House of the Dragon season 3 Aegon II tease signals shift from season 2's Targaryen war bias
tease hints at major Aegon II character shift
Actor Tom Glynn-Carney, who portrays
Aegon II Targaryen
in
HBO
's
House of the Dragon
, recently discussed the direction of his character's arc in season 3. Speaking to Awards Buzz, Glynn-Carney indicated that Aegon will undergo a process of self-discovery and reflection, evolving from his previously unstable and insecure persona.
'I think what we start to see in Aegon as we go through this story is this quest for an understanding of who he is, and why he is the way he is,' Glynn-Carney said. 'That later might lend themselves to him kinda leveling up as a human being and taking responsibility and casting light on those areas that were otherwise very shadowed and hidden in dusty corners within himself.'
Also read:
House of the Dragon Season 3: Is there a release date yet? Here's all details about Rhaenyra and Alicent's relationship
The shift may help position Aegon II not as a redeemable figure, but as a more comprehensible one. This change comes after Aegon suffered serious injuries in the Battle of Rook's Rest, an event that could catalyze his introspection.
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Balancing character portrayals in the
Targaryen civil war
Season 2 of
House of the Dragon
drew criticism for a perceived imbalance in character portrayals during the Targaryen civil war, known as the
Dance of the Dragons
. The season gave significant narrative weight to
Rhaenyra Targaryen
's perspective, casting her faction, the Blacks, in a more favorable light than the Greens led by Aegon II.
While season 1 allowed for more ambiguity, offering viewers reasons to sympathize with both Rhaenyra and Alicent's camps, season 2 emphasized Rhaenyra's struggles and sidelined nuance in the depiction of the Greens. With Aegon's arc turning introspective, season 3 could restore a more neutral stance in the ongoing civil conflict, allowing for a broader moral interpretation of each faction.
'There are no heroes in the Dance of the Dragons,' one section of commentary notes. 'It's a civil war of egotism and self-righteousness driven by false prophecy.'
Also read:
House of the Dragon season 3: Rhys Ifans teases exciting update, says 'there's something brewing'
Rhaenyra's arc could shift as House of the Dragon progresses
While Aegon may gain greater depth in season 3, Rhaenyra Targaryen's character is also expected to evolve. In season 2, she remained largely sympathetic, securing superior dragon support and successfully managing her side of the conflict. However, episodes like 'The Red Sowing' hinted at her growing ruthlessness.
This trajectory aligns with
Fire & Blood
, the George R. R. Martin novel that provides the basis for the show. The book depicts Rhaenyra's eventual decline in popularity and power, including a pivotal moment when she is forced to flee King's Landing after being rejected by the smallfolk.
Season 3 could mirror this shift, especially as Rhaenyra prepares to enter the capital. A more menacing Rhaenyra, contrasted with a more thoughtful Aegon, may help achieve the thematic balance needed to reflect the complexity of the Targaryen civil war. Viewers may still oppose Aegon's actions, but they may not view him solely as a villain.
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