House of the Dragon showrunner Ryan Condal says Aegon had every opportunity to take revenge... but that it wouldn't have signified any growth in his character.
Spoilers for House of the Dragon season 3 episode 8 'The Dragon in Winter' lie ahead.
"That would be no fun," Condal says during a press conference attended by GamesRadar+, when asked why Aegon didn't kill Aemond when the two reunite in the House of the Dragon season 3 finale. "He's learned a lot in Season 3 here, Aegon. And even though he's still angry with his brother and has agendas, I think what he realized in his evolution is that he does deserve a lot of the things that happened to him, probably in some way, and, 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.
"I mean, 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."
Because Aemond attempted to kill Aegon, his own brother, and his brother's dragon Sunfyre, one could conclude that Aegon then had every right to turn around and kill Aemond in an act of revenge. In House of the Dragon season 3 episode 8, Aemond himself even seems surprised when Aegon decides against it. Instead, Aegon suggests that he, Aemond, and Alys go find Vhagar and enter the battle themselves. However, we don't see Aegon and Aemond again in the episode after this moment.
Condal continues: "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 calling him the, you know, the second… he's basically… he's 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."
It's also book-accurate, seeing as Aemond doesn't die until later on in the Dance of Dragons, during what's known as the Battle Above God's Eye. During the battle, Aemond, while riding Vhagar, and Daemon, while riding Caraxes, fight to the death – with Daemon ultimately driving his sword into Aemond's eye (presumably the good one). Aegon outlives his brother, sure, but then is ultimately assassinated via poison towards the very end of the war. Rhaenyra's son Aegon III then takes the Iron Throne.
Since the fourth and final season of House of the Dragon is expected to take us all the way to the end of the war, we can expect to see all of this play out in its true horror on screen.
House of the Dragon season 3 is streaming now on HBO Max and NOW. Make sure you don't miss the season 3 finale with our House of the Dragon season 3 release schedule.
