For two seasons, Aemond Targaryen has been one of the most feared figures in House of the Dragon. Armed with the colossal Vhagar and an almost relentless drive to prove himself, he seemed unstoppable. But season 3 has taken the character in a very different direction, and according to Ewan Mitchell, that’s entirely the point. In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, the actor revealed that Aemond’s current arc reminds him of an unexpected character: Spider-Man.
Quick read:
- Ewan Mitchell compared Aemond to Spider-Man.
- Aemond is struggling without Vhagar.
- Season 3 challenges everything fans knew.
Losing Vhagar forces Aemond to confront himself
One of the biggest developments in season 3 has been Aemond’s separation from Vhagar. The dragon has long been a symbol of his strength, authority, and confidence, but Mitchell believes the character now has to discover who he is without that advantage.
The actor explained that Alys Rivers plays a crucial role in that journey.
“We know his dragon Vhagar is missing,” Mitchell said. “And if Aemond is nothing without his dragon, then does he really deserve her? We’ve got to challenge what we know of the character already … Vhagar was the wind in his sails.”
It’s a fascinating way of looking at the character. For years, Aemond’s identity has been tied to possessing the largest dragon in the world. Without Vhagar, he is forced to examine whether his confidence comes from within or from the power he commands.
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Photograph by Ollie Upton / HBO
Mitchell sees shades of Spider-Man in Aemond’s story
While discussing Aemond’s transformation, Mitchell reached for a comparison few fans would have anticipated.
“With great power comes great responsibility to wield that power,” Mitchell said. “He’s got to be able to show he can control it effectively. That’s what he wanted to prove throughout Season 1 and 2.”
The actor then laughed as he expanded on the comparison.
“It’s just like ‘Spider-Man 2.’ I find it really interesting building up this character over two seasons to bring him back down.”
The reference makes more sense than it initially sounds. Like Peter Parker in Spider-Man 2, Aemond is confronting questions about identity, responsibility, and what remains when the source of his power is taken away.
Read next: Ewan Mitchell (Aemond) calls Harrenhal the “White Lotus of Westeros” in House of the Dragon
