Warning! This article contains spoilers for House of the Dragon season 2, episode 3.
Summary
House of the Dragonseason 2, episode 3 subtly teased a dark Aegon twist that I cannot wait to see play out. As ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2 episode 3’s ending, the Dance of Dragons threatens to explode. The slow build-up of the season thus far has moved the pieces around the board in classicGame of Thronesfashion, with Rhaenyra’s inability to get through to Alicent seemingly the straw that will break the dragon’s back, so to speak. As someone who knows what is coming, I cannot wait forHouse of the Dragon’s future episodes.
One character that has surprised me this season is Aegon II Targaryen. While he undoubtedly still has his undesirable tendencies,House of the Dragoncastmember Tom Glynn-Carney has imbued the young King with a sense of underlying decency that I did not expect after season 1. As such, my anticipation to see how his story from George R. R. Martin’sFire and Bloodwill play out on screen has increased immeasurably.One brutal part of Aegon’s future was even foreshadowed inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 3, which promises a deeper story for the character going forward.
I’m Shocked By How Much House Of The Dragon Season 2 Makes Me Like King Aegon, Despite Being Team Black
House of the Dragon season 2 has made King Aegon II Targaryen into one of the show’s best characters, helped a lot by Tom Glynn-Carney’s performance.
House Of The Dragon Season 2, Episode 3 Foreshadows Aegon’s Rook’s Rest Injuries
Aegon’s Militaristic Future Is Teased By A Smart Visual Cue
The following sections contain spoilers for Fire and Blood, and likely House of the Dragon’s future episodes.
InHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 3, Aegon is shown preparing for battle. In his continued quest to seem like a strong, fearsome king, Aegon wishes to join Criston Cole on the path to war and is shown trying on armor resembling Aegon the Conqueror. At the end of the scene, Aegon is shown staring at himself in the mirror, which foreshadows a brutal set of injuries that are set to come in the seemingly inevitable Battle at Rook’s Rest.
InFire and Blood, the Battle at Rook’s Rest is one of the early skirmishes in theTargaryen Civil War - the Dance of Dragons- and it is safe to assume this will happen sooner rather than later after the events ofHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 3. In this battle,Aegon, Criston Cole, and Aemond ambush Rhaenys and her dragon Meleys in a harrowing battle, resulting in the death of the latter two characters. While the loss of Rhaenys and Meleys is a blow to the Blacks, Aegon and his dragon Sunfyre also suffer terrible injuries.
When Aegon is looking at himself in the mirror, half of his face and chest are covered in shadow and darkness, teasing the half that will be badly burned…
Aegon is incapacitated for the better part of a year due to severe burns that cover half his body, burns that are subtly teased inHouse of the Dragonseason 2, episode 3. When Aegon is looking at himself in the mirror, half of his face and chest are covered in shadow and darkness, teasing the half that will be badly burned in the upcoming battle. While I am not excited to see the character in such brutal pain, the battle and everything that transpires afterward is cause for anticipation.
What Happens To Aegon After Sustaining His Injuries In The Book
Aegon’s War Is Left For Other Members Of His Family To Fight
After Aegon’s injuries, he is effectively sidelined from the Dance of Dragons. Aegon is left incredibly scarred from his burns, and his armor is melted into his skin. Atop broken ribs and a broken hip, Aegon’s injuries see him bedridden for almost a year. Only Criston Cole and Alicent were permitted to see Aegon for this lengthy period due to his awful injuries and his mind being clouded by Milk of the Poppy. Concerning how this will affectHouse of the Dragon, another character will take up Aegon’s role.
Fire and Bloodmentions that Aemond rules in Aegon’s stead, becoming Protector of the Realm and Prince Regent.This hints that Ewan Mitchell’s Aemond will have a much larger role afterHouse of the Dragondepicts Rook’s Rest, which is all but guaranteed to be in season 2, episode 4. What this means for Aegon remains to be seen, asHouse of the Dragon’s book changescould be even greater to give Tom Glynn-Carney a continued role. Until then, however,House of the Dragon’s Rook’s Rest teases stoke excitement - and dread - for the wars to come.
House of the Dragon
Cast
House of the Dragon is a 2022 fantasy drama set in the world of Westeros, chronicling the Targaryen dynasty at its height. The story revolves around King Viserys’s controversial decision to name his daughter Rhaenyra as heir to the Iron Throne, sparking tensions and divisions within the realm.
