Aegon Targaryen (Tom Glynn-Carney) proved to be a high point throughout House of the Dragon season 3. In addition to providing comic relief, Aegon's story also stripped the former king of his power and glory, forcing him to make something of himself in squalor and survive without the luxuries of the Red Keep for the first time.
Aegon's story this season unexpectedly parallels an iconic character from House of the Dragon's predecessor, Game of Thrones. Much like Aegon, this character's first foray into the "real world" takes place during the third season of his show. However, while one of these two characters is ultimately changed by their experience, the other uses it to double down and strengthen his worst tendencies.
Aegon and Larys' excellent adventure
Aegon spends most of the season wandering the wilderness with Larys Strong (Matthew Needham) after the two escape the Red Keep in fear that Aegon's brother, Aemond (Ewan Mitchell), will kill the wounded king in order to remain on the throne. However, their journey does not go as planned, with the duo finding themselves captured almost instantly. After weaseling their way out of captivity, they make their way to Rook's Rest, where Aegon, no longer on the throne, is treated the same way he treated others when he ruled, going so far as to kiss the boot of a common man named Janos (Oliver Coopersmith).
Aegon and Larys constantly bicker and squabble during their storyline this season. Larys is one of the few characters who doesn't fear Aegon, going so far as to blatantly tell the former king that he is not a good man. Aegon unexpectedly respects Larys for his honesty, admiring the fact that he is not just another yes man. Ultimately, the two say goodbye in the seventh episode of the season, "The Dragon in Winter," when Larys realizes that he won't be much help in a fight to protect Aegon and sails off to keep the king safe.
Strong similarities to Jaime's Season 3 story
Aegon's storyline parallels Jaime Lannister's (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) arc back in Game of Thrones season 3. Much like Aegon, Jaime grew up as a wealthy noble, and loses his power while traveling in the wilderness. In Jaime's case, he not only finds himself stripped of any and all command that comes with the Lannister name, but he also loses his literal prowess, as Locke (Noah Taylor) chops off his famous sword fighting hand.
Additionally, Jaime's dynamic with his travel companion, Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christie), mirrors Aegon's relationship with Larys. Though an eventual romantic connection between Aegon and Larys feels unlikely, Jaime and Brienne also squabble and bicker throughout their travels, and Jaime develops a begrudging respect for Brienne thanks in part to her honesty towards him.
Both Aegon and Jaime encounter a ferocious beast during their travels, with Jaime diving into a pit to fight an angry bear and Aegon reuniting with his beloved dragon Sunfyre, who had secretly survived the Battle of Rook's Rest. Additionally, Aegon and Larys eventually encounter Tyland Lannister (Jefferson Hall), a member of Jaime's house. These small similarities add up, resulting in Aegon's season 3 storyline surprisingly resembling Jaime's.
The difference between Jaime and Aegon
Season 3 is ultimately where Jaime's redemption arc begins. He had been painted as one of the main villains of the series since the very first episode, which ends with him attempting to kill the young Bran Stark (Isaac Hempstead-Wright) by tossing him out a window. However, during season 3, Jaime begins to show his depth as a character, ultimately starting on the path to become a better man when he risks his life to rescue Brienne from the brutal bear.
In contrast, Aegon becomes even worse during his similar arc. Like Jaime, Aegon has been portrayed as a detestable villain throughout House of the Dragon. However, he is disinterested in redemption. He kills Janos the second he can, relishing his savagery and power in the moment.
Additionally, Jaime, in the books at least, blames himself for the death of his son/nephew, King Joffrey Baratheon (Jack Gleason), due to his absence from King's Landing at the time of the infamous Purple Wedding. Jaime believes that if he were present, he would somehow have been able to keep the king safe. Aegon, meanwhile, also loses a loved one at the end of the season, in his case, his sister/wife Helaena (Phia Saban), who, in her loneliness and mental instability, commits suicide. The difference between Jaime and Aegon boils down to the fact that Aegon has the opportunity to reunite with Helaena after finding Sunfyre, potentially saving her from her grim fate, but instead uses his dragon to go after revenge on Aemond at Harrenhal. While Jaime's journey transformed him into a more merciful man, Aegon's only strengthened his bloodthirstiness.
For more from the world of Westeros, make sure to stream House of the Dragon season 3, now available in its entirety on HBO Max.
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