The Battle of Rook’s Rest is an important event in the House of the Dragon series. During the battle, Aemond Targaryen, riding his dragon Vhagar, confronts his brother Aegon II Targaryen and his dragon Sunfyre. The confrontation ends with Aemond burning Aegon’s face and eye, leaving him severely disfigured. Aemond’s actions leave a lasting impact on his brother Aegon.By burning Aegon, Aemond demonstrated his willingness to cross boundaries and harm those close to him, marking a turning point in their relationship and the story.
Aegon was in denial when Aemond burned him
Aegon was in a state of denial when Aemond burned him during the Battle of Rook’s Rest, unable to accept the harsh reality of his brother’s true intentions. This denial may have stemmed from a mix of family dynamics, loyalty, and naivety, leading Aegon to underestimate Aemond’s ruthlessness and willingness to harm others, even his kin, to achieve power. Aegon is left to confront the painful truth about his brother’s ambition and the depths of his betrayal. Tom Glynn in an interview with NME says,
“Oh, a million-dollar question. Um, do I think? I think Aemond has always had the potential to switch. I think Aegon is still in some element of denial that Aemond would do such a thing. I think as time goes on he’s going to realize that oh actually no, he’s stopping at nothing.
Just seeing these actions unfold and seeing the pattern that’s starting to emerge. Yeah, it’s becoming apparent that he has that ability to go there but as an audience member, I think yeah I’d like to sway into the idea that Aemond has done it on purpose. Because there’s that conversation with his sister at the end of the finale.”
Tom Glynn Carney on Aemond’s intentions
Tom Glynn-Carney believes Aemond has always had the potential to switch between loyalty and ruthlessness. While Aegon remains in denial about Aemond’s true nature, the audience is left wondering if Aemond’s actions are calculated or impulsive. As the story unfolds, Aemond’s pattern of behavior suggests he may stop at nothing to achieve his goals. Unlike Aegon, Aemond is calculated and switched on, with a tunnel vision that drives him forward.
“I think it is and it comes across that Aemond is sort of trying to tell everyone that they need to move because he wants to keep the family on the throne. This makes you think that he still has this idea of the collective that he wants them all to succeed which then sort of goes against the idea that he’s just out for himself.
Well, I think he’s starting to see the walls crumble around him and then start to sort of bring all your pieces together don’t you, just to strengthen the fortress again. I think he’s calculated and switched on in a way that Aegon isn’t quite at this point. I think we potentially have the scope to see him focus in and become more channeled and driven in sort of tunnel vision and there’s a calculated coldness to Aemond.”
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