I appreciated this episode for what it didn't try to do: Viserys didn't try to placate Corlys at all. At first, I thought it a bit odd--Laena's age *is* a problem, for reasons other than it's gross--but it illustrates the point well: Viserys is not good at playing politics, and he does not recognize threats right in front of him (it took him far too long to realize Damon was a problem too). He might not have been able to soothe Corlys, but it's notable he didn't even try.
Laena is twelve; a child between her and Viserys would be at best three years out. She almost certainly hasn't started menstruating yet and while 14 is average (for the time period the show is based on), it's very possible she doesn't begin until she's 15 or 16. That's before getting into the randomness of conception and high likelihood of miscarriage, especially for a very young mother. Rejecting Corlys' proposal based on Laena's age and the necessity of getting more heirs ASAP to ensure succession--perhaps while counter-offering a betrothal between Rhaenyra and Corlys' ten-year-old son--seems like a decent idea if Viserys is dead-set on Alicent. Corlys' ambition is such that he probably wouldn't have bit on it, but Viserys could have tried...except he's a nice man who couldn't imagine Corlys would do anything more than be disappointed.
I appreciated this episode for what it didn't try to do: Viserys didn't try to placate Corlys at all. At first, I thought it a bit odd--Laena's age *is* a problem, for reasons other than it's gross--but it illustrates the point well: Viserys is not good at playing politics, and he does not recognize threats right in front of him (it took him far too long to realize Damon was a problem too). He might not have been able to soothe Corlys, but it's notable he didn't even try.
Laena is twelve; a child between her and Viserys would be at best three years out. She almost certainly hasn't started menstruating yet and while 14 is average (for the time period the show is based on), it's very possible she doesn't begin until she's 15 or 16. That's before getting into the randomness of conception and high likelihood of miscarriage, especially for a very young mother. Rejecting Corlys' proposal based on Laena's age and the necessity of getting more heirs ASAP to ensure succession--perhaps while counter-offering a betrothal between Rhaenyra and Corlys' ten-year-old son--seems like a decent idea if Viserys is dead-set on Alicent. Corlys' ambition is such that he probably wouldn't have bit on it, but Viserys could have tried...except he's a nice man who couldn't imagine Corlys would do anything more than be disappointed.
I'm enjoying this show a lot.