House of the Dragon: Foot fetish with consequences – that’s behind the deal between Larys Kraft and Alicent Hohenturm

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Fetishes have many faces, as “House of the Dragon” also shows. In the ninth episode we find out that the collaboration between Larys Kraft and Alicent Hohenturm is taken to a new level.

Littlefinger from “House of the Dragon” and the queen have been working together since the 5th episode. Larys initially gave Alicent information to advance his position within the royal family, but after nearly 20 years in her service, he has reached the bottom of the ladder. So there has to be something new to exchange.

To get the information she wants, Alicent has to present her feet. The more she shows them, the more she learns about Larys. How long this game has been going on between the two is unclear.

But her special deal with Larys shows how strong Alicent actually is. Even though she’s stuck in a golden cage, she finds ways to use it to her advantage. Without destroying the delicate structure around you.

That’s why Larys desires the queen’s feet

Larys Kraft’s foot fetish may be traced back to his own perceived imperfection. As a child, he was born with a club foot, which limited his movement. As a result, he was never able to become a warrior like his brother Harwin Kraft and other men. He was forced to join the women and fight for his goals with words.

Because of his own physical disability, he seemingly longs for what he cannot have. We can’t say whether he has romantic feelings for Alicent or is just sexually interested in her. But the agreement between the queen and Larys is also a safeguard for the heir to Harenhal.

The shame-filled act of making Larys masturbate at the sight of her feet ensures that Alicent will remain silent about her deal. The Queen will therefore never admit where and how she gets her information. This means Larys’ work is secured.

However, Larys actor Matthew Needham has his own theory as to why Larys makes the foot deal with Alicent. At a 2022 “Game of Thrones” convention, he explains that he doesn’t think Larys has a foot fetish, at least not one as understood in 2022. Rather, Larys wants Alicent to be just as ashamed of this part of her body as he is.

He mutilates people by cutting out their tongues or eyes. I think he likes to make people incomplete. However, he can’t do the same with Alicent. However, he can associate parts of her body with trauma, so that she continues to suffer from it even after his death. In doing so, he turns his victim’s body into a crime scene. I think that’s what he likes to do. That’s why I don’t think he loves feet. It’s the fact that this act disgusts Alicent and he can force her to do it.

Matthew Needham during the “Game of Thrones” convention

That’s why Alicent agreed to the deal with Larys

Lary’s power to show off her feet isn’t the queen’s most dignified moment. For this reason, she turns away from her ally with tears in her eyes. But for Alicent, this is the only way to get more information than her father.

For Alicent, sex has always been purely a means to an end. Just like in her marriage, she only uses it to get what she wants. Having sex with Viserys I to become queen and being used as a sex object to get information. Alicent never found anything satisfying in these actions.

This is why the agreement is so questionable

Even before her coronation, the religious Alicent condemned any sexual activity outside of marriage. Nevertheless, she gives moon tea to the young girls who sleep with her son Aegon II or helps Larys Kraft live out his foot fetish.

The fact that Kriston Kraut broke his oath with Rhaenyra is also acceptable to Alicent. She even promotes him to bodyguard. As long as it benefits her, the queen sees nothing wrong with her actions.

In itself it is not reprehensible that Alicent indulges in such actions, but her approach to them is questionable. To cover up her own shame, she publicly condemns anyone who indulges in extramarital and “abnormal” sexual desires. A double standard with which it harms women in particular, because they are usually more ostracized for their sexual preferences than men.

It remains to be seen whether Larys and Alicent’s deal deepens further in Season 2 of “House of the Dragon.”