House of the Dragon Season 2 episode 4 did not just leave Aegon II and Sunfyre burnt, but also deeply impacted the viewers with its thrilling turn of events. The Battle of Rook’s Rest has surely been a turning point in the Dance of the Dragons, pushing the Greens’ agenda further as the Blacks lose two of their greatest assets to Aemond and Vhagar’s cunning attack.
The first few episodes showed Aemond in his shell, planning for his next move and acting with utmost thought and precision. Now, the time has come for the one-eyed Targaryen prince to action his well-thought-out plans. He is undoubtedly one of the smartest minds in the Green faction who can look at the bigger picture with an unstaggered perspective.
Actor Ewan Mitchell has been one of the most perfectly cast actors in House of the Dragon. The HBO prequel show outlines the tumultuous time in the Targaryen history when two heirs of King Viserys fought to lay claim to the Iron Throne. At the end of House of the Dragon season 1, we saw Aemond take control of Vhagar, one of the biggest dragons at that time. However, he is unable to command it fully and eventually kills Lucerys and his dragon.
In House of the Dragon Season 2, Aemond wants to stay ahead of the game by planning his every move. He is strategizing and looking for the most opportune time to strike. Aemond’s plan with Criston Cole to stay hidden with Vhagar unless the situation demands his presence was a stroke of gold.
Also Read: What are some TV shows and Movies Ewan Mitchell is a part of?
Aemond Targaryen Funko Pop! Figure
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Did Aemond burn Aegon II to punish him?
Credits: Ollie Upton/HBO
Throughout their history, Aegon II has been a bully to Aemond. As an elder brother, when his role was to protect him and care for him, he instead chose to trouble and torture him every step of the way. Even in the previous episode of House of the Dragon season 2, Aegon II encounters Aemond with Madame Sylvi at the whorehouse and makes fun of him. Speaking of this situation, Ewan Mitchell shared with TV Guide,
“Aegon and his crew very much violated Aemond’s safe space, and they catch him in the most vulnerable state we will probably ever see Aemond: belly up. They humiliate him. In a moment, his code comes into play and that facade comes up. It is the image of someone who does not care what you think of him and sees himself as bulletproof.”
He further added if Aemond intended to burn Aegon II at the Battle of Rook’s Rest. Despite Aemond suggesting otherwise, Aegon II makes a fool of himself by heading into battle unprepared. “In the Battle of Rook’s Rest, you do have to wonder if Aemond always planned to get back at Aegon, or whether or not Aegon was just in the way and he was collateral damage. I think that Aemond views the world through a very black-and-white filter. You are either with him or against him and if you get in the way, that’s on you,” Mitchell said.
He continued,
“The first time Aemond uses Vhagar in Episode 10 of Season 1, he lets his emotions get the better of him, and it was ultimately an accident when he kills Luke. But he witnessed firsthand what these dragons are capable of. That is in contrast to Aegon, who, in the skies over Rook’s Rest, didn’t completely understand what he was getting himself into. But Aemond does now, and it was purely intentional, what he did this time.”
Ewan Mitchell talks about childhood trauma between Aegon II and Aemond
Credits: Ollie Upton/HBO
Aemond has had a lot of reasons to despise Aegon II. The latter has been a bully and an inconsiderate brother. Moroever, given Aemond’s cunning disposition and a knack for war, he feels he deserves the throne more than Aegon II. Mitchell revealed to EW,
“It was no secret that he felt like Aegon was inferior to himself. He felt like Aegon lacked the perseverance to be a leader. Also, it’s no secret that Aegon was almost the ringleader to a lot of Aemond’s childhood torment and trauma.”
But was that enough to blatantly burn Aegon II in a war against their biggest enemies? Mitchell seems to be doubtful of that too as he adds, “I think that maybe Aemond would never have intended to burn Aegon, but it just so happened that Aegon was there tangled with Rhaenys and Meleys when he was on top of Sunfyre. It raises the question of whether or not he would’ve done that or if Aegon was just collateral damage. I think that’s compelling. Maybe it was when Aegon brought in the Pink Dread [as children] when Aemond was like, ‘I’m going to burn him one day for this.’ Who knows?’”
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