The first season ofHouse of the Dragonwas a bit of a slow burn. Frankly, this was likely the only way an introduction to House Targaryen’s reign could play out. The world that George R.R. Martin crafted in hisA Song of Ice and Firesaga is incredibly rich and spans over centuries, so any attempt to adapt the novels for television must capture their massive scope. Over the course of only nine episodes,House of the Dragonhas covered nearly twenty years. In that period, countless children were born, many influentialfigures have died(or been killed), and the entire future of Westeros was permanently altered by the whims of scheming usurpers.
A recent episode of the series “The Green Council” showed audiences the conclusion of a plot they had long suspected was taking place behind the scenes in the halls of powers. Following the long-awaited death of King Viserys, Queen Alicent and her father, Ser Otto Hightower, the de facto heads of a political faction called the Greens that opposes the ascension of Princess Rhaenyra, installed Queen Alicent’s firstborn sonAegon as the Kingof Westeros. His rule will unquestionably be challenged, and the early years of his reign will be marked with bloodshed from an impending civil war.
Conflict aside, Aegon has shown little sign that he has the right temperament to sit on the Iron Throne, and his coronation ceremony seemed to showcase that despite an initial reluctance to ascend, he bears within him an insatiable lust for power. Audiences are undoubtedly curious about what King Aegon’s rule will look like.
Aegon Has Been a Terror in King’s Landing Since His Boyhood
As is often the case with powerful youth in theGame of Thronesuniverse, Aegon was a petulant child. From an early age, he used his station to do whatever he pleased and cared little for how his actions affected the lives of both the common folk and his family. In “The Lord of the Tides,“Aegon forces himselfupon a young handmaiden, prompting a cover-up from his mother, Queen Alicent.
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“The Green Council” showed that Aegon grew from a moody child into a terrifying adult. When it is revealed that Aegon is to take the Iron Throne, he is nowhere to be found, prompting a citywide search for the reluctant king-to-be. During the search, audiences learn that Aegon frequents the city’s brothels and has fathered many children outside his marriage. Some of them he sold to the fighting pits in order to brutally dispose of the physical evidence of his transgressions. His actions are certainly unbecoming of a king and suggest that he will be a fickle and violent ruler.
Wartime Leaders Are Often Looked Upon With Favor
King Aegon’s ascension will almost undoubtedly bring abouta war in Westeros. It’s a commonly discussed notion that leaders during times of war can be well-liked by the citizenry, as they are viewed as symbols of stability in a chaotic period. Though there seemed to be a bit of hubbub from the King’s Landing common folk in the Dragonpit when Aegon’s ascension was announced, they will need to find some source of hope in the dark days to come.
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If King Aegon, despite his more abrasive characteristics and inexperience, can rally the citizenry behind him, popular opinion will give the Greens much better footing in the impending civil war. Any disdain that the people have for his illegitimate reign will likely melt away when King’s Landing is facing down the Black’s most powerful dragons.
In theGame of Thronesuniverse, characters like Aegon generally get what’s coming to them. Fans of the franchise remember their satisfaction at seeing the vile King Joffrey poisoned at his wedding. Aegon will undoubtedly be the target of assassination attempts during the early days of his reign.
“The Green Council” showed audiences that Aegon’s younger brother Aemond has a deep desire to claim the throne and feels that his older brother is undeserving of the crown. Aemond’s ambitions, as well as the vitriol that Princess Rhaenyra will feel at being denied the throne, means that Aegon will see threats to his life coming from all sides.
At the end of the day, Prince Aegon had little say in his ascension to the throne. He is unquestionably a terrible person, but he isn’t necessarily the chiefvillain of the series, though that very well might change in future seasons. Will Aegon rule Westeros with an iron fist, or will the Blacks find a way to usurp the illegitimate king?
