In HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, the Targaryen family dynamics take centre stage, particularly through Prince Maekar Targaryen, portrayed by Sam Spruell. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Spruell describes young Egg as Maekar’s “last chance to have an heir that’s worth anything at all and isn’t a drunk or a violent psychopath.”
This represents the character’s vulnerability and drive for control amid a string of parental failures.
Quick read:
• Egg is Maekar’s youngest and last son
• Egg is his last chance to cover up the failures he faced with his other sons
• Despite his efforts, Egg chooses Dunk over his father
Maekar Targaryen and Egg in A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms | Image: HBO
Maekar’s failures and vulnerabilities
Maekar, a widowed father overshadowed by his popular brother Baelor, grapples with his shortcomings as a parent to three challenging sons: Daeron the drunkard, Aerion the violent evil, and Egg, his final shot at redemption. Spruell portrays Maekar as a man haunted by his inadequacies. Living in Baelor’s shadow, Maekar sees his sons as reflections of his own failings.
The last chance for redemption
At the heart of Maekar’s motivations is Egg, whom he views as his last chance to succeed as a dad.
Unlike his disappointing older brothers, Egg represents potential: a worthy heir untainted by vice. This desperation fuels Maekar’s actions post the Trial of Seven. Spruell says,
“Egg is his last chance to have an heir that’s worth anything at all and isn’t a drunk or a violent psychopath. Aegon is his last chance to succeed as a dad. That’s why he makes Dunk an offer and rejects Dunk’s offer. He wants to control it. Everything Maekar touches doesn’t work out for him, and there’s enormous vulnerability there.”
In the season finale, he offers Dunk a position at Summerhall to train Egg under controlled conditions, rejecting Dunk’s counteroffer to take the boy on the road and letting him live as peasants.
Steffan Hill/HBO
The humiliating finale and future Implications
The season ends with Egg choosing Dunk over his father anyway, lying about permission to join the knight’s wanderings. This betrayal leaves Maekar furious and humiliated. Spruell interprets it as a blow to Maekar’s ego:
“It says something about Aegon’s judgment of where he’s going to get the best paternal figure… There is a wisdom to Dunk that comes naturally and instinctually, and I don’t think Maekar will ever get close to it.”
Hence, at the end of it all, Maekar is nothing but a desperate father who wants to give the best life to his youngest son so he could turn out differently than his brothers. However, his son’s choice differs widely from his, making him feel like a failure all over again.
