him. Suspicious, angry, and deserted at court now that her father Otto (Rhys Ifans) has been dismissed as Hand of the King, Alicent arrives quite late at Rhaenyra's wedding, making a spectacular entrance in a bright, emerald-green dress, interrupting her husband's speech.

As brothers Harwin and Larys Strong (Ryan Corr and Matthew Needham) point out for the audience's benefit, green is the color of the beacon that calls Oldtown to arms on behalf of the house of Hightower. For those who have read "Fire & Blood," the source material for "House of the Dragon," this is incredibly important, as during the Dance of the Dragons — Aegon II's and Rhaenyra's fight for the throne — Alicent and her son Aegon don green clothing, while Rhaenyra and her faction wear black.

With Viserys potentially dying at the end of "We Light the Way" (the episode title itself is, incidentally, the official motto of House Hightower), Rhaenyra and Alicent will likely be assembling their supporters soon, and with this dress, Alicent makes one thing very clear: she's ready for battle.