Aegon saying that Cole has proven himself of more worth than a hundred old men was a direct dig at Otto for saying Jahaerys’s death would be of more benefit to them in this war than a 100 knights in battle. Is there a worse thing to say to a father after their child has just been beheaded in his own crib? Otto’s lack of sensitivity is what made him lose control over Aegon. And yes, Tom Glynn Carney who plays Aegon is a fucking phenomenal actor, a total scene stealer this season!
I love that the final scene with Alicent where she’s seeking comfort and absolution from her father but gets rejected is directly followed up by Alicent walking in on Aegon needing comfort and her being unable to give it to him. It’s the perfect depiction of generational trauma. And it makes sense that is comes out stronger when it’s do with Aegon, the child she had at 15 and the one that’s tied the most to her loss of agency and identity.
Aegon =/= Joffrey. Joff thought he was god's gift to the world, the greatest thing since sliced bread. There's nothing Aegon hates more than himself because of the abusive neglect of his parents.
Ya'll don't like Otto because he is precisely everything a nobleman in Westeros should be and this creates a moral dissonance for the audience. We may not like his actions or beliefs, but he embodies exactly how the nobility in this world generally function and think. I find Otto more impressive than Tywin because he didn't have armies or massive wealth but rose to become one of the most powerful men in the realm. His advice to Aegon was brutal but a great move for public relations - if the game of thrones means you either win or die, then you have to be willing to make sacrifices. Otto understands this but Rhaenyra and Aegon don't. Otto served two Kings and maintained decades of peace, he's a good politician and administrator - Viserys literally says the realm owes Otto a great debt back in season 1. Unlike Tywin, who always resorts to coercion, intimidation and violence as a means to achieve his political ambitions. But both Tywin and Otto share a vital similarity: devotion to feudal duty at the expense of their families, leading to their downfall. Also Rhys Ifans is just incredible to watch so maybe im biased
Aegon wasn’t retconned at all…they aren’t justifying who he’s become they’re explaining it. They really don’t want you to forget that he’s a rapist…it’s ugly and so is he but unlike last season we are actually following him so we’re getting his perspective in a way that we haven’t before
I really like that Aegon is more sympathetic while still being awful. I mean Rhaenys murdered hundreds of innocent people last season but people still love her. Aegon is a uhhhh not-so-great guy to say the least, but what he experienced is still something you feel sympathy for. The point of the book series according to the author is "the human heart in conflict with itself" and it leads to these scenarios where characters you "should" hate have moments where you feel genuinely sorry for them. Aegon literally didn't ask for this, he specifically wanted nothing to do with the throne, but it was thrust upon him against his will and now his child has been brutally murdered. That's awful, despite Aegon's (egregious) wrongdoings.
I too would send my stepdaughter-niece to scout out the situation over my hotblooded son who is already walking around home with his hand perpetually on his sword hilt lol Jace is a perfect mix of his three fathers and none of them had a very cool mind, in my humble opinion
If you aceept a diferent sugestion of reaction, i recomend the anime Frieren The Journey Beyond end. I think you guys will love it. Its a japanese anime, but its already english dub
If I were a queen and my knight had a twin, not only would they have different armor, or different haircuts, they would also have distinctive marks to tell them apart.
Ser Criston must have that good good. Or Alicent doesn’t want to give up that power dynamic between them, because she has so little power now. Porque no Los dos? I guess
