‘House of the Dragon’ Boss Explains Aegon & Aemond’s Finale Scene & What’s Next

Despite the Targaryen son’s strong desire to, Ryan Condal says it would have been “no fun” if Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) killed his treacherous brother Aemond (Ewan Mitchell) in the House of the Dragon Season 3 finale, which aired on August 9 on HBO. It would also have been a huge departure from the source material that never would have gone well with George R.R. Martin fans. Even though Aemond tried to kill Aegon in Season 2 and nearly succeeded, the brothers have been on individual journeys this season that made them realize that they need each other if they have any hope to survive. Here, Condal explains their finale scene. Warning: House of the Dragon Season 3 finale spoilers ahead!

Glynn-Carney delivered one of the funniest line readings of the year when he told Aemond in Harrenhal, “I’m alive! Imbecile.” A big slap across the face came first. Aegon’s energy came from the unexpected return of his dragon, Sunfyre, who was presumed dead after the battle at Rook’s Rest in Season 2. Sunfyre is maimed like Aegon by the injuries inflicted by Aemond and Vhagar, but he lives on. News of their “resurrection” caused chaos throughout the realm and prompted Queen Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy) to take drastic action in King’s Landing while sending Daemon (Matt Smith) into battle in Tumbleton.

Aegon went to Harrenhal, where his younger brother had been living in secret with Alys Rivers (Gayle Rankin) all season. The finale revealed that Alys is actually the wife of Harren Hoare, also known as Harren the Black, who was the last King of the Isles and the Rivers. Aegon the Conqueror ended her family’s line when killing her husband and her son and using Balerion the Black Dread to destroy Harrenhal. Alys’ efforts to save her son left her cursed to live forever. Now, she’s seeking a new life with Aemond, but Aegon needs him to fight against Rhaenyra in the conflict that’s coming in Season 4.

Theo Whiteman/HBO

“He’s learned a lot in Season 3 here, Aegon,” Condal told us of the Season 3 finale. “And even though he’s still angry with his brother and has agendas, what he realized in his evolution is that he does deserve a lot of the things that happened to him, probably in some way, had to learn how to be a better king, and perhaps that he needed to be away and walk amongst the people as a pauper.”

Related

'House of the Dragon' Finale: Emma D'Arcy Explains Rhaenyra's Tyranny & Alicent's Future

“The irony of the season is that Aegon, now not in the proximity of the throne, goes on this incredible character evolution where he becomes a much more dimensionalized man, who is more sympathetic and possibly more suited to rule, and then Rhaenyra in the proximity of the throne, is turned and altered and somewhat corrupted by being in its orbit,” Condal added. “So, I think if Aegon had shown up and just killed Aemond, it really would not have marked the growth in the character. It’s him seeing Aemond’s change, and then realizing where he is standing with his dragon, and suddenly this incredible wind of legitimacy behind him, now that the realm is [saying] he’s basically experienced a messianic return. I think it would ruin and spoil that for him to kill the person that’s potentially his greatest and strongest ally.”

Condal explained that while Rhaenyra’s increasingly tyrannical behavior might make some people view the Hightower usurpers in a more sympathetic light, House of the Dragon Season 4 (the final season) won’t be interested in simply turning the tides against Rhaenyra. Condal envisions a more nuanced storyline.

Ollie Upton/HBO

“I’ve always said from the outset of this series, this is a tragedy,” he said. “I think the original series [Game of Thrones] was much more of a classic epic hero’s journey, where this fractured realm has to unite against a common enemy in the White Walkers, the terror in the North. Whereas our show is much more of a Greek or a Shakespearean tragedy. This is a succession battle.”

Related

'House of the Dragon': Steve Toussaint Explains Corlys & Daemon Tumbleton Ending

“We’re actually watching a dynasty destroy itself from within for reasons of ego and pride and power,” Condal continued, “and I think our show is much more of an exploration of what power means and what it means to wear a crown and sit on a throne, but also to do so with nuclear weapons at your back, and how and when those are deployed, and how you use them. This series is an exploration of the Targaryens in their striving and reaching for power, destroying the very thing that gives them that absolute power in the first place, which is the dragons. And that’s what makes it, to me, a very, very dark tragedy, that we’re watching in increasing motion.”

House of the Dragon Season 4 is set to premiere in 2028. “We have an incredible season coming,” Condal shared. “As crazy and big as Season 3 was, I think Season 4 is going to be even bigger.”

House of the Dragon, Season 4 Premiere, 2028, HBO; Seasons 1-3, Streaming Now, HBO Max