“My son is my legacy” “My son is the heir to the Iron Throne” Aegon still doesn’t speak about Jaeherys in the past tense which is a brilliant portrayal of grief.
It really broke my heart for the fact that no one in this episode genuinely tried to comfort Aegon and Haelaena. Their son was decapitated and used for propaganda. "I will not have my little son's body dragged through the streets like a dead dog." And just a simple "why?" From Haelaena.
@@fayedunaway8they should be, hopefully they don’t gloss over it or just ignore it, I would actually like to see how Aemond deals with this, knowing his actions led to two of his nephew’s deaths.
@@fayedunaway8 "There has to be." Of course there are scenes ready. This show is following what happened in the books. I was watching Season 2 Episode 1 when Episode 2 wasn't up I was reading what would happen next in the books and they showed the exact same thing in the show. Even though they said they would make slight changes majority of it is in the books. You would be saddened what would happen to Helaena next. She's the only green I truly like and deserves better.
I never thought a character I hate I’d end up feeling so bad for him, he never wanted the throne and it was pushed on him because he’s mothers family were power hungry
The actor for Aegon is doing masterful work. Really feel bad for the guy, cuz an innocent child was murdered and I believe he wanted to do right by the boy unlike his father viserys.
Aegon seems very human compared to many of the other nobles, especially the other Targs. He's clearly not a particularly great king or really a smart guy in general but he's shown himself to be extremely passionate and justice-minded and he absolutely loves his family. Aegon wanted nothing more than to be a good dad and got that snatched away from him.
@@patrickwaldeck6681 The tragedy of it is further compounded by him never even having a desire to steal his sisters throne until it was thrust upon him.
"The blood of their children turned a dynastic dispute into a war of annihilation. The grief and rage of losing a child could burn down the entire world. Either Aegon or Rhaenyra could live at the end, but not both." -Catelyn Stark
@@SplendidFactorSo true. During the war, I imagine all Westeros thought "A whole family tree hates themselves, and we have to pay for It". But at the end was probably like "finally, the dragon problem solved itself".
Its really interesting to see aegon freaking out and breaking down over the death of his son, especially after he wanted to give him the life he himself never had (actual parenting)
When Alicent saw Aegon crying and didn’t go comfort him, that infuriated me. No sympathy for her after that. Like, “go comfort your son! His son just got beaded!”
It is a nice touch (and quite heartbreaking) that during his raving, Aegon says "My son *is* my legacy. My son *is* heir to the iron throne." not "was" my legacy or "was" heir. He's still talking in present tense as though Jaehaerys were still alive cause he hasn't even come to terms with his son's death yet.
For people calling him Joffrey 2.0 I'd point to this. While Aegon is hardly perfect or even a good person, he's nowhere near Joffrey. He clearly does care for people, you don't get this blind rage otherwise. He clearly loved his son, and that's something that Joffrey wouldn't have done. I know Joffrey had no kids, but I think we all can guess pretty accurately what kind of father he'd be, at best he'd emulate Robert, probably even worse.
@@CaptainLuckyLuke They really used Rhaenyra's fool's worst account of Aegon and yet claimed Blood and Cheese was exaggerated in the history by the Hightowers and 'propaganda' against Rhaenyra and Daemon. Tom Glynn Carney also recently said that the make up team spend hours trying to make him look unkempt and ugly. It's very clear Ryan Condal has an extreme bias against the Greens and as such this show cannot be deemed canon in any respect.
@@gottesurteil3201His family could’ve stayed alive if he wasn’t too ambitious. He could’ve been the hand of the king for many years after Viserys if he stayed in his lane. But no, he wanted his blood on the throne so naturally, his family would all be targets. That’s all on him.
I thought I'd hate Aegon, but I find him being pretty relatable. He doesn't want to be King, he's awful at it..but is genuinely trying. Throw in being a grieving father on top of it, and I pity the guy.
He's very much a tortured soul. He never wanted any of this to happen, but his horrible family forced him into this mess, and he ends up losing everything for it.
@@dv9239 no, he's still arguably a bad person who assaults maids and watches children pit fighting for fun. And even though Rhaenyra was not properly trained to rule, Aegon was _given_ that training and ignored it until the moment he was coronated. On the throne meeting with the smallfolk, his good intentions but also his inexperience are apparent.
Agnatic primogeniture is horrible. Rhaenyra would make a fine monarch but because the monarch is expected to be male she's overlooked in favor of Aegon. The best that can be said about Aegon is that he tries... except when he doesn't.
Tom's acting is superb. You can feel Aegon's anger and despair. Aegon tried being a better parent to Jaehaerys than his father was to him. Honestly the fact that he doesn't want him paraded shows that he loves his son, he doesnt want to use him as a tool. Meanwhile Otto is just idk "lets parade him for propaganda".
Well, Otto's trying to turn even something this awful to his side's advantage, cause he can tell where all this is going. As he says in the later episode, it's to gain support from the commoners and the realm for the depredations to come in the war. But it's also such a cold, totally pragmatic way of operating that it's utterly distasteful... and yet when he's gone, the Greens make serious blunders in their PR, which hurts them overall. I think that makes him so interesting here, he's a purely political operator in the room with a raw, emotional nerve. It's quietly horrifying how quickly he searches for the political angle, but it's also shown to be a powerful and important part of effectively ruling King's Landing, and the Green faction feels rudderless without someone like him in the decision room.
1:16 " I'll kill him myself ✨" this is why I like the character of King Aegon his passion is driving him, he's telling his council none of you want to work I'll work my self , I'll take matters into my own hand , this is why Aegon wears his armor with the crown and flies on sunfyre him self to battle field later on , this alone is enough to buy approval from solders who follow their king , a king who fights his own battles is a romantic picture for men
@@justinpachi3707I am genuinely liking how they are doing Aegon II this season. You can definitely see why people are loyal to him even if he is a terrible person.
@@ethanduncan1646 Honestly he seems like a genuinely personable character if you ignore the stuff in Season 1 where the had him randomly force himself on a serving girl and have children fight in the fighting pits for his entertainment. The abrupt shift they're doing in Season 2 makes his character seem like a different person ngl. Then again its probably for the best as the Greens needed serious development as last season they seemed closer to generic villains.
@@justinpachi3707honestly it doesn’t feel like that huge of a shift to me. It’s a little like the Prince Hal - Henry V transformation the young King goes through in the Shakespeare: (Thiugh on a smaller scale, I don’t think Aegon is nearly as self aware or Machiavellian about his youthful dalliancing as Hal), but the general concept of ‘Youthful fool wisens up/suddenly matures as King’ seems drawn from there. Also it feels kinda realistic ngl. Aegon is in like his very early twenties right? He’s never thought he’d succeed his father who he knew hated him so he bummed around but now he has the huge responsibility and seems to be trying his best at it, though his best is so far not very good.
I really love how she has the same autonomy as a corpse. The show really hammers in that Alicent is a prisoner of her own cause, forced to be nothing more than a piece of jewlry worn by the men around her. She is truly a tragic character. A fool, too.
At 0:07, "I declare war!" Watching Aegon go through all the stages of grief during the episode with Helaena is heart-wrenching. It shows that Aegon deeply loves his children regardless of his character. His reaction to Jaehaerys's death was just devastating.
@anjadjurovic9617 Ser Criston and the Kingsguard should have been better prepared. Maybe the Greens believed they would take revenge on the battlefield, not by taking a child's head...
@nicolasbls1738 killed him, and now blacks got one of theirs. Greens also imprisoned nobles who wouldn't declare for awgon, and killed beesbury and Caswell. Late to pretend war won't happen. It makes sense Aegon is now angry. But war is happening.
There is a lot of people who think Aegon deserved to have his son killed because of what he did to the maids and the fighting pit issue. Like yeah, he's done some s*itty stuff, but leave his kids out of it. Aegon had some redeemable qualities, like wanting to be an actual father to his legitimate son. But people focus too much on the bad stuff and think that no matter what a character does for redemption, that they don't deserve it.
@@TimberlakeTigerGirl The fighting pit stuff is from Mushroom who wasn't even in KL to witness that stuff and Mushroom is a really doomer-pilled narrator whose reports regarding fat queen Rhaenyra's not-so-good actions are ignored, whitewashed or blamed on the men in the show.
Yet in the quasi-medieval settings both characters are living in parents would usually bury about half their children before they reached adulthood. Even aristocrats only had a moderately better survival rate as they surely did not suffer from want but still had a poor understanding of hygiene and illnesses.
I really loved Aegon's reaction to his son's death. I expected him to have a full blown explosive rage kind of grieving. As opposed to Haelaena who was quite and into herself mostly just weeping silently. It bodes their characters well. Two very different ways of grieving.
Could be due to the fact that she actually was there when it happened, while Aegon had to hear about it later. So while she goes into shock, Aegon skips shock and goes straight to fury.
@@glowhoo9226 too late to reply and while I do agree with you, I still believe that their grieving bodes well their characters. Aegon has always been the more expressive one and Haelaena has always been quite reserved in her expressions. I expected Aegon to be full of rage and throwing wine cups around, breaking things, screaming in vengeance while Haelaena wanting to be left alone in her grief.
A character designed to be “disliked” by nature was played so well by this actor that you can’t help but like the character. The acting on this show is on another level. imo this scene alone really made me realize how phenomenally this guy played that role. Respect
1:21 Notice how Criston Cole steps in front of (a very VERY angry) Aegon and gently, but firmly shoves him back to prevent him from leaving the room. KG or not, you don't get to put your hands on the king like that, especially in front of the Queen Dowager and the Small Council. Yet Aegon doesn't shout, doesn't fight back, doesn't tell him to move aside. He just turns around without a word like a chastised kid. Bro really is the father that stepped up.
@@Shannon-vv6rr In the books, that's an account from Mushroom who wasn't even from King's Landing at the time😂. The show runners hate the Greens for some reason.
It's also something that he never blames Helaena for any of it. He never questions why she didn't do more or act differently, especially given that we know he doesn't think very highly of her.
@@rosesweetcharlottei dunno if they show will go for that angle. In episode two he shows anger towards Helaena and ignores her, she runs back to her room. Show Aegon may blame her.
@@rosesweetcharlottebecause why would he expect more from a woman, especially one who is autistic? It would be madness to expect her to accomplish anything
@@jamiemohan2049he didn't look angry, he looks like he dont know how to deal with her, is the same case with her, they don't know how to deal with their feelings
Season 1: "Wanna see me turn this ineffectual schlub of a character into a masterfully-performed fan favorite?" Season 2: "... wanna see me do it again?"
I do think, though, that some part of him really does think he's doing something right here. He genuinely doesn't want the death of his grandchild to mean nothing
@@rosesweetcharlottehe’s someone whose very good at keeping his motions in check, choosing when to let himself feel them, but he is also an overly ambitious arrogant scoundrel as well.
@@t-rexcellentreviews1663 he feels like a combination of littlefinger and tywin but only their worst parts. Still he was good at game sad he was fired.
unfortunately, not smart enough to have had the foresight to develop responsibility and intelligence in the grandson he was setting up to inherit the throne. Common mistake in these "smart men" (see Tywin and Joffrey)
@@rinmartell2678 the lannister army maybe but how Tyland sent away all the crowns savings so fat rhaenyra had no money and than had to sell her crown to get on a ship to Dragonstone where Sunfyre ate her 💀
1:16- I love that this is the moment Aegon stops smashing and shouting. When he finally reaches the peak of his anger, Aegon doesn't rage, he focuses. Simple, direct, and blunt. "I'll kill him myself."
“Where you also threatened your Grace?” “I COULDVE BEEN!!!” Honestly yeah, that’s a stupid question, an assassin in the royal home is a threat to the entire family.
Im no fan of the Greens......but I truly felt sorry for Aegon. Say what you will about the guy, but he did genuinely love his son. I felt for him this whole episode, and even tho killing all the rat trappers is wrong........I cannot be mad at him, i can't imagine myself im that scenario
Great-grandson/grandfather wasn't used in medieval times because rarely would someone live long enough to see them. The word was added to english around 1600 after the end of the middle ages. George RR Martin does this a lot, my favorite is "Nuncle"
This is why Aegon's the best character. Things actually affect him, weigh on him, and aren't just forgotten to the point they try to negotiate peace again and again. He's the only character that reflects the tone change the season is supposed to have.
You worded it perfectly. He acts, he reacts, he feels like a very dynamic character. Aegon’s allowed to have flaws, and he faces actual consequences, which only seem to apply to him. The highlighted flaws may make some hate him more, but for others it only adds to his appeal. Other characters feel so… dry in comparison.
I mean his kid died brutally in bed. What is he supposed to do? Negotiate for peace? It turned out death of Luke meant nothing to Rhaenyra. The writers claim that they're going to take her into a madness arc. For example she feels like a goddess and a cult leader and that's why she burned people alive in episode 7. How is she feeling powerful and majestic after losing two children?( viseyna died in childbirth at the start of the danse)
The way Otto comes back with "not dragged, honored" I can kinda see his point, he's not winning grandfather of the year anytime soon but he's also not meaning to do what aegon says about dragging him like a dead dog.
Otto Hightower saw everyone as chess pieces to be moved to win a game, even his deceased grandson. I don't think it was until Aegon murdered all the rat catchers that Otto recognized where that path led.
This scene made me like Aegon - it shows that he does love and value his family. And that line: "I will not have my little son's body dragged through the streets like a dead dog!" - it cuts like Valyrian steel :( Poor Jaeherys
The actor, sorry I don’t know his name, did a magnificent job. Grief and pure anger are hard to portray sometimes and many actors look comical when they do but he did such a good job, he actually made me believe in his anguish.
I couldn't believe it after the same character throws his kids into fighting pits and r words women in s1. Makes 0 sense whatsoever to make Aegon grieve. 0 sense.
@@Shannon-vv6rr I know but the thing is that Aegon was neglected by his mother and his father, not even his half-sister cared for him. Being neglected is no excuse for what he did but it explains why he behaves the way he does, careless and with disregard for others, but he is not evil nor cruel. Also remember he didn't want to be king, he didn't believe his father that neglected him wanted to make him king. In the books it is more tragic because he says "What sort of brother steals his sister's birthright?" ofcourse the books remove the bastards and the r word presenting Aegon as just being manipulated by Cole and Otto.
tom's acting was absolutely incredible this season. he takes a character that is wildly disliked, and fleshes him out in such a nuanced way you can't help but to empathize with him. he makes aegon that much more compelling and engaging, and it's truly beautiful to see
The saddest part of this scene is that Aegon never wanted any of this. In the book he even said to Alicent and Otto “What kind of a brother steals his sister’s throne from her?” Can’t believe the show didn’t have him say this along with how he doesn’t wanna rule and doesn’t think he’s fit for it.
0:43 This scene alone confirms my theory that Aegon doesn't like Rhaenyra. It's very subtle but if you listen closely you can pick up a sight bit of anger in his voice.
Thanks for stating the obvious. If he thinks she had his son killed, of course he's going to hate her. But up until now, I don't think he really cared all that much for his siblings in general.
I feel bad for both Aegon and Halaena. Poor teenager siblings forced to marry each other and take responsibility for something they were never interested in. And then taking huge losses for it. They deserved better.
3:15 Aegon never wanted crown he took it to protect his kids and sibling from Rhaenyra and now he lost his son for price of crown something he loved for something he did not want
A nice little parallel I just noticed between Aegon and his father is that upon the untimely death of their firstborn sons, they become subject to the ugliness of politics and propaganda rather than being able to grieve in peace
the writing for Aegon was good here, but the acting is what truly made me feel bad for him. Season one did a good job at making people hate him, but this episode made us feel for Aegon
@@vespenegas261 agreed, the actor did a great job in this scene in portraying a horrified and rage filled father who had just seen the decapitated body of his beloved son in his own castle.
What I like about House of Dragons is that the writers are really good at using small details. When Aegon goes for the door at 1:16, you can hear Coles armor rattle right away at 1:17 to intercept him at the door before he can leave and then firmly push him back to the council while he goes to confront the suspect.
I wish the show would have devoted a little more time to showing Aegon being a father with his children, bc then this would come across as more deserved. That said, the actor is killing it. He’s knocked every scene out of the park this season.
Aegon: AND where were the members of this council while the murderer threatened their king? Member: Were you also threatened your grace? Ageon: I COULD’VE BEEN!!! 😂😂😂 lol I laughed so hard that line was so funny lmao but yes very sad.
"If there is a serpant nestled closer to our bosoms" "i suppose you're right Ironrod. It could be anyone of you in this room." "You wished her life to be spared."
@@rebeccaadams2509No, in the books it is very clearly stated that he aimed Jaehaerys or Maelor (Helaegon's younger son) since the beginning, 'A son for a son' was the message he sent to Kingslanding after Lucerys' death.
Okay but the casting is GREAT 1:11 aegon looks just the way Alicent did when Aemond said “ do not morn me mother “ ( she was also in distress and catching her breath ) I can’t even comprehend the similarities in actors just like how Luke resembles harwins gentle soulful eyes with rhaes fierce beauty 😍🥰
Even as black supporter, the way aegon loved his son in small council meeting , his death broke my heart. Still so heart breaking that his innocent child have to pay for aemond mistake.
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“My son is my legacy”
“My son is the heir to the Iron Throne”
Aegon still doesn’t speak about Jaeherys in the past tense which is a brilliant portrayal of grief.
Denial
@@vespenegas261he’s also wasted
@@davis90a97 No doubt about that. He ate a wine factory. Or maybe two
And also not thinking as someone separate of him
@@vespenegas261
"He ate a wine factory."?
What?
It really broke my heart for the fact that no one in this episode genuinely tried to comfort Aegon and Haelaena. Their son was decapitated and used for propaganda. "I will not have my little son's body dragged through the streets like a dead dog."
And just a simple "why?" From Haelaena.
Yeah, that's all either of them wanted. Just someone to tell them that it was alright to grieve in the way they wanted.
They should both ask Aemond why their son is dead.
@@t-rexcellentreviews1663 Aegon and Aemond's interactions are going to be really interesting onwards. I don't know if Aegon blames Aemond for this.
@@fayedunaway8they should be, hopefully they don’t gloss over it or just ignore it, I would actually like to see how Aemond deals with this, knowing his actions led to two of his nephew’s deaths.
@@fayedunaway8 "There has to be." Of course there are scenes ready. This show is following what happened in the books. I was watching Season 2 Episode 1 when Episode 2 wasn't up I was reading what would happen next in the books and they showed the exact same thing in the show. Even though they said they would make slight changes majority of it is in the books. You would be saddened what would happen to Helaena next. She's the only green I truly like and deserves better.
2:48 “I will not have my little son’s body dragged through the street like a dead dog.”
Listen, Aegon is an asshole but that line broke me 💔
I think the killing of the ratcatchers was either Crispy cream or Foot fetish guy's advice.
I never thought a character I hate I’d end up feeling so bad for him, he never wanted the throne and it was pushed on him because he’s mothers family were power hungry
but he will watch them fight with eo
It’s that “little”. There’s so much paternal love in that one word
Yeah, I think he saw him as a continuity of him yes, but also loved him as a father loves his child 🥺
aegon: what were you doing sir cole when my son died?
cole: your mum
Haha Yooo, you definitely won the internet!!
Viserys : What were you doing when your children cut Aemond's eye ?
Rhenyra : Your Brother!
💀
😂😂
ayooo HAHAHAH
The actor for Aegon is doing masterful work. Really feel bad for the guy, cuz an innocent child was murdered and I believe he wanted to do right by the boy unlike his father viserys.
Aegon seems very human compared to many of the other nobles, especially the other Targs. He's clearly not a particularly great king or really a smart guy in general but he's shown himself to be extremely passionate and justice-minded and he absolutely loves his family. Aegon wanted nothing more than to be a good dad and got that snatched away from him.
While his lowborn children fight in pits to the death. Great dad lol@@patrickwaldeck6681
I think he’d like a pony ride
@@patrickwaldeck6681 The tragedy of it is further compounded by him never even having a desire to steal his sisters throne until it was thrust upon him.
It really only gets worse for him too lol
"The blood of their children turned a dynastic dispute into a war of annihilation. The grief and rage of losing a child could burn down the entire world. Either Aegon or Rhaenyra could live at the end, but not both."
-Catelyn Stark
Aegon didn’t really live. He killed Rhaenyra but he was crippled in battle and had a sh*t life…
@@alexmartin3143 There were no winners, only two monumental losers.
@@ecthox-1mork909 The winners were the great houses of Westeros, no more dragons to worry about from House Targaryen.
@@SplendidFactorSo true. During the war, I imagine all Westeros thought "A whole family tree hates themselves, and we have to pay for It". But at the end was probably like "finally, the dragon problem solved itself".
@@SplendidFactor You need a thousand more likes for this one.
Tom’s performance as Aegon is amazing
He’s Stole the season already.
@@heavenly_haori1725 right!!! Of all I side with him.... Shitty counsel, treated like garbage and belittled constantly.
Besides he was forced to become the king, he did not want his sister's right.@takotako808
Fr also the way understand his character is so beautiful and deep ❤❤❤.
true
Aegon would never fire or kill Cole cuz he’s been more of a father to him than his own father ever was
its true , but i wish they showed this
@Alex-bz8lj Ummm.............probably right!
He is just a broken King 😢
@@НикитаСимонян-ж5еSame
been more of a father to both boys than viserys
Its really interesting to see aegon freaking out and breaking down over the death of his son, especially after he wanted to give him the life he himself never had (actual parenting)
“Mother….” Aegon tried. He tried every single time to let her know that he needed her; he needed comfort, consolation, rest, care. An actual mother.
When Alicent saw Aegon crying and didn’t go comfort him, that infuriated me. No sympathy for her after that. Like, “go comfort your son! His son just got beaded!”
It is a nice touch (and quite heartbreaking) that during his raving, Aegon says "My son *is* my legacy. My son *is* heir to the iron throne." not "was" my legacy or "was" heir. He's still talking in present tense as though Jaehaerys were still alive cause he hasn't even come to terms with his son's death yet.
Yes. I never noticed that till just now
This shows how much Aegon truly loved his son!
It’s bad enough to lose a child to sickness or disease. It’s potentially even worse waking up to find your kid dead and without a head.
You are giving this terrible, badly written show far, far too much credit.
@@rollingstoned8417 í am not going to hear about bad writing from a guy with beta cuck in his profile picture.
For people calling him Joffrey 2.0 I'd point to this. While Aegon is hardly perfect or even a good person, he's nowhere near Joffrey. He clearly does care for people, you don't get this blind rage otherwise. He clearly loved his son, and that's something that Joffrey wouldn't have done. I know Joffrey had no kids, but I think we all can guess pretty accurately what kind of father he'd be, at best he'd emulate Robert, probably even worse.
You can't. Maybe he would have been a good father.
Joffrey would have gotten mad. Not about his son, but about feeling disrespected by being attacked in his own home.
@@francescomoscato2995 yes, anyone would be.
@@CaptainLuckyLuke They really used Rhaenyra's fool's worst account of Aegon and yet claimed Blood and Cheese was exaggerated in the history by the Hightowers and 'propaganda' against Rhaenyra and Daemon. Tom Glynn Carney also recently said that the make up team spend hours trying to make him look unkempt and ugly. It's very clear Ryan Condal has an extreme bias against the Greens and as such this show cannot be deemed canon in any respect.
@@Ch50304 i think the most of us would have focused on his own son death, wouldnt we?
“I will not have my little son’s body dragged through the street like a dead dog.”
Even Aegon is a better father than Otto.
Aegon is a better parent than Alicent as well
Otto wanted his family to stay alive he didn't plan ahead to make sure they were also good people.
@@gottesurteil3201 Same mistake Tywin made. Tunnel visioned on House and family while neglecting his own children and grandchildren.
@@gottesurteil3201His family could’ve stayed alive if he wasn’t too ambitious. He could’ve been the hand of the king for many years after Viserys if he stayed in his lane.
But no, he wanted his blood on the throne so naturally, his family would all be targets. That’s all on him.
@@gottesurteil3201Otto sold his daughter for power.
I thought I'd hate Aegon, but I find him being pretty relatable. He doesn't want to be King, he's awful at it..but is genuinely trying. Throw in being a grieving father on top of it, and I pity the guy.
He's very much a tortured soul. He never wanted any of this to happen, but his horrible family forced him into this mess, and he ends up losing everything for it.
@@LukeFitzgerald-bh1zthe watches his own children fight to the death for his entertainment. He’s not a ‘tOrTuReD sOuL’ he’s a bullying rapist.
Tbh he's a pretty good king who wants to relate to the common folk
The show is trying hard to paint him as bad to make Rhaenyra look good
@@dv9239 no, he's still arguably a bad person who assaults maids and watches children pit fighting for fun. And even though Rhaenyra was not properly trained to rule, Aegon was _given_ that training and ignored it until the moment he was coronated. On the throne meeting with the smallfolk, his good intentions but also his inexperience are apparent.
Agnatic primogeniture is horrible. Rhaenyra would make a fine monarch but because the monarch is expected to be male she's overlooked in favor of Aegon. The best that can be said about Aegon is that he tries... except when he doesn't.
0:38 “Who did this?! Who di… What??”
Love that bit
He was utterly dumbfounded at that. It's perfect!
Absolutely funny
He’s def got jokes 😂
Also right when Larys walks in ay
It’s a perfectly natural reaction from a grief stricken drunk, it feels perfectly genuine.
Tom's acting is superb. You can feel Aegon's anger and despair. Aegon tried being a better parent to Jaehaerys than his father was to him. Honestly the fact that he doesn't want him paraded shows that he loves his son, he doesnt want to use him as a tool. Meanwhile Otto is just idk "lets parade him for propaganda".
Well, Otto's trying to turn even something this awful to his side's advantage, cause he can tell where all this is going. As he says in the later episode, it's to gain support from the commoners and the realm for the depredations to come in the war. But it's also such a cold, totally pragmatic way of operating that it's utterly distasteful... and yet when he's gone, the Greens make serious blunders in their PR, which hurts them overall. I think that makes him so interesting here, he's a purely political operator in the room with a raw, emotional nerve. It's quietly horrifying how quickly he searches for the political angle, but it's also shown to be a powerful and important part of effectively ruling King's Landing, and the Green faction feels rudderless without someone like him in the decision room.
1:16 " I'll kill him myself ✨" this is why I like the character of King Aegon his passion is driving him, he's telling his council none of you want to work I'll work my self , I'll take matters into my own hand , this is why Aegon wears his armor with the crown and flies on sunfyre him self to battle field later on , this alone is enough to buy approval from solders who follow their king , a king who fights his own battles is a romantic picture for men
The Fire and Blood version was unironically kind of a badass. Bro was relentless as was his Dragon Sunfyre.
@@justinpachi3707I am genuinely liking how they are doing Aegon II this season. You can definitely see why people are loyal to him even if he is a terrible person.
@@ethanduncan1646 Honestly he seems like a genuinely personable character if you ignore the stuff in Season 1 where the had him randomly force himself on a serving girl and have children fight in the fighting pits for his entertainment. The abrupt shift they're doing in Season 2 makes his character seem like a different person ngl. Then again its probably for the best as the Greens needed serious development as last season they seemed closer to generic villains.
The responsibility of being a king changed him. in S1 he did not want to be king but once he has the crown, he takes it very seriously.
@@justinpachi3707honestly it doesn’t feel like that huge of a shift to me. It’s a little like the Prince Hal - Henry V transformation the young King goes through in the Shakespeare: (Thiugh on a smaller scale, I don’t think Aegon is nearly as self aware or Machiavellian about his youthful dalliancing as Hal), but the general concept of ‘Youthful fool wisens up/suddenly matures as King’ seems drawn from there.
Also it feels kinda realistic ngl. Aegon is in like his very early twenties right? He’s never thought he’d succeed his father who he knew hated him so he bummed around but now he has the huge responsibility and seems to be trying his best at it, though his best is so far not very good.
''I don't wish to be a spectacle'' right after agreeing to her dead grandson to be one...
She completely failed her children
And forcing her autistic daughter to be a part of it when she was better off left grieving in peace.
And his mother who just wanted to mourn her kid in private
@@albertcoreas5162Otto taught her well
I really love how she has the same autonomy as a corpse. The show really hammers in that Alicent is a prisoner of her own cause, forced to be nothing more than a piece of jewlry worn by the men around her. She is truly a tragic character. A fool, too.
Aegon loved his children. He has every right to be angry and vengeful.
Thank you ser Jaime
Except the ones he let fight for entertainment
Meanwhile Otto be like.
Hmm this is a great opportunity your grace! Let's use the death of your child as a propaganda!
@@guccifer764 It would be the Blackfyre rebellions all over again
Trueborn ones. The 1s he knows exist.
At 0:07, "I declare war!" Watching Aegon go through all the stages of grief during the episode with Helaena is heart-wrenching. It shows that Aegon deeply loves his children regardless of his character. His reaction to Jaehaerys's death was just devastating.
But war has already started with Usurpation and Luke's death. Greens should have been on alert for one of them being attacked.
@anjadjurovic9617 Ser Criston and the Kingsguard should have been better prepared. Maybe the Greens believed they would take revenge on the battlefield, not by taking a child's head...
@@mj7814 aemond took child head.
@@anjadjurovic9617no he didnt 😅😅
@nicolasbls1738 killed him, and now blacks got one of theirs. Greens also imprisoned nobles who wouldn't declare for awgon, and killed beesbury and Caswell. Late to pretend war won't happen. It makes sense Aegon is now angry. But war is happening.
As theoden once said, "No parent should have to bury their child."
There is a lot of people who think Aegon deserved to have his son killed because of what he did to the maids and the fighting pit issue.
Like yeah, he's done some s*itty stuff, but leave his kids out of it. Aegon had some redeemable qualities, like wanting to be an actual father to his legitimate son. But people focus too much on the bad stuff and think that no matter what a character does for redemption, that they don't deserve it.
@@TimberlakeTigerGirl I agree. I prefer him over rhaenyra. What's scary is that people like Daemon after what he did.
@@ace9924I worry for this Fandom. You can like a character like daemon but please don't worship him.
@@TimberlakeTigerGirl The fighting pit stuff is from Mushroom who wasn't even in KL to witness that stuff and Mushroom is a really doomer-pilled narrator whose reports regarding fat queen Rhaenyra's not-so-good actions are ignored, whitewashed or blamed on the men in the show.
Yet in the quasi-medieval settings both characters are living in parents would usually bury about half their children before they reached adulthood. Even aristocrats only had a moderately better survival rate as they surely did not suffer from want but still had a poor understanding of hygiene and illnesses.
Tom Glynn-Carney is a fantastic actor. He truly shined. A really perfect portrayal of a raging, grieving father on the cusp of madness.
I really loved Aegon's reaction to his son's death. I expected him to have a full blown explosive rage kind of grieving. As opposed to Haelaena who was quite and into herself mostly just weeping silently. It bodes their characters well. Two very different ways of grieving.
Could be due to the fact that she actually was there when it happened, while Aegon had to hear about it later. So while she goes into shock, Aegon skips shock and goes straight to fury.
@@glowhoo9226 too late to reply and while I do agree with you, I still believe that their grieving bodes well their characters. Aegon has always been the more expressive one and Haelaena has always been quite reserved in her expressions. I expected Aegon to be full of rage and throwing wine cups around, breaking things, screaming in vengeance while Haelaena wanting to be left alone in her grief.
0:40 Tom's way of saying "what?" gave so much character to Aegon, very impressive acting
A character designed to be “disliked” by nature was played so well by this actor that you can’t help but like the character. The acting on this show is on another level. imo this scene alone really made me realize how phenomenally this guy played that role. Respect
Aegon isn't a character to be disliked, he was written an extreme complex character and that's what happening plus the actor is doing justice
@@AnkitSingh-cd7twthey made him a r8pist and made it seem like he liked watching his own bastards fight, ofc they want us to hate him
@@Saggy_bones It was just a bit of fun! Oh you're probably right, as usual
1:21 Notice how Criston Cole steps in front of (a very VERY angry) Aegon and gently, but firmly shoves him back to prevent him from leaving the room.
KG or not, you don't get to put your hands on the king like that, especially in front of the Queen Dowager and the Small Council. Yet Aegon doesn't shout, doesn't fight back, doesn't tell him to move aside. He just turns around without a word like a chastised kid.
Bro really is the father that stepped up.
Yeah he is a great guy Viserys was a horrible father
3:20 "mother" again aegon looks for comfort and humanity and again he is used as a prop.
Aegon may not have been the best king by any means, but he really loved his kids and that’s something that Joffrey would never understand
Yep. Aegon's a vile person, but he's still miles above Joffrey.
I mean, only if they're royal.. the rest of his kids are in fighting pits that he enjoys and funds or did everyone forget this 🙄
@Shannon-vv6rr yeah the comment section is hilarious
@@Shannon-vv6rrI too believe mushroom propaganda
@@Shannon-vv6rr In the books, that's an account from Mushroom who wasn't even from King's Landing at the time😂.
The show runners hate the Greens for some reason.
I was shooked when Aegon said "insteading of safeguarding the sanctity of my family"
I honestly thought he'd say "heir"
It's also something that he never blames Helaena for any of it. He never questions why she didn't do more or act differently, especially given that we know he doesn't think very highly of her.
Tom said in an interview that aegon views his children as a pure creation that comes from him so it makes sense
@@rosesweetcharlottei dunno if they show will go for that angle. In episode two he shows anger towards Helaena and ignores her, she runs back to her room. Show Aegon may blame her.
@@rosesweetcharlottebecause why would he expect more from a woman, especially one who is autistic? It would be madness to expect her to accomplish anything
@@jamiemohan2049he didn't look angry, he looks like he dont know how to deal with her, is the same case with her, they don't know how to deal with their feelings
Season 1: "Wanna see me turn this ineffectual schlub of a character into a masterfully-performed fan favorite?"
Season 2: "... wanna see me do it again?"
“My son is my legacy” Aegon said calmly
😂😂😂😂😂
"At bed?" Aegon asked calmly
😂😂😂😂
@@juliohenrique8546well, technically he was.
‘Abed’ the delivery of that line was unreal
yeah the way cristen cole said that was epic
The A is for Alicent 😂
I love how he delivers the “We know our enemy” line at 1:29 . It’s so passionate yet quirky
The moron didn't know even his sister nature to understand that Rhaenyra don't have that kind of brain for scheme.Good job Alicent.
Otto is an utter scoundrel. He is, however, a very smart scoundrel.
I do think, though, that some part of him really does think he's doing something right here. He genuinely doesn't want the death of his grandchild to mean nothing
@@rosesweetcharlottehe’s someone whose very good at keeping his motions in check, choosing when to let himself feel them, but he is also an overly ambitious arrogant scoundrel as well.
@@t-rexcellentreviews1663 he feels like a combination of littlefinger and tywin but only their worst parts.
Still he was good at game sad he was fired.
unfortunately, not smart enough to have had the foresight to develop responsibility and intelligence in the grandson he was setting up to inherit the throne. Common mistake in these "smart men" (see Tywin and Joffrey)
@@sionainnw1728 well he's not as smart as Tywin
Tyland Lannister is the definition of “What did I do?”
They did him dirty in the show in the books he is a mastermind
Lannister’s don’t act like fools.
Exist in the wrong place at the wrong time 😂
@@Archerman-bd1nrOh come on. The lannisters were humiliated in the book as well. The tullys will teach them some respect
@@rinmartell2678 the lannister army maybe but how Tyland sent away all the crowns savings so fat rhaenyra had no money and than had to sell her crown to get on a ship to Dragonstone where Sunfyre ate her 💀
1:16- I love that this is the moment Aegon stops smashing and shouting. When he finally reaches the peak of his anger, Aegon doesn't rage, he focuses. Simple, direct, and blunt. "I'll kill him myself."
“Where you also threatened your Grace?”
“I COULDVE BEEN!!!”
Honestly yeah, that’s a stupid question, an assassin in the royal home is a threat to the entire family.
Exactly. They literally walked right in front of him and he was too drunk to notice.
Aegon was clearly determined to treat his children better than he was treated by Alicent and Viserys.
0:37 and 1:27 Aegon dumbfounded by that is perfection.
0:12
Where you also threatend?
I COULD HAVE BEEN!
Ngl I chuckled at that
😂😂😂
Never ask that question to someone who already shattered a few glasses and decorations 0-0
Aegon: "It could be any of you..."
[Tyland looking nervous because of the piggy back ride thing]
It's been a while, but this one of the greatest performance of rage I've seen. Tom-Glynn's performance as Aegon II is brilliant!
Im no fan of the Greens......but I truly felt sorry for Aegon. Say what you will about the guy, but he did genuinely love his son. I felt for him this whole episode, and even tho killing all the rat trappers is wrong........I cannot be mad at him, i can't imagine myself im that scenario
"And where were you, Ser Cole?!"
"I was stuffin' the muffin of your momma, Your Grace."
"BEG YOUR PARDON?!??!"
"I doth clappeth the queen mother's cheeks"
@@gerstein03 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
"Jaehaerys was my grandson". Um sir, he would be your GREAT-grandson. lol
Great-grandson/grandfather wasn't used in medieval times because rarely would someone live long enough to see them. The word was added to english around 1600 after the end of the middle ages.
George RR Martin does this a lot, my favorite is "Nuncle"
@@Amantducafe Rhaenyra talked about her great-grandmother in this show. Last season when talking about Alysanne Targaryen. In 1x04 to be exact.
@@TemariNaraannaschatz well shitfyre!
Maybe the man doesn't want to feel so old 😂
This is why Aegon's the best character. Things actually affect him, weigh on him, and aren't just forgotten to the point they try to negotiate peace again and again. He's the only character that reflects the tone change the season is supposed to have.
You worded it perfectly. He acts, he reacts, he feels like a very dynamic character. Aegon’s allowed to have flaws, and he faces actual consequences, which only seem to apply to him. The highlighted flaws may make some hate him more, but for others it only adds to his appeal. Other characters feel so… dry in comparison.
I mean his kid died brutally in bed. What is he supposed to do? Negotiate for peace? It turned out death of Luke meant nothing to Rhaenyra. The writers claim that they're going to take her into a madness arc. For example she feels like a goddess and a cult leader and that's why she burned people alive in episode 7. How is she feeling powerful and majestic after losing two children?( viseyna died in childbirth at the start of the danse)
I appreciate that aegon didn’t want to go straight to pinning the killing on his sister
Aegon was really just a chaotic neutral, even in the books his biggest tipping point towards revenge was this moment.
Tom killed it as Aegon in this scene
They are not even trying to Console the grieving parents. Both love their son so much.
Tom is for sure one of the best (if not the best) actors in the show, superb acting right there.
For some reason Aegon swirling his fingers to underline "We know our enemy!" gets me.
Aegon: I DECLARE WAR!!!
Everyone watching the show: Understandable!
The actor who plays Aegon is outstanding.
2:59
Jaehaerys was Otto's great-grandson.
Twice over.
do you really think great grandparents go around saying my great grandson all the time
@@-_-ligmayes some do
@@honinakecheta601 cleary not otto
We kinda forgot -writers
The way Otto comes back with "not dragged, honored" I can kinda see his point, he's not winning grandfather of the year anytime soon but he's also not meaning to do what aegon says about dragging him like a dead dog.
Otto Hightower saw everyone as chess pieces to be moved to win a game, even his deceased grandson. I don't think it was until Aegon murdered all the rat catchers that Otto recognized where that path led.
This scene made me like Aegon - it shows that he does love and value his family. And that line: "I will not have my little son's body dragged through the streets like a dead dog!" - it cuts like Valyrian steel
:(
Poor Jaeherys
1:47 "It could be anyone of us. It could be you. It could be me! It could even...!!!"
The actor, sorry I don’t know his name, did a magnificent job. Grief and pure anger are hard to portray sometimes and many actors look comical when they do but he did such a good job, he actually made me believe in his anguish.
The actor's name is Tom Glynn-Carney
I couldn't believe it after the same character throws his kids into fighting pits and r words women in s1. Makes 0 sense whatsoever to make Aegon grieve. 0 sense.
@@Shannon-vv6rr I know but the thing is that Aegon was neglected by his mother and his father, not even his half-sister cared for him. Being neglected is no excuse for what he did but it explains why he behaves the way he does, careless and with disregard for others, but he is not evil nor cruel.
Also remember he didn't want to be king, he didn't believe his father that neglected him wanted to make him king. In the books it is more tragic because he says "What sort of brother steals his sister's birthright?" ofcourse the books remove the bastards and the r word presenting Aegon as just being manipulated by Cole and Otto.
Tom Glynn his name
Cole was safely guarding something else 🫠
You may be Team Black or Team Green but one cannot deny Aegon's pain...
Don't care😂
I’m sorry, I don’t
Him calling Dragonstone a rock made me laugh more than it should have
I mean is he wrong?
@@marti9734 Dead wrong Dragonstone is island
@@goblincomic4522an island is a big rock
I really hope Tom gets bigger roles after this, he deserves them
tom's acting was absolutely incredible this season. he takes a character that is wildly disliked, and fleshes him out in such a nuanced way you can't help but to empathize with him. he makes aegon that much more compelling and engaging, and it's truly beautiful to see
The saddest part of this scene is that Aegon never wanted any of this. In the book he even said to Alicent and Otto “What kind of a brother steals his sister’s throne from her?” Can’t believe the show didn’t have him say this along with how he doesn’t wanna rule and doesn’t think he’s fit for it.
Any time Rhys Ifans and Tom Glynn Carney are on the screen together you know the scene is about to be brilliant
0:43 This scene alone confirms my theory that Aegon doesn't like Rhaenyra.
It's very subtle but if you listen closely you can pick up a sight bit of anger in his voice.
Thanks for stating the obvious. If he thinks she had his son killed, of course he's going to hate her. But up until now, I don't think he really cared all that much for his siblings in general.
I think he hated her long before this.Aegon knew Viserys loved Rhaenyra way more that him.that could create resentment.@TimberlakeTigerGirl
LOL
@@TimberlakeTigerGirlit was a joke lol
Nah bro you're just reading into it to much
0:28
He sounded so dumbfounded and pissed at the same time
I feel bad for both Aegon and Halaena. Poor teenager siblings forced to marry each other and take responsibility for something they were never interested in. And then taking huge losses for it. They deserved better.
3:15 Aegon never wanted crown he took it to protect his kids and sibling from Rhaenyra and now he lost his son for price of crown something he loved for something he did not want
Tom’s performance as Aegon is incredible. Team Green 💚💚💚
1:38 the serpent is Alicent
My friend, you alone were brave enough to say what we all thought but didn't dare say😂well done 🎉
I love the immediate hypocrisy with Alicent being cool with the parade, but not wanting to be involved herself
This is just another reason why I feel sympathy for Aegon. I think he truly did love and care for his son.
A nice little parallel I just noticed between Aegon and his father is that upon the untimely death of their firstborn sons, they become subject to the ugliness of politics and propaganda rather than being able to grieve in peace
Yeah I noticed that too. Aegon in some ways is so similar to viserys.
@@Loki-g3k more than viserys would like to admit I’ll bet lol
Seven hells, they went and done it! They actually made me feel SORRY for this mess of a man!
the writing for Aegon was good here, but the acting is what truly made me feel bad for him. Season one did a good job at making people hate him, but this episode made us feel for Aegon
@@sweettt321 Nobody deserves to go through this. Even a monster Aegon is
@@vespenegas261compared to king Joffrey, Aegon is like the trust fund frat boy.
@@wazer85 Hm... That depends somewhat on who is telling the story in the book. But here it's the actor for me, he did such a good job
@@vespenegas261 agreed, the actor did a great job in this scene in portraying a horrified and rage filled father who had just seen the decapitated body of his beloved son in his own castle.
What I like about House of Dragons is that the writers are really good at using small details.
When Aegon goes for the door at 1:16, you can hear Coles armor rattle right away at 1:17 to intercept him at the door before he can leave and then firmly push him back to the council while he goes to confront the suspect.
At least Ser Criston wasn’t lying…he really was in bed😂
Man, The coldness of everyone after a child's head cut off. not just a child but their family member.
I wish the show would have devoted a little more time to showing Aegon being a father with his children, bc then this would come across as more deserved.
That said, the actor is killing it. He’s knocked every scene out of the park this season.
1:29 great acting, great line delivery
Aegon: AND where were the members of this council while the murderer threatened their king?
Member: Were you also threatened your grace?
Ageon: I COULD’VE BEEN!!! 😂😂😂
lol I laughed so hard that line was so funny lmao but yes very sad.
it's supposed to be so serious yet I was rollin.
It's him yeeting that piece of forniture on the ground that does it
@@luigicavallo270 that too. Honestly if Tom had slapped the member of the council. I would have been on the ground laughing.
Finally someone refers to Rhaenrya by her actual title 0:45
0:34 Again Aegon was right and Otto was wrong
This was by far and away the best episode of the season. The acting from Tom, Rhys, Emma and Matt was amazing
It seems like Aegon could have been a good king if he wasn't surrounded by terrible people
Tom Glynn-Carny is one of the best things to come out of this season. Also Otto is a freaking mastermind.
"If there is a serpant nestled closer to our bosoms"
"i suppose you're right Ironrod. It could be anyone of you in this room."
"You wished her life to be spared."
Cole closing the door on Larys 😂
Aegon is brilliant! Fantastic actor
He stole every scene he was in.
Aegon is my favorite character
Still can’t believe people are defending daemon killing a innocent child
He was actually aiming for aemond, I believe
@@rebeccaadams2509No, in the books it is very clearly stated that he aimed Jaehaerys or Maelor (Helaegon's younger son) since the beginning, 'A son for a son' was the message he sent to Kingslanding after Lucerys' death.
@@jenehtarmijos7527 not in the show though.
Tom has done the best acting in season 2. HBO did a good job casting him as Aegon II.
I agree wholeheartedly. He makes aegons character very human and understandable
One of the more watchable characters in the show, one of the few who didn't seem dead inside.
Okay but the casting is GREAT 1:11 aegon looks just the way Alicent did when Aemond said “ do not morn me mother “ ( she was also in distress and catching her breath ) I can’t even comprehend the similarities in actors just like how Luke resembles harwins gentle soulful eyes with rhaes fierce beauty 😍🥰
Superb acting, could feel the grief from every word!
Aegon is one of those characters that is impossible to hate, he’s very flawed but you can tell he has a good heart
I didn't expect to like Aegon's character this much
Even as black supporter, the way aegon loved his son in small council meeting , his death broke my heart. Still so heart breaking that his innocent child have to pay for aemond mistake.