Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) faces off against Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) in HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon’ season 3 finale.
HBO
Aegon II (Tom Glynn-Carney) has emerged as the star player of HBO’s House of the Dragon, the season three finale cementing him as one of the most memorable characters in the series.
Following the betrayal of his brother Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) during the Battle of Rook’s Rest, Aegon’s struggle for survival has kindled a feisty warrior’s spirit in the once-pampered prince.
When Aegon finally reunites with Aemond the usurper, his reaction is surprising.
Aegon’s Plot Twist In Season 3 Finale Of ‘House Of The Dragon,’ Explained
The season three finale sees Aegon flies down on the miraculously resurrected Sunfyre, with Aemond in complete shock.
Tom Glynn-Carney deserves much credit for his hilarious line delivery, as he slaps his brother and announces the obvious—”I’m alive!”
It’s a surprisingly funny moment for the much-anticipated revenge plot, as though Aegon were momentarily possessed by Stewie Griffin.
House of the Dragon doesn’t have a lot of levity, especially compared to Game of Thrones and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, so the one-liner quickly went viral, inspiring a meme.
In a surprise twist, Aegon decides to spare his brother’s life.
Aemond’s trials and tribulations have already defeated him, and he denies Aegon the satisfying showdown he anticipated—he doesn’t even have his legendary dragon, Vhagar.
Hence, Aegon proposes an alliance. Find Vhagar, march on King’s Landing to challenge Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy), then seize the Iron Throne.
It’s hard not to support him—Aegon has really grown as a character, while Rhaenyra has become increasingly unhinged.
Aegon Was The Star Of ‘House Of The Dragon’ Season 3
It’s always interesting to see a powerful character humbled, and Aegon endured a dramatic fall in season three that forced him to walk among the common folk of the Seven Kingdoms.
Pairing a streetwise advisor with a naive noble is something Game of Thrones always excelled at, and House of the Dragon pulls the same trick with Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) and Aegon.
Watching the burnt body of his beloved dragon being used as a tourist attraction was just the beginning of Aegon’s suffering.
By the time Sunfyre wakes from his slumber, Aegon has grown into a wise leader, a king worth fighting for.
What Will Happen To Aegon In Season 4 Of ‘House Of The Dragon’?
The HBO series has deviated heavily from George R.R. Martin’s Fire & Blood, and is likely to continue to do so in the fourth season.
House of the Dragon is confirmed to end with season four. Aegon’s path might not precisely match the source material, but the ending is set in stone, imbued into the history of Westeros.
Warning—Major Spoilers Ahead
In Fire & Blood, Aegon II wins the battle of succession against Rhaenyra.
It proves a cursed victory and Aegon is not merciful—his dragon Sunfyre burns and feasts on Rhaenyra, right in front of her young son, Aegon the Younger (Aegon III).
The suffering of Aegon II does not end after he takes the throne, and history does not judge his reign as a success. Aegon II dies after being poisoned, leaving no male heir.
In an ironic twist, the Iron Throne is taken by Aegon III, the boy who watched his mother eaten by Sunfyre. In some sense, Rhaenyra won the war, even if she lost the battle.
As we know from Game of Thrones, there are no real winners in the Dance of Dragons—the Targaryen dynasty is doomed to end, no matter what happens in season four.