Game of Thrones cut a huge Targaryen twist from the books, and it ended up hurting Daenerys Targaryen’s arc. Daenerys’ story was one of the show’s most important, and her villain turn, becoming the so-called “Mad Queen,” was a major factor in Game of Thrones‘ ending being so controversial. However, there’s reason to believe – or rather, hope – that George R.R. Martin will do it better when The Winds of Winter releases.
Although I personally liked Dany’s ending, I can certainly see why it was divisive, and it wasn’t done perfectly. Martin’s books have much more room for character development than Game of Thrones season 8’s truncated run, which should be a huge benefit. They also, crucially, have a point-of-view structure, which will allow us to be inside Daenerys’ head as she’s making decisions such as burning King’s Landing (something I think will happen in some form in the novels). But there’s another key advantage too: another Targaryen who can claim the Iron Throne in Aegon, aka Young Griff.
I Was Initially Sure Game Of Thrones Cutting Aegon Targaryen Was Right
A Dance With Dragons’ Targaryen Twist Comes Out Of Nowhere
Martin’s fifth book, A Dance with Dragons, revealed one of A Song of Ice and Fire‘s biggest twists yet: Aegon Targaryen, the firstborn son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Elia Martell, is ostensibly still alive. Going by the moniker Young Griff, it’s claimed that Varys swapped the baby with another before the Mountain killed him at the end of Robert’s Rebellion. Young Griff, or Aegon, has been raised in Essos in secret, brought up as the absolute perfect Targaryen prince who can one day return to Westeros and restore his family’s dynasty.
When I first read it I was pretty shocked, but also didn’t love it. While Martin has earned plenty of trust, it did feel like yet another diversion in a story that just kept on growing, especially as there’s a decent chance he’s a fraud. So, when Game of Thrones cut Aegon (it should’ve introduced him in season 5, based on the book), I was pretty happy with it, and have remained so more or less ever since.
It’s even harder to pull off on TV when balancing storylines with tighter runtimes and episode counts, and requires a lot of attention to detail, which is a bigger ask of general TV audiences than book readers. It would also massively expand how many episodes were needed, something the show was already struggling with as it started to pivot towards its endgame (and face the production challenges of getting bigger and bigger in scale).
I Can See How Aegon Makes Daenerys’ Story Better In The Books Than Facing Cersei
It Gives The Story More Meaning To Daenerys
Although the challenges of including Aegon are still there and, for me, do remain valid, I’ve started to feel that the pros probably outweigh them on balance. In particular, I’ve been thinking (and, of course, writing) a bit more about Daenerys’ story in The Winds of Winter of late, and how likely it is that she’ll be coming up against Aegon in Westeros’ capital, rather than Cersei Lannister. And the more I think about that, the more sense it makes to have him there, and it could make Dany’s story a lot stronger.
Daenerys believes she is the last Targaryen; that her birthright and destiny is to rule the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros.
Daenerys believes she is the last Targaryen; that her birthright and destiny is to rule the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros. If, as expected, Aegon takes the Iron Throne (as per The Winds of Winter‘s preview chapters, he’s already landing in the stormlands, ready to gather support), then that will pose a very different problem for her than Cersei. Aegon is designed to be everything a ruler should be; someone who is tailor-made to be beloved by the people.
So, if he takes the throne, he will do so with the support of them, which is a stark contrast to Cersei becoming Queen in Game of Thrones. That means Dany, who has been told that people still whisper the Targaryen name and long for their return, will finally make it back to Westeros, thinking she will receive a warm welcome and take what is hers by right… only to find another Targaryen already on the Iron Throne, and already beloved by its citizens. That will be a particularly cruel, crushing blow.
The more I think about this, the more it makes sense. A huge part of Daenerys’ villain turn in Game of Thrones season 8 was driven by her being rejected by the people of Westeros, mostly in the North. But the people of King’s Landing would have no reason to love Cersei, and the show never really explored that element. It’s much richer if the people of the capital, where she wants to rule and is what she believes was taken from her family, reject her for her own nephew.
This could then lead into a second Dance of the Dragons, leading to parallels with the story that’s now being told in House of the Dragon.
This could then lead into a second Dance of the Dragons, leading to parallels with the story that’s now being told in House of the Dragon. Martin loves the idea of history repeating itself – or, rather, people being doomed to repeat it – and he’s made several pointed mentions of the civil war, giving this greater thematic resonance.
There’s Still One Problem I Have With Game Of Thrones Including Aegon
It Would’ve Been Hard To Do Everyone Justice
Although I’ve mostly talked myself into wanting Aegon in the show, I do still have a couple of hang-ups. Again, it would mean a lot of expansion, which could be harder for TV audiences. But, done right, that wouldn’t be a problem – more seasons, more episodes, and more time given to these character arcs would alleviate issues with seasons 7 and 8, with or without Young Griff facing off with Daenerys.
The bigger issue that I’m now wrestling with is Cersei’s role. For my money, the show gives Cersei even greater depth than the books, and Lena Headey gives one of the very best performances of the entire series, really making her one of the most complex characters. I absolutely adore watching Headey, and wished she actually had more screen time in season 8. But if Aegon came in, it would presumably be at her expense. Ultimately, that might be worth it for making Daenerys’ Game of Thrones story strong, but would still be a shame, and shows that no adaptation can ever be perfect.
