Editor's Note: The following contains spoilers for House of the Dragon Season 2 Episode 2.
The big picture
- Tom Glynn-Carney's portrayal of Aegon adds depth
House of the Dragon
Season 2 Succession Conflict. - Aegon's poorly executed intentions and actions make his uniquely tragic story stand out among the rulers of Westeros.
- The generational trauma suffered by the Greens affects family relationships and actions.
HBO's return to Westeros sees the splintered Targaryen family plunge into their legendary and doomed conflict over who is the rightful ruler of the Seven Kingdoms. Back with a vengeance, the second season of House of the Dragon has quickly established itself as a tour de force of exceptional performances from its star-studded cast, with plenty of standout moments from both the Greens and Blacks. The highlight of Dragonstone's faction is its own queen, as Emma D'Arcy's second outing as Rhaenyra has been a master class in conveying deep and complex emotions.They only said 4 words in the season premiere, but maintained a tremendous presence despite such limited dialogue. However, Rhaenyra's rival for the Iron Throne has also been absolutely captivating.
Although Tom Glynn-CarneyAegon's performance wasn't as frequent in Season 1 as his Blacks counterpart, he's quickly established himself as a formidable and capable actor capable of completely dominating a scene. While most of Episode 2 sees Aegon in a shrill, grief-stricken rage, Glynn-Carney's highlight is a much quieter scene, as he portrays Aegon's anguished grief over his son's death in a tearful, private breakdown that conveys waves of emotion, despite not uttering a single word. Aegon is meant to be a flawed character: he's immature, selfish, and completely out of his depth as a ruler. But despite this, Glynn-Carney is also able to present Aegon as a sympathetic charactera task of great importance that makes the conflict over the succession even more tragic for both sides.
Despite Aegon's many, many flaws, he truly loved his son
Whether he sides with the greens or the blacks, there is no doubt that Aegon is ill-prepared to be king. While other characters naturally rise to leadership, Aegon's character and values are not what one would want from an all-powerful dragon king. While he must garner sympathy in many ways, it's still important to note that Aegon himself has committed many heinous deeds and will likely descend into more as the war worsens. His assault on a maiden is unforgivable and his constant neglect of his wife and queen, Helaena (Phia Saban), is one of the series' most unrelenting tragedies to date.
But among the worst Westerosi rulers, Aegon's story is entirely unique, a different kind of tragedy. He is not Joffrey (Jack Gleeson), unnecessarily sadistic for pleasure. He is not the Mad King Aerys, tyrannical and obsessive to the point of destruction. Much of Aegon's short rule so far can be seen as well-intentioned but poorly executed. Unlike other rulers, Aegon holds no ill will towards the little people, though to say he has love for them might be an exaggeration. His offer to return a shepherd's flock encapsulates his governing style: good intentions, horrible execution.
This contrast between intent and effect is best captured in his treatment of his son and heir, Jaehaerys. Unlike Aegon's own upbringing, where he suffered neglect and was never properly prepared to rule, Aegon sincerely wanted his son to become a strong king after him. However, he once again misses the mark in this, showing cruelty towards Jason Lannister (Jefferson Hall) and dismissing his daughter (a poignant reminder of the general shenanigans of the Westerosi patriarchy that ultimately incited this bloody conflict in the first place). Jaehaerys is set up as the one person Aegon loves and prioritizes the most, which makes his murder feel all the more brutally tragic.
Tom Glynn-Carney amazingly portrays Aegon's visceral pain
In the wake of Daemon's clandestine plot that led to his son's death, what was left of Aegon's inhibitions and self-control was released, and Tom Glynn-Carney was given the opportunity to completely command the spotlight . Although Aegon is best known for his swagger and self-aggrandizement, spending far more time concerned with his titles than ruling, it is ultimately through his physical actions, both minute and expressive, what Glynn-Carney fully expresses the complexity of her character.
The beginning of episode 2 is a foreboding vision, establishing just how detached Aegon has become. He slashes the model of Viserys of Old Valyria with a sword, furiously cursing Rhaenyra with each turn of the blade. And despite this display of already unbridled fury, Aegon descends even further at the meeting of the Small Council where they discuss their response to this betrayal and murder as the unprepared king breaks under the weight of the tragedy. After spending so much time looking like a young yet regal ruler, Glynn-Carney's portrayal of Aegon's faltering confidence is tragically sympathetic, conveyed through expressive body language.; Aegon shrinks back in his seat, looking like a lost child seeking the comfort of his mother. This moment is such a stark contrast to an earlier scene where the new king casually rests on the Iron Throne, a surprising image considering that the predestined seat had once been carved by King Viserys (Paddy Considine) as a harbinger of impending doom.
But all of Aegon's emotional outbursts throughout the episode culminate in a heartbreaking moment, as Aegon breaks down in heartbroken, grief-stricken tears in his private quarters. This is Glynn-Carney's most memorable scene in the series so far and it is one of the most visceral representations of pain and anguish. It's a moment that humanizes Aegon, taking a moment from his vengeful anger and replacing it with the downtrodden emotions of a father who has lost his son. Glynn-Carney's expressions convey the depth of her anguish, her shoulders shaking from the intensity of her crying. Considering how much Aegon values looking strong and powerful, watching him release his emotions in a moment of vulnerability and weakness is deeply cathartic. However, despite Aegon's lack of control over his emotions in this scene, Glynn-Carney is not out of control in his performance. Between the shoulder-shaking sobs, there is attention to the smallest details of Aegon's gestures. Similar to his mother Alicent (Olivia Cooke), Aegon developed a similar mannerism of moving with his hands when under duress. Alicient bites his fingernails until they are raw while his son Aegon plays with his signet ring as if he is uncomfortable with the weight of responsibility placed upon him.
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The Greens Harbor Generational trauma and resentment
Aegon's characterization becomes much more complex and compelling in this humanizing moment. He is a tragic character, another victim of the generational trauma that haunts the Great Houses of Ponent. In what has become an unfortunate Hightower tradition, each of the younger generation of Greens has suffered manipulation and abandonment. Otto Hightower manipulated Alicent into becoming queen, just as they both schemed to get Aegon to ascend the throne. Despite his general attempts to ensure the prosperity and safety of his family, the Greens are totally incapable of comforting each otherresulting in lasting trauma from the neglect and manipulation that pervades her home.
The final scenes of Episode 2 perfectly illustrate this toxic cycle moments before Aegon's breakdown, Otto (Rhys Ifan) completely shuts down Alicent's attempt to seek consolation and penance. But when Alicent sees her son in distress, she is unable to comfort him, once again neglecting her responsibility as a mother. Despite her good intentions, Alicent continues to perpetuate the toxicity instigated by her father. Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) and Helaena also suffer from Alicent's absent motherhood, experiencing their own forms of abandonment. While there is certainly love between the greens, their complete inability to talk to each other and develop an understanding with each other will only haunt them further.
Aegon's time on the throne has already been marred by so much tragedy and bloodshed, incited and perpetuated by the conflict of past generations and the cycle of family abandonment. While his indiscriminate slaughter of the Red Tower mice is heinous, his outraged response to such a heartbreaking loss is reported. For all his bluster, Aegon is still just a young man with a kingdom thrust upon him with a son who has just been mercilessly slaughtered, and a family unable to provide him with even a moment of comfort and security. Tom Glynn-Carney's portrayal of the new king's heartbreaking tears humanizes the Targaryens but it is also a foreshadowing of all the suffering that will come to Westeros because of this conflict.
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