Emma D'Arcy

Targaryens and their dragons are a relationship that starts at birth. You receive an egg when the baby is born, and if it hatches, that's the start of a lifelong relationship. On the one hand, I've had cats that I felt that way about, and had a deep understanding, love and friendship with.

Rhaenyra and Alicent are kind of 'chalk and cheese,' and that's what enables such an intense friendship in childhood.

Proximity to death can alter your chain of priorities; it offers a canvas for forgiveness where there wasn't one previously.

When there's been a fundamental hurt that has come to define you, forgiveness is a big ask - even with someone who's been what Alicent is to Rhaenyra.