Few House of the Dragon characters are as messy as Aegon II Targaryen. The young king sits on a throne that his mom stole for him. He’s terrible at using his power, and he actively calls for war. That should make him violently unlikable, but he’s in so far over his head that his failures are oddly relatable. The poor nepo baby never wanted the Iron Throne. He’d have been perfectly happy as a prince, sitting around drunk while his half-sister ran everything. Aegon has a lot in common with the kings that would follow him.
One of the central lessons of House of the Dragon and Game of Thrones is that the lives of royals are often terrible and short. The people with the most influence in Westeros rarely have a great time using it. They’re also almost always awful people. Power corrupts absolutely everything, from the psychological health of the powerful to the lives of those beneath them. It’s a corrosive, brutal structure of generational wealth and authority and there is almost no upside.
Aegon isn’t the new Joffrey
Joffrey Baratheon is one of the most widely despised characters in TV history. When fans saw another young king ascend to the throne through his mother’s ambition, many expected a sequel to Joffrey. Aegon is, in many ways, the opposite of Joffrey. Cersei’s son is cruel, sadistic, and insufferable. While Aegon is similarly undeserving of the throne, his instincts are generous. When the smallfolk ask Aegon for help, he’s quick to give them what they want. This largely comes from the examples each king grew up with. Aegon’s father was Viserys, perhaps the kindest man to ever take the Iron Throne. He’s selfish and petty, but he gets his idea of a “good” king by watching Viserys exhibit wisdom, affability, and willingness to give. The show dubs Aegon’s father Viserys the Peaceful, inventing an appropriate sobriquet. Aegon just wants to get drunk, win battles, and wear fancy outfits. Joffrey is the worst-case scenario, but Aegon is just an entitled failson trying his best.
Aegon has Robert Baratheon’s Hedonism
Aegon’s dominant trait is hedonism. He can’t be bothered to care about most things, but he loves drinking with his friends, bedding sex workers, and surrounding himself with yes-men. Aegon’s brother Aemond is a far more brutal combatant and his sister Helaena is considerably wiser. He has the benefit of his birth order and very little else. Robert Baratheon also falls between his siblings in several categories, though he was an inarguably excellent general and warrior. After Bobby B. seized the throne, he descended into drinking and sleeping around. He gained weight, alienated his wife, and descended into a non-stop party. He didn’t listen to the wise words of his small council, caring little for any actual leadership. All he wanted was a few battles to win and a never-ending flow of drink in his cup. Robert didn’t really want the crown long-term. He only stuck around to block his wife and son from taking the throne. Aegon is just as reluctant in his position and as unwilling to learn his current job. Unfortunately, the people around Aegon have a bit more sway than those around Robert.
Aegon has Tommen Baratheon’s Inner Conflict
The short, sad reign of Tommen Baratheon may as well be renamed the reign of Cersei Lannister. Cersei was the power behind both of her children. Her cruelty, manipulation, and petty obsessions with vengeance led to countless deaths, including her own son’s suicide. Poor Tommen is wise beyond his years. Just before he attains his older brother’s throne, he has a little chat with his grandfather, Tywin Lannister. The vicious old lion explains that holiness, justice, and strength can’t make a good king, but the boy’s wisdom seems to delight him. Tommen often knows what’s right, but his mother and grandfather run the show without his input. Just like Alicent and Otto Hightower, Cersei and Tywin use Tommen as a tool to further their family name. This leads Tommen to take his own life, but it has currently led Aegon to a war he doesn’t initially want, a dead son, and several life-threatening injuries.
Aegon has Daenerys Targaryen’s Wrath
This is the most tenuous connection, but Aegon definitely has a small touch of the old Targaryen cruelty. Like Danenerys, Aegon is usually on the right side of things. Unfortunately, he’s also recklessly impulsive and prone to lashing out. Daenerys probably goes mad in the ill-fated final season of Game of Thrones. Aegon is still in his right mind, but he exhibits wanton disregard for civilian lives when they anger him. This almost exclusively pertains to the death of Aegon’s heir. The Blood and Cheese plot pushes Aegon a million miles away from his usual temperament. He has dozens hanged, beats one of the murderers to death, and declares war. For all of his kindness to those who would ask him favors and his unwillingness to pursue the day-to-day functions of his job, there is a darkness within him. Viserys’ teachings can only run so deep. Plus, he definitely assaulted a woman when he was younger. He’ll never be innocent.
Aegon II Targaryen is woefully unfit for the throne, but he’s well aware of that fact. He’s entitled, but only because he’s been used as a puppet by people who don’t want him around anymore. He indulges his impulses without concern and struggles against his mom’s wishes. Still, under it all, he’s capable of incredible cruelty against those who oppose him. Aegon is far from the worst royal in House of the Dragon, but he carries many of the positive and negative traits of those that will follow him.
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