I have some theories as to Alicent’s servant outfit:
This is the whitewashed version of F&B’s Brothel Queens, instead of having her raped Rhaenyra forces Alicent into servitude as punishment for Jace’s death.
Alicent does a whole speech defending Rhaenyra even after being turned into a serving girl, nevertheless she realises Rhaenyra’s psyche is severely damaged after Jace’s death. This Rhaenyra won’t protect her from Daemon.
She attempts to escape with Helaena but is obviously caught.
Rhaenyra holds Helaena and Jaehaera hostage, demanding Alicent go to Oldtown and bring her Daeron.
Thus starting the fake!Daeron subplot, either Alicent’s in on it or she goes along with it to protect herself from Rhaenyra’s wrath.
All these are great ideas. All in all, Alicent is and will remain a weak, whiny, mopy character just trying her best to save her childhood friend, while growing more and more irritated by her sons refusing to fall in line. Daeron will for sure not be game. He will not surrender, just as Aemond and Aegon will not. And in the end, her misguided belief in Rhaenyra (and indirectly her people like Daemon) will lead to a situation where she blames HERSELF for Helaena's mysterious death.
Let nothing trick you into believing Alicent is going back into a semblance of normalcy as a character. She will only grow more guilt ridden than angry and vengeful. And it is this profound guilt in the Dance that will make her enable Aegon's poisoning in the end 'for the good of the realm'. At least the fan base has reason to believe this is how her story will end.
